After a prolonged absence (mostly because I didn't really have much to say and got lazy), I'm officially back.
My daily routine now is that of a (as I call it) multi-part-timer. So everyday I wake up around 7:20 and head to the appropriate work place as needed and get home around 7ish. Then I have dinner, watch No Regrets, make cards/cross-stitch as required, tutor if necessary and study lsat (because, unfortunately, I'm retaking it in December at Everett since all the Vancouver spots are filled up).
Recently, I've been thinking about the things I pray about. Usually I start of with "Thank God today for _____________" and then I list some stuff that happened today that I'm thankful for. Then I go on into a long list of needs (recently it's been better LSAT scores (preferably 165), getting along with coworkers at new jobs, ability to save money, divine inspiration for upcoming music-related what-nots, church, motivation to read more and love people around me, etc).
But last week I some how came across the idea of trying to pray just praises to God. So I'm going to try that for a week starting today.
And already the first problem I can see is to differentiate between thanksgiving and praises.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
And can it be that I should gain
To be very honest (and hopefully not offend anyone out there), it is very difficult to for me to find Christian songs/hymns that I like. It seems like all the ones in Hymns of Life sound the same, all the ones from Streams of Praise sounds the same and all the "contemporary" Cantonese ones sounds the same too. To be fair, I don't listen to "christian" music outside of church either (Chris Tomlin fan? no not really.) I am also kinda picky with "Christian hymns" too because I don't like songs that are "unsingable" and lyrics that are cliches so it's rather annoying.
But occasionally, I do find hymns that I really like: where the melody is comfortable and the lyrics are genuine and true. This song is one of them.
But occasionally, I do find hymns that I really like: where the melody is comfortable and the lyrics are genuine and true. This song is one of them.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
命裏有時終須有, 命裏無時莫強求
My parents always used to listen to this song when I was younger and I've always loved it for its melody. Now that I understand the lyrics, it's even more meaningful.
And yes, I do feel old when I listen to this song haha.
And yes, I do feel old when I listen to this song haha.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Time to Love
For the very first time in my life, I heard my voice singing on the radio (I missed it last week haha). I must say, it was rather nerve racking. I wonder what people think or say when they hear it (maybe they don't notice haha). I just think I sound very different and 比真人溫柔得多 haha.
Thank you Deakin for giving me this chance of singing a great song and making me feel like a 歌手 by playing the song on the radio and calling me a "本地歌手". I don't know if I'll ever have a chance like this in the future.
and thank you 鄭少 for waiting two hours by the radio with me haha.
Thank you Deakin for giving me this chance of singing a great song and making me feel like a 歌手 by playing the song on the radio and calling me a "本地歌手". I don't know if I'll ever have a chance like this in the future.
and thank you 鄭少 for waiting two hours by the radio with me haha.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Laziness, beef, pork and "voice-capability crises"...
i don't know what's wrong with me.
Lots of times in my everyday life, things would happen to me or I would see something or a thought would come up in my mind and I'll go "hey! I should record that down in my blog tonight" but when I go home I just forget about it or (worse yet) remember it but just be too lazy to type it out here. The result is that 1. I forget most of what happens to me and 2. This blog is stranded for weeks at times.
Anyways...
I've managed to gone one full week (minus Sunday) without pork or beef to celebrate Lent. Frankly, I am quite proud of myself because it is a very difficult feat for a foodie like me (esp. tonight when my mom made my all time favourite 鹹蛋豬肉) but I've managed thus far. I do get really hungry at night since some meals I just eat vegetables and rice but other than that, I've been okay. Just a bit more over a month to go...
Another thing that's been bugging me for the past week is my singing. As a general rule, I try to avoid listening any recordings of my own singing (unless I'm part of a choir in which case I won't be able to hear my own voice) because, honestly, I hate my singing and if i can avoid listening to it I won't suffer from an voice-capability crisis like I am right now. Really I am not even exaggerating or being cocky. On Sunday as I sat there and listened to my own voice I can barely kept a straight face because it was like torture. I simply cannot stand it and I felt sorry for everyone else in the room who has to endure 3 minutes of this (for lack of a better word) crap. And I am quite convinced that it was not the song (actually the song itself was great) because this is not the first time I've heard my sing and thought to myself "Wow 3 years of training and so much money for this bs?" (not that my teachers were, in any way, bs because they are awesome singers)
Which begs the question, are you actually good at something if you yourself don't think that you are?
Lots of times in my everyday life, things would happen to me or I would see something or a thought would come up in my mind and I'll go "hey! I should record that down in my blog tonight" but when I go home I just forget about it or (worse yet) remember it but just be too lazy to type it out here. The result is that 1. I forget most of what happens to me and 2. This blog is stranded for weeks at times.
Anyways...
I've managed to gone one full week (minus Sunday) without pork or beef to celebrate Lent. Frankly, I am quite proud of myself because it is a very difficult feat for a foodie like me (esp. tonight when my mom made my all time favourite 鹹蛋豬肉) but I've managed thus far. I do get really hungry at night since some meals I just eat vegetables and rice but other than that, I've been okay. Just a bit more over a month to go...
Another thing that's been bugging me for the past week is my singing. As a general rule, I try to avoid listening any recordings of my own singing (unless I'm part of a choir in which case I won't be able to hear my own voice) because, honestly, I hate my singing and if i can avoid listening to it I won't suffer from an voice-capability crisis like I am right now. Really I am not even exaggerating or being cocky. On Sunday as I sat there and listened to my own voice I can barely kept a straight face because it was like torture. I simply cannot stand it and I felt sorry for everyone else in the room who has to endure 3 minutes of this (for lack of a better word) crap. And I am quite convinced that it was not the song (actually the song itself was great) because this is not the first time I've heard my sing and thought to myself "Wow 3 years of training and so much money for this bs?" (not that my teachers were, in any way, bs because they are awesome singers)
Which begs the question, are you actually good at something if you yourself don't think that you are?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Life goin' nowhere, somebody help me, yeah
I was just about to start whining and complain on this blog post about life in general today but then suddenly, my iTunes shuffled itself to the Bee Gee's Stayin' Alive.
Now I know that even my iTunes is rooting for me。 Ah, what a relieve.
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm.
I've been kicked around since I was born.
And now it's all right, it's O.K.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And ev'rybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Well now, I get low and I get high
And if I can't get either I really try.
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes
I'm a dancin' man and I just can't lose.
You know it's all right, it's O.K.
I'll live to see another day.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And ev'rybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm.
I've been kicked around since I was born.
And now it's all right, it's O.K.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And ev'rybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive
Now I know that even my iTunes is rooting for me。 Ah, what a relieve.
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm.
I've been kicked around since I was born.
And now it's all right, it's O.K.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And ev'rybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Well now, I get low and I get high
And if I can't get either I really try.
Got the wings of heaven on my shoes
I'm a dancin' man and I just can't lose.
You know it's all right, it's O.K.
I'll live to see another day.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And ev'rybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk,
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk.
Music loud and women warm.
I've been kicked around since I was born.
And now it's all right, it's O.K.
And you may look the other way.
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man.
Whether you're a brother
Or whether you're a mother,
You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Feel the city breakin'
And ev'rybody shakin'
And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Stayin' alive.
Ah, ha, ha, ha,
Stayin' alive.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Life goin' nowhere.
Somebody help me, yeah.
Stayin' alive
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thank you, Jesus
Thank you Jesus, because You've reminded that it is through trials that I can see more of You.
Thank you Jesus, because through what is going on, You've allowed me to grow stronger in You.
Thank you Jesus, because You have told me that I am blessed when I am at the end of my rope: with less of me there is more of You and Your rule
Thank you Jesus, because You have given me enough wisdom to be able to tell what I should and should not do.
Thank you Jesus, because You haven't given me too much wisdom so that I only rely on myself and not on You.
Thank you Jesus, because You have prepared me to handle this.
Thank you Jesus, because You have surrounded me with people that support and help me handle this.
Thank you Jesus, because You have reminded me also to not place my trust in people, or leaders, or institutions but in You and only You.
Thank you Jesus, because I know that through this we can be more unified.
Thank you Jesus, because You won't let us fight this battle alone.
Thank you Jesus, because You have given me hope.
Thank you Jesus, because You remind me that, in the end, this is all about You.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how heartbreaking this gets, You will never forsake me.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how disappointing this gets, You never disappoint.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how hopeless this looks, Your ways are still far greater than ours.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how much harder this gets, Your grace is still sufficient.
Thank you Jesus, because on the cross I saw love and sorrow mingled down.
Thank you Jesus, because through that hymn today, I realized that in the midst of sorrow, there can still be love.
Thank you Jesus, because through what has happened, I have developed a greater thirst for You.
Thank you Jesus, because through this, You have forced me to seriously contemplate why I choose to serve.
Thank you Jesus, because You have taught me that serving is not always easy.
Thank you Jesus, because I see people around me that are going through the same sorrow and yet they still love.
Thank you Jesus, because You've reassured me that You will be in charge of tomorrow.
Thank you Jesus, because You're in charge of today, right now.
Thank you Jesus, because this is a valuable lesson that I must learn.
Thank you Jesus, because You've forgiven my sins.
Thank you Jesus, because You understand how I feel.
Thank you Jesus, because You care.
Thank you Jesus, because it is You who give me the strength to still wake up every Sunday morning at 7am.
Thank you Jesus, because You haven't allowed me to be numbed by all the words and emails of the past two months.
Thank you Jesus, because I see more clearly than ever because of this.
Thank you Jesus, because You look into our hearts, not our actions.
Thank you Jesus, because in my deepest sorrow, You still comfort.
Thank you Jesus, because You've called Your own servants to lead and mediate during this difficult time.
Thank you Jesus, because You have reassured me that You're still working through PMPGMBC.
Thank you Jesus, because in Your word, I know that if we are willing to turn back to You, You will listen and take us back.
Thank you Jesus, because all this is not for nothing.
Thank you Jesus, because through what is going on, You've allowed me to grow stronger in You.
Thank you Jesus, because You have told me that I am blessed when I am at the end of my rope: with less of me there is more of You and Your rule
Thank you Jesus, because You have given me enough wisdom to be able to tell what I should and should not do.
Thank you Jesus, because You haven't given me too much wisdom so that I only rely on myself and not on You.
Thank you Jesus, because You have prepared me to handle this.
Thank you Jesus, because You have surrounded me with people that support and help me handle this.
Thank you Jesus, because You have reminded me also to not place my trust in people, or leaders, or institutions but in You and only You.
Thank you Jesus, because I know that through this we can be more unified.
Thank you Jesus, because You won't let us fight this battle alone.
Thank you Jesus, because You have given me hope.
Thank you Jesus, because You remind me that, in the end, this is all about You.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how heartbreaking this gets, You will never forsake me.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how disappointing this gets, You never disappoint.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how hopeless this looks, Your ways are still far greater than ours.
Thank you Jesus, because no matter how much harder this gets, Your grace is still sufficient.
Thank you Jesus, because on the cross I saw love and sorrow mingled down.
Thank you Jesus, because through that hymn today, I realized that in the midst of sorrow, there can still be love.
Thank you Jesus, because through what has happened, I have developed a greater thirst for You.
Thank you Jesus, because through this, You have forced me to seriously contemplate why I choose to serve.
Thank you Jesus, because You have taught me that serving is not always easy.
Thank you Jesus, because I see people around me that are going through the same sorrow and yet they still love.
Thank you Jesus, because You've reassured me that You will be in charge of tomorrow.
Thank you Jesus, because You're in charge of today, right now.
Thank you Jesus, because this is a valuable lesson that I must learn.
Thank you Jesus, because You've forgiven my sins.
Thank you Jesus, because You understand how I feel.
Thank you Jesus, because You care.
Thank you Jesus, because it is You who give me the strength to still wake up every Sunday morning at 7am.
Thank you Jesus, because You haven't allowed me to be numbed by all the words and emails of the past two months.
Thank you Jesus, because I see more clearly than ever because of this.
Thank you Jesus, because You look into our hearts, not our actions.
Thank you Jesus, because in my deepest sorrow, You still comfort.
Thank you Jesus, because You've called Your own servants to lead and mediate during this difficult time.
Thank you Jesus, because You have reassured me that You're still working through PMPGMBC.
Thank you Jesus, because in Your word, I know that if we are willing to turn back to You, You will listen and take us back.
Thank you Jesus, because all this is not for nothing.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
That's Just Life!
路...一直都在 - 陳奕迅
穿過人潮洶湧燈火欄柵
沒有想過回頭
一段又一段走不完的旅程
甚麼時候能走完
oh 我的夢代表甚麼
又是甚麼讓我們不安
That's just life 尋找夢裏的未來
That's just life 消滅現實的無奈
不能後退的時候 不再徬徨的時候
永遠向前 路一直都在
穿過一塊 裏面一片黑暗
沒有想過回頭
一段又一段走不完的旅程
甚麼時候能習慣
oh 我的夢代表甚麼
又是甚麼讓我們期盼
That's just life 尋找夢裏的未來
That's just life 消滅現實的無奈
不能後退的時候 不再徬徨的時候
永遠向前 路一直都在
看不清的路又算甚麼
看不清的夢又算甚麼
就算走到盡頭又能算甚麼
能算甚麼
That's just life 尋找夢裏的未來
That's just life 消滅現實的無奈
不能後退的時候 不再徬徨的時候
永遠向前 路一直都在
That's just life 徘徊到不再徘徊
That's just life 重來到不怕重來
沒有選擇的時候 不能選擇的時候
永遠向前 路一直都在
Hopefully I will always remember this song and really stop being afraid of aging. For some reason, the last few days were really the first time I started having China-sickness since I've been back. At any given time, I'd suddenly think about Shanghai or Ningbo and all the fun stuff to do there and all the wonderful people that are there.
Maybe I should go back some time soon.
Monday, April 20, 2009
do re mi
People always say that you don't know something until you've taught it. My recent experiences as a singing/musical theory teacher to a group of 30 has confirmed this saying. It is so difficult to explain the simplest of music concepts (i.e. what is a staff? what is a quarter note? what are notes?) I suppose that it doesn't help that I've learned these things myself more than 13 years ago. Teaching music is like trying to teach math - but in a foreign language. Music seems so logical and second-nature to me by now (at least the really straightforward, non-creative components of it), that teaching it seems almost illogical because I've come to see it as common sense (especially when you're in Canada I suppose, where 9.999 out of 10 kids are forced to play piano or some sort of musical instrument). So now, when I plan my lessons, I imagine myself teaching little kids and have created little "do-re-mi" flash cards and rhythm clapping games for my class.
I now have new found respect for Mrs. Forestor, Alyssa, and Hilda (my first piano teacher at Tom Lee, my piano teacher that got me to my grade 10 piano cert., and my theory teacher that taught me harmony before I realized what I can use it for, respectively.)
Currently listening: Toco Rosalia De Souza
Sunday, March 22, 2009
陳綺貞太陽演唱會
很快地在上海打了個轉．目的就真的只有一個： 期待已久的陳綺貞太陽演唱會.
陳綺貞演唱會只能用一個字形容: 正! 大家都超 high + 企足2.5小時 + encored 5 times. 陳綺貞 is really amazing. She has this way of totally engaging her audience. However, at times I felt that she was just singing by herself and to herself, as if the 20 000 of us sitting in the audience weren't really there. When she sings, her voice really interprets the lyrics and I felt as if she was singing her feelings of the moment (which couldn't be true because she sang all sorts of songs). The 演唱會 was very simple: no dancers, no special guests, no eye-catching costumes. Just 陳綺貞, her guitar and her 5-man band (and the occasional strings section). 她不但唱了很多她最新專輯的歌, 還唱了很多以前讓大家喜歡她的歌, like 還是會寂寞, 告訴我, 旅行的意義, 1234567, 妒嫉, etc. The entire night I was secretly praying that she would sing 會不會, a song of her's that has touched me very deeply. I didn't really think she would sing it because it isn't one of her more popular songs but FINALLY, at the 4th or 5th encore she sang it. 她演場唱比CD跟加有味道. The one thing I really didn't like was the sale of Cheer concert T-shirts/pencil bags/environmental bags at the gates. They were majorly overpriced and I really didn't identify Cheer with such consumerism. Anyways all in all it was great.
Currently listening: 會不會 - 陳綺貞
Sunday, March 1, 2009
三件事
This weekend, three things made me really happy:
1. My "alcoholic" British friends and I at an Irish pub in 老外灘 (the Ningbo equivalent of 蘭桂芳 but smaller) for dinner on Friday night to curb our "white food" cravings with pizza and beer. They even had a hockey game going on the big plasma TV. I think it was Canada vs. China or something. (This photo is staged, they aren't actual alcoholics)
2. 陳綺貞演唱會飛...終於到手.
3. I now have somewhere to go on my Sunday mornings and I LOVE IT!
Currently Listening: Dancing Queen - ABBA (admit it, we all secretly love this song)
1. My "alcoholic" British friends and I at an Irish pub in 老外灘 (the Ningbo equivalent of 蘭桂芳 but smaller) for dinner on Friday night to curb our "white food" cravings with pizza and beer. They even had a hockey game going on the big plasma TV. I think it was Canada vs. China or something. (This photo is staged, they aren't actual alcoholics)
2. 陳綺貞演唱會飛...終於到手.
3. I now have somewhere to go on my Sunday mornings and I LOVE IT!
Currently Listening: Dancing Queen - ABBA (admit it, we all secretly love this song)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
February blehs
Spent a day in the emotional dumps today, living off oreos, chili-flavoured bugles, IPE readings, and this song.
Porcelain - At17
I am very very much in like with you
I hope that it's enough 'cause it's all I can do
'Cause you treat my skin like porcelain,
Rare and special porcelain
Even though you know I know you know
That this is not the real thing...
Oh, isn't it enough what I'm giving to you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough, isn't it enough?
I read a book like you, it says for what it's worth
People only really get what they deserve
And I hear a voice cry out within
Relax, enjoy the porcelain
Treatment feels like liquid gold
A treasured hand for me to hold
Oh, isn't it enough what I'm giving to you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough, isn't it enough?
Porcelain, porcelain
You treat my skin like porcelain...
In the big, big scheme of things
Beyond the rare and special porcelain
Beyond the joy, joy and the dis-at-ease
Well there's a place for me...
Porcelain, porcelain....
Sometimes I think I should say I love you too
If words are free, why can't I spare the best for you?
'Cause you treat my skin like porcelain
Rare and special porcelain
Even though you know I know you know
I'm cracked from all of this living
Oh, isn't it enough what I'm giving to you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough that I'm checking for you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough, isn't it enough?
Isn't it enough?
Isn't it enough?
Porcelain - At17
I am very very much in like with you
I hope that it's enough 'cause it's all I can do
'Cause you treat my skin like porcelain,
Rare and special porcelain
Even though you know I know you know
That this is not the real thing...
Oh, isn't it enough what I'm giving to you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough, isn't it enough?
I read a book like you, it says for what it's worth
People only really get what they deserve
And I hear a voice cry out within
Relax, enjoy the porcelain
Treatment feels like liquid gold
A treasured hand for me to hold
Oh, isn't it enough what I'm giving to you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough, isn't it enough?
Porcelain, porcelain
You treat my skin like porcelain...
In the big, big scheme of things
Beyond the rare and special porcelain
Beyond the joy, joy and the dis-at-ease
Well there's a place for me...
Porcelain, porcelain....
Sometimes I think I should say I love you too
If words are free, why can't I spare the best for you?
'Cause you treat my skin like porcelain
Rare and special porcelain
Even though you know I know you know
I'm cracked from all of this living
Oh, isn't it enough what I'm giving to you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough that I'm checking for you, baby?
Oh, isn't it enough that your kisses drive me crazy?
Oh, isn't it enough, isn't it enough?
Isn't it enough?
Isn't it enough?
Monday, February 16, 2009
不公平
帶不走的 丟不掉的 讓大雨侵蝕吧
讓他推向我在邊界奮不顧身掙扎
一直都不太明白, 爲什麽這世界上有些人可以有那麽多才華, 那麽多 creativity, 可以用音樂, 歌詞去表達一些説話難以形容的感覺, 感受, 感動 (i.e. 陳綺貞)?
爲什麽又有一些人, 很會寫 essay and reports, etc., but when it comes to using words to express feelings and creativity, is an absolute retard (i.e. me)?
太不公平了!!!
(對陳綺貞已經變成了又愛又恨)
currently listen: 魚 - 陳綺貞
btw, 今天我由三文治 chef 進化成餃子 chef (i mean i bought frozen 餃子s and threw them into boiling water). Don't worry. No one died.
讓他推向我在邊界奮不顧身掙扎
一直都不太明白, 爲什麽這世界上有些人可以有那麽多才華, 那麽多 creativity, 可以用音樂, 歌詞去表達一些説話難以形容的感覺, 感受, 感動 (i.e. 陳綺貞)?
爲什麽又有一些人, 很會寫 essay and reports, etc., but when it comes to using words to express feelings and creativity, is an absolute retard (i.e. me)?
太不公平了!!!
(對陳綺貞已經變成了又愛又恨)
currently listen: 魚 - 陳綺貞
btw, 今天我由三文治 chef 進化成餃子 chef (i mean i bought frozen 餃子s and threw them into boiling water). Don't worry. No one died.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
my life at unnc (so far)
I've just been so busy trying to get used to life here in UNNC that i haven't been very diligent at updating my blog as frequently as I really should be. A lot as happened over the past few days (I've already been here for almost four days).
其中，本來看起來很便宜的一個 exchange term (after all, I'm in China where the living costs are wayyy lower), 來到的時候，發現有很多的 "hidden costs". Everything here costs money. Hot water, cold water, electricity, internet, drinking water 等等....。 So I've suddenly become really environmentally friendly: I adhere strictly to a 5-10 minute shower rule, I no longer blow dry my hair (well, also because my Canadian blow dryer doesn't seem to fit into my converter properly), I boil my own drinking water to drink (Chinese tap water comes out yellow and stays yellow after it's boiled, but leave it overnight and the yellowness settles to the bottom and you have clear drinking water. So far I haven't gotten sick yet), I turn off all the lights I don't need to use, and try not to turn up the heater too much.
Speaking of the heater, Ningbo weather is really weird. Yesterday I did not even have to turn on the heater because it was sunny and warm with pleasant breezes and reminded me of San Diego. Today it is just like Vancouver: rainy, freezing, grey and depressing (my fellow exchange students from the UK said it is just like London so I guess London is like Vancouver).
My biggest everyday worry is food. The canteen food is alright but not something that I would want to eat on a daily basis. So my new UK friend (yes, she has a British accent) and I gone out to get groceries the other day (bananas, bread, peanut butter, cheese, orange juice, instant noodles, etc) to help with eating as much as possible. We cook at least one meal a day (and by "cooking" i mean we made sandwiches and cooked instant noodles). The student cookbook that Karen gave me for my birthday is proving to be very helpful. I'm studying it right now so that hopefully sooner or later I can graduate from instant noodles and spam to more sophisticated cooking ingredients like potatos and vegetables.
My other worries include administrative things that I have to get done and some paper work. I have yet to register at the police station (all international students have to do that), open a bank account and find out how to read my class schedule. Luckily, I have made friends with local students that are extremely helpful and nice about it. 難得他們不覺得我麻煩. But of course, these administrative problems are all minor compared to my food concerns.
在寧波不夠一星期，已經讓我認識到一些跟我志同道合的 Cheer fans.
陳綺貞: 三月二十一號，上海見！！！
currently listening: 不如不見 - 陳奕迅
remember everyone: 其實愛對了人，情人節每天都過。 祝大家有一個甜甜蜜蜜的情人節，with or without a lover. =)
其中，本來看起來很便宜的一個 exchange term (after all, I'm in China where the living costs are wayyy lower), 來到的時候，發現有很多的 "hidden costs". Everything here costs money. Hot water, cold water, electricity, internet, drinking water 等等....。 So I've suddenly become really environmentally friendly: I adhere strictly to a 5-10 minute shower rule, I no longer blow dry my hair (well, also because my Canadian blow dryer doesn't seem to fit into my converter properly), I boil my own drinking water to drink (Chinese tap water comes out yellow and stays yellow after it's boiled, but leave it overnight and the yellowness settles to the bottom and you have clear drinking water. So far I haven't gotten sick yet), I turn off all the lights I don't need to use, and try not to turn up the heater too much.
Speaking of the heater, Ningbo weather is really weird. Yesterday I did not even have to turn on the heater because it was sunny and warm with pleasant breezes and reminded me of San Diego. Today it is just like Vancouver: rainy, freezing, grey and depressing (my fellow exchange students from the UK said it is just like London so I guess London is like Vancouver).
My biggest everyday worry is food. The canteen food is alright but not something that I would want to eat on a daily basis. So my new UK friend (yes, she has a British accent) and I gone out to get groceries the other day (bananas, bread, peanut butter, cheese, orange juice, instant noodles, etc) to help with eating as much as possible. We cook at least one meal a day (and by "cooking" i mean we made sandwiches and cooked instant noodles). The student cookbook that Karen gave me for my birthday is proving to be very helpful. I'm studying it right now so that hopefully sooner or later I can graduate from instant noodles and spam to more sophisticated cooking ingredients like potatos and vegetables.
My other worries include administrative things that I have to get done and some paper work. I have yet to register at the police station (all international students have to do that), open a bank account and find out how to read my class schedule. Luckily, I have made friends with local students that are extremely helpful and nice about it. 難得他們不覺得我麻煩. But of course, these administrative problems are all minor compared to my food concerns.
在寧波不夠一星期，已經讓我認識到一些跟我志同道合的 Cheer fans.
陳綺貞: 三月二十一號，上海見！！！
currently listening: 不如不見 - 陳奕迅
remember everyone: 其實愛對了人，情人節每天都過。 祝大家有一個甜甜蜜蜜的情人節，with or without a lover. =)
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
歡樂今宵
歡樂今宵
作詞：黃偉文 作曲：黃丹儀 編曲：黃丹儀
從夢裡伊甸 來到我枕邊
夢與真之間 就只差一吋
要是留著你 真實地糾纏
怕沒權利 以後留戀
情愫與相思 如最愛的書
未了那一章 沒翻開的勇氣
故事何樣美 終極是分離
不敢好奇 沾污結尾
猶如 無人敢碰
秘密 現在被揭起
明日想起 我們
其實承受不了
歡樂今宵 虛無飄渺
再沒餘地 繼續纏繞
談情一世 發現
願望極渺小
留下一點 距離
回味獨自心跳
歡樂今宵 虛無飄渺
那樣動搖 不如罷了
一首（我心目中）超經典的金曲。 也是（我個人意見)古巨基's best song to date. Nothing comes close to it. 每一次聼都是感受到一份心疼 (雖然與我無關 haha). 今日 Irene sent me a link of a JSG performance of 愛是懷疑 by Eason, which led me to a fairly recent rendition of 歡樂今宵 by 古巨基 himself and G.E.M. (some 17 year old HK singer who, surprisingly, actually can sing and, even MORE surprisingly, makes me want to listen to her music and, EXTREMELY surprisingly, I might end up buying her cd). If you even care remotely about the HK music scene, the link is here. 我已經由頭到未聼了多過八次. 真是不錯.
另外的就是,今天的計劃本來是 9-3 上班 (at the clinic) 然後去 Michael's (the craft store) to buy a dove/cross stamp for this week's fellowship event. 點知去到的時候發現原來 Michael's has an extremely limited stamp selection and they all cost upwards of $8 (inkpad not included). so i ended up going to the dollar store at coquitlam centre. not only are the stamps much cheaper (only $3, inkpad for $2) i also ended up finding the PERFECT stamp.
Hence, lesson of the day is: don't look down on your local dollar store.
currently listening: 歡樂今宵-古巨基 G.E.M.
作詞：黃偉文 作曲：黃丹儀 編曲：黃丹儀
從夢裡伊甸 來到我枕邊
夢與真之間 就只差一吋
要是留著你 真實地糾纏
怕沒權利 以後留戀
情愫與相思 如最愛的書
未了那一章 沒翻開的勇氣
故事何樣美 終極是分離
不敢好奇 沾污結尾
猶如 無人敢碰
秘密 現在被揭起
明日想起 我們
其實承受不了
歡樂今宵 虛無飄渺
再沒餘地 繼續纏繞
談情一世 發現
願望極渺小
留下一點 距離
回味獨自心跳
歡樂今宵 虛無飄渺
那樣動搖 不如罷了
一首（我心目中）超經典的金曲。 也是（我個人意見)古巨基's best song to date. Nothing comes close to it. 每一次聼都是感受到一份心疼 (雖然與我無關 haha). 今日 Irene sent me a link of a JSG performance of 愛是懷疑 by Eason, which led me to a fairly recent rendition of 歡樂今宵 by 古巨基 himself and G.E.M. (some 17 year old HK singer who, surprisingly, actually can sing and, even MORE surprisingly, makes me want to listen to her music and, EXTREMELY surprisingly, I might end up buying her cd). If you even care remotely about the HK music scene, the link is here. 我已經由頭到未聼了多過八次. 真是不錯.
另外的就是,今天的計劃本來是 9-3 上班 (at the clinic) 然後去 Michael's (the craft store) to buy a dove/cross stamp for this week's fellowship event. 點知去到的時候發現原來 Michael's has an extremely limited stamp selection and they all cost upwards of $8 (inkpad not included). so i ended up going to the dollar store at coquitlam centre. not only are the stamps much cheaper (only $3, inkpad for $2) i also ended up finding the PERFECT stamp.
Hence, lesson of the day is: don't look down on your local dollar store.
currently listening: 歡樂今宵-古巨基 G.E.M.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
領詩：一點都不簡單！
無錯。 領詩其實是一大難事。 又要挑選一些大家都比較認識的詩歌，但又不可以太死板，太無新意。
Even though, everyone knows that God is the centre of our worship, the ultimate Leader and Inspire-er of all our praise that goes on during the service, if I (in my role as the earthly inexperienced worship leader who doesn't know any better) don't think of ways to further enhance the pieces, or various possibilities to interpret difference pieces better, or to use the full potential of the band to encourage the congregation to worship with us, I feel as if I'm not doing my job and not fullfilling the awesome responsibility that the church and (more importantly) God Himself has given me. 每一次大家能夠一起敬拜其實都是一份十分之難得的機會.....and as a worship leader, i should never take it for granted and waste everyone's time.
一件事我覺得十分困難的就是picking songs. Having a very limited knowledge of Chinese hymns (traditional or contemporary; Mandarin or Cantonese) I'm already feeling like I've exhausted my knowledge of hymns only after leading worship twice (strictly speaking, once, because my 2nd time is this Sunday). 其實我認識的中文詩歌來來去去就是Jodie唱過的那些. This is really sad. For someone like me who's been to church all my life. And a choir member. And a worship leader now. I bet 80% of the congregation knows more hymns than I do. It just so happens that to me, all the hymns in the Hymns of Life sound the same (except for a select few like Amazing Grace). It seems that Chinese lyrics don't really talk to me. I can easily sing a hymn in Chinese on Sunday and then totally don't know what I just sang about.
Another thing is...領詩的時候，因該祈什麽的禱，讀什麽的經文？！ Like how do people know what to say and read without sounding extremely cheesy and rehearsed?! obviously they look and prepare before hand, but how can you actually do it without people going "omgdness this is SOOO canned!" I just try to avoid talking, but Jodie is right. Sometimes talking is important because it prepares the people for the next song and allows them to fully realize what the song is talking about. It just that everytime I feel like i have to switch back to English before I can say what I truly want to say. Especially when it's spiritual stuff.
Worship practices are also the ultimate test to one's ability to work as a team and to lead a group of extremely talented people. And I kid you not. The worship band is seriously a "crouching tiger hidden dragon" kinda place. You have people who have NEVER taken lessons before but can play like ARCT (i.e. Samuel and Si Mo). And then you have those who can play without looking at music (Leyond) and others who can make perfect transitions from the most bizarre key to the next most bizarre key. And then theres me. 學了差不多十年鋼琴還是對音樂不太認識. Can't improv. Can't change keys. Can't make up bridges or introductions. 有時候,真是要問神一句: WHAT AM I DOING HERE?! Who am I to lead this bunch of geniuses??!?!?!? I should be in my own little corner doing my own random harmonies, NOT standing up and telling them what they should play and how they should play it. 其實應該是他們告訴我每一段應該要怎麽唱, not the other way around. But I think this is God's way of making me 醒定 D: to never fluke a practice or to think that I can wing it. To never lead a practice unprepared. To never assume that I can just bs my way through a worship practice because I'm working with knowledgable people. People who know what music is about. People who are experienced. People who know better than me. 神要告訴我，因爲我對音樂還是不認識，我就要給別人付出多一點的時間，努力，去了解每一首歌. I must go to practice prepared, having an approximate idea of what I think is good. Even though in the end, my ideas may prove to be faulty and not good enough, at least I did not go into practice relying on others, all the while claiming to be the leader.
In terms of leadership, worship practices make me realize just how inadequate I am. Yes, an extremely inadequate leader that needs all the help she can get. During practices, I notice that I keep begging for input and ideas from the musicians because I know that mine are never the best. Knowing my own limited ability and creativity in music made me realize that the amount of resources that are available in the band for consultation. Knowing my own inexperience made me realize how important the team is as a whole to the whole worship experience. And being painfully aware of the incompleteness of my musical ideas, my insensitivity to sound, and my ignorance of spiritual experiences, made me realize that God placed me in this role not so that I can lead, but so that I can learn.
Currently listening: 神，你伴我行
(haha maybe God will one day let me write something as beautiful as this for Him)
Even though, everyone knows that God is the centre of our worship, the ultimate Leader and Inspire-er of all our praise that goes on during the service, if I (in my role as the earthly inexperienced worship leader who doesn't know any better) don't think of ways to further enhance the pieces, or various possibilities to interpret difference pieces better, or to use the full potential of the band to encourage the congregation to worship with us, I feel as if I'm not doing my job and not fullfilling the awesome responsibility that the church and (more importantly) God Himself has given me. 每一次大家能夠一起敬拜其實都是一份十分之難得的機會.....and as a worship leader, i should never take it for granted and waste everyone's time.
一件事我覺得十分困難的就是picking songs. Having a very limited knowledge of Chinese hymns (traditional or contemporary; Mandarin or Cantonese) I'm already feeling like I've exhausted my knowledge of hymns only after leading worship twice (strictly speaking, once, because my 2nd time is this Sunday). 其實我認識的中文詩歌來來去去就是Jodie唱過的那些. This is really sad. For someone like me who's been to church all my life. And a choir member. And a worship leader now. I bet 80% of the congregation knows more hymns than I do. It just so happens that to me, all the hymns in the Hymns of Life sound the same (except for a select few like Amazing Grace). It seems that Chinese lyrics don't really talk to me. I can easily sing a hymn in Chinese on Sunday and then totally don't know what I just sang about.
Another thing is...領詩的時候，因該祈什麽的禱，讀什麽的經文？！ Like how do people know what to say and read without sounding extremely cheesy and rehearsed?! obviously they look and prepare before hand, but how can you actually do it without people going "omgdness this is SOOO canned!" I just try to avoid talking, but Jodie is right. Sometimes talking is important because it prepares the people for the next song and allows them to fully realize what the song is talking about. It just that everytime I feel like i have to switch back to English before I can say what I truly want to say. Especially when it's spiritual stuff.
Worship practices are also the ultimate test to one's ability to work as a team and to lead a group of extremely talented people. And I kid you not. The worship band is seriously a "crouching tiger hidden dragon" kinda place. You have people who have NEVER taken lessons before but can play like ARCT (i.e. Samuel and Si Mo). And then you have those who can play without looking at music (Leyond) and others who can make perfect transitions from the most bizarre key to the next most bizarre key. And then theres me. 學了差不多十年鋼琴還是對音樂不太認識. Can't improv. Can't change keys. Can't make up bridges or introductions. 有時候,真是要問神一句: WHAT AM I DOING HERE?! Who am I to lead this bunch of geniuses??!?!?!? I should be in my own little corner doing my own random harmonies, NOT standing up and telling them what they should play and how they should play it. 其實應該是他們告訴我每一段應該要怎麽唱, not the other way around. But I think this is God's way of making me 醒定 D: to never fluke a practice or to think that I can wing it. To never lead a practice unprepared. To never assume that I can just bs my way through a worship practice because I'm working with knowledgable people. People who know what music is about. People who are experienced. People who know better than me. 神要告訴我，因爲我對音樂還是不認識，我就要給別人付出多一點的時間，努力，去了解每一首歌. I must go to practice prepared, having an approximate idea of what I think is good. Even though in the end, my ideas may prove to be faulty and not good enough, at least I did not go into practice relying on others, all the while claiming to be the leader.
In terms of leadership, worship practices make me realize just how inadequate I am. Yes, an extremely inadequate leader that needs all the help she can get. During practices, I notice that I keep begging for input and ideas from the musicians because I know that mine are never the best. Knowing my own limited ability and creativity in music made me realize that the amount of resources that are available in the band for consultation. Knowing my own inexperience made me realize how important the team is as a whole to the whole worship experience. And being painfully aware of the incompleteness of my musical ideas, my insensitivity to sound, and my ignorance of spiritual experiences, made me realize that God placed me in this role not so that I can lead, but so that I can learn.
Currently listening: 神，你伴我行
(haha maybe God will one day let me write something as beautiful as this for Him)
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