Bubbly

I've been awake for a while now
you've got me feeling like a child now
'cause every time i see your bubbly face
I get the tinglies in a silly place

It starts in my toes
makes me crinkle my nose
where ever it goes
I always know
that you make me smile
please stay for a while now
just take your time
where ever you go

~dedicated to a certain someone.
Colbie Cailat - Bubbly

Beautiful memories

I stumbled upon a compilation cd which was made in Christchurch during my first year in NZ. It's a surprise find really, as I thought all my pictures were gone after my laptop had crashed earlier last year.

Looking back the hundred or so photos, I'm reminded again at how blessed I am to be here. How on earth did I choose a small, strikingly beautiful yet very often underrated country to study, until now I still do not know. How did I managed to get my parents to let me go to a foreign land all on my own at the first place, I still have no idea. All I know is, it has been 2 years and 4 months plus since I got here, and it has been GOOOOOOD. hiak hiaks.

Then, in the midst of my boredom, I thought of the possibilities if I had chose to stay back in Kuching after National Service has ended. I would probably take STPM for another 2 years and apply into a local uni OR had I decided to apply for JPA scholarship, things would be so different.

Some people ask me: why didn't I even bother applying for JPA? With your results bla bla, you could have gotten an interview... Yes, I am well aware of the fact that people with results less brilliant than mine has successfully being offered JPA and are on their way overseas bla bla. Should I have at least applied then? Yet I knew deep down I was meant to go somewhere. heh. Sounds corny.

But yeah, things would be so different had I taken the other road. I wouldn't have met these awesome flat 4 people, wouldn't begin to love music the way I do now, wouldn't grow into the person I am/becoming, wouldn't appreciate all that I've been given.. and the list goes on and on.

Anyway, this post is dedicated to my first 6 months in NZ, and the memories that were made.

Enjoy the photos (click to enlarge- highly recommended!)

"ooh, I see water!"

*pant* Wut r u luking at?

of rays and reflection.

The prettiest colours blended together.

Walking on water

I should be studying! Someone keep me away from Facebook!!!

Art Attack

Thanks Rachel for the fun time of painting and creativity!

Soooooo tired after a full on day (including walking under the rain) , so I'll let these pictures do the talking, or rather typing.

Rachel, the "art mistress". heh

Ron, the new incredible hulk!

My artwork: the theme was chosen for a specific question I've been wanting desperately to find out for the past few weeks (or even years), and though I'm still far from finding out the answer, FAITH will eventually lead me there. =) *hush, it's a secret!*

Unfinished Journey

Seems like almost every single post I blog about now has a common theme: Music.

Back in secondary school days, the only music I knew of was those played on the airwaves and the famous few Hillsong and Planetshakers albums. Total songs on computer back then: probably less than 100. (insert exclamation mark here).

Wow, things sure have changed a lot.

Anyway, we had a surprise visit by a NZ artist- Hannah Donald & her band. Based in Auckland now, she used to attend Nations Christian Church for 9 years a very long time ago. =)

Hannah Donald & the band performing at Union Hall.

The 2nd electric guitarist on the left (bright blue guitar) = very cool riffs but amp wasn't loud enough to blast the hall. keke. 1st guitarist on the right plays beautifully especially the intro of "Beautiful Child". I want his Mini Martin!!!

I've never actually heard of her before, but after listening to her performance, one song in particular stood out among the rest. The song was "Cornerstone" (track 6 off her album "Unfinished Journey")- and how I remembered it was because it was the background song used for the drama during Allure Conference held 2 weeks ago!

I just love the lyrics, profound yet able to relate to.

Twenty years has reduced you to a beg and crawl
Set your life in shadows cast
by its corporate wall
Mask your feelings there's no room here
for the awkward fitting one

Finding love in compromise lest your soul emerge
Although worth more you’ve given in
To that desperate urge
To take your values from opinions
of some broken hearted men

Everyday walls are laid
Guarding those who’ve made the grade
But there is hope I still believe
For the rejected to be the redeemed
All the unchosen, brittle and numb
In his hands can become a cornerstone

In years to come all of this
Will be a distant past
With tables placed and ordered names
As if the first were last
Come to your senses, there’s no sense
in running after kingdoms gone

Beautiful eh? I'm currently suffering from last song syndrome of this song. Short clips off the album can be found at her official website, or click here to listen to sample clips.

Mrs Pancake bought her cd and got a personalised autograph ($20, free if signed up for sponsor-a-child by Tearfund).

Nice cover.

See the little scribble art? *someone up there*-> so cute!

Love the description at the back too: "made in the good ol' country of NZ" &
"Someone up there Records" haha!

Seems like it's becoming a trend for artists to go to a third world country and then write songs about what they've encountered there. How I yearn to visit the African countries and visit my sponsored child of 3 years, Adama, someday. =)

Battle Cry- last night

Tonight - my 3rd consecutive night playing the keys @ the Battle Cry.

Songs are basically the same, "King", "Point of Difference", "Saviour King" etc Hillsong songs. It seems so ironic that we're playing these songs when there's a speaker from Hillsong church here. hehe. There's almost a little pressure knowing that Ben Little has been hearing the songs been played so well by the band over at Sydney that he feels weird listening to us from humble Dunedin play.

Good thing is that playing songs over and over again builds up confidence, and gives us the ability to practice as a band, to know when and how to play (not just the basic chords), but filling in the gaps and making the sound just right. I've always dreaded the thought of playing during alter calls; one little mistake could throw the whole mood off. But as always, everything turned out GREAT.

I'm definitely grateful for Jo for putting me on the roster, and being able to play during this camp/conference. First time I've ever played so hard until my fingernails chipped and my lower arm muscles sore just from playing keyboard. ;P

Randomness: "tua tua" is actually a kind of shellfish. haha "old old"...

The decorated stage.

Self explanatory.

After being sprayed with dry ice, colourful spotlights.

Cream on pancakes!!! =)

Last but no least, the last picture is a picture of hard work. *hiak hiaks* Those hands belong to Rob and Amy, the cutest new couple in church. It's during times like these when I peak over and see their hands intertwined together that I believe true love is still out there, somewhere.