Pink for Oct

As some of you might notice, I'd changed links from blue to PINK, in support of the Go Pink for October campaign to raise awareness of breast cancer. Don't worry, I won't start wearing fluorescent pink clothes.

***

I'll just bombard this blog with pictures for now, this probably means that I can't be bothered typing 1000 words every day. I marvel at those who do that, though.

Anyway, last Friday night, we attended a performance by Michelle's band, "Soul Deep". They play mostly blues and soul music, think Stevie Wonder and Prince. $20 a ticket, quite pricey as a "special guest" was specially flown in from Wellington. Though I still prefer the lead singer's skills, I was NOT the only person who thought he really sounded like Stevie Wonder (he even wore black sunnies!).


I have to admit, the band was AWESOME. 12 members altogether, coordination is super hard to achieve, plus they had to play over 50 songs by hard in a span of 4 hours. Now that's something I look up to. Poor Michelle, she looked so tired after the 4 hours, but still had more gigs the next day.

The singers; the one of the left sings beautifully.

Go Michelle!

The audience enjoyed the music thoroughly. Believe me, Kiwi folks can dance. I'm not talking about the youngsters dancing in clubs type of dance, but that night all the 30 to 50 year old Kiwis displayed their dancing skills on the tiny and very packed dance floor. One 40-ish lady wore a bold red dress with matching red boots, impossible to miss. I was quite hesitant to dance at first (Chinese culture ma, paiseh), but was literally dragged by this 30-ish lady (man, she was STRONG), and had no choice but to dance along. The others noted how "keen" she was to me, kept asking me to dance with her bla bla. It got quite scary towards the end, so I kept my distance from her. haha. But all's good, it was an enjoyable night.

So here you go. Excuse the quality, all photos were taken using my phone.

There's even an arcade room in Victoria Hotel.

Today was so sunny, couldn't resist not taking a pic of the registry building. heh.

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. =)