Monday, October 31, 2011

Brian Tan


Were there really a better place after death,
Were there really a day we'd meet departed ones again,
When we ourselves have taken our last breath,
And be free of all worldly suffering and pain;

Were it that the end isn't the end,
Though mortal existence must cease,
The spirit does death transcend
Into eternal bliss and peace.


Great musician, inspiring leader, incredible man. My thoughts are with him and his. Rest in peace.

*earlier post*

Sunday, October 23, 2011

A Birthday

I am grateful for having had a not too shabby year - with loving family and friends, a good enough (*ahem*) job, and excellent health.

I am grateful for being physically and mentally fit to do the things I love.


I am grateful to have the ability to think before I speak/write/act; to look at matters from various perspectives; to understand people who think differently from me.


I am grateful to have enough confidence and trust, so I could just let go and hang for a while when I need to. We all need it sometimes.


I am grateful I am happy today. Today, at least =)

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Occupational Hazard


Reader, have I ever told you the extent of my clumsiness (and absent-mindedness, thoughtlessness, silliness, forgetfulness etc...)? Long story short (I'm tired and I want to go to sleep) - I knocked over a bottle of ink while I was refilling my markers. It fell over the edge of my table, onto - well, me. In addition to splatters on my printer, chest of drawers and floor, I got splashed all over my pants, slippers, feet and right hand. There was a spot on my cushioned chair too. I was literally stunned for several seconds, as my mind struggled to accept the nasty reality.

The mess! The horrible, horrible mess! The ink! The bottle was 2/3 full and would have lasted a long time still! I let out a long, tortured, silent scream. I had a class a couple of hours later and I really didn't need a mess to deal with then!

I took a deep breath, and with my unstained left hand, I took my phone and took the shot. Seriously, no point crying over spilt ink.

First things first - I went to the washroom and washed the ink off my hand. Back in my office, I wiped as much as could be wiped from my printer and chest of drawers, and then "borrowed" the mop from the janitor's closet and cleaned the floor. It wasn't easy - it took a lot of strength to get the stains out. As for my pants, slippers and feet, there wasn't much I could do. The pants were positively ruined - from past experiences, I know marker ink stains simply don't come out. They just don't. I don't know about the slippers... perhaps I could think of something tomorrow. My feet - well, I'd just have to put up with the stains for the rest of the evening, I figured.

Later, I went to lecture in my pants adorned with black patches, and after that, to yoga with my feet sporting black spots.

All these should be upsetting, but I'm not much upset. I keep thinking it was quite fortunate that I spilled black ink, instead of red ink, which will probably make my office look like a scene from CSI, and me the murderer, or victim. I mean that whole-heartedly - I was refilling my red marker pen just prior to the black one. It could so have been red! *shudders* 

It was also fortunate that I wasn't wearing my new sandals, which I had actually put on in the morning, and then changed my mind. It would have been catastrophic if they got stained and the stains won't come out! Lastly, I'm grateful my pants were grey, though not dark enough to render the stains invisible. Imagine if I wore white - like, white with black blotches? I'd totally look like a COW!

Say, this positive thinking thing is quite becoming of me. Oh, and I just thought of one more - if I ever need a reason to buy a new pair of pants... well, one pair was ruined today!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Nikon D90 at the Walls


Bee Ree climbed, Shell was official photographer, and we had so much fun! =)

(Photo taken by the photographer using iPad2, of the climber attempting to photograph the author)

Friday, October 7, 2011

Musician Extraordinaire

Dear Reader, it's been over two years since I first performed on stage with the choir, accompanied by a full orchestra, conducted by a dashing, charming and sexy conductor. I wrote about it here. This brilliant man, conductor and violinist, is Brian Tan.

From the very first rehearsal, we were smitten by him - all at once serious but friendly, very professional but full of fun, passionate, expressive and absolutely one with the music. As a violinist, he makes great music; as a conductor, he makes the musicians make great music. He is patient, yet firm, and knows just how to bring out the best in each and every one under his leadership. I do not know how I can put into words how grateful I am, really, to have had the chance to work with such a musical genius.

It saddened me tremendously, therefore, to find out that he's actually been sick the last couple of years - the horrible, HORRIBLE pancreatic cancer - and his health has deteriorated to its worst. It is utterly heartbreaking to know that a man yet so young and talented; so great a teacher, mentor, and leader; and without doubt so awesome a person, is destined to face such tragic circumstances. I know not what else to write... I'm still overwhelmed.


Musicians who love, and I believe, are loved by Brian, are putting together a concert to raise an education fund for his children, and needless to say, any form of contribution will make a difference. The concert will be held on October 28, at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (klpac). Details here: http://www.facebook.com/fight.for.brian

For non-Facebookers, here's a list of contacts extracted from the page:

KLPac 03.4047.9010
Box Office 03.4047.9000

Jeff Lim (Program & Score)
016.915.0218
jefflimmmm@gmail.com

Eugene Pook (Program & Sponsorship / Donation)
012.521.5756
eugenepook@yahoo.com

Ken Hor (Composition and Rearrangement, Facebook Page)
012.651.5369
hfken@me.com

Chan Yit fei (KLPac Musicians coordination & Score)
012.321.3679
feiyi76@hotmail.com

Phooi Wooi (Non-KLPac Musicians Coordination)
012.303.0801
lpwnso@hotmail.com


Ticket sales for the concert begin next week. Call the klpac Box Office. For Brian.



11th October 2011 edit:
http://www.klpac.org/?p=4358

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Hello Sunset

Crazy is she who finds the need to blog at odd times from odd places... or perhaps just eager to jump on the chance to use this Blogger mobile app (she's had for a while but never used) with the perfect excuse...

I didn't really catch any sunsets... bummer, but the beach was quite a fine change of scene =)