Tuesday, August 29, 2006

声音

声音是人类与生具有的宝物。合唱微妙之处是将不同的声音联合在一起,共同发挥,相辅相成,并产生美好的合声。

让我在此呼吁:
用我们美好的声音,传达和平的讯息。
用我们纯净的声音,洗涤污浊的心灵。
用我们悦耳动听的声音,为这世界传送爱心与温情。
世界会更加美丽,只因为有您的声音!

Monday, August 28, 2006

Singapore Chinese Choral Festival



So I have returned from Singapore 8 days ago. I didn't really have time to write down the experience, the feelings and those wonderful memories then. I was too busy. On the day I reached KL, it was 4:30am in the morning and I basically slept through the day. At night I have to become the MC for a choir exchange in WKSGM (Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia). It was a disaster! I mean I was quite blur and there're a lot of sudden changes in that event. However I think I still managed to handle.

After that I was so busy with downloading the photos from my sister's digital camera. Since my USB port is no longer functioning, I have to use other's pc to get the photos out of the camera. I have gone through a lot to get them (the photos) out of the camera and view them. Then I excitedly upload the photos to Picasa Web Album and share them with other choir members. I'll post some of my favourite photos here in this entry.

Considering the time I have now, I don't think I'll be writing down all the experience in Singapore. I'll write down some important events and things that I've learnt through out this trip.

The journey to Singapore was a pleasant one. At least I never experienced any dizziness or felt like vomit. The bus stopped a few times for us to go to the loo and "have brunch". I sat alone in the bus (even though there were two seat, I basically put my beg on the seat next to mine). So I tried to rest and sleep. But I couldn't sleep in the bus. I thought it's a waste to sleep. But almost everyone closed their eyes and rest. Perhaps it was too early in the morning.

Taken along the journey to Singapore

The first day in Singapore was nothing much to talk about. We just went for the rehearsal and practice for awhile. I was tired, actually. Oh, our accomodation was not as good as I expected! We slept in a bag-packer's kinda accomodation. Anyway, it turned out that the bed was not too bad. At least I could sleep through the night.

In front of the Singapore Conference Hall

The second day was something memorable for me. I did a sharing in the morning and also before the competition in the evening. I made some of them cry with my touching "sharing and encouragement". Even me myself was quite touched when I saw all the members got together, holding hands and believing that we will all give our best in the competition. Yes I did bring all of them together, once again and march towards our ultimate goal - to bring joy, hope and happiness to everyone around us. I am so proud of myself! :p

Ms. Woon being the superstar

The Idiotic Brothers

We did not get into the final. We've got the silver awards. I think it's very good as it is our first time to participate in a choir competition (international level somemore). We definitely learnt something out of the event and also exposed to the world of choir. I saw other choir's performance and they do have their own ability and strength that our choir does not possess. However, I will strive harder to improve myself and contribute.

Of course we have a chance to walked around in Singapore during our lunch time or breaks. Honestly, those food I tried were not very tasty. Perhaps I did not go to the right place to have my meal.

Anyway, I have a chance to have tea with my dear Ms. Woon. We love having "cham" (tea + coffee, also known as Hainanese Tea). We also ordered a toast and shared. It was a great afternoon tea break.

I also have a chance to walk around Singapore with one of the "M.I.A." member, Koon Loong. I think we last met and spoken was at the end of year 2004. We did met after that but it was sort of a "Hi Bye" thing. And this time he being the nanny of the choir, we really have time to hang around in Singapore and taking photos. He was good in capturing some beautiful scenes in Singapore. We enjoyed helping each other taking photos in Singapore. It was fun!

Koon Loong and I in the MRT

At China Town

At Orchard Road

At Night in China Town

The last day in Singapore was another memorable day as we got to have an exchange with Singapore Soka Assocation Choir. We were warmly welcomed by the members and have a very good exchange. I shared my experience about my depression and how I overcomed it with all the members there. Again, my sharing made most of the audience cry again. But I am sure that my experience sharing will definitely encourage all the members to strive harder and face the challenges courageously, and motivate them to contribute in whatever field they are in. I have won!

Night Scene near Fullerton Hotel


Marina Bay


The Fullerton Hotel

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Singapore, here I come...

I am going to Singapore tomorrow! Thought of writing something down before I leave for a few days. I went home earlier yesterday so I can do all the packing and stuff.

I bring a lot of clothes this time. I think more than enough for the 4 days 3 nights trip. My sister gave me her "toileties bag" which contained syampoo, body syampoo, conditioner, facial foam and a handkerchief! Then her boyfriend borrowed me S$120. My mom gave me S$5 and my dad gave S$2! Aren't they sweet! I am so touched! Hahahaha... I don't even need to go money changer to change my ringgit to Singapore dollars! How lucky I am!

Tonight I'll be staying over at my comrade's house as his house is nearer to Bunka Kaikan (where we will assemble there the early next morning). So I have brought all my stuff (2 big bags and a pair of my shoe) and loaded into my dad's car. He will be bringing to WKSGM and pass them to my comrade.

Oh, I will be having lunch with Jun Hann later. He is my ex-roommate when we're studying in MMU alpha year (foundation study). I saw him yesterday with my colleague's ex-colleague. (Hahaha... confusing!) Since he think we should have a gathering, I straightaway sms and ask him to go out for lunch the next day, which is today! Hopefully we can have the lunch somewhere near KLCC. Plan to stop by at Watson to get anything useful for the trip to Singapore.

Will write more later...

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Three more days to leave for Singapore

Well, I am going to Singapore this coming Friday to participate in a chinese choral competition. Not very much excited, but still counting down the days.

SGM Renaissance Choir

After all this is the first time Renaissance Choir will be joining the competition and I am sure most of us are excited. I just wanna take a break from work and be there to enjoy myself.

I'll write more after I come back from Singapore.

I'll become the MC for the following event which will be held on 26th August 2006. Stay tuned!

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

When home is no longer safe...

It was a normal night. The temparature is higher than usual. I hardly fell into sleep as it was too hot and quite stuffy. I watched a few video clips online and finally felt tired and hit the sack. It was about 1:30am in the middle of the night.

I were waken up by the bright lights when my sister switched on the lights in my room. I thought she wanted to wake me up so I would prepare and go for work. However, normally she wouldn't swtch on the lights in my room though.

Later she said that her hand bag was gone. I checked my table in the room and found that my wallet and cellphone were gone too. She discovered that the window at the toilet at the back of our house has been broken. Someone must has broken into our house and stolen our stuff.

No one was hurt though. We then went to the police station to log a report. We were well treated. The police invited us to watch Astro in a room and just ask two other person to interview and make the report. Of course, I am the one who's watching TV.

Then we came back home and do our morning Gongyo. We were so lucky that the thief never wake us up and threaten us for more money. Considering a lot of cases happened recently where some TARC students were snatched by the thieves and died in the fatal incident. We thank to the protection of all buddhas. We were very lucky, indeed.

However, after our morning gongyo, we received call tellling us that some of our belonging were left at the back of our neighbour's house. We quickly went there to get back our stuff. Most of my sister's and her boyfriend's stuff were there. But mine was not there. I searched around but nothing to be found.

I was quite pissed off. Why didn't the thieves throw my wallet somewhere near so that I can get back at least my IC and the driving license. At some point, I felt insecure, even at home. How dare the thieve broke the window, got into our house and take away what belong to us? What make him so daring? What make him so desperate? I wondered. The mixture feelings of anger, frustrated, insecure, anxious and disappointment conquered me.

I recall: "Peace is not just the absent of war." ~ Daisaku Ikeda

Monday, August 07, 2006

Being Master of Ceremony

I intent to write this down after the event but I was just "busy" being lazy.

Anyway, I was request to be the MC for the event - A Discourse on Islam and Buddhism. Yin Kwan called me a week earlier before the event and without any hesitation, I said ok. There are a few reasons why I agreed to become the MC.



First, it has been quite sometimes since I last spoken in the public.
Second, I guess it's Koon Hoe idea and he must be the one who proposed my name to the PIC that I can become a MC. So, I should not let him down. Besides, Yin Kwan asked me once last time to become the MC for an event and I kindly declined. It ended up Koon Hoe had to be the MC.
Third, I seriously wanted to take up the challenge and get myself busy. Besides, that's one good chance to improve myself and contribute myself.

A few unexpected incidents occurred that day. The IMAM group from China has delayed the event as they'd lost their way to the venue. Then, there're too many came to listen to the discussion until the organizer need to change the venue from the International Conference Room at 11th floor to the Auditorium at 4th floor. Surprisingly, even the Auditorium (which has more seats) was fully seated.

Due to these unexpected incidents, I had to spontaneously modify my MC script. I almost had a nervous breakdown. (Just kidding!)

However, I think I mange to control the whole event despite the "unexpected". Moreover, I learnt how to deal with the "sudden changes" and that was really a very wonderful experience for me. I received compliment and praises from a few people which really is great encouragement for me.

I am happy. I contributed.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Keanu and Sandra did it again!

I went to catch a movie in cinema again today.



I promised my cousin sister from Kelantan to bring her to watch Pirate of the Carribean when she's in KL for her follow-up medical check-up. (She went through heart operation few months ago.) Since I have watched the movie, I bought them (cousin sister and her mom) the movie tickets and I bought myself ticket for another movie - The Lake House.



I had seen this movie selling in the market in VCD. I was so interested in watching the movie when I saw Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock on the front cover. I personally feel that they could be a perfect couple. Thanks to the movie - Speed, which bring them the limelight. Anyway, back to the VCD. The quality of the VCD sucks! I stopped watching the movie when I found that it's recorded in the cinema. Pirated stuff!



Anyway, I got the chance tonight to catch the show. Many things happened along the journey to catch the movie (need to leave office early, fetch auntie and cousin, get the movie tickets etc), but I'd say everything went well.

Since I haven't had my dinner, I bought chicken nuggets, Cheezel and ice lemon tea. I was the first one who got to get into the hall. I enjoyed my dinner and seeing people coming in to fill up the seats.



OK. I am so off the topic! About the movie, gosh I love it. Again, this is definitely not chic-flicks! This is really a romantic movie. I have to admit it is somewhat unrealistic and bull-shitting but I just love the story. Two people were seperated by the time. They're exchanging letters through a special mailbox in front of a lake house to get to know each other and then fallen in love.

At some point, the movie seriously remind me of the statement "Love is blind". The waiting, the patience and all are really touching! And there're some words or dialogue which touched my heart too.



What really make me love about this movie is that it makes me smile at the end... regardless how unrealistic it is. I love the feeling... happy ending...

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Just My Luck

I wanted to catch the movie "Just My Luck" when I saw the movie poster. Not because it's Lindsay Lohan or the cute boy, but I really want to watch a romantic comedy. I forgot when I started to like watching those so-called "chic-flick" movies, but I find them entertaining. Yes, it's between reality and dream. Somewhat real but unreasonable at times. They're just sweet! Or is it because I am just a single guy yearning for more lovey-dovey stuff?! Craps! What am I talking about?!

Anyway, I seriously wanted to catch the show but find no one interested to watch the movie in the cinema. At that time, most of my friends or family members were more interested in watching Superman or Pirates of the Carribean. So, I followed them watch the two movies.

It's when I almost wanted to give up to catch the movie, then I finally found one of my colleague (Hui Chin) who seems like willing to accompany me to watch the movie. And she also asked another colleague, King Chung who could join us too. She was quite tired that day and had the intention to go home early. But she insisted that she could watch the movie with us. So we left the office earlier than usual.

Unfortunately, other colleagues also went back home early that day and she also wanted to go back with them as there's a colleague who could drive them home. So, I insisted that she went home and I went to work out in the fitness club nearby. I was not annoyed though. Perhaps the movie wasn't worth watching. I can always buy DVD later to watch the movie. So I gave up catching the show.

Then two days back, Wee Wern (another colleague) emailed me and asked if I am interested to catch the movie with her as she's got two free tickets for the movie. Without much hesitation, I said yes and decided to go the next day (which is yesterday).

So yesterday I was so happy in the morning because at the end of the day, I'd be leaving the office earlier and catch the movie "Just My Luck". Things turn bad when I feel I have stomach problem. I have stomach ache after I had my lunch. I thought it was just a small matter and would be ok later. Unfortunately, things get worse when it's almost 6pm.

Wee Wern called and said that we'll leave at 6:30pm. I reluctantly said OK as my stomach ache was getting worse. By 6:20pm, I couldn't endure anymore and told Wee Wern to wait me at the lobby of the building when she's done and I need another 10 minutes to settle my thing - go to toilet.

It's 6:35pm when I got out of toilet. I quickly rushed out of the office and caught the elevator to go down to ground floor. My patience was really tested when the elevator stopped at almost at every floor as people were all catching the elevator and going back home during that time. I finally reached ground floor at arounf 6:40pm++. Then we headed to KLCC to catcha the show.

I bought Twisties BBQ and ice lemon tea before we entered the cinema. And gosh when I entered the cinema, the seats were so small. And the crowd were very noisy too! Never mind! I just want to watch the show.

Everything went well at the beginning. Then when the movie was played for about 1 hour, I started to have stomach ache again. Gosh, so pain that I needed to rush to the toilet. Imagine the seat was so small and I basically have to crawl on everyone's hips besides me to get out of the row. (I was sitting right in the middle!) Anyway, I managed to get into the toilet and "solve my problem". After that, I got back into the cinema and crawled back into my seat. So embarassing!

Anyway, after the movie I had my dinner at Secret Recipe where I had cake and fresh milk. I love cakes! And fresh milks! Yummy yummy!Then we went home.

Catching this movie, I have gone through some lucky and unlucky events. Guess you know which one is lucky and which one is not.

Craps! That's Just My Luck!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

One Year Anniversary (Part 3)

The new office was located at Jalan Sultan Ismail opposite Wisma Genting. It is more like a resort-like office. There're yellow lights and and wooden floor. Plus the cooling air-conditioned environment... hmmm... feel like working in the resort?!

Oh yes, the environment is so comfortable that it make me feel very sleepy especially after lunch time. You may caught me "fishing" at that time. Hong is sitting at my right hand side and a trainee is sitting at my left hand side. Jackie Boey is sitting in front facing me and we always "argue". "The War" will happen sometimes between us where we bombing each other and laugh out loud at the end. That's how we release stresses and tensions.

In this new office, I got to know more people as some of the colleagues who were working in MCA building shifted back into this new signature office. Jackie is one of them. Other colleagues like Yeong Yeong, Ocean, William, Jacelyn, CK, Sie Yun, Brad, Wee Wern and many more. Working life gets more interesting when you know more people in the office. Many people to talk to and we could help each other out when any of us are in needs.

Ocean used to initiate a group booking to watch movie in Time Square. I joined the group to watch M.I. 3. It was a fun experience though - 30 staffs and friends went to the cinema to watch movie together. Later on they also organize such event to watch other movies but I didn't join as I prefer watching movie with my family.

Some of us also went to sing KTV sometimes when we're free. I've been to Redbox twice and Neway once with my colleagues. I enjoyed the session in Neway as we got to enjoy free buffet! However, the price is very expensive. Almost RM 50 per person. Anyway, it was fun though.

I started to feel that I am in control of my works after I shifted to this new office. Also, I started to settle down and can estimate how much efforts and time needed to complete a task or assignment. This allow me to arrange my time for other activities like attending choir practice. I remember working over-night in the office two times in this new office. That two experiences really made me explore more about LASS and how it works. However, it's also a lesson learnt that staying over-night in the office is not encouraged as the nest few days you'll be very tired and that's defintely not healthy.

Till now, I am still working on LASS. There're a lot of room for improvement and I must grab every opportunity to improve myself and also contribute to the company as much as I can.

Working life is great when you have all your tasks under control and have a good plan.