Closing Chapters of 2007

Can't believe it's the end of the year already..how time flies!!! So what are some of the stuff I did and didn't do??? Here's a quick analysis...

• Written quite a number of songs but so far..*drumroll*..only ONE..made it to "almost" church level. It has been quite a fruitful learning experience and fun too..er..at least for me. Ha ha ha! My heart-felt thanks to everyone at the Songwriters Club..let's continue to Rock for Jesus!
• My voice quality?? Hmmm..almost developed "vibrato" but can't quite get it under control yet. Akan datang yeah?
• Caught up with a few of my old school friends through 'Facebook'..a really ingenious concoction I must say! But then again..it's mostly poking, body slamming and throwing sheep at each other..will try to communicate more productively if possible...
• Polished up my piano and guitar skills a fair bit..picked up 'here & there'...from 'this guy & that'. Hope to keep this up, so that I can at least "ji chiong ji dan" (self-sing self-play) if nobody else plays my songs..Heh heh!

So, it's been a pretty good run and I think I achieved most of my goals..except for the near impossible ONE ( for moi that is). Haiz..so what to do? Next year set again lor..but will have to lose 15kgs..*blush*!!! And I really, really have to sleep earlier..to avoid further pimple outbreaks :0) and hopefully, paint a picture or two???

A Fairy Tale Christmas At The ROCK...

Lights..camera..aaannnd ACTION!!! Welcome to our very own 'Ah Lian' version of Sleeping Beauty..funny lines..good rhymes and very very nice 'Old Chinese' traditional costumes (ku-chong). Let's not forget our 'Ah Boy Band' too..all adorned in black and white..complete with suspenders and silver ties..especially 'Mr. Cool in the Bowler Hat' aka Simon. Some snippets from memory..hmmm..probably only half correct? Ha ha ha..and WHO is Fairy Black's son's father..er..the Prince's dad???

• Don't you wish your fairy was hot like me..don't cha?
• What is Snow White doing here?
• Clappers..ring ring..Clappers..ring ring..
• I feel the wind caressing my hair..(rotating head to the sound of running notes on the harp
• OUCH..OO..OUCH..OO!!! Shhiiinnnggg!!! (the Prince drew his sword after being jabbed by 'human' trees in the forest)
• Sorry..I am LATE!!! (And the 'missing' Princess strode in and flopped on to the bed)

One of the highlights was when dozens of people walked out on to the stage..holding flip boards with short sentences written on the front and back..describing their personal 'Before & After' conversion stories. And if I should ever be one of the 'flippers'..I would write this unbelievably cliche but true statement...

• Lack confidence & Rely on other people's approval
• My confidence comes from God & I rely on Him

Wet Wet Wet...

It's been quite some time since the Family District organised any major outings, and so, we all decided to troop down to the farms last Thursday. What a sight to behold..3 bus-load of men, women and children (about 150 people)..with colourful umbrellas..braving the torrential rain!!! We had driven our car behind the bus..and realised that you should NOT open the sunroof immediately AFTER the rain had stopped..

1. The Goat Farm: Hmmm..the combination of goat, rain and human odour is probably more lethal than Chanel No.5..ha ha ha! Justin and Jared had their first taste of chocolate flavoured goat's milk..er..not exactly unpleasant..perhaps it's an acquired taste (kinda like blue cheese?). We were informed that goat's milk is alkali and shouldn't be mixed with cow's milk, which is acidic..and it's comparatively more easily digested and nutritious? The fun part was feeding the goats with alfalfa grass..they were literally 'clobbering' over each other to get to the chow down!!!

2. The Organic & Wheat Grass Farm: Discovered a healthy but tasty snack..wasabe and ginger coated crunchy mushrooms! I'm still not a fan of herbal jelly (kuai-lin-go), although they claim it's really good for the throat and complexion?

3. The Qian Hu Fish Farm: Besides the usual adventure of catching your own longkang fish..this one had a pool with 'spa fish' to nibble away at the dead skin on your legs and feet! It's incredible how parents will sacrifice dignity and comfort (remember it was still raining)..to squat and wade in shallow ponds..and use nets to chase and tackle small fishes with gusto..all for the sake of their little children!!!

The verdict? We all had good fun despite the rain..at least it wasn't 11C like in Melbourne. A final note of caution: It's true what they said about goat's milk unsettling your stomach if you're not used to it..ha ha ha! BE WARNED..ee ai ee ai oh!!!

T'was A Ghoulish Carol...

It started off as a 'muck around' practice session (as usual)..except in this case it inadvertently translated into realism..ha ha ha! If you can imagine what a 'Jingle Bells Rap' in E minor sounds like... Keyboard intro...Di Di Di...Di Di Di...Di De De De Di...Yo Yo Yo!!!

T'was the night before Christmas

When all through the house

Not a creature was stirring

Not even a mouse...

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Saviour
Was born on on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy