Summing up 2013 and 2014 :) : my music journey

To be honest, I'm surprised that my blog is still up! I thought it will be pull down since I haven been blogging for the longest time!! N here I come to write something again :)

Ahhh...time flies and its 2015 already!! And this blog has also been around for some time already! I realised that the beauty of having a blog is that it allows U to look back and see how u used to think and to remind yourself of some key events that happened to your life..that was worth a mention at that point in time..n for the same purpose, I'm blogging again to note down some of the key things which I wanna note down!

2014 has been pretty fulfilling for me! I took up the melody composing course for the second time after Eric suggested that I should take it again and frankly, there's no regret on my side. In fact, I think I made the right choice in taking it again as I was really busy when I was taking it previously and to be honest, I wasn't in the mood to give my best as I was too caught up with work. This time round, I felt that I put in more effort and I think I did better :)

I still remember that when I first join the class in the previous batch, I was overwhelmed as everyone seemed so good..and I started to feel really stress about the class..however, after a while, I managed to get over it and convinced myself that it's probably a good thing cos it would mean that I will learn the most since I am quite a noob compared to them...at the same time, I set a lot of restrictions for myself when I compose my melody..making it narrower than it already was..and at some point, I was lost in the comments such that I totally ditched my writing style and write based on how I think people want me to write..and yes, that was a bad choice.

Towards the end of the first batch of the class, I start to realise that there's probably nothing to feel inferior about and that I shouldn't be setting any restrictions. In fact, I should try to write whatever I want...and i should allow all inspirations to flow freely and I'm glad to say that I followed this mentality when I was taking the lesson for the second time.

During the second time, I no longer set any restriction. Neither did I compare myself with anyone. I was just focusing on myself on how I could do better in any way. I also tried to take Eric'a suggestion of listening to more songs as I used to listen to mainly chinese pop. That was the time when I started listening to songs on spotify. To be honest (at least to me) I think it did help to listen to english songs. I also tried listening to kpop and thai song as I wanted to widen my music horizon..

With all these background work done, I think I did better as compared to my first try :) I had many first time haha.
1) wrote different genre of songs. They may not be perfect but I love all the songs (especially the silly ones) I wrote :)There were dance song, Ah Lian song and indie songs apart from my infamous corporate sounding songs! N I seek inspiration from almost everywhere..from variety shows,dramas to day to day encounter with people at work or during my personal time..n I actually achieved some milestones that I set for myself
1) i always wanted to write those Taiwanese idol drama song..either it's about heart break or about someone liking another someone..n yes, I think I managed to write both! Haha
2) I always wanted to write dance song n yes I did it too :)
3) jingle..i was actually upset with myself for writing a v lousy jingle that doesn't sound like jingle in the previous class and I told myself that I need to write a gd jingle this time round! It's not perfect but I like what I came up with!
4) i was told that one of my song sounded indie n I'm happy cos I assumed it is diff from what I usually write hehe
5) i secretly hope that Jim will say that the lyrics is well written for some my song n in a way, I think he did :)
6) above all, to write freely and not be bounded by my own rules and I think I did!

With these, I'm glad to say that I made the right choice to join again!
Apart from this, I also took up drum lesson in the hope of doing better arrangement..I have never imagine myself playing drums as I find it too manly..but I have to say that I love drum cos it's therapeutic! N I'm very fortunate to have a v gd drum teacher who motivated me and even give me advise on arrangement :) so although I only plan to take drum lesson for 3 mths..I have been taking it for 1 yr plus now :)

In the coming year, i hope to improve on my melody composing and arrangement skills! N I look forward to explore the different possibility for music 😃

A new perspective!

It's amazing that I'm posting this now but frankly...I thought I should cos I wanna document such positive moment and constantly remind myself to stay in such perspective...

Lately, for some reason, I feel a shift in paradigm...;) which I really feel was a good thing...I remember that someone whom I really respect once told me that I have to learn the art of detach...n that the person who tries to make things difficult for people is not really trying to be difficult to me but to whoever who is holding that position. On another occasion, another wise man  told me that I must learn the art of detach  and thereafter, I will be able to handle every episodes in life in a wise manner...

After hearing these words, I thought I know what they meant...however, I realised that I didn't really understand them until recently! N I realised that this is applicable to all parts of ur life!

The essence of this message is layman term is to turn deafening ears to the negative vibes and not let them get into you. Cos once they get into u, it bring u round the circle where it's hard to get out of it...

To me,I feel that it also means that we have to love ourselves more,have more faith in ourselves such that we don't get easily upset when someone does or say unpleasant things. Not because we are full of ourselves but rather because we know we have done our best. 

When this 'wall' is built,  I realised that it's hard for the negative vibe to get to u...and as a result, u always see things from a positive angle... Even if it's not the way u want it to be, u can still see it from a positive perspective...I.e. things happened for a reason n they made us grow n be a stronger or a better person...n that u look forward to overcome all the challenges that's ahead cos they mould u to a better n stronger person in time to come ;)  

May this positivity stay with me forever lol

Food n life's perspective

Ok..its been a long while since i last blogged! thought i am really tired now as its late and the pills i am taking for this hive thing (yes having hives) makes me really drowsy and lethargic, i decided that i am really in the mood to write now..so here goes...

Today, i visited my indian friend's restaurant at little india...though i am still not too good due to the allergy/hive thing, but since its been ages since we last gathered, i decided to drop by, with the intention of staying a while only since i am not in a good shape..but i ended up staying quite a while!

Took this photo from the search engine...anyway...this was the best dish for me tonight...the thing about me is...actually since young, i haven been a fan of indian food except for prata and murtabak...Then when i started to work, though i have lots of indian colleagues, i still fail to appreciate indian food...i recall that i had diarrhea for 2 days after attending one of my ex colleague's wedding...and the portion i took were often small..because i am scared of the taste yet i had to eat in order not to offend my colleague :P I have to say that some of the spices are still hard to accept till now...so very often, i took very small portions that is just enough to not offend my colleagues haha...On and off, i did chance upon some ok tasting indian food...but still, that stereotyping that all indian smells like this is deeply rooted in my mind..so i was always skeptical about the taste...and this stereotyping went on till last year...

Last september, i went on a business trip with a german colleague...we were very fortunate to have a very hospitable malacca colleague who brought us around...and the german colleague who is first time in asia requested for indian cruisine...and in my mind i was thinking..gosh, why indian food...since we werent that close, and its absolutely rude to say i dont like indian food, i had to compromise..especially since he is a far away guest...and so, we went to this indian restaurant called pak putra...

I still recall that the first food that my malacca colleague highly recommended is this garlic cheese naan...and oh my god..it taste great!!! Subsequently, there were butter chicken, tandoori chicken which were equally nice! It was there and then that actually changed my perspective of indian food! Like..wow, actually indian food is really nice...(can you imagine, i was quite sick..with blood in phelgm.. and fever) and yet i had appetite for such food...That was the first time in my life to really say that indian food is nice from the bottom of my heart hahaha...

Then...subsequently, when i got back from the trip...stella girl who was working the same company as me got me to try the indian stall in our staff canteen..once again, i had that spice doubt again..like what if it taste like the spice..but she insisted that it is nice and got me to try a piece...and yes, it was really nice! n subsequently, i always try that dish..i even start ordering from that stall!

N...today again, my indian friend invited a bunch of us to his restaurant for dinner..once again, i decided that i will have a tiny bit of food or none since i am having allergy and was feeling so tired...and grumpy actually haha...then i had this tandoori chicken (which to me was a safe dish)...and it was nice! Then i started to take the briyani which was ok too( i rem that i didnt like the spice taste when i was in malacca, not when we were in pak putra, but when we were at the other indian restaurant that didnt leave much impression on me)..and then i took additional step to try this mint chicken(cant rem the indian name), ok this was ok only cos it was a little sour...and too spicy for me...and lastly..it was this gobi manchurian which i felt was superb!

Anyway, with this, actually it just strike on me that food tasting is very much close to the perspective you wish to take in life...do you wanna try to be open...to try it out for yourself..or do you wanna stay in that hermit thinking that o its nothing more than that? So with that, once again, its a reminder that I should not be that hermit who hides myself away in this comfort but maybe not that happy comfort zone...and that there are so much in life which is waiting for me to venture and have fun with...and at the end of the day, we will probably receive more than getting bruise/hurt/unhappy in the process!

New resolution of the yr..time to save up and go visit all friends in their countries!! :D

Rain drops keep falling on my head

Happen to chance upon this song lately..a song I often hear and sing when I was young! Love the lyrics :)

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

[trumpet]

It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

To a smoother year!!!

Ok...its reflection time! 10minutes to being a year older...what they said is true...time flies after 21 yrs old...n nope, i am not revealing how old i am now hahaha....

Anyway, the previous year has been a very exciting year for me...a bit too exciting...i remember that i set a goal for myself...as always, I have a yearly goal for myself....2 years ago, it was to pick up melody composing..and I was quite satisfied with what I have achieved that year....last year, it was to have some career advancement...

In terms of career, I wouldnt say that there isnt any advancement. In fact, I think there was a considerable amount of advancement...lots of exposure...and though there were quite a few barriers to overcome, but still, it was quite fulfilling...though tough too...however, at the same time, while I busily put all concentration in work, I forgot about other important things in life.I forgot how to enjoy the simple pleasure in life....i spent so much time at work that even when i am with my friends, my mind was all about solving a problem at work...yes...i realise it was too much...

So with that, this year, the goal is to have a balance in life...at the same time when i try to pursue some career advancement, i guess i need to also ensure that i have the enjoyment part taken care of. For the coming year, I hope I can be more thrifty(ya i realise that i spent too much :x) , I need to learn how to enjoy life like last time...I need to have some career advancement...I need to upgrade myself( a specialist diploma will be good)...and I need to look prettier and that can b achieve with wearing braces...also...I need to be healthy! This means some exercise...and hopefully all the pains can be gone...

For the coming year, pls give me a smoother year.....and a more balanced one :D n more love..hahahaa....sincere love pls! :D

2years 10months 20 days

Time flies...its been 2 years, 10months, 20 days in IBM...and today is my last day....sob sob...and the very last time using this IBM laptop of mine which I been using for so long...

Come to think of it, it aint an easy decision to leave. There were ups and down...but overall, I still love IBM :) For I am thankful for the opportunities given to me, considering the many positions I held within this time frame, its definitely amazing...the nice manager who was assigned to me....the lessons taught to me through the easy or hard way, the freedom given to me(even the ability to decide on things), the dnyamic environment which is ever so exciting...and far too exciting sometimes haha...the experience across the globe even though i was never outstationed...but i still get to meet lots of people across the globe..the great friendship..the opportunity to meet tonnes of people from all over the world...across different industry, engineering, IT, shipping, education, oil, healthcare...all these opportunities are definitely an eye opener to me! N i am really thankful for this opporunity...

From tomorrow onwards, it marks a brand new episode of my life...while I close this chapter, I think there are many valuable experience, people and things deeply etched in my heart..and i hope I wont forget them! N there are people I hope I will still remember for the rest of my life..thanks for touching me...guiding me, teaching me, helping me.reaching out to me, ur friendship to me....I appreciate it very much! Thanks for the love...

I'm back!

Its been quite a long while since I last blogged...so today, its time to blog again...

So why am I blogging at this time when tomorrow is wednesday? Cos...I decided to take some time off work... :) So I have all the time to blog now...except for the fact that I am quite tired now..and a little sick...boo...I hate flu...

Anyway, the reason for blogging is because I met my nicest boss today...for some reasons...meeting her or even messaging her makes me happy :) I see her as a role model in terms of work...and in terms of views about life...and I am thankful to have met her...she who gives me guidance, she who reminds me of things...she who will be frank enough to tell me things I didnt wanna hear...:)

I went on telling her summarising what happened lately...and my perspective on things...like...for example, because I didnt encounter the nicest boss in my 1st co, that triggers me to join my current company...though it was pretty much a roller coaster life in this company...but I cant deny the fact that it has given me all the freedom to do a lot of different things...training me to be adaptable, dynamic...allowing me to do different jobs(7 different scopes in nearly 3yrs)...giving me opportunity to be exposed to someone high up there which I never thought I had to handle...and if there are cases where there is a lack of guidance, they just made me stronger...as I learn to swim on my own...and all these are definitely a value add to me...and once again..as kind as she is..she shared her own stories and went on telling me to remember that when things aint looking up for u...there is always 2 sides to it...and there will always be a blessing in disguise...and I think its true...

I love all the experience she shared about herself...:) they set me thinking on things...