i sort of learnt how to play basketball today.

haha somehow playing ball games with a bunch of girls is alot more encouraging.

lol?

-

Anyway, the great cellist Mstislav Rostropovich died yesterday. A great loss to the music and the world.

fear.

To oli, i say: LOL.

Anyway, i was just blog-surfing and it occured to me how strange beings like us can be. Clicking on blogs are just like flipping pages of a book filled with personal pain, regret, sadness, depression, angst etc. It's one hell of a book, i must say; but i've got a feeling that when people start ranting online, they actually dont wanna post all of it in public - it's just something done out of impulse.

But the strange thing is this: if people can rant online so recklessly, why do they fear the human touch of sharing their problems with a friend, in person? It's the dilemma of msn: we scroll down our contact list and the occasional person does seem terribly depressed, judging from his personal message. But what do we do? We fear a curt response when we ask if he's all right, we fear that we don't know him well enough and hence do not have a right to show concern. So we merely scroll on and forget. Or do we?

The fear is so strange...even as u scroll down and fail to strike a conversation with one who needs it, something inside you longs for a conversation box to pop up.

What strange beings we are. Either that, or i'm in dire need of some catching-up.

The ACS(Independent) Philharmonic College Orchestra 2007

I went to school today deaf in my left ear. The flu I had last week filled my ear with stuff and the silly spray that i used yesterday did not dry up through the night... So when Mr Tan told me to email the chem prac to him by tonight, I heard email the chem prac to him by noon... rahh. Skipped recess and lunch and got upset for nothing. Anyway, went to the doctor and got it all flushed out. Thank God...

Anyway, stuff has been piling up ever since SYF. Just took stock of the pracs for chem and bio and realised i dont have quite a few... The last chance to submit my world lit outline it tomorrow and I'm too tired to do anything.

On a brighter note, if you like Sibelius symphonies, Rautavaara is good stuff. Similar Scandinavian feel, uninhibited by romantic harmony. Heavenly.

i have a hunch something is wrong...

WHY HAS ALMOST EVERY GIRL I KNOW TOLD ME TO CHANGE MY HAIRSTYLE!?!?!?!

-

anyway, well done ACphil! lets look forward to the bigger things to come!

clean sweep!

A CLEAN SWEEP!!

the ACS(I) Secondary Orchestra & ACS(I) College Orchestra have been awarded

GOLD WITH HONOURS

at the Singapore Youth Festival Central Judging 2007!

A big thank you to all who played for the music, and for God. To God be the glory, the best is yet to be :)

silver

weeks of no training. praise God.

didnt do too B A A A A D ly.

wheee!

freeconeday tomorrow!

You Are God Alone

You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, thats just the way it is

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne

You are God alone

You're the only God
Whose power none can contend
You're the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God
Who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And thats just the way it is

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
Thats what You are

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vVAVFTczA3I

How could I live without You
How could I survive
Without Your love
Without Your touch
You're the One that heals me
Cleanses my heart
And sets me free

Now i come right before You
With my hands lifted up
With my heart humbly bowed
At Your work on the cross
As You hung there and died
You were paying the price
For my life, For my life

For Your love is higher than the heavens
Deeper than the seas
And all I want is You in my life
No one else can satisfy my soul
Can make me feel this way
Only You Lord, only You

help me Oh Lord. heal me.

Your Name

As morning dawns and evening fades
You inspire songs of praise
That rise from earth to touch Your heart
And glorify Your name

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name let the nations sing it louder
Cos nothing has the power to save
but Your name

Jesus in Your name we pray
Come and fill our hearts today
Lord give us strength to live for You
And glorify Your name

Your name is a strong and mighty tower
Your name is a shelter like no other
Your name let the nations sing it louder
Cos nothing has the power to save
but Your name

Yesterday echoes.

This post is long overdue, but it's for clement and the topic of conversation that preoccupied our minds the whole day that day.

~

I remember Kunming.

I remember how 42 sleepless hours felt, and how comfortable a straw mat and a concrete floor could be. I remember how the same food could taste so good day after day, and how precious the sight of water could be. I remember the simple joy of seeing the lights flicker, and the anticipation that preceded it. I remember how, in the absence of everything, I knew we already had more than we could ask for.

I can still taste the countless packets of Village Cow we ate; I can still see Clem squeeze a tube of chocolate on his favourite milk-flavoured ice cream. I can still hear the songs we sang to the cleft-lipped children; I still hear the guitar praisesong Josh played under that star-blanketed sky. I can still feel the warmth of the children's hands in mine, I can still see their initial fear and curiousity fade into lifelong familiarity.

I recall the wisdom those little teachers imparted to me. They knew how certain seeds and fruits were edible; they knew where to gather the most colourful of bouquets. They knew how to teach a game without using language; they knew how to make us find the inner, buried innocence. They knew every step and crevice of nature, they knew how to enjoy the mountain breeze. They knew joy through their wholehearted smiles, and they knew sadness through their full, heavy tears.

I remember the final moments before leaving. I remember the guilt of learning so much, and yet only leaving with them tangible, painted walls. I remember how it felt to have my first shower in days, as the children struggled to get by with all the water they could find. I remember how I realised that their simple joy of seeing a bulb glow may be reduced to an indifferent, plastic switch. I realised, with pain, how the lessons I learnt in that very special school will never be truly appreciated by people like us. People like us who only pursue for happiness.
We only pursue.

I remember, with sorrow, how I had to leave it all behind. But now, I remember how we left them with dear 'ngee', and I smile.

Joy always is, always has been, and always will be within us.