RWMF '08

I went to the Rainforest World Music Fest '08 held at the Cultural Village outside Kuching this year. I had heard all sorts of good comments and reviews of the festival and had been wanting to go for the longest time.

3 days of world music... people of all walks of life attended.. nothing but good ol music to bring people together under one banner.
I went with Mai
and Arid ... it was a good thing too cause both had been to the festival so they kinda knew their way around and all..

During the day there were workshops. Those were quite good. Performers would come together to 'jam'.

Some just do their thing... some were better on a smaller stage in a theatre as opposed to the big open air one at night. You can then actually see what's going on!


I bunked over with Mai and Arid at the Damai Laut Resort.. gorgeous sunset...

I even got a Henna tattoo whilst there... it was REALLY nice... take a look yourself!

me and Mai at the Iban Rumah Panjang during the acapella "jam" session...


Hiroshi during his solo performance in the evening on the Second Stage...

The main stage...

One of the performances on the main stage..

All in all, it was a good experience. The weather unfortunately was not as good. They might need to think of doing something about it for next year. The atmosphere was so energetic and lively. If I dont already have plans next year, i would definitely want to go again and this time take an even larger posse with me!!

Urbanscapes 2008

"Urbanscapes is organised by KLue and is the first and only all-day “user-generated” creative arts festival. Urbanscapes aims to bring together communities and participants from the fields of music, arts, lifestyle, film under a single banner to showcase the best of the local scene."

I hadn't had so much fun in such a long time prior to Urbanscapes. It was f**king brilliant! Plus the company was great!
As one of my colleagues rightly said, it's just the type of event I truly enjoy attending. Live music of all genres, theatre, improv theatre, art, crafts, food, etc...

We did some shopping and I found a studded Rolling Stones t shirt!! Just what I have been looking for! RM40.00... no brainer.. buy!!! I cant remember the exact details of the whole day, but the I do remember going to watch the improv theatre and somehow I got dragged in by Amelia and Sophie!
I was really lost.. didn't know what the heck I was supposed to be doing!!! I just went with the flow and had my fingers crossed hoping I didn't look like a complete retard! Unfortunately I'm not all that arty.. haha.. but it was fun.

Later we went into the main building and there was this huge chicken rice box man figure..
quite impressive really..
There were art installations in the lobby of the main building... very interesting indeed...
Later we went to the Acoustic Live House and watched Mia Palencia perform..
she's really entertaining. Very interesting lyrics.. always keeping us in stitches. She's got a really good voice too.


We later progressed to the main theatre where snippets of Air Con by Shanon Shah was previewed. Very disturbing play. I watched it a couple of weeks later. 3 hours long!! no joke.. very heavy stuff. Very eerie at parts and very moving story. Very real in parts too... too real... some scenes I was very very disturbed watching.. almost in tears even..

On our way out, we stopped at the entrance of the main building. A group of percussionists were doing their thing. It was fantastic! The booming rhythms.. they take over your body and it becomes one with the beat. You cant help but stand there and dance... everyone just danced around the performers and then I realized that one of them was Sham from Mix FM!
So I coudlnt help but feel like a gropie and took a pic with him.

We got food cause we were starved by then. The hot dogs were ggggoooooooodddd...
then it was off to the main live stage where local rock bands were playing.. and later to the makeshift outdoor dance floor.. absolutely fantastic dancing outdoors.

All in all, the company was briiliant, the food was good, the Acts were very excellent (well.. mostly.. haha) and I'd definitely go back again next year!

Dance

We competed at the Lion City Championships 2008. It was our first time tanning too! haha.. boy.. is it expensive!!! It was a really good experience tho... we've never competed outside Malaysia together and it was real fun.


We competed in the Grade C and Rising Stars latin... boy did we get our asses whooped!!! hahaha... knocked out in the first round of the RS and made semis for the Grade C...

None of the Msian or Singaporean couples made it to the finals.. it was left with only the Philipino and Thai couples.. shows how strong they are really..

Later, we competed at a competition in Shangri-La. I really cant remember what it's called.

Only in Grade C, and yes, again, we got our asses whooped! ahahaha...


The Thai kids were amazing!! We made semis again and then were knocked out.


Later, we tried to redeem ourselves at the Seremban Superstar Championships. Unfortunately, I have no pictures from that competition. But it was one to remember... not because we did amazingly well, but because my pants ripped from top till bottom and my ass was hanging out the entire Jive round. Maybe that's why we were placed 2nd in Grade C!!! hahaha... we didnt expect to do so well to be honest.. and we came 4th in the Rising Stars (4 dance) so that was a very good experience. It boosted our confidence.

Unfortunately, we stoppped training and having classes for a long time now and it's going to really affect us at our next comp which is this Sunday... good luck to the both of us!!!

In the past 2 years...

Where have I been? I've been working... I've been dancing... I've dated (mostly ending in disaster... one even abusive)... I've met new people.. made new friends.. lost a few... life goes on.

I'll attempt to blog about the few significant sparks of interest of whatever I have not blogged about...

Firstly and most importantly, I have to admit... my new found strength stems from an external source. A special someone.. KK... it's been a long time since I've felt this way about anyone.. sure I was in the dating game, but it became excruciating to the point I made it a conscious decision to stop dating anyone. It was unbearable and I wasnt dating anyone I was really interested in...

but KK is different... it took so little and yet KK has so much to offer. It's not so much what KK has to offer but it was the kind of person KK is. KK found me online and we started exchanging msges on a daily basis. My interest was sparked.. who was this person who was captivating me? I would always get excited when I saw KK's msg appear. Soon after, we met up and KK was everything I ever wanted. The perfect fit for the imperfect me. I've found life again in KK, and even though I'm stressed out from other aspects of my life, KK's love is carrying me through. Loving KK came to me like breathing... natural and done unconsciously. The best part is, KK loves me too...

next, I have a nephew and a niece.. both beautiful angels and there's always that fuzzy feeling of love when I see them even if only in pictures.


They're both precious and beacons of innocense and love. I cant help but feel overwhelmed by the feeling of love when I think of them.

In the past year, I've gone to several events. The ones off the top of my head now are Urbanscapes at KLPAC, the Rainforest World Music Festival 2008 in Kuching, the firm trip to Bali and to several plays such as Shanon Shah's Air Con and Gavin Yap's take on Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell Tale Heart". I'll blog about them separately tho.

As for dance... off late, it's taken a back seat to work and KK. But slowly I'm sorting out my schedule so that I can get back to dance again. Since the last entry I did on the inaugural KL International Dance Fest, I also competed in Singapore at the Lion City Championships, a competition at Shangri-La and the Seremban Superstar something in March.

I bought a new camera. After much consideration and advice from various parties, I decided to get the Panasonic Lumix TZ15. It was purchased in time for my trip to Kuching and also Bali. I absolutely love it. Next on my to buy list are a phone, an external hard drive.. my comp's dead so I've got to send it to a service centre soon... I HOPE I DIDNT LOSE EVERYTHING! *fingers crossed*, a holiday, a plane and maybe one of those mantions in Malibu... wishful thinking...

Anyway, I'll elaborate on everything else so I'll just stop here...

It is time.

Remember that line? Rafiki had said the exact line to Simba at the end of the movie the Lion King when Scar had been defeated and the hyennas turned on him. It was time for Simba to climb pride rock and take his place as the King of the pride lands.

Well.. it is time for me to resurrect from the 2 years of absence from my blog with only scattered fragments of my life appearing on it. I have been depressed, confused and silent for too long. It is time for me to re-emerge from the depths of my voluntary confinement.

I realize I used to write about lots of topics which had interest me. A lot of my dance competitions were documented well, and I talked about people and my life in general. But my e-journal has been silent since I fell into emotional turmoil. But I've found light again. One that is strong... oh, how I pray that this light will stay with me... stay with me in life, stay with me in death, and stay with me in love...

Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now

Looking in your eyes I see a paradise
This world that I found is too good to be true
Standing here beside you, want so much to give you
This love in my heart that I'm feeling for you

Let 'em say we're crazy, I don't care 'bout that
Put your hand in my hand baby, don't ever look back
Let the world around us just fall apart
Baby, we can make it if we're heart to heart

And we can build this dream together,
Standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of lovers,
We'll still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us,
Nothing's gonna stop us now
Woh woh oh

I'm so glad I found you, I'm not gonna lose you
Whatever it takes, I will stay here with you
Take it to the good times, see it through the bad times
Whatever it takes is what I'm gonna do

Let 'em say we're crazy, what do they know
Put your arms around me baby, don't ever let go
Let the world around us just fall apart
Baby, we can make it if we're heart to heart

And we can build this dream together,
Standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of lovers,
We'll still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us,
Nothing's gonna stop us

Ooh, all that I need is you,
All that I ever need
And all that I want to do,
Is hold you forever,
Forever and ever

And we can build this dream together,
Standing strong forever
Nothing's gonna stop us now
And if this world runs out of lovers,
We'll still have each other
Nothing's gonna stop us,
Nothing's gonna stop us
(And we can build this dream together,
Standing strong forever)
Woh oh oh-oh-oh
(Nothing's gonna stop us now)
Nothing's gonna stop us
(World runs out of lovers)
Now (we'll still have each other)
(Nothing's gonna stop us) us now
(And we can build this dream together) hey baby
(Standing strong forever) I know
(Nothing's gonna stop us now)

Sayang - Mia Palencia

SAYANG

Jangan marah, sayang
Jangan hampa
Jangan sedih, sayang
Jangan berduka

Kita bebas berlari ke hujung dunia
Tanganku sedia menunggu masa

Dunia ini, sayang
Penuh cabaran
Hati orang, sayang
Pandai berdendam

Kita bebas berterbang ke hujung angkasa
Bulan bintang menunggu kedatangan kita

Ayuh sayang
Ayuh sayang
Mari kejar kebenaran.

Cinta ini, sayang
Bukan biasa
Mulut ini, sayang
Takkan berdusta

Kita bebas berenang ke hujung lautan
Ombak-ombak tak kenal makna kekejaman

Ayuh sayang
Ayuh sayang
Mari kejar kebenaran

Berlari, berlari bersama
Menyanyi, menari bersama

Cinta ini, sayang
Bukan biasa
Ayuh sayang,
Demi cinta.


(Note from Mia: I have tried my best to capture and conserve the essence of this song in the English translation of it. The word 'sayang' is a Malay term of affection, which generally means 'darling' or 'my love'. It can also mean 'love' in general. In this case, I feel that 'my love' applies best to this song.)


Don't be angry, sayang
Don't be discouraged
Don't be sad, sayang
Don't grieve

We are free to run to the ends of the Earth
My hand is ready and waiting for that time

This world, sayang
is full of challenges
People's hearts, sayang
can be spiteful

We are free to fly to the ends of the universe
The moon and the stars are waiting for us to come

Come, sayang
Come, sayang
Let's search for Truth.

This love, sayang
is extraordinary
This mouth, sayang
will not lie

We are free to swim to the ends of the seas
Waves do not know the meaning of cruelty

Come, sayang
Come, sayang
Let's search for Truth

Running, running together
Dancing, singing together.

This love, sayang
is extraordinary
Come, sayang
for Love.

Baby Claire's Gawai Weekend pics!

Vedi Veni Vinci!!!



She came...



She saw...



She conquered our hearts...



No one could resist her innocent charms..



She's so adorable!!!

The day I donned a nighted colour...

At 0415 on 1st May 2008, Chang Foong Chow, passed away after slipping into a coma during her dylasis treatment. She was 72. She was my Godmother.

She was a beautiful woman who loved me. True, there was a language barrier, but I could feel her love through her actions. I was always special to her, being her Godson. I would always receive that special "ang pow" and have the best food put on plate at the dinner table. She always exuded warmth and I felt a great responsibility and a sense of duty towards her.

She lived a humble life, and until the day she died, my Godfather was still a bus driver desperately trying to support her treatment. My only regret is I could never contribute to it. They lived in a shack. Their water was pumped out of a well. The toilet was a stall located outside the house in the enclosure where the chickens were kept. But still my Godparents are one of the most loving couples I have ever met. They loved each other, and they were warm people. What more can I say? I am lucky to have them as my Godparents.

I am honoured to have had the liberty to wear all black and be considered a kin. Not many people knew who I was and they were suprised to see a third person in all black (aside from my 2 cousins). I guess they figured I was the Godson. The 3 of us would lead all the prayer sessions and the rituals lasted late into the night. But I am glad I was there to fulfill my duties as a Godson. I suppose I do love her. I just hope that she knew that.

Time - Billy Porter

What is time?
Is it the autumn leaves that change?
Or the snow that floats from the sky

What is Time?
Is it the air we breathe?
Or the wings that teach
The new born bird to fly

Who can tell?
I don’t know
Will we change?
Will we grow?

What is time?
Is it eternity
In heaven
Or just a hope for peace on earth

Where’s the time
Gone in a blink of an eye
But with every blink
a birth

We live
We learn
We love
In time
We give
We yearn
We grow

In time

Time for change
Its time to care
It’s not too late
Don’t despair
Reach inside your heart

To find the joy and love
To share with all mankind
For all we know

All we have
Is time

The little Countess

Presenting.. my little God daughter.. Claire Su-anne T.

Precious! Precious! Precious!

Everything - Michael Buble

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.
Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.
Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

[Chorus:]
And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.
You're every song, and I sing along.
'Cause you're my everything.
Yeah, yeah

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La
So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

Color quiz

Your Existing Situation

Hopes to obtain an improved position and greater prestige, so that he can procure for himself more of the things he has had to do without.


Your Stress Sources

Wants to overcome a feeling of emptiness and to bridge the gap which he feels separates himself from others. Anxious to experience life in all its aspects, to explore all its possibilities, and to live it to the fullest. He therefore resents any restriction or limitation being imposed on him and insists on being free and unhampered.


Your Restrained Characteristics

Egocentric and therefore quick to take offense. Able to achieve satisfaction through sexual activity but tends to hold aloof emotionally.


Your Desired Objective

Strives for a life rich in activity and experience, and for a close bond offering sexual and emotional fulfillment.


Your Actual Problem

Fights against restriction or limitation, and insists on developing freely as a result of his own efforts.


Your Actual Problem #2

The fear that he might be prevented from achieving the things he wants leads him to play his part with an urgent and hectic intensity.

Farewell 2007, HelloOo 2008

Lets see... I start the new year with my car in the workshop, my grandmother's not too well, I start the year with a broken heart... my Unimate passed away.. hhhmmm... it just isnt a good start.. so will it get better? I have to wonder.

Will I ever find love again? You know... just the right one... and WHEN WILL I GET MY CAR BACK?! URGHZ!! It's like I'm paralyzed when I'm without my car... It is so not funny. Sigh... the only things that keep me going nowadays is dance (which sometimes can be rather tiring), shopping (which I cant afford to do since I've bought 3 pairs of shoes, 5 shirts, a t shirt, 3 pieces of Ck Underwear, a Seiko watch for my dad's birthday, a return flight ticket to my unborn God daughter's 1month bday, and a humidifier) and maybe hanging out with friends (which I cant do as well since I am car-less!!!)

Well.. I've just got to 'hang in there' eh? sigh.. Welcome two thousand ate...

A friend passed away at 6.00am on Sunday... well... tbh, I didnt really know her well. She was a Unimate and we had shared several modules. She was my age, and it is a rather great loss that she was run over by a car. She was just at the wrong place at the wrong time... in the wrong place and time for the driver to accelerate, attempting to overtake another car at a corner, hit her, and speed off. However, I heard the driver turned herself in subsequently.

I was really shocked when I received the news. She was one who was always so full of energy and life.. she really partied and had a good time. She had an aura and charm that attracted most guys.. she really was one of the babes of my year... tall, slim.. pretty... beautiful even.

Some of you might be wondering why I'm writing about someone I'm not even close to... I dont know.. I just felt the need to blog about this. There have been too many bad things happening in my life recently, and I guess this serves as a reminder that I'm still alive. Still able to do the things I want, whereas she is gone.

When I visited her family, I could not help but feel their loss. They're only left with a son, and their daughter's life was wrenched away by an impatient driver. She looked at peace, but you could tell the accident was horrible. The embalming wasnt done properly and there was still blood trickling from her lips. You could see the abrasions she sustained.. on her nose.. lips... forehead... Her hair was shaved off because there was a hole in her head.. you could see the band to cover the hole underneath the fake hair...

What a shitty thing to happen to anyone at all... It's also really ironic that she used the tagline "Easy Come, Easy Go" in a profile... a point to really ponder on, dont you think?

I pray she rests in peace and my deepest and sincerest condolences to her family at such a dark hour..

I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston

If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you ev'ry step of the way.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.

Bittersweet memories
that is all I'm taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you, you need.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.

(Instrumental solo)

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of.
And I wish to you, joy and happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I, I will always love you.

You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I'll always, I'll always love you.

*************************************************************************************

Love always,
Boo

THE GIFT (Jim Brickman)

Winter snow is falling down
Children laughing all around
Lights are turning on
like a fairy tale come true.

Sitting by the fire we made
You're the answer when i prayed
I would find someone
and baby I found you.

All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more every day
You saved my heart
from being broken apart
You gave your love away
and I'm thankful every day
for the gift.

Watching as you softly sleep
What I'd give if I could keep
Just this moment
if only time stood still.

But the colors fade away
And the years will make us grey
But baby in my eyes
You'll still be beautiful.

All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more every day
You saved my heart
from being broken apart
You gave your love away
And I'm thankful every day
for the gift.

(instrumental)

All I want is to hold you forever
All I need is you more every day
You saved my heart
from being broken apart
You gave your love away
I can't find the words to say
That I'm thankful every day
for the gift.

Right now all your dreams are waking up,
right now the sun is killing the moon,
right now I wish I could follow you,
to the shores of freedom,
where no one lives...

Happy Ending - Mika

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

Wake up in the morning, stumble on my life
Can't get no love without sacrifice
If anything should happen, I guess I wish you well
A little bit of heaven, but a little bit of hell

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I feel as if I'm wastin'
And I'm wastin' everyday

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

2 o'clock in the morning, something's on my mind
Can't get no rest; keep walkin' around
If I pretend that nothin' ever went wrong, I can get to my sleep
I can think that we just carried on

This is the hardest story that I've ever told
No hope, or love, or glory
Happy endings gone forever more
I feel as if I feel as if I'm wastin'
And I'm wastin' everyday

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
Then live the rest of our life,
But not together.

A Little bit of love, little bit of love
Little bit of love, little bit of love [repeat]

I feel as if I feel as if I'm wastin'
And I'm wastin' everyday

This is the way you left me,
I'm not pretending.
No hope, no love, no glory,
No Happy Ending.
This is the way that we love,
Like it's forever.
To live the rest of our life,
But not together.

Too Many Broken Hearts - Jason Donovan

Last night you talked about leaving,
I said I can't let you go
It's not just emotional feeling
I need you body and soul

You give me one good reason to leave me
I'll give you ten good reasons to stay
You're the only one I believe in
I'd be hurt, I'd be hurt, if you walk away

(Chorus)

Too many broken hearts in the world
There's too many dreams can be broken in two
Too many broken hearts in the world
So I won't give up the fight for you

The world is full of lonely people
Who never held onto love
Last night I tried to reach you
But somehow it wasn't enough

So I said, can't you wait a bit longer
I'll give you all that a lover should give
It ain't my pride but my love that is stronger
I'd be hurt; I'd be hurt, if you walk away

(Repeat Chorus *2)

You give me one good reason to leave me
I'll give you ten good reasons to stay
You're the only one I believe in
I'd be hurt; I'd be hurt, if you walked away

(Repeat Chorus till fade)

************************************************

sighz... :-(

disfigured! argh!!!

And so I went to the doc yesterday... turns out, my ligament on the jaw joint of my face is slightly torn, hence the pain, and also I might have obtained a fracture on the bone on my face... how interesting.. Doc said it woudlnt be reasonable for him to put a cast of my face! I'd look like the phantom or something!

All he gave me were anti-inflammation and said it'll have to heal by itself.. also, I'm not supposed to wear my glasses cause of the pressure it'll put on the bone. Sounds like I've been having rough oral sex huh? hAEHHAEah.. Only explanation I can think of is Kelly hitting me in the face one too many times whilst practising.. haha..

Anyway, below is the pic taken during my firm's Family Day.. I spent the day hiding from the partners cause I didnt want to take part in the tele-match in fear of injuring myself before the KL Dance Festival.

Together in Electric Dreams - Giorgio Moroder / Phil Oakey)

I only knew you for a while
I never saw your smile
til it was time to go
Time to go away (time to go away)
Sometimes its hard to recognise
Love comes as a surprise
And its too late
Its just too late to stay
Too late to stay

We`ll always be together
However far it seems
(love never ends)
We`ll always be together
Together in electric dreams

Because the friendship that you gave
Has taught me to be brave
No matter where I go i`ll never find a better prize
(find a better prize)
Though youre miles and miles away
I see you every day I dont have to try
I just close my eyes, I close my eyes

Well always be together
However far it seems
(love never ends)
Well always be together
Together in electric dreams

pics pics pics.. yay!