Titled: Symphony Fest 2007

Well, at last our much-awaited event has been over, and it is AWESOME. Thinking back, we had been sacrificing our last week of holidays to come back and to have training for the event. It is what i would call a gathering of musical talents. In this event, UTP Orchestra has spent time and efforts in making this event a success. Well, being a member of Chinese Musical Division of UTP Orchestra, i somewhat felt proud, to be part of this event. In our division, we are given the opportunity to play 6 songs. Alright, the 1st song for our division in this event is a interesting piece and it titled 红旗染上红旗扬, as we are accompanying Suo Na. Well, we took hours juz to practice that music piece. Henry was describing to me that he thinks that the composer of this music piece is very playful when writing the music. We also played Rhythm Of the Rain, and 我有一段情。For the other songs, we have several solos. Our music instructor, Mr Steven Goh Suk Liang and Jia Min played Er hu on 桃花过渡。On the other hand, we have Gary Pang and Mr Tan played Dizi on this song, 但愿人长久。We also have a female singer singing "囚鸟“by Cass Phang. She has a very sweet voice, also her voice is also quite powerful. A very good singer i would say. We also have the UTP Gamelan, and the UTP Keronchong to perform with us in the event . There was this interesting piece from Gamelan that i really fond of. It starts of the players begin chanting "Alimasi" or some sort, and for me, it is very anthemic and i felt that the music is very encouraging, sort of like a very bersemangat kind of music. (Raises morale). On top of that, we also have our Indian Musical Division (Sangeeth) to join us in our event too. And last but not the least, we invited Cheryl Samad , and Altimet as guest performers. Well, in short, the event was a big success, as all of us have painstakingly spent hours juz on the event. And not only us, we also want to thank the Classical & Jazz Div, and Sangeeth Div. Also not forgetting are the UTP Gamelan, on their beautiful and well orchestrated music, and also UTP Keronchong, both on their live performances. They also sung very well. For me, i am somewhat fond of multi-layered Gamelan music, as they used various instruments such as Sarun Barung, Bonang Barung and Penerus, Gambang and also the Gendang , not forgetting the Gong and other several percussion instruments (Snare Drum, and Latin Percussion). Well, that's it for today.

Title: Sleepless night, too much coffee and worried bout creative management

Well, to kick start with it, i've been having too much coffee, imagining a packet of Nescafe regular and a big packet of white coffee, is now killing me!!!! Spending my time watching Storm Raiders (Aaron Kwok, Ekin Cheng, Kristy Yeung, Sonny Chiba). and the coffee hangover is keeping me awake. Need to sleep for tomorrow morning's practice. These few days, i've been worrying bout my ETP group, having to communicate with them about the proposals. Having said that, all of them seem to push the leader's responsibilities to me. Well, i guess it will be my challenging ground as i lead them into making the project into reality. To start off, i had thought about a water filter to make our life easier. A combination of several separation methods, and possibly those which are low cost, and easy to maintain, which i thought of borrowing Pandanex technology. Well, i need to thank my dad for contributing some of his ideas, of recycling waste oil to make fuel ( not sure if its biodiesel, or some other things.)
I had always thought about energy, its development and its conversion for the benefit of mankind. Ever since i'm young enough to know that the world is dying, Ive been to realize that my dream would be to make fully use of renewable fuels. Nuclear, wind and others.
I have been having lots of daydreaming about my intimate relationship with another human being. its been bothering of whether do i need to carry on with it, or to focus my time, strength and heart to my Saviour, which save me from sin, and shame, using His own blood. Need to really think and to realign myself to His will. Well, it is not easy to say that but, i feel that my time is still not yet up. I felt that the Lord is preparing me for it. Guess i need to wait for his time.
Partly, the reason is that ive been listening to heartbreaking love songs, especially the song "Ame" (meaning Rain) by Yui Ichikawa, which is a cover by Chisato Moritaka. Here are the lyrics. (both Romaji and translation)

Artist: Ichikawa Yui
Title: Ame (Rain)
Words: Moritaka Chisato
Music: Moritaka Chisato

in the rain, disappearing drop by drop
every time I look, it makes me sad.
we're both silent, umbrellas unopened
goodbye, my love.
I want to cry my heart out, and be held tightly
but now you're so far away from me.
the rain may be cold, but I want to be wet by it
because it washes away the tears and memories.

you softly grab my arm and pull me toward you
are you looking for the words to say goodbye?
but I won't cry.
these tears are just the rain.
I want to cry my heart out, and be held tightly
but I don't need anything, if you'll just stay by my side
the rain may be cold, but I want to be wet by it
because it washes away your warmth
the rain may be cold but I want to be wet by it
because it washes away the tears and memories.

Translated By: Brian Stewart & Takako Sakuma

Translator's Notes: A cover of Moritaka Chisato's heartbreaker of the same name.

Romaji

hitotsu hitotsu kieteyuku ame no naka
mitsumeru tabi ni kanashiku naru
kasa mo sasazu futari ha damatteiru wa
sayonara watashi no koi
omoikiri naite tsuyoku dakaretai keredo
ima no watashi ha toosugiru anata ga
ame ha tsumetai kedo nureteitai no
omoide mo namida mo nagasu kara

sotto anata watashi no te wo hikiyose
saigo no kotoba sagashiteru no?
dakedo watashi naitari nanka shinai
namida ha ame no sei yo
omoikiri naite anata ni dakaretai kedo
nanimo iranai kono mama soba ni ite
ame ha tsumetai kedo nureteitai no
anata no nukumori wo nagasu kara
ame ha tsumetai kedo nureteitai no
omoide mo namida mo nagasu kara

Romaji By: Brian Stewart

For me, i havent experience what the song meant. But, given the timing set by my Lord, he will do things in a wonderful way. Praise the Lord.

My old-time favorite visual kei band - Luna Sea !! Visual kei is a movement in Japan which features eccentric looks. I first come across Luna Sea is when my brother bought a cd full of j-pop songs, and it was my first move towards liking j-pop and j-rock songs. Some of my favorites are those like Speed, Suzuki Ami, Yutaka Ozaki, Ryuichi Kawamura(vocalist of Luna Sea), and many others. From there, i started liking j-drama also, which i still enjoys it very much. Here are some of the Luna Sea's works, which i enjoyed it very much, after having their Period:The Best Selection.

Luna Sea - Rosier


Luna Sea - Wish


Luna Sea - Shine


Luna Sea - Storm