may-it-be-2012 pt 4

MAY 28th
After 12 weeks of studies, finally got to check into office at 845am.. but what a way to start.. no electricity for 30mins. I know most Sabahans will tell me not to complain so much but first time in my working career, I experience this. Well, it's not that often you have this blackout around Sunway for that amount of period so yea...

Simple staff meeting after lunchtime then send pastor to airport.

Straight after that, went to MidValley to have dinner with Wendy who was around for her interview. My little godsis probably will be getting a job here so yea.. meetup to catchup and chat...

Yes, MidValley have this Mickey fair...

We had our dinner at Spaghetti Grill.

After our dinner, as soon as we walked a bit, a guy stopped us and said he needs help to translate his testimony to the police. Well, this guy apparently got beaten up for trying to save another person from being stalked.

My darling and Wendy did the translation for him while I just sat at the corner, witnessing the whole thing. So yes, the girls helping this guy who can't speak BM, to translate his report to the police man. Geddit? yea..

After 30 minutes or so.. well.. short walk before sending Wendy back to her uncle's house in Setapak.

MAY 29th
Went out to settle something for pastor. Turnout I have to go through some people.. oh well...
Day was simple.. night, have another round of meeting to finalized the art direction of my album. Man, it's not easy to be creative.. haha.. anyway, quite happy with the final product...

Decided to watch MIB3 with darling. Totally blew my expectations.. it was better than I thought. I must admit, despite their reputation, I have no high expectations for it. Turns out the movie was very enjoyable and Will Smith/Tommy LJ combo never fails to entertain. I will give a 9/10 for this.

The last scene probably one of the most touching and moving scenes I ever witness in a sci-fi movie. Probably tops ET.. hehehe...

Just when I think things were alright, got a call from Dinry that we lost his laptop... worse still that his church key is inside. Went back to church to sort things for him.. well.. as BM saying goes.. "malang tidak berbau". You never know disaster strikes.. unfortunately for him.. it happens.

MAY 30th
Finally after 12 weeks of studies.. (sounds familiar le this phrase) I get to sleep more. Yes, i enjoy my good rest/sleep so much... moreover the rain came and made the weather so suitable. Wokeup nearly 11am... what a luxury.

Spend most of the time lazing then out for early dinner and jamming with the band to prepare for this Sunday's worship unlimited. My vocals must be sleepy and lazy too... I couldn't project my voice as good as I thought. Aih.

MAY 31st
I must admit when I was studying, I have thoughts to ask for leave. But God told me not too.. and I know why now. So far the week been quiet because most guys were out for various reasons.

Had lunch with Neil from RELENT. We ate at Belly Good. The price is.. well.. pricey but the food is worth it. It's not something you want it everytime but once awhile is good enough.

The sauce was awesome and the pork belly was tender and nice.

Night - cell group was good. Yapp brought some stuff from Taiwan for us.

That's all I should say about May... onwards to JUNE!

My favourite month -- yes... JUNE!!!!

[10 Positive Lessons from Taylor Swift ] By: Ng Wah Lok (22 May 2012)

I am doing some "cut and paste" article written by my Tung Ling principal Ng Wah Lok whom I was surprised that he is a big fan of Taylor Swift. He told us in the class that he is going to write some things he learn from her and here is what he wrote about Taylor Swift.. yes.. the 10 things you can learn..

Thanks Ps for your insights.. here we go...

1. Dare to Dream

Taylor Swift started dreaming of becoming a songwriter/singer at age 10 years. Her whole  life dream was to write songs.

"I started singing at festivals and fairs and karaoke contests — anywhere I could. I begged my mom to take me to Nashville; eventually she did. I would walk into record labels alone (my mom would wait in the car) and hand them my demo CD. I'd say 'Hi, I’m Taylor. I’m 11 and I’m looking for a record deal.'...I didn’t get much response; so I returned to Pennsylvania and learned to play guitar and write songs."

2. Work hard to achieve your dreams

Taylor says her success comes from her determination to realize her dreams. "Being raised by two parents who brought me up with the idea that the world didn't owe me anything really helped,"

"In order to develop and reach goals, I think it’s important that you never feel entitled to them. Take it one step at a time, because its very rare people just get 'discovered.' It takes meeting lots of people and spreading the word and making connections and following paths that are sometimes dead ends.

3. Overcome obstacles

She  recorded a demo of karaoke covers, and traveled with her mother to Nashville, for spring break, leaving a copy of the demo with record labels along Music Row. She received label rejections and realized that "I needed to know how to do something more than just sing a song".

At 14, Taylor moved from Pennsylvania to Nashville, where she played her demo CD for anyone who would listen. Her persistence certainly paid off—she was only 16 when "Tim McGraw" first hit the airwaves. 

4. Use Modern Technology to engage fans

Taylor uses modern technology to develop a very large fan base. She uses facebook, you tube, my space, websites etc to engage fans. She has one of the highest download sales of all time (41.8 million downloads).

5. Constantly learn and evolve

She used to do opening acts for big country stars like Keith Urban, Tim Mcgraw, Kenny Chesney etc.. She observed and learned from their work ethics. Eventually she won the Country Music Entertainer of the Year Award, an award traditionally  won by male country stars. She actually beat the top male country stars she used to do opening acts for because she learned their work ethics. She also learned songwriting by co-writing with some top songwriters.

6. Honor your parents

Taylor has a strong bond with her parents. She considers her mum her best friend. Her father relocated his work to Nashville so she could have better chance to pursue her music career. Her song “Best Day” is a Mother’s Day gift to her mum. Also the song “Never Grow Up” talks about missing home when she first moved to her own apartment. For the Fearless tour, she was constantly accompanied by her mum. To date, she has already bought 2 houses for her parents.

“What makes me happy is just curling up in with my mom in her bed and watching a marathon of CSIand Grey's Anatomy episodes with pints of ice cream” – Taylor Swift.

7. Promote Moral Values

Taylor dresses moderately, does not drink or party or does not do any overly sexualized photo shoots. She has not put on a tattoo because her mum objects to it. In her song 15, she encourages teenagers to be careful not to give in to pressure “to a boy who changed his mind”.

8. Gives back to society - Philanthropy

Taylor Swift earned $18 million in 2009, $45 million in 2010, $45 million in 2011 and $57 million in 2012 (according to Forbes). But she does give back something to society. Here are some of her donations ( not a complete list).

December 13, 2009  - Donates $250,000 to various schools around the country which she had either attended or been involved with

May  2010 - $500,000 during a flood relief telethon hosted by WSMV, a Nashville television station.

May 23, 2011 Speak Now Benefit Concert – Raised 700,000 for tornadoe relieft

July 2011 – Donates $250,000 to Nick Kids to aid tonado relief efforts in West Alabama.

May 2012 – Donates $ 4 million to Music Education

At age 22, she has already a host of good works behind her name.

9. Don’t let success get to your head

Taylor remains down to earth and humble despite her phenomenal success.

“No matter what happens in life, no matter how many records you sell, be good to people...Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind." – Taylor Swift

10. Be good in one thing

Taylor excelled in songwriting. It is probably this special gift that took her very far. Although many of her songs are about falling in and out of love, this is not unexpected as most of her own hits were written between the age of 17-21. As she grows older, she will probably evolve to more serious themes. Already, I can see a slight change of themes as she turns 22 this year.

(TAKEN FROM Ps. NG WAH LOK's ARTICLE ON FB)

was called gor gor tim lim

Check out this Eaglepoint promo video that was aired over the weekend at their church which was promoting Worship Unlimited.. check from 0.45 onwards... cute stuff.. hahaha

 

Anyway, don't forget to join us and check the link to know more what is all about. 
Come join us!!

Mark your calendars, share the love, bring your friends along!

Much love.

dd on..

Really thank God that I received a lot of good feedback for my song Diving Deeper. Hope it will continue be a blessing to many others out there.

Here is one article that my friend wrote on her blog about the song.

If you haven't download it, please do!!

Cheers...

Quiet day at office today..mm..

may-it-be-2012 pt 3

MAY 21st
Quite tired after the weekend activities. Tried to survive the day. Not helping is lecture about history. Alamak. But I tried to grasp some points from the lecture.. I did.
Rehearsal for graduation and was quite tired. Quickly went home once I am done because my body getting tired. Gotta get some rest for performance later that night.

Yes, was at Eaglepoint church to record my live internet performance with Cuzario.
You can read about it here.

All in all, it was fun especially seeing those chats and knowing lots of people out there watching it. I must admit I was very nervous because it was a different stage altogether. I was ok with my performance, can be better and maybe I pressured myself to do well. I screwed up in some chords, playing and singing... so yea.. sorry folks but all in all, I m glad to hear your encouraging support and comments. It's fun experience.. hope for more opportunities like this...

We finished kinda late so kinda thought I can't make it for my class' party. So decided to makan with the RELENT crew. This shop had one of the best Indian "dal"  (how it is spelled?) and the naan is nice too.

MAY 22nd
I hate my morning sinus..always running nose. Ruined my whole day. After another long practice, went home to recuperate from it.

MAY 23rd
Sometimes I do feel our practices make me feel like I am at kindergarten... -.-'
Prayer meeting at night then went home to rest before a long Thursday. Yes, didn't attend the midnight prayer meeting that was organized.
Also, got the song from Ah Seng already... ah.. keep looping till it is so

MAY 24th
I hate to admit this but I don't like last minute changes, broken promises and be treated like 5 year old kid. I am not saying I am not flexible but when you promise all of us to have good rest, please mean it.

Endup, have more practices. Like i said, sometimes I feel we are treated like kindergarten kids... i lost count how many times we still need to practice for the presentation and how to walk up..

Well, quickly go home get some rest.

So the main highlight of today is my graduation night


Everything went well and everyone had fun. All in all, I really thank God to have this opportunity to study and really learn a lot from it.


Thanks all who came! :D

MAY 25th
Last day at Tung Ling seminary. Many times I said how much I learnt over the past 3 months, so yes, thank God for it. Even though there were few complains from me here and there about some small matters, above it all, quite an enriching experience.
Simple lecture today then testimony time where everyone shared their testimony. Here as well, I so-called release my secret to my classmates -- which was the recording of the theme song. They were little surprise with it. Haha.

We all said our last goodbyes and exchange gifts/contacts. I know most of them have withdrawal symptoms after that.. that tells how fun we have...

Back in office for work and then spend a bit time with darling at Pyramid.

MAY 26th
Had a fun icebreaker with my worship team members. Very fun.. couldn't forget it.
Service was good... but pastor said something that personally (and perhaps some too) think that shouldnt be mentioned on the pulpit.

After service, went to see my friends from St Peter's Church who trying to promote the PG conference..

 They did their promo at Lutheran Centre.

And finally meet baby Mercy!!! :D

At the same time, was confirmed to play in a concert during PG conference with Jon Tse and Juwita Suwito. Woots ~~ !!!

MAY 27th
After service was at SGC youth cell.
The awkward part was pastor prepared lunch and asked us to take. When I took, he said don't eat because it is cold.. and he cooked that rice last night. Alamak, who prepare rice from last night wan... -.-
Furthermore why ask me take... or at least tell me to put into microwave first.... but I m not really a fan of microwave-d food.. of coz for this, I have to put in.
Futsal.. well.. one week of rest does make a difference in the stamina.. or maybe the weather was hot... we all quite worn out after 1 hour... we stopped after that.
I realize my exercise a bit on the wrong places.. my hands and legs are pretty much exercised.. except abs... -.-

Went ss19 melur for dinner with Jackson n Huey Yeu but this time the mutabak wasn't nice as I know... sad...

So yes, 3 months studies end... time to look forward now to album promo.....

diving deeper

Wanna share a song that I wrote recently composed..

This won't be in the new album, mind you. I composed this song during my study life at Tung Ling and here is the story that happens.

Every year, the students supposed to come out with a magazine to chronicle of our journey here at Tung Ling and their theme this year is "diving deeper". So yea, making a magazine is never easy, you need funds and funds don't just drop from sky, don't they....

The committee keep pushing us in the class to raise funds. Me being passive, sitting in class, just hearing them pushing us to get funds and then suddenly God spoke to me to compose a song out from that theme.

I immediately try to get ideas down into my notes in the middle of a class. Yes, you can say I composed a tune in the middle of a lecutre. Naughty student eh...

Naughty I was that I smile to myself saying I have a song for myself now. Well, sometimes God work in ways we cannot see and in ways beyond our plans....

A classmate came to me and asked can I contribute a song to the magazine since she realized some of our seniors did it before. I said I think about it.... because at that time, I have just the chorus written down... have tune but no verse lyrics or bridge yet. Like any songwriters, sometimes we take our own sweet time to write a song....

A week later, she chased me down and asked if I am serious about it... this provoke me to start serious on the song.. hahahaha... wrote part of lyrics again during lecture and finalize everything else at home. So yes, few days later I told her I have one song.

I was naive to think that song is just for fun until I was asked to present it for everyone to hear. When everyone heard it, it hit them and they loved it. From then onwards, we keep singing it and practice it for presentation until... man... it stuck in our brain like a tattoo...

We presented this song during our graduation... and now let me present you this song for your listening pleasure...


VERSE 1
I want to know You
I wanna be rooted in Your word
I want to grow with Your love 
I have decided to follow in Your ways O God
Your word's a light to my path


CHORUS 
Diving deeper into Your love, into Your presence, into Your courts
Into Your love and into Your grace
Forevermore      


VERSE 2
I've found my reason
my hope, my joy and everything
You are the song I will sing
I've found my purpose
I'll walk by faith, not by sight
I'll give my heart to You God


BRIDGE 
I'm diving deeper, I'm diving deep into Your love
I'm diving deeper with You

I wrote this song in a upbeat tempo to capture our passion and energy in serving Him.

The story of Luke 5 in the Bible is the spiritual application of this song. This is where Jesus called His first few disciples... calling them to be fishers of men and challenge them to come out of their comfort zone to go deeper in their relationship with Him.

It takes a lot of patience, commitment and courage to be a fisherman, so what more to be fishers of men. Jesus just blew their minds off with a mighty miracle -- that is they capture their biggest catch yet in their life...

So that's what happen when we trust and walk with Him =)

So there, the story of DIVING DEEPER -- that we want to step out to the unknown and doing great things for Him.

I really thank God for His leading in composing this song. I am amazed how He got me into composing this song and used it for everyone to be inspired in their walk for God.

Hope no matter who you are, this song can inspire you and your group to go deeper into His word.

Much love.