September 7, 2011
August 30, 2011
The Wayfaring Stranger
I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
Traveling through, this world alone
There's no sickness, toil nor danger
In that bright land, to which I go
I'm going there to see my Father
I'm going there no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I know dark clouds will gather o'er me
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beautiful fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed, their vigils keep
I'm going there to see my Father
He said He'd meet me when I come
I'm just a going over Jordan
I'm just a going over home
I want to wear a crown of Glory
When I get home to that good land
I want to shout Salvation's story
In concert with the Blood-Washed Band
I'm going there to meet my Saviour
To sing His praise forever more
I'm just a going over Jordan
I'm just a going over home
To sing His praise forever more
I'm just a going over Jordan
I'm just a going over home
March 30, 2011
This Year
5 6 7 8 9 10
Last week I decided to celebrate my birthday with a group of newly found friends.
But what was meant to be a casual and cheery occasion became more of a humbling experience as we began talking.
I asked Nunoy, who was 10 and the oldest in the group, what he wanted to be when he grew up.
"My dream?" he asked, "A doctor."
Then he looked at me and in his eyes I could see, a sense of dejection as if certain that, that dream would never become a reality.
I asked another boy Jonas, what his dream was; he simply shook his head and said he had none.
What I heard and saw that afternoon broke my heart.
Nunoy and Jonas, along with Balong, Kayong, Rayan and Haidi are just a few of the thousands of children living on the streets of Manila.
In a day where it is never enough, where the minds of people are engulfed by self, fortune, and recognition, they fail to see and to appreciate what they already have.
Watching the children as they relished in what seemed to be a great luxury to them, my thoughts went beyond myself. I thought of how we whine and complain about our lives, the very lives these children would do anything to be in, even if it was just for a day.
So this year what I want, is not to sit at the table of an expensive dinner, or own the latest electronic gadget.
What I want, is to relate this experience- in hopes of those reading would learn and strive to practice greater selflessness, deeper understanding, compassion, and love for one another .
But what was meant to be a casual and cheery occasion became more of a humbling experience as we began talking.
I asked Nunoy, who was 10 and the oldest in the group, what he wanted to be when he grew up.
"My dream?" he asked, "A doctor."
Then he looked at me and in his eyes I could see, a sense of dejection as if certain that, that dream would never become a reality.
I asked another boy Jonas, what his dream was; he simply shook his head and said he had none.
What I heard and saw that afternoon broke my heart.
Nunoy and Jonas, along with Balong, Kayong, Rayan and Haidi are just a few of the thousands of children living on the streets of Manila.
In a day where it is never enough, where the minds of people are engulfed by self, fortune, and recognition, they fail to see and to appreciate what they already have.
Watching the children as they relished in what seemed to be a great luxury to them, my thoughts went beyond myself. I thought of how we whine and complain about our lives, the very lives these children would do anything to be in, even if it was just for a day.
So this year what I want, is not to sit at the table of an expensive dinner, or own the latest electronic gadget.
What I want, is to relate this experience- in hopes of those reading would learn and strive to practice greater selflessness, deeper understanding, compassion, and love for one another .
August 16, 2010
August 15, 2010
June 11, 2010
June 8, 2010
June 4, 2010
they're back !
A friend just mailed me this today, and I'm so ecstatic that I have to talk about it right now !
Morcheeba fans out there, Skye is back - lending her distinctively sultry vocals to the bluesy downtempo beats of the Godfrey brothers. (and everybody say, Hallelujah!)
Eight years since they parted ways, Morcheeba returns complete again, like how it used to be in '96.
Listening to Blood Like Lemonade breathes a sense of relief in me. Their sonic chemistry portrayed in Who Can You Trust? (1996) and Big Calm (1998) still resonates deep in this latest edition.
Feels as if they never left.
I guess it's obvious by now, that the two can't do without each other.
Just like cake and a cup of tea.
P.S. merci beaucoup J ! now this is what I call, Morcheeba .
Morcheeba fans out there, Skye is back - lending her distinctively sultry vocals to the bluesy downtempo beats of the Godfrey brothers. (and everybody say, Hallelujah!)
Eight years since they parted ways, Morcheeba returns complete again, like how it used to be in '96.
Listening to Blood Like Lemonade breathes a sense of relief in me. Their sonic chemistry portrayed in Who Can You Trust? (1996) and Big Calm (1998) still resonates deep in this latest edition.
Feels as if they never left.
I guess it's obvious by now, that the two can't do without each other.
Just like cake and a cup of tea.
P.S. merci beaucoup J ! now this is what I call, Morcheeba .
June 2, 2010
May 18, 2010
my kind of morning
Many would have realized by now that I enjoy talking about my mornings;
usually coupled with a good brew and a jazzy tune.
Allow me to elaborate further this time, on my kind of morning.
I like waking up when those who work 9-5 would have left, and those who don't are still asleep.
I like watching the morning sun fill a room. I like the smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen as I'm brushing my teeth. I like the sounds of the swinging forties playing in a distance.
I like a little luxury on my breakfast plate.
I like being in the midst of all I've mentioned; savouring every moment the precious hours a morning offers, whenever an opportunity presents itself.
To cut it short, I like easing into my day slowly, and peacefully.
So I guess many would finally understand as well (friends especially), that expecting to meet me in the morning or during the earlier part of an afternoon would be almost impossible.
Either that, or I would be shamelessly late.
Now you know why .
usually coupled with a good brew and a jazzy tune.
Allow me to elaborate further this time, on my kind of morning.
I like waking up when those who work 9-5 would have left, and those who don't are still asleep.
I like watching the morning sun fill a room. I like the smell of coffee brewing in the kitchen as I'm brushing my teeth. I like the sounds of the swinging forties playing in a distance.
I like a little luxury on my breakfast plate.
I like being in the midst of all I've mentioned; savouring every moment the precious hours a morning offers, whenever an opportunity presents itself.
To cut it short, I like easing into my day slowly, and peacefully.
So I guess many would finally understand as well (friends especially), that expecting to meet me in the morning or during the earlier part of an afternoon would be almost impossible.
Either that, or I would be shamelessly late.
Now you know why .
April 30, 2010
The Great Aviation Shutdown : a personal timeline of events
April 15, 0700hrs : Touchdown - London Heathrow
April 15, 0930hrs : Renaissance -> King's Cross (unaware of impending airport closure)
April 15, 1045hrs : Old Street - GPM reunited
[ day spent as if it were my last ]
April 15, 2300hrs : Decision to sleep out (still oblivious to already official shutdown)
April 16, 1000hrs : GPM / coffee / greasy chinese
April 16, 1400hrs : parting ways
April 16, 1430hrs : receives text message - Heathrow closed ?
April 16, 1530hrs : Gloucester Road tube announcement - No flights in, No flights out ?
April 16, 1645hrs : Hotel Reception - situation enquiry
April 16, 1646hrs : receives didn't-you-see-the-news look from receptionist
April 16, 1700hrs : " Yvonne, meet Eyjafjallajökull "
April 17, 0001hrs : " I'm callin' it a holiday ! "
[ resounds till April 22 ]
Yes, hundreds of thousands were stranded all over the North and West of Europe, Airlines were losing billions, the world was in a state of serious inconvenience.
Yes, weddings were missed, meetings were postponed, travelling plans foregone.
Yes, I understand, and I feel your pain.
But, speaking on a selfish note - it was a dream come true for me.
My relationship with the city of London was rekindled. I did and saw things I would never have, if given the usual time I get while there on the job. Interesting friendships were forged and the bond of existing friendships strengthened.
So, even with all the chaos this volcano has caused, I must say,
" to Eyja , thanks for everything . "
March 30, 2010
March 26, 2010
BERLIN
It's true what people say that Berlin is one of a kind; a world of its own.
First of all, never have I stepped into an airport where arrivals, immigration, baggage claim and customs all begin and end at the same gate.
And I haven't even started on the street culture.
Every step I took, every corner I turned, there they were .. graffito in abundance.
Walls of buildings, trucks, escalators, poles, train stations, trains and inside the trains, all of them,
served as canvases for raw tags and paintings of street artists from the better known GFA-Crew and Blu, to the anonymous. It felt as if I was in a boundless gallery displaying unlimited collections of ingenious and clever works of art - no admission fee needed.
Adverse weathers didn't stop me either, from walking along parts of the city where a certain wall which once divided this German capital stood.
I might have read a little too much of its history or I may just have too vast an imagination, but I could honestly picture and feel how immense the conflicting energies of love and hostility this wall generated during its time.
Quite an experience indeed.
On another subject, I was told by a friend that while here, one must definitely do the Photoautomat - 2euros for a strip of perfectly contrasted black and white photos taken in a booth .. something I name ideal as a memory of Berlin to bring home.
All in all, despite the weather (sleeting one second then snowing the other), missing a night of good music, and time constraints yet again .. this city leaves me begging for more .
First of all, never have I stepped into an airport where arrivals, immigration, baggage claim and customs all begin and end at the same gate.
And I haven't even started on the street culture.
Every step I took, every corner I turned, there they were .. graffito in abundance.
Walls of buildings, trucks, escalators, poles, train stations, trains and inside the trains, all of them,
served as canvases for raw tags and paintings of street artists from the better known GFA-Crew and Blu, to the anonymous. It felt as if I was in a boundless gallery displaying unlimited collections of ingenious and clever works of art - no admission fee needed.
Adverse weathers didn't stop me either, from walking along parts of the city where a certain wall which once divided this German capital stood.
I might have read a little too much of its history or I may just have too vast an imagination, but I could honestly picture and feel how immense the conflicting energies of love and hostility this wall generated during its time.
Quite an experience indeed.
On another subject, I was told by a friend that while here, one must definitely do the Photoautomat - 2euros for a strip of perfectly contrasted black and white photos taken in a booth .. something I name ideal as a memory of Berlin to bring home.
All in all, despite the weather (sleeting one second then snowing the other), missing a night of good music, and time constraints yet again .. this city leaves me begging for more .
P.S. mucho danke for the lovely dinner and company R, S and D .. I'll see y'all in spring !
March 2, 2010
February 16, 2010
6301
That's the distance in miles between the city of Frankfurt and Ipoh, my hometown in Malaysia.
Once again, during a time where families are reunited, where togetherness fills the air, and when people participate in guiltless gorging; I am left out of all the festivities this season holds.
I'm talking about Chinese New Year.
This time, ringing in the new Lunar calendar in a city experiencing one of the coldest winters yet, sounds and feels rather miserable as compared to the usual scorching sun and CNY music (cheesy but I love them still) blasting everywhere.
Yes, I wish I was home.
But like doctors on call, goodwill volunteers, or even that 24hour mini-mart cashier;
somebody's got to do the work.
And I'll continue to tell myself that .
P.S. Dear M, C, P, PH(x2), AC, B, and everyone else at home ..
Gong Hei Fatt Choy is not the same without you all.
Once again, during a time where families are reunited, where togetherness fills the air, and when people participate in guiltless gorging; I am left out of all the festivities this season holds.
I'm talking about Chinese New Year.
This time, ringing in the new Lunar calendar in a city experiencing one of the coldest winters yet, sounds and feels rather miserable as compared to the usual scorching sun and CNY music (cheesy but I love them still) blasting everywhere.
Yes, I wish I was home.
But like doctors on call, goodwill volunteers, or even that 24hour mini-mart cashier;
somebody's got to do the work.
And I'll continue to tell myself that .
P.S. Dear M, C, P, PH(x2), AC, B, and everyone else at home ..
Gong Hei Fatt Choy is not the same without you all.
January 24, 2010
January 18, 2010
Manila
Divided -
this photo was taken just behind a stretch of luxury buildings.
Sometimes it hurts to look at poverty in the eye.
And though it may be difficult for one person to change the world, let this image be a constant reminder of how blessed most of us are; to have what we have, to feel, to see,
to live the life only some could ever dream of.
So wake up. Smell the flowers.
and give .
this photo was taken just behind a stretch of luxury buildings.
Sometimes it hurts to look at poverty in the eye.
And though it may be difficult for one person to change the world, let this image be a constant reminder of how blessed most of us are; to have what we have, to feel, to see,
to live the life only some could ever dream of.
So wake up. Smell the flowers.
and give .
January 15, 2010
VIENNA
And to think I nearly forgot about this magical city.
A city where some of the greatest composers and artists were brought forth.
Hundertwasser. Klimt. Mozart.
A city of the old and new, the past and the present, art and technology - all eminently incorporated into one.
Walking on the streets made me feel as if I was bending in and out of a time capsule. The people, the architecture; post-war facades and the graffiti which guards them.
If not for the numbing winter and time constraints, I would have sat simply in the middle of it all, and just, breathe in.
I promise, Vienna, I shall return .
A city where some of the greatest composers and artists were brought forth.
Hundertwasser. Klimt. Mozart.
A city of the old and new, the past and the present, art and technology - all eminently incorporated into one.
Walking on the streets made me feel as if I was bending in and out of a time capsule. The people, the architecture; post-war facades and the graffiti which guards them.
If not for the numbing winter and time constraints, I would have sat simply in the middle of it all, and just, breathe in.
I promise, Vienna, I shall return .
January 14, 2010
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