Is it time?

It seemed like divine timing that today, as I was going for service, I had a sudden conviction to find something to serve in church. I know I've been talking about volunteering, but there was never the decision to really go forth and do it.

And with that conviction today, I was surprised by an announcement in the bulletin that the music & creative ministry was recruiting. I was like "oh my, is it God's will?".

Of course, if I saw it and didn't take action, then no point right? So by faith, I filled up the form and dropped it off at the counter. Well, not sure if I'll get called up. But if I do, then I know it's time.

Excuse me...

Just to pose a question:

"If you noticed someone whom you think is attractive on the train, would you approach him/her?"

Performing Space in Asian Film

I attended a really good workshop this week on "Performing Space in Asian Film". It was pretty thought-provoking to me especially for someone who didn't come from a film studies background. It took my expectations to another level. I shan't go into too much detail as each paper presented was pretty heavy but it did make me think that you need to understand the background, society and culture to fully comprehend the rich content the presenters posed. However though, some did make me think that the premise of exploration of some papers were a bit "contrived", i.e. "it's really a matter of what you pick out to make a topic of". But then again, I hadn't had the opportunity to read the full papers, so I might have missed some things out.
But I did conclude that being an academic is very cheem as I don't think I can or am trained to think at that level.

Anyway, what were the thoughts that sprung from the workshop for me?
Firstly, I was just thinking that it would be interesting to hear something on how soundscaping is used to create the (invisible) space or as a form of 'framing' as opposed to the use of the camera lens (there was 1 paper which talked about framing).
Secondly, though a bit less relevant, I started to wonder about the contrast of the role of spaces in theatre as opposed to film. Is it more functional in the former and more conceptual for the latter?

Inflight movies Feb 2010

I caught up on a no. of movies on my flight to and from Fukuoka, despite the short flight, managing to squeeze in 5 movies in a total flight span of 12 hours.

1) Where the Wild Things Are
Well, maybe I was expecting too much from this or it could be that I was watching it on a tiny screen with less than perfect imagery & sound, but I felt slightly disappointed.
The movie tells of the coming of age of a boy, who feels neglected by his sister and mother (who's really trying very hard to juggle work and kids). 1 day, he throws a big tantrum and runs away, which brings him to a world of his own, where he meets Carol, a wild thing among others, who is similar in temperament as he is, likely a reflection of him. Soon he realises the silliness of the tantrums and goes home as he seem to have become more sensible.
Maybe I should go read the book to better appreciate the story for I think it would give a better insight. I think I would have enjoyed it better on the big screen for a better feel of the effects for I think the experience would have been better.

2) An Education
This tells of a girl who initially aims to go to Oxford and is an ace student, really smart, with a mind of her own, aiming for autonomy and is ambitious, believing that a formal education will help her make a better life. However, she meets an older man who gives her another form of education in the ways of the world, which results in her dropping out of school. However, her hopes turn to disillusion and she ends up going back to her original goal, but by private tuition and exam (since her school wouldn't take her back). She does go to Oxford eventually, leaving her unglorious past behind.
I would say it's an interesting movie, exploring the "education" of both worlds, and the breaking free from convention, and consequences of choices. She escapes, but I felt is still trapped in a way.

3) The Informant
This was quite interesting and based on a true story. How a person played by Matt Damon actually lived a life of lies, devising plots/stories about himself and situations to raise himself up. However, he was exposed at the end.

4) Bright Star
 I think I liked this the most out of the movies I watched on the flights. Maybe it's because it's been a while since I watched a period drama (19th century) and I like the speech, setting, how the whole movie plays out and of course the poetry. It's about the love between John Keats and Fanny. It's pretty sad as he wasn't able to marry her as he had no income yet they deeply loved each other. Tragically, he never fully recovered from an illness and he died in the end at the young age of 25. I guess I'm a hopeless romantic.

5) Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs
 I missed this when it came out but I pretty enjoyed it.

Fukuoka Trip 2010

I just returned from a short trip to Fukuoka, Japan, which I had never been before. My friend and I stayed in Hakata city, so within this short time, we tried to explore, yet keep it to a really relaxed mood. It was really a R & R kind of trip, as with our Japan trips so far.

On the general feel of the place, it was maybe not as interesting to us as Tokyo was, but there were still some sights to see. It was however not as fast-paced as Tokyo and somehow, you don't really see that many young people around. It's a pretty old place I guess.

The temperature was on average about 5-6 degrees I think, which was quite comfortable.And we managed to catch 5 minutes of snow on our last day there! although we were actually wondering why we were not in Tokyo which had been snowing rather heavily for the last couple of days.

I shan't go into too much detail, but here are some of the highlights:

1) Fukuoka Tower
This would be a must if you were to visit Hakata. At the Fukuoka Tower, you will get to see the panoramic view of the city and the Hakata Bay. I especially liked the view of the Muromi River. Tickets are at 800 yen but if you use the coupon in the brochure (gotten from the airport), there's a 20% discount.

2) Fukuoka Art Museum
This isn't a really big museum, but there were still a couple of nice artworks, including artifacts. We visited the permanent exhibits only (200 yen) as the temporary exhibit was the ancient Egypt exhibition, which is also currently on in Singapore. It would be better for us to visit the Singapore exhibit as the Japan one would be in Japanese, which would made the extra charges not worthed it (think it was 850 yen). Well, at least they had one Dali painting "The Madonna of Port Lligat" and an Andy Warhol of Elvis. Some other works I liked were Saeki Yuzo's Street (1927), Tatsuno Toeko's Untitled 94-9 and Jacques Monary's Toxic No.12 Apocalypse.
Although the Modern Art Gallery was filled with works by Japanese artists, it was a bit strange as one could see that they were mainly emulating Western art and you could see some resemblance of style influences from the European artists. You can't really say there's a Japanese element in them, but then again, it seemed that the Japanese didn't follow the style periods distinctly, but were fusing the styles together.
Sorry, no photos here due to restrictions.

3) Hakata Machiya Folk Museum (博多町家)
We visited this on our last day in Hakata and I think it was nice. It's also very small, but you get a glimpse of the 民间 culture in the older days. Also, I got to try my hand at textile weaving! I was praised leh. :)

4) Nature
It was nice that we could catch some flowers (I think plum blossoms) and some nature in the midst of the concrete jungle.

5) Food
Well, this wasn't too exciting coz I guess we weren't familiar with the city, hence we didn't really know where the good stuff were, unlike in Tokyo where we had friends & ready recommendations. But of course, we still got to try the Hakata ramen (pig bone soup base). And of course we bought lots of snack (me mainly).

6) Shopping
I'm guilty of spending more money on shopping (besides snacks). Mainly tops (long-sleeves) and I realise, in similar tones. And another agnès b bag. I didn't actually think I would buy the bag as I didn't on my first trip to Canal City. But fate brought me back to Canal City so I bought it, especially when they had the colour I wanted which wasn't on display (excuses, excuses).There were some other interesting kitchen stuff and some stationery.

* * *

Maybe it's a good thing I only went 4 days because my luggage was already full with the shopping! But mainly with snacks which essentially were taking up a lot of space due to the packaging.

Would I go back again? Well, if I ever went back to Fukuoka, I guess I would visit another area (not Hakata). But I need to visit Osaka & Kyoto first. However, I think I can visit Tokyo many times as I think it's a good place to experience the new pace, and it gives access to the various surrounding areas. :) I would like to visit Hokkaido again too, but in a different season.

How Could I Live Without You

How could I live without You
How could I survive
Without Your love
Without Your touch
You're the One that heals me
And 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 hang there and die
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
Noone else can satisfy my soul
Can make me feel this way
Only You Lord, only You

We sang this song at service today and it came upon me the how significant the meaning of "how could I live without You". It doesn't just mean total reliance on God, but it dawned on me that it's more than that; it's about Jesus' sacrifice. How could I live (eternal life) without His sacrifice?

Amy Kuney

I've been having Amy Kuney's songs in heavy rotation lately and I simply love her songs. The music and lyrics are really good, especially the lyrics. The lyrics are quite different from the usual songs we hear. They are somewhere in between poetic and conversational. It's all thanks to a friend whom I asked to recommend an artiste to me when I was searching for new songs on http://www.emusic.com/. Some songs I really like from her Bird's Eye View album (oops, looks like a lot):

Simple Things

Angel Tangled In The Telephone Lines

Love is Trippy

Rocket Surgery

Thank You For Last Night

statements to ponder

I attended a discussion forum today and here are 2 statements I took away (the gist of it):

"Innovation is birthed from constraints"

"The difference between sales & marketing -

Sales is selling an existing/ready product to meet your (existing) needs.

Marketing is making you think you need the product."

Counting my blessings and glimpses

Oh wow.

I couldn't help but feel very blessed as I was drawn into a reflective mood today. How vast and immerse is God's plan and how everything is connected. I cannot imagine what the plan He has for me, but it's so amazing that it just pans out slowly, with glimpses of the way ahead. All I can say is 'WoW'.

I was just thinking about how I started fencing. And I was reminded that actually, I was thinking about what sports I would love to try out then (either fencing or horse riding), and suddenly it was offered as a fitness program by my organisation. I can't really recall how I got interested in the first place, but it was likely Sherlock Holmes. And it was great as I got to know wonderful people from the fencing club. (It's not the more well-known Z Fencing, of which I'm glad) I'm really glad I continued even though my org stopped offering it. And if you read my earlier post, I made my fencing resolution and it's going to happen! Haha...maybe fencing has some prospects for me after all (just kidding).

And talking about my org, it's really another miracle and it dawned on me how all the nuggets of things I'm doing today is all connected here. First things first, getting into the org was really God's provision even from the time I took up my Masters and going through the interview, and now I've stayed here for more than 5 years. And if God hadn't put me in this place, I wouldn't have had the chance to pursue my passions, try new stuff (e.g. artsy stuff), take up fencing, meet some wonderful colleagues and very importantly, discovered Songcraft. It's all like a web of some sort and there seems to be some big picture going on which I'm yet to know, but am getting a glimpse of what's ahead, or rather the path ahead, I think, like walking through a tunnel. The road ahead is pretty vague, but I trust the Lord to guide me. You know something, I have been having this feeling that my lost opportunity to transfer out of my dept has something to do with the plans and happenings coming this year. I can't put my finger to it, but there's something there.

More new things in 2010

Wow, 2010 is turning out to be an eventful year with so many new things happenings.

In some earlier posts I mentioned some new personal directions in work, musical theatre and even fencing. And this time round, the new plans for Songcraft this year is kind of in motion.

We just had a discussion with MTL on possible collaboration with them in terms of organising songwriter showcases. It has been great that in the past 3 years, we have seen how Songcraft have shaped some of our songwriters (some have come out of their closet and taken to the stage) and also how we have gotten to know a lot more songwriters. We have also seen a lot more support and groups that are promoting local original songwriting. Songcraft has served its original purpose well so far.

It has come now to a point where we can expand the scope of Songcraft to have a more "public" face. Hence the collaboration to help with the organising of songwriters showcases that MTL periodically organises, promising members of more exposure. We will still have our cosy & intimate sessions to provide an environment of the "in-between", where songwriters, budding or seasoned, can come to explore, test out their songs and even jam, but on a less frequent basis, like quarterly. We hope this collaboration will produce some synergy.