Details in the Fabric

Details In The Fabric

(Jason Mraz feat. James Morrison)

Calm down
Deep breaths
And get yourself dressed instead
Of running around
And pulling all your threads saying
Breaking yourself up
.
If it's a broken part, replace it
If it's a broken arm then brace it
If it's a broken heart then face it
.
And hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
Hold your own
Know your own name
And go your own way
.
And everything will be fine
Everything will be fine
.
Hang on
Help is on the way
Stay strong
I'm doing everything
.
Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
.
And everything, everything will be fine
Everything
.
Are the details in the fabric
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts results of static cling?
.
Are the things that make you blow
Hell, no reason, go on and scream
If you're shocked it's just the fault
Of faulty manufacturing.
.
Yeah everything will be fine
Everything in no time at all
Everything
.
Hold your own
And know your name
And go your own way
.
Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)
Are the things that make you panic
Are your thoughts results of static cling? (Go your own way)
.
Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name)
Are the things that make you panic (Go your own way)
Is it Mother Nature's sewing machine?
.
Are the things that make you blow (Hold your own, know your name)
Hell no reason go on and scream
If you're shocked it's just the fault (Go your own way)
Of faulty manufacturing
.
Everything will be fine
Everything in no time at all
Hearts will hold
.

This is the current song that befits my mood... Tells me to be strong, hold on and not break myself up.

It's ironic how just this morning, a jedi told me that I'll be getting the "I am Healthy Award" for having zero MC this year, and later in the afternoon, my doc tells me that my condition has deteriorated. She recommended me a series of medication and I asked her how long can I hold it for? Of course, it was the usual reply... You are still young.. the earlier the treatment, the better... I'll hold. It's not a life and death situation as yet.

As I left and drove off, I find myself crying to my destination... vivo... I planned to watch Vicky Cristina Barcelona last night, and strangely, I didn't let the news change my plans. Life has to go on... Perhaps, I've become immuned to such misfortunes or that I have come to realise that there are many more who are suffering worst fates than me.. or that I have faith that everything happens for a reason and that God will make things right for us... It's not blind faith..cos I've actually recovered from my earlier setbacks much faster that I could imagine...

In fact, someone asked me how I hold my shit up... nah.. the exact words were... "Now I really admire u n respect u for the way u coped so well wif ur probs"

And so, after Vicky Cristina Barcelona, a brillant film by Woody Allen ( a pity it is not so popular just because it's not a commercialised movie), I found myself aiming to go Spain in the next two years, a country which I planned to go in 2003 but didn't... I also found myself laughing at the silliness of relationships, obsessions and worries, and I became happier... and also a little more hopeful that it'll be a PASS so that I can go for RP with SK.

I've made a decision not to be obsessed by the details in the fabric... and just calm down, take deep breaths and not break myself up...

If it's a broken part, replace it

If it's a broken arm then brace it

If it's a broken heart then face it

And hold MY own

Know MY name

And go MY own way

Hold MY own

Know MY own name

And go MY own way

And everything will be fine

Everything will be fine

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Note: I chanced upon this Youtube which features a dancer doing a comtemporary improvisation... something like the kind of dance that I learnt from Silva... It's very pretty and graceful. How I wish I can dance again... . A pity it stops short at 1 min and 43 secs and then it goes into a black screen of darkness.... a tragedy of my life perhaps.. that good things come to an end (shortly)..

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My 7th year producing School Magazines

Yet another significant 7!
Here it is! My 7th production.... hot and fresh from the printer's factory!


Been doing school publications since 2002.

It's not easy work, that's for sure... but as the years went by, the efficiency improved but it's just because I've been doing it for so long...

Every idea, every concept has a background to it...

It could be something I saw along the road, a little advertisement somewhere or a chance click on someone's photograph in flickr...

Now that I'm in my 7th year of producing such magazines, I decided to pay a tribute to all the magazines that was conceptualised in my head and finally out in print...

2002 School Magazine... my first production

Was only one month in the service as a full fledged teacher and I was tasked to produce the school magazine! This concept was actually taken from the Savannah Condo's advertisement! Can't believe it's 7 years since I did my first school magazine...It's about time I retire...

2003 School Magazine

Did this magazine with Wati... decided to create a design competition for the school magazine cover... the winner went to Zuibadiah..

2004 School Official Opening and 10th Anniversary Commerative Magazine

Took a break from doing school magazine in 2004 as I was tasked to do this...The slogan was:
"I learn with passion, I lead to serve and I create the future" The concept came from the EPMS folder cover!!! Haha...

2005 School Magazine

THEME: Persevere with PRIDE (Core Values: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Dedication to Nation, Excellence)
Conceptualise this when I drove past Victoria JC one day and saw a similar picture on their banner with the line, "The grass is always greener on the other side"

This is by far my favourite school magazine as it was a breakthrough for me... really enjoyed working on this one... Told one colleague before that I feared that this magazine will be my personal best... True enough, I haven't liked any of my other works as much as this one.... Could still remember the whole school clapping and some turning towards the back of the school hall in my direction when the students officially received this...

2006 School Magazine

School Metaphor: Garden of Growth
Got the idea from a picture in flickr.. showed it to the publisher who went to source for a similar pic from his stock photos.

2007 School Magazine

THEME: Grow with PRIDE

(Note the "PRIDE" word is actually done using hot stamping.. it needs light to reflect the metallic red which can't be seen when it is scanned.)

Was inspired by a shot of teenagers posing in some cool shot against a dirty wall... Decided to go for the cool, proud, edgy feel for this year's magazine.. a play of word on the acronym of our school values.
Discovered a new venue for photo shoot as well... the rifle range in our school's underground bomb shelter which is seldom used.

2008 School Magazine

THEME: Bridging Gaps

(Note the "Bridging Gaps" wordings are actually done using hot stamping.. it needs light to reflect the metallic blue which can't be seen when it is scanned.)

Got the inspiration from a flame smoke shot in flickr... didn't realise how a simple flame smoke can be so beautiful... perhaps, I'm hoping that the place I once called Simpleville can be as beautiful as it was before....

~ THE END ~

For the rest of the divider's photos, please click here.

Visual, Aural Spectacular...

My first encounter with Nederlands Dans Theater performance was in 2006. Back then, I was amazed by their performance and how the props further enhanced the visual impact the performance created. It left such a lasting impression on me that it negated all the hurt that I had to bear.

Since then, I've been waiting for a chance to watch them perform again... so much so that when I was in Netherlands last year, I tried looking for tickets to their performance but alas, the timing didn't match.

During these 2 years of waiting, I tried to look for other options and went for other dance concerts... Lala Human Steps, Korean b boyz, jazz ballet, Old Sounds, Ballet under the Stars etc... each time I stepped out of those concert.. I felt disappointed.. I kept thinking about how they were not able to match the NDT's performance I watched back then. I've come to realise that there is only one dance company that I'll forever be loyal to....  no matter how much others may sway me to move on.. to consider other dance companies.. I find it difficult to love another as much as the NDT's performances. 

Nothing beats the real thing.. the one that captured my heart and mesmerised me from the start...

The dance concert I watched on Saturday was a double bill:Silent Screen and A Toss of a Dice. Silent Screen was so amazing.. at the beginning, I was already enthralled... the 3 huge panels mimicked a movie screen showing a black and white scene of a man walking into a sea.. while a couple danced in sync in some of the most unique moves.. and all these while, the music being played is the haunting theme song of the movie, The Hours. There was a lot of mood and emotions portrayed.. which stirred up quite a bit of my emotions as well... . and then there was this favourite scene (see above pic)..  I guess I don't quite make sense now...You really have to be there to appreciate the whole performance.. 

At the end of the concert, I stayed back to hear the post talk... I found myself smiling with hair raised at the ends of skin when Paul Lightfoot (the choreographer for the 1st dance) shared about how he and his wife (Sol Leon) work together to choreograph and dance together. I think it's amazing for a couple to be able to love each other and do what they love together as well...   And funnily, he revealed that he had been secretly naming his dance pieces with words starting with the letter 'S' after his wife's name Sol. Awww... that's so sweet.. 

It was a packed theatre on Saturday night.. more so than the one in 2006 and it definitely won the audience over.. 

Next year would be NDT's 50th anniversary.. I really hope that they will find a way to perform here next year... But with their popularity increasing, this will only mean that it will be harder to get tickets to their next concert. But I will persist... 

No matter how long it takes. I'll wait till I see NDT again..  hopefully soon.... 

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Feeling Lucky (?)

A lot happened and is going to happen this year...

At times, I feel that luck is on my side and despite how bad things seem..I gradually see the reasons behind those trials.

Been feeling lucky again as I just learnt that I'll be going for a fully-paid trip (with allowances included) to Scotland and London for an immersion programme. With an extension from the intended 1.5 week programme, I'll most probably be in UK for a month. Not only that, I'll get to take the new Airbus 380!

But when I went for the 1st meeting this afternoon, I realised (as always) that nothing is free. The amount of things to prepare before and after the trip will most probably wear me out. I guess the most fearful thing is that I'll have to teach the UK students while I'm there.. Seems rather odd to learn English from a Chinese.
Nevertheless, I'm excited about it... I think the learning curve will be extremely steep.

When I made the decision to give up a possible life in the finance sector, I thought I'll never get to travel for work. Glad that need not be the case. I guess it's a dream to marry both work and my interest of travelling together. My first overseas assignment in Hanoi this April was a good experience. Hopefully, this one will too.

Really hope my luck doesn't run out or that my life is cut short suddenly... Cos everytime something good happens to me, I'll be thinking that something has go to balance it.. or perhaps I've gone through enough agony already and that's not necessary.

I also hope that my ex-padawans and current ones will learn that they should go out and seek opportunities themselves to do what they want and never be disheartened when things don't go their way... for someday, luck or some divine intervention will be on their side...

As for the other aspects of my life, they may not be that exciting... but I'm still enjoying them... will keep on waiting until the time is right....It all depends on God ... Everything in His time...

Meanwhile, here's my latest favourite song... it's amazing how apt it can be..

Lucky

by Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

.

Do you hear me, I'm talking to you

Across the water across the deep blue ocean

Under the open sky oh my, baby I'm trying

.

Boy I hear you in my dreams

I feel your whisper across the sea

I keep you with me in my heart

You make it easier when life gets hard

.

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

Ooooh....

.

They don't know how long it takes

Waiting for a love like this

Every time we say goodbye

I wish we had one more kiss

I'll wait for you I promise you, I will

.

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love in every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday

.

And so I'm sailing through the sea

To an island where we'll meet

You'll hear the music, feel the air

I'll put a flower in your hair

.

Though the breezes through the trees

Move so pretty you're all I see

As the world keeps spinning round

You hold me right here right now

.

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

I'm lucky we're in love in every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooohh....

.

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Procrastination at work...

I'm filled to the brim with work...

Sch mag vetting (decided to go solo this year) / Exam Markings / Assignments (due in two days' time) and yet all I can think about are the two movies that I want to watch when I am 'free- er'.

This is not good....procrastination at work... very bad role model.

But I'm in 'rebel' mood.... so anyway, here are the two movies that'll I'll be watching .... hopefully soon.
Anyone care to join me?

#1 Burn after reading...

In serious need of laughter.... been deprived of that for a long time..
I think this silly yet witty movie about the "brillant" minds at the CIA, which leads us to ask: just how intelligent is Central Intelligence..... will do the trick.

Love the feel of the movie.. and the one liner that caught my attention... "Intelligence is relative".
And of course the Brad Pitt and George Clooney combi...
It's a pity that this movie has been censored to a NC 16 category.




#2 Nights in Rodanthe

Having watched The Notebook over and over... I think any story/movie related to Nicholas Sparks is something that I'll be keen on... Sadly, I can't find the time to read his books... as it is, I have a whole shelf of unread books in my room... not sure when I'll touch them..other than the one I'm currently reading, 'Love Letters of Great Men'.

Well, as for the line that caught my attention....

"Lives change... paths cross... It's never too late for a second chance of a lifetime."
I think I better get enough tissues for this one.

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