D.O.N.E

I just got back from tonight's gig. Its my 2nd show at the club. Currently playing at Babyface, Orchard Plaza. After all the hard work and stress, its finally over. This time next week, I should have done another 2 nights and it MUST be better. So... I am really playing in a club? I never actually could imagine this day. Whatever the case, thank God for opportunities. But still, that God will lead the way. At the moment the band is contracted for 1 month and it would be good that our contract gets renewed. I certainly do not hope to pull anyone down.

Time to improve, improve and improve.

And finally, I can take a little break and catch up on my cello and piano. Its still MUSIC... How boring Caleb's life is. But, I actually miss my instruments again! Woohoo!

-LeB-

D.E.M.O.R.A.L.I.Z.E.D

Last night or rather, this morning's jamming session was bad. And it was really demoralizing. It totally made me feel that I know nothing about music. And, its really meeting demands and expectations and WORKING. I felt totally bad and down and very very demoralized. Friday is going to be the first show. I really hope it would turn out FINE. Not even thinking of expecting well. Mood has been quite down for me, many things to do. I hope after friday or saturday, things would be better, things would pick up. All I can do now is to ask a MIRACLE from God. God... inspire me...

And, I want to get more regular sleep at not to "early"! Got to do something about it. Be forward looking!

Isaiah 40:31
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

-LeB-

Counting your blessings...

Previous I started becoming stress about my decision on embarking on a music career. Forsaking mainstream education, applying to Berklee and sorts. Although now its still not too late to turn back. However, I am once again reminded that we really need to count our blessings, be contented with what we have, seek the Will of God and continually strive to improve. There were definitely times where I felt really lazy to learn new songs, practice on my instrument, got stress over gigs and jammings... etc. However, at the end of the day, music still brings me a whole load of joy! Really... :)

I seems that for many musicians, they prefer to gig and not teach. But for me, teaching is really quite a joy :) I cherish my students very much and always take pride when I see them improving. Besides teaching, "gigging" is also brings me great enjoyment. 3yrs back, I would never have seen myself doing ALL THESE. Teaching many students, talking to friends about music, pursuing a dream, performing at cafes/events/weddings! and many more. Indeed, when I started, my very first "excitement" was when Simon offered me a position to teach in Echo. I acted all cool in front of him as if it was nothing much in front of me. But I remember when I left the premises of Echo that day, I really shouted and jumped for joy. Even before that, that was what I really hoped for. Thank God for paving the way for me. I also give thanks and should continually remind myself that its an HONOUR to be playing the keyboard in church, to be serving God with the skills and talent (even that little bit of talent) that he has bestowed on me. And I have many people to thank for all the opportunities that I've been given. What I did fear was that there would be one day where all these opportunities are such a norm that they no longer become an "excitement". I certainly hope I would always remain humble, child-like to some extent and always give thanks for the simplest of all opportunities.

I had my cello lesson again today and... I REALLY REALLY enjoyed it. :) I'm beginning to see myself improve bit by bit although I wish it could be faster... I've got quite a lot to do this weekend and suddenly, they no longer seem to be a chore. I'm back to the mindset that it really is a joy and enjoyment to learn songs and to do up a performance. I am looking forward to it.

Yesterday I met up with my SIM friends for dinner. It was good to see all of them again :) Everyone is looking good and it was nice to know whats going on in their lives. Manda asked me what I've been doing and she says she feels like my life seems to be more interesting than hers? And again in dawned upon me that when I was still studying in SIM, I wanted so much to just leave and do music. Indeed, thats what I am doing now, so why fret about it when I've decided. I should instead cherish this chance and opportunity by doing my best. It is what I really want to do.

Its been sometimes since I had pics on my blog. Photo-whoring with the "Monday Gang"...

Dinner at Cafe Cartel.


Self taken pic!


Lets get ready for Christmas! Tis the season to be jolly!

-LeB-

Oprah at 5am...

For the past 3 days I've been sleeping really "earlier". Sigh. 5am, 8am, 5am?? And the result of it is me falling ill. 2 nights of jamming, 1 night of insomia. :( I do hope I recover fast, get back on track and do something about my sleeping habits and health. Our health is really really important!

The night when I was suffering from severe insomia, I caught Oprah's show at 5am. I used to watch it quite often; enjoyable and informative. This time round, it was about the FLDS. Whats that? It stands for Fundamentalist Church of the Latter day Saints. They are a religious group and community that is very much self-contained. Situated in Eldorado, Texas I think they live far from the city, in the middle of nowhere. The world is really big and different people live very very different lives. Thats what intrigues me everytime. But more than that, this group of people... they have very different beliefs!

The girls marry off at a very young age, at around 14-18 and usually to much older men. One of the girls was asked, "What does it feel do be 17 and pregnant?". She said, "Oh... Its an HONOUR." They practice polygamy (men marrying many wives) and they believe its for their good. Quoted from wiki "The FLDS Church teaches the doctrine of plural marriage, which states that a man having multiple wives is ordained by God and is a requirement for a man to receive the highest form of salvation." Therefore, their family is very very big. Their leader was convicted of being an accomplice to rape and many other allegations in 2007. His father had 19 wives and around 60 children. The leader arranges the marriages, deciding who gets married to who. Its an honour for the girls to get married as said by a woman who was interviewed on Oprah. She escaped from the community and is now leading her own life. The children do not go to a public school and is taught with the curriculum set by their leader. Sex education is not taught thus when the girls get married off, they do not know what happens after marriage and stuff. To me, everything is very hidden! The women wear long dresses and comb their hair coiffed. Its appalling to know that they are cut off from the world. There have been some people who escaped and left the community and they didn't know that there was "another world" out there. The place has also been raided and people are rescued out of this "lifestyle". Is there even a life in there?!?!?!?

Its devastating and appalling to know about all these. But I am glad for those who have left the community for another life out there!

The world is really so big and lifestyles are so different. All I can say is that we are very blessed in Singapore, for the knowledge that we've got and access to many things. Thank God!

-LeB-

late nights...

I just reached home. After 41/2 hours of jamming. Its been a few months since the last time I've jammed for this long. The jamming turned out better than I expected. I enjoyed it! It was nice playing music in a band, listening to other musicians and working things out as a band. It was also very comforting to see professionalism :) Whatever the outcome, at least it was enjoyable. Enjoy the process!

-LeB-

讨厌 - our homemade video! by dee and lebby

Somehow out of spontaneity, we decided to do up a homemade youtube video! Woohoo! And here it is! Do give your comments :) However, we probably are not very good visuals! Haha... Done on my 22nd birthday. It was great fun! Hope to do more of these. Enjoy!

-LeB-

1st project!

Scribblings from our first project... Hope to upload the result soon! :)

-LeB-

a very busy end year!

Time really flies. In almost a blink of an eye, 2008 is coming to an end. What have we achieved or what major changes have taken place in our lives this year? The end year and beginning of a new year is always a time of reflection for many. Before I approach the new and exciting year thats coming, its going to be a very packed end year for me!

-Tentative KL trip with my family end Nov
-Wedding Gig on 3rd Dec (I'll be singing! Its the first time for a wedding... challenging but I'm excited! Whats more, I'm accompanied by Simon on keys and WendyMAMA singing with me!)
-Wedding Emcee 12th Dec (Wahaha! Yes... I'm going to be an emcee. Very nervous but, I better do a good job!)
-Solid Rock camp
-Youth camp??
-Christmas concert with Star Program
-Carolling? With church and Echo
-Church's Christmas activities

and probably so on, so forth...

Today has been a very very good day! I woke up early in the morning, went to Mac for breakfast, read my bible, started doing what has to be done. And... boy do I feel USEFUL! Haha... I really beats rotting and waiting for fungi to grow on me. Lets work hard! For even God worked for 6 days and rested on the 7th, and work is what God had planned.

Proverbs 10:4 "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."

-LeB-

Irreplaceable

I never thought I would like a genre like this. Perhaps I am beginning to be more open-minded, good thing :) I'm loving this song! Irreplaceable by Beyonce! Groovy!

-LeB-

the need for technology...

My computer was giving me problems since last night. And boy was it infuriating. I guess the breakdown of a computer or a wireless system gets people on their nerves. We are too dependent on technology these days. E-mail, MSN, information from the net, youtube, music... etc etc. I admit, they have become a part of my life.

But thank God, the problem has just been fixed! I'm back online! Hooray!

-LeB-

THE e-mail!!!

Its finally here! After weeks of waiting. The e-mail from Berklee just reached me. The confirmation of my application and my date and time for the interview/audition. And seems like its a good place and date!!! :) I really do hope I have enough time to practice and prepare myself for the interview/audition. Please pray for me!

Honestly, I have been worrying a little and stressed up about this whole decision and the upcoming interview/audition. Whatever the case, I really ought to commit it into the Hands of God and do my best.

Details below!

Dear Caleb:

Berklee is pleased to invite you to audition and interview with us. The audition event is Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Day 1 and is scheduled for Mar-11-2009.

Your audition time is set for 03:30 pm and your warm-up time is 03:00 pm

Your audition will take place at:

International College of Music (ICOM)
Wisma ICOM Lot 126, Section 85A, Off Jalan Pahang
Kuala Lumpur, 53000
http://www.icom.edu.my/
603-4023-6000

MAMA-MIA! Save me!

-LeB-

How I love my Hong Kong dramas...

I've been watching a new TVB serial. Its the sequel of 溏心风暴... 之家好月圆. A rather good serial. I love HK dramas for its interesting plots, witty dialogue, good acting... etc. This current serial plays quite a lot on emotions, and I suppose, the Hong Kongers love that. It reminds me how important family ties are and how it should be treasured and time should be invested. But of course, dramas are always an exagerration of what reality is. Still, I think that many in Singapore do not have the best of family ties and its something that we should all work to improve. :)

Besides TVB serials, I'm so into cantonese. Love it totally. I love the sound of it and cantonese songs, be it old or new, always tugs my heartstrings. I guess a part of me is canto... maybe 2/5 of it? What attributed to this characteristic of mine was probably because when I was younger, my mum used to watch Hong Kong drama on TV2 or TV3, the blurry Malaysian channel and I ended up listening to those cantonese dialogues. Also, my mum and her 5 sisters, together with my grandma all converse in cantonese at family gatherings, I grew up with that... but I got to say that my cantonese is still so... LOUSY. How sad. One wish of mine is to be able to speak cantonese fluently.

My canton dream...

-LeB-