Toys. Such a simple word but such a huge effect on kids as well as some adults. I think toys are essential for the growth and development of young children. As it is, our family believe toys are an important part of family expenses, and Rachel gets to enjoy a room, commonly known as the store room or maid's room, dedicated to her toys.
Her first toy was a four note, arpeggio little tikes piano when she was not yet born. It was a gift from her proud and excited dad, along with a Marks & Spencer children's bible and a super cute doggie book mark. I bought many toys for Rachel but I cannot at this moment recall what was the first toy that I had bought her. Was it the soft fabric animals book that had been ebayed away or was it the Fisher Price Bouncing Bongo that had malfunctioned and therefore was trashed. Whatever it was, it does not matter as buying toys from Toy r' us , and other toy departments is part and parcel of almost every shopping or outing we had.
This morning after a Hotcakes breakfast that our princess wanted, we proceeded to parkway parade, our usual hangout for some simple shopping which invariably means buying Rachel's stuff. She bought the Ben 10 Kelvin E Levine character costing $12.95 and some 30 mins later lost it in Borders. She had insisted on taking care of her new toy instead of entrusting it to my bag. When she realised it was lost, she howled so loudly that the entire shopping centre was disturbed. We went on a fruitless search though I knew any pre-school boy would covet it gladly. In the end, the poor mother, that's me, had to deal with her misery.
What would you do??????
My mother would not buy the toy in the first place. But most likely she will scream at me and hit me for being careless, for losing wasting money etc. I tried to reason with Rachel. I explained that if she had listened to me, allowed me to safe-keep her new toy, she would not have suffered this unnecessary premature loss. She wailed all the more louder. Big drops of tears tumbled down her chubby cheeks, one after another. She was clearly upset with herself. I was in a dilemma. Being quite compassionate the person I am, I decided to get her the same toy.
Am I spoiling her???????Most would say yes!!!!!!!! She need to understand and learn the lesson. What would Jesus do???????Or the church that extols parenting with grace???????? What difference it makes, to buy the same toy, to cheer her up and encourage her to be more careful in the future????? We can simply not buy any more toys in the coming month. Or very likely, I can do without many things that I need, premium coffee, cab rides and snacks included. To a certain extent I do have the power, though limited budget to make my child happy again.
I am glad that I did what my heart tells me to do. With the replacement toy, my child learns that she is forgiven and her mother loves her so much as to sacrifice her own needs. Rachel went home happy and cherished. I had the much needed peace.
It's certainly worth NOT having coffee breaks at cafes and snacks for me. After all, I need to have my sexy figure back, before i start to revamp my wardrobe when the finances improve.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Monday, 29 June 2009
Remembering Heath
I must say upfront that casanova types actually repulse me. What's with a guy who had copulated with countless females, even in the name of love and conquest. Isn't he sick??? Like there is something very wrong with his physical, mental and emotional make-up, soul even?????? Thankfully I never know any friend who behaved like a casanova, nor had i encountered any.
Having said that, I must admit I am very drawn to Heath Ledger's portrayal of Giacomo Casanova in the 2003 film Casanova. I first watched it en route to KL on the Aeroline luxury coach. It made the 5 hour journey more enjoyable indeed. Then it was aired on national TV, Mediacorp 5 with all the cuts relating to sex, (actually there was hardly any!!!!) sans subtitles. I was so captivated by the film location, Venice and the music, some Handel some Vivaldi, some original compositions with lots of strings, and Heath Ledger of course, I bought the dvd.
This is the movie that I want to remember the late Heath Ledger by. The romantic comedy which was never nominated for any awards unlike Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight that won countless awards, in the latter posthumous. May be its my romantic soul that loves the 18th century Venice with all the paintings, costumes and palazzos. I love movies where there are horses, carriages, swords instead of guns and where the guys wear wigs with ribbons and really elaborate costumes, tights and very chunky heels.
In this beautiful movie, the legendary Casanova, the greatest lover in the world, met his match. The feminist Francesca Bruni who also cross-dresses as a male doctor Giordano and wrote feminists books under the pen name of Bernando Guardi. Francesca (Sienna Miller) was not only beautiful., she was highly intellectual, philosophical and good in sword fighting. She unlike the many countless woman had despised Casanova and refused him despite his many disguises. Casanova fell in love with her. He tried hard to get close to her, risking his life and reputation and the story ends victoriously with true love.
Heath Leger was about 24 when he filmed Casanova. The 1.85 m Australian born, hunky good looker with a memorable deep husky voice was voted 50 most beautiful people in 2001. He's one of those actors who make a mark in the movie industry at a young age and was careful not to be type cast. In 2006, he actually took a year off filming to help raise his daugther, Matilda Rose, whose mum Michelle Williams he met on the set of Brokeback Mountain 2005.
I got these quotes from imdb:
She's (Michelle Williams) my soul mate and we couldn't love each other any more than we do already. We're like two peas in a pod. Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had - it's marvelous."
My life right now is, I wouldn't say reduced to food, but my duties in life are that I wake up, cook breakfast, clean the dishes, prepare lunch, clean those dishes, go to the market, get fresh produce, cook dinner, clean those dishes and then sleep if I can. And I love it. I actually adore it. I'm not good at future planning. I don't plan at all. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't have a day planner and I don't have a diary. I completely live in the now, not in the past, not in the future.
[about growing up with his mom and his sisters] I learned respect for women, and patience. You grow up with all those women around you...you learn to wait your turn. - Cosmopolitan, June 1998
I don't know about you. But as a woman, I think i like him and what he had said.
Its a pity and shock to me that he would go so soon. Born 4 April 1979, Heath Andrew Ledger left us suddenly on 22 Jan 2008, age 28. He had died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills in his Manhattan NY apartment in SoHo. It is a known fact that the actor, who won several posthumous awards for his ultimate Joker role in The Dark Knight was a shy person, with difficulties sleeping and overwhelmed with work stress and anxiety for quite sometime.
To prepare for the role, Ledger told Empire, "I sat around in a hotel room in London for about a month, locked myself away, formed a little diary and experimented with voices — it was important to try to find a somewhat iconic voice and laugh. I ended up landing more in the realm of a psychopath — someone with very little to no conscience towards his acts"; after reiterating his view of the character as "just an absolute sociopath, a cold-blooded, mass-murdering clown."
I am saddened by his sudden passing two days after my birthday last year. With his many achievements and great potential, I believe there might be many more Oscars had he not left us so prematurely. His daughter, Matilda was the recipient of the posthumous Oscar currently held in custody by the mum till she turns 18.
I bought the dvd to "own"a memory of Heath Ledger, a great actor. Sigh. Missed him already.
Having said that, I must admit I am very drawn to Heath Ledger's portrayal of Giacomo Casanova in the 2003 film Casanova. I first watched it en route to KL on the Aeroline luxury coach. It made the 5 hour journey more enjoyable indeed. Then it was aired on national TV, Mediacorp 5 with all the cuts relating to sex, (actually there was hardly any!!!!) sans subtitles. I was so captivated by the film location, Venice and the music, some Handel some Vivaldi, some original compositions with lots of strings, and Heath Ledger of course, I bought the dvd.
This is the movie that I want to remember the late Heath Ledger by. The romantic comedy which was never nominated for any awards unlike Brokeback Mountain and The Dark Knight that won countless awards, in the latter posthumous. May be its my romantic soul that loves the 18th century Venice with all the paintings, costumes and palazzos. I love movies where there are horses, carriages, swords instead of guns and where the guys wear wigs with ribbons and really elaborate costumes, tights and very chunky heels.
In this beautiful movie, the legendary Casanova, the greatest lover in the world, met his match. The feminist Francesca Bruni who also cross-dresses as a male doctor Giordano and wrote feminists books under the pen name of Bernando Guardi. Francesca (Sienna Miller) was not only beautiful., she was highly intellectual, philosophical and good in sword fighting. She unlike the many countless woman had despised Casanova and refused him despite his many disguises. Casanova fell in love with her. He tried hard to get close to her, risking his life and reputation and the story ends victoriously with true love.
Heath Leger was about 24 when he filmed Casanova. The 1.85 m Australian born, hunky good looker with a memorable deep husky voice was voted 50 most beautiful people in 2001. He's one of those actors who make a mark in the movie industry at a young age and was careful not to be type cast. In 2006, he actually took a year off filming to help raise his daugther, Matilda Rose, whose mum Michelle Williams he met on the set of Brokeback Mountain 2005.
I got these quotes from imdb:
She's (Michelle Williams) my soul mate and we couldn't love each other any more than we do already. We're like two peas in a pod. Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle and I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had - it's marvelous."
My life right now is, I wouldn't say reduced to food, but my duties in life are that I wake up, cook breakfast, clean the dishes, prepare lunch, clean those dishes, go to the market, get fresh produce, cook dinner, clean those dishes and then sleep if I can. And I love it. I actually adore it. I'm not good at future planning. I don't plan at all. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't have a day planner and I don't have a diary. I completely live in the now, not in the past, not in the future.
[about growing up with his mom and his sisters] I learned respect for women, and patience. You grow up with all those women around you...you learn to wait your turn. - Cosmopolitan, June 1998
I don't know about you. But as a woman, I think i like him and what he had said.
Its a pity and shock to me that he would go so soon. Born 4 April 1979, Heath Andrew Ledger left us suddenly on 22 Jan 2008, age 28. He had died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs including painkillers, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills in his Manhattan NY apartment in SoHo. It is a known fact that the actor, who won several posthumous awards for his ultimate Joker role in The Dark Knight was a shy person, with difficulties sleeping and overwhelmed with work stress and anxiety for quite sometime.
To prepare for the role, Ledger told Empire, "I sat around in a hotel room in London for about a month, locked myself away, formed a little diary and experimented with voices — it was important to try to find a somewhat iconic voice and laugh. I ended up landing more in the realm of a psychopath — someone with very little to no conscience towards his acts"; after reiterating his view of the character as "just an absolute sociopath, a cold-blooded, mass-murdering clown."
I am saddened by his sudden passing two days after my birthday last year. With his many achievements and great potential, I believe there might be many more Oscars had he not left us so prematurely. His daughter, Matilda was the recipient of the posthumous Oscar currently held in custody by the mum till she turns 18.
I bought the dvd to "own"a memory of Heath Ledger, a great actor. Sigh. Missed him already.
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Rachel's violin lessons
Rachel slept. She's tired from an afternoon of shopping. It's her day today. No its not her birthday but I make it a point to make her feel extra special once a week when the meals and the shopping are all about her. You should see the look on her face and her enthusiasm at her violin lessons after which "Rachel's day" commences. It's like the American Idols had a day named after them, Rachel's day is every day she coincidentally have violin lessons with Teacher Amy in the same estate.
Talking about violin lessons. We started Rachel early. A day before she turn 3 last year. I really learnt much both as a student and as an involved parent what it is like to teach a toddler music. I was Rachel's "violin tutor" for 6 months as well, just for experimentation sake. Now she's 4.5 and hardly throws the "I cannot do it", "I want it NOW', "I don't want...I don't want" tantrums. Before you jump to conclusion that we are forcing her to take lessons, I want to state the fact that her tantrums were never about music or violin lessons. It's to do with her moods. Or the fact that she wanted to watch cartoons when it was lesson time.
It was said that Li Yundi's mother removed the TV from her house when her young boy wanted to watch tv instead of practicing the piano. *GASP* I would never do that!!!! I need the TV too, to read the news headlines and to drool over the handsome male leads. HAHAHAH. Yan said that sometimes the parents need to be firm, because he did want to give up piano playing whimsically because his sister tantrumed much and was allowed her way out. But he was tender hearted and understood from his parents perspective and found the joy to carry on.
I think with very young children, we need to have the right perspective. I would not pressure my child until she give up the learning because it had become a torture. Neither should I give in to her whimsical tantrums. You got to think long term. Music is a part of life. Its a language. Mr Shinichi Suzuki, had realised that "all japanese children speak japanese".Music while taught is also caught!..Nobody give up speaking because its difficult or had become a torture to communicate in the mother tongue, be it japanese or english (for us). Whether Rachel "succeeds" in music is not important but that like us she be given the opportunity to appreciate, experience and make music. Music does enrich and ennobles one's life.
Frankly, Rachel is very musical and artistic. And blest with an excellent memory. Besides the family environment is very conducive with yan practising on the piano and me learning the violin. My gut feel is that she will do well musically, I have no doubt about it. Our family who plays and prays together enjoys a high level of fellowship and unity.
Now she look forward to violin lessons with Amy each wednesday. Sometimes when the weather permits, she would ride her scooter or tricycle to her lessons. Often while I was having my lesson with Amy, rachel would have her breakfast and some activity book to keep her occupied for 45mins. We tried to let her watch some cartoons while waiting for her turn but it was a disaster when we need to end the programme abruptly when her turn comes.
Since she like art a lot, Amy now lets her draw freely and it really sets her mood right for music afterwards. At this age, she can sight read some notes and bow on her own. Its amazing!!!!! How you get a kid to hold the violin and the bow which takes a lot of coordination and cooperation from the young child. But Amy was able to guide her ever so patiently a step at a time and lo and behold, one of her 4 year old student Wei Song was captivating everyone at the masterclass, playing Suzuki vol 1's perpetual motion.
Amy shared that the boy's dad was very firm and made sure the boy practiced daily. Er.....I could not do that myself, I mean to practice daily, being the busy multi-tasking home maker that I am. My aim has always been to improve musically on a daily basis and to assist rachel do the same. Thankfully, we are both improving our play and I have learnt to practice with rachel as often as I can enjoying the learning process -our life journey.
Talking about violin lessons. We started Rachel early. A day before she turn 3 last year. I really learnt much both as a student and as an involved parent what it is like to teach a toddler music. I was Rachel's "violin tutor" for 6 months as well, just for experimentation sake. Now she's 4.5 and hardly throws the "I cannot do it", "I want it NOW', "I don't want...I don't want" tantrums. Before you jump to conclusion that we are forcing her to take lessons, I want to state the fact that her tantrums were never about music or violin lessons. It's to do with her moods. Or the fact that she wanted to watch cartoons when it was lesson time.
It was said that Li Yundi's mother removed the TV from her house when her young boy wanted to watch tv instead of practicing the piano. *GASP* I would never do that!!!! I need the TV too, to read the news headlines and to drool over the handsome male leads. HAHAHAH. Yan said that sometimes the parents need to be firm, because he did want to give up piano playing whimsically because his sister tantrumed much and was allowed her way out. But he was tender hearted and understood from his parents perspective and found the joy to carry on.
I think with very young children, we need to have the right perspective. I would not pressure my child until she give up the learning because it had become a torture. Neither should I give in to her whimsical tantrums. You got to think long term. Music is a part of life. Its a language. Mr Shinichi Suzuki, had realised that "all japanese children speak japanese".Music while taught is also caught!..Nobody give up speaking because its difficult or had become a torture to communicate in the mother tongue, be it japanese or english (for us). Whether Rachel "succeeds" in music is not important but that like us she be given the opportunity to appreciate, experience and make music. Music does enrich and ennobles one's life.
Frankly, Rachel is very musical and artistic. And blest with an excellent memory. Besides the family environment is very conducive with yan practising on the piano and me learning the violin. My gut feel is that she will do well musically, I have no doubt about it. Our family who plays and prays together enjoys a high level of fellowship and unity.
Now she look forward to violin lessons with Amy each wednesday. Sometimes when the weather permits, she would ride her scooter or tricycle to her lessons. Often while I was having my lesson with Amy, rachel would have her breakfast and some activity book to keep her occupied for 45mins. We tried to let her watch some cartoons while waiting for her turn but it was a disaster when we need to end the programme abruptly when her turn comes.
Since she like art a lot, Amy now lets her draw freely and it really sets her mood right for music afterwards. At this age, she can sight read some notes and bow on her own. Its amazing!!!!! How you get a kid to hold the violin and the bow which takes a lot of coordination and cooperation from the young child. But Amy was able to guide her ever so patiently a step at a time and lo and behold, one of her 4 year old student Wei Song was captivating everyone at the masterclass, playing Suzuki vol 1's perpetual motion.
Amy shared that the boy's dad was very firm and made sure the boy practiced daily. Er.....I could not do that myself, I mean to practice daily, being the busy multi-tasking home maker that I am. My aim has always been to improve musically on a daily basis and to assist rachel do the same. Thankfully, we are both improving our play and I have learnt to practice with rachel as often as I can enjoying the learning process -our life journey.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
The art of prayer
I used to journal a lot. It started in my teens when I had no one to really share my heart with. Well, I have good parents but they are not the type you treat as 'friends'. My considerate self also did not want to burden them concerning my grades or my several crushes or even dreams. What's the point when I risk another nagging or scolding session too????that will upset me even more. Yes, there were friends, church friends but really nobody was 'good' enough for me to share my heart with fearlessly. I decided as a young person to lend others my listening ear and offer my companionship and prayers but choose instead to share my heart only with my Lord.
Writing keeps me sane. It renews my mind and its so relaxing and therapeutic as well. I speak from the heart and admires even my own handwriting. Ha. Through the years, I've moved from complaining to prayer journals that detailed bible verses and yes even dreams that I sincerely believed were from my Abba Father God. The years 1999 to 2002 were mostly difficult entries involving believing God for a marriage partner. They were the most spiritual entries ever with me fasting much and seeking the Lord daily, since I was mostly in between jobs and serving fervently in the worship and prayer ministries.
Unfortunately, these prayer journals were to be the most heart wrenching ones as well. Like a 'unworthy' piece of pottery, God had dashed me to pieces and then melted in the the kiln to re sculpture me in so many ways. Yes I grew by leaps and bounds spiritually, leadership wise too but I was most miserable relationship wise, waiting and believing God for the specific person he told me about on so many occasions- was killing me.
Looking back, it was all so silly of me. To believe that God would prepare a specific person for me and to waste my youthful years 'mourning' and longing for someone not meant to be. It was worse when I read and re read the prayer journal entries, feeling encouraged one moment and devastated the next. It's no fun too, nurturing the feelings I had for this person when I detailed our conversations and even 'moments' in the church ministry or the fact that many things happened as I received one revelation after another- including from church leadership.
In the end, the wisest thing to do was to junk the whole prayer journal. What's the point of hanging on to dreams and even God's promises. It was just too hard for the mortal soul. If its meant to be, it will happen. I will be that some body's wife even though I hardly know him at all. If its not meant to be, I should consciously choose to end all these sufferings and heal and move on. After all, there are billions of men in the world that are probably of good character and suitable temperament and who deserves my love as well.
You never know how many volumes of prayer journals I had shredded with tears in my eyes. It was liken to tearing away a part of my flesh. Then I did too, threw away photos of many guys and the trinkets or 'symbols of love' that were given me. I wanted a clean slate. Though I was never physically involved with any of these guys the emotional involvement was painful enough. Perhaps it was my romantic sentimental soul that loves deeply, too deeply i suppose. I cannot imagine if I had not restrained myself and had burnt my heart all the more. Thank God that through it all, the Lord was my comforter and my confidante.
What's next????????? Now that I am married and am a mother. I am teaching Rachel about praying (communicating) to our Creator God and I thought of starting a Prayer Book. Not again!!!!!!!! Except that this is no complaint journal. Neither is it going to be the God said this or I dreamt that thingy that confuses us sometimes. I wanted to show Rachel that God answers prayers and God is our family provider.
So, we are going to place pictures or articles of the things we are believing God for and enjoy the process of his provision. Some may say we are seeking the hand of God when we should seek his heart - which is for the lost. Frankly, to me seek God means seek God in everything including material and emotional needs and wants.
For example, without any savings and having debts still, in the natural, it seem impossible to have a place of our own. Yan was saying that too much of his income goes to paying the rental of this current 3 bedroom apartment, (actually to the mother in law maintenance as well). We want to believe that God of Grace, will provide us with a home so we need not move every 2 years in search of more affordable rental units. Ideally, the new place comes with the pool and gym and plentiful facilites and amenities near the beach in the East.
The same goes to the dream C2 Yamaha grand piano that Yan wants and the violins that rachel and I need. What about the first family car???? Holidays???? Migration plans???
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.........Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge your harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:8-11
Writing keeps me sane. It renews my mind and its so relaxing and therapeutic as well. I speak from the heart and admires even my own handwriting. Ha. Through the years, I've moved from complaining to prayer journals that detailed bible verses and yes even dreams that I sincerely believed were from my Abba Father God. The years 1999 to 2002 were mostly difficult entries involving believing God for a marriage partner. They were the most spiritual entries ever with me fasting much and seeking the Lord daily, since I was mostly in between jobs and serving fervently in the worship and prayer ministries.
Unfortunately, these prayer journals were to be the most heart wrenching ones as well. Like a 'unworthy' piece of pottery, God had dashed me to pieces and then melted in the the kiln to re sculpture me in so many ways. Yes I grew by leaps and bounds spiritually, leadership wise too but I was most miserable relationship wise, waiting and believing God for the specific person he told me about on so many occasions- was killing me.
Looking back, it was all so silly of me. To believe that God would prepare a specific person for me and to waste my youthful years 'mourning' and longing for someone not meant to be. It was worse when I read and re read the prayer journal entries, feeling encouraged one moment and devastated the next. It's no fun too, nurturing the feelings I had for this person when I detailed our conversations and even 'moments' in the church ministry or the fact that many things happened as I received one revelation after another- including from church leadership.
In the end, the wisest thing to do was to junk the whole prayer journal. What's the point of hanging on to dreams and even God's promises. It was just too hard for the mortal soul. If its meant to be, it will happen. I will be that some body's wife even though I hardly know him at all. If its not meant to be, I should consciously choose to end all these sufferings and heal and move on. After all, there are billions of men in the world that are probably of good character and suitable temperament and who deserves my love as well.
You never know how many volumes of prayer journals I had shredded with tears in my eyes. It was liken to tearing away a part of my flesh. Then I did too, threw away photos of many guys and the trinkets or 'symbols of love' that were given me. I wanted a clean slate. Though I was never physically involved with any of these guys the emotional involvement was painful enough. Perhaps it was my romantic sentimental soul that loves deeply, too deeply i suppose. I cannot imagine if I had not restrained myself and had burnt my heart all the more. Thank God that through it all, the Lord was my comforter and my confidante.
What's next????????? Now that I am married and am a mother. I am teaching Rachel about praying (communicating) to our Creator God and I thought of starting a Prayer Book. Not again!!!!!!!! Except that this is no complaint journal. Neither is it going to be the God said this or I dreamt that thingy that confuses us sometimes. I wanted to show Rachel that God answers prayers and God is our family provider.
So, we are going to place pictures or articles of the things we are believing God for and enjoy the process of his provision. Some may say we are seeking the hand of God when we should seek his heart - which is for the lost. Frankly, to me seek God means seek God in everything including material and emotional needs and wants.
For example, without any savings and having debts still, in the natural, it seem impossible to have a place of our own. Yan was saying that too much of his income goes to paying the rental of this current 3 bedroom apartment, (actually to the mother in law maintenance as well). We want to believe that God of Grace, will provide us with a home so we need not move every 2 years in search of more affordable rental units. Ideally, the new place comes with the pool and gym and plentiful facilites and amenities near the beach in the East.
The same goes to the dream C2 Yamaha grand piano that Yan wants and the violins that rachel and I need. What about the first family car???? Holidays???? Migration plans???
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.........Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge your harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:8-11
Monday, 22 June 2009
Revising Romeo and Juliet
I'm typing this courageously sans the much needed contact lenses. It's a surprise that I can still see what I am speed typing.
Last night, when Rachel had finally retired to bed, Yan and I watched on the computer the 1981 movie, Clash of the Titans. I have never seen it before though I heard about the snake head serpent Medusa and how one look at her turned men into stones. Yan on the other hand knew the story well since he watched it a couple of times in his teens. The only reason i wanted to study the film was that Hans is now filming for the role of Ixas???? (not in the original version) somewhere in Northern Wales, Llanberries quarry for the remake of the film due for release in 2010. Its a nice movie about immortals and mortals and monsters where the men get to show off lots of sexy legs...Hahaha. I really wondered much about Han's role and his Ixas costume. Going by his previous movies, I won't be surprised that his "new" character, maybe an immortal would fall in love and need to do a sexy scene or two. HAHAHAH... the more the merrier.
Previously I reviewed, Baz Luhrmann's modern classic of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I loved this movie so much in 1996 since my screen crush Leonardo Di Caprio is only a year older than me. He's still single. Hee. I was self studying the shakespearean play then and marvelled much at the modern twist the director brought to the film, like naming guns, "swords". Claire Danes was a breathe of fresh air then with her angellic wings and I wished I was Juliet enough to attract my own Romeo at first sight- meaning I was considered a BEAUTY!!!!
Well it did happened!!!! There were a couple of "romeos" that fell for me at first sight or first few dates??? eg luke, CK, DY.....etc but really they were not of my type, my taste, mainly they were not handsome or perfect enough. I just can't date someone I do not love physically. Call me shallow. It was like this since I was a child, I am very attracted to beautiful things, including male beauties like Hans Matheson, and Brad pitt, Leonardo di caprio etc.
So i continue to look out of my many balconies, literally!!!!, wistfully praying, "O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou, Romeo????" for several years while being in the company and friendship of many, many good male friends and buddies. Ha..always the rose among the thorns though I enjoyed ALL the attention and sometimes the catfights as well!!! Adult entertainment I called it, HAHAHA. Perhaps I was blest but I was always searching, dreaming, praying for THE ONE-someone with similar frequency, great communication, deep friendship, same religious beliefs and terrific chemistry. A music and art lover like me, yet greater than me in all aspects so I would enjoy admiring his looks and talents. I wanted a SOUL-MATE LOVER.
Through a series of events, I realised God had already provided Yan, my best male buddy from 2000 onwards. With Yan I can be so comfortable and speak my mind on all topics. He too, dazzled me with his sincere friendship, musical talent, singing included and his very, very deep artistic, literary, poetic yet christ loving soul. God is good. He always provide the best!!!!! Yan's such a patient and loving father too!!!
So, I was watching the same Romeo and Juliet film now some 13 years later. Thank God Leonardo had grown up. He looked better now and his acting had improved so much that he won so many international awards especially for The Departed. Its fun. Watching the actors and actresses "grow up" on the big screen. I saw the screen captures of some of Hans matheson's earlier works when he was in his late teens and early twenties, boy!!! he looks better every passing year. From a sweet looking young boy to now my heartthrob. Hahaha. I still hope to see him in person one day and have a coffee moment. What were you thinking??? Huh?? Seriously!!
Lastly, the name Leonardo also reminded me of my only JC crush. I never told anyone before, I actually liked the italian-chinese Leonardo di _____ in my gymnastics team. He's so good looking, athletic, somersaults and twists so gracefully and boy, speaks mandarin better than I do having excelled at his CL1 exams. I never had the courage to tell him how i felt about him because I thought he was too good looking, I felt a bit inferior then. So i kept it all in the heart, not hoping for anything. We graduated from college and one day when I was reading the papers in my university days. I suddenly saw him in the papers!!!! GASP!!!! I cried!!! A handsome smiling Leonardo was staring at me from the obituaries. He had died suddenly in his sleep overseas and I felt a big stab in my heart. I 'mourned" for him who probably never knew about my secret feelings and who died so young at 20?????
Life can be cruel. It was a sad week for me but I learnt that life can be short and one must live in the present, giving thanks to God for all that he had done for us in christ and all that he will do and bless. Amen
Last night, when Rachel had finally retired to bed, Yan and I watched on the computer the 1981 movie, Clash of the Titans. I have never seen it before though I heard about the snake head serpent Medusa and how one look at her turned men into stones. Yan on the other hand knew the story well since he watched it a couple of times in his teens. The only reason i wanted to study the film was that Hans is now filming for the role of Ixas???? (not in the original version) somewhere in Northern Wales, Llanberries quarry for the remake of the film due for release in 2010. Its a nice movie about immortals and mortals and monsters where the men get to show off lots of sexy legs...Hahaha. I really wondered much about Han's role and his Ixas costume. Going by his previous movies, I won't be surprised that his "new" character, maybe an immortal would fall in love and need to do a sexy scene or two. HAHAHAH... the more the merrier.
Previously I reviewed, Baz Luhrmann's modern classic of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. I loved this movie so much in 1996 since my screen crush Leonardo Di Caprio is only a year older than me. He's still single. Hee. I was self studying the shakespearean play then and marvelled much at the modern twist the director brought to the film, like naming guns, "swords". Claire Danes was a breathe of fresh air then with her angellic wings and I wished I was Juliet enough to attract my own Romeo at first sight- meaning I was considered a BEAUTY!!!!
Well it did happened!!!! There were a couple of "romeos" that fell for me at first sight or first few dates??? eg luke, CK, DY.....etc but really they were not of my type, my taste, mainly they were not handsome or perfect enough. I just can't date someone I do not love physically. Call me shallow. It was like this since I was a child, I am very attracted to beautiful things, including male beauties like Hans Matheson, and Brad pitt, Leonardo di caprio etc.
So i continue to look out of my many balconies, literally!!!!, wistfully praying, "O Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore art thou, Romeo????" for several years while being in the company and friendship of many, many good male friends and buddies. Ha..always the rose among the thorns though I enjoyed ALL the attention and sometimes the catfights as well!!! Adult entertainment I called it, HAHAHA. Perhaps I was blest but I was always searching, dreaming, praying for THE ONE-someone with similar frequency, great communication, deep friendship, same religious beliefs and terrific chemistry. A music and art lover like me, yet greater than me in all aspects so I would enjoy admiring his looks and talents. I wanted a SOUL-MATE LOVER.
Through a series of events, I realised God had already provided Yan, my best male buddy from 2000 onwards. With Yan I can be so comfortable and speak my mind on all topics. He too, dazzled me with his sincere friendship, musical talent, singing included and his very, very deep artistic, literary, poetic yet christ loving soul. God is good. He always provide the best!!!!! Yan's such a patient and loving father too!!!
So, I was watching the same Romeo and Juliet film now some 13 years later. Thank God Leonardo had grown up. He looked better now and his acting had improved so much that he won so many international awards especially for The Departed. Its fun. Watching the actors and actresses "grow up" on the big screen. I saw the screen captures of some of Hans matheson's earlier works when he was in his late teens and early twenties, boy!!! he looks better every passing year. From a sweet looking young boy to now my heartthrob. Hahaha. I still hope to see him in person one day and have a coffee moment. What were you thinking??? Huh?? Seriously!!
Lastly, the name Leonardo also reminded me of my only JC crush. I never told anyone before, I actually liked the italian-chinese Leonardo di _____ in my gymnastics team. He's so good looking, athletic, somersaults and twists so gracefully and boy, speaks mandarin better than I do having excelled at his CL1 exams. I never had the courage to tell him how i felt about him because I thought he was too good looking, I felt a bit inferior then. So i kept it all in the heart, not hoping for anything. We graduated from college and one day when I was reading the papers in my university days. I suddenly saw him in the papers!!!! GASP!!!! I cried!!! A handsome smiling Leonardo was staring at me from the obituaries. He had died suddenly in his sleep overseas and I felt a big stab in my heart. I 'mourned" for him who probably never knew about my secret feelings and who died so young at 20?????
Life can be cruel. It was a sad week for me but I learnt that life can be short and one must live in the present, giving thanks to God for all that he had done for us in christ and all that he will do and bless. Amen
Friday, 19 June 2009
A good first half 2009
It's been a good first half this 2009. Apart from receiving healing of the rotar cuff tendonitis that had bothered and inconvenienced me for almost 2 years, I am totally healed of a old emotional scar as well. Rachel is now fully toilet trained and I am able to spend some time watching dvds and youtubes and of course, blog for relaxation.
Homeschooling wise, she has started on french and mandarin and is definitely more interested in the former. Rachel continues to dazzle us with her ever improving singing and her rock star wanna-be personality. She is making more decisions on a daily basis like her own learning schedule for the day, the attire for the outing and other family decisions like dinner preferences. Responsibility wise, I've trained her to keep her own toys after playing and to clean her own "mess" like drink spills. I've also taught her the basics concerning romance, sex and babies.
Basically, she is learning very fast and I really want to spend more time coaching her despite the full household work load inclusive of meal preparation. We also make it a point to exercise whether at home or at the beach to keep fit. Dancing will be great but our princess is not so keen to dance but to shake her booty at most to her favourite pop tunes. She detest ballet.
Personally I believe the next half will be even better. This 2009 being the "dextos year of the Lord", the year that God's favour, grace and abundance overflows. Lord, I thank you in advance for the superabundant blessings in the following areas:
Finances
Thank you that Yan is blest with a job. We need a home, a car, money to settle the debts and family loans, and of course, material needs like clothing, books, music, instruments, holidays and savings ( at the moment its $0). Its been so so very long since I have a new piece of clothing. The priority goes to the growing kid. My needs are unimportant en ce moment.
Domestic Support
I really need some form of help in this area, so I may spend some time exercising (when can I have my former sexy figure back??????), shopping and also more time coaching my beloved. With only 3 members in this household, the chores are already quite a lot, I will be so foolish to pile on any more chores from new additions. In short, I can barely cope with status quo.
Beauty and Well-being
This is of utmost importance!!! Whats the point of aging gracefully??? To die an old wrinkled weak feeble woman????????? There is more glory in dying young and still beautiful. I no longer had any budget or allowance for beauty treatments, basic skincare, makeup included. In fact, our family is often scrimping and saving for the sake of the high maintenance needs of the mum-in -law. Gone are the shopping budgets for rachel as well. We had resorted to borrowing most of the dvds from the esplanade library instead of getting them new and discounted even. Dining out and taking cabs are now considered luxury.
Music and Art
I am now into grade 3. Already my violin teacher is complaining much about my poor violin, how despite the minor adjustments there had not been any improvement in the sound. She thinks I need a better violin, not necessarily more expensive but one with better sound and potential. Lord, please provide. Help me to sell without incurring any financial loss the current beginner model from Germany if it helps. Yan too, need a much better piano, preferably a grand piano to practice his FTCL pieces.
Art wise, I want to learn oil painting but at the moment I am cutting costs, coaching Rachel in art mainly water-colour, acrylic and sketching including cartooning. Rachel loves art and crafts and is very creative in formulating her art pieces. We enjoy the time spent bonding over artistic creations. Its quite an adventure.
Lastly, I pray this year we will finally go on a family holiday. I miss travelling and apart from the usual visitations in Malaysia, rachel had yet flown in a plane. I wanted much to bring her to HK disneyland so as not to deprive her of her childhood needs. Personally, I want to visit Europe again and again and settle in London or Paris where the seasons, the history, architecture, art and music culture so draws my soul.
Bless us Lord. Merci beaucoup.
Homeschooling wise, she has started on french and mandarin and is definitely more interested in the former. Rachel continues to dazzle us with her ever improving singing and her rock star wanna-be personality. She is making more decisions on a daily basis like her own learning schedule for the day, the attire for the outing and other family decisions like dinner preferences. Responsibility wise, I've trained her to keep her own toys after playing and to clean her own "mess" like drink spills. I've also taught her the basics concerning romance, sex and babies.
Basically, she is learning very fast and I really want to spend more time coaching her despite the full household work load inclusive of meal preparation. We also make it a point to exercise whether at home or at the beach to keep fit. Dancing will be great but our princess is not so keen to dance but to shake her booty at most to her favourite pop tunes. She detest ballet.
Personally I believe the next half will be even better. This 2009 being the "dextos year of the Lord", the year that God's favour, grace and abundance overflows. Lord, I thank you in advance for the superabundant blessings in the following areas:
Finances
Thank you that Yan is blest with a job. We need a home, a car, money to settle the debts and family loans, and of course, material needs like clothing, books, music, instruments, holidays and savings ( at the moment its $0). Its been so so very long since I have a new piece of clothing. The priority goes to the growing kid. My needs are unimportant en ce moment.
Domestic Support
I really need some form of help in this area, so I may spend some time exercising (when can I have my former sexy figure back??????), shopping and also more time coaching my beloved. With only 3 members in this household, the chores are already quite a lot, I will be so foolish to pile on any more chores from new additions. In short, I can barely cope with status quo.
Beauty and Well-being
This is of utmost importance!!! Whats the point of aging gracefully??? To die an old wrinkled weak feeble woman????????? There is more glory in dying young and still beautiful. I no longer had any budget or allowance for beauty treatments, basic skincare, makeup included. In fact, our family is often scrimping and saving for the sake of the high maintenance needs of the mum-in -law. Gone are the shopping budgets for rachel as well. We had resorted to borrowing most of the dvds from the esplanade library instead of getting them new and discounted even. Dining out and taking cabs are now considered luxury.
Music and Art
I am now into grade 3. Already my violin teacher is complaining much about my poor violin, how despite the minor adjustments there had not been any improvement in the sound. She thinks I need a better violin, not necessarily more expensive but one with better sound and potential. Lord, please provide. Help me to sell without incurring any financial loss the current beginner model from Germany if it helps. Yan too, need a much better piano, preferably a grand piano to practice his FTCL pieces.
Art wise, I want to learn oil painting but at the moment I am cutting costs, coaching Rachel in art mainly water-colour, acrylic and sketching including cartooning. Rachel loves art and crafts and is very creative in formulating her art pieces. We enjoy the time spent bonding over artistic creations. Its quite an adventure.
Lastly, I pray this year we will finally go on a family holiday. I miss travelling and apart from the usual visitations in Malaysia, rachel had yet flown in a plane. I wanted much to bring her to HK disneyland so as not to deprive her of her childhood needs. Personally, I want to visit Europe again and again and settle in London or Paris where the seasons, the history, architecture, art and music culture so draws my soul.
Bless us Lord. Merci beaucoup.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
No lack in his kingdom
We are living in difficult times, aren't we? Look around us, the world, the financial instability, job losses and now the H1N1 Influenza A strain that was fast approaching pandemic levels according to WHO. Thankfully, though more than 27000 are affected by the virus in some 73 countries including Singapore, only 140 had died. The fatality rate is considered very low compared with previous counteparts like the Spanish flu.
So, here comes the "terrible" part. As an extrovert, I am to stay home even more to help reduce unnecessary spending and also to minimise getting sick, because of the trouble of it all. Over the past month or so, I believe I had adapted quite well, though Rachel enjoyed being at home more anyway, away from the hot sun that easily upsets her.
During the heat of the day, with indoor temperatures reaching almost 32 deg, Rachel and myself are often confined to the air-conditioned study. In this room, we did much studies, music practices, playing toys, watching you-tube videos and its here she have her afternoon naps while I surf or blog for leisure. Or read and plan.
Some fashionistas boasts of wardrobes full of yet to be worn clothes, accessories, bags and shoes. My family actually own a huge library of books, music material, cds and dvds and some of them are still in wraps!!!!! During this home stay season, we had saved much on cab and public transport, along with dining out and enjoyed much watching dvds (in various languages esp French and Mandarin) in air con comfort.
I had also resorted to cooking less expensive food. It used to be a 3 course dinner, soup, red meat, vegetables and dessert but now, its mainly one pot, full of nutrients and some white meat. I need meat and some dairy in my diet. Fruits too a must. Gone are the strawberries,blueberries cherries, grapes. We are now into cheaper alternatives : apples, oranges and bananas for the time being.
Thank God Rachel is fully toilet trained so, with home schooling her expenses are a minimum mainly snacks, milk and chocolates, her favourite and music lessons. Personally I've hardly spend on myself these few years, wearing almost no make up and using commercial mass market skin care rather than boutique brands. I am content to be in T shirt and jeans.
With all these savings we should be able to afford some short getaways that I badly need since Rachel was born in 2005. Unfortunately, most of the money goes to paying rental, bills,some debts and mother in law maintenance, (which is rather high and I don't even get an allowance). Every few months, we managed to travel via the noisy KTM, Malaysia Rail for several hours to visit her -an obligation really!!!!! It costs quite a lot too, for a family of 3.
Its indeed natural and tempting to look at what we lack. However, I am reminded today that Jesus my Lord, NEVER look at the natural. When his followers were famished and all his disciples had were 5 loaves and 2 fish, a boy's lunch, Christ, LOOKED TO HIS FATHER, OUR GOD, GAVE THANKS and the miracle of feeding 5000 men not counting women and children was recorded in the Bible. Indeed, we should be conscious of plenty instead of lack. Our God is able to supply exceedingly, abundantly, far above all we could ever asked or imagined. In his kingdom. there is and never will be scarcity, insufficiency and lack.
And the best part???? His kingdom (not physical) is inside everyone who believes in him. YES! OUI! We have abundance, plenty, more than enough, overflowing in us despite the circumstances and when we believe right, GOD will make all things right for us!!!!!! AMEN.
So, here comes the "terrible" part. As an extrovert, I am to stay home even more to help reduce unnecessary spending and also to minimise getting sick, because of the trouble of it all. Over the past month or so, I believe I had adapted quite well, though Rachel enjoyed being at home more anyway, away from the hot sun that easily upsets her.
During the heat of the day, with indoor temperatures reaching almost 32 deg, Rachel and myself are often confined to the air-conditioned study. In this room, we did much studies, music practices, playing toys, watching you-tube videos and its here she have her afternoon naps while I surf or blog for leisure. Or read and plan.
Some fashionistas boasts of wardrobes full of yet to be worn clothes, accessories, bags and shoes. My family actually own a huge library of books, music material, cds and dvds and some of them are still in wraps!!!!! During this home stay season, we had saved much on cab and public transport, along with dining out and enjoyed much watching dvds (in various languages esp French and Mandarin) in air con comfort.
I had also resorted to cooking less expensive food. It used to be a 3 course dinner, soup, red meat, vegetables and dessert but now, its mainly one pot, full of nutrients and some white meat. I need meat and some dairy in my diet. Fruits too a must. Gone are the strawberries,blueberries cherries, grapes. We are now into cheaper alternatives : apples, oranges and bananas for the time being.
Thank God Rachel is fully toilet trained so, with home schooling her expenses are a minimum mainly snacks, milk and chocolates, her favourite and music lessons. Personally I've hardly spend on myself these few years, wearing almost no make up and using commercial mass market skin care rather than boutique brands. I am content to be in T shirt and jeans.
With all these savings we should be able to afford some short getaways that I badly need since Rachel was born in 2005. Unfortunately, most of the money goes to paying rental, bills,some debts and mother in law maintenance, (which is rather high and I don't even get an allowance). Every few months, we managed to travel via the noisy KTM, Malaysia Rail for several hours to visit her -an obligation really!!!!! It costs quite a lot too, for a family of 3.
Its indeed natural and tempting to look at what we lack. However, I am reminded today that Jesus my Lord, NEVER look at the natural. When his followers were famished and all his disciples had were 5 loaves and 2 fish, a boy's lunch, Christ, LOOKED TO HIS FATHER, OUR GOD, GAVE THANKS and the miracle of feeding 5000 men not counting women and children was recorded in the Bible. Indeed, we should be conscious of plenty instead of lack. Our God is able to supply exceedingly, abundantly, far above all we could ever asked or imagined. In his kingdom. there is and never will be scarcity, insufficiency and lack.
And the best part???? His kingdom (not physical) is inside everyone who believes in him. YES! OUI! We have abundance, plenty, more than enough, overflowing in us despite the circumstances and when we believe right, GOD will make all things right for us!!!!!! AMEN.
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Trying to understand the Virgin Queen
Finally, thanks to 56.com a china website liken to the you tube, I managed to complete the watching of The Virgin Queen BBC 2005. This four part miniseries starring Anne Marie Duff, Tom Hardy and Hans Matheson is so interesting to watch though one can never fully comprehend the what when where why of the actual historical reality. I love the Earl of Essex (Hans Matheson) so much that after much frantic futile search for the dvd locally, I ordered it from Amazon.com. The beloved code 1 dvd is now somewhere en route to Singapore via the seas and estimated to reach my mailbox on 9th July 2009. Well, gotta be patient!!!
What makes The Virgin Queen so interesting? Well, first of all the elaborate costumes and the set. Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth I boasts of more colours and details and yes exotic palaces, churches but I had trouble following her favourite Raleigh storyline. In Anne-Marie Duff's version, the costumes were somewhat solemn and of mostly darker colours but they were well co-ordinated and yes, everything that was worn from the priest, to the maids to the BOYS, well seemed so perfect and comfortable for the eyes. I love the many original soundtracks too.
Plus the show is about one of England's greatest Queen known as the virgin queen since she who was "married" to England had neither wed nor had any descendants. Elizabeth I was the 5th and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. She was born a princess, her father king Henry VIII and her mother Anne Bolelyn was executed when she was 3. She was then declared illegitimate. Many events happened and she became a young queen who depended heavily on her advisers - led by William Cecil, Baron Burghley. She started out in good counsel but history had us believe that she became overly dependent on her advisers, was indecisive and very short tempered.
Now THE BONUS: So many men in her court that jostle for her attention, her favour and her love. This is a show that most women love. Its raining MEN!!!! Hallelujah!!!! Hey! not ordinary folks but the sexy pretty boyish looking Tom Hardy as Robert Dudley, Elizabeth I's first and true love a childhood companion, and her last favourite, Hans Matheson as Robert Devereux, a dark brooding, flamboyant, passionate impetuous Earl of Essex- the former's step-son.
Robert Dudley was given the title the Earl of Leicester by the queen. In fact, he was the one person that the young queen openly loved and showed her affection towards. However, this good looker in the Privy council was a married man with a dying wife. Her advisers had expressed disapproval at the possibility of marriage so queen did nothing more than revel in non sexual displays of intimacy. In the miniseries there were many scenes that had Robert and the Queen talking heart to heart and with their heads held so close to each other. TOTALLY ENDEARING. I particularly loved the La Volta dancing scene and then the dream sequence of Robert in the Queen's bed almost tricked the audience THAT"S ME into thinking that they had sex. I guess it was tough because she was surrounded by so many guards and maids at all times. Or perhaps she had enough wisdom and pride not to let any man rule over her. Moreover, with all her peers and her mother Anne Boleyn having suffered much in marriage during those days, she could be really disillusioned.
When Robert Dudley whom the queen enjoyed a close friendship with died, she was devastated. It was not until Dudley's step son(aka illegitimate son), the Earl of Essex appeared that she loved another favourite.I think the Earl of Essex character is so dark and complex one to portray. On the one hand he's a people's sexy hero, impetuous, flamboyant and aggressive on the other his character suffers much from depression, extreme mood swings and disillusionment. There were plenty of whining, fits of rage, bouts of depression and tears in that one final episode that he graces.
Whether The Earl really loved the queen, no one knows. Their age gap was a whopping 34 years. The queen having suffered from small pox and consequential hair loss had pock marks and she wore wigs and heavy make-up. She wore tight corsets too. It could be that the young handsome Earl was attracted to her as all men in court were to her status, her power and her rule. Like bees to honey. In fact, the Earl was used by his mum Lettice knolly, the former maid of the queen to get even at her. Actually Lettice deserved it for having a fling with the Queen's favourite Robert Dudley and eventually being married to him without her royal consent. The queen had Lettice banished from the court. But she still loved Dudley much in her heart.
Many scenes in the miniseries were historically based. Like that of the queen slapping The Earl of Essex during a heated argument about Ireland and he actually drew his sword against her. Silly boy!!! He was very disrespectful towards her and disobeyed her many orders. The Earl had begged time and time again for advancement opportunities including leading some 16000 men against Tyrone of Spain only to fail miserably, having decimated the royal resources. It was also a fact that he presented himself in the queen's bedchamber one morning before she was properly wigged or attired *GASP* even though he was banned from going back to the palace.
Eventually he led a failed rebellion against the queen, properly stemmed from the disillusionment of wanting to "protect" her from bad counsel that had stripped him of his title and bankrupted him. Towards the end of his life, his enemies, he was at loggerheads with William Cecil's son and Sir Walter Raleigh hated him too, conspired against him, even the queen was powerless to "save" him from committing treason. Robert Devereux was held prisoner in the Tower of London and executed there. It was said that it took 3 strokes to fully decapitate him. OUCH...Sigh...........He was only 36 .I was there near the tower of London, near river Thames where it had happened historically. GASP!!!!!!!
The Tower of London is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It had been used as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo??? the Royal Mint (not a herb) an observatory and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of UK. In fact it was said to be the most haunted building in England. The most famous being the apparition of the late Queen Anne Boleyn seen on several occasions carrying her head near where she was buried at the White Tower. She, the mother of Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, was beheaded by her husband King Henry VIII for treason.
Any way, The Virgin Queen is such a bizarre story. The queen herself ordering the beheading of her last favourite due to treason. She was completely devastated after that. For with it, a part of Robert Dudley her true love was gone forever. She did not live long after that, suffered much from bouts of deep depression including refusing to sit for 15 hours before she finally passed on at the ripe old age of 70 in 1603- a mere two years after her last favourite was gone.
Such was the story that had me becoming very keen on the history of England and of Europe.
What makes The Virgin Queen so interesting? Well, first of all the elaborate costumes and the set. Cate Blanchett's Elizabeth I boasts of more colours and details and yes exotic palaces, churches but I had trouble following her favourite Raleigh storyline. In Anne-Marie Duff's version, the costumes were somewhat solemn and of mostly darker colours but they were well co-ordinated and yes, everything that was worn from the priest, to the maids to the BOYS, well seemed so perfect and comfortable for the eyes. I love the many original soundtracks too.
Plus the show is about one of England's greatest Queen known as the virgin queen since she who was "married" to England had neither wed nor had any descendants. Elizabeth I was the 5th and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. She was born a princess, her father king Henry VIII and her mother Anne Bolelyn was executed when she was 3. She was then declared illegitimate. Many events happened and she became a young queen who depended heavily on her advisers - led by William Cecil, Baron Burghley. She started out in good counsel but history had us believe that she became overly dependent on her advisers, was indecisive and very short tempered.
Now THE BONUS: So many men in her court that jostle for her attention, her favour and her love. This is a show that most women love. Its raining MEN!!!! Hallelujah!!!! Hey! not ordinary folks but the sexy pretty boyish looking Tom Hardy as Robert Dudley, Elizabeth I's first and true love a childhood companion, and her last favourite, Hans Matheson as Robert Devereux, a dark brooding, flamboyant, passionate impetuous Earl of Essex- the former's step-son.
Robert Dudley was given the title the Earl of Leicester by the queen. In fact, he was the one person that the young queen openly loved and showed her affection towards. However, this good looker in the Privy council was a married man with a dying wife. Her advisers had expressed disapproval at the possibility of marriage so queen did nothing more than revel in non sexual displays of intimacy. In the miniseries there were many scenes that had Robert and the Queen talking heart to heart and with their heads held so close to each other. TOTALLY ENDEARING. I particularly loved the La Volta dancing scene and then the dream sequence of Robert in the Queen's bed almost tricked the audience THAT"S ME into thinking that they had sex. I guess it was tough because she was surrounded by so many guards and maids at all times. Or perhaps she had enough wisdom and pride not to let any man rule over her. Moreover, with all her peers and her mother Anne Boleyn having suffered much in marriage during those days, she could be really disillusioned.
When Robert Dudley whom the queen enjoyed a close friendship with died, she was devastated. It was not until Dudley's step son(aka illegitimate son), the Earl of Essex appeared that she loved another favourite.I think the Earl of Essex character is so dark and complex one to portray. On the one hand he's a people's sexy hero, impetuous, flamboyant and aggressive on the other his character suffers much from depression, extreme mood swings and disillusionment. There were plenty of whining, fits of rage, bouts of depression and tears in that one final episode that he graces.
Whether The Earl really loved the queen, no one knows. Their age gap was a whopping 34 years. The queen having suffered from small pox and consequential hair loss had pock marks and she wore wigs and heavy make-up. She wore tight corsets too. It could be that the young handsome Earl was attracted to her as all men in court were to her status, her power and her rule. Like bees to honey. In fact, the Earl was used by his mum Lettice knolly, the former maid of the queen to get even at her. Actually Lettice deserved it for having a fling with the Queen's favourite Robert Dudley and eventually being married to him without her royal consent. The queen had Lettice banished from the court. But she still loved Dudley much in her heart.
Many scenes in the miniseries were historically based. Like that of the queen slapping The Earl of Essex during a heated argument about Ireland and he actually drew his sword against her. Silly boy!!! He was very disrespectful towards her and disobeyed her many orders. The Earl had begged time and time again for advancement opportunities including leading some 16000 men against Tyrone of Spain only to fail miserably, having decimated the royal resources. It was also a fact that he presented himself in the queen's bedchamber one morning before she was properly wigged or attired *GASP* even though he was banned from going back to the palace.
Eventually he led a failed rebellion against the queen, properly stemmed from the disillusionment of wanting to "protect" her from bad counsel that had stripped him of his title and bankrupted him. Towards the end of his life, his enemies, he was at loggerheads with William Cecil's son and Sir Walter Raleigh hated him too, conspired against him, even the queen was powerless to "save" him from committing treason. Robert Devereux was held prisoner in the Tower of London and executed there. It was said that it took 3 strokes to fully decapitate him. OUCH...Sigh...........He was only 36 .I was there near the tower of London, near river Thames where it had happened historically. GASP!!!!!!!
The Tower of London is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It had been used as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo??? the Royal Mint (not a herb) an observatory and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of UK. In fact it was said to be the most haunted building in England. The most famous being the apparition of the late Queen Anne Boleyn seen on several occasions carrying her head near where she was buried at the White Tower. She, the mother of Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, was beheaded by her husband King Henry VIII for treason.
Any way, The Virgin Queen is such a bizarre story. The queen herself ordering the beheading of her last favourite due to treason. She was completely devastated after that. For with it, a part of Robert Dudley her true love was gone forever. She did not live long after that, suffered much from bouts of deep depression including refusing to sit for 15 hours before she finally passed on at the ripe old age of 70 in 1603- a mere two years after her last favourite was gone.
Such was the story that had me becoming very keen on the history of England and of Europe.
Monday, 8 June 2009
No boundaries -education
Right at the start, Yan and I had decided that our princess, Rachel shall enjoy an extraordinary education. Having been through the stressful education system that emphasized much on passing the grades and excelling at them, we know better than to put our kid through the same. Between the two of us, Yan obtained a Masters in Architecture and I managed an Accountancy degree when both our passion lies in everything classical music, art and literature.
Yes, there were initial apprehensions about home-schooling Rachel but soon I began to see the wonders of it all. Closer family bonds aside, we are enjoying the process of educating our kid according to her strengths and weaknesses, her interests and her temperament. Rachel is liken to a huge lump of clay that the sculptor-mentor parents are shaping and forever fine-tuning into a work of art -a masterpiece!!!
Already she has gone beyond her years in English related subjects. She's good in Math and has a very keen interest in fine arts. I enjoy coaching her art the most!!! I plan to coach her the techniques in charcoal /pencil sketching next. Perhaps I should sketch my current favourite actor Hans Matheson. He's so beautiful. Sigh..........................
So far, Rachel had expressed her desire to be a rock star on several occasions. I think it was related to the fact that our family is crazy about American Idol and she enjoys watching the performances and jumping up and down the sofa, mimicing Kris allen and Adam Lambert with her toy guitar. She understands that to be a rock star, one needs to work on singing, often piano playing and guitar as well. Each time I happened to be on you tube, Rachel would special request to sing No Boundaries both Kris and Adam's version, to be fair, with the printed lyrics. "Don't forget the lyrics", she would even joked as she had much fun in the sing along. Her repertoire had increased fast to include all Disney songs and the likes of Taylor swift and ya..even Sarah Brightman with her siren like range.
At 4.5, her singing is very in tune and slightly pitchy due to diction. Although I am a singer myself, having taught myself first to sing in cantonese, it was the worship vocal ministry and also some private singing lessons that further strengthened and corrected the techniques. Now I love to sing but often I felt emotionally drained singing. Maybe I gave it my all, each time. Especially during those days when as a worship vocalist, I had to sing sometimes through 4-5 services on both saturdays and sundays. I now prefer much to sing for pleasure, for leisure and for private worship. Having rested my voice much, I am surprised that it seemed to be richer and stronger, even though my diaphragm had weaken much after childbirth.
So, that's our homeschooling for you. It includes learning French as a family and recently i started rachel on mandarin. She still spends most of her time, playing toys and watching dvds (in several languages) and helping out with simple chores like tidying her own things, buying her own snacks at the 7 eleven convenience store in the estate. As she progresses in age, we will make it slightly more structured. In the mean time, we are all happy to manage on a weekly basis -both the academics, the foreign languages, the art and the music.
Yes, there were initial apprehensions about home-schooling Rachel but soon I began to see the wonders of it all. Closer family bonds aside, we are enjoying the process of educating our kid according to her strengths and weaknesses, her interests and her temperament. Rachel is liken to a huge lump of clay that the sculptor-mentor parents are shaping and forever fine-tuning into a work of art -a masterpiece!!!
Already she has gone beyond her years in English related subjects. She's good in Math and has a very keen interest in fine arts. I enjoy coaching her art the most!!! I plan to coach her the techniques in charcoal /pencil sketching next. Perhaps I should sketch my current favourite actor Hans Matheson. He's so beautiful. Sigh..........................
So far, Rachel had expressed her desire to be a rock star on several occasions. I think it was related to the fact that our family is crazy about American Idol and she enjoys watching the performances and jumping up and down the sofa, mimicing Kris allen and Adam Lambert with her toy guitar. She understands that to be a rock star, one needs to work on singing, often piano playing and guitar as well. Each time I happened to be on you tube, Rachel would special request to sing No Boundaries both Kris and Adam's version, to be fair, with the printed lyrics. "Don't forget the lyrics", she would even joked as she had much fun in the sing along. Her repertoire had increased fast to include all Disney songs and the likes of Taylor swift and ya..even Sarah Brightman with her siren like range.
At 4.5, her singing is very in tune and slightly pitchy due to diction. Although I am a singer myself, having taught myself first to sing in cantonese, it was the worship vocal ministry and also some private singing lessons that further strengthened and corrected the techniques. Now I love to sing but often I felt emotionally drained singing. Maybe I gave it my all, each time. Especially during those days when as a worship vocalist, I had to sing sometimes through 4-5 services on both saturdays and sundays. I now prefer much to sing for pleasure, for leisure and for private worship. Having rested my voice much, I am surprised that it seemed to be richer and stronger, even though my diaphragm had weaken much after childbirth.
So, that's our homeschooling for you. It includes learning French as a family and recently i started rachel on mandarin. She still spends most of her time, playing toys and watching dvds (in several languages) and helping out with simple chores like tidying her own things, buying her own snacks at the 7 eleven convenience store in the estate. As she progresses in age, we will make it slightly more structured. In the mean time, we are all happy to manage on a weekly basis -both the academics, the foreign languages, the art and the music.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Romancing Period Drama
Before Romeo and Juliet there was Tristan and Isolde. A love affair between the second in line to the British throne and an Irish princess when both countries were feuding. Is this a real story? There are so many versions of it and Yan absolutely loves Wagner's opera version.
I love period drama. I remembered growing up in my teens watching Hercules and Robin Hood miniseries on tv. Every episode had me spellbound. There's something about love and honour with all the castles, beautiful scenery, sword fighting and equine scenes that left me wanting for more. I love to go back in time where there are no mobile phones, cars and aeroplanes or guns.
In this 2006 film version, Isolde found an injured, thought to be dead Tristan on the beach as she attempted to flee a betrothal to a warrior. She along with her maid nursed Tristan back into health and they loved each other though they were supposed to be enemies. I found myself thinking, "What if the Tristan that Isolde found was not at all gorgeous? " "Would she still nursed her enemy back into health? Afterall, he's English -an enemy." "What about Isolde, if as a Irish princess she had been lacking in beauty? Would Tristan fall in love with her, the only woman he's ever loved in his short tragic life?"
Looks matter, don't they? James Franco with his beautiful eyes is the perfect hunk to play Tristan and Sophia Myles a great beauty with all the hair extensions. I love their chemistry!!!!
During my adolescence, when school was a huge burden, I often imagined myself falling in love. I wanted to experience loving and being loved by a handsome young hunk. At that age, I never thought about religious and temperament compatibility or even artistic talents. My dream guy should be a few years older than me with beautiful hair -lots of it. I love the thought of running my fingers through a man's hair - I still do, occasionally play with Yan's hair. It's quite romantic!!!! HAHAHA
I had thought how wonderful it was if in the middle of a boring lecture, a bouquet of deep red roses came not for the teacher (usually bitches!!!) but for me?? All eyes would turn to see me as I beheld the beautiful flowers and wondered about the giver. Who was it from? Such mystery!! In the end it was from that handsome stranger whom I noticed had been subtly stalking me, waiting for me at the bus stop after school. BUT of course, if the stalker cum admirer was no where near slim and good looking it would have been utter humiliation should that fantasy materialise. Possibly the reason why I felt so disgusted when years ago I received some 50 roses from a secret admirer who was neither good looking nor smart. Such was my ego!!!!!HAHAHA
So i never admit it till now. I am a romantic at heart. En route Paris on my Europe tour in spring 1995, I found myself weeping alongside Brad Pitt, watching Legends of the Fall on the big screen in the plane when all others were asleep. It must be quite a sight of me crying with the headphones on. So much so that an Air France steward asked in heavily accented English, "Miss, are you alright?" I smiled through the tears and pointed at the movie. It made the helpful steward chuckled and returned to hand me some tissues. Thank God no one else witness that!!!
So that's me. I feel so deeply at times. I can put myself in the shoes of the actors /actresses or even that of the characters. When usually the male leads shed a tear or two, in this movie, James Franco teared beautifully, my heart goes all out to the character. Its like I can step into the TV, the production and hug the poor fellow/actor. HAHAHA
I felt Tristan's dilemma loving Isolde, the wife he won on behalf of his king, the kind hearted Lord Marke who sort of 'adopted' him as a young orphan. I felt Tristan's pain when he finally choose honour and duty over love and when his character succumbed to the sword through his heart, I cried:
Tristan.........................................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXugMh1oX78
I love period drama. I remembered growing up in my teens watching Hercules and Robin Hood miniseries on tv. Every episode had me spellbound. There's something about love and honour with all the castles, beautiful scenery, sword fighting and equine scenes that left me wanting for more. I love to go back in time where there are no mobile phones, cars and aeroplanes or guns.
In this 2006 film version, Isolde found an injured, thought to be dead Tristan on the beach as she attempted to flee a betrothal to a warrior. She along with her maid nursed Tristan back into health and they loved each other though they were supposed to be enemies. I found myself thinking, "What if the Tristan that Isolde found was not at all gorgeous? " "Would she still nursed her enemy back into health? Afterall, he's English -an enemy." "What about Isolde, if as a Irish princess she had been lacking in beauty? Would Tristan fall in love with her, the only woman he's ever loved in his short tragic life?"
Looks matter, don't they? James Franco with his beautiful eyes is the perfect hunk to play Tristan and Sophia Myles a great beauty with all the hair extensions. I love their chemistry!!!!
During my adolescence, when school was a huge burden, I often imagined myself falling in love. I wanted to experience loving and being loved by a handsome young hunk. At that age, I never thought about religious and temperament compatibility or even artistic talents. My dream guy should be a few years older than me with beautiful hair -lots of it. I love the thought of running my fingers through a man's hair - I still do, occasionally play with Yan's hair. It's quite romantic!!!! HAHAHA
I had thought how wonderful it was if in the middle of a boring lecture, a bouquet of deep red roses came not for the teacher (usually bitches!!!) but for me?? All eyes would turn to see me as I beheld the beautiful flowers and wondered about the giver. Who was it from? Such mystery!! In the end it was from that handsome stranger whom I noticed had been subtly stalking me, waiting for me at the bus stop after school. BUT of course, if the stalker cum admirer was no where near slim and good looking it would have been utter humiliation should that fantasy materialise. Possibly the reason why I felt so disgusted when years ago I received some 50 roses from a secret admirer who was neither good looking nor smart. Such was my ego!!!!!HAHAHA
So i never admit it till now. I am a romantic at heart. En route Paris on my Europe tour in spring 1995, I found myself weeping alongside Brad Pitt, watching Legends of the Fall on the big screen in the plane when all others were asleep. It must be quite a sight of me crying with the headphones on. So much so that an Air France steward asked in heavily accented English, "Miss, are you alright?" I smiled through the tears and pointed at the movie. It made the helpful steward chuckled and returned to hand me some tissues. Thank God no one else witness that!!!
So that's me. I feel so deeply at times. I can put myself in the shoes of the actors /actresses or even that of the characters. When usually the male leads shed a tear or two, in this movie, James Franco teared beautifully, my heart goes all out to the character. Its like I can step into the TV, the production and hug the poor fellow/actor. HAHAHA
I felt Tristan's dilemma loving Isolde, the wife he won on behalf of his king, the kind hearted Lord Marke who sort of 'adopted' him as a young orphan. I felt Tristan's pain when he finally choose honour and duty over love and when his character succumbed to the sword through his heart, I cried:
Tristan.........................................
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXugMh1oX78
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Censorship Woes
Yan and I watched I am Dina last night. I had warned him that the norwegian film, a psycho thriller had scenes of aggression and much nudity. Unfortunately, the dvd I found was a code 3 item and all the important scenes were CUT- leaving behind a rather ordinary almost lame film.
I am Dina is an award winning film about a little girl, Dina who accidentally caused the death of her beloved mother. At the same time, she lost her father's love. Overwhelmed with grief the father who could not bear the sight of his little girl, abandoned her. Dina was hidden and looked after by the household servants. She became unruly-wild, unable to speak or even read. Her only playmate is a stable boy, Tomas, played by Hans Matheson.
Some kind soul had downloaded the entire movie in Youtube, and having watched the full version I was disappointed with my "lesser" dvd. I have started to collect some of Hans works and I ordered The Virgin Queen -Anne Marie Duff on the amazon yesterday. It should arrive some time before mid July. A long wait but worth it since I could not get the miniseries in Singapore and I loved the Han's Earl of Essex, so much...too much. HAHAHA
The missing critical scenes in I am Dina are all the intimate ones. There's the wedding scene where her old husband Jakob (Gerard Depardieu) tried to force himself on her but was humiliated by her publicly as a "stallion". Then Dina showed him who is the boss by making aggressive love to him leaving him in tears. I think the old man cried because he had no idea that his young bride was who she was -DINA. He felt over-powered and feared her much.
When Dina was married to the Old Jakob, she brought along her playmate Tomas, the stable boy. Now Tomas was a sad lone figure, often seen with the horses. The character of Dina, because of what she went through as a child, was unable to handle the trauma of loss. The next important development was to show her sexual aggression. The victim, her familiar playmate since childhood-Tomas the stable boy.
There was this scene that after Dina lost her husband who died of gangrene complications, Dina initiated sex with Tomas and he succumbed eventually. She aggressively used him again when her lover, the Russian Leo left her. Watching these scenes make you understand why Maria Bonnevie, won the best actress awards. When Dina suffered another loss - the departure of her lover, she literally forced herself upon the helpless Tomas. She tore at his clothes and rode on him aggressively for a long time, too long perhaps until she came. The audience was presented with quite a sight of her heaving full breasts and really heavy panting and thrusting. Then the tender part: She pushed him away when he tried to show some affection post coitus. One can see both the bewildered and disgusted look on the actor playing Tomas. Dina had used him again!!!
Other noteworthy scenes are namely when Tomas helped Dina birth her child -probably his and how she would not say ONE word when he took courage to ask if the child was his. Then there was the whole beautiful scene where she slapped him and he insisted, defiantly this time, that she "clean up her mess"- the blood on his lips -OUCH.
Overall, the movie boasts of breath-taking Norwegian scenery with the mountains and fishing villages. Hans matheson's role may be small but it was not insignificant. His scenes, especially the intimate ones balances the otherwise dark and ghostly story- a rather disturbing one. To me, he's one of the best actors around, not a celebrity per se but a serious actor blest with a handsome face, perfect body and i believe plentiful great career opportunites ahead.
I am Dina is an award winning film about a little girl, Dina who accidentally caused the death of her beloved mother. At the same time, she lost her father's love. Overwhelmed with grief the father who could not bear the sight of his little girl, abandoned her. Dina was hidden and looked after by the household servants. She became unruly-wild, unable to speak or even read. Her only playmate is a stable boy, Tomas, played by Hans Matheson.
Some kind soul had downloaded the entire movie in Youtube, and having watched the full version I was disappointed with my "lesser" dvd. I have started to collect some of Hans works and I ordered The Virgin Queen -Anne Marie Duff on the amazon yesterday. It should arrive some time before mid July. A long wait but worth it since I could not get the miniseries in Singapore and I loved the Han's Earl of Essex, so much...too much. HAHAHA
The missing critical scenes in I am Dina are all the intimate ones. There's the wedding scene where her old husband Jakob (Gerard Depardieu) tried to force himself on her but was humiliated by her publicly as a "stallion". Then Dina showed him who is the boss by making aggressive love to him leaving him in tears. I think the old man cried because he had no idea that his young bride was who she was -DINA. He felt over-powered and feared her much.
When Dina was married to the Old Jakob, she brought along her playmate Tomas, the stable boy. Now Tomas was a sad lone figure, often seen with the horses. The character of Dina, because of what she went through as a child, was unable to handle the trauma of loss. The next important development was to show her sexual aggression. The victim, her familiar playmate since childhood-Tomas the stable boy.
There was this scene that after Dina lost her husband who died of gangrene complications, Dina initiated sex with Tomas and he succumbed eventually. She aggressively used him again when her lover, the Russian Leo left her. Watching these scenes make you understand why Maria Bonnevie, won the best actress awards. When Dina suffered another loss - the departure of her lover, she literally forced herself upon the helpless Tomas. She tore at his clothes and rode on him aggressively for a long time, too long perhaps until she came. The audience was presented with quite a sight of her heaving full breasts and really heavy panting and thrusting. Then the tender part: She pushed him away when he tried to show some affection post coitus. One can see both the bewildered and disgusted look on the actor playing Tomas. Dina had used him again!!!
Other noteworthy scenes are namely when Tomas helped Dina birth her child -probably his and how she would not say ONE word when he took courage to ask if the child was his. Then there was the whole beautiful scene where she slapped him and he insisted, defiantly this time, that she "clean up her mess"- the blood on his lips -OUCH.
Overall, the movie boasts of breath-taking Norwegian scenery with the mountains and fishing villages. Hans matheson's role may be small but it was not insignificant. His scenes, especially the intimate ones balances the otherwise dark and ghostly story- a rather disturbing one. To me, he's one of the best actors around, not a celebrity per se but a serious actor blest with a handsome face, perfect body and i believe plentiful great career opportunites ahead.
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
J'adore le francais
I love French. I love the sound of it including the ever baffling gender of nouns. I can't remember when was it that I started loving this language. It happened way before my Europe tour Spring 1995 and probably started with my watching many a foreign movies in the cinemas. Reading the English subtitles sort of make me wish I could understand the beautiful language. As it is now, I prefer to have subtitles in french to follow the conversations when I watch a dvd.
Coincidentally, Yan learnt french as an elective in his university days. Between the two of us, he is way ahead of me in terms of grammar, vocabulary and pronounciation. Afterall, he had a real french course whereas mine was in the form of a "weirdo" old French native lady that eventually spooked me.
At the farewell dinner of Ludovic, who was to be posted to London, I found myself explaining to the young French guy my "horrible" French tutor. I actually forgot her name. Let's call her Mdm. Well, I was a young auditor and I decided to take personal french lessons from a native speaker in the late evenings after work. It was quite an adventure learning the language that I love and a misadventure as well. Mdm would teach me using photocopied materials and cassette tapes!!! GASP. We were already in the cd generation then!! Still, I was learning well, the numerals, the days of the week, months, and so on until she sort of expected me to join her for dinner as well.
Then, being courteous, I declined. But still I had to wait for her during lesson time to finish her cooking and dining. Subsequently, the lessons became more 'improper'. I was not sure if it was a 'french thing'???? I had remarked to Ludovic, but she started to wear only filmsy nightgowns, almost see through material and boy, it was not a comfortable thing when you could see your teacher's wrinkled breasts, like an old turkey ready for the oven. It also bothered me much that she's quite 'touchy', I personally do not like strangers touching me at all!!!!!! even on the hand.
When the peak audit season was round the corner, I decided to end the $200/ month lessons and to my horror, even with ample notice time, Mdm flew into a rage, throwing off tapes and materials on the floor. She yelled at me in french, and heavily accented English about asians being no good. No commitment. STUPID. etc Her bizarre behaviour only confirmed my hunch that she was a "weirdo". She had a Malaysian lover who was almost a third her age. I saw him once during lesson time and when they were kissing I almost puke my dinner due to the very vast age gap. What did he "see" in her????? a grandma that he never had????? SHUDDER!!!!!
Anyway, Ludovic thought it was weird too. The silly incident did not mar my interest in the subject at all. Instead I found myself eager to self-study at my own pace, leisurely, enjoying the very long process of mastering the language. It's like working on my figure and educating rachel and learning violin. I love to work on something very long term, its liken to art -sculpturing and painting. Forever, fine-tuning and correcting. Perfecting it.
Rachel now 4.5, is learning French as well with the very entertaining Salut Serge!!! dvd, cd pack produced by BBC. Already, she has a bookshelf full of french story books and other learning materials. She told me she prefer to learn french than mandarin even. In time to come, my entire family will probably need the help of Alliance Francaise when we have the budget for it.
This is a snap-shot of our home-schooling. Other than the usual academic subjects, Rachel gets to develop her artistic side, definitely her stronger side, with art, music and languages. For the past few days, she's been singing "No boundaries" by Kris Allen and Adam Lambert with a copy of the lyrics and her toy guitar like a rock star. Other days, she had fun all dressed up to do messy art work and then showcase her "acrylic masterpieces" in the gallery in her toy room.
Personally, having just revived my literary side, reading both Dr Zhivago and Tess of the D'urbervilles, I am now systematically memorising my Suzuki Vol One songs and re-learning my French. Both Yan and myself too, have a tonne of french materials in our bookshelves.
Who say that the life of a housewife is uninteresting?? Certainly not mine, when its full of learning activities, dvds, music, art,outings, new Jamie Oliver recipes on top of the housekeeping.
Coincidentally, Yan learnt french as an elective in his university days. Between the two of us, he is way ahead of me in terms of grammar, vocabulary and pronounciation. Afterall, he had a real french course whereas mine was in the form of a "weirdo" old French native lady that eventually spooked me.
At the farewell dinner of Ludovic, who was to be posted to London, I found myself explaining to the young French guy my "horrible" French tutor. I actually forgot her name. Let's call her Mdm. Well, I was a young auditor and I decided to take personal french lessons from a native speaker in the late evenings after work. It was quite an adventure learning the language that I love and a misadventure as well. Mdm would teach me using photocopied materials and cassette tapes!!! GASP. We were already in the cd generation then!! Still, I was learning well, the numerals, the days of the week, months, and so on until she sort of expected me to join her for dinner as well.
Then, being courteous, I declined. But still I had to wait for her during lesson time to finish her cooking and dining. Subsequently, the lessons became more 'improper'. I was not sure if it was a 'french thing'???? I had remarked to Ludovic, but she started to wear only filmsy nightgowns, almost see through material and boy, it was not a comfortable thing when you could see your teacher's wrinkled breasts, like an old turkey ready for the oven. It also bothered me much that she's quite 'touchy', I personally do not like strangers touching me at all!!!!!! even on the hand.
When the peak audit season was round the corner, I decided to end the $200/ month lessons and to my horror, even with ample notice time, Mdm flew into a rage, throwing off tapes and materials on the floor. She yelled at me in french, and heavily accented English about asians being no good. No commitment. STUPID. etc Her bizarre behaviour only confirmed my hunch that she was a "weirdo". She had a Malaysian lover who was almost a third her age. I saw him once during lesson time and when they were kissing I almost puke my dinner due to the very vast age gap. What did he "see" in her????? a grandma that he never had????? SHUDDER!!!!!
Anyway, Ludovic thought it was weird too. The silly incident did not mar my interest in the subject at all. Instead I found myself eager to self-study at my own pace, leisurely, enjoying the very long process of mastering the language. It's like working on my figure and educating rachel and learning violin. I love to work on something very long term, its liken to art -sculpturing and painting. Forever, fine-tuning and correcting. Perfecting it.
Rachel now 4.5, is learning French as well with the very entertaining Salut Serge!!! dvd, cd pack produced by BBC. Already, she has a bookshelf full of french story books and other learning materials. She told me she prefer to learn french than mandarin even. In time to come, my entire family will probably need the help of Alliance Francaise when we have the budget for it.
This is a snap-shot of our home-schooling. Other than the usual academic subjects, Rachel gets to develop her artistic side, definitely her stronger side, with art, music and languages. For the past few days, she's been singing "No boundaries" by Kris Allen and Adam Lambert with a copy of the lyrics and her toy guitar like a rock star. Other days, she had fun all dressed up to do messy art work and then showcase her "acrylic masterpieces" in the gallery in her toy room.
Personally, having just revived my literary side, reading both Dr Zhivago and Tess of the D'urbervilles, I am now systematically memorising my Suzuki Vol One songs and re-learning my French. Both Yan and myself too, have a tonne of french materials in our bookshelves.
Who say that the life of a housewife is uninteresting?? Certainly not mine, when its full of learning activities, dvds, music, art,outings, new Jamie Oliver recipes on top of the housekeeping.
Monday, 1 June 2009
Migration dream
The heat is killing me. I think the outdoor temperature is 34 deg - 10 deg more than what i desired. At home, the air-cons are on continually day and night. Frankly, Singapore is becoming a rather difficult place to live -mainly the weather and the education system.
Now I have been born and grew up here until I fell in love with Europe during Spring 1995. That tour, created in me the longing to settle in the continent one day with my family. I was single then. Fast-forward 14 years, I am now a mother, a home-maker, a violin student, and a tutor to my only child, Rachel now 4.5 years.
Yesterday, I visited a London property exhibition with Yan and Jac, my sister. It was an eye-opener though the property development was near the Heathrow Airport and near one of the London Underground stations. The concept interest me, a modern "village", self sufficient with shops and amenities, facilities, a boutique hotel amongst houses that many middle class lived. The apartments range from 387 sq ft to 820sq ft, very tiny and expensive, ideal for yuppies but with families I would rather stay in older, larger countryside houses.
Imagine living in a 4 storey, 8 bedroom mansion, complete with an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, gardens, sophisticated garage system to name a few. The price GBP 45 million, or S$105,000,000. I almost fainted, such houses are meant for A list Hollywood celebrities or pseudo pastors, or pseudo charity workers or ponzi schemers. Ideally, I would prefer to live between the country and the city, for a more balanced life and convenience. Some of the country mansions come with stable and barn and are priced around GBP 2million. Still a lot to pay for being miles and miles away from 'necessities" including hospitals and shopping centres.
Nevertheless, I believe when the time comes for my family to move, God would have provided some place suitable, and to our liking. An old Victorian house??? I just have the hunch that Rachel will enjoy her studies abroad, mainly homeschooling and music and art. And our family will be with her throughout.
Years ago a close church brother YK migrated to Canada in his mid 30s shortly after the tragic death of his invalid mum. I remembered he sold his Bedok apartment and closed his CPF account and left us forever. I tried but was not able to locate him on facebook. Afterall our age gap of 12 years meant that he belongs to another generation and no matter how the church tried to pull strings, he will always remain a caring uncle to me. I wonder how is he now?? married???
This dream, of staying in London and travelling much in europe will come to pass I believe since it was placed in our hearts long, long ago. I am very much hoping that in the next 5 years it will materialise. In the meantime, i will do my best to read up on United Kingdom and trust God for his abundant provisions on a daily basis. Rachel is already all excited.
Now I have been born and grew up here until I fell in love with Europe during Spring 1995. That tour, created in me the longing to settle in the continent one day with my family. I was single then. Fast-forward 14 years, I am now a mother, a home-maker, a violin student, and a tutor to my only child, Rachel now 4.5 years.
Yesterday, I visited a London property exhibition with Yan and Jac, my sister. It was an eye-opener though the property development was near the Heathrow Airport and near one of the London Underground stations. The concept interest me, a modern "village", self sufficient with shops and amenities, facilities, a boutique hotel amongst houses that many middle class lived. The apartments range from 387 sq ft to 820sq ft, very tiny and expensive, ideal for yuppies but with families I would rather stay in older, larger countryside houses.
Imagine living in a 4 storey, 8 bedroom mansion, complete with an indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, gardens, sophisticated garage system to name a few. The price GBP 45 million, or S$105,000,000. I almost fainted, such houses are meant for A list Hollywood celebrities or pseudo pastors, or pseudo charity workers or ponzi schemers. Ideally, I would prefer to live between the country and the city, for a more balanced life and convenience. Some of the country mansions come with stable and barn and are priced around GBP 2million. Still a lot to pay for being miles and miles away from 'necessities" including hospitals and shopping centres.
Nevertheless, I believe when the time comes for my family to move, God would have provided some place suitable, and to our liking. An old Victorian house??? I just have the hunch that Rachel will enjoy her studies abroad, mainly homeschooling and music and art. And our family will be with her throughout.
Years ago a close church brother YK migrated to Canada in his mid 30s shortly after the tragic death of his invalid mum. I remembered he sold his Bedok apartment and closed his CPF account and left us forever. I tried but was not able to locate him on facebook. Afterall our age gap of 12 years meant that he belongs to another generation and no matter how the church tried to pull strings, he will always remain a caring uncle to me. I wonder how is he now?? married???
This dream, of staying in London and travelling much in europe will come to pass I believe since it was placed in our hearts long, long ago. I am very much hoping that in the next 5 years it will materialise. In the meantime, i will do my best to read up on United Kingdom and trust God for his abundant provisions on a daily basis. Rachel is already all excited.
Impromptu
I am into collecting dvds especially on music performances, opera and films about composers. A quick check into our vast dvd library, revealed Amadeus-about my all times favourite Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. My Immortal Beloved-Ludwig Van Beethoven and now I am watching:
Impromptu- This 1991 romantic comedy is about the controversial 19th century feminist author George Sand and the unlikely object of her desire: Well-mannered composer Frederic Chopin, says the video cover. The film starred Hugh Grant, as the frail and sickly composer and Judy Davis as his suitor.
Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola near the Polish capital in 1809/10, the only son of 4 children. His father a French immigrant to Poland played the flute and the violin and worked as a tutor to the children of the aristocrats. Chopin's mother played the piano and it made him wept with emotion as a young boy. He began music lessons very young, taught initially by his eldest sister and then polish tutors and at 8 saw his first composition in print. It was a polonaise. I wondered which one was it???? . "He was a genius, born with certain reflexes in his fingers, ears and mind that less fortunate musicians never attained' (The Lives of Great Composers -Harold C. Schonberg).
Chopin's own father wrote," You know, that the mechanics of piano playing occupied little of your time, and that your mind was busier than your fingers. If others had spent whole days working at the keyboard, your rarely spent an hour playing other men's music." Such was his talent that he decided to compose only for the love of his instrument- the keyboard. In fact, Chopin gave very little concerts, he last recital at age 26 was 26 April 1835 though he did concerts right up to 1848 for polish refugees. Chopin very much prefered to play in the intimate surroundings of a salon- for friends and the French aristocractic society that he moved in and was well loved and respected.
Physically, Chopin was short, slim and fair with bluish grey eyes. He had a prominent nose and was coughing much due to tuberculosis. He was physically weak and tried to avoid the draft. However, Chopin had many students, mostly countesses and princesses and he was never in need financially unlike Mozart. He lived in luxury.
At the party of the Countess Marie d'Agoult, the mistress of his contemporary, the virtuoso Franz Liszt, Chopin met George Sand whose real name was Aurore Dudevant, a divorcee of two children, a notorious wild woman with a huge string of lovers including possibly Liszt. George Sand was a feminist who wrote about the degradation of marriages and smoked cigars. She was often dressed and behaved like a man with the bowler hat and all.
Chopin initially felt an aversion for Sand "What a repulsive woman Sand is! But is she really a woman? I am inclined to doubt it." By the summer of 1838, Chopin's and Sand's involvement was an open secret.
In the movie, there was a memorable scene in which at the party of a certain countess, Sand climbed into Chopin's room through the window and placed herself right under his piano since she was so capitvated by his music-the language of gods. He was playing a nocturne and almost died of shock upon his discovery of the crazy woman. Hugh Grant played the character very well and even had a piano coach to advise him on posture, and breathing at the piano. However, the straight-faced musician who was neither effeminate nor chaste eventually succumbed to the courtship of Sand who was so smitten by his music she even transformed herself to capture his fragile heart. He liked women of high intellect.
They were together for several years-opposites attract. Chopin was liken to a "lady" and Sand the "man" in the relationship in terms of relationship qualities. So Sand babied , mothered, looked after him and the relationship appeared plationic with no children and no evidence of Sand having other partners as well. Sand becaome more of a nurse and eventually she did remarry another notorious sculptor. In the end Chopin died of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis at age of 39. George Sand's daughter Solange, his favourite among her two was with him on that fateful day 17 October 1849. There were stories that many countesses, students took turns to sing and play for him while he was passing on.
During my 1995 Europe tour, i had visited Warsaw's Holy Cross Church where in one of the pillars was laid Chopin's heart. In recent years there were requests by scientists to examine this poor heart but the Polish government would not agree to it. I remembered staring at the pillar, with its ornamental bouquet, dumbfounded at the idea of a human heart in brandy??(it was at Chopin's request, he had a fear of being buried alive) at my eye level. I had said to myself, surely I must get to know more about Chopin and his beautiful music that I already loved much.
With Frederic Chopin, the piano became a total instrument-singing, poetry, infinite colours, nuances, intimate and heroic. There was a whole new level of ideas on pedalling, fingering, rhythm and colours taken up by younger students of his days.The apotheosis of the piano under Chopin is liken to what Nicolo Paganini did to the violin several years earlier. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!
Chopin left us with so much music to explore -waltz, marzuka, etude, polonaise, nocturne,scherzo, prelude, fantasy, impromptu, ballade, variations, sonata and concertos and so on. His music is both lyric and spontaneous. It has mass appeal.
Perhaps it's about time for Yan the Chopin lover, to teach me some Chopin pieces athough the piano is strictly not my instrument. I can start with a prelude in C# minor op 28 since it is only 20 seconds long. I will learn it note by note, phrase by phrase. Pity Chopin did not write any music for violin-my favourite instrument. But there are always transcriptions of his piano music into violin pieces.
I will get there!!
Impromptu- This 1991 romantic comedy is about the controversial 19th century feminist author George Sand and the unlikely object of her desire: Well-mannered composer Frederic Chopin, says the video cover. The film starred Hugh Grant, as the frail and sickly composer and Judy Davis as his suitor.
Chopin was born in Zelazowa Wola near the Polish capital in 1809/10, the only son of 4 children. His father a French immigrant to Poland played the flute and the violin and worked as a tutor to the children of the aristocrats. Chopin's mother played the piano and it made him wept with emotion as a young boy. He began music lessons very young, taught initially by his eldest sister and then polish tutors and at 8 saw his first composition in print. It was a polonaise. I wondered which one was it???? . "He was a genius, born with certain reflexes in his fingers, ears and mind that less fortunate musicians never attained' (The Lives of Great Composers -Harold C. Schonberg).
Chopin's own father wrote," You know, that the mechanics of piano playing occupied little of your time, and that your mind was busier than your fingers. If others had spent whole days working at the keyboard, your rarely spent an hour playing other men's music." Such was his talent that he decided to compose only for the love of his instrument- the keyboard. In fact, Chopin gave very little concerts, he last recital at age 26 was 26 April 1835 though he did concerts right up to 1848 for polish refugees. Chopin very much prefered to play in the intimate surroundings of a salon- for friends and the French aristocractic society that he moved in and was well loved and respected.
Physically, Chopin was short, slim and fair with bluish grey eyes. He had a prominent nose and was coughing much due to tuberculosis. He was physically weak and tried to avoid the draft. However, Chopin had many students, mostly countesses and princesses and he was never in need financially unlike Mozart. He lived in luxury.
At the party of the Countess Marie d'Agoult, the mistress of his contemporary, the virtuoso Franz Liszt, Chopin met George Sand whose real name was Aurore Dudevant, a divorcee of two children, a notorious wild woman with a huge string of lovers including possibly Liszt. George Sand was a feminist who wrote about the degradation of marriages and smoked cigars. She was often dressed and behaved like a man with the bowler hat and all.
Chopin initially felt an aversion for Sand "What a repulsive woman Sand is! But is she really a woman? I am inclined to doubt it." By the summer of 1838, Chopin's and Sand's involvement was an open secret.
In the movie, there was a memorable scene in which at the party of a certain countess, Sand climbed into Chopin's room through the window and placed herself right under his piano since she was so capitvated by his music-the language of gods. He was playing a nocturne and almost died of shock upon his discovery of the crazy woman. Hugh Grant played the character very well and even had a piano coach to advise him on posture, and breathing at the piano. However, the straight-faced musician who was neither effeminate nor chaste eventually succumbed to the courtship of Sand who was so smitten by his music she even transformed herself to capture his fragile heart. He liked women of high intellect.
They were together for several years-opposites attract. Chopin was liken to a "lady" and Sand the "man" in the relationship in terms of relationship qualities. So Sand babied , mothered, looked after him and the relationship appeared plationic with no children and no evidence of Sand having other partners as well. Sand becaome more of a nurse and eventually she did remarry another notorious sculptor. In the end Chopin died of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis at age of 39. George Sand's daughter Solange, his favourite among her two was with him on that fateful day 17 October 1849. There were stories that many countesses, students took turns to sing and play for him while he was passing on.
During my 1995 Europe tour, i had visited Warsaw's Holy Cross Church where in one of the pillars was laid Chopin's heart. In recent years there were requests by scientists to examine this poor heart but the Polish government would not agree to it. I remembered staring at the pillar, with its ornamental bouquet, dumbfounded at the idea of a human heart in brandy??(it was at Chopin's request, he had a fear of being buried alive) at my eye level. I had said to myself, surely I must get to know more about Chopin and his beautiful music that I already loved much.
With Frederic Chopin, the piano became a total instrument-singing, poetry, infinite colours, nuances, intimate and heroic. There was a whole new level of ideas on pedalling, fingering, rhythm and colours taken up by younger students of his days.The apotheosis of the piano under Chopin is liken to what Nicolo Paganini did to the violin several years earlier. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!
Chopin left us with so much music to explore -waltz, marzuka, etude, polonaise, nocturne,scherzo, prelude, fantasy, impromptu, ballade, variations, sonata and concertos and so on. His music is both lyric and spontaneous. It has mass appeal.
Perhaps it's about time for Yan the Chopin lover, to teach me some Chopin pieces athough the piano is strictly not my instrument. I can start with a prelude in C# minor op 28 since it is only 20 seconds long. I will learn it note by note, phrase by phrase. Pity Chopin did not write any music for violin-my favourite instrument. But there are always transcriptions of his piano music into violin pieces.
I will get there!!
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