The final days of my URGO research.
Tomorrow at 2:30PM is when I shall be presenting.
If you are available at that time, do drop by the choir room and watch me perform.
This is my ideal presentation:
In the beginning, my initial goal in my research is to be able to compile books and books of methods written for the style of singing-acting in opera. Since the opera industry has been focusing their productions more into the arts of acting, I wanted to read and learn about these methods, and put them into practice before I head out into the real world. Besides reading, Janet and I have also decided to set up interviews and coaching sessions with the local opera artists to understand the industry's condition a little better.
Surprisingly, there weren't as many books written about the methods of singing-acting for the operatic stage today. Most opera methodology books were written in the 1950-1960. The conditions of the opera industry in these books were not as up to date as our condition today. Seeing this, we realize that our crucial question is no longer "what are the methods?"--because there were none.
Through our many interviews, we became aware of a gap created between the shift in expectations of an opera singer today, and seeing well trained singers-actors performing in operas. The new question is "How and where are opera singers being helped to adapt to the new style of opera singing today?"
With our new question in mind, we eventually shifted our focus to the interview responses for more information.
Opera is a traditional art form. It is high art--"The Olympics of the Voice". It is such a stylized form of art that it takes decades to master the vocal technique on its own. Singers must learn the music theory, the music history and tradition, the opera's background, and the languages in order to be able to "sing well".
Our interviews have shown that it takes more than great singing to make it in the opera industry today. We are required to sing well, act well and natural, look attractive, and have a great personality on stage.
The main factor that has caused this change in the industry is the development in our media. The television and video camera were invented, more operas were being recorded and aired on TVs.
The Metropolitan Opera doesn't even travel and perform internationally as much as they use to. They now have what's called "Met at the Movies", where people could sit and eat popcorn while watching operas in movie theaters for an affordable price.
From the marketing standpoint, this is a strategic move. It makes opera more accessible and friendlier to all common people--those that like operas and those that don't. Their productions are set to fit the needs of the recording cameras and the HD screens.
Because of this, opera productions are now set to satisfy the needs of recording equipments. However, the product set to satisfy technology does not honor the traditional style of opera singing. Opera is the theater of the voice, and when the industry takes this stylize high art form and tries to fit it into the screen, the voice is no longer the main focus. Instead, the looks become a more dominant concern.
The voice and looks may be enough for the recording equipments, but that does not mean that it may be enough to attract the attention of an opera house as big as 3 football fields combined.
Through our interviews, we also found the importance of realism in opera. Audiences want to see real people on the operatic stage. They want singers to look like their character. They want the production to look more believable.
This is another factor that cause this shift. Singers must learn how to be convincing as their character on stage. They cannot just walk on stage thinking that they can win the hearts of listeners without looking "natural" and acting "real". They want to see real characters that they can relate to.
Fifty years ago, opera was all about the singer as themselves. They were known as themselves on stage, they were known for their voices. They did not need to live, walk, and move like their characters on stage. People idolized and adored Callas for Callas, Caballe for Caballe, Carrusso for Carrusso, Pavarotti for Pavarotti and so on.
They were not idolized because of their convincing acting, they convinced audiences through their great stylized singing. They made drama through their voices.
This change is shifting opera to a new style of singing. Singers need to communicate the music's intention through their singing and acting combined.
From what we have seen in the interviews, people are noticing this change. People are admitting that they want to see more acting. People are complaining that opera singers do not know how to act and are not believable enough on stage.
However, it is truly unfortunate that there has not been anyone besides Wesley who has came close to figuring out a method to help future opera singers to adapt to this shift in expectation. The changes wanted in opera requires a change in the training and teaching of this art form.
Institutions and conservatories are still training the voice through the traditional teaching, some are beginning to include acting and body movement classes into their curriculum. But none have been able to teach a method that could hep singers combine the skill of singing-acting as a whole.
If the style of this art form is to change, the training needs to change accordingly. The traditional training of singing and the training of acting cannot satisfy the attributes needed in singer-actors.
We need a method that could train us to combine and balance our singing-acting abilities on stage.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Women
Strong and Successful Women:
Seen as weirdos
Most of the time are outcasts
Willful is seen as a form of stubbornness
Workaholics
Selfish
Most of the time, alone
Has only a handful of friends
A heartless bitch
Too picky, too fussy
Ideal Characteristics of Women:
Baking cookies
Cook good meals
Baby Machines
Stay at home
Work part time
Knit or sew
Raise the kids
Weak and emotional
Clean and organized
Creative
Obedient to her responsibilities
Does it always have to be like that? Can this ever change?
Cabbage Wabbage
Seen as weirdos
Most of the time are outcasts
Willful is seen as a form of stubbornness
Workaholics
Selfish
Most of the time, alone
Has only a handful of friends
A heartless bitch
Too picky, too fussy
Ideal Characteristics of Women:
Baking cookies
Cook good meals
Baby Machines
Stay at home
Work part time
Knit or sew
Raise the kids
Weak and emotional
Clean and organized
Creative
Obedient to her responsibilities
Does it always have to be like that? Can this ever change?
Cabbage Wabbage
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Successful Men
Do not allow their emotions to get in the way of their goals.
They are able to separate their life goals from their personal lives and not allow the two of them to clash.
They are so goal oriented that when they get into fights with their girls, they are able to move on in a blink of an eye.
They feel guilt, but they are not guilty enough to let the guilt get to them.
They feel anger, but they are not angry for long.
After a little burst and one punch into the wall, they move on with their lives again.
You wanna get over with a problem?
Easy.
Just forget about it.
Find another girl.
Focus your energy into drugs.
Be a workaholic.
Play video games all day.
Love something else.
Why invest my time and emotions into something that saddens me?
Why have a leash around my neck when I can easily choose to be free?
Yup...
This is why men can become so much more successful than women.
They are able to separate their life goals from their personal lives and not allow the two of them to clash.
They are so goal oriented that when they get into fights with their girls, they are able to move on in a blink of an eye.
They feel guilt, but they are not guilty enough to let the guilt get to them.
They feel anger, but they are not angry for long.
After a little burst and one punch into the wall, they move on with their lives again.
You wanna get over with a problem?
Easy.
Just forget about it.
Find another girl.
Focus your energy into drugs.
Be a workaholic.
Play video games all day.
Love something else.
Why invest my time and emotions into something that saddens me?
Why have a leash around my neck when I can easily choose to be free?
Yup...
This is why men can become so much more successful than women.
Female Vs. Male
It's great to be in a relationship. But sometimes, I can't help but to wonder how much more fun life would be to be a guy.
Females are born to be emotional. We care about things a lot more than males, which can cause more worries, heartaches, stress and anxiety.
Our decisions and goals are consistently influenced by our emotional journey.
Growth happens when we choose to feel less and think more goal-orientated.
Why do we feel self-worth when we sacrifice ourselves for others?
The Savior Syndrome. Many times, we think that we are able to save men from making stupid and childish mistakes.
For some reason, we always mistaken our emotions as wisdom. We think that because we feel more, we are wiser and more mature.
We think that we must help men because they are being too objective about their problems. "They are just not in touch with their emotions", so we must help them to see that they are making wrong decisions.
But seriously girls, how many of us have actually felt like the energy and emotions that we've invested to "help men" have actually grant us successful crops? Did they ever learn? Will they ever learn?
In the end, we always find ourselves feeling worthless. Our lives that we've sacrificed for men become pointless.
And here we are again. Lost in the middle of no where. Lonely, and scarred.
Yes? No?
And if you look at the society, there are respectful and successful women. But if you were to compare the life successes between a successful lady to a successful an, you cannot deny that males usually able to achieve more goals and earn more credits. They have the energy saved p to do more. Whereas for the female, our energy orients around our emotions and feelings.
Sometimes, I'd like to think that it is better for girls to be less in touch with their femininity, and think more like a guy.
Cabbage Wabbage
Females are born to be emotional. We care about things a lot more than males, which can cause more worries, heartaches, stress and anxiety.
Our decisions and goals are consistently influenced by our emotional journey.
Growth happens when we choose to feel less and think more goal-orientated.
Why do we feel self-worth when we sacrifice ourselves for others?
The Savior Syndrome. Many times, we think that we are able to save men from making stupid and childish mistakes.
For some reason, we always mistaken our emotions as wisdom. We think that because we feel more, we are wiser and more mature.
We think that we must help men because they are being too objective about their problems. "They are just not in touch with their emotions", so we must help them to see that they are making wrong decisions.
But seriously girls, how many of us have actually felt like the energy and emotions that we've invested to "help men" have actually grant us successful crops? Did they ever learn? Will they ever learn?
In the end, we always find ourselves feeling worthless. Our lives that we've sacrificed for men become pointless.
And here we are again. Lost in the middle of no where. Lonely, and scarred.
Yes? No?
And if you look at the society, there are respectful and successful women. But if you were to compare the life successes between a successful lady to a successful an, you cannot deny that males usually able to achieve more goals and earn more credits. They have the energy saved p to do more. Whereas for the female, our energy orients around our emotions and feelings.
Sometimes, I'd like to think that it is better for girls to be less in touch with their femininity, and think more like a guy.
Cabbage Wabbage
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Mantras...
Be true to yourself.
Have a soul of steel.
If you can live without it, don't. If you can't, do!
You must find a way to be able to say "Yes, I deserve to occupy space of this stage!"
Your only competition is yourself.
****Side note****
I did not consider the consequences of indulging in chocolate.
The forbidden drug that is too frequently mistaken as a stress reliever.
Now I feel bloated, sick, and I can feel sores all over my swollen lips.
Chocolate is definitely not one of the mantras for a young opera singer.
Reminder: No more chocolate for a really long time.
Cabbage Wabbage
Have a soul of steel.
If you can live without it, don't. If you can't, do!
You must find a way to be able to say "Yes, I deserve to occupy space of this stage!"
Your only competition is yourself.
****Side note****
I did not consider the consequences of indulging in chocolate.
The forbidden drug that is too frequently mistaken as a stress reliever.
Now I feel bloated, sick, and I can feel sores all over my swollen lips.
Chocolate is definitely not one of the mantras for a young opera singer.
Reminder: No more chocolate for a really long time.
Cabbage Wabbage
More on Opera
Okay, so I guess it is true that the culture has everything to do with the shift in opera industry.
With opera being broad-casted on screen, singers must learn the techniques of looking great and convincing"realistic" in their performances.
The gap happens between these two pools of people in the industry.
Pool 1: People who expects to see real people with raw emotions on stage.
Pool 2: People who expects to hear good singing quality on stage.
Safe assumption: Majority opera listeners and watchers lie in Pool 1
In the end, what are the most important aspect in opera?
The voice of opera singers. We choose who we want to be on stage, without us, there can be no opera to perform.
So here's the industry complaining on one side about bad acting and ugly faces on stage, regardless the great singing.
While on the other side, the industry complains about the awful sound projection and horrible musical interpretation, regardless the great acting.
What is great singing and great acting combined?
As a singer, I know that my best performance happened when I was truly honest to myself.
It is vulnerability.
The willingness to share on stage.
When an artist is true to him or herself, it is only natural for him or her to want to be true to the music and the drama in opera.
It is our responsibility to get listeners to love what we do.
It is our responsibility to communicate the beauty of music through our instrument.
It is not about earning performance credits, and being a world known opera star.
It is about the purpose of our lives.
Because it means so much to us, we want other people to have a chance to feel the same way about music as well.
Cabbage Wabbage
With opera being broad-casted on screen, singers must learn the techniques of looking great and convincing"realistic" in their performances.
The gap happens between these two pools of people in the industry.
Pool 1: People who expects to see real people with raw emotions on stage.
Pool 2: People who expects to hear good singing quality on stage.
Safe assumption: Majority opera listeners and watchers lie in Pool 1
In the end, what are the most important aspect in opera?
The voice of opera singers. We choose who we want to be on stage, without us, there can be no opera to perform.
So here's the industry complaining on one side about bad acting and ugly faces on stage, regardless the great singing.
While on the other side, the industry complains about the awful sound projection and horrible musical interpretation, regardless the great acting.
What is great singing and great acting combined?
As a singer, I know that my best performance happened when I was truly honest to myself.
It is vulnerability.
The willingness to share on stage.
When an artist is true to him or herself, it is only natural for him or her to want to be true to the music and the drama in opera.
It is our responsibility to get listeners to love what we do.
It is our responsibility to communicate the beauty of music through our instrument.
It is not about earning performance credits, and being a world known opera star.
It is about the purpose of our lives.
Because it means so much to us, we want other people to have a chance to feel the same way about music as well.
Cabbage Wabbage
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Opera is Diamond
Opera vs. theater. No matter how hard you try, the truth is, they are not the same thing.
Everyone keeps babbling and nippering about how opera must change into a theatrical art form.
But how many of them actually stepped up and wrote a book suggesting ways to approach this shift?
Opera is the theater of the voice, not the theater of realism.
We keep pushing for this change, but in the past half century, no one has figured out the right ways to balance acting and singing. And I have a strong feeling that this forced push can only leave our ears with more sour music.
If it is not right, it will not feel right...it will not look right...and it will not sound right.
Why cover gold with silver? Just because the culture cannot see the worth in a diamond, does not mean that we(the musicians) should turn it into stone.
A diamond will always be a diamond, but if one cannot see the worth in that diamond, he will not appreciate it the way it should be appreciated.
Why would someone ever prefer a stone over a diamond?
Or Hershey's over Godiva?
Or cheap copied print over the original?
Or a cheap slut over a noble queen?
Why must we lower ourselves for the dumb unappreciative minds?
There isn't an answer, because there should never be one.
Cabbage Wabbage
Everyone keeps babbling and nippering about how opera must change into a theatrical art form.
But how many of them actually stepped up and wrote a book suggesting ways to approach this shift?
Opera is the theater of the voice, not the theater of realism.
We keep pushing for this change, but in the past half century, no one has figured out the right ways to balance acting and singing. And I have a strong feeling that this forced push can only leave our ears with more sour music.
If it is not right, it will not feel right...it will not look right...and it will not sound right.
Why cover gold with silver? Just because the culture cannot see the worth in a diamond, does not mean that we(the musicians) should turn it into stone.
A diamond will always be a diamond, but if one cannot see the worth in that diamond, he will not appreciate it the way it should be appreciated.
Why would someone ever prefer a stone over a diamond?
Or Hershey's over Godiva?
Or cheap copied print over the original?
Or a cheap slut over a noble queen?
Why must we lower ourselves for the dumb unappreciative minds?
There isn't an answer, because there should never be one.
Cabbage Wabbage
Good Morning!!
A brand new day.
What can I look forward to today?
Working on my paper,
practicing my arias,
working with new emotions,
meeting with Janet,
Seeing Alec,
going to voice lesson,
staying after to listen to more voices,
workshop tonight,
Possibly making some scones?
It's such a hard thing to get myself motivated each morning,
but I've decided that it's best for me to look forward to every simple moment,
and cherish them like no other.
I have to learn to be present,
and not allow my mind to get all caught up in my worries.
Cabbage Wabbage
What can I look forward to today?
Working on my paper,
practicing my arias,
working with new emotions,
meeting with Janet,
Seeing Alec,
going to voice lesson,
staying after to listen to more voices,
workshop tonight,
Possibly making some scones?
It's such a hard thing to get myself motivated each morning,
but I've decided that it's best for me to look forward to every simple moment,
and cherish them like no other.
I have to learn to be present,
and not allow my mind to get all caught up in my worries.
Cabbage Wabbage
Monday, July 21, 2008
My Center
A flat plane...
That goes on and on down the horizon.
I stand...
In the middle of this infinite platform.
Who am I?
I am an instrument that never cease.
I am a fountain of streams and streams of music.
I am an explosion of musical fireworks.
I am the center
Spinning in my own point.
And the rest orbits around me.
In my universe,
there will never be silence.
I can move whenever I please.
There will always be a lesson to learn.
The future hold only improvements,
Failures will not destroy me.
In my universe,
there will only be love.
Love to give and take.
to share and embrace.
Rejections will not be an issue.
I will always be ready to serve and be used,
but never be taken advantage of.
My universe only exist for my own,
no one else will have my universe.
No one else but the Creator has the key to my universe.
It belongs to me.
Cabbage Wabbage
That goes on and on down the horizon.
I stand...
In the middle of this infinite platform.
Who am I?
I am an instrument that never cease.
I am a fountain of streams and streams of music.
I am an explosion of musical fireworks.
I am the center
Spinning in my own point.
And the rest orbits around me.
In my universe,
there will never be silence.
I can move whenever I please.
There will always be a lesson to learn.
The future hold only improvements,
Failures will not destroy me.
In my universe,
there will only be love.
Love to give and take.
to share and embrace.
Rejections will not be an issue.
I will always be ready to serve and be used,
but never be taken advantage of.
My universe only exist for my own,
no one else will have my universe.
No one else but the Creator has the key to my universe.
It belongs to me.
Cabbage Wabbage
Sunny Days
Make me smile.
My room faces the east, and the only time I can actually get some sun shine in my room is in the mornings.
My favorite time of the day is 10am to 12pm. Every second makes me smile.
I am so psyched you guys!!
July is almost over and the best month of the year is approaching.
Give me some August, babieeee~!
Things to look forward to:
-My baby sister, Catherine's birthday
-The end of my URGO research
-My new job, Coffee Shop Student Manager
-New workers to train in
-New international students to pick up
-More voice lessons
-New music to practice
-CAMPING!!! WOOOO HOOOOO~~~~Yippee YAY YAY~
last but not least, my 21st birthday.
tsk tsk tsk....
Hope all is well,
Cabbage Wabbage
My room faces the east, and the only time I can actually get some sun shine in my room is in the mornings.
My favorite time of the day is 10am to 12pm. Every second makes me smile.
I am so psyched you guys!!
July is almost over and the best month of the year is approaching.
Give me some August, babieeee~!
Things to look forward to:
-My baby sister, Catherine's birthday
-The end of my URGO research
-My new job, Coffee Shop Student Manager
-New workers to train in
-New international students to pick up
-More voice lessons
-New music to practice
-CAMPING!!! WOOOO HOOOOO~~~~Yippee YAY YAY~
last but not least, my 21st birthday.
tsk tsk tsk....
Hope all is well,
Cabbage Wabbage
Friday, July 18, 2008
Djibareesch
monkey peppers moron porcupine galaxy aardwolf intrude plumbing armpit cassowary fumes iron hairy pyrite muse sloop poopy rotund flower stamen grassy flip mouse fleas slinks grappa pukima 13 ovary oligarchy rescues ornithopter penetrate pension graduate guilding scales scutes aroma acacia verrismo Vespucci pordamenti palmetto ritardanto ricochet cricket crops balls billow antidisestablishmentarianism
Thank you
Thank you.
In Malay, you would say it like this...
Terima kasih.
Literally, it means "accept care." I offer my care for you to accept the same way I have accepted the care you've offered to me.
I don't know why this stood out to me today.
After work in the coffee shop, I said thank you to my manager and I was surprised by how much I meant it.
I have been able to accept his care,
And now all I can do is to offer my care in return.
Yea...just a lesson I've learned today =)
Cabbage Wabbage
In Malay, you would say it like this...
Terima kasih.
Literally, it means "accept care." I offer my care for you to accept the same way I have accepted the care you've offered to me.
I don't know why this stood out to me today.
After work in the coffee shop, I said thank you to my manager and I was surprised by how much I meant it.
I have been able to accept his care,
And now all I can do is to offer my care in return.
Yea...just a lesson I've learned today =)
Cabbage Wabbage
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sometimes I Forget...
Why do I sing?
I sing because I want to share the beauty of music.
I don't ever want to sing for myself.
Every note that I vocalize should be given completely to the people.
Every praise I receive must be returned gratefully to the Creator.
Nothing that I do in my art belongs to me.
I can only improve and seek for the perfection that it already has.
I am merely an instrument being called and used for the glory of God.
The priority is for the beauty of the Creator of music.
Not me.
I need to sing for the world...
I need to sing for God...
I am singing because I cannot go on without singing.
Cabbage Wabbage
I sing because I want to share the beauty of music.
I don't ever want to sing for myself.
Every note that I vocalize should be given completely to the people.
Every praise I receive must be returned gratefully to the Creator.
Nothing that I do in my art belongs to me.
I can only improve and seek for the perfection that it already has.
I am merely an instrument being called and used for the glory of God.
The priority is for the beauty of the Creator of music.
Not me.
I need to sing for the world...
I need to sing for God...
I am singing because I cannot go on without singing.
Cabbage Wabbage
The Arts
Art is life.
Art is personal.
An artist gives away a part of him in each of his creation.
It is his life.
That is why not everyone can be an artist.
It is difficult.
You must know yourself.
You must be vulnerable.
You cannot allow people destroy your work of art.
If you do so, you are allowing them to destroy you.
You can never completely master a type of art.
You can never completely master life.
It is a quest.
It is a process.
It is beautiful if you know that it is.
It is ugly if you call it ugly.
It is what it is.
How you treat your art is how you treat your life.
It will show in your work.
What is manipulated and made up.
What is sincere and genuine.
What is forced and impatient.
What is natural and patient.
The arts is the most difficult and beautiful form of product in life.
There is no formula and it cannot be manufactured.
It is the highest level of understanding in life.
Some may see it as the highest level of misunderstanding in life.
It is our international language.
...the arts...
can be hated
can be loved
can be neglected
can be accepted
the creator can be idolized
the creator can be cherished
the creator can be replaced
the creator can be destroyed
but the art stays...
It is seconds, minutes, days, weeks, years,
it is life...
Art is personal.
An artist gives away a part of him in each of his creation.
It is his life.
That is why not everyone can be an artist.
It is difficult.
You must know yourself.
You must be vulnerable.
You cannot allow people destroy your work of art.
If you do so, you are allowing them to destroy you.
You can never completely master a type of art.
You can never completely master life.
It is a quest.
It is a process.
It is beautiful if you know that it is.
It is ugly if you call it ugly.
It is what it is.
How you treat your art is how you treat your life.
It will show in your work.
What is manipulated and made up.
What is sincere and genuine.
What is forced and impatient.
What is natural and patient.
The arts is the most difficult and beautiful form of product in life.
There is no formula and it cannot be manufactured.
It is the highest level of understanding in life.
Some may see it as the highest level of misunderstanding in life.
It is our international language.
...the arts...
can be hated
can be loved
can be neglected
can be accepted
the creator can be idolized
the creator can be cherished
the creator can be replaced
the creator can be destroyed
but the art stays...
It is seconds, minutes, days, weeks, years,
it is life...
Homesick again...
When it's so dark and rainy out, I think of home.
I smell Malaysia. I smell mom's cooking. I remember the rainy evenings that I spend in front of the school gate waiting for dad to arrive.
Mom and dad refused to let us sit in the school bus. They were very protective. They did not believe that the school bus could take us home safely.
Even though dad was busy as hell, he did all he can--walking out on meetings, going in to his classes late, canceling important events... just so that he can drive and pick us up from school.
I have loving parents. They've done plenty for my sisters and I. Sometimes I forget to appreciate and don't realize how much they've given up for our lives sake.
Anyhow, lately, I cannot help but think that it is time for me to return to Malaysia. It has been 6 years now, and the Malaysian in me is in desperate need for replenishment.
I hardly remember my life as a Malaysian. I wonder how much of me can still be identified as a Malaysian? I wonder if I still deserve to call myself a Malaysian..My curiosity is itching my mind to bits.
The lack of home...
The lack of hills...
The lack of flowers...
monkeys...
coconut trees...
the of land below the wind...
Sabah, negeri di bawah bayu...
how much do I still know you...?
how little?
I've just realized how little I know about Malaysia.
Since young, I've only stayed in my own state.
I haven't had a chance to travel around Malaysia.
My parents could never afford long trips.
Even though we were always traveling,
we hardly had the freedom to do what's fun
and soak in the culture that we have in Malaysia.
When I return, I will make sure to dive right into the core of Malaysian culture.
Of course, I must first be sure to have the means and time to do so.
sigh..
Cabbage Wabbage
I smell Malaysia. I smell mom's cooking. I remember the rainy evenings that I spend in front of the school gate waiting for dad to arrive.
Mom and dad refused to let us sit in the school bus. They were very protective. They did not believe that the school bus could take us home safely.
Even though dad was busy as hell, he did all he can--walking out on meetings, going in to his classes late, canceling important events... just so that he can drive and pick us up from school.
I have loving parents. They've done plenty for my sisters and I. Sometimes I forget to appreciate and don't realize how much they've given up for our lives sake.
Anyhow, lately, I cannot help but think that it is time for me to return to Malaysia. It has been 6 years now, and the Malaysian in me is in desperate need for replenishment.
I hardly remember my life as a Malaysian. I wonder how much of me can still be identified as a Malaysian? I wonder if I still deserve to call myself a Malaysian..My curiosity is itching my mind to bits.
The lack of home...
The lack of hills...
The lack of flowers...
monkeys...
coconut trees...
the of land below the wind...
Sabah, negeri di bawah bayu...
how much do I still know you...?
how little?
I've just realized how little I know about Malaysia.
Since young, I've only stayed in my own state.
I haven't had a chance to travel around Malaysia.
My parents could never afford long trips.
Even though we were always traveling,
we hardly had the freedom to do what's fun
and soak in the culture that we have in Malaysia.
When I return, I will make sure to dive right into the core of Malaysian culture.
Of course, I must first be sure to have the means and time to do so.
sigh..
Cabbage Wabbage
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Habit 2
Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind
In everything that you do, you must look at the bigger picture.
But in order to make the picture work you must appreciate the details of every parts of the picture--every stroke counts.
You must be your own. That is why self-awareness is such an important quality to have.
You must find your center. Your very center begins at the very center of your Circle of Influence.
When you are centered, you will find security, guidance, power, and wisdom in all that you do.
If your life principles are correct, nothing that happens can ever chance them.
Principles are truths that will run with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength in life.
"The principles don't change; our understanding of them does."
When we have principles, we have a map to live our lives by.
This map will offer wisdom and guidance in the choices that we would make through out our lives.
More to come....
Cabbage Wabbage
In everything that you do, you must look at the bigger picture.
But in order to make the picture work you must appreciate the details of every parts of the picture--every stroke counts.
You must be your own. That is why self-awareness is such an important quality to have.
You must find your center. Your very center begins at the very center of your Circle of Influence.
When you are centered, you will find security, guidance, power, and wisdom in all that you do.
If your life principles are correct, nothing that happens can ever chance them.
Principles are truths that will run with exactness, consistency, beauty, and strength in life.
"The principles don't change; our understanding of them does."
When we have principles, we have a map to live our lives by.
This map will offer wisdom and guidance in the choices that we would make through out our lives.
More to come....
Cabbage Wabbage
Dear Sodexho...
I've come to realize your role in my experience in Augsburg college.
Although not all Augsburg students may agree to what I am about to say, I cannot deny how much I miss you.
You have helped me to grow as a person, worker, and friend throughout the years that you have been with me.
You taught me how to stand up for myself against false accusations.
You taught me how to confront disastrous events (in and out of the kitchen).
You taught me how to work with uncooperative co-workers.
You taught me how to handle over achieving managers.
You taught me patience.
You taught me kindness.
You taught me pure love.
You taught me to find kindness and goodness in people that are stereotyped as "bad" and "corrupted".
There was beauty in every ugly moments that we've shared.
You taught me to find knowledge through the simplest lessons.
You gave me memorable friendships.
You became my family in Augsburg.
Now that you're gone, a part of my life in Augsburg has left.
Where ever you are, whatever you might be doing, whoever you are working with, I hope and know that you will be blessed endlessly and you will be able to influence another person the way you have influenced me.
Thank you so much...Kathy, Marilyn, Jack, Tracy, Bev, Mike, Jay, Kerry, Imani, Derek, BJ, and all of my Sodexho co-workers .
Cabbage Wabbage
Although not all Augsburg students may agree to what I am about to say, I cannot deny how much I miss you.
You have helped me to grow as a person, worker, and friend throughout the years that you have been with me.
You taught me how to stand up for myself against false accusations.
You taught me how to confront disastrous events (in and out of the kitchen).
You taught me how to work with uncooperative co-workers.
You taught me how to handle over achieving managers.
You taught me patience.
You taught me kindness.
You taught me pure love.
You taught me to find kindness and goodness in people that are stereotyped as "bad" and "corrupted".
There was beauty in every ugly moments that we've shared.
You taught me to find knowledge through the simplest lessons.
You gave me memorable friendships.
You became my family in Augsburg.
Now that you're gone, a part of my life in Augsburg has left.
Where ever you are, whatever you might be doing, whoever you are working with, I hope and know that you will be blessed endlessly and you will be able to influence another person the way you have influenced me.
Thank you so much...Kathy, Marilyn, Jack, Tracy, Bev, Mike, Jay, Kerry, Imani, Derek, BJ, and all of my Sodexho co-workers .
Cabbage Wabbage
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Be Proactive (The 7 Habitsof Highly Effective People)
The nature of man: Between stimulus and response, man has the freedom to choose.
Our assets as humans to make this possible:
Self-awareness --The ability to create and imagine
Conscience--Our inner awareness
Independent will--Act on our own accord without other's influences
More later...
Cabbage Wabbage
Our assets as humans to make this possible:
Self-awareness --The ability to create and imagine
Conscience--Our inner awareness
Independent will--Act on our own accord without other's influences
More later...
Cabbage Wabbage
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Self Pity
I am sad.
Emotions flopping through my mind.
The loneliness that I feel.
I obviously know how to deal with it.
Call my friends, make plans, hang out, and have coffee.
But really...do I want to do that?
Or do I prefer to just sit in my room for a day, pitying myself to sleep.
The friends that I had.
Over and over, how the hell did I end up neglecting them so much?
"I don't have time"...the usual excuse...
"I'm sorry I got too busy..." another popular one...
Self pity...
I don't want to cherish the ones I have now.
My mind is still lingering in Malaysia.
But really, who were and are my true friends from my homeland?
We are nothing but each other's acquaintances now.
So, you might ask...
"If you know all of this, why the hell are you blogging about your loneliness?"
That is a great question.
A question that I can never seem to answer myself.
Cabbage Wabbage
Emotions flopping through my mind.
The loneliness that I feel.
I obviously know how to deal with it.
Call my friends, make plans, hang out, and have coffee.
But really...do I want to do that?
Or do I prefer to just sit in my room for a day, pitying myself to sleep.
The friends that I had.
Over and over, how the hell did I end up neglecting them so much?
"I don't have time"...the usual excuse...
"I'm sorry I got too busy..." another popular one...
Self pity...
I don't want to cherish the ones I have now.
My mind is still lingering in Malaysia.
But really, who were and are my true friends from my homeland?
We are nothing but each other's acquaintances now.
So, you might ask...
"If you know all of this, why the hell are you blogging about your loneliness?"
That is a great question.
A question that I can never seem to answer myself.
Cabbage Wabbage
Friday, July 4, 2008
Opera Today
The days of great opera divas have passed. We are no longer a society that seeks after a singer who has the sound of a crystal. Appearances, acting abilities, facial expressions--these are the other attributes that one must have in order to gain the status of a great opera singer.
"Singers will eventually become actors." What does this mean?
How about the fact that music speaks for itself? How about the fact that great composers were geniuses? They knew what they meant when they wrote the piece.
If the society no longer honor and respect the music the way it is composed on the sheet, we will not be able to understand the drama of the piece.
Yes, granted everyone can act like they know how to sing. However, if that someone is not sensitive to the drama in each musical note, there will be nothing to interpret...there will be no reason to act.
2 great things to have before becoming a singer-actor is the ability to interpret music and the ability to be honest with the music.
I cannot imagine how an opera singer can even imagine to act without first prioritizing what is written in the score.
I also cannot imagine a great actor trying to act and sing an operatic piece without turning the masterpiece into a meaningless bunch of nothings.
Cabbage Wabbage
"Singers will eventually become actors." What does this mean?
How about the fact that music speaks for itself? How about the fact that great composers were geniuses? They knew what they meant when they wrote the piece.
If the society no longer honor and respect the music the way it is composed on the sheet, we will not be able to understand the drama of the piece.
Yes, granted everyone can act like they know how to sing. However, if that someone is not sensitive to the drama in each musical note, there will be nothing to interpret...there will be no reason to act.
2 great things to have before becoming a singer-actor is the ability to interpret music and the ability to be honest with the music.
I cannot imagine how an opera singer can even imagine to act without first prioritizing what is written in the score.
I also cannot imagine a great actor trying to act and sing an operatic piece without turning the masterpiece into a meaningless bunch of nothings.
Cabbage Wabbage
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