Puts a Smile on my Face!

Childhood memory from Malaysia...

How fortunate...

As I was studying my music,
I came to realize how fortunate I am to be here.
The opportunity to study something I love.
Music.
How fortunate it is to have the opportunity to read books and stories of these great musicians.
In hopes to become one myself.

How fortunate I am to be educated in my passion.
In my interest.
Instead of studying subjects and materials that I could care less.
How blessed I am
to be inspired,
to be encouraged,
to be lead
by ones who have found their significance and calling in life.

Cabbage Wabbage

Cops cause traffic

Today, as we drove down highway 94, I've witnessed with my own eyes how a silly cop car can cause congestion in the high way.
People get so freaked out. If everyone can think practically about the laws and policies, then everyone can understand the purpose and the point behind the creation of these rules.
Really, they are there to make sure that people are responsible and safe.
The speed limit, lanes, signal blinkers, merging ethics, etc are made so that stupid people can be aware and alert of their safety on road.
They are not made so that the police can ticket you whenever they want. And you should be safe on the road at all times, not just when the po-po's around, sillies!

Cabbage Wabbage

My New Role Model

Kathleen Ferrier

Individualism or Selfishism?

We have needs, and our needs are always the top priority. I deserve the attention, and I am oh so important. All the words that come out of my mouth is significant. I know everything, so I'm always right. Oh by the way, you're wrong. You may think you're smart, but I'm smarter.

me me me mememememememe.
*barf*

No matter how grateful I am with the fact that Augsburg tries to be open and accepting to diversity, I can see how humanity's down fall can still come in the way of good intentions.
The need to be open minded and accepting is expected in this community, that the conservatives, "religious", and "strong opinionated" people are easily frowned upon.
So you think you're better just because you can be so open and accepting to diversity? you should think twice. Maybe try studying abroad through our exchange student programs. That'll probably teach you better ways to live what you preach.

love,
Cabbage Wabbage

ZZZZZZZZZZZZ

After 4 years of college, I've come to realize how great sleep is.
I have also learned that No sleep = No brain power = Horrible performances = Bad grades.

I did my research and found this. Short-term effects of sleep deprivation:
* Decreased Performance and Alertness
* Memory and Cognitive Impairment: Decrease your ability to think and process information.
* Stress Relationships: moodiness, conflicts
* Poor Quality of Life: unable to participate in certain activities that require sustained attention
* Occupational Injury: higher risk of sustaining an occupational injury.
* Automobile Injury: Each year drowsy driving is responsible for at least 100,000 automobile crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities.

Maybe I should send this information to my professors.

Cabbage Wabbage

Sick Again

Hello!
It is finally Thursday.
Woke up early this morning, about to get ready..I swallowed my first gulp of water of the day.
Only to find out that I have a sore throat.

Then my body just kinda went down hill from there on.
Why do I always get sick when I'm being the most cautious with my body?
I've hardly partied. I've been working out. Trying to eat the healthiest I can. Getting sleep....
What have I done wrong to deserve this cold???
Then, I realized. I was out camping in the woods when it was under 30. OH yea!

Nice, Evelyn...nice!

Note: No more camping when it's below 30 out.

Cabbage Wabbage

Anxious

Do you know the feeling that you get when you know you're suppose to be doing something else right now instead sitting in front of the computer blogging about how you're suppose to be doing something else right now?
Yeap! That feeling.
You know you have tons to do on your list, but you've decided to do something that is the least important because you know you can do it without going through the stress.
But guess what? It's only causing you more stress, because the more urgent tasks are screaming and banging at the back of your head!
Why do we do this to ourselves?
Seriously...

Anyhow, I justify my procrastination by arguing that I am getting paid to post this entry. And I am just about to make myself a to-do-list on this entry.

So here we go:
1) Outline for Keystone Presentation
-What does it mean to be a citizen?
-What am a citizen of?
-Study on libertarian vs. communitarian
-Find sources for my understanding on citizenship
2) Run through Sir John In Love with music
3) Search for recordings on Bernstein's "Two Love Songs"
3) Plan Thanksgiving break (Kate/ Yeeling)
4) Plan Christmas break (Kate/ Yeeling)
5) Search potential jobs for OPT
6) Search Cars for Courage

Oh yea, laundry's about ready for the dryer!!!
Ah...I can NEVER get to what I need to do!!!

Cabbage Wabbage

Trees

What I've learned about trees:
Never to rush
Trust in your roots
Trust in the grounds you're on
Appreciate the time you have alive
Trees did not choose to be here either
But they are
And they just be
And they just do what they're meant to do
Even trees would fulfill their responsibilities in their existence
Most of them have lived and can live a long life
Patience
Trees have processes too
Always reaching for the sky
But never losing the ground
They come in different features
SO unique.

You may not appreciate trees as much.
I happen to find comfort in learning these.
The trees and nature as a whole, they have taught me to see life from a new perspective.

I can't wait to return to where I belong once again.

Cabbage Wabbage

Camping

This weekend, I had a chance to go camping with my lovely boyfriend up in Jay Cooke State Park.

It was silly to go at such a climate, but it was lovely despite the weather.

I will take whatever chance to get away from Augsburg campus at a time like this.
High stress. The semester's winding down so we know what that means.
Professors are starting to realize how behind they are, and are currently stuffing students' faces with piles of homework and papers.

Ah, I love it when the sun light hits the colors of Augsburg campus.

It's delightful. Ten o'clock in the mornings--my favorite time of the day.
Nothing should be rushed at this hour. The sun's normally shining bright, and most people are usually feeling awake and refreshed at this hour.

I am so glad to have a weekend of no worries. I will forever remember how the trees calmed me and taught me new ways of life.

God's creation is truly great and marvelous.

Everything has a purpose and reason to live on earth.

Honest, no lie!

Cabbage Wabbage

New Piece

Liebestraum by Franz Liszt, Performer: Rubinstein

Cabbage Wabbage

Practicing

Did not do too well in the practice rooms today.
I find it interesting how horrible practicing sessions may evolve into two different ways. You either find your focus and center yourself throughout the session, or you'll become a confused ball of anger and end up blasting yourself into pieces.
Well, that was me yesterday. I got angry. And my body was not happy by the end of the hour.
We'll have to find a better way to deal with bad days in the practices rooms next time.

SO, I'm having lunch with Aimee K. Bryant today.
With her recent CD debut, Becoming, her voice is apparently "silk and sandpaper: smooth and sweet enough to make you think you could be listening to an angel, with a touch of grit that brings you back to the street."

I don't know what a sand paper voice sounds like, so listening to her at chapel will be interesting.

Homework time!

Cabbage Wabbage

The Fun of Registration

Finally time to register.
My final semester.
How do I feel?
Hmm I don't know...extremely EXCITED!!!
Yes, so it looks like I will not have much to do in the music scene next semester.

A whole semester of just non-music courses,
and voice and piano lessons.
That sounds sooo fun!!

People have been skipping class more often these days.
It's time for a break, don't u think?
I can't believe I'm registering for classes already..

Cabbage Wabbage

Strayed

From all that I've grown up to believe.
All that I thought I've seen.
Everything that my parents have taught me
the teachers and leaders of my country...

Stripped from myself
my joy, my feet, my land.

Why have I not seen this?
Is it pride that has lead me to think of such?
When we sing of the blood poured unto the grounds of this state...
for our sake,
for justice's sake,
for God's will,
how did we not learn to appreciate such a gift?
And now we burn the very grounds that were fought for us.
we belong to this land.
we live on this land.
we breathe on this land.
we find joy in this land.
So why are we destroying this land?

This thing they call citizenship,
I did not know this before,
but it is active.
it lives, it burns, it kills, it fights, it dies, and it revives...
but we do not see its moves.

for we are distracted...
strayed...
from the "important" issues in life.

Cabbage Wabbage

Malaysia's National Anthem

Literal Translation:



My country, the land where my blood is spilt,
The people live united and progressive,
Blessings of happiness, may God grant,
(And that) our King may reign in peace.
Blessings of happiness, may God grant,
(And that) our King may reign in peace.

Rukun Negara (National Principles)

BAHAWASANYA NEGARA KITA MALAYSIA mendukung cita-cita hendak :

* mencapai perpaduan yang lebih erat di kalangan seluruh masyarakatnya ;
* memelihara satu cara hidup demokratik ;
* mencipta satu masyarakat adil di mana kemakmuran Negara akan dapat dinikmati bersama secara adil dan saksama ;
* menjamin satu cara liberal terhadap tradisi-tradisi kebudayaannya yang kaya dan berbagai corak ; dan
* membina satu masyarakat progresif yang akan menggunakan sains dan teknologi moden.

MAKA KAMI, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan atas prinsip-prinsip yang berikut :

* KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN
* KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA
* KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN
* KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG
* KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN

Literal Translation:

WHEREAS OUR COUNTRY MALAYSIA nurtures the ambitions of:

* achieving a more perfect unity amongst the whole of her society;
* preserving a democratic way of life;
* creating a just society where the prosperity of the country can be enjoyed together in a fair and equitable manner;
* guaranteeing a liberal approach towards her rich and varied cultural traditions; and
* building a progressive society that will make use of science and modern technology.

NOW THEREFORE WE, the people of Malaysia, pledge to concentrate the whole of our energy and efforts to achieve these ambitions based on the following principles:

* BELIEF IN GOD
* LOYALTY TO KING AND COUNTRY
* THE SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION
* THE RULE OF LAW
* COURTESY AND MORALITY

Start Your Day

...With some Pavarotti love

Hope

So it's decided.
Obama. Hope for the world?
I don't know, I am still processing this whole political issues.
I have never exposed myself too much to the world news.
But lately, I feel like I'm starting to see more of what I agree and disagree with the ways of the world.

I will not discuss my views on politics here, it's too overstated.
I am just excited to get the faces of Obama off the walls of Augsburg.
It was getting a lil' too creepy and much.
People started to notice things like his lips are blue and such...

Well, hope everyone is well.
The weather's changing and Augsburg squirrels are getting more and more desperate and demanding by day.

With love,
Cabbage Wabbage

Plagiarized short bread coookies fell through

So, I didn't exactly follow my initial plan for the shortbread cookies.
I did not have powdered sugar, and with the budget I have as a college student I refuse to purchase a pound of powdered sugar just to make short bread cookies, so I ended up using granulated sugar.
Anyhow, this is the recipe that I improvised on my own.

2 cups of flour
1 1/2 cups of butter
3/4 cup of sugar
1/4 tsp of baking powder
1/4 tsp of salt
2 tbs of ground coffee (preferably dark roast)
3/4 tsp of vanilla extract

Mix melted butter, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and baking powder in a bowl.
Slowly add flour to the mix, and finally the ground coffee.

YUMMMM! They're so good. Not too sweet and perfect to have with coffee. =)

It's just Monday. This will be an exciting week.

Cabbage Wabbage

Second Try

Okay, so I guess the first try didn't work too well.
Here's another performance of the nocturne that I am learning.
This one's really good too. Too bad Horowitz's performance didn't last too long.


Cabbage Wabbage

Learned

The trick to great performances is the ability to be true to the music.
You know you are a musician when you just do music.

Over and over,
we allow
jealousy
greed
pride
prejudice
criticisms
numbers
specifics
rights
wrongs
carefulness

What is this...?
Is not creativity something yet to be?
Or the discovery of something new?

Everything is in harmony when everything is true.
It is sad to see what our world has become.
So lied. So mislead.
And maybe it is bound to happen.
So one day, we may untangle the truths.
There will be no need for masks.
No lies.
Just real you and me.

Correct?
Fuck with correct.
We shall speak whatever that comes to mind.
And Correct will be gone
and may finally come to life.


Cabbage Wabbage

Mocha Shortbread Cookies

Goodness Gracious! Sweet mother of COOOOKKIIESS!!
I've had the best tasting cookies today and they were not chewy.
And my aim is to bake some this week. =)

And now I shall plagiarize from (http://www.joyofbaking.com/shortbreads/MochaShortbread.html)

1 1/2 cups (195 grams) confectioners
(powdered or icing) sugar
3/4 cup (60 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
2 1/4 cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (25 grams) cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (340 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons (6 grams) pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons (8 grams) instant espresso powder

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth (about one minute). Add the sugar and cocoa mixture and beat until fully incorporated (about 2 minutes). Add the vanilla and espresso powder and beat until incorporated. Then add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat until the dough just comes together.
Spread the dough over the bottom of the prepared pan and gently press the dough, with your fingertips or the back of a spoon, to form an even layer. Then, with a sharp knife, score the top of the shortbread into approximately 3 inch x 1 inch (7 x 2.54 cm) fingers. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the top is dry and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. While the shortbread is still warm, re-cut the shortbread into fingers. Cool completely before removing from pan.

OUUUUUU!!! This is gonna be exciting...

Cabbage Wabbage

Chopin Nocturne in F Minor

Also, if you were curious, this is the piece I am currently working on.
Horowitz is another pianist that everyone on earth must know of. If you don't know him, shame on you. And you need to start educating yourself!


Cabbage Wabbage

Speechless...

Just watch and listen. Can a performer be anymore sincere?



My favorite pianist of today. Very gentle touch, flexible, and true to the music.
It's just him and the music, nothing to show, but everything to give.

Only a few have that. Can never be taught, but can only be discovered by the musician himself.

Yevgeny Sudbin. I shall have tea with you someday.

Cabbage Wabbage

Augsburg

I am definitely appreciating Augsburg a lot more this year.
My life as an international student is finally reaching some sort of climax this year.
My identity.
I have never seen the importance of citizenship.
What it has meant to me all along.
What does it mean to be a Malaysian citizen living in an American community.
It is interesting.
What do I appreciate most living in an American country?
What sort of opportunity?
How different is my life here in comparison to my life in Malaysia?
How have my view and values changed in the past seven years?

Cabbage Wabbage