Thursday, September 28, 2006
Pre-Bristol.Time is really passing way too quickly! I've got just about a week before starting the academic year! One more year in the UK and I'm done for good! So so fast!! Anyways for some updates. I've been getting quite lazy I must admit, there's a lot to share, but everytime I think about the amount of time I need to spend doing so, it's tough lahh. You know what I mean =)
But here I am, back after a wonderful time in the Middle East. Must thank daddy for giving me such a great opportunity, sitting in meetings and understanding the culture there is a tremendous privilege! Oman is relatively liberal and the government there is strongly encouraging the locals to go out into the world and study/work whatever. Point is to import whatever they've learnt and use it to build the country. It's a beautiful place!!
After an extremely long day of meetings and all, we were treated to a nice local meal. The food ain't very different from Indian actually. Very simple but yet tasty and filling!
We sat in a circle (cross-legged! ) and had an extremely sumptous meal. I think that's how the traditional Omani has his meal.
Had visited the night market before dinner. It's a little like the night market at Bugis. Nice stalls on both sides, mostly selling the same stuff. It's vibrant and there are lots of people shopping.
The temperature difference in the Middle East is quite drastic. It's nice and cool in the evening, and definitely much more bearable than the 45 deg sun we get in the afternoon. How mad is that?!? The walk along the quay was nice. There was a light breeze which made it even better and so much more enjoyable =)
Doesn't it remind a little of Boat Quay?
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Just a little before heading down to Qatar and Oman, Wendy and I celebrated our 73rd month together. Had a great Italian meal at Michaelangelo's. Was just reflecting on the time I've spent with Wendy and I really thank God for seeing us through the ups and downs. There are many things in life worth fighting for and holding on to, and I know that Ms Ngiamngiam is one of them =)
A beautiful picture of Ms Ngiamngiam and her food! Yummy!
Check out the dessert!! Unfortunately I can't remember the name of it. But I know it was fantastic!
The next exciting thing that happened was - Jess came down from Malaysia!! Welcome welcome!! Sean just got back from UK not too long ago and Jess came to visit. So Wendy and I hosted the both of them for a day. Met for coffee in the evening and then had dinner at Seah Street Deli.
We were looking for someone to take a photo for the four of us and we ran into a photographer!! We think he is lahh, he was bending down and moving into interesting positions to take photos. And they turned out really nice!! Thanks to whoever you are!!
And since Jess hadn't seen Holland Village, Wendy drove us down to take a look. We had a couple of beers at Walas. It was a little quiet actually, but very suitable for friends to have nice quiet conversations. There was an acoustic band playing in the background and that added to the ambience =)
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Met up with my 195 officers today. It's been 2+ years since I left the Navy. I'm glad that I still keep in contact with them! They are really funny people to hang out with, so was looking forward to having dinner and drinks after. It's one of those times you catch up and reminisce on good old Navy days.
Chua, Zhiyong, myself, Kwan Eng, Eugene - Commanders of 195 Squadron!
Caroline was very nice to organise a little potluck. It was a small group and the atmosphere was perfect! So great to have drinks and food with them! Haha it's been some time since I last saw Angie but that's a good thing. Remembered bugging her cos' she was still bumming around prior to this summer vacation. So seeing less of her means she's not wasting her time anymore. Hehe.
(Top to bottom clockwise) Lydia, Wendy, Wee Lock, Angie, Caroline
Needs no further introduction
We gave Shyan a call towards the end of the evening. Glad to hear that she's doing well!! Stoopid girl came back when I was in Shanghai!! So totally missed her!! Will catch up in UK okay?
The combined effort of Angie the Pok and Dan the Man as we execute 'Operation Call Shyan'
Ohhh, check out Angie's hair - ?!?!?!
And and and ... nice last photo of Ms Ngiamngiam and I. She's been pretty busy with SIP. Rest well okay? Love you lots!!
Posted by Musicshen at 9:39 PM
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Thursday, September 21, 2006
Qatar Resort.It's been a good two days at Qatar. Been out at meetings and just observing how things work here in Doha. It's a very beautiful place with miles and miles of beaches. The water is very clear!! It's a nice getaway resort place! Things are moving really fast here, developers are building infrastructures and the economy is growing rapidly.
Aside from following my daddy round for meetings and meals, I've had some time to myself - at the gym, by the swimming pool - and managed to sort out my academic year ahead. It's been good spending some time praying and talking to God, thanking Him for a fantastic summer - fantastic not because everything went smoothly (although most of it did) but fantastic because each encounter brought me a little closer to Him =)
Chilling by the sea
Am staying at the Four Seasons. Marian, if you think the rooms are huge in Singapore, you should take a look at the ones here. Really VERY big. One of my daddy's client's room has a grand piano inside. That should give some perspective huh! Haha!
Four Seasons Hotel by the Coast, simply breathtaking!
Oh yes and Jon, tell me if these pictures remind you of some place. It's exactly like Bali mann, so so nice. You can relax by the beach in the evening, sip your Pina Colada and listen to the beautiful sound of the crashing waves. NICE!
Thank God for making the earth so beautiful
Off to Oman early tmrw morning. It should be good lahh, it's been fantastic so far!!
Posted by Musicshen at 3:23 PM
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Sunday, September 17, 2006
Moving On With LifeSo I've been mostly busy meeting up with friends over the passt 2 weeks since Shanghai. It's really great meeting up with old friends from all walks of life! We've come to this crossroad ( We've refering to all who's around my age) in our life where we are faced with big, important decisions. The BIG BIG ones like when do we get married? Who do we marry? What job's good? What's the purpose in life? Stuff like that. You KNOW you're an adult when you start to consider these questions seriously.
I think I'm one of those. I'm going to start my final year in Bristol in about 2 week's time and it could possibly be my last year of study. If I choose to take the non-legal route (which is highly likely now) then I graduate next year and I start a new phase of my life - the working phase. So things are changing, time is ticking and decisions are required! Really need to trust in God and seek out the path He wants me to go. Thanks to all who have been praying, really appreciate it!
Thanks to the many others who I've met up with, you all make me feel young again! Esp the council people, you guys make life a little easier, a little more pleasant. It's been a tremendous joy hanging out with you all. Here's a photo of us taken by my Shifu who was fiddling with my phone.
Oh yes this is long overdue!! I must thank Wendy for getting me a two-tier keyboard stand! It's wonderful!! I've been looking around for one and finally, Wendy beat me to it! If you ask her, I've this fantastic ability to ruin my own surprises, so she was REALLY happy that she got me this round!! But yah, check it out!!
Once I'm back for good next year, the Roland in UK with come back with me, and this faithful Korg X3 would take a step back after many years of good service.
Had dinner with the MG girls. It's amazing how long we've come!! Since Sec 2 if I'm not wrong! Kinda grew up together actually, since we did spend a lot of time together back in the ACMG days. But we've all grown up. SIGH. Yeah we'll meet up more once Miss Cheam and Miss Huang gets back! =)
Lots have been happening in church, so pray with me friends for the Lord has shown His favour on SJSM. We need to run with it or the favour will move.
Posted by Musicshen at 2:29 PM
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Tuesday, September 12, 2006
So So Chill.I love the holidays. It's simply the best don't you think? I get to wake up anytime I want, spend the day meeting friends, writing music and meeting MORE friends for drinks at night. What more can I ask for? I've recently started on a new Korean series. My management decided that it was good for me, so there, I get to watch her favourite Korean drama with her. What an honour! HEHE ...
I just came back from a Songwriting Workshop. It was really really good. The guys didn't touch much on the technicalities of it - melody, harmony, chord progressions and all - but he gave a very useful insight into how to write songs. Did you know that writing songs is a craft? Yes it is inspirational, but there is a structured approach to writing them and the more you practice, the better you get. =)
The workshop was conducted by Chris Bowater and team. He wrote one of the older songs - Jesus Shall Take The Highest Honour - being one amongst the many others. I was especially touched by his servant heart to equip leaders when he blessed the congregation with oil, just as how Mary washed Jesus' feet with perfume.
It was my sister's birthday yesterday! Yes September 11th. Brought her to Marmalade Pantry for some afternoon dessert. If there's a dessert place you must try, it has to be Marmalade Pantry!! The desserts are simply fantastic. If you're not convinced, check out the pictures. Forgive the poor quality, it was taken on my phone camera! =)
Chewy Chocolate Cake with Ice Cream
Banana Chocolate Cake with Peanutbutter
Soft biscuit with Mango Icing
And yes, the two of us finished everything except for a little bit of the Mango Biscuit. So guys, if you wanna impress your other halves, try Marmalade! It's a nice nice chill place!
I'll be heading to the Middle East with my daddy for a couple of days. Taking an early morning flight to Doha and then spending a further two nights at Muscat. It should be quite exciting, never been to that part of the world. Once I'm back, I'll have another 10 days odd before it's back to school!!
Posted by Musicshen at 7:03 AM
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