post-PLAY (Eh, double meaning! Woohoo!)

I woke up yesterday morning and panicked a little as I thought I over slept and was late for work. It took me a moment to remember that the day before was PLAY and it was awesome. I felt relieved that it was not Monday morning and I was not late.

It was, however, Sunday morning and I was serving the morning shift for Zone launch so I thought I was late for that. I was so tired from PLAY that I thought it was highly possible that I slept through my alarm. It was to my utter relief that I found out that I had woken up earlier than my alarm.

I usually get this morning-state-of-confusion when I have dreams that I remember. I think experts say that we have dreams every time we sleep but I don't remember dreaming every night and I guess I had enough stuff in my subconscious to make up elements for a vivid dream.

I really have no idea why I dreamt of two guys rollerblading and they were doing really extreme stunts.

As for the rest of the dream, it was rather hazy but I do know that in the dream, I was with a good friend so I probably woke up with a smile.

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I'm more settled now and I'm reminded that our feelings are influenced by what we believe and what we believe is our choice.

So I've chosen and I feel better. There's still a tinge inside sometimes but I'm reminded that when I hold on to what I believe, my feelings will get in line with what I am believing.

I'm just going to enjoy this stage of my life and I know that no matter what happens down the road, all will be well.

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The jig is up
The news is out
They finally found me... - Lyrics from "Renegade". Kris Allen sings this part in the duet performance with Danny Gokey. =D

The Kris Allen Album

Includes the following songs (ok, it's not a real album but I made it for myself thanks to iTunes):

Remember The Time - Originally by Michael Jackson, sung during the "Michael Jackson" theme.

To Make You Feel My Love - Originally by Bob Dylan (no idea who that is), sung during the "Grand Ole Opry" theme.

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - Originally by Marvin Gaye (again, no idea who that is), sung during the "Motown" theme.

Ain't No Sunshine - Originally by Bill Withers (haha. um...), sung during the "Top Downloads" theme.

All She Wants To Do Is Dance - Originally by Don Henley (I'm not even going to try anymore), sung during the "Year They Were Born" theme.

Falling Slowly - Originally by Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova (they're the ones who sung this song, obviously), sung during the "Songs from Cinema" theme.

It was from this point on that I actually started watching American Idol. =D

She Works Hard For The Money - Originally by Donna Summer, sung during the "Disco" theme.

The Way You Look Tonight - Originally by Frank Sinatra (who doesn't know him?), sung during the "Rat Pack Standards" theme. I luuuuuurrrvve this song.

Come Together - Originally by the Beatles, sung during the "Rock and Roll" theme.

Renegade (with Danny Gokey) - Originally by Styx (the what?), also during the "Rock and Roll" Theme.

Apologize - Originally by OneRepublic (yeah!), sung as Judges' Choice for him.

Heartless - Originally by Kanye West, his own choice of song.

What's Going On - Originally by Marvin Gaye (the name sounds familiar), chosen for him by AI creator, Simon Fuller.

No Boundaries - the song created especially for Kris Allen and Lambert, co-written by Kara DioGuardi.

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Even after knowing the results beforehand, I still enjoyed seeing it for myself. Woohoo! KRIS ALLEN!

Also had another shock-myself-moment when I saw myself in the mirror and remembered that I had a haircut. My parents are extremely happy with the hairdo.

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Random note: I like toe-socks. They make my toes look cute. =D

Good Thursday (spoiler warning: American Idol 2009 results in this post)

I was busy doing my work (and I was not surfing FB too much) when I remembered that the American Idol 2009 winner was soon to be announced. It was a few minutes before 10am Singapore time and I started searching the web for any news about the results.

I saw a news blog about it but it ended with the statement "AND THE RESULTS RIGHT AFTER THE BREAK." Obviously it was not yet updated but when I scrolled down to the comments page, some people posted the result and to my surprise and extreme gladness they said Kris Allen had won. I almost wanted to jump out of my cubicle and scream but I did not want to celebrate prematurely. I waited a few more minutes and kept refreshing the site until it was updated and true enough, Kris Allen had won! Woohoo!

So far, my Thursday just seems different. American Idol results aside, I just felt energized to finish up my work. I'm really hoping that these last few binders are the last of it and if there are any more I don't mind finishing them up until the end of this month. I just felt glad that the work-week is almost at an end. After three nights of going out and always reaching home at 11.30pm and sleeping exactly at midnight, I am glad that tonight there is nothing to keep me from going home (except for a haircut that I'm planning to get) and I can sleep early!

I'm thankful that I don't fall asleep during work neither do I feel sleepy. Maybe FB has to be thanked for that...

Anyway, I would like to give a special thanks to that pirate someone who sent me the songs. I'm loving it. =D (I just wanted to use strike-through cause I haven't used it for a while.) As promised I have not sent them to anyone else. Speaking of which, Des, I hope you can come online today for you know what...

Red Shadow in the Swamp

It was a rainy day, such as today (it was raining when I thought of this -_-" ), in a distant land, distant time, distant world.

It was a land where men lived amidst harsh environments and where beasts, insects and reptiles and vegetation grew to larger proportions compared to that of our own. It was a time when civilizations were small in number and much of the land was untamed. It was a world where men and women took up arms not only to defend against dangerous creatures but also to survive. Many took up the call to be a "Hunter"; to gather resources from the land or to repel any feral invader that dare to threaten the human way of life.

It is in a world such as this that this story takes place...

A young hunter was taking cover from the rain underneath a giant leaf. He crouched low as he tried to see beyond the pouring rain. He was eyeing a cave. A cave which he knew well as he had often surveyed the area for tracking his prey.

He had taken up the notice from the local guild to slay a creature that had been feeding off the cattle herds of the nearby townsfolk. Reports have indicated that it was during rainy days such as this that the creature came out to hunt. From the description given to him by the townsfolk, he knew from experience that he was up against a formidable foe. A creature that resembles a giant, featherless, headless chicken, there was no doubt, it was a khezu.

The hunter slowly inched his way toward the cave trying to make as little noise as possible. khezus are known for their excellent sense of smell and acute hearing which have been heightened by the nature that they have not been blessed with the sense of sight. However, eye-less as these creatures may be, their extraordinary sense of smell more than makes up for their seeming handicap. It is through their sense of smell that they sniff out potential prey and with their serpent-like heads they swallow any unsuspecting prey whole.

He felt his equipment one last time to make sure that he had all that he needed. His hand stayed on longer on the hilt of his long sword. For a moment, he felt reassured knowing that his trusty sword was with him. The blacksmith called it the "Blango Destroyer", which was ironic because it was created with materials obtained from the ape-like blangos and the the larger more fearsome blangonga.

The cave was illuminated from cracks in the ceiling and it was enough to light up the general area. As the hunter walked slowly deeper into the cave, all he could hear was the drops of water from the rain dripping into the cave. He came across a clearing and he saw a small lake. He ducked back into the walkway when he realized that further down by the shore of the lake, a large figure was drinking from the waters. From the its silhouette he could see a long neck stretching down to the clear waters. There was no doubt that it was the khezu.

With its mouth near the water, the khezu would not be able to smell him instantly. It was a good chance to catch the monster off guard. The hunter took a deep breath as he prepared his assault. He could have held his breath forever if it meant that he would be guaranteed survival in this hunt, but he knew that it was not only his own livelihood that hung in the balance. He exhaled and the moment his breath left his mouth he dashed out towards the unsuspecting creature.

As he neared within a few feet of the monster he reached out for his long sword that was strapped to his back and he leapt as high as he could and prepared to swing down with all his might. His sword slashed against the creature's rubbery hide and it made the creature scream a loud piercing shout. The hunter fell back and instinctively shut his eyes as his hands covered his ears to try and muffle the scream. The creature became silent after what seemed like an eternity. The hunter immediately rolled himself further away and raised his sword on guard.

It was then that he realized that he might be in more danger than he realized because as the creature walked slowly into the light, he saw that it was not the usual pale-coloured khezu but the more ferocious, blood-clad variety; the Red Khezu.

----- (to be continued... probably...) -----

On another cryptic note, I feel like I've snapped out of it for the time being... I hope it stays that way...

Much Ado About Nothing

Thoroughly enjoyed Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing.

Shakespeare is such a brilliant playwright. Watching the play makes has sparked my curiosity in this particle genre of Shakespearean play. Shakespeare is usually known for the tragedy: Romeo and Juliet. I must admit that my expectation on Much Ado About Nothing was pretty much influenced by Shakespeare's tragedy Othello which I studied in JC (Fie on thee, vile Iago. Dost thou taintest mine expectations.) Most of the time I was expecting the play to end with a horrible and tragic twist that I forgot that Shakespearean comedy can actually end happily (totally forgot about Twelfth Night, the comedy that I studied in Secondary School).

Nevertheless, it maybe because there was a happy ending that I enjoyed the play so much. It really has sparked off my interest in Shakespeare and I'm so glad that it's related to my course of study.

I must have been so influenced by the play that I had dreams where the language was Shakespearean English (or as Alvin Lim explains, 'Modern English'). Two guys were talking in my dream and the conversation went something like this...

*1st guy walks up to 2nd guy*

1st Guy: A penny for your thoughts?
2nd Guy: Oh, but if thou only knowest mine thoughts, ye would have no need for a penny.

I can't remember who I was dreaming off but the language really made me laugh. I feel like I'm in Shakespearean language-thought mode now.

This morning my mom asked me to entertain the kids that will be coming over for the adults' caregroup that is going to be held at my house tonight. She said, "Play with the kids lah," and in my head I was thinking, "Are they toys at which they should be played?"

It's kinda fun though. And now I have this question: If Shakespeare's English is considered 'Modern English', then pray tell me what our English is called? My guess is that it's called '21st Century English'.

On another note, I am shocked but glad that Kris Allen has made it into the finals for American Idol. Woohoo! Really thought Gokey would be the one to face off against Lambert. Really hopes Kris Allen wins the title. Lambert can have a music career even without it.

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"I do love nothing in this world so well as you. Is that not strange?"

I loved the adaptation done for this line peformed by Adrian Pang. Shakespeare's plays are really meant to be watched and not just read.

Back in Office

Phew. Had a really long break since last Friday.

I have no idea what a Cycle Meet is but all I know is that it meant no work for the temporary staff. =D

The Vesak Day Holiday was carried over to Monday for everyone and because no one is working, I did not have to either.

Yesterday I went to NTU for my medical checkup so I was excused from work as well.

This week is also good because it is a 3-day work-week for me!

Tomorrow I'm going to catch Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing. It's a romantic comedy and I figure it'll be good for me to know this particular play by Shakespeare.

I'm back in my messy table. Although it's messy it's MINE, with my own cubicle walls and everything. I've been contemplating on bringing Frank over to make it seem more cozy. Anyway, it's not that I'm messy, it's just that all these boxes and files and papers lying around are all part of my work.

Lots of random songs have been stuck in my head for the past few days. 'Falling Slowly" is still one of them, I particularly love the version sung by Kris Allen. "It Ends Tonight" by the All American Rejects (thanks to an episode of Smallville that I happened to watch). And "No Surprise" by Daughtry, rocking song, that one.

No More Lies

I felt angry at a negative thought that came to me today and after a while I realized that ultimately, I was angry at the devil's lies; it's like a veil was covering my eyes from really seeing the fullness of God's love.

I spent a few years in NCC hearing that the ultimate display of God's love was shown when God sent Jesus to die on the cross. I heard that without understanding what that really meant.

More often than not, if something bad happens, or things do not turn out well, I would know to remind myself of the cross and say, "It's ok. I know God still loves me and the cross is the proof." It became an excuse. Whenever things do not turn out well I would look back at the cross as if it was just something of the past and just accept the natural circumstance that was happening in the present. Now I realize that that was not seeing the fullness of the glory of the finished work of Jesus.

Jesus' death on the cross is not just an ancient historical event, it is THE EVENT. It is the proof that we should be reigning in life. I do not want to stop short by just looking to the cross and feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I want to start believing that the cross is the proof that God has, can and will come through in my situation. It is a declaration of victory and no matter how bad things may get, I will stand on God's promises. I do not want to allow the natural things of this world to have the final say because God's word always, always, ALWAYS has the final word in every situation.

Jesus death on the cross is the marker of God's love but it does not end there. Jesus died on the cross and because of that I know that God's love is so great and not only that, Jesus rose again to show that even death is not final. Even if my natural circumstances scream, "It will not be so. It's impossible. There's no way in hell. It's a dead-end. DEATH!" I can simply say the one and only name that is above everything - JESUS!

I really want to hold on to God's Word and not allow this natural mind to hinder me from believing by showing me what is natural. How can we who are in Christ remain natural? If Christ is in us, then we can only be supernatural. Supernatural is the default mode.

I've heard enough of the lies that have seeped in so subtly and I choose to believe in God's Word. No matter how long this journey may take, I know that God's Word will out-live, out-last, out-class and out-everything that the world can throw.

It's time to really run with this no matter what others say and not be apologetic of this undeserved supernatural life that has been paid for in full by Jesus' blood. No more lies. No wonder Jesus also came as the truth that sets people free.

Even as I write this I get thoughts that it will be a long journey and I believe that's the natural mind thinking again. Thank You, Daddy, that you meet me at my level of faith. I will not think naturally but believe in acceleration and even if I may come across bumps, I will continue to trust in you.

My natural circumstances are not proof of God's love for me. There may be ups and downs but I can trust God that because of His love, the down times will be short and the high times will be long-lasting. God's love for me is not subject to my natural circumstances but my natural circumstances are certainly subject to God's love for me!

Life's Simple Pleasures

Having a table right next to the pantry area where I have free access to all the drinks (canned drinks, coffee, water, etc) and food (fruits, cakes, cookies, etc) that I want, while stocks lasts.

Listening to nice songs. Credit to Jonah for posting the video cover of Falling Slowly by AJ Raphael featuring Jess Delgado and a few other musicians. When I was watching it I found the song familiar but could not remember where I heard it and with a quick check with Wikipedia I found that Kris Allen sung this song a while back. I remembered thinking it was nice but forgot to find out more about it.

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There's traffic at the copier/scanner/fax machine and because my job is specifically to scan old documents I have no choice but to take a short break until the traffic clears.

Anyway, since I'm on the topic, I predict that Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert will reach the finals with Kris Allen being in the Final 3. Although my ideal scenario would be where Danny and Kris reach the finals. I think this is the first time that I am following American Idol with this much interest. I only watched the last few episodes of the first one and I got a little bored with the successive ones. Maybe it's because this time I really have time to spare and watch the shows.

Ah, well. Breaks over.

JG out.

Classic

Thanks to Kris Allen for a wonderful rendition of Sinatra's, "The Way You Look Tonight".

Love this song to bits!

Who?

I saw a headline the other day that read, "WHO: swine flu is uncontainable"

I found it amusing because that is what the "WHO" of the world says. It is assuring to know Who really has the final say in the matter.

I am rather excited because it only means that we are going to see an explosion of healings in the body of Christ! Woohoo!