Little Light: Music and Me

**Warning: Very long post ahead. Song Titles and Lyrics!**

I’m sure you love music, don’t you?



Here’s one song which, though not really new, I just got to like recently:

I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
Like today never happened 
Today never happened 

Maybe redemption has stories to tell 
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell 
Where can you run to escape from yourself? 
Where you gonna go? 
Where you gonna go? 
Salvation is here

(Switchfoot, Dare You To Move)


Haha…I like the whole song, just that I like the chorus and bridge best=)


I’m kind of connected to music in life, a lot of times without noticing it. Even when I was little, my grandmother used to teach me the songs “Thank You, Jesus” and “Come Bless The Lord” and her, me and my sister will sing it every night before bed.


As I grew up, the “songbase” in my brain grew in size. Some of the songs that I remember hearing often were like the “I’m a Barbie Girl”, “Para Para Sakura” and “Macarena”, as well as a few Chinese songs. The one I remembered the most was “Peng You”(Friend), sang during my primary graduation=)

I like some beats just for doing exercise. I have a aerobics CD at home with all kinds of weird but catchy music. My personal favorite is this one, “Jungle Song”:(!st part)

My name is Tarzan, I am jungle man
The tree top swinger from jungle land
Come baby come, I will take you for a swing
Let's go honey, I'm tinkling
Tarzan is handsome
Tarzan is strong
He's really cute and his hair is long
Tarzan is handsome
Tarzan is strong
So listen to the jungle song LOL;-)


Besides that, I listen to upbeat tunes from the radio and TV. Currently I like songs such as “Replay”, “Face Drop”, “Whatcha Say”, “Paparazzi” and also this song which is a catchy but sound reminder about how to appreciate time:


Gotta start, Looking at the hands of the time we been given
If this is all we got then we gotta start thinkin’
If every second counts on the clock thats tickin’
Gotta live like we’re dyin’
We only got 864 hundred seconds in a day
To turn it all around or to throw it all away
Gotta tell em that we love em while we got the chance to say
Gotta
Live like we’re dyin’

(Kris Allen, Live Like We’re Dying [chorus, unofficial])

Movie soundtracks to me have a really good sound and effects(it really suits the movie and adds to its feel). Songs like “Colours of The Wind”, “Reflection”, “One Girl Revolution” and “You’ll be in My Heart” from Disney movies….I personally like the “Tarzan” movie soundtracks the best=)Also some current movie tracks whose name currently escapes me…(Man!…)

I like inspirational songs too, like “Wind Beneath My Wings” (and a lot of Celine Dion songs…I like her music), “Without You” and “Hero” by Mariah Carey, and “Note To God” by Charice.

And last but not least, I like contemporary Christian music (ok why did I list this last?)Because of the message that the songs  portray and how they remind me about God’s goodness and glory.From “youth group songs” such as “Treasure”, “One Desire” and “Reflector” to contemporary such as “Beautiful Ending” by Barlowgirl and “Take Me Back” by Jeremy Camp, these songs’ message inspire me in my walk with God…

I’ll never be able to fully catalog all the songs I like, even if I have an IPod (I don’t)because music is literally my life;-)

So, what’s your favorite songs?

This song is my Battlecry:

I have been a wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt

And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...


[Chorus:]
I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved


Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on


[Chorus]


And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved
[Chorus]


(Natalie Grant, I Will Not Be Moved)

Holler: Sorry…for not being me

I decided to cancel the opinion section.
In the previous post I mentioned that I’m going to open a new opinion section where I’ll kind of debate current issues…but today I decided to cancel that idea.
OK, call me a double-minded promise breaker because in respect to this, I am one.



It’s just not me. I mean….I read a few posts on some blogs that teach you how to make your blog famous and have a lot of traffic, comments etc…the more I read it the more I wanted that, and the opinion section will do that, or so I thought.So I did some research and decided on a topic, “The Pros and cons of School Uniforms”. However, the more I planned my debate the more I think that I’m trying too hard to be famous. Ah, that old trap—More fame=more happiness. And I tried to move that to my blog.

I spent so much time planning and pondering over what to write that I didn’t blog for like, 6 days? (It’s that lost commitment that caused the “death” of my past 2 blogs)

You know what? This blog is already a opinion blog. EVERY blog is, in some sort of way. I’m not going to blog on things that don’t interest me just to please people. I’m going to blog because I like blogging. I’ll blog about my passions and questions, and about what I learned and the mistakes I make (like this) so that others can learn from both the good and the bad of me.

btw, since I already did the research…Personally I think school uniforms can make the school look neater, but it won’t stop people from trying to express themselves in some way. I mean, PEOPLE BREAK RULES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THERE IS UNIFORM OR NOT.

Agree?;-)

Itchy Spot: Just As Guilty

Today I did something very embarrassing while going shopping with my mom. It's so embarrassing I won't spill what it is--however I'll explain how I was humbled tremendously by it (and laugh about it now...)

 

Actually, this embarrassing event made me realize that I'm just as careless and guilty of making a fool of myself as everyone else could. I used to silently snicker in my head when I see other people embarrassed by this, and comment about how silly people are...when today I was exposed by doing it myself. Silly me.

I apologize to everyone reading this post. I'm now greatly humbled and will not make fun of anyone in my head since I have the capacity to do weird things, silly things and (sigh)*embarrassing* things very often without noticing it.

i'm sorry
dui bu qi
Maaf
enna maniichudunga
Click here for "I'm sorry" in most world languages

Inspiration: Always Not Forsaken

Today I came across this famous poem…forgive me for being always so deep(this is me…always in deep thought=)) but this poem never fails to remind me about my ultimate security…it always stirs up a sense of love and hope=)

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”

---

Mary Stevenson, 1936



God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”[Heb 13:5b]

Animal-mania: Hamsters!!

Today when I went for piano class, someone gave my teacher two little baby hammies! I didn't have a camera on me so didn't get to snap any shots of' em, but here are some cute hammie pics I found for you to enjoy:

Hamsters are real tiny and active stuff. I once had two hamsters, Ping and Pong (we couldn't think of any human names for them).All they loved to do is eat, poop, run around in their hamster-wheel and play with each other. I liked to put them in a little pail and take them on a "grand tour" of our garden. Unfortunately, they died after being with us for about 2 months...so sad=(

My teacher's hammies like to sleep in the wheel...I tried to "kacau" them but one of them came out, gave me a "Don't bug me" look and then went back to sleep;-)

ps I love animals! that's why every week i'll feature one animal cutie here...

DISCLAIMER:"all pictures used in this blog are original downloadables from flickr. I respect the rights of the original photo owners and only use photos for illustration purposes on this blog alone"

To Think About: Looking Stupid and Pride

Today my mom asked me to call the "paper lama"or recycled paper lorry from the house...and I chickened out. Mom did it like a pro.How come whenever she does it it seems like it's so easy?
Seriously, I loathe doing stuff like these. Whether it's calling Pizza Hut delivery or ordering food from food courts (that's why I prefer restaurants) I am kind of overcome by some sort of ridiculous fear and turn all red and stiff...(embarrassing habit#1 revealed).
Actually there's nothing I'm afraid about...except looking stupid.Really. I want the paper lama man, the Pizza Hut operator and the food court hawker to have a good first impression on me...but the more I try, the more ridiculous I get.

I've been told that you gotta have guts to survive. Well for me, I've learned that guts can be developed...and the #1 way to start is by being humble to look stupid during the first couple of tries, instead of trying to save face and look good. I end up looking worse anyway...
Humility and a teachable spirit, then, can help me look stupid-and have a good laugh at myself.That's how I'll learn=)

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves."[Philippians 2:3]

No one should be ashamed to admit they are wrong, which is but saying, in other words, that they are wiser today than they were yesterday.
Pope, Alexander

Only those who feel little in the eyes of God, can hope to be mighty in the eyes of men.

Arndt, Ernest Moritz
Quotes from Quotations Book

Itchy Spot: Sweet Slumber

After a month or more of missing afternoon naps, I decided to take one today.After listening to some mp3s and washing my oily afternoon-face(my usual nap routine)I flopped on the bed trying to sleep. I love sleep...the freedom from thinking or doing anything...except dream.Maybe.
   
About half an hour in, when I was getting cosy and almost (almost) fell asleep,my grandma's hollers suddenly awakened me..."Come and show us your email! Your dad sent you the pics from the operation!"
I went down half-sleepy and moody. "Is it very important? It's just a minor operation...Dad's got a stress lump on his neck and just got that removed...can't this wait until nap is over?" And with that I went back to sweet slumber for another half an hour. The cyst-viewing had to be postponed for later...
I was in for a rude awakening. How on earth can I put sleep more important than my dad's operation? Dad was probably so glad the lump's gone and I had to be such a kill-joy...
From then, I made this resolution that I will not mind being awakened from beauty sleep to share the little, special moments that happen. Sleep can wait; moments don't. Relationships are way too valuable to waste moments.
Finally,

becomes

Memory Snippets: The Greatest Blessing

My grandmother passed away peacefully last thursday morning,on 11:26 am sharp. the morning that she died, we (the family) were reading newspapers and chit-chatting to kill time when suddenly my mom says “She’s opened her eyes!!” Realising that she has not been conscious in the past few days, all of us ran to her bedside. My dad flipped open his hp searching for Popo’s favorite songs and held it to her ear and everyone told her not to worry. Mom whispered in my ear,”She’s going.”
A few seconds later, she breathed her last breath…and went to be with the Lord.
For the past 4 years, Popo’s life has been full of sickness and suffering.However, she somehow is still joyful and glad about her life and her time with us has been full of wisdom and laughter.Even as I write this post I miss her…especially the time when I was with her in the ambulance home 2 days before thursday, thinking that i was with her the last half hour of her life…can never forget that journey=(
  
This favorite song of Popo’s kind of summarizes it all:
这一生最美的祝福(rough translation, the chinese version is so BEAUTIFUL=)=)
The Greatest blessing in This Life
When I see the stars at night, how my heart is drawn to You.
And their light shines Your grace on me,
how I long to be with You.
I lift my voice in praise,
I will love You with my life,
for Your beauty and Your goodness never end.
Nothing compares to knowing you,
You are the treasure of my life.
Trusting in Jesus Christ my Lord,
My greatest blessing in the world.
In the valleys or mountains,
You are with me all the time,
Thank you Lord,
for the gift of knowing YOU…
(partially edited from a youtube comment...respect the rights of the commentor)
RIP,Popo…

Itchy Spot: Junk Food

Last Sunday, we drove thru McDonald’s for lunch. We needed something quick, so we made simple orders. I went “Ooo, fries! when my sis looked at me and said “No no nooo, you’ve got a flu.Sorry!” followed by a quick nod from my mom. Oh well, had to settle for just a Cheeseburger…
When it comes to food I like, especially the rich and unhealthy ones, sometimes controlling myself can be a challenge! I have a secret wish that I could eat larger servings of sinful food…like those fries.

However,I thank God that my parents controlling my food intake (with me grudgingly tagging along)had kept me from growing to gigantic proportions. The flab on my arms also remind me(sigh).
No matter how great the temptation is, I’m working on having smaller servings and enjoying the food and fellowship more.
Even if I have to forego the fries for the next couple of weeks.

To Think About: Seeking God

Last Sunday I heard a sermon about the need to seek God more often. There’s a illustration in Luke 11:24-26 that describes the danger of not seeking God:
“When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ ²⁵ So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. ²⁶ Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.” (NLT)
I learned that the home that’s all “swept and in order” had no devil residing in it…but there was no Jesus there either.
Therefore, seeking God daily and growing in my faith is vital if I’m to stay strong and not falter…I’ve to admit here the time i spent in prayer and enriching myself in the Word is, well…very little.

I’ll use this sermon and blog post to remind myself to seek God…everyday!=)
“…even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”v.28b, same translation
How do you seek God?
ps:if my theology is not exactly correct…correct me! =)

Animal-mania: Sheep!

I don’t know about you, but these fluffy, gentle creatures have made me go “aww” when i see them? (Oh,come on. DON’T YOU?)=)


Besides being a tender creature, sheep always help me remember about God’s care over us…and our ultimate security in God’s arms=)
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” Psalm 23:1 (NIV)
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” Isaiah 40:11 (ESV)
What’s your fave animal? What do you think of when you see them?
ps if anyone had the experience of seeing (or better yet, hugging) a real live lamb…please share!Pleasepleaseplease…i so wanna know;-)

Little Light: Enjoying Moments and Being Myself

If you know me, you would probably know that I’m rarely myself (most people tell me that I rarely make myself known)so i’m seriously underqualified to give “advice” posts. However, here’s a little something that I’ve tried and proved OK on how to take off that stupid mask and live: Enjoying moments. Thoroughly, I mean.
Seeing the sunrise. Watching the antics of kids (Teaching Sunday school provided me plenty of opportunities for that). Laughing my heart out at that funny video, pic,or illustration. Laugh and ask questions when funny or interesting things pop out in a conversation, To me, it removes anxiety and helps to make the “mask” forgotten. Just enjoy the moment. The same applies for when in a new surrounding or an event. Being involved makes it much easier=)

This ain’t a formula…it’s just something I learned.I have a New Year’s resolution to do this more often.
How do you enjoy moments?
ps, i’m still learning…