Intellect in Amusement

From http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=201 and http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=198, illustrations of the equation: "Linguistics in the comics = Brighten the Day".

I fell in LOVE with this song in 1991 ...

《只为那爱我愿》

愿我能把华初之光点燃

愿黄城之爱于心中滋长

愿友谊能把你心温暖

愿我有完成心愿的力量

没有瀑布与岩石的阻挡

溪水就没有悦耳的歌唱

不愿途中无波浪 无挑战

愈经挫折 生命愈灿烂

只为那爱我愿与你同行万里路

只为那爱我愿与你携手 向前迈步

短暂相聚多急促

既然碰上了又岂能虚度

只为那爱我愿与你同行万里路

只为那爱我愿与你携手 向前迈步

黄城两载多短促既然爱上了

又为何不付出

黄城两载多短促

既然爱上了又为何不付出~

http://apyls.hci.edu.sg/songs/zhiweinaai.mp3

多年以后再听这首，感动之情依旧。

只是，好像似乎和当年的不太一样了。

不知道 是唱的人变了，还是听的人老了。

溺爱

NJCOGZ停了一个多月，又要演出了。他们必须恢复并加紧练习。可是，NYGZ今天的练习时间是9-5pm。手心是肉，手背也是肉。结果，只好委屈NYGZ，乘中午的吃饭时间溜到隔壁去。说来可笑，我差一点就得搭德士去上课。虽然是邻居，由于学校的结构与管理，彼此的距离还得爬“山”只差没涉水才可跨越。为了减轻自己的愧疚感，给NYGZ准备了《The Cup》dvd的余兴节目，还免了她们大热天出外用餐的辛苦。她们自己订餐送到学校，我还钱。

以前，我总是反对家长以金钱的方式溺爱孩子。

今天，终于明白家长们的苦心。

Religious Belief-Happy Me

"Does Religious Belief Increase Happiness?" For me, I do feel happier and peaceful whenever I am back in church...因为，能够回到神的圣所敬拜，聆听上帝的话语，已是极大的恩典。

Food & Comfort

Applewood smoked bacon + Alder wood smoked salt + deep milk chocolate, 41% cacao = Bacon-Flavored Chocolate , something I would like to try. . .

It should be more pleasurable than Sichuan meat dumpling (粽子). My first and only bite of it was so drastic that I could still remember the sweet meaty experience in my mouth. Other than our local 肉干, I was not expecting a sweet taste from meat … Prof. Qiu, on the other hand, certainly did not look forward to seeing my purpled-face reaction to his favorite hometown delight. Although, we did took a long time to get used to our differences, we had more joy and laughter in the process…

According to student XL, chocolate will help comfort my stomach. Chocolate may not be able to help me much, but XL's words definitely did.

距离

十年前，我喜欢慢跑在中国音乐学院的晚上。

十年后的夜晚，我爱上了从义顺中心走路回家的寂静。

今夜，突然觉得伸手就可以把月亮摘下来。

其实，月亮离自己并不那么远。

而，天堂也只在咫尺天涯。

以下，十年前的我：

Food & Sleep

“When food is scarce, the feeding clock overrides the master clock, keeping animals awake until they find food.”

I have to admit that I do feel a bit drowsy after lunch. My recent observations on dinner, however, seems to indicate the opposite...

保鲜了的记忆

以上的Montage是紫韵筝情的传统。如果少了它，NYGZ就不是NYGZ了。我宁可忍受同行、朋友们异样的眼光，用耐心回答他们的询问：“我的学生非常认真地对待她们的音乐会，就好像预备自己的婚礼一样。”

谢谢大家的努力，
谢谢大家容忍我的歇斯底里，
谢谢大家体谅我的善变（especially, nyco yqp）。

我们曾经一起追逐完美，
现在一起背负一切的不如意。
为着这许多的不完美， 我们会更努力的。

以下的图片是大家心意的结晶，是紫韵筝情III保鲜了的回忆。

还记得紫韵筝情II吗？以下是紫韵筝情II的片断：

期待紫韵筝情III 的DVD，盼着2010年紫韵筝情IV。
希望不要再酝酿成林老师的作品音乐会。

此情只待成追忆

十几年前，北京余震，人心惶惶。当时的我却懵然无知，只差没把邱老师气死。他老人家亦师亦父，不只传授了基本的地震自卫知识，也教育了一些有关台风的防卫常识，深怕我遇到危险还不会保护自己。其他的老师，如黄晓飞老师，也觉得我是个没有危险意识的人。十几年后，依然没什么长进，Prof CWK再三叮咛，无论如何，千万不要一夜醒来一无所有……现在的汶川就几乎是一无所有。

《哀歌》—— 何小竹

成千上万的哀鸣
归于寂静

天象不可测
汶川之上的月亮
仍然是一个问号

余震绵延至成都
悲哀波及半个地球
凝固成冰的眼泪
让烛光去融化

孩子们，坐上蒲公英
排队到天国

三十多年来生为潮州人的我没学会讲或听多少潮州话。但，却听得懂四川话。只因为四川是邱老师的家乡，一个思念了十多年都没去成的梦乡。虽然老师去世已十年有余，我还是记得他的乡音。有些事情或许会随着时间而淡忘，有些伤痛却是日久越深。转载以下故事，让这个感伤的时节，增添更多的眼泪与爱：

母舍身救女 手机留遗言
「要记住我爱你」 2008年5月17日

【明报专讯】互联网上日前流传一段「短讯遗言」的故事，抢救人员在一片废墟下发现一具女尸，被塌下的房屋压住，身体保持双腿跪地、双手撑地的姿势。救援人员摸到她已无气息，又向废墟内高声询问，没有得到任何回应。救援队员正准备撤离，但救援队长忽然察觉有异，再次把手探进女人怀中，高声喊：「有人！有个孩子，还活着。」 经过一番努力，救援人员将压在她身上的重物移去，发现她身体下面躺着一名约三四个月大的婴儿，包在一张红底黄花的被褥中，不仅毫发未伤，而且被救援人员抱出来的时候正在熟睡。随行的医生解开被子做例行检查，发现有一部手机塞在被子里，医生看了手机，发现屏幕上是一条已经写好的短讯 ：「亲爱的宝贝，如果你能活着，一定要记住我爱你。」这条短讯在救援队伍中传阅，令看惯了生离死别的救援人员都不禁落泪。

代求

今主日

大堂背的金句：
雅各书 5：16 所以你们要彼此认罪，互相代求，使你们可以得医治。义人祈祷所发出的力量是大有功效的。
以弗所书 6：18 靠着圣灵,随时多方祷告祈求；并要在此儆醒不倦，为众圣徒祈求。

大堂听的证道：
路加福音 11：5-13 《情词迫切的祷告》

儿童主日学教导：
路加福音 18：1-8 《祷告不灰心》任何困难都可带到天父面前，神垂听祷告。

成人主日学学习：
帖撒罗尼迦后书 3：3-5 《主的信实与人的信心》

崇拜唱的诗歌：

"今晚十点半，是中国各地基督徒的祷告时间，其省为四川成都汶川发生大地震献上祷告，求神怜悯救援灾区百姓，请发十条短讯给你熟悉的弟兄姐妹同时祈祷。"

近日连续收到这则讯息。最少的一则，有时同一天里会收到许多。另外，团契的团长也转发了教会牧师的简讯："汶川羌族同工发来的紧急代祷信：成都各大医院住满了病人，需传福音及看护无亲人的病人。求庄稼的主打发工人去收割！Pls pray. "

祷告不只是为着自己的需要，更要先看到别人的需要，为所爱的并不爱的甚至仇敌代祷祈求。愿主垂听我们的祷告。容我们的呼求达到你的面前；赐我有力量做人，紧随恩主。因着你的信实，你必坚固与保护我们到永远。

轻松生活

今天做了什么? Looks like I am starting to enjoy life：

8.00am
主日崇拜、儿童主日学领唱

10.15am
成人主日学（上课）

11.30am
特别祷告会

12.30am
聚餐

2.00-6.00pm
Luxury (half body massage, tummy massage, foot reflexology, facial & fish foot spa)

from 7.00pm onwards
Relax ......

芬芳的百合

每场婚礼都令人感动非常。

两个不同的人，从认识到相知、相爱、相惜 ……
携手共守永恒的誓约是幸福的未来。

明天的你一定会比今天美丽!

Bye Bye ~ Bikram Yoga

Thanks to be given to God for providing me with many kind and caring friends, who suggested that I should take up a new hobby… out of curiosity and with the mini break from schools, I had my first and last of bikram yoga today. It seems normal for first timers to feel nausea, dizzy and numbness … although 'miracles' may happen after the first few lessons, this sport is too time consuming, plus strenuous on my wallet.

I guess I’ll stick to my usual walking or jogging. And, enjoy swimming whenever Mr. XL Lin (my brother) is available to coach me … or cycling if I can overcome my phobia of crashing ever since my accident of rolling down the slope during my first and only skate scooter ride … then, FL won’t get the opportunity to see me makeup-less again. Her joke of the day: 现在四川大地震，不需要去中国，也可以看到熊猫。

At least, I’m priceless in her eyes ...

Remembering Mothers' Day 2008

For the love my mother has for me, who does not pamper me and has been ultra strict.

In 2008:
1. $ gift for her to spend on anything she likes, because I'm not her. I will never know what she really wants.

2. Flowers, a traditional yet lovely gift, to show my appreciation.


3. Cooking something for the family which I really care ... fried mixed vegetables with crispy toppings. Although her comments on my method of cooking is a bit ... in addition, my brother found the crispy part rather redundant, we had enjoyed ourselves ;-)

You have a right to ...

I do have a right to reduce my stress and relax, I guess. But, the effects of the reduction will be burderned among others ... I think.

Adapted from The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook, 2nd ed., by Davis, Eshelman and MacKay: Mistaken Traditional Assumptions vs Your Legitimate Rights

Mistaken Traditional Assumptions

1. It is selfish to put your needs before others’ needs.

2. It is shameful to make mistakes. You should have an appropriate response for every occasion.
3. If you can’t convince others that your feelings are reasonable, then your feelings must be wrong.
4. You should respect the views of others, especially if they are in a position of authority. Keep your differences of opinion to yourself. Listen and learn.
5. You should always try to be logical and consistent.

6. You should be flexible and adjust. Others have good reasons for their actions and it’s not polite to question them.
7. You should never interrupt people. Asking questions reveals your stupidity to others.
8. Things could get even worse, don’t rock the boat.
9. You shouldn’t take up others’ valuable time with your problems.
10. People don’t want to hear that you feel bad, so keep it to yourself.
11. When someone takes the time to give you advice, you should take it seriously. They are often right.
12. Knowing that you did something well is its own reward. People don’t like show-offs. Successful people are secretly disliked and envied. Be modest when complimented.
13. You should always try to accommodate others. If you don’t, they won’t be there when you need them.
14. Don’t be anti-social. People are going to think you don’t like them if you say you’d rather be alone instead of with them.
15. You should always have a good reason for what you feel and do.
16. When someone is in trouble, you should always help them.
17. You should be sensitive to the needs and wishes of others, even when they are unable to tell you what they want.
18. It’s not nice to put people off. If questioned, give an answer.

Your Legitimate Rights
1. You have a right to put yourself first, sometimes.
2. You have a right to make mistakes.
3. You have a right to be the final judge of your feelings and accept them as legitimate
4. You have a right to have your own opinions and convictions.
5. You have a right to change your mind or decide on a different course of action.
6. You have a right to protest any treatment or criticism that feels bad to you.
7. You have a right to interrupt in order to ask for clarification.
8. You have a right to negotiate for change.
9. You have a right to ask for help or emotional support.
10. You have a right to feel and express pain.
11. You have a right to ignore the advice of others.
12. You have a right to receive recognition for your work and achievements.
13. You have a right to say no.
14. You have a right to be alone, even if others would prefer your company.
15. You have a right not to have to justify yourself to others.
16. You have a right not to take responsibility for someone else’s problem.
17. You have a right not to have to anticipate others’ needs and wishes.
18. You have a right to choose not to respond to a situation.

Counting Our Blessings

上帝早已把当行的道指示给人，

无奈的是，人还是以科学知识来印证。

http://scienceblogs.com/cognitivedaily/2008/04/does_counting_your_blessings_r.php

Ugly can be beautiful

Saw this meaningful phrase in some random readings: http://www.10e20.com/blog/2007/07/27/21-ways-to-shoot-better-photographs/

When you cannot forget, you will remember regardless of Ugly or Beautiful, with or without any photographs ... http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2008/05/when-should-you.html

and some interesting images from around the world
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7383922.stm

......"Ugly can be beautiful" is just like "counting trials as joy"......

We are one BIG Happy Family

I never dreamt that NYGZ will one day grow to a size of 63 members.

When I took over it in 2002 (as if like a step-parent),

there is only 2 sec4s

1 miserable sec3

few challenging sec2s

not many sec1s

I love this picture which my students took yesterday.

Unfortunately, I was not inside.

We will take a 全家福
(with Mdm Lim PP, Ms Tay, Mr Tan, Mrs Ee, Mrs Teo

+ as many OLD NYGZ girls as possible, I hope)
on our 10th May NYGZ Concert!

Resting on Sunday

Resting on Sunday is a normal routine for most people. However, it's a difficult task for me. Maybe, Sunday was my only working day in 1998 ... used to teach at Hwa Chong Alumni then with very few classes only. The rest of the week I played the role of a Singapore maid at home. Occupied and enjoyed myself with cleaning the house, cooking etc plus practising guzheng and preparing teaching materials. As the days past, work begins to pile up ... although the teaching at Hwa Chong Alumni ended, work at NUS CFA started in 3 weeks time. I was glad to start work at CFA. The three workless sundays were so unbearable ... weird emotions that I could not explain ...

This is my first FREE sunday after so many years and I will have more free sundays to endure ... But, I am sure my GOD will grant me the strength and wisdom to spend his day in peace ...

One thing for certain, I will have time to blog AGAIN!