I met someone today who was in the same band as one of my friends in the 90s. Culture Vulture. haha. A truly Singaporean band who started playing fusion music in the 80s preceeding Dick Lee. Anyway, here's one of their videos when they went to Japan to perform in 1992.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgSW1tFltAI
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Appreciating life and people
Today a really good friend of mine died. He died after his 65th birthday. He was one who appreciated life and people. He would really take care of others and put their needs first. He was the kindest and most generous person I knew. Such was the measure of the man.
I learnt how to appreciate life and people from him. His death came as a sudden shock to all of us close but we know that he is in a better place than we are now. His vacation has ended and he is going home.
He taught me another thing, and that was never to give up hope on people no matter how long. I've tried to do that but its really hard sometimes.
One thing I took away from last night's gathering if you would call it that was this. If you really love someone, show it in your actions. Hopefully, they will respond. If they don't, its ok. You just have to keep on waiting and hoping.
I learnt how to appreciate life and people from him. His death came as a sudden shock to all of us close but we know that he is in a better place than we are now. His vacation has ended and he is going home.
He taught me another thing, and that was never to give up hope on people no matter how long. I've tried to do that but its really hard sometimes.
One thing I took away from last night's gathering if you would call it that was this. If you really love someone, show it in your actions. Hopefully, they will respond. If they don't, its ok. You just have to keep on waiting and hoping.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Some Random Thoughts
All right, I started this post sometime in May, I guess its now July and its time to finish it.
Hypocrisy is worse than anything else. Sad to say, everyone has a little bit of it in us. I have a lot perhaps. Each time you go to class or meet someone, I guess you would have to put on a happy face no matter what so that you don't affect the others.
At times when I go to class, I'm really upset, tired or really angry and disappointed with the students, I guess putting on a brave face does help to encourage them.
Its really disappointing though when you find out that you're not appreciated after all the hard work which you do. A lot of comments in my student reviews left me reeling from the hurt. But as most of my previous students said, you'll be vindicated in the end. Justice will serve its course. I guess the exam would be one good example. I heard that almost everything I made them work hard for and taught came out in the exam. For those who didn't listen or pay attention, I guess life sux.
Hypocrisy is worse than anything else. Sad to say, everyone has a little bit of it in us. I have a lot perhaps. Each time you go to class or meet someone, I guess you would have to put on a happy face no matter what so that you don't affect the others.
At times when I go to class, I'm really upset, tired or really angry and disappointed with the students, I guess putting on a brave face does help to encourage them.
Its really disappointing though when you find out that you're not appreciated after all the hard work which you do. A lot of comments in my student reviews left me reeling from the hurt. But as most of my previous students said, you'll be vindicated in the end. Justice will serve its course. I guess the exam would be one good example. I heard that almost everything I made them work hard for and taught came out in the exam. For those who didn't listen or pay attention, I guess life sux.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The hardest thing to do in life
The hardest thing to do in life would be to keep things simple. But yet, simple can get complicated sometimes. But simplicity is always good. The many things that can come out of simplicity are perhaps numerous. So I guess keeping things simple is always good.
However, there are a lot of times people would like to keep things complicated. When things get complicated they usually get out of hand. Its just like the blues. 3 chords, 5 notes numerous variations. Ok well, I use a lot of blues music to illustrate my points across but it would be easier for me to describe the blues and for you to learn it than for me to use something else I'm not familiar with to bring my point across.
One thing I believe in is complete honesty. Transparency rather. I guess perhaps I learnt that from my past. Lately I've been wondering though how honest and transparent I should be and how many promises am I able to keep. I don't know but I'm still idealistic though at times even though I've been let down, or have let down people so many times that I just don't know what to think any longer.
Give people time and they'll surprise you. It may take years even but they'll get there in His time I guess. =) In the meantime, love them with all your heart, love them with all your strength and encourage them when you can. Its the least you could do for someone you call a friend.
However, there are a lot of times people would like to keep things complicated. When things get complicated they usually get out of hand. Its just like the blues. 3 chords, 5 notes numerous variations. Ok well, I use a lot of blues music to illustrate my points across but it would be easier for me to describe the blues and for you to learn it than for me to use something else I'm not familiar with to bring my point across.
One thing I believe in is complete honesty. Transparency rather. I guess perhaps I learnt that from my past. Lately I've been wondering though how honest and transparent I should be and how many promises am I able to keep. I don't know but I'm still idealistic though at times even though I've been let down, or have let down people so many times that I just don't know what to think any longer.
Give people time and they'll surprise you. It may take years even but they'll get there in His time I guess. =) In the meantime, love them with all your heart, love them with all your strength and encourage them when you can. Its the least you could do for someone you call a friend.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Peace in your heart
hmm I guess perhaps I'm being a hypocrite by saying that well, I don't have time to send someone email but I do have time to blog. Or rather perhaps its a way of releasing myself. I really don't know if I'm doing the right thing though. Everyone says I am. I decided to just be a friend and let things happen naturally. I mean, I'm not really talking to her at the moment. The day she texted back was a little surprising really. But yeah, as much as I can, I'll try my best not to communicate or text back unless really necessary.
But that doesn't mean that I won't be there for her when she needs me. I guess perhaps that's what i'm best at. I've always wanted to illuminate a room with my presence but perhaps I guess i'm not that type of person. I'm the type who's better at doing things in the dark that people don't see to help them. Of course I don't get appreciated much but well, its ok. As long as one or two people know and understand, I guess that's fine by me.
Its mother's day. well I don't know. I've never really treated my mom right I guess. I mean, I'm thankful for her. not that I'm not but at times she just seems so irritating. I've always told her certain truths. Same goes for my dad. They don't seem to want to believe what I say or hear me out. And even when they are proved to be wrong, they have to drag me down with them. I'm unsure why. Its like hey, I've already told you so mom. so stop whining and get a life. fix the problem. get on with life.
I guess perhaps that's the nature of most people in my life. that's why I can handle them. Most of them are called students.
But that doesn't mean that I won't be there for her when she needs me. I guess perhaps that's what i'm best at. I've always wanted to illuminate a room with my presence but perhaps I guess i'm not that type of person. I'm the type who's better at doing things in the dark that people don't see to help them. Of course I don't get appreciated much but well, its ok. As long as one or two people know and understand, I guess that's fine by me.
Its mother's day. well I don't know. I've never really treated my mom right I guess. I mean, I'm thankful for her. not that I'm not but at times she just seems so irritating. I've always told her certain truths. Same goes for my dad. They don't seem to want to believe what I say or hear me out. And even when they are proved to be wrong, they have to drag me down with them. I'm unsure why. Its like hey, I've already told you so mom. so stop whining and get a life. fix the problem. get on with life.
I guess perhaps that's the nature of most people in my life. that's why I can handle them. Most of them are called students.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Back to the blues
Its been a while since I've really jammed with anyone. The more I play and the more I experiment with other styles of music, I find that I keep coming back to the blues.
Its really more than just another expression but I guess its what allows me to pour out my feelings.
The blues are really all about going back to the basics. Where else can 3 chords and 5 notes make such a big difference and an impact.
Today (Thursday) the band went back to basics with me I guess. We received really good comments and it was really good. Yup. I guess we would all need to go back to basics at times.
Ok well, if you've noticed until this point, yes this is a conglomerate of all the days in the week. i.e. I start blogging on Monday and then continue on Tuesday until right now which is Saturday.
It was a good day today perhaps. I've learnt that no time is really wasted. Everything happens for a reason. I guess today it was for me understanding people more perhaps.
Right now I'm just like downloading all their assignments for marking still. Its a hundred and fifty of them. I'm unsure if I can finish by Monday but I'll try.
One thing I've learnt as well is as the bible says, Better a poor house full of peace than a rich house full of strive. I guess it boils down to simple things like having meals too.
I'm not gonna elaborate further but just remember that a simple meal together as a family in some poor run down place is so much better than an expensive meal at a restaurant that leaves a bad aftertaste and everyone hungry.
Its really more than just another expression but I guess its what allows me to pour out my feelings.
The blues are really all about going back to the basics. Where else can 3 chords and 5 notes make such a big difference and an impact.
Today (Thursday) the band went back to basics with me I guess. We received really good comments and it was really good. Yup. I guess we would all need to go back to basics at times.
Ok well, if you've noticed until this point, yes this is a conglomerate of all the days in the week. i.e. I start blogging on Monday and then continue on Tuesday until right now which is Saturday.
It was a good day today perhaps. I've learnt that no time is really wasted. Everything happens for a reason. I guess today it was for me understanding people more perhaps.
Right now I'm just like downloading all their assignments for marking still. Its a hundred and fifty of them. I'm unsure if I can finish by Monday but I'll try.
One thing I've learnt as well is as the bible says, Better a poor house full of peace than a rich house full of strive. I guess it boils down to simple things like having meals too.
I'm not gonna elaborate further but just remember that a simple meal together as a family in some poor run down place is so much better than an expensive meal at a restaurant that leaves a bad aftertaste and everyone hungry.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Lessons have started again
Well, its just another day at the office I guess or university rather. Lots of things to do lots of people to meet. I did teach with a different approach today. I do hope that the students understood most of it. I took it really really slow and really tried my best to make sure that they understood each step of the encryption / decryption process for each cipher before carrying on.
I guess that I'm getting more patient too. Perhaps it comes with age. I don't know. I used to be really really impatient with students. I'd lash out at them within 5 minutes. This session its well, different. The high expectations and standards are still there though. I do expect 110% out of all of them.
I've got 3 student committee members in my class. Perhaps I'm trying to apply the same to them as was applied to me when I was council member or rather Orientation Team member in Wollongong. Its really making meaning in the lives of the freshmen when you are in the orientation team. It really is a lot of work though. At the end, there's really sometimes that we're not even appreciated. but all in all, we don't really expect to be, for most of us its really all about having fun and making a difference in their lives.
All in all I guess perhaps teaching is still the job for me. I can't handle young teens or adolescents though perhaps. Young adults would be easier for me. University students in short or perhaps to a certain extent, polytechnic students. Perhaps its not just teaching but making a difference in people's lives. I honestly believe that leadership by example is the best way to lead. A leader goes the way, knows the way, shows the way.
Great leaders are those who have their weaknesses and yet have the courage to acknowledge them and work on them. I guess that's one of the hallmarks of a great leader. A great leader is servant to all those who follow him. A great leader takes care of those and inspires those around him. I guess those to me are hallmarks of great leaders.
Inspire and Ignite.
Adrian.
I guess that I'm getting more patient too. Perhaps it comes with age. I don't know. I used to be really really impatient with students. I'd lash out at them within 5 minutes. This session its well, different. The high expectations and standards are still there though. I do expect 110% out of all of them.
I've got 3 student committee members in my class. Perhaps I'm trying to apply the same to them as was applied to me when I was council member or rather Orientation Team member in Wollongong. Its really making meaning in the lives of the freshmen when you are in the orientation team. It really is a lot of work though. At the end, there's really sometimes that we're not even appreciated. but all in all, we don't really expect to be, for most of us its really all about having fun and making a difference in their lives.
All in all I guess perhaps teaching is still the job for me. I can't handle young teens or adolescents though perhaps. Young adults would be easier for me. University students in short or perhaps to a certain extent, polytechnic students. Perhaps its not just teaching but making a difference in people's lives. I honestly believe that leadership by example is the best way to lead. A leader goes the way, knows the way, shows the way.
Great leaders are those who have their weaknesses and yet have the courage to acknowledge them and work on them. I guess that's one of the hallmarks of a great leader. A great leader is servant to all those who follow him. A great leader takes care of those and inspires those around him. I guess those to me are hallmarks of great leaders.
Inspire and Ignite.
Adrian.
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