Introducing my new idol... 黃靖倫 Huang Jing Lun!

Name: 黃靖倫 Huang Jing Lun

D.O.B: 23.07.1983

Nationality: Singaporean

Height: 173 cm

Weight: Approximately 63kg

Education: 2nd Year Undergraduate at 

Singapore Institute of Management (University of London) 

Faculty of Finance & Economics

Interests: Soccer, singing

Before you roll your eyes at me and think to yourself 'there she goes again' (Yes, Sophia, I especially mean you), let me explain to you why.

First of all, I didn't fall for JL because of his looks first. I fell for his voice first. ^o^ This calls for a brief introduction about JL.

I knew him from One Million Star 超級星光大道3 Season 3, a Taiwan-based singing competition. He was a contestant for that competition. No, I didn't 'chase' after that show on purpose. I was surfing for videos on Youtube and I just happen to come across an episode of XGB3 with him in it, singing. His voice is unique, almost feminine. He is deemed to be able to sing four keys higher than an average lady without using falsetto. My favourite song he sang in OMS3 is Bu Zhi De 不值得.He sang it with Rachel Liang from OMS2. I love the song ever since. XD

 Rachel Liang and Jing Lun ^^

Then, I fell for his not-your-average-sense-of-humour. He speaks in a manner that sometimes makes you think that he's a real dreamer; airy-like voice, slightly toneless. For the first time of my life, I find Chinese proverbs interesting. That's because he never fails to use proverbs whenever he speaks. XD Almost every episode (I noticed this later when I decided that I wanted to watch the whole season because of him), he would be asked by the MC, Tao Zi to mimic a famous person. Let me tell you, if you ever feel down and low, watch a video with him in it, you will laugh. =)

Amazingly, JL is not good in dancing. He is bad with body coordination. He normally avoids fast beat songs too as he preferably sings slow serenades. And throughout the competition, JL discovered his crippling weakness: his tempo is slower than others. Once, he was forced to play the drums and that episode exposed clearly that he has a problem with tempo. For singers, that can be troublesome and frustrating.

But throughout the competition, he perservered. In fact, there are times he proved that a person who can't dance like... hmm... TVXQ (my ultimate favourite Korean boy band) or Suju can still sing and captivate the hearts of people and there are times he proved that a person who has a problem with tempo can still sing a song to near perfection. His hardwork really impressed me and inspired me. (I'm thinking if he can do it, so can I, as in my issue with Math.)

Besides that, JL is an obedient son who loves his parents. He is well mannered and polite. Even when Yuan Wei Ren criticised him hurtfully and offensively (seriously!), he kept a calm mind. He even rationalised his scoldings and still managed to be grateful (he expressed his thoughts after the recording of that episode in his blog later on). Now, how many of us can do that? I know my hot temper certainly would fail me at the point if I were in his shoes. 

After I realised what a great personality JL has and how much I am to learn from him, I saw how good-looking he was. There are many other singers/actors who look much more charming or handsome than him, but it is his voice and personality which primarily lead me to acknowledge and enshrine him as one of my favourite singers. =)

Recently, JL released his debut album called 伦语录 (Lun Yu Lu). I'm waiting for the local music stores in Malaysia to start selling his album. Yes, I have actually decided to buy the original thing. Lolz! This shows how much I love his voice.

If you've never heard him sing, please do try. Go look him up in Youtube or something. After that, if you like him, please support him by buying his album - the original CD. =) You may not be able to appreciate his voice immediately, it may take a little getting used to. But trust me, it's a blessing if you can love such a voice. It's one in a million. Hehe

I'm home!

Well, actually, I've been home for about a week. It's just that I haven't announced to the whole world that I'm home in Kuching. I haven't really met up with old friends or anything. I believe there's time for that later on. I'm just loving and appreciating every single moment I'm home; whether it's squabbling with my siblings or washing the dinner dishes.... I enjoy it all. 

Results for my finals for this semester wasn't very...hmm...good. I'm horribly worried for my Math Studies in SAM. If I never make it to Australia, it'll be because of Math. Of course, I know what I must do during this holidays. Catch up! 

Still, I'm so happy to be home till January 2009! =)

Malaysian Taxi Drivers = An Atrocity

I know I am about to face my final exam for this semester for college and am supposed to value every single second, minute and hour of my life now by revising my butt off as preparation for exam. 

But I MUST relate my experience with taxi drivers today, just this afternoon. 

Class ended early today. By 1.30p.m., my housemates and I had finished lunch and were eager to go back to our hostel unit to resume revision and studies (yea... we are THAT 'guai' -Mandarin for being good-) The shuttle buses which take us back to our hostel do not come until 3p.m. Four of us didn't want to waste any time, hanging around college. So, we decided to take a cab home. 

Cindy (the big sister of the unit) flagged down a cab. The driver was a Chinese man. She asked him if he could send us to Casa Subang and enquired for the price. He said, "RM15."

@#&@#^!@&*$&@%#&!@&#*!@(!@*!!^! (list of swear words. Please insert as you wish.)

Fyi, it is a fantastically expensive price. Cindy said that was too expensive. "Do you use the meter?" Guess what the fella said? 

"I don't use meter! Don't live there la! So far away! Move somewhere around here then if you think it's so expensive. That area so jam at this time also!" (in Mandarin)

I swear if I'm some samseng ah lian who has an ah beng boyfriend who has a gang of samseng friends, that driver is a roasted Peking duck. Damn impolite and rude! A disgrace to the Chinese. 

We flagged down a second cab. Indian fella. RM15 too. We rejected it. He went off quietly.

A third cab. 

Wah! Let me tell you! Now, this is the GEIST of the story for today.

"Casa Subang? How much?"

"RM15."

"Do you use the meter?"

"No."

Another Indian driver who is hanging around the 'wait-for-taxi-spot' near our college asked, "How much do you want?"

We answered, "RM7." 

"You wait until tomoro also you won't find a taxi with that price!"

"How come you don't use the meter?"

"(sarcastic laugh) Have you ever SAT in a metered taxi?"

I thought it was the most ABSURD thing I've ever heard recently. In fact, it is of knowledge that the cabs in Selangor MUST follow the meter. Quoting from the News Straits Time:

"Wed, May 07, 2008, 

"...Taxi drivers caught over-charging passengers, being rude to customers, declining to take customers to requested destinations, driving recklessly, using modified meters and charging passengers a flat rate without the use of the meter will lose their licence immediately." 

The statement was made by the Road Transport Department enforcement director Salim Parlan. Selangor, KL, Johor and Penang are the states where meters are compulsory for taxies. Sarawak too!

Then, we came across the fourth cab. A Chinese uncle. He uses the meter. Cindy mentioned out loud that this taxi has a meter and the Indian fella who spoke rudely to us yelled back, "Go lah, miss! Go lah! You naik saje!" As if we are sure to be cheated for the trip. I didn't like the scene because it felt like he was threatening us. When we reach Casa, the fare was only RM 4.60. We paid the uncle RM5 anyway. We were so happy to find a good taxi driver in the end. 

Now, here's the thing. I'm going to make quite a condemning remark here. If you can't handle it, please click away from my blog. 

I seriously find that taxi drivers, especially Indian ones, tend to scam passengers a lot. Seriously, I've heard too many stories about taxi drivers. I personally had had my own share of experiences. They are generally (NOTE THE WORD 'generally' which means not all) deceitful and never sincere. In fact, the way they carry out their duty is completely unethical and unlawful. I've met nice Chinese and Malay taxi drivers but NEVER an Indian.

For our case, I believe that these taxi drivers are in a league and have a pact to 'standardise' their charges and fees. Their attitude is atrocious and preposterous. They are f-king barbaric towards passengers. I think they didn't respect us as much since they knew we were students. 

Malaysia will get nowhere if her nation is still as under-developed in terms of mentality and manners. I have always blamed the leaders of this country for our hapless shape of the country but i do remember that a country is not only made up of the leaders but also the people. If the people themselves do not buckle up and change, there will be no advancement in the country. How do you demand respect for others when you do not act like you DESERVE that respect?

It is also not news that taxi drivers were known to cheat foreign tourists of taxi fares.What kind of impression would they bring home to their homeland?"

*How did you find Malaysia?*

*Oh, you know, I got down from the plane and I was scammed right off for a taxi fare to city central.*

Wow, we are so prepared to be a first-world nation. 

Sophia tagged me. = =

1. What is the relationship of you and her?

Best friends (self-proclaimed XD). She bullies me a lot!!! T.T but we have great times together! ^^

2. Your 5 impressions towards her.
Unpredictable. 

The perfect listener. 

The good friend who is there when you need her.

Humourous in her own way.

Also, the horrible bully. ==

3. The most memorable things she had done for you.
Hmm... That's hard. She's done lots. From just listening to me complain about petty stuff to comforting me when I'm down. XD

4. The most memorable things she have said to you?
Err... This, I am not sure. Short-term memory. 

5. If she become your lover, you will.
puke. Eeewwwwww!!!!!! No, thank you. She can just remain as my best friend.

6. If she become your enemy, you will.
wonder if the sun has started rising from the west.

7. If she become your lover, she has to improve on.
Err... Non-applicable. She never will lest she suddenly switched gender.

8. If she become your enemy, the reason is.
she grew taller than me by five cm (joking!) 

9. The most desirable thing to do on her is?
do on her...???? Umm... put a wig on her to see her with long hair. xP

10. The overall impression of her is.
a God-sent best friend.

11. How do you think the people around you will feel about you?
Dunno. Noisy? 

12. The character of you for yourself is?
Not too sure about this too... A mixture of everything from good to evil?

13. On contrary, the character you hate of yourself is?
Being impatient.

14. The most ideal person that you wanna be is?
God is ideal. But I can't be God. So, I will agree with Sophia. The answer is... me!

15. For the people who care about and likes you, say something about them.
I care bout you and like you for who you are. So don't ever change... for the worse that is! XD

Ten people to tag :
1. Daniel C.

2. Larry N.

3. Albert T.

4. Jerry H.

5. Angela L.

6. Siti K.

7. Larry T.

(I don't know who else to tag already!!!)

8. Reening

9. Clarine Tan

10. Choy Sher Rin

Who is no. 2 having a relationship with?
No idea. You can go ask him.

Is no. 3 a male or a female?
I'm pretty sure he's a male. xP

If no. 7 and no. 10 were together, would it be a good thing?
Err... They don't know one another. Even if they were, they won't make a perfect match.

How about no. 5 and 8?
Not good also.

What is no. 1 studying about?
Dentistry. Lolz!

Is no. 4 single?
Not sure.... Technically, yes but actually no. If you get it.

Say something about no. 6?
A terrific source of inspiration when I write KATELION.

Happy Birthday, Daddy~~!!!! <3

Today is a very happy day. Because it is my daddy's birthday~~!!!! Yay~~!!!

To my dad who loves me, you just turned 46 today. Thank you for being a dad to a brat like me for 18 years (plus the 9 months when I was in mummy's womb). I can be demanding, obnoxious, unreasonable, hard-headed, immature, LOUD, NOISY at home etc. (you know everything anyway). So thanks for being patient with me.

While I may not be 'physically' close to you, know that I 'inwardly' am. You are my daddy after all~!

Sorry I'm not in Kuching to celebrate your birthday with you (and also for half-forgetting your birthday XP). 

May God bless your many days ahead. 

Love,

Me!

Your (self-proclaimed) favourite daughter. =P

Hear me out on movie 'Corpus Christi'. (One of the many threats on Christian Faith)

I received an email recently which goes something like this: 

"Date: Tuesday, June 10, 2008

 12:07 PM 
 Hi ALL, 

I have seen a poster at the Monte Casino this week-end advertising the movie Corpus Christi due to be released this June to Aug. I totally agree with the message below.

Lets stand for what we believe in and stop the mockery of Jesus Christ our Savior. If the Muslims do what they do, where do we stand as Christians? At the risk of a bit of inconvenience, I ' m forwarding this to all I think would appreciate it too. Please help us prevent such
offences against our Lord. It will take you 4 minutes! If you are not interested, and do not have the 4 Minutes it
will take to do this, please don ' t complain when God does not have time for you, because He is far busier than we are.

A disgusting film set to appear in America later this year depicts Jesus and his disciples as homosexuals! As a play, this has already been in theatres for a while. It ' s called ' Corpus Christi ' which means ' The
Christ Body. ' It ' s a revolting mockery of our Lord. But we can make a difference. That ' s why I am sending this e-mail to you. Will you please add your name to the bottom of the list at the end of this e-mail? If
you do, we will be able to prevent this film from showing in America and  South Africa .

Hey, it ' s worth a shot! Apparently, some regions in Europe have already banned the film. All we need is a lot of signatures! Remember, Jesus said 'Deny Me on earth and I ' ll deny you before my Father ' .

Hit forward, and when it comes up, delete any e-mail addresses, fill in whom you want to send it to, scroll down to the last name and add yours
to the list. When it reaches 500 please send to homasg@softhome.net 
IF WE WORK TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS.
Thank You! 

(List of names...)"

Personally, I checked it out on the Internet. I wanted to see if it was true, that such a movie existed. Apparently, it's all a hoax. In fact, this petition has been on since 1984 (snopes.com) as far as I know. 

From the extraction above, it is clear that this non-existent movie supposedly plans to portray Jesus as a homosexual. While the movie does not exist, it is true that such an idea has been around for quite a while. 

'Corpus Christi' was produced as a play in theatres. It was staged at London's Pleasance Theatre in late 1999 and in MArch 2001, staged in Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. However, rest assured that there are no plans in making it into a film.

Nonetheless, the fact that such a preposterous and blasphemous idea (Christ being a homosexual) disgusts me. As a Christian, I take it as a serious offence and insult. It concerns the whole of Christianity, if I may say so. I do not offer these people who tarnish the image of Christ violence nor threats. But I would like to remind them of the afterlife consequences. The Lord will judge.

We have faced the waves of doubt brought about by works such as Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ and Dan Brown 's da Vinci Code. While some stood firm and strong, knowing they are all fiction, it is undeniable that there are those who failed their faith in the Lord. 

That is why I call out to all fellow brothers and sisters, pray to God that His angels who help and guard you from the devil in any form. In addition, pray that your friends and family will stay strong in the face of temptation and that we have the wisdom to see through blasphemes as they are. 

Lastly, pray that those who are against the Lord currently will repent and return to our Father, like how the Prodigal Son did. 

Let the Lord's name be praised forever and ever. Amen.

The Division in Music

What is music to you?

Last night, while in the car with my cousin and a bunch of friends, we had a slight dispute over the music we listened too. They didn't agree with my playing foregin language songs on the car radio and wanted to switch to other radio stations. Their excuse being that they couldn't understand what is being sung.

There are people like me, who appreciate music, regardless of the language used to sing the songs; but there are those who claims that it is pointless to listen to songs you do not understand.

The absurdity. I cannot disagree any more than I already can. 

To me, you do not have to understand the meaning of the song intellectually to love the song. Even if I do not understand what is being sung, I always believe in the capability of the soul to feel the emotions of the songs through the singer's voice. That is why, I also believe that a successful singer is a singer who can strike the hearts of others with their voices and infect others with the emotions they are singing with. If you cannot feel the songs, it is either 1. the melody of the song is bad. 2. the singer's not eloquent enough. 3. you don't know what is the true meaning of the enjoyment of music.

I generally understand three languages: English, Chinese, and Malay. But I enjoy Japanese and Korean songs more than any of my main languages'. Despite not comprehending the lyrics, I love the flow of music. Thumbs-up to the development in the Korean music industry, especially. 

Mozart and Beethoven's music is liked globally. It's instrumental. No lyrics. Does that mean it is not worth listening to? Today, we have spectacular music writers like Kajiura Yuki (Japanese), Nobuo Uematsu (Japanese) and Yiruma (Korean). Their music widely used in dramas and animes - widely accepted and loved. You have Vanessa Mae (Singaporean) and Joshua Bell (American) -examples of celebrated musicians. 

Hence, where does the barrier in music lies between individuals? Should there BE a barrier in music?

Some would get offended by my statements. However, I think it is a sad thing if you do not know how to appreciate music just because it is in a language you cannot understand. I feel it is absurd. If it is good music, it is good music. At least give it a try and not just condemn it. 

Allow me to provide you a few analogies. It is likened to saying that because you do not understand French, you refuse to go to France for a holiday or a business trip; it is akin to a man who has never eaten durian before and already claiming that it is 'not nice' just because it is 'smelly'. 

In order to words, total naivety. 

I have listened to Chinese, English, Malay, Indon, Thai, Korean, Japanese, Italian and Latin songs. How many languages of songs have you listened too, hmm?

Music, mon'ami, is universal. It is a wonderful blessing from the Big Guy Above.

*Please note however, in my context for music, Black metal and other satanic forms of music are not included.