chocohi - chocolate days

Family Dinner Talk

2011-05-19T23:46:00.004+10:00

I was sitting at the table eating dinner with my dad and grandma as usual, and here's some how of the dialogue went...

Grandma - "Would you prefer to marry a Australian (meaning just white), Vietnamese or Laos girl?"

Dad, jokingly - "Probably a Black Australian (aboriginal)"

Me - "Nah, I want a Black American Girl"

Grandma - "She'll cook you hamburgers all day"

hahaha old people are funny =D

Combined Youth Service 2011, first one

2011-05-03T22:14:00.003+10:00

So, we finally got together, without any special events happening, like KICK-OFF, Inter-church sports, or what not. This was the night before I went on my Melbourne trip.

Switch, UFC, Access and Cabramatta Baptist... which we will have a name for soon.

Together for one night.

120+ kids.

another 20 - 30 leaders or so.

It was quite the sight, I never seen so many young people inside our church hall before. It was quite amazing. It was also highly encouraging.

Though I was designated to run games and what not, so I have very little idea of what the talk was about. I did hear that it was good though! I pray that there were many challenged and stirred hearts that night!

When it came to food, man the fried chicken that we have so often at our church, normally by the Laos congregation... went absolutely feral! I have never seen so many kids jump at chicken so excitedly my whole life. soooo funny ahahahha!

Seriously looking forward to more of these local combined-church events!!! I pray that they may be beneficial towards God's kingdom and encouraging for many young and old people!

As Tall as who?

2011-05-03T17:52:00.004+10:00

Lions. As Tall as Lions.

Now, I ain't gonna write a massive review or anything, because I am a crap writer in general and don't exactly have the literary skills to describe the mega awesomeness of being able to see one of my top favourite bands! Not only did I get to see them, but i got to make an absolute fool of myself while speaking to a few of them as I went brain dead in trying to remember song names lololol!

My bad habit of not looking over song names in an album coming through.

got a few pics with them too, but that's for facebook friends only =D

Was a pretty fun day as a drove a corolla around the city of Melbourne, being given somewhat erratic instructions by Sarah the donut girl.

But you know what else was even more erratic? Julio's bass playing and entertaining moves during the concert. This guy is seriously lanky and he makes really good use of it while playing bass. What an awesome performer he was! Seriously have never seen anyone play bass like that on stage my whole life.

I have to say that it was a really noisy day for me, my ears were definitely screwed up after since I forgot to bring earplugs. A necessity when going to live music, especially if its frequent! I recall getting some hectic ringing in my ears Sunday night.

I managed to see some Melbourne guys along with my cousin during their ministry discussion plans, which was a bit odd since I was just sitting there and had nothing to do with it hahaha. But i learnt some extra things i can definitely take on board and try at my own church. Hilarity ensues when my cousin was told by a complete stranger who'd been coughing on her curry for speaking too loudly hahaha. i swear having a voice that carries is a genetic trait! But he dealt with it lovingly and patiently. I on the otherhand, not too sure hahaha. I know I can be impulsive and lash back with some sort of offensive witty remark, something as a Christian I really need to gain control over hahaha

At night we got to see ATAL again, because we figured we were hardcore fans and be hectic and see them twice in one day - unfortunately only for 3 songs, but it was still great to see them again! They came out pretty late! A few minutes before 12 in fact. Though at that stage I was feeling pretty smashed and weary seeing how I only slept about 4 hours the previous night - worried I would wake up late and miss my flight, yet also excited to randomly go down to Melbourne for a day trip with Sarah, who owes me cookies and doughnuts.

Yes I am aware that there is barely any coherent structure to what I wrote.

Sarah, where are my cookies and KK donuts!

2011 Maybe I'll try to blog again?

2011-04-15T16:51:00.001+10:00

blogs blogs blogs... so many things to have! and there's tumblr, facebook, twitter...

Let's see how things go ay? HAHAHA. probably poorly.

graduation!

2010-04-20T00:58:00.002+10:00

Yes I don't blog much anymore! but this is worth bloggin!

I graduated and have my music degree now! ahhahahaah woooo! =D

3 years of work which I regret not putting more effort into!

now I'm trying a lot harder on my own, irony.

iTunes U

2010-03-18T01:53:00.001+11:00

iTunes U

Its amazing stuff. I love it. all the things I wish and expected to learn is probably floating around on iTunes U!

loving the abundant knowledge available to us!

YES I'M QUITE NERDY!

myspace...

2010-03-03T00:10:00.002+11:00

No I haven't succumbed, nor have I ever used myspace much.

But after about 6 years or so of refusing to get an account

I have.

because my uni lecturer said we had to for research purposes. lol.

"Jesus never actually existed?" lol good luck being a historian

2010-02-14T22:34:00.003+11:00

Nine secular, non-Christian sources mention Jesus within the 150 years: Josephus, the Jewish historian; Tacitus, the Roman historian; Pliny the Younger, a politician of Rome; Phlegon, a freed slave who wrote histories; Lucian, the Greek satirist; Celsus, a Roman philosopher; and probably the historians Suetonius and Thallus, as well as the prisoner Mara Bar-Serapion. In all, at least forty-two authors, nine of them secular, mention Jesus within 150 years of his death.

Tiberius Caesar was the Roman emperor at the time of Jesus ministry and execution. Tiberius is mentioned by ten sources within 150 years of his death: Tacitus, Suetonius, Velleius Paterculus, Plutarch, Pliny the Elder, Strabo, Seneca, Valerius Maximus, Josephus, and Luke. Compare that to Jesus forty-two total sources in the same length of time. Thats more than four times the number of total sources who mention the Roman emperor during roughly the same period. If we only considered the number of secular non-Christian sources who mention Jesus and Tiberius within 150 years of their lives, we arrive at a tie of nine each.

If you insists that these writers (Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, and Suetonius)s testimonies are invalid simply because they were not eyewitnesses, then we should throw out most of ancient history. Besides that fact, eyewitness accounts are recorded in the Bible. If you have to be an eyewitness in order to give an accurate account of history, then no one could write a text today providing a history of the American Civil War and, indeed, much of what we know historically would have to be discarded.

Whether he was actually God in flesh or what not, is a completely different matter.

To deny Jesus' existence based on evidence is to throw out all of ancient history. Any legit historian that claims this will have a very difficult time explaining the origins of Christianity and early church days.

Lunch Variety!!!

2010-01-22T12:32:00.002+11:00

I've been thinking, what do most uni students eat when they're feeling poor and know they shouldn't buy lunch at ridiculous prices?

My first year of uni consisted of me being lazy and stupid, so I spent roughly 25 bucks on lunch every week. Then the next year prices got more expensive by a whole dollar! so I was like, no stuff this. I am going to make my own lunch.

What was that lunch? it was normally me grabbing two slices of bread, a can of tuna and a fork....and some milk-in-a-popper, which was normally Up & Go...the liquid breakfast haha.

That pretty much lasted me till end of 3rd year, or I would just starve myself, or buy hot chips/wedges. Afterall they were the cheapest thing you could buy that was filling hehe...and I JUST BURN IT ALL DOWN BABY WOOOO!!!

But now, its holidays, so I get a bit more variety at home... it normally looks like this

bread with butter
bread with peanut butter
bread with strawberry jam
bread with blackberry jam
bread with apricot jam
bread with various other different jams
bread with vegemite
bread with cheese

mi goreng
mi goreng with cheese
mi goreng with fried egg
mi goreng with various left overs from previous dinners

and a beverage which would be...
milk
milk with milo
milk with nesquick (strawberry/banana/chocolate)
milk with sugar
milk with coffee

I *might* have some fruit. lol... If i'm told to eat it HAHA. I need to grow up.

as you can see, I have a lot going for nutrition in the middle of the day. Best of all its mostly free since my parents pay for most of that stuff. hehehe, money saving powers.

So what have you been chewing on all holidays? or are you rich enough to buy food everyday? =P

So its 2010...what's planned for me!!!

2010-01-13T01:45:00.004+11:00

I got lots of plans! Lots and lots of plans! well I think I do, more like I got lots of scheduling to do lol!

Well these holidays for me = very little to do, so by all means call me up if you wanna hang! XD Of course there are few dates where I am not free, but for the majority, YES I AAAAAAAAAM!!!

Will be heading to Perth in February! Got my grandma's 80th birthday so I really gotta be there for that and to really catch up with friends and family in Perth! Totally miss them!

Between then and now, I'm just bumming around and looking around for places to apply for a casual job! I think I can only keep a casual job and if I were to take on a part time job, I will most likely die from exhaustion lolololol. Well centrelink and piano teaching keeps me up financially quite okay though! XD I just really want to get some retail experience lol.

I'm also *planning* on practising guitar and piano more. Maybe I'll get some singing books and learn how to sing properly so people don't die each time I start randomly singing hahahaha. I've had a few things holding me back, in particular the past 6 months, wasting my time playing World of Warcraft hahaha. Well I'm not completely done with it, I really want to finish the story line! so total excitment for that, but quitting for the meantime =D

That said, I have so much time on my hands, so reading times! I've bought some Mark Driscoll books, one called "Vintage Jesus" which is a highly detailed yet entertaining piece of work, well about Jesus. so totally having fun digging through that!

Long term wise for this year, is continue studying! Well I gotta make plans for graduation from my B Music too! so hurray for that, Masters of teaching here I come! I'm not exactly excited about going back to study, but I am pumped about being a high school teacher, so I gotta get the pre-requisites done first! This year I'm gonna really try to put more effort into my studies, as opposed to just sitting around being content with a credit average all the time. So hopefully, some D's and even maybe HD's will be flying my way! Wishful thinking right now though hehe

Ministry wise at church, is well keep doing what I'm doing with the youth group and continue attending night services! I'm really gonna gun it this year with ministry this year I hope! Will keep it all in prayer, loving teaching and hanging with the teens at my church. Bunch of brats but I love em ;) haha not really, they're a bunch of sweet angels lol.

Will be upping the music again this year I hope! Theres been lots of changes to our old school church to get it looking like its actually come out of this century! Recently had all the pews thrown out and the whole church hall carpeted with new chairs thrown in (really comfy ones too!) I'm feeling pretty optimistic about this year in terms of ministry and God! <3

Will continue my exercise regime training at moorebank and get more fit! Will try to make 3 classes per week! Monday Tuesday and Wednesday! possibly Saturdays if I have nothing planned! I'm loving training, but I really need to put more effort in! Its so fuuun! Its also good me time haha. Love punching and kicking stuff. Glad my bro pulled me into it.

Additionally I would really like to just build up my friendships, better and keep time aside for my friends!!! Afterall, what is life being a loner? I have to admit that I totally suck at being there for "everybody" and I probably have a lot of priorities all messed up. Anyway, really wanting to build up my relations with people, since I know I can be pretty distant and incredibly private about...almost everything in my life. Will definitely try to catch up with those friends who I haven't seen in a long time! I hope theres no awkwardness! hahaha... I think I got too many circle of friends to be able to keep friends really close to me >< oh well. lets see how things go for this year.

Theres also my family! Must spend time with them! I think people my age spend too much time away from their families and family is important! So I will spare time everyday to play some foosball with my dad and talk with my mummy and granma! I think I hang out with my bro enough haha.

oh, and get a casual job lol.

AND!!! to keep all these things, I will have a whiteboard, use a diary and the scheduler on my phone for me to keep up with all these things!

So things to concentrate on this year are in a summary... in no particular order is!!!

Keep a diary and be more organised! Also keep my room neat!
Study hard at uni and concentrate! Must not fall asleep every lesson!
Train hard physically!
Be there for my family!
Keep up with friends more often and maintain my relationships properly!
Get a casual job and pick up some (or more in reality) responsibility!
Practise and keep learning more about music!
Maintain and continue learning more and growing my relationship with God while serving in youth ministry, in music and teaching! oh yeaaah totally <3 Jesus.

Well yeah, if I'm busy you'll know why, but I do wanna catch up still! hahaha! BRING IT ON 2010!!!

Disclaimer: these are not news years resolutions...because lets be realistic, most of them end up in the can.

HMM MAYBE I SHOULD START POSTING AGAIN

2010-01-07T02:23:00.001+11:00

lolololol its a new year so maybe i will xD

The Full Realisation

2009-09-02T22:37:00.002+10:00

When you notice you've spent so much time where it sounds like its worthwhile when its not.

B Music degree at UWS, major suckage on so many levels.

Sure I've learnt some useful things and definitely opened my mind a lot more

But when it really comes down to my purpose of being there...

Its not going to be very practical in the long run.

Some of you guys may be aware that I study music, but the main reason is because I really want to be a high school teacher.

I figured music was a fun thing to do and would probably be a job that I won't grow to despise.

Unfortunately, in terms of whatever music education they're teaching us, its just not the full deal. In reality, it really sucks. The level of music theory based study is hardly tertiary and I tend to forget that I actually have to pay for this garbage.

Yes in the end I will get my degree and move onto my masters of education and most likely be able to kick start my teaching degree at some point.

However I don't think I'm gonna be any good at teaching students who already study music as a extra-curricular activity. I don't know if its because a lot of music theory has become naturalised to me, or because we weren't given any courses to actually study music on a high theoretical level. Its all basic stuff which you can learn out of AMEB prep material.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a large portion of music high school kids out there that know a hell lot more than I do. Haven't met any, but I'm sure I will eventually.

Basically in the end I'm gonna be walking around with 2 degrees, which don't even make me look that great (UWS FTW) and when it comes to the practical side of things, its gonna show even more.

I think people need to stop making up excuses on how great the course is and how great UWS is at making teachers. All horrible rumours, totally misleading people.

face it, the course sucks, you learn jack all and its definitely not worth the HECS fees even though they're relatively cheaper than every where else.

Unfortunately its something you find out by wasting your time studying there. At first I thought, awesome this course is easy. Just lots of assignments and little exams. But no, my laziness and like of convenience and efficiency has left me with an education level not much higher than a TAFE music student. Should've transferred my lazy ass over to UNSW when I had the chance.

In all honesty, the only thing I look forward to at uni is hanging with friends and going to CBM. (campus bible ministry)

anyway, three cheers for the crappy music teachers coming out...unless I can afford to go to Sydney looooooool. play too crap for that.

Our Retarded Society #2 Self Help

2009-08-19T12:40:00.003+10:00

Welcome to the most high self esteemed countries in the world where we love to tell people how they can fix themselves by reading a book or attending a special conference/program. That way you can feel better about yourself no matter what and get through anything on your own =D
...
tell that to an orphan.

I don't know who came up with the "self made man" concept, but all I know is that he's a major idiot =D

Jelly Babies

2009-06-08T16:35:00.002+10:00

The other night my mum gave me a jar of lollies (to feed my ridiculous sugar addiction).

It was a mix of all sorts of lollies, including Jelly babies. now we all should know what these are.

Weird thought came to mind just now, is that we're so used to calling them jelly babies we don't really think about the terminology we use for it. Like what happens to a fobby person (well foreign I should say)that isn't used to us referring to these lollies as 'jelly babies'.

Its like "omgosh they eat babies in jellified form!"

Do you feel wrong eating jelly babies? I'd imagine you wouldn't be.

How about if you eat a life sized jelly baby? Would that make things very awkward for you?

or just a big chunk of lolly ready to be consumed?

DO U FEEL LIKE A CANNIBAL NOW?

=P

Teeeeeeeeeeeeamwoooooooork!

2009-06-02T23:37:00.002+10:00

Remind self. Teamwork leads to finishing assignments a hell lot faster than doing it alone.

Good job Evan and Ninos! I think we did well.

Remind everyone else. If there's an assignment where you can work together on, do it.

Cursed stupid songs

2009-05-25T22:46:00.003+10:00

I don't know about you, but I have a weird habit of replacing lyrics to silly songs.

Itchy bum! Itchy bum! Does whatever, an itchy bum does!

Makes you itch!

Around the bum!

Scratch your bum! Your itchy bum!

Yeh. Ten points to the loser who figures out what tune I'm singing that to lol.

When you keep saying bum, it doesn't sound like what its supposed to be anymore...interesting.

more like a syllable to use to hum with.

Invisible Cemetary

2009-05-11T14:15:00.003+10:00

I don't know if this has ever occurred to you...but we have a lot of birds in Australia.

Like heaps. As I type this, I am looking out my bedroom and can see a few just standing on the fence.

My question is...if there are so many birds, how come we don't see that many dead ones?

Like what's the life expectancy of these feathered animals?

Its weird, we see the odd piece of roadkill every now and then, but its not that regular. You'd think with the amount of birds flying around we'd see a lot more of these flying creatures not flying.

I'm not saying I want to see lots of dead birds all over the place and quite thankful that I don't, but I'm just utterly confused of where they all go when they die...

answers anyone?

Epic film for epic music?

2009-05-05T22:29:00.003+10:00

HEY GUYS!

My next composition assignment is as follows

Type of Assessment: 3.) Interactive Large Ensemble Work
Compose a work for orchestra of 5-9 minutes duration that interacts with other media (dance, film or image) so as to form an integrated whole. The music can be continuous or spotted throughout the other media but must total the given duration. Interaction with other media is intended to enhance the score. The work can use improvisatory techniques (aleatory, graphic notation, written instructions or free-improvisation) and/or electronic sounds but must also have one element that is strictly notated (dots based). The score must be notated in Finale. Free-improvisation and electronic sections must be documented by a recording. The submission must include a score and sound-visual media (DVD).
Objective / Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to create a unified musical structure which shows interaction with another media in a way that creates a unified artwork.
Weight of Assessment Item: 50%, Due Week 16—Friday 12 June, 5pm

SO! I'm having trouble deciding where and what film clip I should yoink to write music to for an orchestra.

I'm sure I can write for asian stuff, like anime or k/j drama's (but I don't know many asian dramas)

but yeeeh...CAN YOU GUYS SUGGEST SOME STUFF SO I CAN MAKE A DECISION?

I was thinking anime of some sort just to be different from everyone else (and yet incredibly me) maybe like epic gundam spacey fight scene hahaha.

but don't just stick to the anime style, I'm up for anything, as long as I have seen it before! Just chuck me some randoms and if I know it then I might go for one of them!

Tell me soon!!!!! XD

Stuvac'09 Autumn

2009-04-28T00:31:00.004+10:00

Some of you know I spent it working in a studio for some free experience. well technically not free. Food and Transport is expensive and it makes me feel sorry for all the uni students that live out west like me. Its also quite long.

I spent the first two days driving there and back...being me, of course I got lost at some point. In this case, I got lost once each day driving around the city. Monday I missed my exit off the Eastern Distributor and Tuesday I somehow ended up at the airport.

Lucky I know how to get home from the airport though.

Anyway work experience, honestly, nothing really that spectacular happened.

Just observing and learning how things worked in the music industry.

My most productive time was spent cleaning which I found was also one of the most entertaining. Unfortunately I apparently came during the quieter months (Jan-Apr), so there wasn't too much going on around the studio during this time of year. Which of course as you could imagine, sucked on so many levels.

The staff there were all very friendly, though I was threatened to be sent home because I accidentally fell asleep during a mixing session that I was watching. I would've had sat there for a few hours at that point. Hard work trying to stay awake and not do anything but watch people work. I partially fell asleep while watching one of the other audio engineers work on sound effects for some cartoon. It seemed to be really tedious and requires a crapload of patience. Admirable to get through one 10 minute episode in like 3 days worth of work. I don't know if I've got that kind of patience for that line of work.

I got to sit and watch the mastering of the Australia OST which I suppose was quite a rare opportunity, though I listened to the one piece over and over again. Doesn't bother me, but its certainly mind numbing when you're just watching them do things. The engineers were really nice though, answered any questions I asked and didn't seem to be annoyed by anything. Except for this one point when I was really bored and was rolling my fingers on the desk to keep myself awake. Kinda just happened without me thinking.

A small highlight was meeting Baz Lurhmann and Diesel (guitarist, Mark Lizotte) and watching a recording session with Diesel. I had to buy Baz a coffee...it was a Latte with a 2 and a half shot coffee. I got him a large and he said there was a massive load of coffee...he didn't specify a size so I was told to just get the large one. Diesel had a tea! He was a really awesome guy, really friendly and talented. Very humble too! Good ears...pro musician haha. But yeh, no chance for autographs or photos! You'll just have to take my word for it.

Shame it was in the late afternoon and I had places to be...and traveling from the city to the wonderful west isn't particularly fast. I'm not a massive big fan of theirs anyway, but regardless they were some sort of celebrity which was cool. Apparently Hugh Jackman was there on Monday while I was in the main studio, but I wasn't allowed to go see lol. (Well if the engineers weren't allowed, then why should I?) Not allowed to bother big class celebrities in that environment hah.

A few days lots of brass players from SSO came in to rehearse, I gave them all pencils so they could annotate their scores. They were all really nice people, all of them stopped practising one by one just to say thanks!

I really like nice and friendly people!

I spent a couple of hours helping replace a load of busted globes around the studio. Wasn't too bad, gave me a chance to talk to the engineers about the music industry and what it entails.

Anyway, that about sums it up. I could go on for ages as you know, but I won't.

What did I learn about this? well a few tricks and tips for the trade, but also most importantly is that I probably will never chase the Audio engineering path to be pro. Why? Well it requires a load of dedication, commitment and sacrifice. Anyone that knows me, will know that I got way too many things happening in my life already, plenty of commitments I'm already involved in which could be shared with another two people or so.

Simply put, if you want to be an audio engineer pro, it has to be your life almost...and definitely will be your life when you're starting out. I was told in the past 5 years, 11 assistants have been fired from the place...so not the easiest place to get into.

Was it a week wasted? I'm not really sure, but its definitely been a learning process which I probably wouldn't get anywhere else. I'd rate the week 7/10, just cos the people there are really nice haha. In terms of learning about technology and what not, not too much...I spent quite a lot of time reading audio tech magazines they had lying all over the place though.

I wouldn't mind going again during a time that is busier, but since I've now decided not to go for it seriously, I probably stick to teaching and maybe build my own personal studio for fun sometime down the years. Its a mega expensive hobby, but I might be able to hire my own studio out to people I guess? haha.

So yeh, Audio engineering...I conclude that its not the most appropriate job for a Christian not because of content, but volume. I would have to drop everything for it, something that I am totally not willing to do cos I just love Jesus too much for that. Sometimes it can be tough to put God first, but I know it will be totally worthwhile in the long run.

Besides, my listening skills are pretty shocking still haha!!! gotta keep working on training them! better keep on honing my teaching and music skills!

Work Experience 2009, first semester

2009-04-25T23:07:00.000+10:00

Well yes. I have finished a week of work experience at Trackdown studio's and will blog about it later.

ciao!

RIP Double Beef and Cheeseburger

2009-04-09T00:27:00.003+10:00

I salute you beautiful bargain Double Beef and Cheeseburger.

I will remember my good memories of you.

I will always remember you're awesomeness.

I will remember how you filled my stomach when I only had 2 dollars

I don't think anything could ever replace your awesomeness.

Maybe except for a double beef and cheeseburger with pickles.

But yes. I can only hope that Macca's bring you back to my arms!

Broken Guinea Pig

2009-04-07T23:47:00.002+10:00

I gotta learn how to tone my voice down.
Which from now on, I'm gonna try to train myself to do....hopefully XD
That way I don't sound like the super nerdy nasal geek all the time hahahaha.

*drop your larynx and speak out your mouth* haha

A friend told me I sounded like a broken guinea pig, which I couldn't help but start cracking up in madness! MAAADNESS!!!

then again, I know my voice carries like crazy so people don't recognize me walking down the hallway all the time haha.

Cruel jokes are sometimes the most hilarious

2009-03-20T16:45:00.005+11:00

Or maybe its just me and my sinister sense of humor, but this just is awesome find.

Check out the DEVIL SHEEP! hahaha hilarious I tell you.

If you're not laughing at that, then you and I will never be as close as we could be.

Gosh, sometimes I feel like that poor sheep too XD social outcast time!

I wanna get that mask now! mwhahahaha!

Cheeseburgers

2009-03-18T00:15:00.003+11:00

McDonalds.

Recession.

The Almighty Cheeseburger.

is no longer under 2 dollars.

This is appalling!

Well at least the double beef burger is still $1.95...for now

which is really weird because you get an extra beef patty in a Double beef burger where as in a Cheeseburger, you get pickles instead - which most people throw out.

I love the pickles btw.

$ of one beef patty = $ of 2 pickles?

THERES' A CONSPIRACY GOING ON HERE!

I LIKE MY BATTLE SCARS!!!

2009-03-06T17:33:00.005+11:00

I have awesome battle scars. Do you?

I don't have many, but I have some pretty huge ones that are extremely noticeable when not covered up.

The top three would be...........!!!

3) One on my left leg, its about 15cm long. Nice scar from running blindly on the beach at like 100km per hour and stacking it over some rope i didn't see until it was too late. (it was night time) I saw it just before i would've had ran straight into it, so as opposed to stopping which would've probably been more dangerous, I jumped over it instead...only to scrape my shin across the rope. it was like massive rope burn.

That resulted in bleeding. Lots of bleeding. I didn't notice at first because I was wearing pants...but my leg got itchy so when I checked it there was this lovely long line of red, pooling into my nice white socks. Quite a lovely sight I must say.

My mum wasn't too impressed as you could imagine.

2) Underneath my neck, on the right side, I have two indents that looks like a vampire has bitten me. I never noticed them until highschool when some friends pointed it out. According to my parents they were from surgery when I was a baby where they shoved some tubes into my throat. Not far from a vampire bite scar I would say.

1) The huge as scars down the center of my chest and on the left side of my back which runs along my shoulder blade to the side of my body. Looks quite bizarre. I am horribly unsymmetrical. Anyway they were from the same surgery as before. If you didn't know I had open heart surgery when I was born because of a congenital disease. Its all good now, I'm quite normal...minus a hole in my heart. Literally. Its in my pulmonary valve if that means anything to you. Its all good though, its been like that for years! and I'm still powering on! hellzzz yeaaaaaah! apparently i MIGHT have to get surgery for it when I'm about 50.

I have a hole in my heart. is there anyone to fill it in? (figuratively) lolololol!

Originally the scars would've been 3-4cm long, but they have nicely stretched in proportion with my whole body, so they're a lot bigger than what they used to be hahaha.

WHAT BATTLE SCARS DO YOU HAVE!?!?!?!?

Our retarded society #1

2009-02-26T23:39:00.004+11:00

You know, I come across a lot of unreasonable crap that pops up here and there but this is beyond belief.

Like just hearing this news hurls up a huge lump of anger and makes me want to go rampaging around and ranting how stupid and inconsiderate people are.

You might've heard, a few years ago a lesbian couple had a IVF procedure done (that is, artificial contraception) and a doctor mistakenly been communicated they wanted two eggs when it was only supposed to be one.

Sure a medical mistake, some negligence which isn't professional at all and certainly should be best avoided at all times in the area of medicine.

So yes, heres a lesbian couple who's out there making a combined income of $120,000 complaining that a doctor messed up...and in the spirit of our awesome society, they do the obvious - they sue. Yes thats right, they're suing because they're having one more kid that they did not want.

Cruel.

Its fine that they have the right to sue, but what pisses me off and probably a million other people is that they actually won. A whopping $317k. Apparently they're 120k PA income isn't enough to raise 2 kids.

No. I'm not picking on them just because they're lesbians. If a hetero couple did the same thing I would be equally disgusted. I'm picking on them because they're a pair of selfish, inconsiderate and undesirable scum of society.

Can you see the indispicable behaviour shown by this couple? Could you imagine when the twins get older to learn that one of them weren't supposed to be alive? and that your own parents got 317k in "damages" which in fact, you are the "DAMAGED GOODS?"? and you weren't even supposed to be alive in the first place?

and what the hell were the judges thinking? it was originally rejected at courts, but somehow it got overruled. someone tell me who this idiot of a judge is so I can baseball bat them in the head.

My goodness, when both my parents worked their asses off and their combined income was probably little more than 60k a year and my brother and i seem to be pretty damn fine and still are.

Also, did they not even entertain the idea of having a second child? most probably did. would the difference in expense really would have made any difference of when they were born? Are the parents so self-centered on spending money on themselves that their stingy enough to only plan their expenses for one child?

WHAT THE BEEP BEEP BEEP IS THIS CRAP.

They are in an extremely privileged position to be the parents of twins in itself and out of their own selfishness they have to make a big deal out of situation most people would consider as special. What ungrateful jerks. This is totally disgraceful, stupid tarts like that shouldn't even been allowed onto the IVF program.

There are thousands of people out there with REAL serious problems. HAVING A SECOND KID AS A SUPRISE ISN'T!!! There are kids out there born with disabilities, whether mental or physical who will struggle for the rest of their lives because of that. When diagnosed, parents don't normally just run off and have them aborted/euthanaised like some animal! and there are heaps of couples out there who can't even have children!

HAVING CHILDREN IS A GOD GIVEN BLESSING!!!

Life in itself is precious and these stupid ladies don't even see that.

Besides, have you thought of what kind of parents they will be? sounds like they want to run a bloody showroom for their friends than anything else. as if raising a child is like an extra-curricular activity - then they find out they have twins, then suddenly their life turned into a post-apocalypse world. "HOLY CRAP I HAVE TO BUY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON DECORATIONS AND BABY GOODS NOW" -.-

Honestly, I feel deeply sorry and pity the children having to grow up and know that their parents didn't want one of them. They should put whatever brain thats leaked out their heads back in and just LOOK at how well off they are. Affluence, jobs, home, the fact they can spend hundreds of dollars on a pram...and the fact that they're lesbians with children!

well other than me being angry, heres a Biblical perspective on children.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,I know that full well.
~Psalm 139:13,14

This is what the Lord says- He who made you, who formed you in the
womb, and who will help you -Isaiah 44:2

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." --Psalm
127:3

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.- Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV)

Well shame on these ladies, God wanted both the kids to be alive and frolicking around today and BOTH children are equally important, just like everyone else. but still, the story is a very sad one T.T

Anyway, I say, if you want to have kids - do it the way its supposed be done! =)

and with someone responsible and your married to! got enuff single mums out there already!

You can check the story out here...
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25047597-29277,00.html

I like flashy looking cars

2009-02-22T00:49:00.003+11:00

If anyone knows anything about me, then they probably know that I don't know crap all about automobiles.

sure i know stuff like brands and what not, but when it comes to the topic of cars - which comes up quite often being a male, i'm normally totally left out of the loop since i have absolutely no input.

If anyone asks me about what car model i like or what i would like to drive, I'll say something like "I LIKE THE COLOUR BLUE!!! BLUE MAKES CAR FAST LIKE GUSHING WATERS!!!"

well not particularly, but i'll never make any indication of what brand or model i favour...unless i say something like "Camry"

I don't really understand how people can tell from a mile away what brand a car is just by looking at it. I don't know what it is until i see the damn logo badgey thing at the front or back.

unless its dead obvious...like a toyota tarago...or nissan skyline "OOH LOOKY!! CIRCLE SHAPED LIGHTS!!!"

I just don't get it. in all seriousness, most cars look all similar to me.

its a chunk of metal with glass windows on wheels with a general shape thats common to all cars. they come in many colours and shapes!!!

but yeh, next time u start talking about cars, expect me not to say anything at all or something really retarded.

Random facts about me?

2009-02-12T13:41:00.005+11:00

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm yeah! a whole bunch of random things about me! Trying to make it to 50!

1)My name on my birth certificate is incorrect. Its written as "An Binh Nguyen" when it should technically be "Binh An Nguyen", though in vietnamese its backwards so "Nguyen Binh An" is correct. But who cares, everyone calls me and knows me by Andy anyway =P

2)I have a sweet tooth. I love eating sugary goodness. chocolate, lollies and cordial would be my diet if it wasn't so bad for you.

3)I'm a cheap drunk. it got worst when I lost weight. I rarely drink anyway, and when I do its quite minimal.

4)My favourite beverage probably be Creaming Soda

5)Despite the fact that I don't cook very well, I can be extremely critical about restuarants I go to. I'm not afraid to say things like "this food sucks" while resturarant staff is around.

6)I enjoy eating and trying all sorts of different foods. Unless they really really gross me out and looking at it makes me want to throw up.

7)Although I'm a guy and think like a guy, I don't mind window shopping.

8)I have a horrible sense of direction and get lost very easily. Especially while driving.

9)I'm a crazy driver. I turn around corners quite fast. can't be good for the car...

10)I've got really tiny feet. Size 8 mens =D

11)I study music at university! to be a music teacher though!

12)Even though I study music and do heaps of things that is music orientated, I'm not very passionate about it - at all.

13)I would say that I'm oddly quite busy for someone who's unemployed, but I recently got a job.

14)I work at a car yard for a bunch of lebanese people. I clean stuff, like cars. don't know anything about cars.

15)I still get mistakened as a 14 year old by some people...though people have guessed me to be 24 too.

16)I watch anime obsessively and excessively.

17)Otakus and Weeaboos freak me out

18)I appreciate good art of many kinds. vintage, victorian, lacey dacey kind of things, really intricately carved or painted things. I find it quite amazing.

19)I don't watch much, but I enjoy plays and theatre stuff.

20)I love my friends though I don't get to see them as often as i would like to.

21)I act like a retard and behave really childlishly. A lot. I'm not pretentious, just having fun. I really like having fun.

22)I love eating dairy products. Cheese, milk, yoghurt....yup!

23)I don't have a high trust level and have a tendency to protect people from knowledge they can do without. hence most people including friendzzz don't know that much about me.

24)I'm a poor swimmer, mainly due to stamina drainage in the water. I get exhausted in water very easily for some odd reason.

25)I want to do lots of travelling with my future partner! whoever that might be hahahaha!

26)I can be incredibly slack. but in a friendly way. I make a lot of jokes at the expense of other people.

27)I like scaring little kids...Crying kids are hilarious.

28)I have bad fashion sense. Someone take me shopping, I'm cool with looking daggy and hobo like though =)

29)A lot of my time is spent preparing and doing church ministry.

30)Because of that, I hang around an oddly large number of highschoolers at times.

31)I don't wear jewellery. unless you include a watch.

32)I'm generally quite nice to everyone.

33)I used to get into lots of school yard fights.

34)I know, I don't look like a violent person.

35)Not afraid to physically hurt someone if required...like a thief!

36)Watching insects and other wildlife kill each other is entertaining to me.

37)I want to marry a girl who loves Jesus more than me, but after him it needs to be me. HAHAHA!

38)I think the world is incredibly stuffed up yet so wonderful at the same time.

39)I've been to more funerals for people I don't know than do know.

40)I have considered atheism.

41)My favoute colour is blue. If i wear anything that is coloured, its normally blue.

42)The meaning of life is... "42" hahahahaha. I found that hilarious. Not that I believe it =P

43)I love staying up really late and sleeping a lot.

44)I am not a morning person.

45)I have a whistling range of 2 octaves.

46)I'm more of a creative person than anything else.

47)Drawing, designing, innovating...i likes.

48)I don't plan on moving out my parents home any time soon =)

49)I enjoy playing computer games here and there.

50)I love Jesus! I'm a devoted Christian though I'm still a massive screw up and theres lots of messed up stuff happening in the Christian scene. Yes. Stuffed up even more than you!

YAY! 50 facts. lol. i have a lot of time to kill today xD

Studying while playing games

2009-02-03T21:05:00.005+11:00

People say it can't be done! People say its way too distracting! People say you can't get any study done!

I always said you could do it!!!

And finally I have empirical evidence from a certified university in america!

http://www.sk-gaming.com/content/21805-Starcraft_infiltrates_the_classrooms_literally

Who would've had thought! Studying games! aaaawesome.

Now we just have to figure out how we would integrate video games into a music course and I'll be set! =D

and i think its very possible =D =D =D

Audio engineering - sound effects and background/soundtrack music. ooooooooooh yeaaaaaaaaah!!! final fantasy anyone? woot woot woot!

Thank you God for Starcraft. *smiles*

100 Truths

2009-02-02T14:39:00.003+11:00

100 Truths. After you've filled this out, tag 15 people and have them do the same.

Last beverage → orange juice
Last phone call → Aaron Li
Last instant message → Michael Ngo
Last song you listened to → That's what you Get - Paramore
Last time you cried → Don't particularly remember, but definately sometime in 2008, think was when someone i knew died *sigh*

HAVE YOU EVER:
Dated someone twice → no
Been cheated on → no
Kissed someone & regretted it → no
Lost someone special→ hard to say what "special" is after those questions. in that sense, no.

IN THE PAST MONTH HAVE YOU:

Fallen out of love → Never been "in love"
Laughed until you cried → No, but I've been faking laughing and apparently it sounds like I'm crying in pain.
Met someone who changed your life → strictly no, but Jesus always affects how I go about doing things =)
Found out someone was talking about you → Yes, happens quite frequently =/
Have you kissed anyone on your top friends? → yeh maybe on the cheek lol. that is the face, not butt.
How many ppl on your top friends do you know in real life? → I don't have anyone in top friends list =( but everyone I'm somewhat close to, I definately know in real life.
How many kids do you want to have → depends on the future wife I suppose XD

Do you have any pets → no *cry face* however I do catch huntsman around my home occassionally and keep em for a few days before I release them into the garden.
Do you want to change your name → No, but its pretty generic.
What time did you wake up today → 8am, but didn't get out of bed till 12:30
What were you doing at midnight last night → watching Nadal pick his bum on national television
Name something you CANNOT wait for → meeting Jesus and basking in his awesomeness.
Last time you saw your father→ he's like outside my room napping right now lol...
What's one thing you wish you could change → your face!
Have you ever talked to a person named Tom → Yes and quite often too. Yes Tom Phanthany that is you.
What's getting on your nerves right now → inefficiency and people telling me to do things that i'm in the middle of doing.
What's your real name → Nguyen Binh An
Zodiac sign → Libra...thats right, I'm tampon branded.
Elementary/primary School → Some magic one in perth which I don't recall, Prarievale PS, Canley Heights PS, Harrington St PS, Governor Philip King PS.
High School → Bossley Park High School
Hair color → Black. somewhat miniscule shades of brown.
Long or short → Short
Are you a health freak → I have a sweet tooth and love steak. If I eat too much junk then I crave vegies and fruit. Soooo...both yes and no.
Righty or lefty → Right

FIRSTS:

First surgery → when I was born ROFL. Open heart surgery, cut open from the front and back XD I HAVE BATTLE SCARS!!!
First piercing → none, I'm a wuss and really stingy about spending money on things like that.
First best friend → I don't really have a best friend. Just many very good friends whom I trust and love dearly XD
First sport you joined → Computer games! er, prob basketball...didn't go through very well. I'm very unco at a lot of things.
First pet → puppy, white fox terrier named Charlie who liked biting me
First vacation → I THINK it was when I was in year 1, went to the states, universal studios, disney land...yah =D
First crush → that girl from year 1 that I sat next to. HAHA XD

CURRENTLY :

Eating → I eated cheese and ham sandwich for lunchez.
Drinking → water
Waiting → For hapkido class

YOUR FUTURE :

Want kids? → totally!
Want to get married?→ totally!
Careers in mind? → many! audio engineer, highschool music teacher, working in the media field basically...with sound and stuffs. XD

HAVE YOU EVER:

Kissed a stranger → No
Drank hard liquor → No idea, whatever I accept from my friends. I normally don't know what the heck I drink. I just don't drink a lot of it.
Lost glasses/contacts → yes to glasses.
Ran away from home → hellz no!
Broken someone's heart → ummm sorta, don't really know.
Been arrested → No
Turned someone down → yes =( but I still would like a girlfriendzzz lol. wait, just one =P
Cried when someone died → Yes. and yes. and yes. one of the only times when its uncontrollable.

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

Yourself → Yes and Jesus!
Miracles → Jesus miracles!
Love at first sight → yeh sure, if by that you mean hormonal human instincts kicking in.
Heaven → OF COURSE! what kind of moron christian would I be if i didn't XD
Santa Claus → No
Kiss on the first date → neverrrrzzz!
Angels → Yes

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY :

Is there one person you want to be with right now? → Yes, sorta. not really sure.
Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time → Nooooooooope! Never really had a girlfriend anyways! XD
Do you believe in God? → SURE DO!
Is this questionnaire a waste of time?? meh, but definately kills time I suppose.

Batman at his worst

2009-01-30T00:23:00.003+11:00

You know, I always remember a friend telling me that Batman is one of the most hopeless superheros because he doesn't have any magic powers. Don't get me wrong, I think Batman is awesome. Even the old school corny movies. Pure hilarity they were...=D

Anyway, enjoy this clip i dug up on youtube.

Celebrating the Day

2008-12-24T00:11:00.000+11:00

And with this Christmas wish is missed
The point I could convey
If only I could find the words to say to let You know how much You've touched my life
Because here is where You're finding me, in the exact same place as New Year's eve
And from a lack of my persistency
We're less than half as close as I want to be

And the first time
That You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior
And the first breath that left Your lips
Did You know that it would change this world forever

And so this Christmas I'll compare the things I felt in prior years
To what this midnight made so clear
That You have come to meet me here

To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me
In the hope that what You did
That you were born so I might live
To look back and think that
This baby would one day save me

And I, I celebrate the day
That You were born to die
So I could one day pray for You to save my life

- Relient K

A song a mate of mine introduced to me to perform for Christmas, all about Christmas.

The magical feeling of Christmas Carols

2008-12-23T00:23:00.003+11:00

As we all know, Christmas is around

Its the magical festive season, that is without the magic.

For those who don't know me, I tend to blurt out random tunes and songs in the most undesirable times. I might make some songs up myself making lyrics as I go or in this instance, I start singing some christmas carols chorus.

I figured, Christmas season doesn't feel like Christmas when there aren't any carols being sung or played. That is the awesome traditional ones from old-school times.

Despite all the decorations and commercial advertising thats pushed in your face from every direction, it just doesn't "feel" like Christmas. Theres like this type of aura I used to sense when I was younger during the season.

Maybe its because I happen to be so much more conscientious of the commodity Christmas has turned into in the past few decades and the increasing secularist nature of our society.

As a kid growing up in a Christian environment, I always knew Christmas was supposed to be based on Jesus's birth. Even though the holiday itself was introduced because of other traditions being fused into the Christian faith, since then it was always and supposed to be about Jesus. (For the record, we dont' actually KNOW the actual date of his birth.)

Despite this, the whole entire Christmas commercial scene has made it into churches regardless, with Santa running around and giving presents to everyone - normally kids. (I don't think presents were ever supposed to be exchanged between adults...until recently) I mean giving gifts away aren't a bad thing, I think its great, but the focus of Christmas has clearly gone off the railway tracks. When you've got millions of people around the world celebrating Christmas not knowing even the slightest hint of background knowledge on the holiday, theres clearly a little problem going on with the Christian image and scene. (Yes I'm aware theres a lot of things wrong with the Christian image in general with all the scandal, but thats more of the individual's problem, not what is taught)

So what does this have to do with Carols? Well theres a lot of "christmas carols" out these days which have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas and Jesus. And in all honesty, most of the time thats all I hear when I’m out and about. Someones always singing about Jingle bells rocking, a tree, a snowman, a reindeer named Rudolf, some guy that’s coming to town but never does...

I don’t know about you, but for me these lyrics are pretty empty and relate very little to anyone. Since when did you find snow in the middle-east where Jesus was born (Bethlehem), let alone a frigging snowman! I mean, that would be totally awesome if there were, but fact is that they don’t get much snow there...not much at all.

So yeh, I know I know, I’m a Jesus ranting boy, but hey, its Christmas! And Christmas is supposed to be all about God sending his Son Jesus down to Earth! Why do Christians celebrate it? Because it is history that is fundamental to the Christian faith and a massive sign of how much God loves us! Yes. Very massive. Its not everyday you have 700 year old texts prophesising about some dude thats gonna be born and fulfil all those prophesies. But Jesus wasn’t any ordinary dude at all, heck he split history in half. So don’t you all go telling me that Jesus was fictional. When’s the last time one of Lil Red Riding hoods buddies split history? Sure there’s a lot to say here, but I won’t =P

So, for all those who’ve read this, why don’t you all go and ponder about the awesomeness of Christmas and why its so celebrated and SUNG by people all around the world. Don’t just let the lyrics fly past you, try actually reading/listening to what its about. That is, for the awesome old-school Christmas carols!

Happy Christmas holidays boys and girls. (btw, apparently its illegal or discrimatory to say “merry Christmas” in some countries now, which just shows the ultimate irony of freedom of speech constantly going down the drain)

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Woo! I'm a moron!

2008-12-15T18:22:00.002+11:00

YAH! i am totally back from melbourne...like two weeks now lol. YA EVAN. okay. this is for you.

random fact about me.

I don't mind having people tell me my fly is undone. Its normally followed by me screaming out

"WOW YOU'RE RIGHT!!! My fly is undone! excellent observation skills there!"

why do i mention that?

because the new jeans i recently got are size 30 and its like walking around in concrete spandex...and the fly somehow gets undone easily.

something for everyone to look out for in the future!

er will talk about soimething soon lol.

peew peew peew melb!

2008-11-22T00:12:00.001+11:00

I'm going to melbourne tomorrow! so won't be around in sydney for a week. YA.

=D

its being lazy time!!!

2008-11-18T19:24:00.003+11:00

well now that i totally flunked my performance, its over nethertheless.

I had a bad case of jelly fingers while playing. should've picked an easier song i guess. meh ah well.

its now holidays

like sheer bliss holidays.

i seriously need to get a job or something...hmmm what should i do?

anyway i'll be in melbourne 22-29th doing some piano study with this music teacher whos like concert piano gangster. so that will be interesting. also some time just away is always fun for me. I really like my time away from home =D

well for now, in the next 3 days or so...i'll be doing some camp planning for my church, mainly in the music criteria which is supposedly my specialty. but i totally suck with rock ensemble stuff. and any other kind of ensemble for that matter. I actually just came back from a visit to the site and i'm pretty impressed with what they have available. I really like it. very very nice. lots of spacious cabins and rooms. indoor and outdoor sports. swimming pool and a whole range of awesome activities. totally gangster.

Also have minigolf outing!

I'm looking foward to swinging golf clubs around like a crazy mad man.

WEIRD STOMACH BUGS

2008-11-16T23:07:00.002+11:00

I woke up to the lovely feeling of throwing up, followed by actually throwing up. horrible. absolutely horrible.

I'm not sure what it was I ate that made me sick, but it definately knocked me out for most of the day.

SIGH*

and I was gonna do some extreme piano practicing before tomorrow. but now i'm just gonna have to do what i can do for tomorrow

performance exam for uni tomorrow.

only two pieces.

a really hard one

and one where i have to make up like 80% of it.

20% each of my unit mark.

fun. -.-

seriously did not have enough time to practice everything fluently =/ sighhhhhh even with couple of hours each day. =( I failz.

Urban Food Commercials

2008-11-16T00:52:00.002+11:00

Odd thought, whatever happened to the cool commercials where there were a bunch of people dancing in urban and city places doing their cool tricks?

Like the Skittles and Pringles commercials. When I think about it, they were pretty COOL!!!

I wish I was cool.

*tries to be cool*

XD

yes i hven't been blogging for a while. I will write something soon...

Care for a drink anyone?

2008-10-27T04:00:00.001+11:00

A hilarious find, labrador drinks 2 bottles of wine. Gets hang over. Goes to vet. While leaving, walks into a tree. HAHAHAHA

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4738596a4560.html

this is what i do when i procrastinate. bad andy! bad bad andy!

Arrested for killing ex-husband...

2008-10-26T05:24:00.004+11:00

of the virutal kind. Maple Story fun.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/story/0,25642,24544815-5014239,00.html

Take a read of that and find that the world is currently spiralling down a hole of sheer stupidity and hilarity.

Oh

the

irony

of

technology.

JUST A WEEK LEFT

2008-10-22T16:29:00.002+11:00

5600+ words worth of assignments to do with all the proper referencing...wow.

not to mention the projects.

All due next week.

Good luck to all. XD

then i has the ridiculous amounts of piano practice afterwards for performance on the 17 and 18th.

then FREEEEEEEEEEEEEDOM!!!

I should find a holiday job.

All I really want is some midnight maccas

2008-10-14T23:22:00.004+11:00

This semester has been interesting. Despite the work load, we've pretty much been demanded to spend at least 2 hours (normally 4) a week in the recording studio working on assignments.

My mate Evan and I conveniently work together since we live so close to each other(and not to mention good mates) . Unfortunately we both have conflicting and busy kind of timetables -the only time we can really take up each week is Wednesday nights, 8pm.

Which means we normally leave uni sometime after 12am. Thats right, we stay at uni that late. We might as well just bloody sleep there considering I have class 9am Thursdays.

Evan being the busy boy he is, normally needs dinner on the run - hence the maccas requirements.

and heck, theres a 24/7 maccas on the way to uni and back, so we stop there both ways.

Right now, the only thing I look foward to that relates to uni are these nights where we stop for maccas and act like a bunch of morons throughout the night. Nothing as good as some burgers and milkshakes after a long recording session...and typical stupid boy behaviour. =D

When things look dim...

2008-09-29T23:44:00.003+10:00

Why does life seem so depressing sometimes?

Cos education exists and retards like me condone it by going to uni.

and the suffering continues...in circles it seems...

JUST LET ME STAY HOME AND BE A BUM!!!

Many weeks of pain scheduled ahead. can I get a hurray?

just thought I'll do more complaining.

life just hasn't been as quirky and humorous enough lately for me to write something funny. *sad face*

WOW STUVAC!!!

2008-09-21T23:48:00.004+10:00

Well its not that stuvac that makes me go WOW.

But the fact that stuvac is week NINE.

THERES like A MONTH left of my second of UNI ALREADY.

Like seriously?

and I don't have too much planned this week either...somebody be my friend when I'm lonlified. I need to geek it up a bit more though, heaps of work to get done.

Need to catch up with lots of friends.

Like is there anyone thats seriously freaking out how fast uni goes past? LIKE WHAT'S THIS CHEESECAKE BUSINESS?

Limits of Creativity

2008-09-09T00:27:00.004+10:00

I must be sheer stupid and in the wrong course. I sat infront of the computer for like 5 hours trying to write my piece. Or I just chose something stupid to do. Which then of course, increases the stupid factor by two.

It sounds retarded, it doesn't flow, and theres too many restrictions I have which I'm not used to. Eg. Having nothing written in bass, from low G and under (The G directly under middle C) and only two octaves to work in. (for those who don't get it, then...TOO BAD!!!)

LIKE WHY THE PAIN!

I hate this.

booohoohooo!

Things that frustrate me #1

2008-09-04T22:39:00.003+10:00

I don't know about you guys, but I really enjoy my cheeseburgers from Maccas.

Infact I enjoy most burgers from maccas, in moderation.

However once in a while, I get a burger which is supposed to have a pickle in it. (like cheese burgers!!!!)

I know most people hate the green things, but I think they are absolutely spendid. Its my favourite part of the burger which I always leave for the last bite. But no, sometimes Maccas totally gyp me and I don't get my frigging pickle! IT MAKES ME ANGRY! How do you think it feels to look foward to something that you're supposed to get, AND NOT GET IT!!! Next time I'm totally gonna complain and hope I get another free burger. Unfortunately I don't dine-in very often.

I want my frigging 5c worth of pickles!!!!

Glorious uni days

2008-09-03T18:59:00.002+10:00

I get the awesome privledge to go to uni at night time to do recordings. Probably be home 12am. Never before have I ever planned to stay back this late!

I'm sure I'm totally gonna have a blast. ultra blast! like the type of blast where you blasting music till your ears.

Today one of my lecturers said "If you don't have a passion for music, you're probably in the wrong course"

I was like - yeh thats probably me. XD

WELL STUFF THAT!!! I STUDY WHAT I WANT TO STUDY! =) I don't really want to study anything though. XD Maybe except for the Bible =D

Sorry, too busy pretending to be busy

2008-08-09T01:31:00.004+10:00

*Warning* this is a complaining rant, don't complain to me if you felt like you wasted your life XD

A lot of people who know me normally know I'm generally always on the run. I'm generally occupied and always have something that I need to plan, organize, attend or finish up on. Its not everyday where I sit at home all day hoping something will come up, theres normally always something there that is just calling me. Over-commitment. Its somewhat of a problem.

Most guys would know I'm usually occupied with church, most occasionally doing something for Youth Group and amongst other things related to God matters, like the Campus Bible Ministry (CBM) which is the Christian Society at uni.
The next thing that keeps me on my toes is university. I don't even practice piano much these days. Heaps of it is just theory theory theory and more theory. Then again, when I do have time to practice I don't. I'm pretty relaxed about it.

These two things are the major things that take up most of my time and energy. Why? I clearly believe they're both really important.

So no, for those who are might be wandering, I am actually quite busy with my life despite the fact I don't have a job.

This month, August however, just broke loose and I'm going to have a hell of a ride ahead of me. The amount of things thats planned for church and uni, is just beyond ridiculous.

Heres a list of what needs to be done before the end of August.

7th - 1000 Words due for uni (done!)
9th - Interchurch Sports Evangelical Event.
10th - Combined Service at church
16th - RICEfest (http://riceevent.org.au/)
19th - 2 page Proposal for project
19th - Completed Composition for Sax and Trumpet (+1 comp and a performance after Aug o.O)
20th - 15 word explanations (weird academic thing, kind of like dictionary meanings)
20th - Class Presentation for Contemporary Arts (Maybe I can get this postponed..)
21st - 800 Word Project Proposal
21st - CBM Evangelistic Talk
23rd - RICErally

So yeah, if you don't hear from me at all for the next 2 weeks you'll know why.

I do love doing most of these things, but when deadlines are involved, I really cringe at the thought.

Ear piercing screaming!

2008-08-04T21:33:00.003+10:00

With the onset of my voice recovery, I can currently scream like a panicking or freaked out female. Its so awesome. All the unsuspecting victims!!! mwhahahaha!!!

The other night when I went to see Phantom of the Opera, I was tempted to scream like a pansy because there were so many old people walking around...OH THE PLEASURE AND HILARITY IF I HAD DONE IT!!! and no one would've had suspected a short skinny asian boy would they...unless I had my massive grin on my face XD

oooh ha ha! I didn't want to be responsible for any heart attacks though.

Well yeah, go see Phantom of the Opera and get B+ seats! or else you will fall asleep from restricted viewing. Music was brilliant, singing was so awesome. Tickets running out fast! Not many weeks left! At the Lyric Theatre! They had some crazy soprano singers there. Very impressive.

BUT NOT AS IMPRESSIVE AS MY (temporary) SCREAMING VOICE!!! Its like 5 octaves above middle C if that means anything to you. hahaha.

Better that you come see my screaming first because I don't know how long I can keep it up lulz. XD

The One With The Random Intrusion

2008-07-30T21:31:00.002+10:00

There's a few stuck keys on this computer. the f and r most notably.

Today's posting has a featuring of one Angeline Nguyen.

Have you ever been aware of the hierarchy that exists in enclosed social circumstances? I'm thinking about the awkward interactions that define the bus journey you take to and from work or school or whatever. Trains count as well, but because of the room for movement (without mention of peak hour), the sheer space and accessibility does not constrict you to endless minutes with unsavory strangers.
But back to this hierarchy. I think that those who are aware of it are infinitely confined by it. Their social consciousness makes it unnerving for them to actively go beyond their comfort zone. I think these are the type of people who are couch themselves in their own terms and find it hard to stray. But when they are moved enough by circumstance to, they'll be reluctant to change sgnificantly. All because they are too conscious weary. With or without reason, they can feel the burning sensation of other people's judgement and critical appraisal. And they feel entrapped by it.

Woah Andy, you're prticularly articulate tonight =D

ciao mon cherie

Sounds like Puberty.

2008-07-22T13:05:00.006+10:00

A few of you guys may be aware, from my msn nickname that my voice is pretty much gone, or you've heard me speak and it looks like i'm struggling for air. This is kinda the story how I got to this point.

The gloriness of getting some sort of throat infection.

It turns out that I caught a cold, over a week ago on the13th of July.
That very night I had a meeting to go to up in Eastwood, at some Japanese restaurant by the name of...Zenya or something...that doesn't sound right...It was a RICE ( http://www.riceevent.org.au/ ) meeting with Benny, Karen, Lily and Kathy.

So while I was feasting on my Chicken (cooked in some manner) Udon Soup, I noticed a funny tickle down my throat. An awfully familiar one, the annoying type where you can sense a cold coming on.

After my chicken noodles and meeting of discussing RICE plans and what not, we proceeded to leave the restuarant the same way most people do and walk towards our cars. While in that process the nutcase Benny, in like 8 degree weather announces that he feels like eating ice-cream despite the inappropriate timing for it. Moments later we pass an asian grocery store while on the topic of different types of ice-cream. In particular these "fish ice-cream pies" or something. I really had little idea of what it is. We peered into the grocery, which was closed mind you - but the freezer with all the ice-creams were right beside the window so we were all peering inside it pointing out all these random different asian ice-creams which everyone had tried except for me. I seriously didn't even think about the possibility of "asian ice-creams" to actually exist. It just never occurred to me that orientals overseas in asia produced and ate ice-cream too.

As we were gawking through the window, the shop owner pops out from the back of the store and catches us gazing right back at him. Oh the humanity. Suprisingly he comes up to the window and asks us if we wanted to buy anything providing we had small change. All the guys looked at each other and eagerly wanted to head inside. Nicely enough the man opens the door and welcomes us in and I, feel obligated to buy something for his kindness of opening the store for 5 suspicious adolescent asians who looked like they were planning a robbery.

So I thought this is a good chance to try these so-called awesome asian ice-creams. So I buy myself one of these fish looking ice-creams. Mine had like vanilla ice-cream and red bean, sandwiched between two waffles like a sandwich. Everyone buys their share and we all give big thank yous' to the super nice shop-keeper for opening up for us.

As we leave the store and the door locks behind us, we remain standing outside the store to eat our ice-creams while chatting. A freezing night, consuming frozen food, in the middle of Eastwood.

Funny enough we were still standing outside when the shop-keeper pulls up at the kerb with his van to check that his store was locked and we gave him more thanks hahaha. Awesomeness.

Well once we finished we said our greetings and left...filled with ice-cream and Japanese cuisine.

The day right after was also MYC, so I spent a week away with my voice all irritated, and finally on Thursday evening, during a campus meeting I lost my voice and was void from input of opinions. Maybe God wanted me to shut up for a bit. hahahaha.

Five days later, voice is still not working properly, so I'm confined to hermit at home till I get better. Hence this particular blog =)

MYC! Resurrection!

2008-07-21T20:39:00.004+10:00

Big massive full on week that flew pass me way too fast!

MYC - stands for Mid-Year-Conference.

An annual mid year getaway for lots of Christian university students in Sydney from particular uni's adding up to numbers over 500ish who get together during their week holiday, to do what?

STUDY!!! studying the Bible that is. As well as listen to Bible-based talks. This year the theme was Resurrection.

Lots of fellowship happening which includes making lots of new friends and enjoying different leisure activities with your bunch of friends like sports, boardgames, boot-camp competitions or just chatting and whatever else there was to do.

Typical day looked a bit like this...at least for me

Struggle to wake up
Struggle to get breakfast as you search for what remains from breakfast
Freshen up after breaky
Have small group bible study, our group consisted of Jared, Gary, Josh and myself!
(a very quick 1 and a half hours later...)
Reflection time, so loner time to think about what you've read, learned and pray
Tea time, so chit chat and biscuits...and other snack like things
Seminar time, where we all got together with the people from our own campus to have further extensive group Bible studies!
Lunch time! chomp chomp chomp!
then FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE time!!! This is the time where everyone walks around trying to pick each other up. Haha okay, not really. Its more of the fun leisure time where you get to do whatever you feel like. which does happen to include picking up HAHAHAHA. Not something that happens too regularly at a Christian conference
then AFTERNOON TEA!!! so more tea and snacky foods
Elective time! A bunch of workshops you can select from and attend on various different issues!
Dinner time! chew chew chew!
Evening talk given by the media bashed Phil Jensen! This guy is awesome with his style of delivery. Loves it heaps! Very insightful!
Question and supper time! So Questions that are shot to Phil Jensen and he answers them back! normally quite long...yet helpful! Quite funny too at times. Does well for a man of his age!
Muck around till everyone in your cabin feels like sleeping... =)

It was a very fun and enlightening week, despite catching a cold just the night before I left to go to MYC. Met lots of cool friendly people! Old and not so old!
Lots of teaching on prophecy of Jesus and how he fulfilled all of them (like 300ish of them?) as well as the role of the Holy spirit in our lives! Also getting our priorities in the right order! Plus further insight of the stupidity of atheism and how its affected the world compared to how Christianity affected the world. (think commies vs democracy)

Shame to all those who missed out!!!

(trying to keep my posts more short now...lol - that is unless someone requests them to be huge essays)

Human Leg Warmers

2008-07-20T22:12:00.006+10:00

From the 7th - 11th of June, my church ran a special event called "Good News Holiday Club."

It was quite a fun week and somewhat exhausting. Early starts was quite refreshing yet horribly painful. It was good to be using a good 18 hours of your day productively and not wasting huge hours on sleep.

Anyway, to the topic. Kids.

We got to about 50 kids coming to the program, from pre-schoolers to year 6. The K-2 age group dominated in population. The program was full of games, singing, sports, crafts and the Bible! It was a hectic week with so many kids running around, but all was under-control!

It was a good week! We shared the gospel of Jesus in a child-friendly way (meaning, easy to understand for a kid) and the kids asked heaps of questions!

There weren't any real trouble makers though one kid was really rowdy and couldn't sit still and would get excited over everything. hahaha, funny. Pretty annoying too, but hey thats children for you.

Lots of very cute little kids, very funny and heart warming. You can't help but pull a smile watching some of them. One part is just sheer hilarity of their oblivious nature of some things.

Overall, a very good week. Was really encouraging to see so many of the teenagers from youth group helping out too! Its like Wow!!! some teens were disappointed because they wanted to help out too, so we let them come and help too! I was very surprised that they were so willing to help serve in the church of God!!! Giving up a whole week of their own school holidays for it, without anyone even asking! Incredibly encouraging indeed.

If you haven't figured out why I called this entry "human leg warmers" then I'll let you sit there and keep thinking =)

Cheers guys!

Geographically Challenged.

2008-06-30T23:48:00.003+10:00

Driving.

It wasn't something I particularly looked forward to and ever really cared about. Though it was a skill that I desperately needed since there are stages where I am constantly out and about. I can't make my dad drive me around everywhere can I.

Anyway, I am one of those people who normally drive and have very little idea of where they are. I can't remember routes very well to peoples houses and if theres 10 different ways, it certainly doesn't help. There is something oddly wrong with my brain when it comes to placing area's down. I can remember what things look like quite well, but I don't remember directions. For those who have been in a car with me, probably know I always ask "left? right? straight? u-turn? where am I? Which lane? What street are we on?"

I honestly don't know why my brain fails to record how to get to places. Even when I'm walking around the city things don't register well for me. I just simply forget and don't take note of where I am going. I may spend a whole year going somewhere, where I don't have to drive and then suddenly have little idea of how to get there myself. Its really really pathetic.

Now days I have to constantly take conscious mental notes of where and how I get to places. I try to memorise all the roads and turns I have to do which is a pretty inconvenient way to get to places. Sure people just say "get a GPS" and yes, I would love to have one. Immediately. At the same time though, having a GPS doesn't help me to learn how to get around easily either. On the other side its also mighty expensive. At least to me it is. Don't normally have a few hundred dollars lying around.

Well yeah, this post is just about how I'm really bad at getting around. Trains and such count as well. I never remember what order the train stations come in while sitting on it, despite the fact I've had heaps of train rides by myself where I just watch train stations pass me. Yes I enjoy solidarity here and there.

I'm starting to piece things together, gradually though slowly. My head has an easier time remember what a map roughly looks like rather than the actual process in written form or animated visual form.

Anyway yeah, shouldn't ask me for directions. Unless its an area I know extremely well haha.

Complaints from Misleading Hippiemos

2008-06-23T22:13:00.004+10:00

HELLO ALL!

This thought has been on my mind for a while ever since the 'Emo' movement gained a much larger popularity in the past few years. With all the 'scene' fashion and emo music thats been emerging and what not thats related, it also resulted in particular stereotypes - naturally.

Emo is now normally thought of a hybrid of being part Punk and Goth (and maybe something else which I don't particularly care about either) and is a part of society which is generally made fun of by those who aren't. Their behavior is normally associated to be emotional (thats a given), sensitive and introverted. Also because of their Goth roots they are also associated with depression, self-infliction of harm and suicide. You can find them hanging around alone or in their groups around Sydney Town Hall stairs together and act as if the whole world should feel sympathetic for them. They'll just sit there, normally quietly. Of course right now, I'm using high levels of stereotyping right now, so don't get all mad at me. I don't have anything against emos...I swear =D

This brings something else up - I remember quite a while back receiving an email about "A warning to Parents about Goths and Emos" which was basically a huge as list that gave "warnings" to parents and certain "observations" to look out for, for their children. Things like "If they wear black all the time" or "Listens to a lot of rock music" or "Dyed their hair black or has one parted bang across their face"or "Has anti-social behavior" - then they're probably Goth or Emo and most likely a part of some cult doing all these magical rituals and what not. But most of all - prone to suicide.

Holy crap, I didn't know wearing black all the time puts me at risk of killing myself. I should warn all the people working at Garden Funerals. They're like totally surrounded by death and always wear black, it won't be too long till they decide to flush their lives down the toilet.

Besides that point, there are a lot of teenagers out or young adults out there which you'll probably find who are into the aesthetic fashion of the movement and are probably the most horribly cheery people you'll meet in your lives. Well maybe not that cheery, but they certainly don't show any behavioral signs of depression and a hate of life that will soon lead them to stapling their wrists or whatever people suiciding do. I label this group as hippiemos.

Now I don't really have any issue if people like to dress up like one, it helps break stereotypes afterall. Okay cool. However I think they should be smart enough of what the majority of society naturally think when they see that type of fashion. (YES They will think you are a self-mutilating, emotionally depressed suicidal person) Well guess what? Its their fault for misleading everyone, so naturally hippiemos should know that people will go

"Oh look emo. GO CUT YOURSELF HAHAHAHAHA!" (Yes apparently thats the funniest thing to say to someone who might potentially kill themselves.)

Yet our friendly warm hippiemos may be loud and boisterous characters! And even use that loudness to complain about how they only like the fashion and don't behave in stereotypical emo-goth way. They happily go out their way to complain about a problem that they established. Thanks. Thanks for wasting other peoples time.

Seriously, hippiemos should know better and just get on with their happy lives, because complaining how people misunderstand them just because of how they dress isn't going to help anyone. It should be natural for them to know its coming if they want to dress that way. How about next time if someone chucks you a nasty comment, just blow them a kiss and give them a wink. =)

I still love you guys. Ciao =)

2nd Year, Semester 1, Officially Done!

2008-06-18T21:08:00.001+10:00

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaat's right! I can now brag about finishing this semester!!! Without anything holding me back!!! HOLIDAY FUNESS!!!

Maybe except for anxiety in my conscience of whether or not I actually passed everything. I'm pretty sure I would...sorta. COMON ANDY HAVE FAITH MAAAN!!!

BUT YEH! MUSIC IS AN EXPENSIVE INVESTMENT! I wish I has the monies to buy all the cool microphones and soundgear. Its like sooooo magical and fun to play with!!!

Found this magazine called "Sound on Sound" which I'm sure will come in handy for my audio engineering course. (Known as Digital Musics within the Uni) All the equipment shown in the magazine is ultra pricey. I guess I'll have to settle for cheap gear for now. Doing research on some high quality headphones that are extra durable. I want them to last for YEARS!!! So being very careful here, if you can recommend any, tell me please! Looking at 100-200 dollar range.

Coming up soon, dates that I am not free during the holidays. hahaha.

I live in subjection to my parents...most of the time.

2008-06-16T22:40:00.000+10:00

Anyone thats hung out with me before at night would normally be familiar with me being called by my parents when its heading towards the 11pm mark. Yes, I'm 19 and my parents are still worrywarts over me being out late. To other peoples standards its "late" (or that word no longer exists in their vocabulary)

It doesn't particularly matter WHERE I am or what I am doing, its the fact that I am not home at particular hours that make my parents feel uncomfortable. However to make things fair, I don't particularly spend THAT much time at home during the day, and when I end up hanging out late at night it normally continues from spending most of the day outside the house.

My curfew is normally 12am, I can sometimes push it depending on my whereabouts and activities, but that isn't the issue. The main issue are the various friends that regularly hang out at that time and invite me out or pressure me to stay for longer periods. I can understand why they'd like to hang out more and wish me to go out and do what not as mates.

However I don't approve of them dictating how i should treat my parents. Too many times I've been told to just sweep my parents away as if they were an annoying fly or something derogatory. I don't appreciate that kind of behavior.

I've had people flaunt to me how they "rebelled" so much against their parents as if they achieved something magnificent and accomplished some awesome goal every teenager or young adult goes through.

"Oh look at me, my mum made me angry and I fully rebelled so hard for the next two months, I acted like such a smartass to her"... this is coming from both male and female, bit of an exaggeration, but there have been worst as well.

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE YOUTH IN SOCIETY TODAY? I am mainly directing this towards those with respectable parents who work very damn hard to support their children. The very little inconsiderate selfish scum that think they're top of the world. Sure they probably instinctively not admit it, but its natural for anyone to be defensive if they consciously know they fit into this fancy category of people I'm speaking about. You automatically fail as a respectable human being.

Where is the respect? Heres your parents working their asses off and the best thing you can give back to them is "Piss off!" followed by various profane language. Whats even more ironic is that they'll come back soon enough to sleep in their comfortable beds and roofs that their parents provide for them unconditionally.

Ungrateful bastards.

You should be happy that your parents are alive and able to look after you. Sure they enforce a few rules here and there, but hey, guess what? Thats called discipline. Every good parent would do that. Why? So you don't turn out to be a twat and become a nuisance to society.

I'm not trying to act all high and mighty over this as if I'm the epitome of the perfect son (by far I am not), I'm just disgusted at how many kids/teens are out there with this kind of shocking behavior. It makes me just want to kick their face in and knock some sense into them.

I'm sure some of you reading this now know exactly what I'm talking about and have seen this in people you've met - society standards seems to continue going down the drain actively shown by the nice large majority of "rebelling kids."

So, for everyone to know, why I refuse to stay out too late is because I respect my parents and what they've taught me. Also the rules they give me are pretty lenient too (Its pretty much don't stay out too late and too often) I'm not too much of a fan of clubbing and outrageous type of behavior fueled by excessive amounts of alcohol. (Though I admittedly done something stupid regarding alcohol, its not an exciting story so don't ask.)

Not only that I also take what the Bible teaches in Exodus 20:12 to "Honor your father and mother" as important. This is of course under rational decisions and within God's authority. Meaning if my parents say go kill that guy, I wouldn't do it because it undermines God's authority.

However as I said, I'm not the best role model and I do go against my parents at times to justify whatever it might be - besides that I still respect and love my parents very very much. I always wish I could do more to show them that I actually do, as opposed to just giving lip-service. and you should too.

Filtering Broken Bridges, Relationships and Society

2008-06-07T00:02:00.000+10:00

With the collapse of my crummy email account, I need to re-add all the magical msn contacts that I've lost. Sooooooooo thats totally up to whoever still wants to stay in contact with me.
If you were on my list and I rarely spoken to you online, chances are you won't be re-adding me.
Thats cool, beneficial for tidiness =) I will miss you though =P

Though for those who do generally speak to me online from time to time, or its the main way they can only contact me, then please add me soon. I'm sure you're chatting away while reading this, so go ahead and do it.

*Beware, boring reflective rant*

So funny life is. Meet people, they move away, you see some people everyday for many years then all the sudden its once every few months. People lives change, contrary to your own, you meet new people, they meet new people, you start hanging around in different crowds and you suddenly just don't see each other any more...or not much at least. The speed dial numbers on your phone change contacts as you go on in life. Not that I use speed dial...I use voice recognition. I'm too cool...Okay no I don't.

Its not an odd thing, I've met a large number of people in my life - many of whom I generally forget, though faces I would normally remember. People who I've always been closer with or met frequently with will always be lingering somewhere in my mind. Its the same with everyone else unless you suffer from amnesia or you're simply mentally psychotic in some way.

As for me, I've met people from primary school, high school, from other high schools and club sort of activities - LIKE MOST PEOPLE - however the majority of people I meet are from camps and getaway things such as the christian orientated camps/conferences I go to.

Which some of you may know (and for those that know me accuse me of being a junky) - however the reality is that I've been told by many people that I should take the chance to go while I'm still studying if possible, because when I start working I won't have the time. Thats the advice I've heard and I'm putting it into practice! - and its been AWESOMELY GREAT and I've learnt heaps from them (the conferences).

However its at these camps where I meet a whole bunch of people and forget most of them quite quickly, somehow we end up exchanging contact details and what not, but we don't speak too much after the conference since we're all busy doing our own thing all the time. But hey, thats just how life works in this country, everyones always off doing something. Whether or not its actually productive or not.

So yes, I'm not expecting for every single contact to re-add me - I'd be quite puzzled if there are people who do whom I don't expect, but it would be still very nice hahaha. This is a good chance to narrow down the ridiculous list of contacts I've had before to people who I actually talk to and keep proper contact with.

Cheers guys.

Fairwell Hotmail...Email Client Ramblings

2008-06-05T14:26:00.000+10:00

Okay so some of you might've had noticed that my jazzkeys_@hotmail.com account has been screwed over.

For the past month or so, you might've received suspicious emails from me, regarding selling some sort of product that links to some magical website.

THAT IS DANGER ZONE.

Not only that, my email has been oddly sending emails to non-active email accounts so i end up with hundreds of "failed post" notifications. After this happening for a fairy dairy bunch of weeks, my MSN started acting up. For some odd reason random contacts on my list were getting blocked...so I naturally unblocked them all.

I left my computer for a while and I come back only to see that my whole entire MSN contact list was wiped. Like 300 contacts just disappeared in thin air. seriously. I could elbow someones head in right now. (not literally)

Not only that I've had issues with hotmail not sending my attatchments to people, or peoples attatchments being sent to me, needing at least one other try. Seriously Microsoft, hotmail is a 300 billion dollar franchise, yet it lacks so much. Do you have any idea how many starving 3rd world countries could be fed sufficiently with that much money? It could easily bring their economy into blasts. But unfortunately no, Microsoft rather run hotmail with that money and just cause problems for people.

There's probably only 4 reasons why you probably use hotmail. (1) Because its popular/common (2) Its easy to get a MSN passport (because its automatic) (3) You work for Microsoft/hotmail (4) You have a fetish for annoyances and pain

What's worst is that you can only have a 1 month inactive period before they decide to delete your account, want anything more than that you have to cash $$$ in.

Sorry for those who are still loyal towards hotmail, yes I know I stuck with it for almost a decade changing my email only once during that time. (2000-2008) before that I used ghostmail.com (its dead now)

Hotmail has gone through a bunch of upgrades during this time, I've seen them and they're quite fancy. Only aesthetically. The improvement of customer service sucks, even if it is free. Don't tell me "Its cool man, its free!!! Not bad for something that's FREE!!!"

Well if I gave you a box filled with dog poo, FOR FREE!!!! Would you be happy to take it? No. I don't think so.

If you're gonna offer some sort of free service, don't make it waste my time, resources and energy. That goes for anything.

Its like getting a free run down car and you end up spending thousands of dollars on maintenance alone because the car keeps screwing up on you.

CNET.com has rated hotmail a 6.3/10 while yahoo!mail got 8.3/10
Googlemail which isn't listed, rather won some Webware 100 Award. I'm guessing thats heading into 9/10 at the least. Gmail offers more space and faster service (hotmail has gotten pretty slow recently, especially since the flash interface update) AND a free POP + IMAP capability.

That is quite a difference. I don't know why I didn't change over sooner. Well I did have the gmail one for a while, just I kept it for really important stuff. Thank God I didn't do it the other way around - or else I'ld be screwed over so hard.

Well now you know that hotmail sucks, so convert to using gmail already. =)

My main point here is...add my Gmail account to your msn hahahaha

chocohi@gmail.com

Thanks and love you guys.

2nd Year, 1st semester. Completed.

2008-06-03T15:48:00.000+10:00

OH YES YIPEE! There is nothing funny about this blog, feel free to skip. or sympathize...

Yes, as the title says - my semester is pretty much finished. Sure I had to hand work in during stuvac and that certainly is a pain in the neck, but I still get to have all my stuff done EARLY!!! I just got back from handing my work in at uni, stopping by at Maccas for some dollar apple pies.

Well I'm not really 100% complete, I still have a live digital music performance to do - but its pretty easy and it will be a fun day anyway.

So whats gonna be different from what happened during the semester and holidays?
Considering that I spent the majority of the time sleeping and procrastinating, hence leaving my work to urgently needing a start - very little.

So for all the hours in which I usually hang around in uni, I'll be hermiting at home comfortably keeping myself busy. Reading, music, being the anime obsessed person I am and limited exercise...All these things which I normally do anyway even when uni is on...

SO IF YOU GUYS ARE LIKE AT UNI OR SOMETHING AND WANNA HANG OUT OR SOMETHING OR SOMETHING WHY DON'T YOU DROP A COMMENT AND ASK IF I'M AVAILABLE!!!

I haven't done the hang out with friends socially thing much lately - at least not much of it.

I'm getting an interest in audio engineering stuffs, the hardware and software used is so $$$ though. So I'll just read about it for now...XD

Good luck with all those who has ze exams and assignments to finish!

Songs from Final Fantasy...that made me very...weepy (7/5/08)

2008-06-02T14:29:00.000+10:00

If anyone of you have played any of the Final Fantasy series before, you'll know its a masterpiece franchise that comes with awesome story lines/plots, fun game play and beautiful/awesome/ridiculously excellent music.

Three pieces in the Final Fantasy series have left me feeling really *hard to explain* that FEELING. Its like sadness, sorrow, sympathy...(thats right can you FEEEEL the consanance?) I'm a guy, I suck at explaining feelings. Then again, I can be a pretty girly guy for making this type of post which publicly admits that I do in fact like love stories to a certain degree. Also the fact I don't think I ever built up a reputation for being a very macho type of guy either, nor do I physically appear that way. I'm 1.67cm and weigh 58-60kg, sounds like a fat catwalk/photography model (according to fashion standards that is, I in know way encourage deliberate skinniism.) I have had my fair share of school fights in primary and high school in the past and according to some internet tests I'm apparently very masculine in my thinking.

Doesn't change the fact that I happen to realise I'm a wuss for love stories. (preferable romantic comedy thanks) That urge of wanting those two characters to get together is like...any one want to help me express that?

So what about Final Fantasy? Personally I've found these songs to be the most compelling songs from the series. When you know the background story and context of the song, it makes you want to CRY!!! Especially when you we're personally involved (okay, not really and starting to get fanatically awkward) with the whole story. It makes you go "aaaaaawww...*sniff sniff*" Its just so sad!!!

Coming in 3rd...From Final Fantasy VI - Celes' Theme during the Opera House act. YES I KNOW IT WAS MIDI AND THERE WASN'T ANY REAL SINGING. You hear the piece over and over before reaching this stage in the game, but then when they put lyrics to it...you can totally ROCK IT OUT KARAOKE STYLE along with the piece on your own and the words match up with the tune quite nicely. Though it was slightly ruined. I don't remember what the heck the lyrics actually were, all I do remember was that I was rather attatched to the screen while it was happening. *Go oldschool nintendo pixelated graphics*

Heres a video i found on youtube of the whole scene LUCKY!!!... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1E2cKW4y8

Also Terra's theme lyrics (its a poem!) are really nice and fit nicely with Terra's theme piece. Touching lyrics indeed...only if you understand it though. lyrics here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ1E2cKW4y8

From Final Fantasy X-2, 1000 Words sung by Koda Kumi/Jade from Sweetbox. This song was the one that prompted me to type this post, mainly because I chose it as the piece as the main thing for my Performance essay. (Due in 2 days and I'm screwing around typing blogs) Yes I am aware that the game itself has received rather negative reception, though I've never played the game myself. Though I did play maybe 2/3rds of FFX. That was more than enough information to understand what the song was about. You could just watch the cinematic and figure out what is going on. Again, I thought it was a really nice piece, although it wasn't written by the legendary Nobuo Uematsu and rather out of style compared to all the previous music in the series. (The fact that it's a pop-ballad style.) Good work to Noriko Matsueda and Takahito Eguchi. Check out the FFX-2 Piano collections album, its excellent. I won't provide any links since everything is pretty much easily google-able or youtubable. *cries at lyrics*

NOW!!!! My all time favourite song from the series (and in general!) is "Eyes of Me" from the 8th installment of the series, obviously Final Fantasy VIII. Composed by the almighty Uematsu, he hand picked popular chinese singer Faye Wong to be the vocalist for the piece...and WHAT AN EXCELLENT CHOICE THAT IS. I've heard several versions of other people singing this piece and though rarely a good version is released (namely Angela Aki), most other versions I felt like it horribly chopped the song into pieces. I can honestly say that there is no other singer that can deliver it in such a angelic way as Faye Wong. The slight fobbyish diction by her is something that I found not as displeasing, but has uniquely made the piece ever so more popular. The timbre and softness of her voice...gorgeous! Very pretty lady too! I love the fobbiness in it. Her voice is unmatched for this piece, and I don't say that because it was the original or the first version of the song I've heard. I learnt how to play the piece on piano before I ever played any FF game or heard and FF piece. Its the song that introduced me to a love for video game soundtracks. (Damn right I'm a geek!)
Plus, though this song is wonderful in the context it was written for, it works nicely for real life scenarios in Jazz bars (or bars/restuarants/cafes with live music as a focus.) A gazillion Hi-5s' for this song! I'ld ever get sick of listening to it! I cried a bit each time this song played while I played FFVIII!!! hahaha. Also one of the reasons why FFVIII is my top favourite FF game! Not to mention, stunning graphics for its time too! I likes it so much that I fantasize about being a SeeD if that means anything to you....well not really, that though just occured to me. BUT I LIKES IT. XD

hmmm I could've had finished at least 80% of my essay thats due in like 30 hours. Oh well, I've got another 30 hours. =D

Why Broomsticks?

2008-06-02T14:27:00.000+10:00

I was watching Kiki's Delievery Service the other day, a movie from Studio Ghibli. While I was watching Kiki fly around clumsily on her broomstick, I wondered exactly WHY witches flew on broomsticks. Why did they decide broomsticks above every other object.

What makes the broomstick such a favourite amongst witches as the vehicle for long distance traveling? It doesn't make sense.
Why is it the humble broomstick, traditionally used to sweep floors clean of dust and dirt when there are so many other comfortable pieces of household furniture you can use? The main problem here is the comfortability of a broomstick, could you imagine riding one for more than 10 minutes let alone a whole hour? SERIOUSLY! and the actual sitting position, its lined up between your two butt cheeks. That can NOT be pleasant AT ALL.

In all folklore, magic and witchcraft sorts of tradition, it's really really odd...like Disney's Aladdin flies on the Magic Carpet. That surely is much more comfortable than a broomstick. Are broomsticks supposed to have some sort of special power? The Magic Carpet certainly does. Or do witches secretly like to clean floors wherever they go? If that's the case I would openly invite any witch to my house. She can clean the toilet and bathroom too. *Laugh's at the imagery of all the Hogwarts students cleaning the school for kicks* :) Maybe because they're just easy to hold?