The New Year...

This wasn't the first post I envisioned...

I had wanted to start off with the high points of the year gone by and go on to some aspirations for the year ahead. Instead, I'm here, fighting off an infection that landed me in hospital, and writing about the new year in February.

A classic example of "Man proposes; God disposes."

The year has certainly not turned out the way I expected. I was looking forward to a year of rest (physically). As it turned out, my 2011 "year of rest" was a pipe dream, and I didn't really get a chance to catch up with myself, which I hoped to be able to do this year.

However, a job opportunity came about which was rather too good to refuse. I'm now writing new curriculum for a primary school, that will will be deployed via smartphones. All very cutting edge, and quite up my alley :)

The work is interesting, to say the least. It gives me a unique insight into the rationale behind the development of curriculum, which is particularly helpful to me as a teacher. Having to consider the material from a student's perspective really makes me think of how students learn. It is very enlightening :)

Apart from that, I'm rather cutting back on everything else. Of course, at this particular moment, I'm feeling under the weather, primarily due to the onslaught of the antibiotics on the bacteria in my body (and making me feel terrible in the process, which is irony in the extreme). Apart from sleeping, I don't feel like doing much at all... definitely not any thinking of any sort.

I feel like I kind of owe it to myself, you know, to give myself a break. And not having done that, my body went on "vacation" arbitrarily :) Perhaps, I really should take my own advice, and take better care of myself. I know I've mentioned this often, but this recent bout has rather driven home the point.

Maybe I've gotten so used to putting other people's needs ahead of my own, I've gotten used to not acknowledging them.

Oh well... time to sleep.

aw

Thoughts

It is finally December, and the closing of the year 2011. It isn't without some relief that the year is ending... While it certainly had some high points, I think the not so nice ones rather eclipsed the former.

And it is in December that I have finally gotten a chance to catch my breath, and it seems much harder than before. Not the literal catching of breath, but finding the time to do so. I feel like I needed to fight off all the other commitments I have in my life just to eke out a few days to myself. Which is essentially what I have done... Because I realise that this is the first lull period I have had this year, and while it is late, I am glad for it.

I've been fighting off this lingering fatigue which has plagued me for many months, and I'm finally getting a few days of sleep-ins... The idea of not having to wake up in the morning is enough to keep me awake! Haha! :)

As part of my rest and relaxation regime, I've been catching up on all the DVDs I've bought but not watched :) and once again, I'm amazed at what can be conveyed through excellent writing, direction and portrayal :) through the medium of screen, lives are lived, wars are fought and lost, love experienced and grieved, destinys fulfilled and destroyed :)

That makes me very proud to be an artiste :) and who knows? With a little rest, I may yet have another story to tell, another song to sing... another adventure to go on :)

Join me? :)

aw

Pause to Ponder :)

Right now, I am sitting in my room, sipping a glass of merlot, contemplating eating some chocolates (now that I can) and watching "Star Trek: Voyager" :)
As you can tell, I am certainly relaxed :)
With the stresses of recent projects over, and the successful completion of my "Absolutely! Live 2011" concert, there is just cause for ostensible relaxation :)
I've been thinking about my concert since its conclusion last night :) I can still see it in vivid detail: the stage, lights, the audience... certainly a night to remember!
In many ways, the concert is a milestone for me. On a personal level, it is a crossing of barriers: proving to myself that my idea of a terrific concert really works :) It is also a test of my physical, mental and vocal tenacity... to see if I am able to perform as I have seen myself in my mind countless times over the many years :) I am happy to report that I have done just that... not boastfully, but gratefully acknowledging how blessed I am to have gotten this far :)
Conceptually, the concert was outstanding: we started with two energetic dance routines, quickly followed by a song with a video presentation. Slower songs had beautiful light accompaniment, as well as dance :) After the intermission, the show went into a different mood: light and easy, with an acoustic number in the middle and a fashion show at the end!
All in all, quite a show :)
Although ticket sales were dismal, I have fulfilled all other objectives: I worked with great people; I've put up a great show; I pushed my limits and upped my confidence; I got through a very tough period in my life... and I enjoyed myself :)
I now sit in anticipation of the pictures and videos that will soon arrive :) Chewing on my chocolate (yes, I've yielded!), having exit my stressful period... I am taking this moment to enjoy the serenity of completion, of having the luxury of a few empty moments to keep to myself, and the wonderful opportunity of looking into the future and planning what I should do next... ;)
Keep your eyes here... who knows what I'll be doing next? ;)
aw
p/s: a quick but sincere thank you to all of you who believed in me; I am a product of your faith :)

7 days... to the rest of my life

At the time of writing, I am tired (to the bones), almost hungry (strange) and mostly frustrated...

Guess there's plenty in recent days to make me tired and frustrated; hungry, I don't know... I'm usually hungry at this time. Back to tired and frustrated... as always: compound reasons.

I was just telling a friend of mine a few days back that I'm feeling very stressed out about my upcoming concert, and he astutely observed that I probably didn't have that much to do (non-concert related stuff, he meant) then (which was 2009) than I do now.

He's right.

These days, I frequently find myself inundated with work, out of breath and out of sorts. Not very good company am I these days either. Sure, I'm just as witty and amusing as ever, but it certainly "cost" more now. Truth is, I'm glad that people buy my little facade; saves me having to explain... Explanations can be tiring, and there goes the thought process behind my 3rd album.

I wish... really wish to get away from everything for a while. And think I must (and I use the word deliberately). I think I've been off balanced for too long, and I really need to take a break, catch my breath, regain my perspective, and maybe, start writing again.

Sometimes, I do wonder if it is worth it. The former "it" can (and does) refer to anything of consequence; the latter "it"... how do I put it? My money? My time? My heart? My soul?

All of the above.

aw

Time of the year, or just a tough year?

I've recently got to thinking: this has been a tough year. At least by my estimation. Which is quite strange given the year I had last...
In 2010, I had a solo concert performance, a major musical and a Christmas concert performance with my students. This year, I had zero concert performances (so far), no major musical production, no other performances apart from a few hosting engagements.
Yet, I maintain: this has been a tough year.
As with all things, it is a combination of factors: my mother's illness, my having to move office twice this year alone, my falling out with my business partner... I think these are the major events that really knocked the wind out of me (and pulled the carpet from under my feet, as it were). Of course, I did my best to cope, which was naturally difficult. Apart from having to hold down my day job (which involved a fair bit of managing clients, getting designs done on time, etc), doing my other "day" job as a tutor (on average, I have about 30 students of different secondary levels, each with unique and individual challenges), while trying to feed my soul as a musician.
I think my music took the brunt of the stresses; it was the one aspect which didn't have a tangible dollar value attached to it, and thus, was the easiest to put aside. But I am beginning to think otherwise.
At this moment, while I am feeling particularly emotional, I remember that I am now the same age as my Lord and Saviour Jesus was when He gave up His spirit for us all. I wonder if there is some connection, for surely His 33rd year must been the most difficult in His life. Certainly, I do not claim that what I went through was anything even remotely close to what He went through; I am merely entertaining a hypothesis that is laughable at best.
Whatever the case, there isn't much good to come from dwelling on the past. I am currently focusing on adjusting my life to one that is better for me... I think I owe myself that.
aw

Breaking form :)

Guess I've ranted enough in my last post, so I shall endeavour to do something else now: writing because I feel like it ;)

On the topic of writing, I find that I really do enjoy the process of putting words into forms such as poetry, stories, songs... whatever fits :) It is as if I have a singular voice, one that does not need to explain (No Explanation), that people understand (Someday), that can be sincere and true (Veritas)... haha! ;)

On the journey towards relaxation (as my less laboured breathing and ache-less chest can testify), I come to a realisation that perhaps would be obvious to many: I am very much an artistic soul.

I say that, not braggadociously, but merely as a statement of fact, or more correctly, of revelation :) I have not previously realise how much I needed my art, writing and composing in particular. Not having done that for the past year seemed to have caused a variety of unusual symptoms, such as lack of drive and motivation, loss of focus, general emotional constipation (no joke!)... I feel as if I'm holding something in, and it's stopping up the plumbing :(

So, in typical proactive fashion, I have going to re-prioritise :) Of course I understand I need to address the bread and butter issue, but I need to order my time better... I need to allocate time to MYSELF :)

Some would think this selfish; I think is imperative :) To me, it is imperative :) It's not that I love everything else less... it is just, perhaps, time to love myself more :)
That has always been the issue (I'm sure many would agree) :)

My new album is entitled "Walk Away"... and as I prepare to share it with the world, I am struck by how much it reflects my state in this time frame :) I need to walk away from those who hurt me; I need to walk away from things that do not edify me; I need to walk away from activities that only feed my body and not my soul :)

And while I'm on the topic of my new album, I can't help but talk about it some :)
It is, in so many ways, a breakthrough for me :) In creating this album, I had to overcome my age-old fear of trusting people :) God sent me a wonderful arranger, Julian Wong, who restored some of the trust I lost to others who were careless and malicious with my love and passion :) And so many others who gave so much to what is essentially my creation... I am overwhelmed by their dedication and commitment :)

And through it all, I had my special AW-esome group of kids :) They really are a bright spot in my life :) They are about to finish up their exams, and we haven't met up in over a month... I miss them terribly :)

They have inspired so much of who I am and what I do... even though they do drive me up the walls on occasions! Guess that's why I have a pair of bright red "Spiderman" shoes ;)

2011 has been a tough year; I was stressed out in areas I wasn't aware was stress-able! Family, career, relationships... but I choose to believe, that through it all, God is (was and always be) in complete control :) And that whatever had, is and will happen, happens exactly the way He intended it to be :)

And since I have it on good authority that my Heavenly Father loves me more than I can ever love anyone, I have every reason to believe that whatever happens next will be great beyond my imagination :)

Thus... I give myself permission to relax :) That's what my Heavenly Father wants me to do anyways :) So the rebel is on strike ;) Haha!

aw

This is getting to be a habit

And by "this", I mean ranting here in blogsphere. Nevertheless, I see little recourse, and therefore shall preamble no longer.

I recently found that I was having difficulty breathing. A quick visit to Doc#1 yielded a diagnosis that the haze had caused my sensitive sinus to flare up, resulting in excessive mucus secretion, which led to my lungs becoming a little congested. A standard battery of meds was prescribed, and I thought no more about it.

A few days later, to my disappointment, I was no better. Upon consultation with my mother, we decided that a trip to my family doc, Doc#2, was in order.

I made the trip the next day. Diagnosis was a slight flare up of my asthma, for which a strong corticol steriod was prescribed. Feeling somewhat more positive about this new set of meds, I went home and dutifully took the meds as instructed.

No better.

So two weeks after seeing Doc#2, I was having so much difficulty breathing that it actually hurt my chest and neck when I tried to inhale. Further conversation with my mum pointed to another visit to Doc#2, after which if I'm not better, to seek higher power, namely, a specialist.

Thinking about the dollars and cents, it made sense to hope that my second visit would fare better than the first.

In Doc#2's office for the second time, I was examined, and after a somewhat pensive pause, I was gently enquired if I was under stress. Always one for a witty repartee, I answered that in good old Singapore, who wasn't under stress?
Doc#2 laughed politely, then iterated that perhaps my increased stress level was causing me to experience a phenomenon known as "air hunger", where the body perceives a need for more oxygen than it does.

This is a direct result of the stress I was under; literally, I was drowning (albeit on dry land).

I was prescribed some tranquillisers, and told to get my stress under control. Muttering under my breath, I said that it's good advice; now how do I go about it? As usual, the older generation points to the promised land, but fails to deliver the map.

And so here I am: tranquilised because I'm stressed out. Thing is, thanks to my keen cognition (modesty is also tranquilised), I know exactly what's stressing me out. And yes, I can hear the people at the grandstand of my life saying I'm over-reacting, he's not worth it, I should just let go, life is too short to be angry, yadah yadah yadah...

It's not that I disagree. I agree wholeheartedly! The point is: these kind words cannot alter what I am feeling in terms of my emotions. If you are at this point wondering what I am talking about, suffice it to say that it involved another person, a business relationship, money and a severe lack of normal, human decency.

In short, I got stiffed.

And yes, that made me angry. Angry at being so stupid, I was taken advantage of (again!)... angry at how long it took for me to see this was happening... angry at having put in so much into what I thought was a good, solid relationship... angry at how blind I was.

I don't want to remain angry, but I don't know how to deal with this. It's making me sick, and I want it out of my system, but I seriously don't know how to achieve this.

So here I am: tranquilised, punching mindlessly at the keyboard, hoping that this barrage of emotional vitriol will have a cathartic effect.

At least this won't take my breath away...

aw