Ipoh

Went back to Ipoh. Had a really great time. Started off with a pleasant stress-free drive back home with my aunty accompanying me in a sunny Friday afternoon. Home changed a great deal. My folks renovated the kitchen and my bro's got a whole new set of furniture for his bedroom... that lucky fella. Had a great time hanging out with my family doing the same old thing: the house painting never ends... well it's a great time for a little family togetherness ^^ Went to Tanjung Tualang for an afternoon feast of fresh water prawns! I can't remember the last time I went there... probably 4 years back but anyway the prawns were really delicious as they were fresh from the aquarium and they were bigger than the size of my palm"

Ex invited me out for a drink. Was fine, catched up with her. Currently working in Fatimah Hospital. Still the same old person...(- -)" attending 3 different churches and serving in 3 different ministries? hmm.... wierd.

Hometown church sucked as usual... with all the outward appearances of a cool happening church when the preaching is so shallow and hollow. Pity the youths. Just glad that i'm being given the opportunity for sound doctrine. Anyway did catch up with my "cute" little sister in church which had now turned emo T.T where is the innocent cute and adorable-looking Amanda i used to know? Sigh... people change over time. Anyway had a chat with her and gave her a few encouragements. She's sitting for her SPM in a month's time and will be keeping her in prayer.

As usual all good things must come to an end and Sunday evening came sooner than expected. Packed my things and said goodbye to my folks and bro. Was raining heavily in the middle of the highway, but reached KL safe and sound after 3 hours at 10.30pm.

J Rock Gathering 2007

There will be a J Rock Gathering night for the j rock community at 8.00pm this Saturday night at Avern's Studio in Setapak. LEASH will kick start the gig followed by other j rock bands. Admission is free. For further details please give me a call or message me here.

Today's weather is really beautiful. Woke up today at 7.30 am and greeted by an early morning drizzle. It got heavier and rained throughout the whole morning.

Lunch was great. Was dining at this shady spot accompanied by my Ipod outside of this restaurant feeling the cold breezy air blowing and watching people passing by. Afternoons like this are really rare.

As usual some thoughts and questions flashed back in my mind. I totally have no idea what on earth is going on.

It's okay to be sad Kian Meng. Everyone does that once in a while. Just don't get too carried away ya?

One more round to go ARTA!

ARTA NSX crossing the checquered flag and finish line of round 8 race in Autopolis Japan.

Yay! Autobacs racing Team Aguri is only one race away from winning the 2007 SUPER GT Title! They are currently 1st one the standings and having a comfortable lead of 22 points away from their main contenders NISMO and 28 points away from Team Kunimitsu.

Final round is only 14 days away in Fuji. Stay tuned!

Gibson archtop jazz guitar

Gibson Custom Shop ES-355 with antiqued finish

Grand beautiful guitar with a touch of class. Great for jazz and blues =)

Dear Madam Phang,

I really cannot imagine the pain and discomfort that you are going through. I can only imagine how it feels to be so weak until its even hard to stay awake for a moment. Every time i visit you part of me feels like weeping to see you in such a state, and i kind of feel helpless. And i wonder what will be going through in your mind. Will there be uncertainty? or is there gladness and comfort? Or maybe i'm still weary every time when i put myself into your shoes. I wonder how will i react should i be the same. But I will pray for you that you will have the strength that can only come from God for you to persevere and hold on to until you are finally called home to the Lord. May you find peace and comfort in Him even in this most unbearable moment. Thank you for bearing the testimony of a true Christian until the end. Will keep you in prayer. Farewell.

Had my lunch. Waiting for my next call, so at the mean time i'll blog a bit.

I've finally cleaned my room and moved in. Really, really happy to have my own burrow^^.

Had spent some time planning the basic layout of my room by studying and getting some ideas online and from IKEA. Rearranged the positions of the wardrobe, bed, study table and now voila: revamped the whole room into my own design and liking! Well actually the final result wasn't what i would initially expected but it's cool and simple enough for weekly maintenance and to suit my taste.

now the updates on my shifting plan:

Went to survey the areas nearby my house with my housemate. No sight of houses to let. Went back and had a household meeting. The final conclusion is:

We called the tenant and explained our situation and therefore requested for a reduction of the current rent which we are paying. Should everything goes well, we will continue to stay for a while more; probably around 3 to 4 months until both my house mates are able to afford a car then only we'll move out. The reason is the housing areas near the LRT stations are quite expensive and doesn't worth the renting prices as they are very run down and shabby. Furthermore the areas are lacking in security and are also prone to frequent house break-ins and robbery, which we already had enough.

So i'm waiting for the tenant's reply. Hopefully can get the rent lowered. Once both of my housemates get their cars, we're outta here.

Screwed up Hari Raya Monday

Today is 2nd day of Hari Raya on Monday and i'm working. I'm cool, i'm fine; but today's call rates are unusually and exceedingly high. We are getting a whole long list of call queues and today we are lacking in man power. I'm stressed to the max. Before 2 pm i had already answered approximately 34 calls, more than half of them are from some pretty lame users. They don't know what application password they want to reset and accused me for not listen properly. Some aren't cooperative enough to provide more details of their issues and expect us to be able to help them. Some didn't followed to our instructions and ended messing up their own accounts and we are to be blamed in the end. Singaporeans.

And the most stupid thing is, the office building decided to switch off the main air conditioning unit for today just because most of the companies aren't working today, leaving us stranded in a room with 12 people working on overdrive mode without air cond. The whole room is so hot and stuffy and a lacking in oxygen. I felt really drowsy and keep getting sleepy all the time.

This is just too pathetic and depressing. Totally no mood to work at all.

Really can't wait to go back.

(looks outside window) Oh it started raining... thank God^^

Thank God it's Friday! And a very beautiful one indeed! Beautiful weather too: sun is shining and I'm alive and kicking^^ Nah nothing much, just that i'm glad it's approaching the weekend, which means i can get to do my second phase of spring cleaning in my room. Gonna move the wardrobe and catch those pesky remaining little "dust bunnies" hiding behind and install the new desk. Actually overall my room's fine, just that there are a few ugly patches of paint cracks and smears... probably need to hide it with a picture frame or something.

Saturday's gonna be a freaking busy day...

To-do-List:
1) clean my room
2) change guitar strings and prepare for Saturday's practise
3) jamming for 3 bands in-a-row marathon starting from 5p.m !

Hopefully able to find some time to spare in the middle and catch up with my book

Take care brothers and sisters

Today's weather is just beautiful. Gentle breeze , light drizzle and a nice soft cloudy sky. But all i can do is just look out of the window from my cubicle and only imagine the weather outside.

Why am i confined in a square partitioned room with artificial lighting and stale air conditioning facing a glaring monitor? I do enjoy working but sometimes it can get too tiring until my whole body and brain starts to cram and ache from sitting too long. The problem with this job is that when you're on call it requires your full concentration on the floor. It's a daily 8 hour telephone operator cum IT-related troubleshooting marathon.

Maybe i need a break

A retreat to somewhere secluded would be fine i guess. Perhaps to the cold mountain tops of Cameron highlands or Bukit Tinggi perhaps, as I've never been there before. Or maybe a fishing and camping trip anyone? I just want to get back to nature.

But to know that fact that God is with me is enough to cheer me up ^^

Maybe i should get back to work...

"ITD helpdesk, Gabriel speaking. How may i assist you?"

p.s: Thank you for the seaweed soup yesterday ML, it is REALLY delicious... Oishi desu^^

Headache ahead

House mate just told me that he's bought an apartment and will be moving out on December. I'm stunned and a bit disappointed.

Several things came to my mind.

Due to the fact that he's moving out and without someone taking over his place, that means there will be one person less to share the rent.

Second thing is, he didn't tell me earlier before me taking over his sister's room and now I'm paying my 2 month's rent for nothing plus the increased deposit. If I've know that i wouldn't have taken the room. Sigh... It's not doing my hard earned money justice.

Looks like i got to find a new place to move. Kinda tired of this house and the people in it.

It's fast approaching the end of the year, which means that i need to start looking for my next job. As for IBM external staff contract policy, i need to give 3 month's notice in advance should i decide not to renew my contract. That means i need to secure a position before December.

Just adds in new items into my headache To-do-list :
1) look for a new place to move
2) should i be able to find one, cleaning of the place plus transporting of belongings
3) Job hunting (which is really impossible in this time of the year)

All this i need to finish before December.

God help me.

Beloved

How far have I walked?
The sunflowers that in summer decorate the street corners
I invite sadness when I remember the past
In which I threw away troublesome loves
I'm drowned in the hurry of everyday life, and I can't be meek
A tender fire is lit in an important something that I forgot

Soon we will come to our crossroads
We lose our way and stop
But even so we keep walking
A chance meeting with the awakening of love
I always try to live like myself
If you are by my side
Ah, I've awaken from a dream
From now on I'll love you


The exchange of a simple heart
In those times I've lost, the third season
Called an emphemeral romance love
Someday in my casual life
There is a grove of trees of the love we raised
That will accept both laughter and tears
I hold in my heart
That nostalgic voice of a friend that has gone far away
And collect the memories
A few meetings, a few partings
Those repeating days will continue

Soon we will come to our crossroads
We lose our way and stop
But even so we keep walking
A chance meeting with the awakening of love
I always try to live like myself
If you are by my side
Ah, I've awaken from a dream
From now on I'll love you

Ah I've awaken from a dream
Now more than ever I'll love you


Song and lyrics
by GLAY

Dear God

"Lord in times of uncertainty please help me to trust in You with my heart and lean not on my own understanding. I confess that i'm a sinner and i'm unable to make godly judgments. Lord I need Your divine guidance to lead me into making the right decisions that are pleasing to You. Please sustain me should my faith be tested. Thank you Lord that You are under control of all circumstances and help me to understand that everything that i'm currently facing now is an opportunity to trust in You and to strengthen my faith. Thank you Lord that you never leave me nor forsake. Commit everything into Your hands, in Jesus name i pray, amen."

My equipment

After posting so much about other guitarist's equipment, this is my turn to intro my gear.
Anyway these are the equipment that i'm currently using:

ESP LTD F250
Edwards E-CL901
Aria Pro II STG series
Pyramid steel acoustic

POD XT Live multi effects processor

My sound settings are all stored into the POD for easy access. It is a really powerful guitar processor which have all the sounds and effects i need to get the job done.

LEASH

I think i haven't introduce my band yet...

Well in case you didn't know i'm in a newly formed band

LEASH are:

Shizuki- vocals
Akira - guitar
Hyro - guitar
Jun - bass
Lafine - drums

Not in my best of heath lately. Feeling tired and lethargic. Maybe haven't been exercising lately and poor diet. I wish I could. I just don't have time. Been so busy that i haven't got time to sit down and catch my breath, not to mention getting things done. My to-do-list is piling up. Still got a whole filthy and messy room left by my former room mate to clean up. I really need to reschedule my weekly time table. I really cannot continue on living like this. Sigh... T.T life is cruel.

I'm tired, i'm sad, i'm confused and i'm miserable. Maybe it shouldn't have happened from the start.

Lord please help me. I'm lost.

Adopt-a-Beagle Campaign

I would like to adopt a beagle at some time in my life. They are such charming handsome and adorable little creatures. Too bad my current lifestyle doesn't allow me to do so yet, hopefully I might have some time to spare and adopt one in the future. Would open up a whole new dimension to doggie-training =) Hopefully i won't spoil the little fella to much...^^"

Special Thanks

Yesterday night's rest was probably the best sleep i'd ever had arguably in 2007 haha. A huge 2 tonne burden had been lifted off my weary heart. Thank you Lord for sending EL and ML to invite me for a drink. Very kind of you two. Trully appreciate it very much. Thanks alot... i'm really touched. Hontoni arigato^^

GLAY forever

After all these years i still have to admit, GLAY is still the best j rock band i've ever knew. Although i do like other bands as well, they were not as personal as GLAY is to me. GLAY was basically part of my life. Every time i listen back to their songs they never fail to move me and sometimes even makes me cry. They just makes you flash back to your days of adolescence where you were struggling through your high school days full of uncertainly, hardships, friendship, love, ambitious dreams so high where only the sky was the limit, kinda like chasing after the sunset on your bicycle.

Back then i was a nobody. I sucked at school, and everything was hopeless. After listening to GLAY that was the only time where i started to really being committed to something: music. I looked up to them so much that i would imagine that i have 4 big brothers who would always be at my back supporting me. In times where I would be so hurt or so sad or just pondering on my uncertain future, I would lie down on my bed and ponder over them in the posters at my wall while listening to their songs. Somehow their presence will always comfort me that "everything is going to be alright".

That is also the time where I started to improve my guitar playing skills dramatically. I would come back from school everyday without having lunch, throw down my bag, pop in my GLAY cd into the player, plug in my guitar and start practicing their songs as if i'm having some major GLAY concert coming tomorrow while looking at their posters all pinned up all over my room.

The thing that would always impress me even until today is the level of commitment and dedication they put into their work and their songs, which is written sincerely and if you read the translations of their song's lyrics, it somehow relates to you as well.

Come to think of it, I've been a faithful GLAY fan for 6 years. It feels really funny to think back I'm such a crazy GLAY fan back then, anyway they are priceless memories. Thank you Teru, Takuro, Hisashi and Jiro for making that dream happen.

Some pics of my much beloved O-nee san (big brother) Hisashi busy at work and in the radio station hosting his radio programme.

Hisashi hosting his radio program: HISASHI'S CYBER NET CITY FULL METAL MIX .FM

Hisashi busy with some planning.. i wonder what it is^^

Hisashi with a sound engineer in a recording studio in L.A (GLAY lives there by the way)

Some memories of their early days ^&^

GLAY during their 90's

GLAY HEAVY GAUGE album

GLAY jumping around

Building a snowman during winter. Great team spirit!

Video shoot of their music video: BE WITH YOU in L.A

GLAY during their GLAY EXPO '99 live in Makuhari with record-breaking 200,000 attendance

beloved Sugizo

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Verse of the day for me to ponder and meditate. Holy Spirit help me.







an interesting journal: http://www.the-good-way.com/eng/book/b09.htm

Monday in a dream

Woke up by my alarm at 7.00 am. Thank you Lord for still preserving me. Sky is still dark. Looks cloudy and heavy outside my window. Dragged myself to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and a had warm shower. Felt rather cold. Put on my jacket and head off to work. Traffic was smooth, with just a few cars passing me by. Parked my car nearby the hill and walked to office through a quiet hill side park. There were still barely any light, just a gentle light breeze of wind occasionally going though my way. Walked through water puddles and the air is damp. Seems like it rained during the night, and now a few light drops on my face and it is starting to drizzle again. A nice, beautiful Monday morning. I wonder why... i miss her.

anyway, a great way to start off the first day of October. Have a nice and happy working day ahead.

Kian Meng wishing you all the best and signing off