Goodbye 2008

In a tumultuous year that was 2008, the world had witnessed an ailing global economy, natural disasters and the rise in terrorism. Here's hoping 2009 will be a much better year.

I had picked one of Styx songs which i felt most befitting to end the year on a good note, and to reflect on the year gone past...

'Show Me The Way'

every night i say a prayer in the hope that there's a heaven
And every day i'm more confused as the saints turn into sinners
All the heroes and legends i knew as a child have fallen to idols of clay
And i feel this empty place inside so afraid that i've lost my faith

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way

And as i slowly drift to sleep, for a moment dreams are sacred
I close my eyes and know there's peace in a world so filled with hatred
That i wake up each morning and turn on the news to find we've so far to go
And i keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid that i just won't know

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the mountain
And take my confusion away

And if i see a light, should i believe
Tell me how will i know

Show me the way, show me the way
Take me tonight to the river
And wash my illusions away
Show me the way, show me the way
Give me the strength and the courage
To believe that i'll get there someday
Show me the way

Every night i say a prayer
In the hope that there's a heaven...


In Loving Memory and dedication to Ms Lo Hwei Yen, who lost her life on November 27, 2008 in the terrorist attack in Mumbai, India.

'Last Christmas' : A Second Christmas Blog Post

This is my second Christmas blog post and rightly so, how could i forget about a Christmas record that i suppose almost anyone living through the 80s would replay this (either on their music players or in their heads) on every Christmas for the rest of their lives?

Wham! was a 1980s pop duo group made up of George Michael and Andrew Ridgely, with the former blessing listeners with one of the best and flawless vocals ever, with classics such as 'Careless Whisper', 'Wake Me up Before You Go Go' before embarking on a very successful solo career. His voice is still one of the most impeccable and serene i have ever heard from a male singer.

Ever since 'Last Christmas' hit my ears from as early as 1984 when it was first released, i don't think there is a year since i missed hearing this unforgettable song on every Christmas every year till this day as an adult. It also brings back memories from that first crush in primary school days, relationships past and many memories from yesteryears. i believe it does so for many many people too. If you can't hum the chorus of this song from start to finish, then really you don't belong to the 80s! Watch and relive this Christmas classic on the MTV here.

Enjoy another one of Wham! tracks called 'Heartbeat'. It has that christmas feel too. You can also listen to the song directly here.

And for the second time...wishing all my readers a Merry X'mas wherever you are...

Shine bright for me...this lonely Christmas

I have always love Christmas time though i may not necessary celebrate it. As a kid, i will always look forward to Christmas album or single releases by my favourite bands or singers. Most will release a good single or album to coincide with this period and for the coveted 'Christmas #1 album or single'. Perhaps the most memorable one was 'Do They Know It's Christmas Time' done by Band Aid in 1984. Christmas time feels good as the atmosphere feels lighter, cooler and relaxed as the year comes to a close and ushering in a new year ahead.

There are many great Christmas records released in the years before. Out of so many, it was not difficult to pick my favourite. Erasure released 'Crackers International', an EP (Extended Play) record during Christmas 1988. An EP is somewhere between a single and a full album and usually contains 4-5 tracks lasting about 20 minutes or so. Among the four great tracks on this EP, the last track 'She Won't Be Home' stood out as Christmasy as it could be. Take a listen to it here.

Merry & Blessed Christmas + a good year ahead to all my readers...


'I won't dare to say to you, how much i want to be with you...'

- She Won't Be Home

The Soundtrack Of My Life

Film music or soundtracks as we know form an important part of any film and gives an emotional depth to a movie. There are countless great soundtracks as there are great movies out there but allow me to demonstrate a bit of biasness and sidetrack a little in this post, to pay tribute to the greatest movie i have (and will ever) watched in this lifetime i am very sure.

The Shawshank Redemption is an American film made in 1994. At over 3 and a 1/2 hours long, it was not a hit at the movie screens but made its fame at a most unlikely source - the videotape rental service and the good old word of mouth. I will like to think that this film popularized itself into a modern classic because of the ordinary person watching this movie at the comfort of his home and came away so impressed and goes passing the word around about the film, to the extent that it now ranks #1 at the IMDB (Internet Movie Database) website, and surely in the hearts of those who have watched it, including mine.

This film is a prison movie that revolves around the two main actors - Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman who played the characters Andy Dufresne and 'Red'. It is a quiet movie with many themes of friendship, redemption, faith, morality, courage, corruption and hope. Most of the movie concentrated on the conversations between Andy and 'Red'. While i will not divulge much of the film here, i will strongly recommend for all to go watch the film from start to finish and find out for yourself, and hope that everyone will come away with your hearts touched by it.

On a personal level, this film has been a uplifting catalyst in many disappointing and down moments in my life before. I will replay many memorable scenes and quotes in my mind in the movie whenever i feel discouraged and it always worked for me. The consistent message of hope and never giving up hope throughout the movie just sets my heart alive. Coincidentally, this film seems to follow everywhere i go too. This film 'caught' me on the plane to India last year and most recently in China on a tour, it was played in the hotel tv during a late night.

Back to the music part, Shawshank Redemption's music soundtrack is also one of the best i have heard. Listen to the ending theme and watch a beautiful scene in the movie.

China witnessed one of the most devasting earthquakes this year which occurred on 12 May 2008 in Sichuan province. This powerful quake caused thousands of homes to be destroyed and thousands more lost their lives. On a recent study trip to China in November, i had the chance to visit the earthquake zone, witnessing at first hand the devastation caused - schools, buildings razed to the ground. Scores of banners were everywhere, encouraging the affected people whose homes were destroyed. My heart felt heavy walking through but more than anything, i also saw hope and the strength of the human spirit in the people who were rebuilding their homeland. Left with nothing but only hope in their hearts and it is this hope that will help them overcome in the end, much like anyone of us at some difficult point in our lives. I was reminded of a line Andy Dufresne says somewhere in the movie : "There are places in the world that aren't made out of stone, there is something inside that they can't get to you, they can't touch. It is yours - Hope"

Fear can hold you prisoner but hope can set you free. That's damn right...


"Get busy living or get busy dying..."

"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies..."

- Andy Dufresne














Visit to Sichuan Earthquake Museum in Chengdu. The poignant banner on the ceiling written by affected villagers reads in chinese - 'Bless good people a lifetime of peace'