Charismatic

Growing to know my own voice After recording a lot of vocals this year, I am happy to say that I have grown in this area. I am starting to learn how to write melodies that I can actually sing and suit my vocal range. Previously, I wrote songs based on how 'good' they sounded, without even custom-tailoring the melody or range to myself. After repeated 'constructive criticism'  sessions with my mentor, I've started limiting my note ranges when I write melodies. I've also started changing the keys of my old songs. I've started exploring different tonal textures and ways of singing. Tiring but exciting. The scary thing called "putting myself out there" During my reflective moments, I realized that I've shied away from performing my own songs in public for a long time. Since uni days. I've shied away from being a singer-songwriter, prefering to hide behind the more respectable and reserved 'keyboardist', 'music director...

A few things I wanted to blog about. Part 1 being: The reality of 'likes', 'dislikes', and comments As one's exposure grows, there are more people who 'like' and 'dislike' you. I've never taken rejection well. One of the least favorite jobs was telemarketing. 100 phone calls and maybe one gets 2 positive responses among all the rude 'no's. But if I want to keep growing, I have to keep improving despite the stings of 'dislikes' or 'unlikes'. Once in a couple of weeks, I flinch a little when people 'unlike' the fan page, or 'dislike' the videos. But I cheer myself up with the fact that it's only the videos that have received the most hits and 'likes' that are also getting 'disliked'. They are finally reaching a broader audience, which might like or dislike my music, but that's all part and parcel of this line of work. God help me. My value and worth is in You and You alone. I...

"You Don't Know Me" When I watched Michael Grimm sing this for his audition on America's Got Talent, I melted. That was a year or 2 ago. Finally, it is done! Have a listen and a look! I worked with Jesse  again this time (the guy who filmed Phoebe and I singing 青花瓷, which is doing well in terms of views and likes among the youtube vids I've uploaded). This time he brought Albert along to help, and Theo came along to shoot photos (I thought it would be a waste of make up and dressing up otherwise. I was really happy with the photos that ensued) I did the vocals at home now that I have a mini set-up though I'm constantly plagued with noise (dogs barking etc). Guitars were tracked by my friend Jacob Liang, who's a jazz guitar grad from Berklee as well. It has been fun working with different people on these projects, and thinking of ways to upgrade the videos. I have something a little bigger planned for next time, so fingers crossed we'...

I was at the Kris Vallotton ' Spirit Wars' Conference tonight. He talked about many things, basically outlining the first few chapters of his book, "Spirit Wars". But what struck me today was his explanation of thoughts, lofty things and speculations. Particularly lofty things. A lofty thing is a a lie, usually a lie that makes us believe our circumstances are bigger than God, or that a lie that makes us feel powerless, helpless and oppressed. I realized that I've been repeating so many lies to myself internally. No wonder I've been depressed most of the time. Life is not worth living because of the pain of just living. Being joyful is almost impossible 80%of the time because of burden of life My body is not beautiful until it hits a certain percentage of body fat with no flab, and my face is not beautiful unless it has a certain bone structure God is not going to provide my desires, only my basic needs (if that) Something bad might happen to me an...

Lord After watching the first Seraphim episode that I was given a chance to work on, I cringed a lot and thank you that it is by Your grace that I am given opportunities to work on such great projects at all. I am really not the best singer, especially when I am busy band-leading and playing piano and keyboard. I was out of tune a lot in the last bits. The quality of my own voice grates on my own ears. But Lord, You are the one who has led me forward, given me favour I didn't earn, and also pushed me out of my comfort zone to learn even more. I think I sing in tune live a little more constantly now after 1 year, Lord. And I can handle bigger arrangements. I am not the best piano player by far, but still, You have made a pathway in the wilderness for me. Thank You. I still cringe at myself. But I will keep trusting that You will lead me on, and I will keep improving. Thank You for being the one who always encouraged me to sing, to play and to write. Thank you for tailori...

An excerpt Tips for Loving Tough Given that background, let me get very specific with those of you who are single but wish not to be. (No insult is intended to those who are single by design and wish to remain unmarried. That is a legitimate choice which should be respected by friends and family alike.) I have listed 16 suggestions that will help you conform to the principles of loving toughness in matters of the heart. 1. Don't let the relationship move too fast in its infancy. The phrase "too hot not to cool down" has validity. Take it one step at a time. 2. Don't discuss your personal inadequacies and flaws in great detail when the relationship is new. No matter how warm and accepting your friend may be, any great revelation of low self-esteem or embarrassing weaknesses can be fatal when interpersonal "valleys" occur. And they will occur. 3. Remember that respect precedes love. Build it stone upon stone. 4. Don't call too often o...