Clara C in Berklee Cafe 939 The Red Room 2013

One day back in Malaysia, my sister pulled out an album full of writings and colors.

She told me that she loves Clara C and her songs.

When she popped her CD in the car we were in,

I thought that 'Oh, it's one of those "pop" music my sister is crazy about.'

 BUT after a few rounds of listening to her, oneeee day when I myself pop in her CD while I was driving in the (same) car, I began to appreciate and love her music !

Never knew that her arrangement and instrumentation are super fun.

PLus she sings really well and on live shows as well!

And now I'm one of Clara's huge HUGE fan :D

Her latest album has a different sound than her first.

I love them both.

So glad to have attended her concert that Thursday night (yesterday).

:D

One of the BEST times I had in Boston.!

The highlight of the night is to having a photo with Clara.

The Red Room was flooded with Asians. And AJ Rafael was beside me haha! All the girls went up to him and took a picture with him. Except me. Don't... ask why. I was being very shy.

The rest of the night was history.

**

I wish my sister and brother were with me yesterday night.
They attended her concert in Kuala Lumpur a few weeks ago while I was in Boston.
Anyway, SO glad that Clara was in Boston. I FINALLY get to see her live.
Looking forward for her more to come songs ! :)

* She had her love at first sight experience and is married to him yayys !
I still and do believe love at first sight.
That one look.
The fiction I've dreamt of is finally a reality with you (It will come due to me, timely).
Check out her songs though ! :)

Not feeling the night tonight

Actually, what's the point in scoring fantastic marks in school tests but failed miserably in handling people and situation. So sick of mistakes and repeated mistakes made.

Repeated mistakes made are the worst feeling.

Enjoying Film Scoring Major in BErklee

"Very good transcription. Excellent sound-alike! one of the best. You did a fantastic job with this- really got the feeling of the original and showed an understanding of how to use information from it without totally copying it. Great work!!! "

It seems that I surprised my teacher. Yayy he's impressed with my work. I got another 100 again for another assignments!
Never fell in love before but still can come out with a sound alike love theme. Ahaha, this is a joke but that's cuz... I was thinking about God :D And also do gave some thought about the character's feeling in the movie.

"Good composers borrow ideas. Great composers steal ideas."

Learning the art of being that great composer ! :PP

Film scoring major is an enjoyable major. But it is not a breeze. The workload is a lott. Lots and lots of computer and writing for music. And definitely orchestra. Fun stress !

Yah, fun stress !! :D :O

That Moment

That heart warming moment when God drops His word in your heart and it carries so much weight that it moves you to know that he understands what we're going through, and saying that he is looking out, looking after our well beings. And drops other information regarding our personal situation.
Those moments are not just mere feelings. They take away weariness. One will know it in his heart that it was God who spoke when the spirit is moved and it's aware of what just happened. It is God's peace.

God is real.

What to do with wish list

Have you ever come across to buying too many stuffs like... clothes and one day,

you decided to take a good look at the wardrobe and... 

Oh my goodness !

A huge realization just dropped at the back of head the

'I bought TOO MANY CLOTHES!'

Some of them are even not worn before.

That's a good time to unsubscribe online shopping notification.

And even  the ones sent to the phone.

And... mails. And... newsletters.

I don't even wanna go to my shoes and heels section.
Really don't know how they all appear in my room.
Nobody wants to know what's in that $30 big blue trunk. The inside is spacious. Can fit Derrick in it :P
It's an amazing closet. The top basket even had some goodies in it.
Waitt I don't know how those things ended up there !
I err...
Eheh. Should cancel my wish list and stop creating new ones.

The States can sometimes be a shopping haven ! :(
With just a click away...

Trend

You know, once you start doing something, for example a newly discovered hobby ! And then liking it, and it keeps going on and on and on.

:D

This applies to searching recipes on online.

This is a crazy trend to follow.

And stuffs like Pinterest.

And stuffs like writing something in a blog.

Once you stop doing it, and then go back doing it and the ball keeps rolling in again.
It's fun. To cook, to write (words and music), to shop online (eheh!), and to go to concerts.
Funny trend I'm following.

Next stop, hmm, what can I do with my fresh apples on this Saturday? :D
BAKE something to eat ! Sweet treats!
Or make a salad. So that my friends wouldn't say that I'm... a circle. D:

D:

:O

Next Level !

One of the best things my piano teacher ever said to me today is : "You are a good player. And I would like to take you to another level. Therefore I am very particular with your playing."

:')

Ahhhh ! Yess ! To the next level !!
:D

I remember him mentioning stuffs like he wished I took the 50-minute lesson instead of the 30-minute ones cuz we're doing a lot of good stuffs. Looking forward to the next semester with him! Felt like I've found the right teacher to level-up my playing. Coz I grew a lot under him and I've never been more happy to play my piano because... it's not Jazz :PP

Nahh, jazz is still a requirement for the exams.
It's a cool genre. Really. I wish I could play like a jazzer.
But !
We're doing other lots of good stuffs this semester- especially funk and pop !
AND... Gospel.
NExt semester - taking up Hammond Organ class ! :DD

More concerts

Last Saturday I attended my teacher's concert at NEC.

What a fun night!

He blest me with a ticket.

Every concert hall I enter has its beautiful architecture, be it on the wall, ceilings, dome or lightings. And, the overall shape of the hall.

This is one of the NEC halls.

New England Conservatory, Boston.

Niceeee right? Yes, it is slanting down. You can literally fall OFF the floor because the height of the barrier is on my tight level. You know my height, I'm not very tall.

A giraffe can easily topple over! No kidd !!

Yay yayy yayayay! That's my professor in the front ! His classes are aaaaamazing !
And he is one good heck of lecturers ! 

Yesss. The pieces were performed by the LSO : Longwood Symphony Orchestra.

And THE stunning violinist killed the crowd !!!
She was remarkable !!
There was once I caught one of the violinists facial expression sitting down jaw dropped and eyes widen as she sees her doing a fantastic solo.
LOL.

It looks like I'm attending at least 1 or 2 concerts every week.
Whhhhaatttt ??
Yessss !!
All for... free ;)

The BSO hall photos are on my Facebook. And Anchor Church's Art and Cheer was held at NEC but it was at the Brown Hall. They're also on my Facebook.
;)

I made food

Thanks to Stagecoach, a 1939 oldies black and white film I watched for class.

My stomach growled at the black and white stew he ate in the movie.

Plus, I have all the right reasons to cook a lamb shank in beef broth stew.

Why?

Because I'm friggin living in a refrigerator !!!

Seriously !

My room... It's a fridge !!!

Outside is cold, but my room is colder.

Actually, outside is a fridge; This room that I'm staying in is a friggin' FREEZER.

No kidd.

Shivering like a generator -.-"

OKayy anyway :D

My first stew!

With lots of goodies in it and it smells gooood.

But it's kinda of a little too much oil ? :P

My meat had sales today in Wholefoods.

Indeed a blessing.

Today, just a quick share,

God showered me with little little gifts like meat sales.

My piano teacher commented and complimented on my playing.

My two film scoring and composition lecturers

were very pleased with me with the effort showed in home works and helping the class to settle the misunderstandings about our assignments.

And... omgosh I gotta start doing my home works !!

My dinner ! Ahhh ! :D Hot stew for a cold weather!

Of cuz the potatoes are for show. I can't finish my food!

Btw, below was one of my breakfasts earlier this week.

Lovehate the green photo though,

either it's weird or art ! :P

Those are pumpkin slices of cakes.

Yummy delights perfect for breakfast.

Actually, my camera dropped, so that is why.

The only presence that I really care about

No matter what, when we know that we are a child of God, His presence is with us.
Even if we don't feel Him, see Him, touch Him or hear Him, His presence is still with us, because we are God's children. (This line I've heard it a gadzillion times, but it's a reminder)
Just like a farmer who plants seeds on his ground. He is so passionate about his crop that he thinks about it day and night. Even at home he talks about it. It doesn't mean that if the seeds don't see him at his farm, then the farmer must have stopped caring about the crops. ABsolutely not.
 
God is please with His children. Is he please with everything we did? No. But He is please with us.
Nothing can I do to earn His love and/or favour. He already did.

Apples For The Little Heart

Urm... Where to begin the updates?

There are pictures taken inside the camera.
There are also words to describe things and feelings.
Definitely not complaining, but with all my heart, I do my best to take delight in the Lord, in all that has happened and is happening.

Little little things like... my neighbour gave me her freshly picked apples this week and they taste really juicy and sweet and I yearn so much for apples like that. And suddenly, my friend texted me that we're going to an apple farm this weekend ! To pick apples !! Yayy yay yayayay ! And I just found out that there's another group of friends (whom I got a feeling it was all arranged by Big D, give it up for JC yo!) to go at the same time same day ! How awesome. This whole thing has a purpose and I am very excited about it, but could not write them down yet until it all come to past :)

Apple farm, Clara C concert, Mendelssohn's orchestra concert, crazy non-stop-flooding assignments T.T [This is the first time I'm using the T.T expression because... it really is overwhelming ! T.T ).

Fresh apples. I believe it's one of the wonderful blessings this week.
This little heart has gone through so much already since day 1 in the States.
I can't even...

Currently

Doing home works on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays... again. I have... no lifeee. For now !!
I need a vacation soon.

Timing

Joseph worked hard to gather food in the seven plentiful years, getting ready for the next seven famine years. He was in charge of the food section. He got ready and was busy preparing him and his country for the famine. In those seven plentiful years, he stored up grain in great abundance.
Later when the time came for the seven years of famine, Joseph opened all the store house (BAM!) and everyone came to him to buy grain. In fact, the whole world came to him because the famine was too severe. He sold them grains.

**

(Queen) Esther took a year, to beautify herself- 6 months with oil and myrrh and six months with spices and ointments. During that waiting period, she kept herself ready, preparing herself to see the king.

***

At this point, I am seeing so many of my friends achieving and accomplishing bigg things. It's their timing. As for me, I am really happy for each and every one of them because God loves them and His favour is with them too. It's because they too, have dedicated their lives to God, serving God whole heartedly, working hard, showing sincere and genuine love to people, set themselves apart from the things of the world and be holy be useful for God. So God sees their heart. In good times and not so good times, both remained faithful to each other. But God is faithful because He is.

My fruits are yielding. Often I get edgy because the fruits aren't appearing physically yet.

As long as our prayer lives are intact, hearts on the right track with God and always be ready (i.e. interpret dreams like how Joseph did), be watchful of ourselves, be on the lookout. Put on best attitude, live expectantly by faith, live our days as if we're gonna be promoted. Joseph got promoted instantly from out of jail (for 13 years !) , to interpreting dreams and in a split second he became in charge of the whole Egypt. Esther was crowned as Queen immediately after meeting with the king.

Timing.

Preparation.

Patience.
Lots of it.

Also define what we want as early as we can. We wouldn't wanna mess around and get side track. We wouldn't wanna e clueless and aimless. By doing so, we can pursue our highest goal. Don't know not sure? Find it through prayer, ask God to show the way. But never give up. Be persistent, persevere and be faithful :)

Be a man of character, not a creature of chance. Just like Joseph and Esther.

All things work for good for those who love Him, and who are called according to His purposes.
God has a good plan for us, plan that is not harmful, but to give us hope and a good future.
And I think, the ones who work diligently putting their talents into practice and be skillful in it, deserve their reward. In due season, we will reap, if we do not give up. Everyone has their seasons.

That kind of influence

Each of us has a unique sphere of influence, and that influence can be used for evil or for good. An unfettered faithfulness to God is a light that will shine brightly and leave a legacy of good.

It’s our privilege to bring glory to the Lord. May others see His light shining through us and be drawn to His goodness.

The smallest light still shines in the darkest night.

-ODB

The engine is running

I can't ! :(
 But God can.

I'm hopeless.
 In God, there is hope.

I'm too delicate.
 But God is strong.

(I don't know so many things in class !!)
 (Keep seeing lecturers in their office hours, self help using resources to learn and all etc.)

All things are possible with God.
You give hope to the hopeless and help them stand with their feet on the ground.
The Lord helps and provides.
When I am weak, I am strong. Strong because God is.

Nerddddddy semester :PP

Everyone's out there partying and hanging.

I am burying myself with books, figuring out how the heckk a DP works and what busses what multitrack.

How to write for strings and recognize the timbre and learn how to play a violin and hear them blend with this instrument and that, to double or not to put this voicings in or not.

Bla bla BUT.... !

At the end of this nerdy semester...

I'm all (I hope) foxy ladehhh !

Hahahahha :P

I mean, I'm all set to be more knowledgeable in orchestration and computer skills for film scoring.
:)

Pressing on!

The pressure of this semester has started already. It is only the second week but I'm already feelin' the heat. So much to learn in such short period of time.

Time to really dig into orchestration and software knowledge. Hoping to come out at the end of this semester, accomplished ! :D

By GOD'S GRACE ahhhhhh !! 9am classes almost everyday !

PS : Man there's this super strict lecturer, scarier than any other chinese school teachers I've ever met !
And I thought Chinese teachers were fierce.
Very fussy lecturer and he's a guy :OO
But this makes me work hard and he's a fantastic educator I'd say.

You

When we see You, we find strength to face the day.
In Your presence, all our fears are washed away.

Because of God

Where I am, I serve God. It is a choice I make, in obedience and willingness.
Serving God not only on Sundays in church, also on every other days called Everyday.
In school, in the coffee shop, by the streets, when I am around people and friends or even in class.
There is always an opportunity to help others. There is always a time to show kindness. There is always a way to tell others above the biggest love ever existed and that is Jesus.
Love the people. Love God.
If I don't love the people, how can I love God?

Count others as more important as ourselves. Show everyone true and sincere love. Show them through our lifestyles, words, actions and attitude.

Be the one, set apart, whom God can use in so many ways.
Time is short man. Serve God. Serve others.

Ready for my nation

Sitting by the cold white window pane, I hear crowds cheering across the Fenway stadium for their Red Sox. The fall wind is getting more and more chilly each day. But no proper sweaters have been bought yet to keep this body warm. Maybe later.

But a proper comforter is a must and heading down to the far-away land Ikea is the best deal compared to the rest.

So, someone by the alley outside my window is blasting her music so loudly, serenading her loneliness to herself. A puddle of back lane water reflects the gloomy sky. Street walkers try to avoid getting in contact with the water. And now the guitar is plucking so gently, making this moment even more moody.

I wish I could have the best of both worlds with me now. Malaysia and Boston. My family, His church, my nasi lemak and my home piano; together with the learning experience I have in Boston, berklee, Anchor church, and Tasty Burgers. I also love the room that I have over my head right now. And the kind and helpful people here.

May I have them both? Of coz I know the answer. But deep down I know I won't be long in this place. So why not appreciate the moment right now. Live to the fullest in the dream that I once dreamed of it, that is now a reality. Travel as much as I can while I still have my youthful days. Yes I do do dododododo wish that I am home right now- seeing the smiles of different faces of my own nation, my people. Hearts out there are yearning so much for God to touch their lives. When I came here, I value Malaysians even more than ever. And when I return home for good, I am ready.

I will be ready to carry out God's plan for my nation.

Don't get me wrong. I like Boston as well too. Certain things.
Boot camp in the States for a purpose- to train up my skills and toughen up this lady here. And I wouldn't know how long is this camp going to last for me. It depends on my Commander. 

Yes, I will go through this with excellence. By God's grace.

***

Miss watching Lee Chong Wei's game at home with my whole family. That includes my passionate little brother who adores him like crazy :)

One of Malaysian's heroes!

Fall Semester

Everyday is interestingly... busy !
From gear 2 to gear 3.
9am classes all the time.
Workload is also extremely heavy. I signed up for 2 writing classes I don't know why I did that but it is good and necessary.
Barely had time to chill. The only time I can breathe is during cooking time! Lovin' the moment.
This semester is so pack that I know it will all go by so so fast. And like what my lecturer said, we gotta know our sheesh, no more high school bullsheesh attitude and really dig into music. He was talking in his Scoring for Full Orchestra class. I love this guy his way of teaching pushes me to really know my stuffs.

Best thing is when you totally understand what your lecturer is talking.

If not, drop that class ! :PP Like what I did for 2 classes. Thus, the extra writing class which I am so very happy about it. And from a sleepy liberal arts class to something related to Film Scoring class.

AHHHH so happy ! And it all falls into places ! I couldn't believe my eyes because God went ahead of me and work things out in my schedule. Just like my previous semester. He is amazing! Can't describe how happy I am :D

So, keep the focus. Write them down in papers to remind self. Engage with people. Be nice to everyone and even lecturers. They deserve to be treated well. I wonder if they have Teacher's Day or something in the States.

:D

Not having iPhone but I will have one soon I hope has missed out the very moment of city life in Boston for 5 months already ! Ahhh ! Okk, soon soon I'll get that phone if it all fits my budget. :3

This semester is going to be killin' !!! Getttt downnn to business ! :PP

***

Owhh yes, my new room and apartment is super comfortable ! It can fit friends to come over and chill this time :D And my room is cosy enough to rest and study. What can I say, I am overwhelmed to have all these. The Lord provides!

Love in action !

So much downloaded from God this morning!
I'm sure you've heard how God speaks- a lott in odd timing- and then suddenly we're all focus again, know what to do, and get all excited because we know that God told us His aweeeesome plans and strategies how to do things. And the best thing is that, HE IS WITH US in all these! No need to scared scared all, it just takes courage, boldness and trust. Faith laaa! :D

This semester is going to be killin' ! Ahhhhh can't wait ! So looking forward to meeting new people!

Less of self. More of God.

I'm also seeing how things are falling/have fallen into places. And so much has been given to me. How awesome. I want to give /give out too !

So ready to do what He told me to do this morning !
Love in action.

Next Semester Woh So Fast !

Fall Semester is starting tomorrow ! Coolies !
I'm all geared up and excited for my first class : Afro Caribbean percussion something something for non percussionists something hahaha :D

9am.

Ahhhhhh !

And then computer and synth application class. Can't wait to see who my new classmates are and my lecturers!

Everything exclamation mark! Yesssss!

And I have to reply so many FB messages, emails and text messages. Tomorrow :PP

Sleepy sleepyy.

Berklee is so fun! Everyone (especially meeeee) had an increeeeeedible experience on that FREE THREE ice cream trucks that never ran out of ice cream on the Welcome Back Students BBQ party at the park. Aweeeeesome! Slurrrrrpss!

Okie dokie have a good week ahead those who still reads my bloggie haha :DD

I am not alone (edited)

This is... so not an emo post. Alrighty? :)

-

You know what? As I was packing (started) packing all my stuffs to move out (omgosh moving in Boston is such such such a hassle and it is my first experience ! The Boston Dump will happen soon on the 31 Aug. I can't imagine what the city will look like. Embrrrraaacccceeee myself! ) Yeah, so as I was packing, I realized that I am actually doing things on my own without mom dad, Derrick (oh man, he does eberything I ask him to help me, without complaining, for that I appreciate his patience on me, he is the BEST!) and Esther to help me around. This feels like... Smells like... I'm being independent !!

Everything here is a first time for me.

The streets are flooded with walking students and parents today. The Fall semester is starting soon. Orientation week is next week ! Also, not to forget, U Haul trucks and vans and biggerrrr trucks are almost on every corner of the road. Parking permit is needed to park the trucks.

So, I am doing things without my family. Finally. This is college. This is studying abroad.
And like I wrote, I am not alone. It is the friends that I prayed so hard earlier on, that I would meet, and have a good time with them, whether in school, or the hang outs, to move stuffs and everything else during my college years. More good and genuine friends will come I hope. They are rare, but they are out there. These guys have been a great blessing, like seriouslyy. I want to be a blessing to more people too, because I have been... blessed la ! In so many ways. From furniture buying, to good grades, to having settle down in church, to have awesome friends around (looking forward for the Fall to meet new people !) and discovereing new good food !

Today's weather is colddd brrr ! Sweaters up! :)

***

Besides the physical part- moving and packing and studying, I am also learning how make some decisions.

Thank You ! Really.

I'm moving !
...Together with the rest of few hundreds or thousands of people in Boston !

It's craa-aaaaaaazyy ! Seeing people carrying furniture here and there, crossing the streets making that cars don't hit them flat like a pancake. They even have portable storage by the streets for you to store stuffs how crazy ?!!

I really can't believe that I am moving, for real ! But I have these wonderful, thoughtful, caring and kind friends to help me move my things just a call away. I can't say how much I really am grateful and thankful to them. They know who they are. Without them, I can never have my table, bed, keyboard etc.

God placed them in my life.

Words can never say enough how much I deeply appreciate these guys.
Amazing friends.

:')

I just got my $10 Belgium waffle maker. So gonna make awesome waffles for my super awesome friends!

With lots of strawberries, berries, cream, chocolate syrup, maple syrup and whatever not !

Just like today's ODB http://odb.org/2013/08/29/overwhelming-concern/
I am overwhelmed with my these friends who show me their kindness, concern and love in Christ. 

Hati-hati

Kadang kala orang kristian lebih bisa daripada orang biasa. mereke tahu cakap apa yang patut cakap, semua perkataan guna memang sangat ikut dalam kitab. tetapi kehidupan dan perbuatan mereka tidak reflect sepatutnya apa yang dikatakan dalam kitab. sangat sangat kecewa.

pokoknya, bukan semua orang kristian kristian. tau?

Drama

I can laugh and cry in 3 seconds seeing a photo. This is... pretty bad D:

Missing His Church. So much.

Are you also in this process?

College years are the moulding time into becoming an adult, also a working one. It is almost the entering of the longest period of life's time line. Adulthood has the longest time frame right? So what we study in college, it is (most probably) what we (decided) will be working as.

And all graduates wanna be successful. I believe we all can. Only when we plan well, dream big, walk with God depending on Him, work hardd and reachhh for the skyyyai. Kidding, that line... is so cliche.

:D

Coming back to work hard, in the midst of working hard, we must learn to enjoy our work too. And love people. I once heard from a friend, that the job that we do, is just a tool. That tool is to help put us in that specific area, after we have settled in our hearts knowing our interest and whatnot, and God to confirm (God won't force us to study something we don't want. Find that interest, give it a thought, put it in prayers and ask God to guide whether is it something we should pursue or not. Afterall, He holds our future, He knows whether is it good for us or not. We can be short sighted, God sees the bigger picture). So,

job = tool

Geddit?

job=tool

So what's our calling?
All the same.

Our calling is the great commission laaa!

Sharing our life's testimony to people in school in work in coffee shop in the supermarket, making sure our lifestyles, actions, words used, attitude all reflect Christ-like ones.

Whether a pilot, an accountant, a clerk, a rock guitarist, a dentist, a teacher, a writer, we bring light. We bring Christ-like love, like really really true genuine love. Show concern and respect. Just, do not be a dumb dumb goodie goodie christian letting others ride on our goodness. That's not being wise.

How? Study the Word. So many inspiration and insights. Pray even more. Include God in everything we do, feel, think and say. Practice our discernment. Don't have? Ask. God can show us things, intentions of people, cautions to be aware of and whatever not- when we earnestly seek Him.

I'm on my way to becoming a successful musician. I'm in the process, in the making of becoming one. What I do is that I keep a picture in the back of my head of my job, I know what I'm doing, what my interests are I found them, pretty good at doing it and I love doing it. And seeing myself as next time, people I wanna make an impact, dreams and vision, and remind myself of who God is, God can do anything (nothing is impossible) is the picture I keep. Reserve ourselves for God in obedience and trust, learn how to TOTALLY rely on Him because we are not smarter than God. We cannot and we never will. Listen to God, and act with God.

How cool is that? We have God, (erm, did you hear me, a GOD, good and loving one, and real) to help us and figure things out with us?? Whaaattt werttt ?? Yah! Everyone can be successful. When we do, we are there to be an influence. There are different levels in life. When we are in college level, we do what we can, we find out why what are we here for and do the impact. As we grow up, next level in the working world. The higher level we go, the greater the responsibility, the greater influence we must make.

So be ready.

At every stages we are in, whatever levels we are at, we do our best. We change the world. We impact society and nations! Christians are not meant to live in a rut.

Go with God's anointing and favor. If not, it's all in vain. Again, listen to God, and act with God. Are you also believing that you are on your way, on this journey in the process of becoming successful so that people can see the special thing in your life that draws them, and that is God? It is a process. Even if we are not yet successful, we are to continue walking with God and make sure our lives are rightly aligned with Him so that people around us can know that it is God in and with us that makes a difference.

The Pina Toprak Skype session

Okay. As promised. Here is a short review of my point of view (;P) of Pina Toprak's Skype interview ahaha!

It was hosted by the WFI in Berklee. So, what she threw in her thoughts in that session, don't live on other people's expectations. Have yours and do what you like to do, better if we love it.
If we want something, work hard for it. Don't have plan B(s). Cuz if we do, we would not finish plan A.

Being a woman in the film's industry is tough job. So we havtha rise to the occasion. She is a mother and a composer. :OO
We must learn how to juggle personal life and work (actually it applies to everyone :P Nyeheh.) We do film music work because we love it. We do what we can, and we do the best job. Film scoring is also our baby, besides our real baby/child. So, know how to care of both.

Well, she did talk about her routines, a little of video game scoring, of how she got involved with it.

I relate well with her mistakes, that she wasn't speaking enough for herself. People patronize her. She was afraid of speaking, she was a kitten. Many took advantaged of her.
And since FS is more for the introverts, because this job can be soemtimes (actually, pretty much all the time) lonely, where composers are locked in their room for, depending of the project time frame, 6 weeks perhaps, writing music non-stop before reaching the deadline, which is hmm, THE DAY THE MOVIE COMES OUT IN CINEMAS ??!! So yeah, the deadline is pretty important.

:D

I never thought that I have the guts to raise my hand and ask her a question in that session.

So yeah, she has worked for Hans Zimmer before and it was awesome having a Skype session with her. It's Berklee, anything music-related can happen.

Ending my Summer with... (a few events)

Lauren's bridal showerr ! Also my first bridal shower in America.

Coolies!

As cool as a coolatta :PP

I travelled with these girlies here, whom are my college friends and church friends.

We took the T.

Christine, Callie and Michel'le. Awesomee girls!

Ahh goshh shoo pwetty !

The lovely ladies. Only ladies. It's the ladies' day!

The bride showered with gifts!

Sweet treats!

When God places friends in life... :)

She's unwrapping my gift ! :O :)

This is Lauren. The bride. And she is very sweet.

Cup cakes galore !!

The Quackenbush sisters. Both of them reminds me of Esther and I.

So later that week, I also met with new friends from different church I visited. These girls came from Berklee, MIT, BU and some working. So glad to meet them. :)

Also, Anchor Church the one that I'm attending, had picnic and water baptism by the Castle Island beach in South of Boston. Great weather (It rained! So so chilly), great food, great people to hang with and what a great fun day.

Friends that went together. We were on the bus.

When it got coldd, we had blankie to warm us up ! Whee! Teehee! :D

Worship by the beach, on the rocks.

Our worship leader. Waves were rolling in when it started.

This boy just caught my attention I just had to snap a photo of him :PP

Yes, they were dunked, erm, they went down immersed into the sea :)

The two lovely ladies and wonderful friends I had in the Summer. Gretel and Aubrey.

So during that time, I also had a chance to visit the MFA- Museum of Fine Arts. It was hugeee! This is part of my liberal art class field trip. Lalala. The best part was, I got to see a performer playing the harpsichord, LIVE, in front of my bare eyes. Aweeeesome.

Before that, my class also visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum, where the famous Boston art theft happened, until now the art masterpieces haven't been recovered.

So we had to write about it, and a book review. Fun class!

This is the main entrance for the MFA. It was 10am.

Ooh, my friend Kelton performed in this huge musical that laster for about 2 weeks. Les Mis at Reagles Music theatre somewhere in Boston. I have nuuu idea where it is :P It was lovely. I love the props. I'm so proud of my friend :)

Look at the crowd !

After the musical, our tummies were roaring ! We were like hungry packs of wolves :PP I mean, we were hungry :) We dropped off at Faneuil Hall for Tex Mex. Steak in the middle of the night.

How not to gemok ? 

Unpacking a little of my thoughts

There is a reason for me to take piano lessons when I was a kid.
There is a reason to like and choose books over dolls when I was a child.
There is a reason to, constantly, being brought up in way, face with difficult people for don't-know-what-why but now I know why, it is because to train me up when I work in the real world, the entertaining industry.
There is also a reason for me to become a second child.
There is (always) a reason why I wasn't in a relationship with that boy.
There is a reason for me to be mom and dad's daughter, my brother's sister and my sister's sister.
And now that I am here in this faraway beautiful city from home, I understand the reason for me to be here too.

Thinking back, those are for good, for the sake of my future, which is now, the time that I am living in. They were the reasons I never knew at that time, but now I know. And feeling tremendously thankful.
:)

Unpacking some of my thoughts. Hmm. Must be the Haagen Dazs I had awhile ago :PP :D

Happy Hour

For the past few days (2 weeks) I have been surviving on this for breakfast!

And granola fruit with milk sometimes.

Or grab food from WholeFoods' breakfast bar.

So good.

Final week, 16 full credits, project deadlines, test days, study-in-the-library days, photocopying days, seeing lecturers for assignments days are now overr!

I really had a great time in the midst of stress!

I love what I was studying and memorizing!

Really.

Oats, almonds, raising. And yogurt.

Yum.

I cooked my oats on the stove.

It's not instant :D

Finally, something not instant hehe.

And I will pamper myself with Butter Pecan (CVS lady told me I made the right very good choice on Butter Pecan hehe!) and Princess Diaries.

(Watched it a gazillion times because it's good?)

Mom told me to reward myself with ice cream on Skype jusnw.

So here I am.

I did what she told me.

A quick shower, put on my shorts and tee, and I smell so good and fresh! Now I watch movie(s)!

Happy hour :D

Creamy potato salad and classic deli pasta salad for lunch.

I doooo miss nasi lemak btw. And all the chinese food at home.

Yes yes, I will upload the bridal shower and water baptism by the beach photo soon. I also went to the Barking Crab near waterfront yesterday !! So pretty! Such a beautiful city in Boston!! I fell in love yesterday :D

Enjoying every single bit of my days here! That includes college work.

Okay laterr!

Coming up next

Pinar Toprak Skype Interview blog post is coming up soon too! :D Later!

Taiyaiyaiyaiyaiyai

Patience. I have some new photos coming up soon :)

Last week has started the assignment craze among Berklee students. It's no joke to actually take all 16 FULL credits for the summer, a short semester for full time full credits. That's the bomb man!

Everywhere I go, to the library, I hear students telling each other : Oh, it's been hectic. So SO much work to do. And some digging deep into their Mac along the sideways, typing so hard on the keys. Some burying their heads behind the computers in the labs on their keyboards, and ear phones rubbing in between their ears. Some like me, 'chup' spots in the library and spread files, music sheet papers, laptops and pencil case on the table like nobody's business. But have to take into consideration too that some students need space too hahah!

On Sunday 1245pm, I thought I was the only one waiting for the library to open at 1pm. When I got there at 1.03pm, there were already students filling up spaces in the media lab, library and lounges. Whaattt? Okay, I'm not the only crazy fella - Studying on a Sunday. Fuish! Teehee.

God be my strength. My barin hsa raech is't maxsinum lvele.
Colbie Caillat is on my playlist now.

*Spongebob's crazyy laughter.
Taiyaiyaiyaiyaiayaiayayaiyaiayiayiayaiyai

:3

Snippets of thoughts

Just a quick one!

Yesterday, when I was taking the T, I looked around just to observe and it dawn on me that I'm really, really living in the USA. And I just want to remind myself, to make the best use of time here. I don't want any regrets of like "Aiyah, I should have done this done that, why was I so shy at that moment and did not take the chance or risk to do something that might make a history or memories" all these when I'm back in Malaysia for good, when my college years are yesteryears.

Wherever we are, make the best out of the whole situation.

Here right, cannot afford to be lazy even just a day! It's so not the worth :D

Actually, the best is don't have the habit of being lazy.

Mega Alarm Clock and some other random stuffs

To wake up early here is kinda difficult for me. And I don't know why! At home, it's pretty easy. The alarm rings, and then whoosh!- I'm out of my bed. Maybe, it's the early morning air in Boston, wonderful 'texture' for sleepers to continue snuggling in bed, warming inside the blanket.

So, instead of depending on the annoying alarm from my very backdated at&t phone (which I love using it, it's so simple!), I have a super mega annoying 'alarm' coming out from the construction site, righttt in front of my apartment, evvvvveryday at 7.50am ! Yesss, it never fails from 7.45am-ish onwards.

Thaaaaanks! Very annoying but very helpful hahaha! :)

But the thing is, it can't be snoozed or stopped and it goes on and on and on the whole morning. Super irritating. 

***

I bought this sesame pao from a chinese supermarket, gosh the sesame paste literally burst and melt once you give it a bite! Awesomeeee. 

***

Mom said I'm a bit round. @.@ Gosh the horror of listening to that statement. What am I gonna do about it? Am I gonna run along the Charles river? Am I gonna eat lesser? Am I gonna eat more fruits and veges (I did lah!) ? It's just the food content and portion here that my body is going through right now. Yikes, the pressure! Okayy, so, eat smaller portion then.

It's a weekenddddd! Go out and enjoy the sun and breeze! Go play frisbee or something! Or stay at home and watch a movie from any DVDs hahhaha :D and sip Milo. I wonder if a kid's name is Milo. So kewl. "Milo, come here ! Milo, don't eat that" Lolol :P Milo don't eat whattt? But you're a food too!