Michael Joseph Jackson: August 29, 1958 - June 24, 2009


I know this post comes a few days late.. but the news frenzy is still going on following the death of The King of Pop, a phenomenon in the entertainment world and arguably the most recognised man in the world.

I must admit I'm not really a fan, though I'm pretty familiar with his music especially from his 80s album. I mean, being a teenager, Michael Jackson's songs were some of the biggest hits ever.. and yes, I grew up dancing to his music! And some of his MVs still stuck in my head.

And his death is probably the biggest news this year that everyone talks about. So I thot I should `document' it in my blog..


Yes, he's a genius - brilliant in his music and dance move..and his explosive performances on stage just leave you breathless. I just re-watched the MV of Smooth Criminal on TV and was totally amazed at what he could do!! Till date, I can't think of artistes who could match him.. MJ is irreplaceable.

I had the opportunity to witness him live in concert when he came to KL for his concert tour in 1996. But because of the huge huge crowd, I was also quite away and by now could not recall most of it.. Nevertheless, at least I could say I was there..



Despite all this unprecedented success and achievement in the entertainment world, sadly MJ was a tormented soul inside. His personal life was so controversial and `colourful' - in the wrong way. From his repeated plastic surgery that had practically disfigured his face to his uncommon relationship with young boys and his many weird and perculiar affinity.. there were much flaks and negative reports on this great entertainer.. he even earned the non-flattering moniker `Wacko Jacko'.

Already for more than a decade, his career has not really revive. And although his death is untimely - he's scheduled to hold 50 concerts in London next month! - I somehow feel the sudden departure may have saved him from more disgrace.. afterall, his health has been detiorating..

But now in his death, as said in so many reports, MJ shall be remembered for his iconic status in the entertainment world and the legacy of some of the most popular and well loved music of all time.

To be honest I am still a bit baffled at the non-stop coverage of all media following his death, and the out pour of his fans grief was also quite incredible. MJ is probably the only artiste who has legions of fans in every country and continent.

So it just point to the fact that Michael Jackson is truly THE King of pop, and the biggest superstar of our generation, and ever-living legend.

RIP, MJ.

My two Js' birthdays again..!!

I'm a bad mommy! I almost forgot to blog about the two Js' birthday this month!!

Well, Jelly's 5th birthday was on June 7th and at that time my PC downstairs (where the photos are) had no Internet access.. so it's a good excuse for the delay :p

For the first time, Jelly had the honour of having a cake - or rather sharing half a cake - as my maid Wati's birthday was just a day earlier than hers!

So we had a joint celebration of sort.. :)

The two birthday girls! Wati adores the two Js - she's really good with them, which is a relief for me also..

Dad takes this photo of us with the two Js but just realise that Jojo was too low down.... so, another shot as follow!
Yup, not easy to get the two Js to pose for photos together!!

Oh, tomorrow Jojo is turning 6! Yes, he's well into his middle age now.. and sometimes i really wish he would not grow old so fast! Since i've been kinda bogged down with work, I didn't go out and get anything for Jojo.. but I saved some very nice pork ribs in the soup for him to eat tomorrow..

Sigh, tomorrow is another busy day so i don't really get to spend time with Jojo on his birthday..
but it's a relief that he doesn't know is his birthday.. hehe.. :p

SO HERE'S TO MY DARLINGS...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOJO, AND HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JELLY

FINALLY!!! We've got a wire-less home!

Life has been pretty boring and mundane in the last fortnight.. thus a little excitement is welcome.

Today, this `excitement' arrived in the form of... *drum roll*.. the successful set up of our WiFi connected house!!!

Yes, FINALLY!!! Seriously I never imagined it would have taken that long and that much problem.. ONE whole month and SIX visits by the computer technician, and all the sufferings of getting limited Internet connections... if FINALLY works.. YEESSS!!!

After the fifth attempt at setting up the system, I was almost giving up already and actually told him to forget about the (ever problematic) new system, I want a refund and just do it the ancient manual way - get a cable to run from the modem upstairs to my pc downstairs..

But today, I got some good news.. he had managed to find out the solution from the proper channel for sure.. and even had tested the system up. So ya, after some time of configuration, it WORKED for my home too!

To think of it, I'm glad Patrick has far more patience and perseverance than me.. I mean I feel quite bad of the amount of time and effort, not mentioning the petrol and tolls cost with all these visits.. But he's so optimistic that even after all that he had to go through, he said he learned something new - cos it's a new generation of the system.

So now I can finally settle into my new SoHo.. and do things on the Net from my PC that's full of photos and stuff.. but more importantly, I hope working here can be more productive..

But on the other hand, now that I can access Internet at every corner of my house.. would it mean this will feed onto my already bad Internet addiction!??? :S

p.s. I will take some photos of my SoHo and update my blog soon again..

P.E.T.

That stands for `pre-exam tension'.

I can't remember when was the last time I sat for an exam.. could it be my uni final exam almost two decades back?! (oops, there gives away my age again.. :p) Anyway, I'm kinda feeling it now.. because, tomorrow afternoon I will be sitting for my first vocal examination!

I'm taking the London Trinity Guildhall's First Concert Certificate which is considered the basic for vocalist (with some music background). Although the decision to sit for the exam was made less than a year back, my teacher had already been `preparing' me for it by letting me sing some of the exam pieces.

And finally, the four chosen ones are:

1. Se tu M'ami, Se Sospiri by Giovanna Battista Pergolessi
2. Have You Seen But the Whyte Lillie Grow by Anon (17th century)
3. Angels Ever Bright and Fair by Handel
4. I Could Have Danced All Night by Frederick Loewe
   

I've been pracitisign quite exclusively these four pieces in the last few months and also got an accompanist to play for me. My teacher on the other hand, gave some underlying pressure for he has conditioned me to aim high - in fact, he kept mentioning I should aim for a distinction!

Musicality aside, which needed lots of polishing and practising, I remembered having to learned the words by heart was quite a challenge but I finally did it. My teacher, who normally is not very strict, pushed me harder when the time got nearer. I remember just a month or so back after my holiday in China -with lack of practice - he became quite harsh with me and because of that, I vowed to work harder and finally in that few weeks, I made quite a bit of improvement.

I guess I did quite ok for the recital - he said most of the pieces except one was quite good. And then just two days ago, he actually praised me for two pieces..and said overall I am ready..

So i had my final lesson before exam this afternoon. My teacher advised me not to sing anymore but I still did a little just now, especially trying to make sure I'm 110 per cent sure of the words!

My exam is scheduled at 3:40pm tomorrow in a First World Hotel in PJ. The last time I ever went for an exam in a hotel was for my piano exam more than two decades ago..


To think of it, I know I'm quite well prepared by now but still cannot help but feeling some anxiety/tension. I guess it's normal.. Jitters.. ? oh, that's why i need to write this post!

Lord, I just pray and hope I would get a nice and linient examiner (at least not too strict!) On top of that, I must just tell myself to be composed and relax, and just sing it out the best that I could..

Lalalalalala.....