Corrinne May's latest album - the Gift.
Only two new songs (including The Answer) amidst the joyous melodies celebrating CHRISTmas, but nonetheless a quieter personal music to usher in that wonderful day (hey i am late, i used to sing Christmas songs from August), and to ring into the true meaning of the red-and-green day of mistletoes and candy canes.
Met up with a few of my Architecture buddies last Thursday over dinner after soooo long (okay, only for me =p). We went to Miss Clarity's Cafe along Purvis Street, and mind you, the food is good! The lil gathering was punctured with 'Ooohs', 'Waahhhs' and 'Yummy!' over every plate before us. Ooooohhhh...
Most of the people here were part of my usual hang-out gang in my first and second year of Architecture in NUS. We did the craziest things like squeezing 14 of us into an old Volvo sedan to go Suntec (with someone saying his leg had 'ulcers' instead of cramps), playing swing and lanterns at my playground where much of our secrets and heart-to-heart talks were shared, backpacking thru' the whole West coast of Peninsular Malaysia in ten days, playing catching and watching uncountable shooting stars at our treks and deserted beaches.... (Catch some photos here)
Thank you my friends. You were definitely my shining stars amidst the stress, strain and sometimes gloom (no day no night?!) through our architectural years. =)
* * *Caught the movie 'Japan is Sinking' with two dear gals, Ying Shuen (left) and Chee Foon (right), Barney and two sons, and Israel before we went to help out at Yishun Children's Club on Saturday.
Ying Shuen especially, never fails to brighten my day with her smile. This day she touched me even deeply with her self-made present (look down)! 
i am talking about.............
me! *chuckles*
Hee jokes aside, i really want to encourage some of my spiritual daughters, sons and youth friends who had told me they felt really lousy and discouraged about their E.X.A.M results (Did i hear a heavy sigh?). And also those who are facing their Os and As soon, you said you are fearful.
Here is a quote from a wonderful lady/mum who said this to every of her children ( and who's also one of the best bloggers around!):
" I hope you will have enough success in school so you will be confident and challenged to study with a sense of self -motivation and responsibility. And I hope you will have enough failures to keep you humble and yet going always for the gold ahead. The best is yet to be!"
This is exactly what i hope to encourage all of you with. 
Indeed the best is yet to be, and God's wonderful purpose for your life is not yet fulfiled by Him. Trust me, this current seemingly big disappointment is NOT going to be the deciding factor of your future (including the upcoming Os or As) ... UNLESS you choose to be discouraged by it forever. Brave up, look ahead and strive on! When you are 25, 40 and even older, you are not going to look back and sigh over that little 'hurdle' cos' you will have overcome it. Yes i am telling you, I still believe in you. =)
Seeing so much about the loving Japanese dad, Ayumu Takahashi, in my previous posts, my attention was brought to my spiritual Ahpa, Pastor Yeang Cherng.
He always tells us that he does not know how to be a good daddy, and how to relate to his daughters - both natural and spiritual. But i thank God enough that he is humble enough to always strive to learn from the Heavenly Father, the father's role. Just like what i told him last Friday, "Ahpa i already see you as my father. I see you really trying, and i thank you for that. Can i give you a hug?".
Probably cos' my own natural father is always overseas, every minimal thing that Ahpa YC had taught and done for me was BIG enough in my eyes. Simple gestures like 'Hey Mirabel i am looking forward to more time of catching up with you in Japan', short walks and dinner together during the free time at MOL Tokyo, warmed my heart greatly. I still remember one night in Tokyo, he said 'Hey Mirabel there is something i must talk to you about before we get back to our hostel', and he suddenly stole time to begin his fatherly talk on his daughter's (my) 'future happiness'. Ha. What came out of it? I dare you to ask me. =p
in my previous post has caused my jaws to drop further.
Check out this summary of the life of Ayumu Takahashi:
Born in 1972 in Tokyo Minato-ku, Japan.
Chief Executive Director of the publications company Factory A-Works (since 2003) dealing with book, music, film and other products.
At the time of 20 years old, he was fascinated by the movie 'Cocktail' (starring Tom Cruise) and thus left university to open an American bar Rockwell's with his friends. It expanded to 4 branches in two years.
At the age of 23, in order to write his autobiography, he and his buddies established the "Sankuchiyuari" (Sanctuary) publication" which produced many best-sellers.
Takahashi got married at 26. And 3 days after the wedding, he took off with his wife on a World Journey and wrote many books such as Dear WildChild, Love & Free. In about two years they had travelled numerous countries from the North Pole to the South Pole.
Returning to Okinawa in December 2000, Takahashi opened a cafe-bar and guest house called Beach Rock House, seeking to create a paradise of blue sea and music. In Okinawa, Takahashi is also a fervent and loving parent of two adorable children. (Check out his charming family video in the previous post or catch a glimpse in the video in that far upper right corner)
His current ongoing 'Island Project' shakes Okinawa alive through its essence of nature, music, art and adventure, all together. It also stands strong for nature preservation, especially Okinawa's corals. 
(Source: Ayumu Channel, translated by Babel, edited by me)
A sneak preview to the present series of Japan encounters - the pretties, and the unbelievables:
Create Your Own!
It is official. I have put on 0.5kg from my stint in Japan!! i cannot stop munching on Japanese goodies even right now in hazy Singapore. =P
One of the most heartwarming highlights of the trip was to be re-united with my Japanese friends, whom i got to know thru' my church's Gateway City Youth Convention (GCYC) in 2005 and 2006. Their every action has shone love so greatly that i am humbled by their heart of giving and service. I was especially touched by Rika - she is ever so gentle yet warm, humble, and so willing to learn (including English). *hugs*
I have been kyo-ing for the past two days, and have just embarked on my osak-ing stint.
Will very soon post peektures and accounts from beautiful Kyoto and bustling Osaka here! :) I had very fresh encounters with the Japanese - whether it was mingling with them along the streets, squeezing with them on the intertwined systems of trains, hanging out with my Japanese friends in their own land and cultures... ...
I have a soft spot for dolphins (Don't ask me why, haha). But this particular tail-less dolphin, Winter, jerks me with her life story. Such courage and resilience to live and adapt to life circumstances! Here is one dolphin which never gives up.
(Click on her name to read her life story)
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