Inspiration, where art thou?

I’ve really no idea why I’m writing this, cz I totally have nothing to write about.  To talk about my life would be boring, but well, guess what, I’m going to bore you.

1. I managed to get an interview with Monash on the 20th, unfortunately it’s between my exams.  And yes, I’m really glad they called all those who applied cz I seriously cannot make it with my lousy ISAT score. =)
2. Coffee min! First time serving in Coffee Ministry last Mon.  I guess I’ll have to do some explaining for my Ipoh friends (I’m very nice and kind if you haven’t noticed). Coffee Ministry is this thing that OCF is doing during the exam periods and as the name suggests, we serve coffee, milo, tea, mocha, biscuits, etc. outside the Uni library for FREE to bless the people who are stressed and busy studying for exams.  But wait, you might ask, how about us?  Don’t we need to study too? Well, yeah, we obviously do, but the main aim here is to just sacrifice a night or two to show how much he loves us to His people and of course share that love with them!
   Leading Coffee Min next week, hope the technicalities will sort themselves out.
3. Last week of school.  Taking pics and all (unfortunately missed out on EAP).  The year has passed so quickly and well God has been so amazing this year and I’m sure the many years to come!

Yes, those who DON’T have fbook may want a second look at my prom pics, I’ll just upload ONE more and that’s it.

This is my EAP teacher.  Can you say FLUORESCENT DRESS? and check out the boots too!

Haha.

 

Teaser

Before the craziness:

Joshua Radin

Last night was my first over-18 gig! Ah, the benefits of turning 18. Anyway, me, along with some other OCF-ers went to the Joshua Radin gig at the Gershwin Room, St. Kilda’s Esplanade. Btw, it’s a bar, so I had to try to look old as the security looked at my passport and all. Haha. But I’m legal.. so there!

Well, to tell you the truth, I have never heard of Joshua Radin until the people in my cell talked about (or some obsessed abt)  him. Yeah, so orignally I was not supposed to go.  But then they had an extra ticket so I thought, why not and jumped on it.  Chui gave me his music to listen to to ‘prepare’ myself for his gig. Haha.  Yeah,  his songs are quite mellow – acoustic folk, so if you’re the PCD, gangsta rap lover, you’d fall asleep listening to him. Oh btw, they used his songs on House, Scrubs, Lie To Me, Bones, American Idol, One Tree Hill, 90210  and Grey’s Anatomy.

Went to St. Kilda’s super early because of our kiasu-ness.  Had dinner in the city – “Greasy Joe’s”. By the time we finished we thought we’d be late cz the doors were supposed to open at 8. But when we reached there there was NO ONE.  So yay, we happily stood in the hallway near the toilet to wait for the doors to be open.

Anyway we waited and then they told us that the doors open at NINE only.  So we got asked to move out of the hallway cz they wanted to keep the hallway free.  But yeah, we had to push the crowd back cz you know la, no one really ones to move back.  We still managed to be in front of the line. Yipee.

Waited and waited.  Listened to the very loud band in the bar,  inhaled lots of smoke and watched people get money from the ATM at the hallway.  Interesting.

This is the ticket that we didn’t get to keep =(

Doors finally OPENED after waiting for an hour.  We got front row places cz most of them had to buy their ticket. Haha.  Waited a long time for them to start.  There were two opening acts.  First one was a girl from Melbourne, she was okay – not very experienced though.  Waited another 45 mins for the second one to come on. The second one was quite good – an Australian singer,  Leena

Yup, all acoustic-y stuff.  She played about 45 minutes and then the waiting game began again.  Gave up my front place on the stage to let some random people sit.  Standing is no joke man, plus we have to wait so long between performances.

I was so close that I could take a picture of his tuner =)

He finally came out around 11.30p.m. Yep, so we were there about 3 and a half hours. Phew. Yep, but he FINALLY CAME OUT! He was sick a few days ago but his voice has recovered, thank goodness.

The only bad thing of being so close is that I couldn’t really see his face properly. Haha.  Yeah, and the neck cramps too.

Can’t remember the whole setlist but I think it was something like:

Brand New Day
One of These Days
I’d Rather Be With You
Starting Over (new song)
Everything Will Be Alright
Today
No Envy No Fear
What If You
Closer
You’re Not So Young (new song)
Sky
Winter
You and Me (Bob Dylan cover)

I think that was it, not necessarily in order (those who scored the setlist at the end of the set can correct me). His new, more rock and roll songs are just okay only la.  I prefer the mellower ones.  And he was very good with the crowd, making conversation and telling us the story behind the songs.

Anyway, the highlight of the whole thing is that he talked to me haha.

So this was the situation:
He was playing the electric guitar, and there were separate cables for acoustic and electric.  And the acoustic cable jack accidently dropped while he was plugging in his electric.

So when he changed back to the acoustic guitar, I helped him pick up his guitar jack.
Josh Radin: Thanks. What’s your name?
Me: Jessica.
Josh Radin: Nice to meet you Jessica. (To the audience) See, I’m meeting new people already.

At the end of the set he was giving high fives and shaking hands with the crowd.  So yeah, he high fived me, and I’ve no idea why I was so bold but I asked him whether I could have his pick.  At first he couldn’t hear me, then when I repeated my question he took the pick and handed it to me! =DDD

After the set, some people just grabbed his mic stand and took a pick because there were 3 left. But mine is special cz he personally gave it to me! Hah!

Yep, so it was a great experience for me la, as you can tell.

Apparently he sang better on this gig then the previous day.  And he sang the full set. The previous day he didn’t because of his voice. No Fear No Envy and Closer were my favourites of that night. That guy is really a smooth talker la, he can talk about anything and is a big flirt.

Situation 1:
Random girl: Marry me!
Josh: Wow, but I don’t even know you, what’s your name?
Girl: Justine
Josh: Oh hi Justine. See, we know so much about each other already.

Situation 2:
Girl #2: Have my children!
Josh: Whoa, that’s taking it a little too forward now.

Situation 3:
Girl #3:  (Says something really flattering)
Josh: Thanks. What’s your name?
Girl #3: Mikaela (Take note, to say her name you have to ‘gargle’ the Mik – ae part)
Josh: Whoa Mikaela (does it with the gargling sound). Wow, that sounds like me when I was sick. (Laughs) You’re a beautiful girl.

There were some more la, but if I remembered them all I’d be freaky. Anyway,he included me in his marrying options which I thought was a little disturbing somehow. haha. I don’t want to marry him man! He’s so old =)

Anyway, he’s not that great also la (morally I mean).  He doesn’t believe in religion and well, he made a few crass jokes, plus scattered a few F-bombs throughout the night. But well, he’s not my role model or anything, so this proves, singers are so not good role models.  Remember this, kids.

But well, it was a fun night- listening to music with friends. Went back super early…in the morning that is..and crashed when I got home.

So that sums it up people!

Ear Candy

So many new CDs have come out from most of my old time and new favourite bands/ artists since last year and I still haven’t gotten my grubby hands on them.

Starting to like what I hear from the Black Crowes – Good Morning Captain is so catchy and has that Americana feel to it. Joe Bonamassa is another guitar virtuso in the blues/ rock genre but has a different style compared to John Mayer.  Davy Knowles and the Back Door Slam – a young upcoming Brit guitar player who has singing chops to boot.  Does not have the ‘classy’ vibe of John Mayer though, his style is more raunchy, in- your – face kind of blues and rock. Owl City – a one man band – he sounds almost like Matt Thiessen from Relient K, and no wonder, as they are one of his influences.

Jared Anderson – if the name sounds familiar, that is because he is one of the worship leaders in Desperation Band – and writer of ‘Amazed’. The others I’m sure you’re familiar with them – Third Day, Jeremy Camp, David Crowder Band, Relient K, John Mayer, and Switchfoot.

In no particular order:

1. 
   Black Crowes – Warpaint Live (2009)
2. 
   Black Crowes – Before the Frost (2009)
3. 
   David Crowder Band – Church Music (2009) Got good reviews, love to check this out!
   
4. 
   Jeremy Camp – Speaking Louder Than Before  (2008)
5. 
   Joe Bonamassa- The Ballad of John Henry (2009)
6. 
   John Mayer – Battle Studies (Soon to be released Nov 2009)  Edit: he looks like a male version of the ice queen here – I would say ice king but somehow it does not really have a nice ring to it.
7. 
   Jared Anderson – Live From My Church (Soon to be released Nov 2009) Edit: Hmm..the cover gives out the cheap vibe – oh well
   Teasers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C0ZGr9afI4
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evnfw4JIxTw
8. 
   Relient K – Forget and Not Slow Down (Soon to be released Nov 2009)
9. 
   Switchfoot – Hello Hurricane (Soon to be released Nov 2009)
10. 
    Third Day – Revelation (2008) Edit: There’s also a Live Revelation CD/DVD but it doesn’t have the full set of songs. An added plus – Chris Daughtry does the back up vocals on ‘Slow Down’
11. 
    Davy Knowles and The Back Door Slam – Roll Away (2007) Their debut album, they have a newer one but this was the one that gave them their big break. Would like to check them out. They’ll be in Melbourne btw. But on a Tues night..
12. 
    Owl City – Fireflies (2009) Carina mentioned them on her twitter and that got me to check them out – I don’t listen to radio so I’m really really outdated in my music. Interesting one to check out but not as fanatic about them compared to the above.

Is Nov 2009 the perfect season to release CDs? I detect a pattern here..maybe to cater to the Christmas crowd.  Speaking of Christmas, I don’t mind having one of these for Christmas!

The day before I turn 18

I never thought I’ll…

put on weight

grow out my hair

have a cekap OCF cell!
Carina, if you’re reading this, know what cekap is or not?

like Italian and cheesy food a lot
I was always a Chinese cuisine only person, weird I know..

go to a guitar festival ALL BY MYSELF
talk about determination

see Relient K live

own dresses and heels

know how to drive a car

talk to a random guy on the street who needed food

come here to Aus to study

have friends who constantly support and humour me

learn to play a computer game (Left4dead.hehe)

agree to go on a roller coaster ride with my daredevil sister
it wasn’t so bad in the end actually

And

have a boyfriend
I’m sure your heart skipped a beat haha

all before I turn 18…

If only this was my birthday present haha

shall I get a haircut?

My hair hasn’t been this long since forever, and it’s getting kind of long. But I guess my definition of long is not the same as most of you guys. But really, it’s all over everywhere..and I’m not used to it =D

Pros:

1. First time cutting hair in aussie – could be a good experience, maybe get a snazzy haircut!!
2. Hair won’t be all of over my face, I look rather shaggy now.

Cons:

1. Could be very pricey if I want to go to good hairstylists, and the cheap ones aren’t exactly cheap.
2. Things could go wrong and I may end up either bald or la-la. Don’t know which is worse
3. Have to find a good asian hairstylist or an ang moh hairstylist who is used to asian hair.
4. Satisfy my friends’ desire to see me in long (read: longer) hair.

Okay, so far 2 vs 4..what do you guys think?

Used to be:

Now..

(Thanks Josh for the pic)

Sorry I don’t really have a proper photo with my longish hair. See facebook if you’re really curious haha)

Guitar pic of the day:

sporadic

Getting lazier and lazier to update these days. Must be the holiday. Trying to get some real work done this week and so far I’m succeeding. Holiday weekends are great because it’s a lisense for me to overeat. Ate/ sampled 7 different kinds of cakes alone this weekend! And went on a korean food phase on Sat and Sun.

Went for the Star Wars exhibition at the Scienceworks Musuem on Sat with half of my cell. Pretty cool..the real props used for the movie were exhibited. Pics on my facebook but for those who DON’T have facebook (ahem eexin..) ..here’s a pic.

Us with the Luke Skywalker Speedracer

Celebrated my sis’s housemate’s b’day, too (that’s why there was so much cake). It was good to meet Jo’s friends, med students don’t look as stressed out as I thought they’ll be. Haha. They really know how to have fun and all. Don’t know how they do it. If it was me, I’ll be hiding in my hole and study.

Anyway, have a great week people! My hols are ending..which is sad.

Later.

LTC Retreat 2009

It was AWESOME!

Here I was thinking, yeah, why is everyone so excited for me?  It’s just a retreat..not a wedding or baby. I felt really bad when I didn’t feel as excited as I should have when people asked me how I was feeling about the retreat.  I know what you’re thinking, it’s just like another ordinary camp, have some fun, make some friends, and oh yeah, the God thing - it’s just a bonus.

 

But sorry to break the bad news, dears..you are…

 

Wrong!

Super super wrong. It’s amazing how a 1 night camp, can mess your head up, or in Pastor Tim’s words – “turn you inside out and upside down”. I really start to see the whole picture why God is so so amazing and why people are so crazy about him.  The important thing for me that night was, God felt REAL.

So okay, for you who love the details here it is: Left State Library slightly later than 8 by car to Kimgara Equestrian Park, Werribee where the retreat was. I was lucky, I got the car. Some had to take the train.  Car mates were Jerry (the driver), Jaclyn, Yuki, Wen Yi and me.  Had to lie my guitar over me, Wen Yi and Yuki cz Jerry’s car was a Yarris. So really sorry girls! (Doubt they’ll ever read this though). Few wrong turns but finally got there after 50 minutes.  Grassy plains, an unassuming red ‘farmhouse’ like thing, an odd cow or two, a goat (dunno who on earth called it a sheep), horses completed the picture. 

The place has an extremely simple set up - dining hall (that’s where we eat and do activities), dorms, kitchen, toilets and cabins. That’s all. Suddenly all my other camps seemed so much grander. Haha. I was the ‘lucky’ few who got to stay in the cabin which was OUTSIDE the building, closer to the barns.  The only advantage about it is that it had an attached bathroom. But anyway, I didn’t spend more than 6 hours in there. 

Enough about the place. Moving on to the activities! Had games organised by Matt and his team.  A lot of effort have been put into it (hundreds of pieces of paper to cut).  Were split into groups, I was in Charlie (there were also alpha, bravo, delta, echo and foxtrot).  I won’t go into the details of the game because it is very complicated.  But all I would say that the pieces of paper were ‘money’ and the objective of the game was not to pay the least amount of tax. Then there were different variations of the game- like groups can sabo other groups or help other groups.  The funny part was that groups started to form alliances. Then there was this instance Ka Faii (from Echo) came up and asked us, “eh who are you bombing ah?” Then being honest, we replied, “YOU”.  It was a good game, cz got MORAL also okay. The ‘money’ represents how much you are willing to invest in a person’s life.  And that investing much would bring benefit to yourself.  Cool right. There was also a moral for the saboing, but I forgot what it was.

Lunch! Cooked by the OCF comm, headed by Pearly Ng! Had pasta Aglio Olio. Don’t play play ok! It was quite nice I must say, must be the garlic. A little oily but bearable. Had corporate prayer and then worship. Worship was okay ( I played). It was a simple set up for worship. Just guitar.  Didn’t play very well because I was extremely unprepared.

Message by Aunty Marilyn (we all thought she was Asian until we saw her). She talked about how to be a disciple and she did touch a few sensitive points- the importance of forgiving, going the extra mile, etc.  I confess I did drift a little here and there because my back and lower back did start to hurt after sitting so long. At this point I still wasn’t feeling ‘in the mood’. 

Free time. Talked to people, etc. Dinner was Chicken Maryland, with lots of herbs on it. Not bad la.  Had prayer with my cell, starting to get a little excited now. Worship by Joy, it was good, and what she said really resonated with me – the part about feeling inadequate, or not holy enough.  But it doesn’t matter because it’s all for His glory and it’s the heart that counts. Graem shared the message about David.  About how we can never wear someone else’s armour (bear another person’s cross) and that God never forgets us even though the world forgets about us. 

Ministry night was next. It sounds a little vague but essentially it’s night where the advisors will pray over you and share a word of encouragement from God or prophesy.

(Sheesh, my comp went nuts and I have to do this part again..arrrghh)

Penny prayed for me for direction, as I asked her to but she stopped midway and she shared that God wants to equip me with his word. And that the Holy Spirit would reveal and teach me the Word. She quoted Hebrews 6. Pretty cool, obviously there were more stuff but I’m lazy to type it all over again..ish. If you see me in person, ask me about it. Haha. I was greatly encouraged even though it surprised me a little because I really knew it was God speaking to me so personally in a way.

Yeah, it was really good. Everyone went away with something that night. Lots of tissues were used, even on the guys side! God moved powerfully that night.

Woke up bright and early to a very cold cabin the next morning. Had worship practice and woke everyone up with out nice music. Haha. Felt a little nervous cz it’s been a while since I led worship, and never outside the GB, CF circle. But thanks for the prayers Josh and Pauline! It really helped. So, worship went well =D

Had communion led by Dong (our OCF president). Then there was sharing, photo taking and packing up. Then it was time to leave.

It was a great experience for me, and my best camp ever! As Jo said, it was great probably because everyone there really had the desire and the hunger.  Props to the LTC organisers, facilitators, OCF comm, cell leaders and everyone who made this retreat possible!

Thank you God for your AWESOME-NESS too!

Chocolates, Chem and Music

Lovely combo.

Starting to slack now. Bad bad.

Lots of work to catch up on especially on organic chem.

I need to borrow Einstein’s brain. No, wait, wrong brain, I need Chem not Physics.

Ah, whatever lah.

Leading worship for LTC retreat. Just thinking back on what Joy said about the feeling of being not holy enough. I feel that ALL the time. But anyhow, just to be cliche, it’s a performance for one. Just hope I don’t blank out during the sharing time.

I’m drawing my confidence from You.

Relient K!

Jumping and screaming. Pushing and shoving.  The people on the floor were crazy! The thing about a concert in Oz is that most of the people are aat least a head taller than you which sucked. Oh well, considering we were slightly late for the concert our standing places were not bad.  Carina, Vern Chui, Stesh and Amanda got to stand in the front row cz they came at 4 (the concert started at 6)! I had LTC so I had to go late anyway.  But if I didn’t, I’ll probably be one of them waiting outside for the doors to open. =)

Well, actually I’ve misled you in the title. It was not only Relient K performing. They were the biggest act but there were a few other bands, rappers and preaching. It was kind of an evangelistical event. Hmm.

By the way, the photos are not really very good but you get the idea.

(Some of) the girls. (Audrey (Oh Audrey, she's a Goh too! haha), Shuks, Jo and me with my eyes closed always)

The first band was called New Empire, I think they’re Aussie. Lots of rock star moves, but since I didn’t really know their songs I kinda stoned there.  Haha.

New Empire

After New Empire, it was the Planetshakers dance team! No pics..but they were really good. I enjoyed their performance.

Next up was these two rappers. Unfortunately no pics as well but they really could rap fast.  Apparently, they rapped that  Jesus was a ‘gangsta’.  Haha. I don’t know. They went on for quite sometime. Hip hop is not my style…Really really couldn’t wait for Relient K. It was 7 something by this time.

Planetshakers band were up  next. At least I knew some of the songs so I could sing along instead of stoning. Haha. Henry Seeley is not so involved with leading anymore and the job is taken over by a younger guy who isn’t bad. Lots of energy.  Hmm..wonder how the backup singers jump in their heels? Beats me.

Ah yes, where was I? Planetshakers.

Planetshakers

 There was preaching next by a US pastor, Pastor Preston.  He did lots of random stuff before going to the message (as Amanda would say, get on with it man!). But it was a short message – 10 mins or so and there was an altar call.  Lot’s of people stood up, so I guess that’s great.

Planetshakers came up again – they sang Hillsong songs too haha.

Offering was next and then the moment we’ve been waiting for…..

 

RELIENT K!!!!

 

 

 

Matt Thiessen

 Lots of false alarms before they came out. The tech guys were all testing their equipment and you could feel the anticipation in the air..Then they came out and played Devastation and Reform. The mix wasn’t so good though. The guitars were too loud and sounded a little muddy. But Matt’s vocals were good and rocking. Loved when he played his guitar and piano alternately in songs.  The drums were solid.  Haha, the only complaint was the guitar sounds, must be a bad PA.

Setlist for the night (Hopefully I got them right)

1. Devastation and Reform
2. Who I Am Hates Who I’ve Been
3. Some random The Office song
4. Mood Rings
5. Sadie Hawkins Dance
6. Chapsticks for Chapped Lips
7. The Lining Is Silver
8. The Thief 

After The Thief they abruptly left the stage with a quick thank you, obviously waiting for us to shout “we want more!

Encore!!

They let us wait a good 5 minutes and then they came out..as if they were forced too (haih..concert drama).  But anyway, they played a cover of a famous Aussie song which I didn’t know. Despite saying that they only did the song during soundcheck, it was pretty okay.

After that, they played the all time favourite – BE MY ESCAPE!

 

Another random pic of them:

Okay, that’s it! Aside from the crowd who were quite syok sendiri-ing. It was quite good! But I guess as Jo said, the arrangement of Relient K into the whole thing wint Planetshakers, etc. was quite weird. Because the thing WAS about them. They should have their own concert with an opening act, that’s all.  I’ll certainly be going to that if they do.

And Stesh and Chui managed to get guitar picks from Jon Schneck (the guitarist from Relient K). Haih, front row ma. And the picks prob had his DNA on it cz he put it in his mouth when he playes the xylophone. Haha.

Stesha's new prized possesion

Hopefully this concert would not be my last. John Mayer..when are you coming to Aus??