Belief

“Some people show off their beauty because they want the world to see it. Others try to hide their beauty because they want the world to see something else.”

jamiel
nudity personified

Basel Leaves

This month has been a month of the flu bugs and crowded malls. I hate crowds. Had troubles going to Takashimaya for my gig.

I'll be leaving for Jakarta soon. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everybody in advance.

jamiel
Basel was owned, in and out

Borrowed Items

It's hard to deal with death. Sometimes we need the right words to be said to us in times like this. Lucky for me, Islam has taught me a lot of new things through the Qur'an and Hadiths. This is a Hadith on death.

"Finding Contentment after the Death of a Loved One

Hadith - Al-Muwatta 16.43

Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that al-Qasim ibn Muhammad said, "One of my wives died and Muhammad ibn Kab al Quradhi came to console me about her. He told me of one among the Bani Israil who was a diligent, worshipping, knowing and understanding man who had a wife that he admired and loved, and she died. He grieved over her intensely and lamented her until he withdrew into a house and locked himself in, hidden from everyone, and no-one visited him.

A woman heard about him and went to him, saying, 'I need him to give me an opinion. Nothing will satisfy me except what he says about it.' Everyone went away, but she stuck to his door and said, 'I must see him.' Someone said to him, 'There is a woman who wishes to ask your opinion about something,' and she insisted, 'I will only talk to him about it.' When everyone had gone away, and she still had not left his door, he said, 'Let her in.' So she went in and saw him and said, 'I have come to ask your opinion about something.' He said, 'What is it?'

She said, 'I borrowed a piece of jewellery from a neighbour of mine, and I have worn it and used it for a long time. Then they sent to me for it. Should I let them have it back?' He said, 'Yes, by Allah.' She said, 'I have had it for a long time.' He said, 'It is more correct for you to return it to them, since they have lent it to you for such a long time.'

She said, 'Yes. May Allah have mercy on you. Do you then grieve over what Allah has lent you and then taken from you, when He has a greater right to it than you?' Then he saw the situation he was in, and Allah helped him by her words."

Things become clearer for me each day as I learn new lessons to share new lessons. This one is really priceless for me.

jamiel
death is waiting for each and every one of us. don't forget to pray.

Emotional Economics

On my way back from jamming yesterday, something struck me and I asked Yuhong whether the law of diminishing marginal returns can be present in a human relationship.

The Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns. Most of us are quite au fait with this concept. Right? But let's just recap in its simplest form.

You have a bread plant. And the more workers you add to your plant, more fresh bread will be baked. BUT, it will come to a point where as you add more workers, less bread will be produced. So what do you do to bake more bread while increasing your workers? Add a new plant.

So, if we were to apply it in a relationship, what happens when we are facing the law of diminishing marginal returns? And how do we solve it?

jamiel
MMMM

Some info about Islam

jamiel
one day, insyaAllah, i shall meet my late grandfather with my wife. insyaAllah

88

All I have is patience. Really. And I am willing to be patient. This is the hardest test thus far in my life.

jamiel
anything is possible with faith and belief

Opening act

Wow, perspective in life change if you find somebody. Meeting beautiful ladies no longer become an exciting feature in life. People who praise your ability doesn't seem to excite you no more, but you are thankful though because praises and great feedbacks shows that people appreciate your works.

Isn't it strange though. We once tell ourselves that we would never compromise on certain issues but somehow or rather, we mellow our ego when the right person appears.

It's not about it being good or bad. Changes do happen constantly in our lives as we get exposed to different and various environments. What matters most is what happens next and how we deal with the change. Of course, there would be some people who would comment on your sudden change in character and why compromise certain principles. Well, if it's for the better, we should not be bothered by it because at the end of the day, you will be making tough decisions and having to deal with it. At least you know, you had the guts to take that step.

Life is so full of surprises when you don't go looking for them.

jamiel
i still think it is a fantasy

VIP treatment

My stay at Raffles Hospital. Level 10. I was patient number 7! Hehe...



This bed is soOOOoOOoo comfortable. I miss it the most.



The first night was the worse. Temperature went as low as 15 degrees celcius. Hello? You think I'm an ice-cream is it?



Facilities that they provide include free Wi-Fi, DVDs, VCDs, XBox, PS2, PS3 and a pool table. Thank god I brought my lappie. I would die of boredom if I didn't.



Meet my roomies. Left, Chun, centre, Darren. Both NTU engineering students. One is a lifeguard, the other is a wakeboarder and photographer. But most importantly, they made my stay memorable with our crappiness. All of us realized that HBO kept on repeating their movies. Yup. Being that bored, even cable TV could not entertain us no more.

Below is a step by step instructional video of how my favourite bed is being used.



Time to go home!!! WooOoOohOoOoo~



The first thing that my roomies and I did was to eat chicky rice near Bugis. Having fed similar meals every single day without being able to consume extra butter or chilli sauce nearly made me insane. But with 2000 dollars at stake, it was worth the torture.



I love chicky rice!!! We ordered a lil too much that day. But nevermind. It is a reward well deserved.



This is Vincent. The guy I randomly met while eating my first meal. We were criticizing about the the World Pool Championship being held in Manila back then.

Memories, memories, memories. I wouldn't want to go back there anytime soon. I need the rest from the pokes and probes.

jamiel
hello you

Sing for me

This Thursday I will be playing at DXO. Acoustic set from 8.20pm till 12 midnight. Pop by if you guys have nothing to do. =)

jamiel
i'm a cat. meow.

Ballerina

Ballerina

Round 1
It’s time to
Prepare your mind
Cos you can be a winner

Round 2
Deep breath reenergize
When you stand on your own
Gotta stand on your toes
With heads up high

Prechorus:
Cause win or lose
Is not the point
The stage is yours
Go out and prove them wrong

Chorus:
Open their eyes
And let them see
Show them what you can be
Just step away and fly away

Ballerina
Come and dance with me
Show me what you can be
Just step away and fly away

Round 3
Just stand tall
And give your all
Cause destiny awaits you

Round 4
You start to realize
That today is your day
Don’t you care what they say
Just dance away

Prechorus:

Chorus:
Solo:
Silent Chorus:

jamiel
awesomest

3am with me again

Just Stay

Monday is coming so what happens next i don't know (I don't know)
Maybe i'll laugh about the things that you said to me yesterday, hmmm..

Just cuddle me snuggle me hug me while i'm still around you (i'm still around you)
You tell me what am i supposed to do

i want you to stay just stay with me
i wanna stay wanna stay with you

Nothing is in my head
just random space that i left for you (that i left for you)
I really can't think yeah i really can't think
It's because of you

Just cuddle me snuggle me hug me while i'm still around you (i'm still around you)
You tell me what am i supposed to do

i want you to stay just stay with me
i wanna stay wanna stay with you

Dadadadada....

i want you to stay just stay with me
i wanna stay wanna stay with you

jamiel
awesomest

Chinook

Today, I went to see my father play badminton. It has certainly been a while since I last see him dance around the court in such graceful fashion. He still got the touches despite his age and seeing him enjoy the game made me remember my moments too. We have had our disagreements before when he used to coach me but through disagreements, we got closer and I became stronger and more hard-headed.

And I was very pleased to ride side by side with him on the way home. I felt it was a way of showing him that his son is all grown up and ready to face the world. I used to be his pillion for close to 10 years; sending me to primary school and silat practices. =)

I can't wait to send Chinook over to be painted again. Breathe new life into that soul. Can't wait. Truely. Beyond.

jamiel
beyond beyond

Thank you

Thank you all who came down for Stella By Starlight's show on Starry Starry Night. The guys had loads of fun and I certainly enjoyed myself. It's been a while since I last had fun on stage. 4 piece is certainly easier to coordinate, despite me being hospitalized for 1 week.

That being said, Stella By Starlight will be performing again this coming Saturday at the Eurasian Association Community Club, 24th November 2007 at 10pm. The event starts earlier. I'll put the event on Facebook.

jamiel
ballerina

Stella By Starlight

Today is Starry Starry Night. Do come down if you guys are free. It's at Singapore Management University, Big Steps at the Information Systems Building. 8pm sharp.

I'm gonna be at my fiercest later on. Don't miss it.

jamiel
grande jetes i like

Wet Wet Wet

Learnt a new medical term; athrombia. It means defective blood clotting. The other night, she told me she bought Wellingtons. What in the world is a Wellington?

This is.





Nice right? =)

Gonna register and attend some talks at Darul Arqam once I get out of here. I'm gonna do a To-Do-List later.

jamiel
the nurse sayang me lots here. =D

Amnionitis

Today I got lucky. I didn't get the real dosage. If I did, I would have been quite dizzy right now. Food is very restricted here. We cannot have more than what was given. 1 butter means 1 butter. 1 bread means 1 bread.

To get more food, you have to give your share to the others. But who in the right state of mind would do that. But over here, we operate things in stealth fashion. Some gamble off their share of food over a game of pool. An extra bowl of soup would be the minumum wager. Can't expect to play over some yucky peas or carrots. Eeeww.

Life is not all about gambling. We do risk certain things along the way to learn something. We gamble our heart, commitment and even material wealth for something that we might not know of its outcome. But having faith and belief remove doubts towards our end goals and objectives.

I look at the very hospital bed that I have been sleeping on for the past 2 days. After solat, I visualize myself during my last days in this world. I hope, by then, I have already done enough to make people remember as a good, honest and sincere person.

We do chase after ambitions and our instincts to survive sometimes eludes us from performing our real duties as Muslims. Don't forget our obligations and help as many people while we still can.

jamiel
i love spelling with you

Dance with me

Things are bound to happen in life, but what matters most, is how you react to them; positively or negatively.

jamiel
blessed to even have only heard your voice

Day 2

I love the hospital bed. I never had a proper bed before because I either sleep on the floor or on the sofa. With this bed, I didn't have to adjust my head position with pillows. Instead, just press the button and VOILA! -zenngggggggg- (sound of the machine tilting slowly)

Let me see what's good on tv. -click on controller-

CNN about Pakistan and some small midget on HBO. Boring.

Time check : 1730hours

Time for dinner. Gotta fill up the tummy now.

jamiel
dory and extra bread

Seven

Update. What I've done so far.

1. Play my Football Manager
2. Chat on MSN
3. Watch cable tv
4. Play pool
5. Dinner
6. Sleep

Now I just had supper. I have to consume them within 30 mins. They are REALLY REALLY strict about this.

The only complain I have about the stay is just the temperature. It's freezing cold. I am like a meat in a freezer. Put penguins in my ward, and they'll have a party all day long.

I am test subject number 7. Yup. My number. I'm supposed to be number 8 but apparently, one of the guy didn't show up. So, they shifted me down to 7. Woohoo!

jamiel
susu and pandan cake

Papua New Guinea

For the record, I'm not in hopsital because I fell off the bike. I still have a clean record and proud of it.

Today's the first day where I am helping out Pfizer to find a cure for HIV. In short, I'm the guinea pig. They'll test out the medication and see whether there is any AE (adverse effect). Actually the worse that would happen to me would be diarhoea. So I'm still in the clear zone.

The bed is amazingly shiok! I have no words for it. With the touch of a button, I can move it up and down!!! I'm am damn suaku lahh! =D

Free wi-fi, DVDs, PS3, free cable TV, round the clock HBO. Hey, what else can I ask for? I canlah I wouldn't want to go there yet. Hehe.

If you guys wanna visit, just message or call me or email or whatever. It's at Raffles Hospital. From 6pm to 9pm.

jamiel
safe and sound

Fast and Furious

I literally full-throttled, 110km/hr my way down the highway at 1am in the morning, in the pouring rain. With no visor to cover my face, I wore my red aviators. Of course vision was blurred but I had to go home quickly. Because of that, I nearly skidded. I could feel it.

I will be warded in hospital for 1 week. Message or call for anything ya. Take care.

jamiel
good to still be alive

Maestro

I love to share brilliance. Here's one.

jamiel
jelly...

Hippity Hop

Jelly is nowhere to be founddd!!!! -pressing the distressed signal-

jamiel
sobz...

Ballerina

Every single day, I always pray for your fast recovery. I hope you manage to get out of the cast quickly and ride again.

jamiel
i am hot chocolate

Kekkou Band

Ok, just a reminder. Kekkou will be playing this Saturday at Youth Park. Be there at 7pm. And you guys have to check out this chick whom Kekkou is really fortunate to perform with. Her name is Syltra. She's the BOMB! Go youtube her name and you'll see why.

Drummer. Dush! He is gonna keep us in tempo. I'm really excited for this Saturday's gig. Don't know why. Hope to see you guys there.

jamiel
kinder bueno

Kekkou Band

Kekkou finally has drummer and a featured artist. Not bad huh for a 1 month old band. =D

Youth Park. 7pm. 3rd November 2007. Saturday.

If you're not there, you're missing the action people. Head down and bring lots of friends. I promise good songs.

jamiel
the chicken rice ballerina

Kekkou Band

Kekkou is playing tonight at the Esplanade's Singapore Arts Cafe. It's just beside the library. It's at 7pm tonight. 24th October, Wed.

Head down if you guys are free ok? We'll have a chillout session.

jamiel
dancing in the moonlight

Wonder Why

For those who wanted to come but couldn't, I got something for you. Just a short snippet of the performance. That was the day somebody commented on my torn jeans, she said, "I have a problem with your attire. Do something about it."

Huh? Something wrong with my attire? You don't like the torn, rugged look is it? Then? You want me to buy a new pair of jeans in what, 5 mins? Sorry babe. The organiser was scared that the client might not want the look. But she gave me an option though, it'll be good if I could do something about it. Well darling, too bad. No money to buy.

Enough of torn jeans. Enjoy the show.



jamiel
at the end of the day, she loved our show. ain't that right chicken nugget?

Leppit, the rabbit that cannot pronounce rabbit properly

Some stars are shining brighter than others. I'm proud of you.

jamiel
hope mine's the same

Silent Intention

Click on the link on your right, "Ja's original song"

Verse:
I looked at you, you stared at me
Our lives could be more than ordinary yeah
If we believe in it, it won’t be hard

Cuz walking down this one way street
A leap of faith is what we need
To keep it going strong
Do you believe in it, could I be wrong

Prechorus:
We both have a common intention
Your physical attraction is working well for me

We both have a silent intention
Where you and I are the only ones
Who need to know

Chorus:
Does your heart become a lil weaker
When I place my hands around your waist
Does your heart began to race

Cuz my heart became a lil weaker
When I got to know
You’d be with me forever
I wanna sing in love with you

Verse:
I love the way you smell tonight
I love the way you hold me tight
And said to me
Will you hold me safely?

jamiel
recording will lead you to sleep deprivation

Selamat Hari Raya

Keroncong Syawal



Pinggiran Syawal menjelma
Duka lara hilang semua
Takbir azan bergema
Syukur pada yang Esa

Ampun dan maaf dipinta
Kutujukan pada ayah dan bonda
Tangisan pagi raya
Keikhlasan lahir di jiwa

Berbaju kurung songket nan merah
Segak dan tampan
Kebaya putih
Berbunga cempaka
Anggun jelita

Jangan lupa
Yang sudah tiada
Meninggalkan kita
Selama-lamanya
Semoga Tuhan
Mencucuri rahmat
Keatas mereka

Walaupun jauh di mata
Namun tetap dikunjung jua
Adat budaya kita
Keroncong Syawal untuk semua

jamiel
ampun dan maaf dipinta, buat insan yang senantiasa daif

Frugees

This videos goes out to those who didn't make it for Frujch.

Hope you guys like it. =)

High and Dry



If You're Gone



Champagne Supernova



Fly Me To The Moon



Ordinary People



Otherside



She Will Be Loved



So Sick



Sunday Morning



Photograph



Superstitious



jamiel
thank you for coming. next up, 24th Oct, Esplanade.

Fly me to the moon

Esplanade show coming soon. Let's just relax.

jamiel
jamielle

My Unintended

Sometimes, I just don't want too much stuff in my house. I like to keep things simple and spacious.

Simple things that makes me happy.

Instant coffee
1 bread, folded with chunky peanut butter
Space

Where am I now?

Kitchen, enjoying the above simplicity.

What I'm looking for now is a great company.

jamiel
untimely birth

Tickle me Fannie

My all time favourite tv show. Second to none.



jamiel
happy

Kekkou

On behalf of Kekkou and Frujch, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to those who came down and took the effort to support and video our performance. There have been headways for Kekkou surprisingly. We might be performing at Esplanade's Singapore Art Cafe in the coming month.

Courtesy of Syarifah, she managed to capture these video clips for those who couldn't make it.

Champagne Supernova


Superstitious



jamiel

Kekkou
Bass: Yazeid
Keyboard: Yuhong
Saxaphone: Dominic
Vocal/ Guitar: Jamiel

Me name is Jaguar Paw

It is difficult to ignore the impact of a particular change on a person's behaviour. Some become more confident when they bought their first RX8 while others think they're the most gorgeous being on earth after getting a pair of Prada outfit.

For me?



This haircut makes me feel that I can survive in any condition thrown at me. Act like a street kid, think like a millionaire.

jamiel
2nd best hairstylist in Singapore

Running With Scissors

Cut me hair.

jamiel
bad boy is back

Light

In the month of Ramadhan, spend some time watching this. =)



jamiel
we don't have to look far for a mentor

Half Time

This coming Friday, 5th October 2007, I will be opening the set for Frujch's Half Time event. Since it's already the starting of term break, what better way than to celebrate it with live bands and great food and great friends. My set starts at 7.15pm.

That's not all.



At 11pm, I will be performing with Kekkou, a newly formed band with a unique flavour to it. You'll know what I mean when you see us. We will be closing the set till midnight. Bring friends over and just enjoy the night. Anybody is welcome and I really mean ANYBODY. I invite my blog readers to head down ok? Hope to see you guys there.

jamiel
blood circulation

Headache

The first one, the guy asked the girl, who her bf is. It's his boss.

The second one, the lady threw her handbag instead of the rubbish bag.

The last one says, "80-90% discount tomorrow". She bought it a day earlier at original price.



A piece of my life embedded in this video. Korb kun na kaap!

jamiel
dee maak maak

Pom Ruk Kun Maak Maak!

My Thai groupmate in Chula is now a superstar in her own Band. Her name is Bonita. How apt. The meaning in Spanish is the same as mine in Arabic.

http://www.maniclub.com/banner_microsite/Alize/

jamiel
boogey woogey

Maid in Indonesia

Today I went teaching at my old primary school. The students seemed to be talking with musical tones. I really donno why. Were we like that when we were kids? I know I wasn't.

"Cikgu (high tone), saya tidak (low tone) tahu apa (high tone) ini (low tone)?

That sounded SO weird when if you say it in your head. I guess that's what makes them cute right.

I am still getting used to these "NEW" environment. I mean, after close to 15 years of leaving primary sch, I forgot that such conversation tones could ever exist. These kids, when they talk, they just make you go, "Woah....." with your eyes wide open. They're really expressive and animated. These period of extreme expression animation would stop by the time they realize that, "I really sound like silly and uncool". These usually happens when they hit primary 4 onwards.

In the midst of me teaching, one raised his hand, this primary 3 kid,

"Cikgu orang Indonesia eh?"

I asked why and he said that I have an Indonesian tone. Chia lat... Then he went on.

"You speak like my Bibik (his maid)"

YOUR BIBIK? OMMG!! But I knew there was nothing malicious or sarcastic about it.

Then he carried on innocently

"Cikgu!"

i said, "Yeah..." too tired already..haha

"I always watch the Indonesian serial with my Bibik. Hikmah 2 Cikgu!"

Then the whole class raptured into this Hikmah 2 discussions.

What am I to do. I can teach. Never a problem but when your Bahasa Indonesia accent can't be removed, all I could do is damage control. Sometimes, I can't be bothered. I just rock and roll my way through class.

jamiel
i only have 2 A+ in my whole life. Post Modern Theatre Studies and my blood type

Of boyzones and backstreet boys

Just thinking of the girl that I met at Wisma Atria 8 years ago. I met her while she was shopping with her mother. This is the story.

I was just a delinquent doing my first 3 months at CJC. Orchard Road was my haven to kill my perpetual boredom. So, one of those days, I skipped class and headed down to Wisma to window shop. While I was waiting for my friend to get out of the Gents, I noticed this sweet looking girl loitering outside Giordano. I was transfixed, rooted to my spot while my mind had a gazillion questions racing and bumping againts one another. She looked like a tourist because not many Malays shop that much at one go. She could have been a Bruneian because she certainly didn't fit the profile of an Indonesian. I could have been wrong.

I miss moments where my heart skips a beat, cold sweat forming on my palms and my heartbeat was pulsating heavily. Remember your own moments too? Feels like a secondary school boy all over again.

It was love at first sight. Well, at that moment of my age, almost everything was love at first sight. We exchanged glances. Pure innocence was speaking to one another. Why didn't I go up to her? Well, I didn't want to get scolded by her mom but I was constantly trying to find ways to at least say hi to her.

Gathered all the kahunas that I had left to try and step inside the lift with her but the crowd dashed my chances. What did I do next?

This was one of the dumbest things that I really regretted.

I assumed that she was going up so I ran to the escalators and went up to the 2nd floor. When she didn't alight, I went up to the 3rd floor. When she didn't alight, I went to the 4th floor. And when NOBODY alighted, I rushed in and found that there was no one left. SO, if she didn't go up, where did she go to?

Yup.

She went down. >.<

I spent almost 1 hour looking for her. I rushed towards Takashimaya (I assumed again) and scanned the entire basement. What made my search difficult was that there was a food fair. That ultimately slimmed my chances of finding the girl in red dress. Oh well, that took me about 5 months to get over her.

It's all about the uncertainties and what ifs that constantly make people go crazy at times. But this time, all of them make me smile. She could still be out there and I'll know if I were to see her again. I will certainly blame her for being too sweet and made me go all the trouble to go and search for her.

Some of you will go like, "aperrrr jerlah kau Miel" (in the words of Nadia, my VPN) but hey, I've been blessed to have a led a very colourful but unique life.

jamiel
I want to feel like a secondary school boy all over again

Steak out

I just love girls on bikes. Today I was just relaxing with Chinook on the highway when this dirtbike whizzed past me. On normal occasions, I don't really care BUT when i saw that the rider was a girl, Chinook and I went chasing after her. I just wanted to have a glimpse of how she looked because the last time I caught up with a biker girl, she was UBER HAWT.

This one was ok. She looked too rugged.

jamiel
vroom vroom!

Can't be bothered

Today, Ken and Maria had their solemnization at Raffles Marina. Pirah and I were their wedding singers belting out SLOW lovey dovey songs. Got me sleepy at a certain point. But thanks to them, I learnt a new song by Howie Day called Ghost. Amazingly chill out song that I could easily dismantle and rearrange it to something smoother.

Raffles Marina used to be one of the gigging grounds of Ground Zero, my old band. It was for the lauch of the SMU Sailing Club and I even managed to sit on a REAL boat and set sail for 2 hours into the ocean unknown. That was a refreshing change, being impromptu and just ROCK and ROLL.



Seeing that sunset, as Pirah gazed over the fence, gave me a sensual peace, knowing that I was away from the normal Singapore that almost everybody seems to pass by. I think I have a thing for places where very little Singaporeans would hang around.

jamiel
in vins ible

Come out come out wherever you are.....

Don't ever start to think that squirrels are just normal cute, fuzzy animals. We can be mean and vicious when we need to. Today, Ginger Squirrel is trying to hunt down a TOIKEY!!! (turkey) to make his sandwhich. Actually, if you guys want to grab a great tasting turkey sandwhich, head on down to Frujch, the cafe in SMU. It's awesome.

If only Frujch had opened earlier, I would have been their loyal patron. It's a good depiction of Perk's Cafe in FRIENDS the comedy. I'm a little lazy to hunt down great food places to break my fast. Recently, I found the best place to buy my mee goreng. I'm very fussy when it comes to eating my all time favourite food.

Till then, eat safe, stay safe, be safe. And if you happen to chance upon a Ginger Squirrel, don't pat him. He might think you're turkey whenever he's hungry. You'll know what's gonna happen next.



Ginger Squirrel
i squeek turkey!

Whatcha looking at?

Was reliefing Northland Primary today. Had to stand in for an Arts teacher. The instruction was simple, pair up the kids and let them sketch each other's faces. Apparently, there was this Indian kid who didn't want to pair up with the last girl. Too bad. He said, "Cher, I don't have partner." My simple answer, "Then you will have to draw my face. Come, sit in front of me and start drawing. Make sure it looks nice."

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.



This was what he drew. Amazing...Don't start scrutinizing and laughing at it. I was really having fun in that class.

Apart from Arts, teaching the Malay kids was a breeze. They never give me any trouble and some even kissed my hands. A lil awkward initially but I treat it just like a child kissing the hands of an adult. This school ain't that bad after all.

jamiel
i feel wanted. Pun intended

I really feel wanted here. Pun intended.

Fashion Mafia

This is me.

jamiel
joy

Bulat

Drinking lots of water will make you look bloated. But that doesn't mean you're FAT!

jamiel
ran at 01300hrs to be less bulat

Thank you

Today, I am VERY TIRED. Went to work to distribute flyers near Peninsular Plaza. Got chased away by 3 security guards and 1 cleaner. Yup, 1 cleaner. 6 hours worth of smiling at people and handing them out while listening to my mp3 and staring at my reflection on the glass window of Gramaphone. Sounds boring? This job actually gave me time to relax and people watch. Plenty of stuff happened.

I've had many people asking me plenty of questions.

"Where can I find a coin payphone?"

"Where is Raffles Hotel?"

"How much do you get paid an hour?"

"Do you want to work with me next time?"

"Are you from Myanmar?"

Myanmar? Come onlah. Which part of me looks like a Myanmar?

During the month of Ramadhan, I've been blessed to see great stuff. I saw an old Chinese man in his late 80s rummaging through this pocket, trying to donate to an old Malay woman beggar in her 60s. He could only find coins. He gave it to her and walked away. I was still eyeing on him for some reasons and he was still going through his pockets. He went on to search his shirt pocket and a huge stack of notes came out of it. He was a hefty 30 feet away from her already but he turned and gave her $2 dollars.

Ah a rare sight indeed and it was shown by model examples.

Standing still at one spot allowed me to see my community from a very rare opportunity. Like many of us, we spent too much time in school that we don't really see how colourful the society have become. Kids are now beginning to don crooked mohawks and plenty of piercings and tattoos. Wearing scarfs and cardigans have taken over the fashion norm and not considered weird.

By the end of the day, I was totally braindead from standing at one spot, doing a monotonous task. No more, hopefully.

jamiel
i am not from Myanmar

Learn

If I can't change the world, I might spark the mind that will.

jamiel
temen tapi mesra

Miking out.

I cancelled my singing gig tomorrow. Please take note. Not playing at Merbau. More updates soon. Till then.

jamiel
piano, drums, guitar, harmonica, singing

Suck and Blow

I want a DIATONIC Harmonica. Somebody buy me one? Please?





Introduction:
The diatonic, 10-hole harmonica, despite its unassuming appearance, can be used for music ranging from simple folk tunes to modern jazz. Here are a few tips to get you started on this amazing instrument.

Instructions:
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Basic Technique

Steps:
1
Step One
Breathe into the harmonica gently but firmly; do not blow or suck. (hmmmm.........)
2
Step Two
Breathe deeply, from your diaphragm, not from your lungs.
3
Step Three
Make your breathing controlled and natural.
4
Step Four
Keep your lips moist to facilitate sliding.
5
Step Five
Relax your mouth.
6
Step Six
Pucker your lips as if you are giving your mom a kiss on her cheek.
7
Step Seven
In this position, slide your lips over the top and bottom plates of the harmonica.
8
Step Eight
Tilt the harmonica about 45 degrees upwards, so that the comb rests comfortably on your lower lip. This will give you a fuller tone.
9
Step Nine
Blow, then draw on hole 3. Play a single note on one hole - not including notes on either side of the hole.
10
Step Ten
Play that note without a hiss.
11
Step Eleven
Practice getting a clear, single note out of your harp on each of the ten holes of your harmonica.

In the words of Steve Irwin, the late Crocodile Hunter, "Ain't she a beauty!". Sounds great for sure. I'll find nice youtube.com videos of harmonica for you.

In other news,



I was on my way home from Northland Primary. I was riding along Old Admiralty Road West. If you guys have ever past by that stretch of road, you will be greeted by tall trees and old, dilapidated houses. There has been countless times where I will pass by this road and I will encounter a slip road called **** Road. It's a slope that always makes me ponder where it leads to. But looking at the situation where I always past by that road at night, I quickly shut off the visuals and thoughts. But today, I explored that road and it led me to my getaway.

IT IS AMAZING. My little getaway from the modern world. You see, the thing about me is, I LOVE buildings with history and character. This building, really fits the discription of a dilapidated building. The paint on the walls are peeling off, with marks of graffiti indicating that there were many before me who have discovered this haven.

The building could have been a school previously or even a refugee camp. I don't know. My imagination was working overtime just now. Surrounded by just nature itself, it kept my mind at peace. As I was riding around the compound, I saw him (picture above). I asked,

Jamiel: Ini tempat apa? (what is this place?)

Man: Speak English.

J: What is this place?

M: I clean this place.

J: -___-

As I look and listened to him, I knew he is a foreigner and I asked,

J: Where you from?

M: Sengkang.

J: -____________-

J: Which country you from?

M: Ah, Thailand.

I BEAMED!!!
J: Kun pood pasad Thai dai mai kaap? (Can you speak Thai?)

M: Dai kaap! (yes, i can)

I was so happy to be able to talk to him in Thai. It kept my mind awake and fresh in the best condition that I could ever possibly asked for. We managed to communicate quite fluently I may say. He understood what I said clearly and I understood what he asked. Man, Thailand all over again. There were a few hiccups there and then but managed to rectify the miscom.

I found my inspiration hole.

jamiel
some girls are like a harmonica

Cikgu Jamiel

The very few important reasons why I always check my mails. Don't forget to check yours too. =D

Anyways, my old primary school called me up to do relief for them. Today, the whole primary school experience came back to me. The smell of the canteen just opened up my visual stimuli. The kids at the canteen were replaced by the kids from my batch, running around at the canteen and always peering at the school gangsta, named Remy. Ah Remy, he was big and strong. Now I think they have already phased out the Remys in that primary school. I didn't notice any during my stint there.

18 years have gone by and the sister aunties that sell soya bean milk are still there selling those 40 cents drink. The auntie at the bookshop still looks the same while my form teacher have already started to wrinkle yet she remembered me when I stepped inside the staff room.

Mrs Lim: "Your face, you still have that face."
Of course I have that face, just that I've grown taller. Lol. She is so cute. I take my hats off her though. She's been in the teaching industry for almost 14 years now. Not many teachers can last that long. I know, that's why I'm reliefing a lot of the schools in Singapore.

I was assigned to teach Malay today. It was freaking hilarious. I wasn't prepared for the job but I just took it anyway. I just rock and rolled my way throughout the whole sessions. More to update tomorrow on my last day.

jamiel
selamat sejahtera Cikgu.....

Rip It

I would really love to read books other than the normal "Value-add-yourself" kinda books. I've always perceived people who read books as smart people since young because they have the capacity to stay focus and read. Me? 5 mins on the book and you would already find me fidgeting in my seat, going to the kitchen, surfing the internet or the common story, sleep. So I've been trying ways to feed myself intellectually in the best means that I can think of.

I'm really good with my hearing and listening skills. That makes it easier for me to learn new languages or sing a song. So if reading doesn't work, why not just watch a movie. A movie is just the same as a book, only filtered with more skydiving and saucy scenes. I say, this would just work out just fine for me. =D

The few good movies that I've already watched.

No reservations (not bad)
Ratatouille (very good)
Transformers (very bad, I'm gonna get slaughtered by many out there I'm sure. lol)

Now watching the Reaping. Hope it's good. The trailer did.

jamiel
pro alternative learning

Ringo Himawari

It's been a while since I last felt this relaxed. As what somebody told me, inspirations shouldn't be forced. They should come naturally. I know I have been complaining about not being inspired to write my 3 songs but that is the problem. That's why sometimes I like to be around you. There's nothing going on in my head. Just free space and a whole load of harddrive to be used.

Today on the motorbike, I managed to hum a tune for a verse. Then, as I walked along Orchard, I managed to find a tune for the chorus. I'm pretty excited to finish up this piece. It's in waltz tempo, yet commercial sounding. Tomorrow, I shall find the keys for it.

One thing I cannot figure out myself still is that I can see the end product even before it is finished. Perhaps that is why it makes my songwriting process easier. It's just like stenciling it out to form the picture.

I am confident that I am going to write something good because I am inspired now.

jamiel
don't get into people's way

No Reservation

Allah created a scene from a drama just for me. Got my Virtuoso performance DVD, got a notepad and Fi and to show something that I just expect to see. Both of us contributed our creative pieces and concidentally again, our names were written on top of one another on the credits list. Strangely coincidental? I don't know man. Things are getting stranger for me by the day.

jamiel
Dine, >.< , i'm certainly starting to run again. no more being bulat.

Hanging by a moment

We get stretched daily, mentally and physically. All of us would have different paths to walk and challenges to succumb to. Yet with every problem faced and solved, we stretch our limits and know how far we can go. At times, most of us tease our tipping points but managed to come back unscathed. What we need are just listening ears and apt words from those who can break our emotional barriers and reach our cores, waking our senses up. Not many can do that. Only a selected few could.

So where do we go from here? Do we brood over the past? Do we blame others or can we do so in the first place? Many would sigh and ask God why do certain things happen to us and not others? We can't sigh because if we do, that means we hate our current situation. Who created our current situation? God. So, if we hate our current situation, that means we hate God. We can't hate God, because there's always an underlying reasons behind His actions and only he knows. The only thing that we can do is have faith that something good awaits us if we just work hard and have patience to get out of any predicaments.

We may think that we have big problems but in actual fact, others might be facing a much fiercer battle in life, one that we can never understand but appreciate and acknowledge the strength and self-belief that transcends from within. That, is what I call, success.

jamiel
somebody told me I am already bulat. buset! >.<

I'll reply your letter

I just read Guofeng's blog. Welcome back bro. It's just great to know that someone had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Europe. I've had my fair share of Asia but I swear, everytime I get the opportunity to put myself on another God created land, I feel surreal, that I managed to succumb to this 'I am poor and i don't think i can afford the time' mentality.

It is true. Ever since young, life has always about me telling myself, 'Jamiel, if this is what you want, you go get it, but never ask for any money from anybody'. Others are lucky to receive support and grab that experience earlier than others. I guess plenty have had this debate before where one would say, earning your money and spending it would be much better than getting it straight from your parent's pocket. Hello, wake up. I don't mind having an epiphany later in life after enjoying all that. Realizing that it is better to earn and spend your own money without parental support could always wait. Why not, since you're already in that position, make good use of it. I call that fate and luck. We can't complain our current position but we can certainly change them if we want to.

For me, money has always been an issue that I really hate to talk about. Because of insufficient money, I thought twice about sending Attan to the hospital. I didn't have enough savings. Because of insufficient money, I had to slog my way to fund my Thai trip. The opportunity cost? Time with family. Because of insufficient money, I had to pay for my family's outstanding bills at the expense of my own savings to fund my Jakarta endeavour. I don't eat much. I am very prudent on spending. Whenever I see something nice, I'll tell myself, if I don't need it now, don't buy. It would be great though, not to think about money, even when you feel like eating something nice for a change. But I can't help it, it's a survival mentality that has always stuck on me since a kid. If you can't afford, don't buy and don't borrow. Experience taught me that.

I am giving myself 4 more months to save up with hope that Jakarta gives me the green light and I could already leave Singapore. I hope I could save enough at the end of the year to survive in Jakarta. If not, I am going to face another challenge. I hope I don't get lost if I work as a taxi driver.

jamiel
i really miss Attan so much

Lecture me

So what's new for most? Going to school and attending lectures? BORINGG!!! If the lecturer can't entertain me, I find ways to entertain myself. Things that I've done from the Old Bukit Timah Campus to the new one.

- made breakfast for myself. took out my loaf of bread, peanut butter and spoon in front of the prof and whipped myself a great meal.

- slept in front of class

- slept at the back of the class

- slept below the back of the class on the floor

- went out and slept in an empty gsr

- went out of the class and had breakfast at the Botanical Gardens. fed the ducks.

- msn (normal stuff)

- blog

- look out for the hot chickies in class, if there ain't any, I imagine there's one

jamiel
i need a controversy

Bang bang

I'll be away for reservist. EVERYBODY SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!!!!

jamiel
penat

Coins

Brocollis are evil. They should disappear from the face of this earth.

jamiel
hate hypocrites

Come on Jamiel

I am desperately in need of inspirations. I need to write. I'm a lil down but I still need to drag myself forward, even if it is just a few feet. And for certain, some things are just not worth to be chased.

Tired is a mentality.

jamiel
aku menunggumu

Word Play

Didn't realize that word play could have an impact on me.

Today, Haida tried my Chocolate handphone while we were having supper with the Bangsawan team. She didn't know it was touch screen and was wondering why it didn't go to menu screen whe she pressed it. Well Haida, now you know.

jamiel
i like to ride horses

She's Blind

Lulu Tobing, you're the only one who can really take my breathe away. You're the first.

jamiel
crushed

Mental Marathon

Test of human endurance. I constantly stretch myself on how far I can go. Just yesterday, as it started to pour on the freeway, instead of stopping below the flyover, I braved the rain. Well, what's the point of staying under the flyover anyway, you'll still freeze. Might as well just keep on moving, who knows, the rain might just stop. And it did.

I remember these moments more. They are real. Shivered I did but I lived to see how far I can push myself. Sounds crazy? Yeah to most if you don't understand.

jamiel
i aint no goldfish. i do sleep.

Sleepless in Singapore

Wanted to tell you guys about Doha. I ain't going there. Don't get me wrong. I ALMOST accidentally got sent there. Remember I went to Jakarta. Well, the freaking flight was at 3am, Jakarta time. I didn't have enough sleep from all the recording and singing. So once I got onto the plane, I covered myself with the Qatar Air blanket, and slept. I wanted to have a pieceful 1 hour sleep but got annoyed instead 3 times by the Indian flight steward.

First time,
FS: "Excuse me sir?"
Jamiel removed his blanket from his head.

FS: "Would you like to have your dinner?"

Stared at the food in front. Dinner? More like confused supper.

Ate and slept again.

2nd time,

FS: "Excuse me sir.:
Removed my blanket again.

FS: Please straighten your seat. We're landing soon"
Jamiel straightened his seat and went back to sleep. Tsk.

3rd time,

FS: "Sir?"

Jamiel removed his blanket, "Yes?"

FS: "Aren't you supposed to be heading to Singapore?"

Jamiel: "Yes. Why?"

FS: "Well sir, we're heading for Doha now. We've already landed in Singapore."

SHIT!

I rushed to grab my guitar and belongings. Didn't want to be a Sheikh for the wrong reasons.

jamiel
al jamielle

Maestro

Listening to a metronome at 137.

I hate recording.

jamiel
mono in stereo

Vet me

Hectic day today. Felt like a punching bag. Been walking around school to fetch students and to do some troubleshooting. My RGB cable wasn't working and that already spoiled my whole day. My materials were all on my laptop.Without it, it's like sending me to Iraq with a parang. Tried my best to hold the fort. Luckily I came up unscathed.

One aunty thought I was the hairstylist who came to teach the students there until she saw me at the pantry.

"Oh! I thought you were the hairstylist."

-_______-

right....

anyways, long weekend reserved for music. lots of work...

jamiel
i am tired and Attan is sick.... i'm worried

Dr Jekyll and Mr Jamiel

It's hard to take on 2 pesonas at one go. It is very challenging.

Music Teacher.

When I become a teacher, I change into this fierce, non-smiling entity where my job is to maintain discipline and be a firm figure. Teaching is my main objective and it is not about being a popular teacher in school. I don't need that and I don't want it. What's more important is that these kids learn values. Only a firm figure can drive certain things through their thick skull.

On the other hand, teaching music requires somebody who is expressive and less firm. I want to be this figure but it proves to be a very tricky task. Been trying to cope with it. We'll see how I progress.

Been painstakingly trying to get inspirations to write my new materials. That is already one hell of a task. I don't get inspired easily but when I do, DON'T disturb me. I won't eat, shower, drink and sleep until it is done. I have already got one melody in my head. I just hope I don't procrastinate too much.

jamiel
things are getting a lil sketchy

Mai Peekcher

"Good morning"


"Hi..."


"Silence in the morning calms me"


"Let's go home"


"My heart"


"Look at me"


Overseas clouds just captures my heart and emotion. Blessed.


"She glanced at me"


"Deep"


"Whisper in my ear"


"Listen to me"


"Down with fever"


"Lochness"


"Light beyond everybody's trouble, always"


"I'll come back again"


"Transition"

Clouds,
Where we float when love sets in,
Rains feelings of blues and greens,
Uncertain of its consequent actions,
As we drift to a higher grounds
We sometimes get too heavy with contents
That we rain till we evaporate...

jamiel
there's no orange juice without pressure. i shall be that orange juice.

How much?

4 days of solid work. Jakarta is the land for pollution, traffic jams and long taxi rides.100,000 rupiah for a taxi ride from where we stayed to our recording studio. I nearly got hit by a muther#*(#! truck when I took a bajai, similar to Thailand's Tuktuk. It tried to squeeze its way through when the oncoming giant tried to shift into the other lane. I could have been pancake by then. Just pour syrup on melah like that.

Didn't manage to get sufficient sleep. Most of our time were spent on waiting for individual musicians to play their instruments. ME, being the vocalist, will be the last to take part in this experimental demo. I managed to rearrange the parts again to make it sound jazzy instead of a straight four. In short, I try not to make it sound boring and monotone.

No time for shopping. Bloody hell, I was in Jakarta man! What to do... Sacrifices. Nad, they got sell cheap stuff you know! What a waste... You guys should check out Indonesia man. Wait a minute, on second thought, better not unless you know somebody there or the place well. It's not really 'Thai-friendly' if you get what I mean. They have not made it a place for easy access for foreigners in terms of moving around and shopping.

I nearly got sent to Doha. I shall update that soon because right now, I want to sleep. You guys get good rests aight. Peace.

jamiel
i wrote something for you

Naked flame

Dear friends, yours truly will be away in Indonesia till Monday. I really don't know what's in store but hopefully, things will be as what I predicted. So far so good. Have a good long weekend you guys. Don't forget to spend time with the family.

Happy National Day to everyone.

jamiel
cisum si efil

Spider Pig

So, what's new for Mr Jamiel as of late. You ain't gonna believe what I'm about to tell you. Today's happening was a little hard to belief. I guess things like this do happen.

This morning, I was awakened by my mom's call. She said that my sis got into detention because of some Friendster misunderstanding. Because of that, I was forced to reject my relief teaching stint at Yew Tee Primary School. I was a little bummed because of that but whatever it is, family first.



Her detention was from morning till 4.30pm. Well, that was what my mom said. I decided to let her enjoy detention while I enjoy my lunch with Shaiful at NIE. Didn't realize that it was first day of school for everybody. HAPPY FIRST DAY!!! =_=

Anyways, met some friends who are doing their Post Grad in NIE. Good luck to you guys. Hope you are able to withstand the pressure of teaching once you graduate. As what John Meyer said, "Welcome to the real world..."



Once my chicken rice and fish and chip rendezvous was over, I went back home to change into my "teacher's" outfit. I wanted to look fierce when I go into the room and reprimand my sis. When I was in the General Office, to my dismay, Mr Justin, the discipline master told me that the students had already been dismissed at 4pm. I told Mr Justin that he should have kept my sister longer in there. Don't start telling me that I'm a sadist. Hello, wake up your ideas,sometimes in life, you have to learn things that hard way. Mr Justin was quite surprised by my words. He didn't see that coming because there was a couple who came down and complained to him why their daughter was sent for detention. I think Mr Justin knew from our brief conversation that I am a man who is very particular about discipline.

Me and Mr Justin shared similar thoughts on the most effective to raise a child is through both parent-teacher support. Without this, the child will have plenty of distractions that could hinder his/her maximal progress.

Since I was already in her school, I guess it would be better off if I get the chance to talk to her form teacher. While Mr Justin tried to contact My Phillip, something just triggered me to ask for a relief teaching position at my sister's school. So I took a piece of paper and wrote the necessary details. Mr Justin saw me scribbling and asked what I was writing. When he got to know that I was applying for relief, he looked happy. Weird. He said that the school needed people like me. People like me? He explained that they needed someone who has the same calibre as a DM, short for Discipline Master. Right...

And so, Mr Justin grabbed the HOD for Science and introduced me to him, telling him that I was applying to be a relief teacher there. The next question blew me away. Get ready for this. He asked,

"Can you teach Music?"

I was dumbfounded. Never have I been asked such a question. I was expecting," Can you teach English?" or "Can you commit long term?"

NOOOOO!!! He asked the bonus question. It was a blessing in disguise. The best thing about teaching music is that, THERE IS NO SYLLABUS!!! I just teach them based on what I deem is good for a music class such as watch MTV, watch video clips, how music is being used in commercials, writing songs, lyrics, performing and etc. Free and easy but of course, I have to start preparing my classes from now on.

Truly blessing in disguise. I didn't scold my sister because she explained to mom that she wasn't at fault in that incident. The only thing that she doesn't know is that,


Mr Jamiel is coming to teach tomorrow. I'm gonna turn this school into a School Of Rock.

jamiel
\m/

Territorial Pee

I don't know what I'll do without my camera. It exudes feelings. My feelings at least, that's the more important issue. What's the most recent happenings? I busked again for charity.



Busking with the ladies, Shermeen and Syltra made me really happy. They bring in the element of fun in busking. Shermeen is having a good start busking with me and Syl. She's learning fast.

We were trying to raise funds for the Singapore Action Group for the Elderly and the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped. Tough crowd. Really. The demographics didn't work to our advantage. I didn't have sufficient ammunition to entertain the grey population. They were really domineering. One asked, "You in Chinatown, why never sing Chinese songs?"
I took my microphone and let everybody in Chinatown hear what I have to say.

"Yes, we are in Chinatown but that doesn't mean there are ONLY Chinese in Chinatown. We also have Malays and Indians. That's why we sing English songs." I was literally trying to commit suicide. I was not only intruding their territory, I MADE a statement. Good thing the cobblers didn't pelt me away with their rubber soles. Who cares. Really. I didn't.



It's really tough to hold the crowd if you're not prepared for situations like this. At least this kid made my day. She kept on dancing and dancing to some of our tunes.



I think I have to start recording my performances. For memories sake. This was at Smith Street, smack in the middle of a junction. One funny story first. Try and imagine this in your mind.

We just finished one song by Bryan Adams, Everything I Do, I Do It For You when this malay uncle. long grey hair came up to us. He looked like a rocker from his cowboy dressing. He said in his deep growly voice.

"Gang, lu main baik lah! Abang nak request lagu." Translated, "Boy, you play well lah! Abang want to request a song."

I asked, "Lagu apa? Bon Jovi? Bryan Adams?"

He replied, "Tak, lagu When You Say Nothing At All. You know or not?"

-____-

Tears of disbelief trickled down my face that was trying my best to contain my laughter.

Rocker asking for Ronan Keating. Who says rockers are not setimental. They have feelings too ok!

Ok then, enjoy the clip. Btw, pray that I get the job to play 4 times a week at a new bar. That would be doped.

jamiel
cheenah meenah