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! >.<