New chapter of an unfinished book

So here i am in Leeds pursuing my masters in jazz, configuring my life all over again, using previous' "life" experiences as the core of my survival. I've been very fortunate to have studied away from home in kl for my degree. But anyways, its not hard to survive here in the uk.

Basic essentials are pretty cheap, in most cases, its the cheaper or equivalent to the prices in Malaysia after conversion, for example: Shampoo, toothpaste, Snickers, and most supermarket factory packed products.

Food will be dollar to dollar, which can be quite costly. So for the 33 days I've been here, I have been cooking mostly, thanks to my mom who's a great cook and have been sending recipes to me. But still, its not as expensive as london for sure!

The music scene here is awesome. There are bands gigging in many venues every weekend and most weekdays as well. Every genre here is big; indie, pop, electronic, jazz, classical, etc. And the level and skill of musicians here is pretty high, especially the jazz musicians in my college. Brings me down to the ground but its good for me i guess because i'll be too lazy to work my ass off back in kl. They have alot amazing lecturers here as well in LCM (Leeds College of Music).

The shopping here is pretty awesome as well, most people with spending power will go crazy, though many items are pretty affordable here. Well i heard some ppl say that according to some survey, leeds is one of the top shopping destinations and places to live in the world.

The only bad thing bout this place is that it has trash everywhere. Bits of paper and plastic that people just litter around. A friend told me that the garbage collectors are kinda on strike as well, not sure how true isit. Anyways, here are some pics of the city centre that i've snapped from my phone:

Of course not all areas are as 'trashy' as this, but this is how bad it can get.

This theatre playhouse is just next to my college and anyone under 26 years old are entitled to 5 free tickets every one and a half years.

Im very fortunate that im staying 5 mins walk from the city centre, which is where my college is at. So everything is very accessible for me. Okay thats for now. Ciao.

Black and Blue

In less than 90 days' time, I'm gonna be sitting in the room, staring at the blank wall, all by myself. Just like my days at ICOM. This might just be the loneliest journey of my life.

Holey Socks!

Im a person who likes to wear sneakers/shoes. I seldom wear flip flops or sandals, even on a short trip to get some groceries I'll most likely wear sneakers. Therefore I wear socks often too. Over the past few years I had this idea to sew up all the holes on some of my socks, just that I never get my ass to do so.
Im generally an OCD person and holes usually "appear" on the big toe side of my socks. Then I'd avoid wearing them, firstly because I'll be embarrassed if I ever get invited into someone's house and I had to take my shoes off. Another reason is that I'll feel that my toes are touching the inner surface of my shoes, even though in truth I can't feel it, but my OCD-ness would make me believe otherwise, and I'll be extremely uncomfortable.
So a few days ago, I was sewing up some of home-shorts' pockets in my room, and I thought since I have the sewing kit with me, I might as well sew up my socks.
Okay bear in mind im not the home-guy type that does everything myself like growing vegetables so i could eat them, or make photoframes out of used papers. Sewing is the only thing I do occasionally to fix up my old clothes. I dont even sweep the floor at home. Nor my room.

Anyway, so I managed to sew up all the holes on my socks and now I'm wearing them proudly because not only I sew well (for a guy, or for anyone nowadays in that matter), I feel that I'm not wasting money by buying new socks, which I often do cuz the holes are actually just a tiny spot on that large surface of the very-much-usable sock.

Uninspired to inspire

Lately i've been frustrated working in this place where i teach. Its just these few students, not all whom i teach. They have no passion, they have no idea why they're in this program in the first place, and they do not know what they want from this, or what they plan to do after they graduate. Im tired of teaching them. Im not sure if its the right thing to feel. Sigh, and they are uni students, supposed to be more mature to take responsibility. I can understand if they're kids and they're doing this under obligation.

I try my best to inspire them, but all i get are deaf ears. They seem very emotionless, passionless, and soulless. How can you even play or feel music if you're like that? Imagine teaching a blank rock to play an instrument. No matter how many ways you try to get a response, you will never. Thats how i feel.

They have no idea how many people wish that they can do a music degree like my students. I guess life is like that, when one has something easily, they take it for granted. Im guilty of that too sometimes.
Sigh, life goes on. I'll still do my best in my role. Inspiring rocks. Erm, i mean inspiring the rocks.

New Life....

....is what Easter is all about, isn't it? New and eternal. That's what's so great about it. What is ever new yet eternal in this world? Nothing else. I'm sensing a breath of new life coming soon. Love, grace and mercy are key elements that made Easter what it is and gave its meaning.

What have you gotta lose huh?

Massage, Shopping, Jalan-jalan, Makan-makan....

It was my first time in Bangkok last week. Had a great trip, enjoyed the shopping, enjoyed the friendly local civilians, enjoyed the outings, and mostly, enjoyed the company. Here are some pics to summarize my trip:

Stayed at Ibis Hotel, the newest hotel in Bangkok. It was just completed in March. So it was clean and comfortable.

Visited a jazz club called 'Saxophone'. A blues band was performing that nite, all local musicians, all were very kickass, especially the keyboardist who played a C1 organ keyboard.

Went to an official Manchester United Restaurant Bar

TBLT Sandwich (Turkey-Bacon-Lettuce-Tomato)

Champion Burger

There's a Man Utd logo everywhere, even the valet sign

Brown Sugar Jazz Club since 1985. They claimed that they're one of the best bars in the world. The band that night consisted of a singer, trombonist, guitarist, saxophonist, bassist, and drummer. They were playing contemporary jazz. All were relatively young, and local Thais, but again, kickass and solid.

Brown Sugar Menu Cover

I tailor-made a set of suit too. Making suits in Bangkok is cheaper than in Malaysia. The whole Bangkok is flooded with tailors everywhere. All of the tailors are from northern India. Most of them have been here for 20 plus years. This was the fitting session.

And my final tryout before i took it home.

We also went to a saloon to style our hair to get ready for a photoshoot session.



This photoshoot was done in a studio called Club Confuse Studio, formerly known as Domandi Studio. They have 3 rooms, one of them is a music room. This studio has many good reviews online and in magazines. Many of their customers are from Hong Kong and other parts of the Asia. It is cheaper to shoot here too, compared to Malaysia.

Some of the results:

(okay its weird for me to look at myself in these photos cuz im not used to having these kinda shots taken. It was my first shoot, but a valuable and fun experience)

All cabs in Bangkok are Toyota. Either Vios or the new Altis.

Malaysia cabs are mostly Iswara. But nowadays I see more Nissan Sentra and Waja cabs in KL. Malaysia boleh!

Enjoyed some dessert in a dessert house called Mango Tango. Everything there had mango in it. Yums...

A trip to Bangkok wouldn't be complete without trying out the roadside food. Luckily we didn't suffer from diarhoea. The tomyam was deceiving; it was colourless but super spicy. Another great dish in Bangkok is the fried basil leaves meat (pork, beef, chicken or seafood).

Acid and Fusion Jazz Night at Groove Junction - 11/04/09

After a very long time (since August last year), I'll be performing at Groove Junction, with this gig being a collaboration between Giant Timeline and Gina Panizales, the "hot mama" singer of soul, jazz and blues.


"Join Gina Panizales as she explores Acid and Fusion Jazz for one night only at one of the coolest place in town --

Groove Junction Jazz Bistro
Sri Hartamas (behind True Fitness)

Featuring new releases from Maysa Leak of Incognito,
familiar tunes from Brand New Heavies, her own album funk track, as well as originals from her energetic back-up band "Giant Timeline" with:
Wei Li on piano, Daniel Foong on bass, Faz Aznam on guitar and Martin Ngim on drums.

Show kicks off at 10pm. “Finally” album available at the venue.

Cover charge at RM30 with a drink, cover free for 4 pax for every bottle of hard liquor, and 2 pax for every bottle of wine. Set dinner at 70++ per reservation only.

Contact : info@groove-junctionkl.com or call 03-62018990.

You wouldn't wanna miss it this Saturday -- April 11, 2009…See ya!"

Trio is the way to go

This a video of my performance in a trio playing a bossa standard named "How Insensitive" by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Didn't practice much, but i think it was ok. Do not expect a polished performance as I only did one take (even if i did 10 takes it wouldn't sound too great either, i'd probably be tired! lol). It was a live audition at ICOM (the logo obvious in the video) for some application.
Looks like i have a long way to go in performance (don't we all?), better start practicing harder and smarter.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my friends for helping me out:
Daniel Foong: Bass
Martin Ngim : Drums
Faz Aznam : Video

Last day of the year

Its 5.40am, the last day of this year. Im wondering what should i do today, apart from sleeping? I dont have much time left for the year. In 12 hours' time i'll have to be at Pacific Regency Hotel for my soundcheck for the New Years' Eve gig. What CAN i do today, that I've not done this year?

Im thinking, i could pray. i can pray. i WILL pray. I've not been talking to God for quite a while. I'll tell Him how grateful i am for this year, for providing. Im grateful because He looks out for me wherever i am, whenever. I've never been in any major accident or involved in any bad encounters. In Him, i know that im always safe and secure.

Im also thankful for the wonderful people around me; those who work with me, those whom i just met this year, those who kept in touch from a distance and mostly those who share their true friendship and love. I thank God for placing them in my life.

Generally, 2008 has been smooth sailing; im not too sure about tomorrow and the days after that. But whatever it is, i believe God has a plan for me and He will always look out for me.

What are my new years' resolutions then? For a couple of years now i havent had any resolution, that's because i never kept them before so i thought it was pointless to have any. But i hope 2009 will be different for me. In no particular priority order, in 2009 i will:
- practice the piano more often and be organized about it
- read more
- talk to God more
- love more
- take care of my health
- sleep and wake up at an earlier time (to fulfill the ones above)

Happy New Year! 2008 has been good, 2009 will get better!