An Ode To Music

Music is a gift from God,
How it heals the whole being!
Sounds so sacred, vibrating throughout the universe.
How could we be inspired without singing the ancient Psalter?
Where would we be without the cantatas of Bach,
The symphonies of Beethoven, the operas of Mozart?
What would we do without the folk ballads of Bob,
Joni, Buffie, and Bruce? Who could dance, sing, laugh or cry without
The blues of B.B., the jazz of Miles, the rock
guitarists like Jimmie, Eric and George? Music is heaven's official language,
It fills the body with peace, the mind with creativity,
The heart with love, the soul with complete union.
Music is the vehicle wherein humankind journeys
As one family of brothers and sisters without
divisions and barriers.
We travel with music to the wonders of the world,
Places of such breathtaking, astounding beauty and sweet ecstasy.
So wherever you may be or whoever you are,
Sing a song, play an instrument dance with joy
In this life-long ode to music.
- Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson

Music has always played a very big role in my life, whether it's in playing the piano or singing. I've played the piano since I was six (started off on the humble organ), and have always enjoyed singing. Music also has a very calming effect on me, and has served as a soothing haven for me to forget all my troubles, even if it was only temporary.

With this, I've created a section in this blog where I'll be introducing music which I find inspiring. I'll be sharing Christian songs, contemporary ballads, etc. Just drop me an email if you'd like a copy of the song(s).

Many thanks to Zeroimpact whose blog inspired me to share my favourite music (and also to use Lifelogger as a media-sharing tool, hehe).

A Girly Sunday At Makeup School

A week ago, my colleagues and I signed up for a personal image grooming and makeup course at Stella-in International. I was initially rather reluctant to join 'em, as RM380 for a 6-hour course (divided into two Sundays) is pretty pricey. After some time of consideration, I figured it could be fun after all, learning with the girls, and ended up forking out the money. We were quite excited, and was looking forward to the class all week.

As the date drew near, we were told to bring our own facial cotton, tissues, facial wipes, cotton buds, and eyelash curler. I was quite surprised that they did not provide such basic amenities, being such a prominent beauty centre in Penang. Warning bells, perhaps?

Anyways, the class began promptly at 10am. After brief introductions, we got down to business. A general overview of the course:

Aim of Course:
This course provides you with detailed information about various cosmetic tools and skin care products. You will learn the basic steps and techniques of make-up applications, and be guided in choosing correct colour combinations, suitable cosmetics and the best way to enhance your features.
- Introduction to products, tools and materials
- Basic skin care and preparation
- Cleanse, tone and moisturise
- Personal face massage
- Colour coordination and selection of makeup colours
- Day makeup
- Evening makeup
- Choosing suitable foundation
- Application of concealer cream
- Loose powder for long-lasting makeup
- Drawing of eyebrows
- Correct application of eyeshadow
- Correct application of eyeliner
- Techniques to lip colour application
- Latest techniques to blusher application

I was actually more interested in learning the proper way of makeup than anything else. I felt that the trainer spent a lot of time on teaching us the proper skincare methods, etc. I do not deny that proper skincare is very very important to us ladies, and that we should start early, and know the correct ways to cleanse, tone and moisturise your face. However, the main objective of us going for the class was to learn about makeup; I thought it would have been better if she focused more on that.

When we finally got to the part where we could finally paint our faces, it was pretty fun, unveiling all the brushes which Stella-in provided. I finally learnt how to use the corrective concealer kit (the one with 3 to 4 colours - green, pink, purple and brown), which was really good, 'cos I've always wanted to know how to work that. I also learnt the proper method of applying liquid eyeliner, which I've always had trouble with (my shaky hands always manage to draw jagged lines on my eyes *gulp*).

On the whole, it was an okay class. I did enjoy the session, but it was more in the company of my friends than anything else. To be honest, I expected more out of the session. For example, instead of just teaching us how to draw our eyebrows, it would have been more useful if they had taught us how to shape 'em too ('cos every girl knows that ain't easy to do all by yourself without getting 'em shaped by a pro first). It would also be good for them to teach us how to 'create' double-eyelids, which a lot of us Asians sadly lack.

I guess we'll just have to see what comes up during the next session, which, incidentally, is our last. I already have plenty of questions which I'd want to ask, e.g. how to use makeup to define a flat nose, how to create the 'smoky-eye' look without looking like we've been punched in the eyes, how to put on fake eyelashes, etc. Hmmm ... anything else I should look out for?

What to do, the kiasu person in me has to 'squeeze' as much info as I can for the money I paid leh. Tee hee hee!

Get Stuffed, Streamyx!

Excessive use of punctuation coming up.

Why the #$%@ does streamyx have to go bonkers on me, at the SAME time EVERY day, from 7 to 9pm???!! Especially when that is the time I need to use the Internet the most!!! What, everyone will be home from work/school/wherever to download their Heroes, CSI or porn, is it??!! IS IT???!!!

Gah!!! :(

PS: Recommended read.

My Hair Ordeal

My Saturday at the hair salon was just as I expected, and remembered - long and tiring. I finally had the horrid kinks on my hair straightened, but at a price. I went to the salon prepared; I had two books with me, and a piece of cake in case it took too long.

I think, from now on, there really has to be a limit to how vain I can be. Because seriously, FIVE hours on my ass while people yank and iron my hair, and burn my scalp, really isn't worth the poker-straight hair I ended up with. I was so tired when I came home, with a splitting headache.

Sadly, there wasn't any cute guys at the salon, let alone 'doing' me. Drats.

The top of my head's too flat, and there's a lingering chemical odour on my hair. Methinks I'll have to wash my hair pretty often now, just to 'fluff' the top, give it more volume, and also to get rid of the bad smell.

A reason it took so long for me to get my hair done, other than the tedious process, was the large amount of customers the salon had that day. I had to wait almost an hour before I was even attended to. Big mistake in not calling in first, to check if the salon's free (10 something in the morning on a Saturday woh. Aren't people still in bed on a lazy Saturday morning? Or is that only on Sundays?). A lesson to learn - call first, no matter how early. You never know if there are more kiasu people than you.

Sigh ... will I never learn?

Yay, It's Friday Once More

TGIF, people. A few more hours, and the weekend will start for me. It's a public holiday in Australia today (Australia Day), but the boyfriend will be working on night shift though, till Saturday morning. Boo! (the work, not him :p)

Quite a bit to do this weekend. Going to the hair salon tomorrow to straighten my hair. The last time I did was over a year ago, and after my haircut, I'm left with plenty of unruly and unsightly kinks in my hair. It's really 'big' at the back, all puffed up from the waves. Will definitely let the hairstylist know that I do not want poker straight hair from root to tip (too limp for my taste). She'll probably just fix 3/4 length of my hair, I suppose. I've always been 'cursed' with coarse, unruly hair. When I was in secondary school, I have people calling me "rambut besi" (iron hair), or a lion. Sigh. Ah well, at least, with straighter hair, it'd be more manageable.

On Sunday, I'll be going for a makeup course with a few colleagues. That's going to be interesting, will blog more on that when it's over. It'll be like my good ol' art lessons back in school, with brushes and sponges. Only this time, my face will be the canvas. Tee hee hee.

My weekend's going to cost me quite a bomb. What can I say? Many times over - vanity, thy name is woman.

Enjoy the weekend, y'all.