Fading memories
I sat with my Lola (that’s Filipino for grandmother) several times over the weekend. We stared at one another in long, quiet moments filled with love, frustration, confusion, and joy.…
REVIEW: Feelin’ Groovy
The moment that Harry Baulderstone and Marcus Ryan’s show started, the audience knew there was nothing hazy about this winter night. The Arkaba’s Top Room bustled with anticipation as patrons…
The Sweetest Home
In an era where the Aussie dream of house ownership is a tedium, styling one’s current dwelling can inspire anyone to love their abode. When it comes to making a…
Only words
Words. They convey meaning through their connotations and explicit definitions. Words can empower, uplift, and they can also diminish one’s self-esteem. We have the choice to use the gift of…
To what end?
It took me over a week to finish typing and post this blog. I guess the nature of the topic took me time to come to terms with, and I…
Pure Imagination: the childlike mind
I work in a people-oriented profession; in particular, with children. One of my younger choirs (grade 6 & 7) inspired me to write this blog. Last week, in the midst…
Auditions: why bother?
Daunting. Nervous. Memory-lapse. Self-conscious. Warm-ups. Stretches. Lalalalalalalalala… There are many words that one could associate with the audition process. For non-performers, an audition can be likened to a job interview.…
Time
I don’t have time. As ironic as this statement is, because we do in fact have time, it is a notion many of us could likely relate to given how…
Surrender
I want so much to pull myself up and out from this dark well. I have overcome so much in my life and I know that I am capable of…
Fragile: handle with care
I would like to think that I am a resilient, independent being. I will usually work through my own problems and bring solutions forward rather than just complain about them.…
Listen. Can you hear it?
I attended a choir trainer’s workshop today and we worked through repertoire that we are going to teach our students this year for a state-wide music festival. There were many…
Courageous Lion
For about ninety-five percent of my life, I have been the optimist. Seldom do I come across stimuli that challenge my positivity. However, the film “Lion” did. In fact it…
Semaphore Sundays
Although this Sunday was not particularly sunny, it was a tranquil, overcast summer morning with a light drizzle of rain, and moderate temperature. Sunday, to me, means quality time with…
Longevity
Many people set personal goals (particularly in January). The disciplined, or lucky, people reach those desired goals and may find personal success. Others may just dismiss the goal as too…
#FAIL
Failure is not a dirty word. As the summer holidays dwindle away, I mentally prepare for the journey I am about to take with my students: facilitating their self-discovery, encouraging…
#Sharing about caring
When one thinks of the word share, these days it is often associated with a button on social media which is activated to validate arbitrary content on a page we…
You live, you learn
I find myself quoting Alanis Morissette again so soon after my Isn’t it Ironic blog post. Wise lyricist she was, and she was definitely onto something. I think that clinging…
F.R.I.E.N.D.S
I was a huge fan of the 90s sitcom, but this is more personal. As a musician and a generally free spirit, I’ve grown up living a rather gypsy life.…
Work Smarter: Live Better
Isn’t it Ironic? Alanis Morissette could have used the following statement as a lyric in her hit song: Snail mail has become faster to deal with than email!!! Don’t ya…
Me Time
I love to unwind. Such a large part of my life is jam-packed with activity, chaos, and noise that when I finally have some down time, I find it hard…
“Just Be”
The catalyst These wise words, “just be”, were uttered to me a decade ago from the lips of the most inspiring, influential director I have ever worked with. In January…
It’s okay to double dip
Welcome to the wonderful world of rewards points! Personally, I feel that they are a great lifehack and in my case I don’t actively seek to gain them. As I…
Hey Brother!
This isn’t an entry about Avicii’s 2013 hit single, nor is it an entry about the half brother I discovered I had last year (that’s a blog entry for another…
Activate your noise filter
I am coming to terms with one of my biggest vices: I collect way too much information. As a result of this, I have a lot of noise in my…
Tips to Slay #2017
Photo credit: Bohsky In this season of relaxation and resolutions, optimism is high, and clear strategies are your friend if you want to succeed in attaining your goals. I’m not…
Tabula Rasa #2017
When I’m about to embark on something new, I inevitably want to make it matter. Year after year, I’ve treated the first of January with mixed emotions: joy, sorrow, anxiety,…