I came across several unfortunate incidents over the past weeks which has really dampened my already dampened spirit...
I have just been told about a wife been unfaithful to her husband after her husband was diagnosed with cancer last year. It really break my heart when he told me this. All this while, I know that he has been a very nice (too nice at times) to his 10-years-younger-than-him wife...I remembered very well the day he was admitted to hospital for his operation and chemo, he actually told the doctor to admit him only after 5pm so that he can send his wife back home first....sigh
Then, over the weekend, a pregnant friend told me that her 4-week old foetus might not survive as doctor is suspecting an internal miscarriage. I admire her strength and trust in God that whatever is not hers will not be hers....Anyway, let's pray for her, shall we?
A friend's son was admitted to hospital due to dengue....His condition turned worst and blood transfusion is the only option....however, the mother being a very very spiritual mum, prayed over it and the son's condition improved overnight and heard was discharged a day after...I really thanked God for this cos this friend of mine had just lost her son in an accident few years back and sure it's gonna be a big blow on her if her son did not pull through
Then, one of our member (past president too) passed away yesterday morning due to cancer. Went to the funeral parlour for prayers and she looked so calm and peaceful....
On a less depressing but still very unfortunate incident, I received my rubber stamps last Friday after 2 months of waiting and noticed that there were duplication on 2 of the 5 stamps.....Have to send them back again for a replacement.....The supplier promised to send back the replacement by today...let's see...
Sounded so depressing is it not???? Ok, so if would excuse me, I need to find a corner and ponder over all the above......
Signing out....
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Story - Ronny's Night
This is an email I received through my mailbox today and I cannot help but feeling sad over what I read. Not sure whether this is a true story or not but nevertheless, it inspires me lots and teach me not to underestimates other people's capabilities....
Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability.I've never had the pleasure of having a prodigy though I have taught sometalented students.
However I've also had my share of what I call "musically challenged"pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby.
But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavour. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.
Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and triedto encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play someday." But it seemed hopeless He just didnot have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.
Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons.
I thought about calling him but assumed because of his lack of ability,that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that hestopped coming He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!
Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practising. "Miss Hondorf I've just got to play!" he insisted.
I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right. The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the programme before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my "curtain closer.
Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, theyeven danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo.From allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people his age.After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause.
Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby injoy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it? " Through the microphone Robby explained: "Well Miss Hondorf . .. remember I told you my Mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and passed away this morning. And well, she was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special."
There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.
No, I've never had a prodigy but that night I became a prodigy. . . of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil. For it is he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why.
Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995.........
Hope it inspires you too.......
Robby's Night - True Story --
At the prodding of my friends, I am writing this story. My name is MildredHondorf. I am a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines,Iowa. I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons- something I've done for over 30 years.
Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability.I've never had the pleasure of having a prodigy though I have taught sometalented students.
However I've also had my share of what I call "musically challenged"pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single Mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys!) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby.
But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavour. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn.
Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and triedto encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play someday." But it seemed hopeless He just didnot have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in.
Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons.
I thought about calling him but assumed because of his lack of ability,that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that hestopped coming He was a bad advertisement for my teaching!
Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practising. "Miss Hondorf I've just got to play!" he insisted.
I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right. The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the programme before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my "curtain closer.
"
Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had beenpractising and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes werewrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it. "Whydidn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why didn't hismother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?"
Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had beenpractising and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes werewrinkled and his hair looked like he'd run an eggbeater through it. "Whydidn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why didn't hismother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?"
Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, theyeven danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo.From allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people his age.After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause.
Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby injoy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it? " Through the microphone Robby explained: "Well Miss Hondorf . .. remember I told you my Mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and passed away this morning. And well, she was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special."
There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil.
No, I've never had a prodigy but that night I became a prodigy. . . of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil. For it is he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why.
Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995.........
Hope it inspires you too.......
Friday, May 18, 2007
apologies people for the lack in posting the past weeks....There were lots of happenings but I just couldn't find the time to blog about it. I'll try to summarise everything under one post ok, also, apologies cos there will be no photos! :-) Just long and boring and monotonous post, so if you are bored and am thinking of looking for excitement, sorry and see you next time!
backdated 13 May 2007
Mother's Day...we sisters decided to suprised her with a bouquet delivery on sunday morning. Called dad the nite before to make sure that she doesn't go out on sunday morning...Thanks to Dad, not only he successfully stopped mum from going out, he managed to stop her from claiming the bouquet from the delivery people too! dads!
The same nite, went to Elephant for dinner...mum ordered the salmon of which she was pleased...I was not....I ordered the chicken ala-kiev without reading the fine prints on the menu and it came in the form of breast meat (note: I hate breast meat of any sort and any creatures)
backdated 15 May 2007
Pa-in-law's grand birthday dinner....Addy and I were the main organisers for the whole event and have been having sleepless nites since we started with the invites and cards and deliveries....We are proud to announced that everyone was impressed with the arrangements, from invitation cards (i did them of course) to the menu ordering to the restaurant to the cake and everything else....Pa-in-law was so happy and that was the first time I actually saw him chatty....
Food was really really good and the restaurant's helpers were extremely helpful....Thanks to John, the Captain!
The next day, ma-in-law received numerous calls from friends and relatives praising us for a work well done! Phew....
Backdated 17 May 2007
Being Feast of Ascension of our Lord....Decided to be bold and wake up early (for once, without the help of A who was and is still on travelling) to attend the 7.30am mass, which is suppose to be the students mass for St Joe and St Teresa's students....How should I put it?? It brought me down memory lane, I suppose.....reminding me of my school days where most girls are plump pimples-not-free and the boys...ermm.....with their natural body deodoriser....:-)
Today
i had a very very sumptuos meal at the Press Conference....We had Japanese bento set each with tempura and mixed maki sets as side...Sorry, no photos though I was so tempted...Boss sitting next to me....At one stage, a reported wanted to take a picture of us eating but boss said wait....sigh....or else I could have asked the reported to send me the photos... hehehe
One funny reporter actually refused to go back after the luncheon....He came in late and did not really finish his food so he 'demand' that we accompany him to finish them claiming that he can't stand to see so much wastage...I swear i saw him taking several pieces of raw octopus and salmon from a leftover bento set next to his!!!
Have been so busy for the past few days......Big boss going away for weeks meaning we have to get everything ready for him to sign before end of this week (which is today)....Have not been having good nite sleep over the past nites.....terrible headache since 15 May and my left eye has been twitching non stop since 2 days ago....Dunno what's the cause but i definitely wouldn't mind more twitching if I am getting some cash soon...:-)
have a great weekend people!
backdated 13 May 2007
Mother's Day...we sisters decided to suprised her with a bouquet delivery on sunday morning. Called dad the nite before to make sure that she doesn't go out on sunday morning...Thanks to Dad, not only he successfully stopped mum from going out, he managed to stop her from claiming the bouquet from the delivery people too! dads!
The same nite, went to Elephant for dinner...mum ordered the salmon of which she was pleased...I was not....I ordered the chicken ala-kiev without reading the fine prints on the menu and it came in the form of breast meat (note: I hate breast meat of any sort and any creatures)
backdated 15 May 2007
Pa-in-law's grand birthday dinner....Addy and I were the main organisers for the whole event and have been having sleepless nites since we started with the invites and cards and deliveries....We are proud to announced that everyone was impressed with the arrangements, from invitation cards (i did them of course) to the menu ordering to the restaurant to the cake and everything else....Pa-in-law was so happy and that was the first time I actually saw him chatty....
Food was really really good and the restaurant's helpers were extremely helpful....Thanks to John, the Captain!
The next day, ma-in-law received numerous calls from friends and relatives praising us for a work well done! Phew....
Backdated 17 May 2007
Being Feast of Ascension of our Lord....Decided to be bold and wake up early (for once, without the help of A who was and is still on travelling) to attend the 7.30am mass, which is suppose to be the students mass for St Joe and St Teresa's students....How should I put it?? It brought me down memory lane, I suppose.....reminding me of my school days where most girls are plump pimples-not-free and the boys...ermm.....with their natural body deodoriser....:-)
Today
i had a very very sumptuos meal at the Press Conference....We had Japanese bento set each with tempura and mixed maki sets as side...Sorry, no photos though I was so tempted...Boss sitting next to me....At one stage, a reported wanted to take a picture of us eating but boss said wait....sigh....or else I could have asked the reported to send me the photos... hehehe
One funny reporter actually refused to go back after the luncheon....He came in late and did not really finish his food so he 'demand' that we accompany him to finish them claiming that he can't stand to see so much wastage...I swear i saw him taking several pieces of raw octopus and salmon from a leftover bento set next to his!!!
Have been so busy for the past few days......Big boss going away for weeks meaning we have to get everything ready for him to sign before end of this week (which is today)....Have not been having good nite sleep over the past nites.....terrible headache since 15 May and my left eye has been twitching non stop since 2 days ago....Dunno what's the cause but i definitely wouldn't mind more twitching if I am getting some cash soon...:-)
have a great weekend people!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Message for AFLEN
Sorry people.....This is not going to be a public post.....
DEAR AFLEN
PLEASE EMAIL ME....
I HAVE SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING TO TELL YOU.....
OR PERHAPS SMS ME (THE SAME OLD NUMBER)...
PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
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