Sometime the simple becomes too complicated
Sometime the complicated is made simple

Too often, I make the simple things way too complicated; adding in miscommunications and unnecessary actions. I should strive to make the complicated simple and bite-sized. Something I am learning more and more each day.

I'm just exhausted, its been a crazy 4 days; I was falling asleep all morning. But the seminar I attended today was just so refreshing! Its just so amazing to be excited and inspired by people who are not only far more successful than you but far more humble than you are too.

I'll leave you with this picture of "8 at Mount Sophia" that I snapped while reviewing a unit there. This is the olympic length lap pool in the new condo behind Plaza Singapura. Isn't it gorgeous?

How funny life turns out to be sometimes. So last week, I was just worshiping the Lord at church, just singing my heart out and enjoying the worship team. For many years, I had wanted to be part of the worship team but never really got the guts together to do it. I never had a formal training in music, I can't read notes and my idea of singing in parts is all impromptu, by ear (and usually a touch off key!). So despite my own sister's urging, I never joined but have always wanted to. Then Pastor Peter came up to me after service, saying, "Hey Joe, the team needs male voices, can you help us out?"

Needless to say, I felt this was it! I rather hesitantly accepted as I knew my shortcomings in music but was rather excited about the whole idea. Me, on stage, singing for God and learning tons about music. Perhaps even learn guitar then bass then... okok, I'm just dreaming now!

Thursday night is the night the team gets together to worship. The moment I showed up promptly at eight, already my stomach was doing flip-flops. I was very amused at that, as I have little problems giving lectures to larger groups but the idea of singing in a very finely-tuned worship team gave me the butterflies. Much to my relief, everyone was really nice. Naturally, as the new kid, I was made fun off, singled out for solos but it felt like it was done in love, rather than to make me feel like an outsider. I know I should be singing the melody with everyone else but doing a particular song I knew by heart, I suddenly started singing in parts, my own made-up parts! Instantly, Thomas, the team's leader and bass guitarist stopped the session, and with a rather incredulous look on his face asked, "Joseph, what are you doing?".

I think I had a minor heartattack. Hahaha, I was like "oooooh crap, now what?". However that disappeared when I saw a very amused smile on Thomas's face. He explained if I wanted to sing in parts, I had better do it properly. Problem is, I have no clue how to sing in parts, properly! After much laughing and coaching in love, we did that chorus, the one I had so clumsily started in parts, in full harmony, as I anchored it in bass. It was alot of fun

Practice went on for another 3 hours, closing at midnight. As the practice drew to a close, Kenny asked Thomas what he thought. Was I ready to sing on Sunday? First practice, then first service? To my utter horror, Thomas gave me a thoughtful look then said, "yeah, why not." I was on for Sunday.

Sunday rolled up way too quickly and suddenly it seemed, I was helping Kenny swap batteries for the cordless mics before service. After an episode with the said mics, (we just placed fresh batteries in them, how could one be already dead?) we did a short warm-up, mic and volume check and other necessities. Before I knew it, we were in full swing of the service, worshiping and having a blast. In what seemed to be a flash, it was over.

As I sat in the atrium outside service, chewing on a peanut japanese pancake, it seemed so surreal that I had just helped do worship with my church band. A band that's travelled the world, asked to perform in various concerts, I felt very small but happy I was a part of it. And finally I can practice my voice in a setting that both challenges and sharpens by mixing with very talented musicians.

I felt at home

Such a pity I didn't take any pictures for it was definitely a great night. Happy Birthday once again and many well-wishes. Definitely invite you to mine soon!

It was really refreshing to just sit down and have drinks with people my age again. Not that I don't mind socializing with my seniors but the humors, topics and embarrassing moments are so different between the age groups. Where older people will laugh about their experiences in the past, last night was moments filled with "burning roses petals", 10 people sharing one nacho plate, awkward silences cause someone said something ultra taboo than censored jokes! COMPLETE RANDOMNESS

The best part of parties has to be meeting new people. From an army engineer in the service, to G's colleagues, to a real estate lawyer; you really get such a mixed and fun bag. Every party is truly a box of chocolates (yes yes, everyone's all sweet and yummy). I even had a nice chat with a really pretty accountant as I sent her home. Tomorrow, its another exciting lunch meeting, followed by more follow-ups calls and errands but last night, it was such a refreshing change of pace.

Thanks again G! Better hope those pictures Y took never make it to Youtube =P