In Memoriam of the King of Pop

I got an SMS from my hubby while on my way to work early this morning, he text 'the king of pop died' and I just OMG, what (!?!) not Michael Jackson'!. It's just shocking today to hear the news that Michael Jackson has died of cardiac arrest at only 50....and the sad part is I didn't get to see him in real person and screaming (like a crazy fan) 'Michael I love you'...hahaha (JK)...that's too much, it's just a dream but it would be nice.

They say he's an icon, an artist and a legend. I've always admires his extraordinary talent - he danced like no other and his music will definitely lives on.



He's in a better place now - no more worries, sickness, scandals, etc. Let's continue to appreciate and enjoy his music.

And let's have a good weekend - Mama Rock:P

View from my doorstep

Shot this view of Mt. Kinabalu with my simple/cheap digicam very early this morning, right in front of my house doorstep. I just love the cold morning breeze we have here in Tamparuli and today is another lovely morning.

I missed climbing up Mt. Kinabalu. If I ever climb again, it will be my 6th time. Luckily I've climbed and conquered it before the fees have ridiculously increased like hell now.

So this is my everyday natural and orginal poster of Mt. Kinabalu....




This is highest hill in Tamparuli Town - Bukit Perahu. If you want to train yourself before climbing up Mt. Kinabalu, climbing this hill is the best training place to build up your stamina.

Without zooming, this is the actual view from a distant...muahahaha. Seen from the left is Bukit Perahu and on the right is the majestic Mt. Kinabalu.

Happy Father's Day - To the 2 men in my life!

I would like to wish here 'HAPPY FATHER'S DAY' to my beloved daddy and to my husband & the father of my daughter, Carmen Jewel. I love you both - SO MUCH!

Our family's treasure...an old picture taken in the early 80s. It's actually coloured but I turned it into B&W to make it look more vintage - ha! In this picture, my dad is carrying me...guess which one is me? I know it's so obvious.

So not fair

Previously in May, I've posted about my cousin Miclen on being a young virtuoso and that he auditioned for the America's Got Talent. (Read here) After he made it to the Top 40, I think there were a few more rounds and one of the rounds were held in Las Vegas in June. From Facebook, something "not good" happened while in Vegas and made him so dissapointed. So I received an email from my aunt (Miclen's mom) yesterday and tells us what exactly happened during Miclen's Vegas Trip. Below is the self-explained email:

Our dear Loved Ones & close friends:

Many of you have called or written to find out the outcome of Miclen's ladder of success" with America's Got Talent at the Vegas round on June 8, 2009.

Miclen and his composer, Jon, took with them four well-prepared music together with their Act Synopsis which was requested of all performers to envision doing in an "ideal world." This requirement came ten days for Miclen and Jon to prepare, memorize and choreograph the four Acts. It was a miracle that on the eve of departure to Vegas, all four Acts were ready to be performed for the three celebrity judges in Vegas.

The trip to Vegas and the treatment all one-hundred contestants experienced was like watching a bad movie, "a script taken out from the movie The Schindler's List", where "the Jews were corralled like cattle in a farm. Adding insult to injury, the contestants were interviewed by AGT media out in the hot sun for hours without water or food. We were then led to a tent where large hanger to be briefed. We were told that the contestants would be placed in four groups. They were also told that one group would be eliminated that evening and another group, the following day. The remaining forty will then advance to LA.

Group B was eliminated that evening, and to the surprise of so many, the same question was, "why bring us to Vegas and tell us we did not make it, " and what really hurts was, the three celebrity judges did not hear the music Miclen and Jon have prepared.

Miclen and Jon have pushed themselves musically to a high plateau, and Helen and I congratulated them for their achievement in such a short time. The experience of creating music and adding choreography to it was so unique, and finding out what Miclen can actually do on stage was not only surprising but delightful.

It was somewhat very disappointing for Miclen and Jon, but knowing that we have prayed and put all our trust in God, that we realized right away that God has another plan for Miclen. It was not a lovely environment for Miclen as a growing young man. While going through so much heartaches and disappointment, God right away directed us to the verses in the Bible found in Jeremiah 17:7 and Isaiah 55:6-9.

We appreciate your continued support to Miclen and we will continue to ask for your prayers. May God bless all of you abundantly.

Love and gratitude,
Helen, Michael and Miclen

And I think what happened to Miclen and his composer, Jon is totally unfair. But I'm sure there will be (always will be) another better and greater plans for both of them ahead in the future (as what my aunt said too)...perhaps 'The Oprah Show' next?? (that's what I heard)

Two videos here of Miclen and Jon performing 'You Raise Me Up' and a faster number 'N2UN Rhapsody'. I'm still in awe and proud of him. Yay Miclen! And don't you think that composer Jon is a cutie hunk?! (Wakakaka)

My dream song

I love this song to death. I wish I could sing this song at my wedding (but too bad too late).


Lea Salonga (another fav Pinoy singer of mine - I wish I have a voice like hers and she's my true inspiration!) sang this song "Two Words"
at her wedding in front of her groom/now husband, as her wedding vow - how beautiful! (see her wedding video here - sorry unable to embed the video) But I have another video below - sorry it's a bit blurish, since I can't find any official video for this song but this will do for now.



Two Words by Lea Salonga
In a while, in a word,
Every moment now returns.
For a while, seen or heard,
How each memory softly burns.
Facing you who brings me new tomorrows,
I thank God for yesterdays,
How they led me to this very hour,
How they led me to this place...

Every touch, every smile,
You have given me in care.
Keep in heart, always I'll,
Now be treasuring everywhere.
And if life should come to just one question,
Do I hold this moment true?
No trace of sadness,
Always with gladness...
'I DO...'
(Instrumental)

Now a song that speaks of now and ever,
Beckons me to someone new,
Unexpected, unexplored, unseen,
Filled with promise coming through.

In a while, in a word,
You and I forever change,
Love so clear, never blurred,
Has me feeling wondrous, strange,
And if life should come to just one question,
Do I face each moment true?
No trace of sadness, always with gladness,
'I DO...'

Never with sadness...
Always with gladness...
'I...DO....'

I'm so glad I got the music score sheet too and I'm gonna play the piano and sing tonight! However, this is still my dream song and if anyone invites me to sing for their wedding, I'm gonna try my luck to sing this song. (Aisehman...AS IF lah - Ha!)

Talking about weddings...here's a beautiful wedding video of one of my fav pinoy actress - Claudine Barretto. I wish I could rewind at the day of my own wedding and do a wedding ceremony just like this....how I wish!


This is a great idea for those bridegrooms to be and perhaps for those ladies who "wannabe bride".

French Film Festival in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on 26 - 28 June 2009

I'm actually helping a friend/next-door office neighbour/organizing committee member of this festival promote this French Film Festival to be held on 26th - 28th June 2009 at the Golden Screen Cinemas, 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. I believe it's the 1st to be held in Sabah. Tickets are on sale now @ RM35 per person/night. To buy, kindly contact Ms Suzanna at Tel: 088-249312.

There will be 3 French movies (don't worry all with English sub-titles so that everyone can understand what's going on!) to be shown throughout this 3-days festival as follows:

This is a unique opportunity for us to experience cinema-making from a different cultural perspective and to learn something about how French people handle relationships, life’s crisis and family interactions.

A different movie will be shown each night, covering three different genres. The first movie for Friday, 26 June, is called “Change of Address” and is a romantic comedy. It concerns David, a shy musician who has just moved to Paris. He falls madly in love with his young student, Julia, and tries everything to win her heart. It is his room-mate, Anne, who wants to give him advice, encouragement and consolation when things don’t work out. And all this, she does passionately!
(I've been told that on the 1st night - cheese and wine will be served free)

The second movie, which will be shown on Saturday, 27 June, is called “The Axe” and is a social thriller. In the current world-wide financial crisis, this film may strike a chord because it is about a business executive who loses his job after his company is restructured. He is not content to let this stand, however, and is ready to do anything to get his job back – even if it means killing his rivals!

To finish the series of movies (which were made between 2004 and 2006), we have a comedy called “Me and my Sister”. This is a story about a country-based sister, charming, open but rather awkward, who is coming to Paris for a meeting about a novel she has written – a meeting that could change her life. While in Paris, she stays with her beautiful, elegant older sister who lives a deeply middle-class life and is rather aloof. The clash between these two very different people forms the basis of this movie.

Tickets are being sold by the Ex-Franciscans’ Association to support St Francis Convent School’s projects.

We welcome the opportunity to see movies from a country with its own long tradition of film-making and to learn something about the French people and their culture.

So hurry babe - why don't go French on 26 - 28 June. AMUSEZ VOUS BIEN AU CINEMA!

Instant Fame

I think most of you people have read about it at Yahoo just recently - what's stated as an international mystery, where a simple family from Missouri, USA got their family's x'mas card photo end up as Ad in a grocery store window in Prague, Czech Republic. The lady in the picture, Danielle Smith posted that particular pic on her blog and a few social networking sites (like FB). Read more here - interesting!


It's cool to be well known/famous instantly from something that happen like that even in such an odd way and for just a short period.

And I think Danielle's blog - Extraordinary Mommy is interesting too - I like! I've put up a link to it in here already. After that odd incident, she receives tons of visitors to her blog which no longer is non-existent to the world. Good read on motherhood!

Talking about motherhood, I recently bought Jewel's (by the way, I took her name for my Carmen's 2nd name & after volunteering for the Borneo International Jewellery Fair that I 1st found out I was pregnant) latest and 7th studio album "Lullaby". It's really good for babies and toddlers ears - recommended and I love it too! Heard that this album were influenced by movies like Shrek that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.


Album Tracks:

RAVEN 4:08
ALL THE ANIMALS 2:46
SWEET DREAMS 4:17
TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR 3:05
CIRCLE SONG 3:47
THE COWBOYS LAMENT 4:00
DAYDREAM LAND 3:11
SOV GOTT (SLEEP WELL) 4:44
DREAMER 4:23
FOREVER AND A DAY 3:16
GLORIA 6:10
SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW 4:26
ANGEL STANDING BY 2:46
SIMPLE GIFTS 2:48
BRAHMS LULLABY 4:46


Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Brahms Lullaby is my CJ's absolute favourites. Have fun to all mamas & love thy children!

Quickie Wednesday

Here's whats and hows my day today in random order....

1) Just came back from attending the Organizing Committee Meeting for the International Education Conference (IEC) at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) this afternoon. The IEC is proposed to be held in November this year...there's too much things to be done and to be finalize with too little time and just hope they will not postpone it again;

2) My daddy came home for just 1 week vacation and he'll be leaving for Penang early morning tomorrow...so we're gonna spend some time with him tonight. Will be missing him again! And oh ya he's finally on Facebook (ha!);

3) So inspired with Sugared Songbird's creativity...I so want to do and create stuffs like these!;



4) Looking forward to watch "Tranformers: Revenge of the Fallen" but firstly I've got to watch Part 1 (pity that...I've watched the cartoon but not the movie and I know who's Optimus Prime (ha! again)


5) Met up with some sweet and lovely people/friends today.

Pretty good Wednesday today!

Look Out for Zee Avi

Before I talk about the young and talented Zee Avi...lets have a moment of silence for 20 seconds to show respect and sympathy for the family and friends of the victims of the recent Air France crash. I think most of us people do have the fear of flying cos we will never expect anything to happen...so love and try as much as possible to spend time with your love ones when/while they are still alive! (Aisehman!)

Alright back to the topic....I'm really looking forward to buy her just released debut album (suprisingly, my younger bro has all her songs from her album and in fact, he's the one who told me about her)


Here's an introduction video on her:


Check out her cool videos in Youtube. Another of her song 'Kantoi' is my favourite! (Here's a fan-made video)



KANTOI by Zee Avi
Semalam I call you, you tak answer.
You kata you keluar pergi dinner.
You kata you keluar dengan kawan you.
But when I called Tommy he said it wasn't true.

So I drove my car pergi Damansara.
Tommy kata maybe you tengok bola.
Tapi bila I sampai you, you tak ada.
Lagilah I jadi gila.

So I called and called sampai you answer.
You kata sorry sayang tadi tak dengar.
My phone was on silent, I was at the gym.
Tapi latar belakang suara perempuan lain.

Sudahlah sayang, I don't believe you.
I've always known your words were never true.
Why am I with you, I pun tak tahu.
No wonderlah my friends pun tak suka you.

So I guess that's the end of our story.
Akhir kata she accepted his apology.
Tapi last last kita dapat tahu she was cheating too.
With her ex boyfriend's best friend - Tommy.

Enjoy!

P.S. I've updated an old post "Take 6" (just for reading pleasure)

Yay to Federer! He finally did it!

Roger Federer finally won his very 1st French Open Title...although I'm a lil bit dissapointed last night's men's final, another fav sportsman of mine, Rafael Nadal (who's the current king of Paris clay court) was not in the picture to play against R. Federer or else it could be another tough long hours match. Too bad for Nadal that he's injured this time round with knee injury. Federer easily outplayed Swede Robin Soderling (who beat Nadal in the 4th round)in less than 2 hrs. It's cute to see Federer in emotional moments again after he won.



Congrats to RF again for:
1) Clinching his 1st French Open Title;
2) Now equalled / tied with American Pete Sampras to have a record of 14 Grand Slams titles; and
3) Became the 6th player to win all 4 Grand Slam tournaments.


A lunatic fan / on-court intruder who stunned and shaken RF...I think he put a towel on RF's head...it was funny. Lucky that he didn't posed a threat but it distracted RF..phew. That's what some people would do to become famous but that guy sure is will enjoy his time in jail for nothing.

And again I love Nadal's pink Nike outfit at the French Open (sorry not very cute pics of him but I heart the pinky thing)




Loved this game!

A Very Special Love

Nothing important here but I just can't get enough of U-Tubes greatness cos everyday I'm obsessed with MUSIC...nothing but music, music and music again. I need music everytime & anywhere - at work, at home (especially in the bathroom - my own vocal instrument that is) and I need an IPOD NANO (I never had one (kesian) but it's on my wish list). My sister Deb just bought one and I'm jealous ha! But soon I'll get one for myself so SAVE MONEY girl!

Anyways, I love Sarah Geronimo as always and especially this lovely video (don't know why I didn't buy her movie with John Lloyd Cruz yet but will go find the video soon). I so love this song - beautiful!


A Very Special Love by Sarah Geronimo

I never believed in love
I was deceived by love
I never had much luck with lovers before...
And I couldn't compete
I seemed just part of the street
To be walked on by everyone but then
Then, I found a very special love in you
It's a feeling that's so totally new
Over and over, it's burning inside
And I found a very special love in you
And it almost breaks me in two
Squeezing me tighter
But I'm never gonna let go...
You're not like the rest
I know you're one of the best
You give more than you should and take nothing in return
Stay always with me
And I always will be
The one person that you can count on always to love you
And I found a very special love in you
It's a feeling that's so totally new
Over and over, it's burning inside
And I found a very special love in you
And it almost breaks me in two
Squeezing me tighter
But I'm never gonna let go
And I Found a very special love in you
It's a feeling that's so totally new
Over and over, it's burning inside
I found a very special love in you
And it almost breaks me in two
Squeezing me tighter
But I'm never gonna let go...
(Repeat and Fade Out)

Happy weekend ya'all

SMILE!

Back to work and acting busy, but honestly still no time to update anything here right now but check out on me soon ya.

Meanwhile, Smile and enjoy this lovely video and warm jazzy voice of Zee Avi, my new fav artiste at the moment. I'll post more about her later.



Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
Though there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fears and sorrows
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Just heart her and remember to SMILE!

Luv ya, Mama Rock