Congrats to Stef!

Congratulations!!!!

5/8 was Mother’s day. It was also Stef’s wedding day. Congratulations again.

Let’s see a news report about her wedding.

We can find out that the reporter’s slang is quite different than usual English we’ve heard always. It’s perfect Singlish.

I live nearby Singapore. Therefore Singlish is actually very usual and normal to me. When I go shopping in Singapore, I’d need to speak English. And you can find, not only Singapore Chinese, Malay and Indians also speak in the same slang.

I used to dislike Singlish. It’s just like kind of mix language. I’d think it’s not classy before. But when I came here in Taiwan, I’d change my mind. Just like what Rainbow had shared in her blog, language is a tool to converse. Malaysian mandarin is also a mix language, but it makes a comfortable feeling to me. We Malaysians in Taiwan will always converse in our “pasar” (market) mandarin. It’s our culture. Just like Singlish, it’s a culture. Why don’t we accept them instead of scorning them?

Language is just conversing tool. Just like Stef and Nadim can get married even they’re from different culture background. So what’s the worry about different slang?

Love at First Sight

Love at First Sight
Wislawa Szymborska

Both are convinced that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together. Beautiful is such a certainty, but uncertainty is more beautiful. Because they didn't know each other earlier, they suppose that nothing was happening between them. What of the streets, stairways and corridors where they could have passed each other long ago? I'd like to ask them whether they remember-- perhaps in a revolving door ever being face to face? an "excuse me" in a crowd or a voice "wrong number" in the receiver. But I know their answer: no, they don't remember. They'd be greatly astonished to learn that for a long time chance had been playing with them. Not yet wholly ready to transform into fate for them it approached them, then backed off, stood in their way and, suppressing a giggle, jumped to the side.

There were signs, signals: but what of it if they were illegible. Perhaps three years ago, or last Tuesday did a certain leaflet fly from shoulder to shoulder? There was something lost and picked up. Who knows but what it was a ball in the bushes of childhood. There were doorknobs and bells on which earlier touch piled on touch. Bags beside each other in the luggage room. Perhaps they had the same dream on a certain night, suddenly erased after waking. Every beginning is but a continuation, and the book of events is never more than half open. -translated by Walter Whipple

 It’s a famous poem by Wislawa Szymborska, a female Poland poet. What is the relationship of her with Stef? Ha…

Jimmy created a picture book called “Turn left, turn right”, which is actually based on the poem. You can find the poem in the movie version, which is stared by Gigi Leong and Kaneshiro Takeshi.

Stef sang the movie theme song, “遇見”.  I think it’s much better than the Cantonese version by Gigi Leong. Stef’s voice makes a feeling of lament, not too strong, but touching. I think the lyrics, the music composition and Stef’s voice match perfectly. It seems listeners can easily get a picture of the story. I give it a “Like”.

My favorite song

Well, the exam week is past. I’d actually forgotten to write a new post. I have been listening to Stef’s older songs recently. XD

I listen to Stef’s older songs recently. My favorite song of Stef’s is “我不難過”. It’s a story about a girl broke up with her boyfriend at his house. The boy had a new girlfriend. The boy told her how nice his new girlfriend is. The girl, who was sad, but tried to be tough and consoled herself, telling herself “I’m not sad and this is nothing about to be upset”. And she told her boyfriend to leave her, to let her grow up from this broken relationship.

This song is written by 楊學明, a young lyrics writer who died of cancer at 24. Someone said he wrote this song to his girlfriend as he knew he couldn’t take care of her anymore. “Leaving me and find another guy who can look after you in your life time is more important,” That’s what 楊學明wanted to tell her girlfriend.

What a touching song, which I always listen to when feeling bad. 

Out of control

My sis once told me, Stef was really great in “The One Millionaire Singer” (百萬大歌星). I agreed and told her I’d already watched times. It’s the first time Stef appeared on “The One Millionaire Singer” as this program only started about 3 years ago and Stef has recently come back to stage/show business after a 4 years’ rest.

Well, in this episode, there’re many songs that Stef was really familiar with, such as “Venus” (which is collected in her 4^th album), Tanya’s 紀念. I think the most enjoyable part was when she sang “說不出的快活” (Jajambo). She was really high but suddenly she forgot the lyrics. And lastly she asked for tips aid. And when the girl she asked help from was going to answer, Stef covered her mouth out of a sudden! She recalled the answer!
I just couldn’t stop laughing at Stef. I think that’s why my sis recommended this episode to me so eagerly. 

People always tend to do something out of his or her mind as well. Like Koo Kien Kiat, a badminton player I like very much, always does some little actions and makes others think that he is proud. But these are not under control. These are the real reaction from their heart and mind.

Accompany music

I was a cellist in my high school string orchestra. I prefer classical music to pop music after learning to play cello. Therefore I was not such a big fan of Stef during that period of time. For a long time I wasn’t addicted to her songs. And now, I enjoy not only her songs and lyrics, but also her composition of accompany music.
I’d like to introduce two songs of her new album that are accompanied by string orchestra and ukulele.
The first song is “時光小偷”. Its intro is a cello solo. That attracts me immediately. Cello always gives me a feeling of comfortable and reliable. I like it!


The second song is “180度”. It’s accompanied by ukulele. (Thanks Orange for reminding me^^) Ukulele makes a joyful, naughty, relaxing surrounding. It really makes the song livelier.

When is my "the day"?

It’s almost one month since Stef’s latest album was released. Many of my friends (who are not Stef’s fans) said that this is really a well-prepared album. I replied “Yes, definitely!”
I admired that someone can put so much effort on something he or she loves. It must be his or her most important thing in his or her life. For instance, music is Stef’s most important thing. To make her music perfect, she could spend four years to produce an album. She is not only a singer but also a composer, a producer. I should say a music “player”.
I always think that what if one day I have the same power coming out of deep in my heart, supporting me to concentrate on one matter. Will the day come? I don’t know. I am still wandering at a cross junction, considering which way to go. Hopefully I will make a decision of my life ASAP.

Holding a program

I went to Stef’s autograph session on a sunny Sunday (3/13). I reached Ximen at around 10 am. I could see the stage far away. Well, just sit down and wait.Finally, the staffs started to give away numbers. I am no. 361, out of 500. It’s lucky enough.


The funny things I wanted to share is, just in front the stage, there’s a renovation of a cinema. We all fans just queued beside the construction spot, bearing the dusk, the noise, the paint odor and sort of.


Then when Stef stepped on stage, people in the temple nearby started to set off firecrackers, which resulted in a big mushroom cloud. Well, we all can’t hear any of Stef’s and the host’s although through the giant speakers.

Conclusion:


1. It’s my honor to get Stef’s autograph though queuing up for hours and hours.


2. There’s a huge problem occurred in such a big music company to hold a program. No wonder people said it’s not wonderful enough.