The One and Only Emil Chau

For the uninitiated, Emil Chau/ Wakin/ Zhou Hua Jian is performing in Singapore on 2nd December 2006. I'm still undecided on whether or not to go... I've not bought tickets but I think I'm probably right to assume that it's not sold out. And it doesn't really matter whether I get good seats or not cos he's hardly anything to look at.

If I do go, I'd go alone. Mainly because a concert is hardly a social activity. It's between you and the performer and I suppose the memories that come along with the songs. I don't really know why people go for concerts but for me, it's either cos I really like the singer e.g. David Tao or because the songs mean something. I've only ever been to 2 concerts in my life i.e. David Tao and Jay Chou but none of them can compare to Emil Chau simply because Emil Chau walked me through my whole life. Through my pre-teens to my teenage years and guess what? He's still around now.

At different stages of my life, his songs represented an emotion, represented a pleasant memory, an unpleasant memory. So many things which I still feel, which I've since forgotten I felt. Going to his concert would be a major exercise in nostalgia, reminiscent of heartache, of infatuations, of dreams long gone, experiences which were insignificant then but significant now.

Going to his concert would be almost cathartic. It is definitely self-indulgent.

Yet if I don't go, I've no idea when he would ever come back.

Tough.

HALF-DAY

Things to do on a half-day off!

1) Go to the hairdresser and fix your hair which some allege make you look 10 years older. U think it will take 3 hours max to finish at the hairdresser? TEI! Try 5 hours.

2) Go for that body scrub and massage you've been aching for for ages. Remove the grime and rejuvenate the joints! (Sounds good right. I've always wanted to write those spa catelogues. I can even write rhymes!)

3) Sit at a cafe in the CBD and read book for the whole afternoon. Quietly chuckle to yourself as you watch the office crowd hurry from place to place.

4) Stay at home and spend time with your father to ask him how's his business. And if possible, ask him if u can retire. And of course, try to convince him that it's a fantastic idea to have you in the house every weekday.

5) Go and watch 3 movies in a row to catch up on all the films u've missed! And feel your brain going to mash. So don't do this too often.

6) Sleep. Wake up and feel the baby soft skin and marvel at the wonders of sleep. I love sleep.

7) Cook. This is something I've always aspired to do. Especially to learn how to cook something really complicated like oatmeal prawns so that I can impress other people with my special dish. But u know.. as with most aspirations, it remains just that. An aspiration.

8) Meet with a friend u've not seen for ages. But be prepared for him/her to say you look old and haggard now. In which case, revert to activity 1 or 2 on next half day off.

Seeing as how I've had 2 half days off this year, I will not attempt to add to the list any further.. but I've done 1, 2 and 4... so that leaves me with enough activities for 2007!

a M-O-M's heart

Dear daughter...

If you knew the times I thought about you. If you knew about the hopes and the dreams I cherish in my heart for you. How I sincerely and truly desire for all the beauty within you to be unleashed and for you to achieve your maximum potential. I see all that you are and all that you could be. And yet that is within my limited knowledge and understanding. There's immeasurably more than I could ever ask or imagine that will happen in your life.

I am excited. Because I see these hopes and dreams becoming reality. I cannot wait for the day when your strengths are in full display and your weaknesses have been transformed. One day, you will be the most beautiful woman in the world.

Along the way, things may get tough. You will be distracted, discouraged and filled with doubt. You'll wanna give up, throw in the towel. Know in your heart that I'd never want to give up on you. Because I believe in you. Because I know that u're made of more than u think.

If u'd only just press on and walk the rest of the dark tunnel, you will see that there will be light. The light from which all other light finds its source. And then you will know that you are home, right where you belonged. So don't leave the tunnel. It's just not worth it.

I don't know it all but I believe in Him who does. And I believe with all my heart that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.

So dream along with me. Journey along with me. Grow old along with me. For that is the most beautiful thing that can ever happen.

Love,
MOM (mother of multitudes)