Erica's First Ballet Concert - Part 2

This is Erica's first taste of performing on stage to the public. We are very proud of her for having the courage to perform in front of hundreds. Although being the youngest, the whole Baby Class performed beautifully.

Below are some photographs of Erica in her First Ballet Concert Performance. It is held in Civic Hall Petaling Jaya on Sunday, 7 October 2007 by her ballet school, Dua Space Dance Academy.

This is also the first time the family watches a live ballet performance together. Besides me, her papa and her then less than 4 month-old brother, Isaac, her grandpa, grandma, Grandma Lim (my mom), Aunt Pui Geok (papa's sis), Uncle Steven (papa's 2nd bro), Aunt Pei Pei (Uncle Steven's wife), Uncle Michael (papa's youngest bro), Steph Jie Jie (Uncle Michael's girlfriend), Aunt Rebecca (my eldest sis), Erica's cousin sisters San Jie Jie and Yoke Jie Jie were also there.

Her performance was titled "Happy Birthday" and coincidentally my birthday falls on the 9th while her cousin San Jie Jie birthday falls on the 8th October, so it was a very unique memorable birthday present.

Above are taken during the performance; it was difficult to get good shots as we did not own a high-tech camera that allows clear shots to be taken while she is dancing.

These are photographs taken after the Concert. All of us went for a good Chinese dinner in Sam You Restaurant in PJ State.

Erica's First Ballet Concert - Part 1

Below are some photographs of Erica prior to her first ballet concert. This concert is held on 7 October 2007 at Civic Hall Petaling Jaya.

These were taken at home before she went for the rehearsal one day earlier.

These were taken right before the rehearsal in Civic Hall. The lady in white shirt and grey pants is her ballet teacher, Ms. Ko.

This was taken while she's awaiting her teacher to do the eye make-up for her outside the hall. She had just finished stone-painting and is holding the end product in her hand.

You Are Who You Are For A Reason

This is a poem that I fell in love with because it reminds me that it is not only OK but it is meant to be for me to have single eyelid, flat chest, big hips and....... the face and body that I have. It is not easy to see and know that is beautiful especially when seen using the standard of the world, hence my love for this poem that reaffirm that we are all beautiful at least to our Creator. I sincerely hope that I'll hold true to these words and pass the message to my children. I want them to know irrefutably that they are beautiful at least to me, their dad and to God.

You are who you are for a reason.
You're part of an intricate plan.
You're a precious and perfect unique design,
Called God's special woman or man.

You look like you look for a reason.
Our God made no mistake.
He knit you together within the womb,
You're just what He wanted to make.

The parents you had were the ones He chose,
And no matter how you may feel,
They were custom-designed with God's plan in mind,
And they bear the Master's seal.

No, that trauma you faced was not easy.
And God wept that it hurt you so;
But it was allowed to shape your heart
So that into His likeness you'd grow.

You are who you are for a reason,
You've been formed by the Master's rod.
You are who you are, beloved,
Because there is a God!

Poem by Russell Kelfer.

Creativity

"I believe music releases a creativity that stays blocked otherwise. And not just listening – but singing. Yes, I believe everyone ought to sing! " -- Dan Miller

I am not sure if music releases the creativity in me but I sure love listening to music and at times, singing along to songs that I am familiar with. Music has been an important part of my life since I was a teen (which is ages ago). Still remember that I would always have my radio on or the earphones of my Walkman (that would give you an idea how long ago this is...no such thing as iPod back then) to my ears whenever I was doing my schoolwork. Lots of people, especially the older generation, had questioned the wisdom of listening to music while studying but it worked for me and still works for me. I am still in the habit of listening to music while I work.

So, did music releases the creativity in me? Perhaps, if I look at creativity in all its wonderful glorious aspects. For a long time the word "creativity" always make me envious because I saw it as the ability to draw, to sing, to play musical instruments, in another word "artistic", abilities that I don't believe I have. Now, I start to understand that "creativity" encompassses so much more than that. Being creative means having the ability to produce or bring about something wholly or partly new and useful whether or not it is related to arts. It is also the ability to imagine new possibilities and the ability in seeing or performing something in a manner different from what was thought possible or normal previously. And this includes things as grand and great as inventing something new in the medical arena to small but significant everyday things like teaching babies and toddlers, playing with them or even persuading the pre-schooler to try new food. So perhaps there's hope for ordinary people like me to feel bursts of creativity now and then.

Though knowing that creativity is not confined to just music and art, I still very much want my children to be able to play some musical instruments, preferably piano and violin. This is because I believe music helps a child to develop both brains - the right and left brain - simultaneuosly when they are learning (this is another topic worth pursuing next time) and playing music. By this, it will help in their problem-solving skills, analytical skills and of course their creativity. And I will be overjoyed if they are gifted with a great voice to sing too. Not that I want them to pursue a career as a pianist, violinist or singer but I have always feel that music is a great way to express one's feelings. Just as the quote say, "Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" -- Red Auerbac.