constant growth

last night i had the privilege of catching a friend in her debut lead role in a musical drama.

if there are seasons.

interesting point to note: It was my first time ever watching a Chinese drama!!! Haha! But got subtitles =b

i must say - dong was by FAR the star of the show! i was seriously impressed with her acting and singing - especially as her songs were so difficult and crazy-range-ish! Haha... i was seated with the rest of Ngam, and when it was the finale curtain time, we SCREAMEDDDDDD... muahaha... shocked quite a lot of nearby audiences. heh. felt a bit ashamed of myself after that - i mean, i'm not a jc students anymore. should be more sophisticated mah... haha, but nvm lah. =)

on a side note, the lead actor/singer, George Chan, really impressed me with his singing! (He's the judge of local Dance Floor competition?) His voice was really rich and emotive, and his duets with Dong and the other gal were really good!

anyhow, last night taught me a v important lesson. or rather 'showed' me. in the midst of my admiration of dong's performance, i was struck by the realisation of how far she has come, as a person, as a performer. i remember watching her as puck the fairy in A Midsummer's Night Dream, her TSD final project in VJ.

i've seen her in her early days singing in VJ choir, and then in chorale. I've watched her choose the less-trodden path of free-lancing, instead of signing up with an agency. i've shared her journey through the first Singapore Idol. i've been enchanted by her dancing (indy) and jazz notes (Mezza9).

it's funny - i work in a place where music is part of our blood. and i have many friends who are either interested in or working in the entertainment/media industry. but dong is someone i really respect for the discipline, diligence and perseverance she has invested to get where she is.

she reminds me of the PASSION we share for music. sadly, i am also aware how much that intensity has stagnated, while her's continues to grow.

she reminds me that achievements are not everything; but there must always be a DREAM.

she reminds me that it's not easy to cling on to passion in a world that just longs to dampen it. she demonstrates the perseverance and tenacity that is needed to GO THE DISTANCE.

she shows me that hard work does pay. that so much can happen in a year, if we crave growth, if we seek to improve.



watching that performance, and thinking about her journey to get there, i feel recharged somewhat, and a renewed sense of hope for the future. also an excitement about the kinds of ways i can begin to grow.

God also used this to affirm my decision to use the next few months to prepare myself for missions in Japan. No, i am not going there yet. but i was reminded that, in the same sense that we should prepare ourselves to be the 'right' person for our future other half, i need to prepare myself to be ready to answer His call, if it should come.

it's stewardship of time and passion. it will take hard work and less sleep at nights. but i know i will emerge with a stronger understanding of the people i love, and a firmer conviction about whether God is leading Mel and i to this land.

I'm thankful that Mel is coming for the missions classes with me! As for the language, i'm also planning to start japanese lessons in october... Yay!