on justice -Benedict/James Orbinski

''Justice only fails when we fail to imagine that it is possible. But like so many things, it depends not only on imaginings but on what we do.'' - James Orbinski

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Great songs ... by two great voices.

So I'll admit to this: I've been listening to way too many Asian songs - and the only English songs I do still play are oldies like Nat King Cole, few good selections of Norah Jones, Michael Buble, and Brian McKnight. Fortunately, I still have Youtube at the tip of my fingers, so it's easy to look for good songs whenever - however old they may be, too.

And this is what I found recently.

But guess whose version I listened to first...

IF I AIN'T GOT YOU

...

KHALIL F.

方大同‘s version

我很偏心...but Khalil's version is AWESOME!!
...Isn't it?
What a magical voice.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Friend from Montreal, and Family in Japan

This past week, a friend from Montreal came to visit....! My last roommate, JI-A. 
People say we look alike, or, 『雰囲気が似ているね!』
そうかな...?


This is me agreeing to pose as the ''Got Milk?'' model...
Actually, we had FREE サービス cappuccino from Mont-Blanc, my favourite cake shop in 天神area. The owner of the shop decided to treat us an extra sweet following the mousse cake + strawberry sorbet that came with our lunch set and Mont Blanc + Cheesecake - our after lunch dessert...
And of course, we couldn't possibly refuse such a nice gift.
Another similar trait, we are both very agreeable.


And then came work...
I can't remember how many times I've stressed and repeated this... 
But did I mention that I love my job?
I LOVE MY JOB!!!

Aoi, is a 4th grader student who looks exactly like...........

........ one of my favourite people in the entire world.
MY BRO!
Mr. Og Lee.
(snickers in the back)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

この二年間お世話になりました!

Today was my last day at one of my elementary school... Kazuto's school!
I had lunch in one fourth grade class, and sat at Kazuto's table. 
He had something to say about everything during lunchtime. 
After lunch, the kids presented the ''farewell present'' - which is a big poster with all their cute little messages and creative drawings of themselves and 豆豆「マメマメ」先生。
The most colorful one came from Kazuto:


The other ones look like this [with just as much creativity but with less facial proportions]:




Kids' drawings are the best!

Later, while we were chatting, when they realized that I have an actual home in Canada, too, they asked me to tell them my home address. 
''Write it on the board!!'' 

I thought that the entire address in English would be way too long and difficult for my 4th graders, still struggling with their alphabets, but I still gave it a try. 
And they REALLY gave it a try. Most of them spelt everything right! (though some of them gave up halfway and pleaded me to finish copying for them. ''You write faster!!'' they whined. I couldn't find a better reason why I shouldn't do them this favor.)
Then, out of nowhere Kazuto suddenly popped up beside me (he's so small and it's super convenient for him to scare people like that) and tugged at my hand.
''Hey, write your phone number up there, too.''
''Really? You're going to call me?''
As chatty as he was during lunchtime, he just stared at me on the spot as if doing so I'll just cave in and do what he commands.
And I did.
Then, I got pulled away by other students to help them with copying down my address that ''just has too many words, and why are addresses in Canada so complicated?'' (This is about when Kazuto tiptoed away, disappearing behind his giant classmates.)
When I turned back, he was writing something on his desk. At the same time, he kept turning back to the blackboard.
I stretched my neck to take a closer look...

''6...0...4... 4...3...4......''

He was copying down my phone number.

This is Kazuto:

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

''La Raclette Fondue''

Yesterday's dinner was unlike anything I've ever eaten... in Japan. It was colorful, tasty and surprisingly FILLING. It was probably the fullest meal I've had so far - considering the price, too. 2000yen per person for a 9-course meal - 4 appetizers, Fondue and THREE main dishes. And it's more extravagant than it sounds, really. Imagine that!

Here it is....


Table of the most chatty/noisy girls in the restaurant.


Dipping bread crumbs into hot boiling and EXTREMELY creamy basil cheese...

Fresh sautee chili peppers with chicken - to be dipped with the best bread sticks I've ever had. Ever.

And the long-awaited.... 
''TAKE ME AWAY.''

嬉しいそうな二人...
美味しかった!今度一人で全部を...^ー^

I'm definitely going back there... who's coming with me?
(Jia... I'm bringing you there...)

* * * * * 

And I didn't have to worry about burning off extra calories... I had a full schedule at an Elementary today.

My cute sixth graders - 2 years already and they haven't changed much. 
I'm glad. 
I'm going to be such a whiny mom, I know.
They had a special program planned - a QUIZ to see just how well I know their school, QUESTION TIME (... they had fun messing around with my age again. Apparently I'm old enough to be their mom... ''only a skinnier version, too'' - one boy kindly pointed out.) ... AND of course, PICTURE TIME!

My cellphone is my favourite camera.

The boys jumped in and flashed their 招牌 smile. These are the two class clowns/troublemakers/人気もの. Can you tell?

Say Cheese Everyone!!!


飽きないなあ、この仕事!

Monday, May 19, 2008

Someone ordered Lemonade?

Quote from a friend of mine in Toronto:

''If life gives you lemon, make lemonade.''

One of my all time favourite quotes:

''Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.''

-Philippians 4:4-7

So I won't complain about the unpleasant orange jam filled chocolate I just happen to pick from the box (since we never know what we're gonna get), but I'll look forward to the next best thing...

Come on, FERRERO ROCHER...

Friday, May 16, 2008

薛凱琪 方大同 復刻回憶 MV

Sometimes when old songs are re-sang, modified, added with new [amazing or awful] harmonization - it could either be a disaster or ... the complete opposite.

This song was re-sang by 張學友,and I don't know if there are others, but this version by Khalil is smart and sweet.