First Light

dawn of a new day

the sun awakens

as darkness weakens

light holds victory

a single lights dispel all darkness.

First Light

thank you lord

i had a really nice time yesterday. with the balloons, presents, cake, dog, funny pose. i vaguely remember going to k box once in hk with my friends. i barely remember going to k box in singapore. it was really fun. happy yet envious. really envious. the people who actually celebrated my birthday supper are ppl that i didn't expect.. cedric, janet, andrew, marg, jenny, monica. felt a little invisible. it's so obvious that my love language is quality time. haha!

i understand. i am not somebody's somebody or anyone's anyone. i understand.

counting blessings. i had an extended birthday with today with steamboat. 2 cuisines i love the most steamboat and Jap! for the little surprises i had with unexpected best wishes - i count you twice. the rest, i understand.

preparing for the trip feels like preparing for my funeral. making sure all my bills are paid. everything for the camp is prepared for (as much as possible). making sure the birthday present and christmas presents are given. feels like, booking my coffin and bills paid. when i am not around, hopefully the people around wouldn't miss me to much. feels like it? =) sometimes, i wonder if i am coming back.

haha! joke aside. i really am looking forward to the trip.

celebration of life. brotherhood

This song is for my brothers and life!

my brothers have been really sweet to me.

blessed is the person who escape from the accident, he is still alive.

anyways, this is it.

celebration of life *instrumental*

composed by Madeleine Tan

happy birthday

firstly, my shout-out

happy birthday sarah!

next, thanks for all the well wishes.

andrew. monica. sylvia. ting. paul. xiao shu. valerie. joanne. huiling. mylene. joyce. jenny. gerard. bernard. sandra. zac. kelvyanne. reuben. grace. alyssa. nick. watson. nelly. melody. calista. gerry. hui ching. shimona. zekai. gavin. lilian. wennie. michael. julian. janet. kelvin . wilson. jas. vicky. stephanie. maine.

hope i didn't miss anyone out.

there are hopes and dreams.

at the same times, happiness, joy, disappointments, tears, etc.

chocolate fritters

deep blue sky and white fluffy clouds. it's impossible not to go for a dip in such fine weather. just on the way there, it started to rain. at the bus stop, waiting for the rain to stop, playing on my mp3 was my instrumental "Rain". the feelings was amazing. just as the mp3 was playing 'somewhere over the rainbow', the rain stopped. it brought so much hope in a song like that.

sky cleared.

it was amazing.

today is dessert day. benson is home. how can we not have dessert when benson is at home. the thing i love about him - he always eats whatever that i cook. *which proof to be the most risky adventure you can do with your tummy* most of the time, the edible form of food is still desert. of course, other than in states, cooking dinner - spinach soup with fishball and chicken. sarah, i can't believe we actually had that all the time when i cooked.

i clearly lack creativity.

there should be many (dish) ways to kill someone.

dessert for the day *u have to try this*

chocolate fritters

fritters

2 cups of chocolate cake crumbs

1 tablespoon cocoa - i used powdered hot chocolate

150g dark chocolate melted - i used 150g hot chocolate

2 tablespoon thicken cream

batter

1/3 cup self-raising flour

1/3 cup custard powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3/4 cup milk

oil for deep-frying

1. blend cake crumbs with cocoa, melted chocolate and cream

2. press mixture over base of greased lined coat tin & freeze for 2 hrs

3. mixture all the ingredients for the batter. u should really try the custard powder. it gives a lovely yellow to the coating.

4. cut chocolate mix into triangles

5. dip in batter to coat and deep-fry until golden.

tip - dip fast cuz everything kinds of fall apart after a while. pot of oil gets black with everything falling apart.

and very soon, i'm going to get up a fund for cooking. please kindly donate to Madeleine's dessert fund-raising. please call xxxx xxxx.

in love with the new taiwan show - autumn concerto - check it out!

seasons

Seasons

by Antoinette McDonald

A dark gloomy sunless start
Cold and calculating
Frost on the windows
Icy streets
Snow on the ground
Hot chocolate to be made
Another Winter’s day

Sun coming over the horizon
Birds singing at dawn’s first light
Green grass dusted with morning dew
Mowers mowing
Flowers blooming
Warm rain hitting the streets
Another Spring day

Schools out kids at home
Swimming pools swarming
Air-conditioners humming
Backyard barbecues
Hot sleepless nights
Fireflies flying
Another Summer day

Leaves changing colors
Back to school night
Leaf blowers
A new brisk chill to the air
Apple cider to keep warm
Halloween
Another Autumn day

Seasons

Composed by Madeleine Tan

rain

I'm just so crazy over "Le Chateau Ambulant" (main theme) by Joe Hisaishi. heard it 18 over times. it just makes me feel like dancing across my bedroom floor - which is not very big. but it feels very nice. maybe it's also the fact i love howl's moving castle.

little calcifer. turnip head and handsome howl.

do google it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5tTiYT1cgU

it's amazing the arrangement. it's like everyone has a part to play in this. i wish i had a whole orchestral to record something as amazing as that.

this is my arrangement on RAIN. it's more fun to do instrumentals. you let the feelings work. don't have to think or wonder if the lyrics fit the music that is played. it's would sound nicer on minor or major, uplifting or something reflective.

rain.

brings refreshing and renewal

it does so thru the challenges it poses

if u survive thru it all, you will see the rainbow after the rain

rain instrumental

composed by Madeleine Tan

no cooking for a while. had OD of chocolates. yucks!