Fall Break
Shawn Koh: don’t want to update your status to us still dare to change profile pictures….. so daoz…
Derrick: weekend will update lar..
So that was what happened on facebook when I changed my profile picture recently. That guy in the picture is one of my first “ang mo” peer that I got to know in school. An 18 year old freshman from Michigan. Percussion major too, and we’re playing together in a chamber piece.
Today’s weather was amazingly and abruptly warm. Reminds me of Singapore, especially the evening temperature.
I’m not sure what to start with. Basically there are 2 major aspects of my life here: School and Church. Maybe I’ll start with 2 quotes from my teachers which have helped me greatly in my practice times:
1. “Just trust the groove”
It’s amazing how my time centering is better maintained when I remind myself of this. I’m playing a piece now that is completely sync to a CD that is playing other stuff. No click tracks or whatsoever. So there’s a lot of communication between me and the machine, ironic as it seems.
2. “You think you got it but you haven’t”
This is about repeating 3 bars of music for an hour, kind of thing. Making sure that the phrase is really in me before proceeding.
That’s all for school.
I had my first outdoor worship at Ellicot City. It was really a cool first time experience. The cool breeze, warm sun, trees and lakes.. Playing piano and drums (digital) in the open air. It was very sunny cold, if that makes sense. Wind was strong, like MTV. I spent lots of time thinking about my time in Baltimore thus far.
Today marks the start of fall break. It is a really short break. We resume classes on Wednesday. Nevertheless, it is like a pseudo halfway mark for me. The thing that I appreciate very much, apart from music here, is the Church I’m in.
I attended xiaozu last night and boy, the sharings by brothers and sisters are deep. Very transparent as well. I am deeply encouraged by how the word of God must stay present in every xiaozu, no matter how we think that might turn new non Christian friends off. The loving rebuke yet no compromise discussions, and heartfelt encouragements are so treasurable. I heard how a young father tells us plainly that he struggles to manage church and work life. He finds himself sacrificing his work and green card at the expense of Church. There’s real pain, real people, real God.
Haggai 1:5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.
