Jesus Christ Superstar (Singapore Debut)

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to watch Jesus Christ Superstar live.

And so it really annoyed me to see so many people checking in on their phones, browsing totally unrelated stuff on the net. Somebody even received a phone call. Quite a number of people were also late, they made quite a procession during the second song (“Jesus’” first piece). People were also getting out of their seats for toilet breaks in the middle of the play. Horrible horrible viewers. The person sitting one row in front of Yui (who was sitting beside me) had a really bright screen I had to tap her shoulder and showed her a big X with my hands crossed and showed her a really stern face. Somebody even snored, and he had to have that loud snore just when a song ended and there was some brief silence.

Very different from the theatre goers in Japan in which it’s almost a sin even to cough (you can’t control your cough!).

It was a terrible, horrible crowd this evening. I assure you, it’s multinational, Asian and Western alike. Yui said at the end of the show “I got culture shocked, Mommy”. And that’s from a 13-yr old who watched a play only three times so far (it’s her first time outside Japan though).

Thankfully, I could still enjoy, for the most part. Though different from expected, I love Tabitha Nauser’s rendition of “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”. So much so that I had tears streaming down my face the whole time that song was sung. Mixed in with “finally I watched it live” feeling. And I generally love the timber of her voice in that “Everything’s Alright” and ““Could We Start Again, Please” are now my new favorites.

Thankful that despite the terrible viewers, I still enjoyed my “dream come true”. Because, there’s no stopping great talent from shining!! Javon King’s (Judas) voice was so beautiful and perfect and wow on Luke Street’s (Jesus) vocal range.

Very thankful that they had this debut show right smack during our Singapore trip. SALAMAT!!!!

Just Show Up

I’m reminded today of how important this is.

Last night our project lead commented harshly on my Team’s output. I was so bothered with it and the feeling of being incompetent and impostor pervaded within me the whole night and the following morning. Curiously and thankfully I could sleep well. My thoughts and feelings were so grey the following morning that the only thing that made me wanting to go to office was because I committed to prepare a document that needs to be turned in by 10:30am (btw bus schedule and all, I arrived at the office at 10am; I turned it in at 10:28am and was returned without comments, ready to be issued.

And as today wore on, things unfolded in a way that validated my reasoning last night. I was right after all.

My decisions were right after all.

If I hadn’t showed up today, if I called and feigned sickness, I wouldn’t have known that.

Just show up.

I’m glad I just showed up today.

Hatsuhinode 2023

Blessed with such a beautiful first sunrise in this year. Goosebumps seeing Lady Sun rising. Such an amazing scene.

The sunrise came in late actually. It was forecasted 6:50. But 6:53 came and we just have an increasingly lighter sky by the second. When she did came out at 6:57, it was breathtaking.

Thankful to have witnessed this grandeur, especially when it was super cloudy before and after 1st. 🥰

“判断するな”

I asked Yui how her day was and with whom did she play with.

She answered “with Satsuki”. I was just trying to guess who the girl is from the daily photos, and then she described.

“The one who looks so snobbish and who would bully anyone. “いじわれるなかおお”. But actually surprisingly kind. On the other hand, Emma looks like she won’t hurt a fly. But actually she gets angry so easily.

判断するな! Don’t judge!

My dear baby, I’m loving the wisdom. Keep it up. .

I saw a Tanuki today!!

I was happily ruminating on my way home. Reflecting how the day started with two big problems at work; where one could possibly cost us hundreds of thousands, if not a million, dollars, and the other a safety issue. How one ended with me finding a possible cost down effort that will have a bigger impact instead of the initial (deemed) cost increase (much smaller). And how the other one ended with different disciplines agreeing (with much satisfaction) to my proposed solution.

It was a day to be thankful for.

Then, just as I was approaching the back entrance of our condo, I saw in the dark the cutest fur animal I’ve ever seen in my entire life. It stood there frozen, looking at me quizzically, yet somehow also looking at me as if encouraging me to move forward. Its big black round eyes was looking at me curiously. Big round belly. Huge furry tale. Looking at me deeply, so much so that I still feel its stare up to now.

Then it dawned on me that I was seeing in flesh the famed lucky tanuki (raccoon dog) The type so cute the photos I’ve seen doesn’t do it justice. I’m seeing a lucky charm tanuki!

When I realised my good fortune, I flicked open the flap of my phone. Dang. It darted away so fast, faster than I could say “wait”.

The encounter was so overwhelming I’m claiming the good fortune it is famed to bring! 😂🤣😅