Category Archives: music

Dance Like No One is Watching

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Indeed it was that kind of night.

I started dancing in my head as I listened to Adam Lambert’s and The Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now”. I even have this smile on my face and I’m pretty sure the girl sitting in front of me on the train was laughing at me. I don’t care. I don’t think she’s watching.

And then when I got home, my super random Spotify liked songs playlist supported me with my mood.

Gangnam Style, My Life, For Once in My Life, Tell Him, Express Yourself (all from Glee).

Feels. So. Good.

Hmmm, I just might enrol on a dance class now, instead of my current Solfege/piano…..

Oh Come All Ye Faithful

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For the last seven years, I have been participating in the annual joint celebration between my church and a neighbor Anglican Church. We call it the Nine Lessons and Carols, patterned after Kings College’s. This tradition in Yokohama has been going on since the 1970s. This year however, brought a challenge, as we couldn’t gather as usual. But our magnificent Choir director was undaunted.

She made guide piano recordings for each of the four voices, plus some solos, and emailed extensive instructions. The recordings started early September. We were supposed to record only roughly seven songs (including descant versions), but I didn’t imagine how difficult it would be, considering my late nights from work.

I was planning to record the last song (with descant, and yes, it’s Oh Come All Ye Faithful) during the long weekend in third week of November. However, after an out of town trip in which I sat beside the driver (hence I chatted ALL THE TIME), I lost my voice. Tried to record during the week that followed but I just couldn’t reach even the lowest soprano note.

On top of that, our choir director gave that Saturday as deadline. Tried again during that day but I just couldn’t. I asked for extension till Monday (goodluck with work overtime!) and choir director graciously allowed.

Come Monday, I almost gave up recording. But somehow, something inside me pushed me to “finish the race”. I still couldn’t sing the high descant part so I aborted that second recording. But I think the usual Soprano part, I did well.

Today, I received an email from our choir director asking me if she could use part of my recording as solo, to be used in our teaser recording. And I got the chills after hearing what she had put together.

I couldn’t believe how good it sounded. And to think I lost my voice. And to think I almost gave up. To think I almost said “no, I can’t with the last song”. I am glad I made the push.

A reminder for me to not give up.

It’s actually a perfect cap for me after my first client meeting, with my new Lead with whom I had to fight so he could recognise me. After the meeting, he told me I did an excellent job. I am glad I did not give up.

our first duet in public

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We often sing together at home. We dance. We act. We make up stories. We imagine stuff together. But mostly we sing together.

Last Saturday, when I received our choir director’s email for the Sunday mass’ songs and saw “Once in Royal David’s City” was on the list, I asked you if you’d like to sing solo the first part. Surprisingly, you said yes. On the condition that I sing with you, and that you’ll be standing as far away from the crowd as possible so they wouldn’t see you. I promised you I’ll sing with you, but that I couldn’t on the latter part.

As if teasing you, when we arrived at Church the following morning, the choir chairs were rearranged such that everyone in the choir is facing the congregation. Tough luck. (For the record, this is that time when our masses are held at the basement because the church is under renovation) Thankfully, you forgot this “hidden away from the crowd” condition. While we were practicing another song, you went ahead and sang the first lines of Once in Royal David’s City, reminding me that you were determined to sing. Hence I informed our director. Hats off to him though. He still pushed with our idea even when the two times we practiced, you can barely be heard. He just told me to sing louder in case you still get shy.

But I needn’t sing louder though. Because as always, you are so much better during actual performance compared to practices. I’ve noticed this even when you were still in kindergarten. It’s quite tricky though, because the one who gives you the job needs to have faith in you first for you to have the job. But what a performer you are. You stood erect, looked really confident, and you even had the presence of mind to turn the page. You were marvellous. I couldn’t turn the page myself because half of me was performing and the other half was the “stage mom” looking at how you are doing; quite a feat I tell you.

Now you see, you’ve been quite notorious as the one who always sleeps at church during mass. So everyone was quite surprised to see you sing. People came to you to try and talk to you and compliment you. Unfortunately, we didn’t practice yet on how you should deal with “fame”. You clung unto me like jellyfish and hid your face from everyone else. Well, that would be another day’s lesson, dealing with “fame”.

For now, thank you for taking the leap, and for taking the leap with me. It made my heart full.

baby diaries: Remember Me

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Coco debuted in Japan almost six months late. But I’d say that for us, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

We watched it a week after we bought your first guitar; guitar which have been designed after Hector’s guitar in the movie. We watched it the day after we said our last goodbyes to Hiojiichan. And I could only guess that it was because of Hiojiichan that you cried during the touching scenes of the movie. At first you tried to resist; at one point I could see you frowning, fighting the tears. But eventually, you couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. And even as my own tears were streaming down my cheeks, you were using my sleeves to wipe your own tears. Very endearing. Of course I’m writing this down to remind us that Coco was the first ever movie that made you really cry like an adult would while watching the movie; and you’re just five (and half); while the movie itself has a deep meaning.

And oh yes, you led the first prayer to Hiojiichan this evening. It was your first time to hold the prayer booklet much less read it and chant but they allowed you to lead and you more than delivered; well, except for the times you laugh out loud whenever you read “Yui” (altogether different kanji and meaning from your name). Hiobaachan and your grandparents were all praises for you; impressed that you could lead the chant and properly read the text which even for adults is a bit difficult. Everyone is pretty sure that you made Hiojiichan very happy. Good job, my baby.

baby diaries: your first piano recital

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It was an easy piece but quite a challenge in terms of keeping you engaged such that you could keep the right tempo. In all your practice sessions, there were times you moved too fast and other times too slow. But today, your tempo was perfect. 

What I was most proud though? It was that when you made your bow before and after your piece, you lingered in your place and made eye contact with the audience. You owned the stage, my confident little one. 

baby diaries: forever young

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I have two mentors who told me to be “forever young” albeit they said it differently. The message is nevertheless the same; to always be willing and open to learn something new, to go where you’ve never been. 

We were at your paediatrician earlier, for our tummy bug. We had a looong wait but you didn’t mind at all because the doctor’s place was a very interesting one with decorations done in good taste, obviously expensive toys that promotes critical thinking, tons of books. I can almost forget we’re in a clinic. 

Today, I noticed this new picture book, by Bob Dylan, Forever Young. I read it out to you, both in Japanese and English. But a lump was forming on my throat as I was reading the lines. It fully captured my wish for you my dear little one. I said so to you, after I read the last line, that it was a song of my wish for you; and even when you were tinkering over a toy, you solemnly replied, “arigatou”. 

The lump stayed for quite some time. It’s even returning now. 

Love you, dear Yui. 

Forever Young by Bob Dylan

May God’s bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay

Forever young
May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

And may you stay

Forever young
May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful

May your song always be sung

And may you stay

Forever young