Hi everyone I would like to introduce you to the newest member of the family. It is a bitter sweet moment for us because in a little while we have to say goodbye to Shades. But I don’t want to think about right now and not let that spoil the moment of our joy. We have decided to name him Momo. He’s got a cute helmet buddy with his name engraved on it. One day probably you’ll see me riding cross the town with him. He’s attractive, cute, and quite hot too hehe.

I recently learnt through another blog how to treat him good and I think I’m not going to let any other guy touch him and do the work of servicing him myself. I’ve done it the first time already. Its really easy and wow how much it saves money.

It is the beginning of our attempt to be really frugal ermm more like my attempt to be frugal cause we’re praying we have enough to begin family life. Another benefit of our new family member is that he keeps me safe as a rider. He is a smooth and slow type and I can’t push him. He don’t like it. So I’ve been really slow hahaha. Less worries for those of you who have been worrying about me

Well Regina is really happy and so am I. So Momo, welcome to our family. We love you and we hope you’re here to stay for the longest time.

On Monday, we finally got the chance to give Shades a bath. He is rather shy. Bathing in public is not what he likes but he has no choice. So he refuses to bathe often. However, this time he had no choice. We brought him to the washing area.

Well if some of you didn’t know (cause I haven’t introduced shades formally). This is Shades. He has been my best friend lately. Spending more time with me on the road than anyone else.

When I first walked past the shop, I knew I had to have Shades in my life. Regina was there that first time. She too thought he was the coolest looking dude.

We adopted him as our own. And now after that bath, he is sparkling as new. Just like when we first got him. Nice Nice

Shades is an Italian motorcycle. An Aprilia RS125 racing replica. This bike has won so many world championships.

Still the most beautiful babe stood beside it and made Shades look cooler. Hehe. Doesn’t she look cool.

I am sorry I haven’t been blogging enough. I have been so busy that I don’t like it myself. When I have free time. I’ve been just hiding away to recuperate from the stress. Recently Violet has been ill. She’s been jerking and choking. And even died on me a few times giving me a scare. I’m sending her to the doctors tomorrow. But I have decided I don’t want to burden her no more. At a cost of sacrificing‚Ķ.I sold my‚Ķ‚Ķ

MacBook Air

Cagiva Mito 125

I now am going to need help to decide what to do. Please help me decide….

I was just strolling by to look for motorcycles today when this bike really really caught my eye. It was like love at first sight. When enquiring, I was surprised to know that I could afford it. So now I’ve decided to get this bike.

However, the color options available are such:-

White??? or….

Black!!

Which should I choose?

Or should I go old school and get this?

Vespa LX

I have fixed my mind on the Aprillia RS125 unless someone can tell me why not to. I will be getting it on Wednesday if all goes well so please comment quickly.

Reasons why I chose this bike:

1. It is economical, not as expensive as it looks
2. It is gosh……beautiful
3. It is something I want‚Ķ..I can’t see myself paying for something and in the end not being satisfied then change it after a while. I don’t intend to change.
4. I can’t bring my Cagiva over, and this bike is like my old baby
5. I can bring this bike back to Malaysia next time
6. Riding a bike is essentially my de-stresser, I need it to survive. Driving a car, I fall asleep (and I can’t afford one).
7. I have so many more reasons but I’m so tired now to write about it‚Ķ.

Help me decide! Black? White? Or what?

My personal preference for bikes are those Super Sport racing types. I personally never fancied any other class of bikes.

Recently my mom came over to stay here for a break and I asked her if I could get this.

This is my dream bike! The Yamaha R6

She said…..but how am I going to sit on this? So uncomfortable…..sighsssss so considering I’m wanting to find a wife so much and how she must feel comfortable sitting behind me; I decided yeah…..I should get my other dream bike….this:

Harley Davidson VROD! Hot Hot

Recently, I fell in love with something more beautiful. It really just makes me want to scream. Perhaps in three years time…this will be mine perhaps both,¬† perhaps all of them!!! hahahaha too greedy.

Honda Fury 2010! I’m melting….

Limited edition Honda Fury 2010! Gosh!

At the moment, I’m very satisfied with what God has provided. Dear baby Cagiva, I miss you. Violet you mean a lot to me.

My Cagiva Mito 125

Violet oh Violet, I can’t live without you now

Miracle….I miss her sooooo much

During my trip back to Malaysia. I took my lovely red bike on a 360km journey. Here is how the journey went….

This is our family house in Bidor that has been with our family for 30 plus years. Of course that is my lovely bike too

Oh it is two storeys, I am a bad photographer hahaha

It started on the first day of Chinese new year. We woke up early to start the first part of the journey. I filled up her tank and made sure she’s ready to go. Zoom there we went. It was cold!! I mean to those of you who don’t know, biking is very very very cold especially in the mornings and evenings.

I pretty much enjoyed the ride because I could just observe the land around and savor the scent of every place I passed. During that entire trip, I thank God I was kept safe. I did again naughtily bring my bike up to 190kmh just for the fun of it. Still most of the time I was a very safe biker. Sad to say some nice bikes passed me by. I only wish I could go with them. Odd thing is I was on my bike and the rest of my family was in the car.

Reaching there, we went from home to home having wonderful meals. The first miracle started then. To see the family get together putting aside the past. Though not completely reconciled, we knew all of us were family. And I was really glad to see them all together. The second miracle was the food. Man….it was like a taste of heaven. I missed homecooked food. I mean really really good ones. Yummy!

Super Yummy food cooked by my uncle

My Favorite Dish! Chilly and Ikan Bilis. This is the only place I have it every year….so yummy

This was the lunch table in the shophouse that my grandfather’s family business has been running until today

Suddenly everyone was running outside because they said we could see the eclipse but all we saw was the sky looking absolutely gorgeous

Staring into the sky

This is dinner at my Family home which I showed you earlier

At the end of the day though, when we had to journey back, I told my family I was going to look for a petrol station then catch up with them. I couldn’t find one so I decided I think I can go on the expressway and get to the nearest one. Rest stop one 5 km…..looks like its possible…..eh no petrol station….rest stop two 21km….ok ok lets try…..no petrol station…..In my head I knew I had the maximum of 50km of petrol left in my tank from when I left my hometown Bidor. The next rest stop was a distance of 58km from Bidor. I hope there will be a petrol station there. Even more I hope my bike will have enough fuel to reach there. Halfway through it rained quite heavily. I knew I couldn’t stop yet as I knew my parents would worry because they were thinking I would have caught up and I haven’t for the past 30 mins.

There I see the sign….. 5 more km….then I see a petrol station across the road…..yes! I will make it. Then the bike slowly came to a halt. I could feel less and less power to accelerate and the engine finally died. Right in front of a petrol station on the opposite side. I was thinking in my head. It is just 2 km ahead. Should I push my bike? Looking at the hill? errrr nah! Looking across the expressway it was too dangerous to cross. So I called my parents only to find out they were worried about me in the rain. I said I ran out of fuel and now I’m stuck. They said, they’ll come get me.

So I waited. Then I tried something I am not sure would work or not. I prayed.

“Oh God, please just give me enough fuel to reach the petrol station in front. I know you’ve done this miracle for many people before. I don’t know if You’d do it for me but I am just asking You please just help me at this moment.”

I proceeded to start my bike. Prior to this I tried a few times but it was dead. Won’t start at all. This time the engine started. I didn’t rev but quickly rode towards the rest stop. I could feel the bike losing energy and torque as I journeyed closer. I kept praying God, just a little bit more, just a little bit more. God please.

The bike finally came to a halt 10 meters from the petrol kiosk. I tried to start the bike again and a again but it was impossible to start it this time. I pushed the bike and got it filled up. For the first time I could see right through my tank which was dry. Amazing? To me that was  A MIRACLE! Do you believe it was a miracle too?

From there I rode back to meet my brother’s fiance’s family and have a good time together with them and the church. What a miraculous and wonderful day! All I can look back and say is I’m amazed. Truly amazed.

FOREWORD

Everything written here is completely fictional and has a double or even triple meaning. But it probably is so creative that if taken in the wrong context can mean anything you want. To make things clear, this is an attempt to write a post in a more story like manner with the imagination of the future I will have with the person I love.

So the story begins…..

What would the world be without Violet in my life?….I can’t imagine no more. Ever since that day that fatefully brought us together, we have never been separated. The two of us were like the Sun and the Moon, the ocean and the waves, and even the frog and the princess. I never imagined in my life that I’d ever be so privileged to hold her in my arms as the winds blow on our faces. Together, hand in hand we’ll travel wherever the road may lead us.

She accepted me for who I am. Never questioned me and just trusted me as I led the way day by day. She waited for me when I went to work.  Was always there for me after work too. I mean what more can I ask for. How can a man like me ask for more?

On the other hand though, I am but just a man. Violet has always been so patient never making a fuss about anything. Though I push her hard and she dislikes it, all I feel is her little gentle nudge telling me please be gentle. So I oblige cause I have to admit I’m always so quick, too quick. Rushing here and there.

Ever since she has been there for me. Everything in life seems to have become so easy. Like so effortless and weightless. But still I have not been so good to her. Then today she finally got sick. Oh no, I feel so bad. I love her you see. I don’t intend for things like these to happen. Oh my dear Violet are you ok?

You see, whenever I go anywhere I am rather careless and when I need to turn to my left or right, I often rely on her. She would always wink her beautiful golden eyes and people notice that this careless man and people would give leeway to me.

Today she refused to wink. Her eyes became a dull brown. Still even though she was sick she would still faithfully follow me. I felt so bad that I left work earlier to bring her to the doctor. She was there with doctor for a while and the doctor said she has some stomach problems that’s the root of her problems. I left her there, told her I love her and said I would be back later to pick her up. That she should just relax as they took care of her.

Later it was raining but I had to see her again. So I braved the weather to be with her again. There I held her in my arms again. Together we were so happy. She was winking at me again. Her eyes looking even more beautiful and brighter. There she stood smiling and despite both of us strolling in the rain together. I am just so thankful for Violet. Thankful to God that she is in my life. I promise that I will indeed be a better partner to her.

Yet due to her past, she woke up feeling ill again. Her body just wouldn’t start up and she was low on energy, sensing something wrong I quickly brought her to the doctor again. I just hopes she gets better soon. Cause I care so much for her.

At last the time has come to resume the bombardment of my head with massive amount of eternal knowledge. This calls for a mental capacity that is beyond what I am capable of since recovering from the trauma of preaching over the weekend. The trauma I’m speaking does not speak of a dread of the preaching or the work itself rather the things and circumstances that surrounded it.

Oh well, so here I go early in the morning with Violet down the roads of Singapore to reach my destination and guess what!! I got lost! Hahaha. Really I just thought I’d try to go a different way and ended up where I didn’t want to be. Poor Violet. I had to push her hard today because I didn’t want to be late on the first day. I left earlier than I had to just to make sure I would be punctual and here I was panicking…

See I don’t wear a watch, everything around me that tells me the time were located in the backpack behind me. So here was this guy trying to peep into people’s car at each traffic light to see if I was late. In the end I was so self concious that I stopped. Then I realised my head was aching from the tightness of my helmet. Felt like my brain was being compressed……not good. I need to expand it not need it to start contracting.

I reached and just rushed up without looking at the time and when I walked in, I was surprised to find out I was 5 minute early. Cool! But poor Violet, I kinda didn’t even focus on her today with love and care. So lessons started. I thought I’d be a stranger here but guess what, some of my church leaders were here. Oh and the lecturer man! He knows my dad.

Pressure was mounting up in my head…..like a volcano about to erupt. Still something really soothed it today. I’m studying something I really love. And hearing God’s word was just so refreshing somehow. Despite everything and the fact that the lecturer is super strict (my dad says) and the assignments quite pressurising. I pray I can do it!

I’m so excited because I’m going to really start reading again and all. Ooohh maybe a few book reviews but I’m not sure you all will be interested in these sort of books. Oh well, I’ll have to do it as an assignment anyway I might as well post it up for you yeah? It will sound more formal than my usual nutty character ok haha? Wait Adino says I’m serious…..I dunno leh is my blog too serious or what leh please tell me?

After all the excitement, my brain fills like it is still going to burst. I bet by the end of this, I will crash….probably because my operating system is buggy Lets hope I don’t see this when I boot up and open my eyes in two weeks time cause my brain is busted

The most feared BSOD….Blue Screen of Death

Today that word brought about again a deeper meaning. To know that a terrible man like me deserved to be loved by a God that has so much grace. I do not deserve it but He has lavished blessings upon blessings upon my life.

I woke up with much anticipation as I would be handed keys to this:

It has been bestowed upon me the rights to use this bike. Thinking back. Just slightly over three months and I have been blessed with amazing things again and again. Now I’m speechless. Just awed by the grace shown to me.

What do you think? I never thought I’d be riding a purple colored bike haha. Still it is just amazing. Now bikerz adventures will resume hahaha on my Daelim motorcycle, which has been loaned unto me indefinately.

Some of you would be really glad to know that this bike can’t go fast at all. Haha. So I’ll¬† be cruising my way across the island. Still its good to have the wind in my face again….I better wash it more if not pimples will be a problem hahaha.

I must say it is a good bike and will certainly help me cut tonnes of time travelling and fuel costs too. Still all that fills my head is just the word GRACE. Thank you all for loving me so much too. Am I a blessed man or what? What should I name her?

This is what awaits me muahahahahahahaa!!!

Dream on Leon. A bike with a ferrari enzo engine, fighter jet controls on the handles and buttons from a formula 1 car. I think I die already also cannot afford leh ahaha

Still someone has agreed to loan me his bike. I’m so glad. I hope this works out soon.

We were at camp and people were asking me whats the difference between an Emu and an Ostrich? Well this is an Emu!! That’s the look people give me when they hear what I do. hahaha

I’ve had this question thrown at me a million times. What do you actually do? Hahaha. It is a hard question to answer. Somehow when I explain what my job is, people think I don’t have much to do. It is puzzling why whenever anything is associated with the arts people cannot quantify it as work. I mean what is so hard to understand? I do work…..I don’t sit around and shake my leg and get paid. Haha.

In my line of work it is just not something people can relate to. Deadlines and schedules and paperwork is something everyone can relate to but what in the world does Leon actually do??! This post is an attempt to justify that I am working very very hard! Hahahahaha

As you can see in the picture above, that is my job title. What does that mean? Well basically my official job title on paper is Music Minister. That is reflected in my work pass as well. So in short yes, I function as a worship pastor basically. But because I have yet to graduate with my Bachelors in Theology that has been a long time in process now….I am not officially a pastor. Which pretty much I’m glad. It sounds so old when I’m called that. So I’m part of the Pastoral Staff team in the church but I’m not an Administrative Staff so I become a Ministry Staff. Understooded?

So from here I will briefly let you know what I do. Ok? Well above was how my desk looks like when I arrived here. Actually I had a smaller one in fact but was given this desk a month after coming in. Here you can see it absolutely empty hehehe. Some people say because I got nothing to do that’s why. Hahaha…..probably. No la. This is how my desk actually looks like now! It took time to work things out but here is what I have. There are loads of wires on my desk now.This is how it looks now!

What do you think? Nice? I like it. I do want some posters up though on the background. I don’t have any. Any suggestions?

To understand my job, you will need to understand my equipment. Here are pictures of them and brief explanations so that you understand the rationale for having them.

Firstly I have a new notebook! Woooohooo. Now in today’s context of course you need a computer!! But what’s wrong with my old desktop as you saw in the picture earlier? Oh well, it is because I need a more powerful computer to support the music software that I will be using to create music! The previous one didn’t meet the requirements needed. So far this is by far the fastest notebook I have ever owned. Wooohoo. Technically it is owned by the church though it is mine to use hahahaha

Next here I have a keyboard for me to do everything from creating music tracks to doing scores. It is the lifeline of everything here as it is basically the only musical instrument haha. Keyboards have now come to a point that they can emulate other instruments so realistically. So I use this keyboard both for the sounds and for it to function as a controller of the music software and other hardware like the ‘rack’ I have.

Above is the TR-Rack I have to add more sounds I have to work with. Problem is, I cannot seem to obtain the Instrument Definitions for Cakewalk Sonar from anywhere. I hope that someone will help me on this soon enough. On top of the ‘rack’ though, I have what we call and audio interface that works like a high quality soundcard to do recordings with the computer. This is the TASCAM US 1641 and it is quite a remarkable piece of equipment for its price. So the keyboard, TR-Rack sounds and computer sounds all go into this interface to be recorded on Sonar.

Oh and I shouldn’t forget to introduce my 22 inch monitor as well!! In the pic you will see my personal monitor that I brought to use here in the office since my new room has not enough space to contain it. It will also give me more visual space to edit all the waves and notes on my computer. I have set it up to dual screen and it has been a pleasure having a nice monitor in front of me. I also decided to use my wireless keyboard and mouse as you can see in the picture. Makes it just so much easier to move around my desk space

So what do I do with these stuff? A lot. I write scores, I make music, I compose music and so on so forth. I am the choir conductor, the arranger for songs, the band manager, worship leader, and function in so many other capacities. Basically I am here to help in the Creative Arts Ministry. But still there are other areas in the CAM that I do not have the gifting to help. These are like dance, drama, visual. There are people working full time in the visual and audio so that is not my job. Phew.

My typical day is to come in, reply all the emails, plan the day, compose, plan on how to teach the choir, prepare for the upcoming practices, go through the lists of songs for the weekend, look for opportunities to train and encourage and improve and the list goes on. Soon it will include studying to finish my degree. Recently my time is just filled writing a new song and coming up with some scores and arrangement for some original songs written by this church. This is enough to blow my mind for now.

Of course I’m doing all this under the guidance of someone who is a person I really thank God for. Someone I can look up to and know will guide me to do the right thing. He is my boss and pastor. I wouldn’t have came here if its not for him. He has set a platform for me to do all these things without too much problems and I’m so grateful. I only hope that I will be able to meet all expectations hahahaa. Also below is the picture of the Senior Pastor of the church. He is standing right beside me in the middle in grey suit. I’m glad they gave me this opportunity to work here. I pray that God will use me.

So in my free lunch time, that’s the only time I can blog as i usually have to stay around until 10pm at night because of practices. That supposed to happen once a week but usually is more than that. Still I’m doing what I love to do. Music! So why should I complain? The only part I dread about the job is that it is all based on relationships and that is my weakest skill. Even so, that is an opportunity to learn and that’s perhaps good enough a reason. hahaha

So what do you think? Sounds easy? Hahaha I think some people would think so. My original job description is so long….too technical to post here. I thought I just give you the basics la of what I do. Don’t you think I have the best job in the world? I certainly think so. Thank God for such a blessing!