Blast from the past

Last Saturday morning, I was walking along George Street going to a colleagues place for lunch,when I saw her walking towards me. At first I wondered whether it was her. She has not changed over the past 10 years. As we approach each other, I pretended not to see her, and she walked right past me.

Was it her? Was it not her?

I remembered the events from 10 years ago. My first girlfriend. The memories we shared. The hurt we caused. They are still as fresh today as they were 10 years ago.

10 years passed by so quickly. Alot has changed, alot hasn't changed. She may be married by now.

The last time I saw her was about 5 years ago, when I bumped into her and her boyfriend in a restaurant, where I was dining with my (then) girlfriend. We had a brief chat, introduced our partners, and that was that.

Then last night, I dreamt of bumping into her again and talking to her. I woke up with a really weird feeling. Maybe there is still things I have not dealt with from the past? Or maybe I am just too sentimental?

Music Therapy

Music has a therapeutic power. This week I've been a bit more happier at work, all because of the power of music.

Last Saturday night, I spent rehearsing for the Sunday service, rearranging songs and determining the parts for instruments. After song leading on Sunday, some of the songs stay in my mind and I was reminded of God's grace and providence during the week.

Monday night, I taught piano, and I had a great time collaborating with my student, teaching him chords and composition basics.

Heard a worship CD last night which brightened my spirits.

Sometimes I wonder what if I pursued and developed deeper my interests in music. Maybe I could have been a music therapist, bring relief to others and myself.

Greater Good 2

Another person in my group is not happy about being overworked. What can I do to help this poor girl, who is only a graduate, having been in our group for less than 2 months, and already working endlessly weekdays and weekends, with no breaks. I feel sorry for her. In alot of respects, I understand her, as I am going through similar emotions.

Maybe it is time for me to do something, and speak out on behalf of the group. This can't last forever, and I just can't think of myself. Maybe I should do something for the greater good. I can't just hope things will change.

Play! - A Video Game Symphony

Attending the show makes me realise how much work goes behind the music we take for granted in games. It also brings back memories from childhood, when I was playing games such as Super Mario Bros and Zelda, and made me appreciate how much my parents have given me when I was young. Listening to music from Final Fantasy and Halo reminds me of the explosion of the instant messaging and how this has changed our way of communication forever. While music from World of Warcraft and later games reminds me of my age.

V-Tech Rampage

Recently, a game appeared on the internet, titled V-Tech Rampage, which uses the events of the Virginia Tech massacre earlier this year. The game involves the player playing the role of Cho, the perpetrator in the actual massacre. There are three stages in the game reflecting the events of the massacre - the killing of the girl he liked, the sending of the parcel to the media and the final shooting spree at the Norris Hill building.

The game is so realistic that it sends chills down my spine when playing it. Alot of debate has subsequently be made as to whether it is ethical for the creator to make such games, as the game seems to glorify such killings.

However, the same argument can apply to war games people play, such as Medal of Honour or Civilization. We are more insensitive to these games as the events happen in a different time period to our current age and time. But these games also seem to be glorifying killings with ultimate winner is the one who defeats the other side(s) by killing.

Should we think more about the games we play?