Shades of the Season

Kemaren, gw Khesin dan Yvonne berkesempatan maen ke Pittsburgh lagi.. tujuan utama kali ini adalah Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Garden. Yup, kabarnya sih bagus banget makanya kita jg penasaran... Ternyata lokasi kebun bunga ini ada di tengah kota, deket sama pusat administrasi pemerintahan, monument2 penting, dan gereja2 besar di downtown Pittsburgh. Tiket masuk $8 for students.

Let's see how much it is worth.. :-)

We are ready!!

Ternyata benar2 tidak mengecewakan... mata gw [yg walaupun sipit] ini serasa dimanja dengan warna-warni yg menakjubkan, terutama ditambah dengan penataan lanscape dan design khusus dalam rangka merayakan hari Natal. Daku serasa tenggalam di lautan bunga-bunga yg bermekaran!!



Didalam botanical garden ini, ruangan di-sekat2 sesuai dengan "keluarga bunga" masing2.. Since it's winter and christmas time, bunga poinsettia dengan berbagai ragam warna mendominasi hallway dari satu ruangan ke ruangan lain.

As u can tell, we went crazy taking pictures sampe orang2 ngeliatan kita.. hehee.. biasaa.. it's APT (Asian Picture Time)!!



Ada ruangan yg diberi nama "Desert Room" yg dipenuhi oleh kaktus dengan berbagai bentuk dan rupa...

ada yg lonjong, tajem, bulet, lancip..

Ada jg "Orchid Room" yg dipenuhi dengan anggrek berbagai jenis, rupa, warna, bentuk dari berbagai negara...

Pas masuk salah satu ruangan, tiba2 tercium bau harum yg familiar... eh, ternyata bunga melatiiii... hahaha.. that one i know! Tapi yg pasti lebih banyak lagi bunga2 indah yg gw ngga ngerti namanya..

Wahh... pokoknya puas banget deh lihat bunga2 indah. Kita bertiga2 udah foto abis2an selama disana.. hehehee.. Gw yakin ini cuma sekelumit bukti betapa serius, kreatif, imaginatif, dan detailnya Allah Pencipta pada hari ke-3 penciptaan alam semesta ini. Ini cuma segelintir dari maha karya-Nya. How can we not bow down and worship Him?

I am in awe of You... How Great Thou Art!

Makan terussssss....

Christmas lunch at home with Khesin and Yvonne

Thank you Lord for the gift of friendship in our lives.

This Christmas..

... i spend it in Morgantown. hehehe...

Walaupun ngga ada big trip tapi banyak small trip lho Christmas break ini. Yvonne Ng, temen dari Bowling Green State U lagi berkunjung ke Morgantown dan tinggal di apartment gw, jadinya kita ikutan seruu.. apalagi anaknya yg fun, suka makan, suka masak, suka nonton Korean drama.. klop deh!!

Well, ada beberapa hal yg mesti dilakukan sih selama liburan ini:

LEARN:

• Brahms' Handel Variation (memorize the super hard fugue!)


• Mozart's Rondo in A minor


• baking and cooking new dishes

READ:

• the Bible and spend more time with GOD


• J.I. Packer's classic "Knowing God"


• Thomas Harris' "Hannibal Rising" --read this if u want to know more about Hannibal Lecter and his childhood (hehe.. i'm a 'Silence of the Lamb' fans!)


• Jeffrey Archer's "False Impression" --kabarnya sebagus Da Vinci Code.. let's see! [those are new books of Harris & Archer, 2 of my fav authors :-) ]

WATCH:

• more Korean drama.. YEAH!!


• movies that i missed out for the past year, including Pirates of the Carribean 2, Superman, the new 007, etc.

But on top of everything, i would like to relax and reflect of God's abundant blessings for the past year.

Dear friends: May you have a Merry Christmas!

Connecting people

THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY!
Gw abis ditelpon sama temen yg udah lost contact selama 12 taon. Kakak kelas gw waktu gw masih duduk di bangku SMP (Methodist 3, Medan) ternyata sekarang ada di University of Hawaii, Honolulu. Dulu waktu kelas 1 SMP, dia udah kelas 3 SMP.. but for some reasons kita sempet hangout bareng and made common friends. Thanks to friendster!! ;-) Sekali ngobrol, semua peristiwa lucu waktu masih ingusan dulu semua diungkit kembali; termasuk cerita2 cinta monyet di bangku SMP, ngga lupa sekalian update keadaan dan entah berantahnya si A, B, C, temen2 yg dulu pernah maen bareng.

The world seems so small with technology..
Did you find an old friend lately, or did an old friend find you recently?

Thanksgiving Prayer

thank you for summer, thank you for winter..
thank you for stormy day, thank you for sunny day..
thank you for sunshine, thank you for flaky snow..

thank you for tears, thank you for joy..
thank you for heartache, thank you for laughter..
thank you for the mountain, thank you for the valley..

thank you for parents, thank you for siblings..
thank you for teachers, thank you for students..
thank you for friends, thank you for partners..

but above all..
thank you for sustaining me through all of the ups and downs..
thank you for granting me courage, patience, wisdom, faith, hope, and love..
especially in times when i need it most.. You are always there!!

Thank you for all of your blessing O Lord...
I will continue to count them..
and I will continute to name them.. one by one..

To all of you:

have a Happy Thanksgiving 2006

Iron sharpens iron

Seperti yg udah gw kasih tau di postingan sebelumnya, tgl 12 November gw accompany 2 recital: 1 double bass (3.15pm), 1 trombone (8.15pm). Yup... cukup puas, well.. puas banget dengan hasilnya soalnya ini pertama kali gw nyanggupin accompany 2 recital dalam 1 hari. What a stressful day; mentally drained by the end of the day. 1 pelajaran yg bisa gw ambil: you won't know what you can do until you push yourself to the limit. I guess i pushed myself, or was pushed far enough ;-)

Kedua recital berjalan dengan lancar dan sukses; jauh lebih bagus dari dress rehearsal masing2. Beda banget deh maen buat trombone sama maen buat double bass. Buat trombone: piano lid all the way up, and still gurunya suruh maen lebih kenceng lagi -- you know, trombone tuh low brass instrument yg dasarnya emang udah kenceng! Buat double bass: piano lid all the way down, malah masih di bilang kekencengan-- you know, double bass tuh string instrument yg paling rendah registernya, makanya high control and sensitivity towards the balance, sound production, and the accoustic of the hall are of the utmost importance.



Di sebelah kanan-ku berdiri Trevor Jones, the double bassist. Tinggi banget yah.. kalo ngga salah 6'2'' (sekitar 186cm). Sejujurnya, gw seneng banget bisa maen sama dia: double bassist paling ok di kampus, orangnya fun, charming, dan yg paling penting, good musician. Biasanya gw bakal tertantang buat maen dengan lebih baik lagi kalo partner maen gw tuh good musician dan passionate sama apa yg mereka lakukan. Hasil kerja keras kita selama 8 minggu bener2 paid off kemaren sore. Walaupun ngga sempurna tapi the ensemble was great, balance was good, and the chemistry was definitely there.

Yg berdiri di sebelah kanan Trevor tidak salah dan tidak lain adalah gurunya Trevor, Dr. Andrew Kohn... Nah ini dia orang yg pernah gw sebut2 di beberapa postingnya awal semester. Ayah beranak 1 ini adalah guru double bass di kampus, guru favorit gw di kampus, guru yg paling gw kagumi dan hormati, salah satu anggota komiti doctoral degree gw, dan yg paling penting dosen pembimbing dissertation gw.. hehehe.. ;-) Banyak banget deh yg bisa gw ceritain ttg guru yg 1 ini.

Postur tubuh sih boleh kecil.. tapi muatannya itu lhoo bener2 mengagumkan!
Dia tuh excellent bassist; kemampuan dia maen instrument yg ukurannya jauh lebih besar dari badannya bener2 mengagumkan.. selain itu dia seorang guru (theory) yg luar biasa kalo lagi ngajar di kelas: terkesan santai, suara bass-nya yg cukup lembut tapi berwibawa tidak terkesan pushy kalo lagi lecture, open minded dalam menerima pendapat murid, sangat demanding sama murid2 tetapi selalu dalam batas kewajaran yg pantas, rendah hati banget padahal gw bilang sih genius, dan yg paling gw suka, he won't embarras you or make you feel stupid if you don't know the answer to the question he asks! No question dia salah guru yg paling gw suka dan hormati di kampus.. hmm.. ada unsur nge-fans dikittttt... eehheehee :P

Kelas2 theory yg ambil sama dia: 18th century counterpoint, 19th century analysis: An Alternative to Monotonality, and 20th century analysis. Semuanya advance music theory analysis class and highly demanding. Penguasaan bahan dan approach yg dia ambil selalu bikin gw salut sama dia. Saat ini, secara dia dosen pembimbing gw, tiap hari jumat jam 9 pagi gw conference sama dia membahas dan memantau perkembangan bahan2 dissertation gw. Well, kadang2 bisa ngelantur jg sih. Pernah sekali conference yg malah jadinya gw "interview" dia. Waktu gw tanya gimana cara dia mengasah dan mempertajam naluri analisa theorynya, guru keturunan Yahudi yg bersuku Lewi ini menjawab: Are you familiar with book of Proverb [27:17] that says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another"? -- hahaha... dia mengutip ayat Alkitab!! Maklum dia jg orang Kristen yg taat.. ;-) Well, basically manusia mempertajam manusia, jadi semakin banyak kita membuka pikiran kita terhadap pendapat (analisa) orang laen, semakin "tajam" juga kita jadinya.

Well, bersyukur banget sih punya dosen pembimbing kayak dia walaupun tiap jumat abis ketemuan sama dia gw berasa kayak 'amoeba' dibandingkan sama dia hehehee.. :P Tapi yg pasti dia tuh encouraging dan inspiring banget.. and i need that in the process of writing my dissertation.

Besi menajamkan besi, orang menajamkan sesamanya.

Amsal 27:17

God is near

There is music in the quietness of morning's flaming dawn;

There is melody in the garden even when the flowers are gone;

Everywhere are signs and wonders that should make our hearts rejoice;

Everywhere, ...if we but listen..., is God's still small voice.

"Be still, and know that I am GOD."

(Psalm 46:10)

Weekend lai liau....

Akhirnya weekend tiba jugaaaa......
Minggu yg penuh dengan ketegangan akhirnya berlalu... Kemaren gw masih sempat accompany audition buat 1 flute doctorate candidate. Amit2 dehh... gw cuma sempet practice piecesnya dia 2 hari (rabu-kamis, padahal selasa malam gw baru selesai solo recital, lagunya complete Mozart flute concerto in G, Bach flute sonata in Em). SUSAH BANGET! Akhirnya gw harus mengurung diri di kamar 2x3 alias practice room berjam-jam. I was wondering, ngapainnn yah gw nyanggupin padahal kan udah saatnya relax? But anyway, gw ngga nyesel at all.. she's such a great musician, extremely strong floutist. I'm honored to have had accompanied her..

Walaupun ketegangan udah berlalu, tdk berarti udah bisa lepas bebas.. Up coming important dates are coming. November 12 (hari minggu depan) gw bakal accompany 2 senior recital, 1 trombone, 1 double bass. Pieces mereka lumayan challenging.. i just need to brush things up for now. Hmmm.. mau ngapain lagi yah? oooohhh.. mau grocery dah udah pasti makan2 ntar malam buat ngerayain ultah Imelda.. ehehehe.... 3 hari ini makan terus: selasa malam abis recital makan2, kamis malam nonton WVU vs U of Louisville (walaupun kalah) sambil makan steamboat, kemaren malam farewell dinner buat Wayen Wang temen gereja diajakin makan2 jg sama Elder Mei..

Udah ahhh... gw mau jadi "putri duyung" dulu ah di REC center.. target hari ini 40 laps! hehehe.. (kan mau persiapan buat makan2 nanti malam) hehehehe... ;-)

Mission Accomplished

Phewww... another solo recital down! Yeahhhhhhhhhh....
Everything went really well.. Since today is Halloween, some really dress up.. it's kind fun :-)
Here's a glimpse of the recital:

actionnnnnnnnn.....

my super anthusiastic supporters


my level 0 class-piano students


my church friends


my adorable roommate (khesin) and my make up artist - hair dresser (Imelda)


getting really silly...


the gank...


SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Rest, Relax, and Recharge

Apa kabar semuanya minggu ini? Temen2 yg masih kuliah udah pada 'burnt out'? Gimana dengan teman2 yg lagi libur lebaran?
Well, gw minggu ini mau kabur dulu sebentar dari Morgantown buat ikutan retreat tahunan gereja di Jackson's Mill, lead by Pastor Paul Shiao, with the theme: Balancing your family, career, and service. Sounds challenging and interesting. Will share more once I come back ;-)

Have a nice weekend teman-teman..
Off i go for my RRR retreat.

Emotional Check-up

Some people are naturally expressive. They show their emotion with no reservation; they show it with their facial expression, body language, tone, gestures, tears, and laughter. But some are very reserved in this area. They don't show much emotion outwardly even though it's totally opposite inwardly. Are you emotional? Do you show it? Take this test and see which category you fall into.

1. Do you feel guilty crying in public? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
2. Do you think that crying is a symbol of weakness? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
3. Do you think that men shouldn't cry?[Y : 0 / T : 1]
4. Do you feel embarrased if you cry when you watch a movie or read a book? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
5. Do you hold your tears in a funeral? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
6. Is it Ok for a politician to cry in public? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
7. Do you think it is necessary to express your emotion with tears? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
8. Do you allow anybody to comfort you while you are crying? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
9. Will you blush when you see an adult man cry? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
10. Do you tend to say that "something got into my eyes" when somebody spotted you crying? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
11. Can you hide your anger? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
12. Can you hide your disappointment? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
13. Have you ever lost your control when you get angry? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
14. Does your anger cause troubles for others? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
15. Do you think that it's good and essential to release your anger? [Y: 1 / T : 0]
16. Do you always think of the reason you get angry? [Y : 0 / T : 1]
17. Are you affected by atmosphere (situation) easily? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
18. Do you express yourself with physical gestures? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
19. Do you enjoy physical gestures of love? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
20. Do you show affection when you see tiny babies? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
21. Are you happy when you hold the hand of your loved ones in public? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
22. Do you enjoy massage? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
23. Do you express your feeling regularly to your loved ones? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
24. Do you like pets? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
25. Do you enjoy being kissed and hugged by someone your like? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
26. Do you laugh loudly when you watch a comedy? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
27. Do you tap your foot when you listen to music? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
28. Do you clap at the end of a concert or a sport match that you enjoy? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
29. Do you cheer for your favorite sportsmen or movie heroes on TV? [Y : 1 / T : 0]
30. Do you remember the times when you laugh at people or when you are laughed at? [Y : 1 / T : 0]

Hehehee... mine is 20.. ;-) What about yours?

Scores between 17-30

You are emotionally healthy! You are not embarrassed to express your emotion once a while and there is no question that you will get healthier emotionally because of your attitude. You seem to be a good social counselor for others.

Scores between 8-16

You seems to know the way to express yourself, but you often feel restricted to do so. You should express your emotion more often. Express yourself with tears when you are sad, anger when you are mad, and laughter when you are happy. Let go of your emotion and it will do miracles to your physical and mental health.

Scores below 7

You are really tough. You really need to release and express your emotion, at least a tiny bit. There is nothing wrong with showing others how you feel. The more you hold your natural emotion, the more damage it will be for your health. Don't advice others on social matters, cause you are not an expert in it!

Ribeye Fest 2006

Another celebration of God's grace in my life: Yes, I passed my recital hearing yesterday.. It's all truly truly His blessing; I couldn't ask for me. Honestly, it wasn't a great performance. I would have accepted it just fine if they were to fail me.. coz i thought i deserved it.
Guess what... 4 out of 4 of my committee members passed me: they TRUSTed me; they believed that I would do a better job in 2+ weeks until the actual recital on October 31, 2006. I re-learn the meaning of GRACE that day...

As always.. what else would you do to celebrate such a blessing?? MAKANN......
Ribeye Fest 2006 it is!

Ohh.. that medium-rare cooked meat that is perfectly marinated with grill seasoning, garlic-herb powder, soya sauce, and worcestershire sauce.. hmm... and when you have the 1st bite of it.... the juicyness of the tender meat... yummm-0000... (pada ngiler ngga? hehehe...)

Finally this ribeye steak dinner is actually happening after i've been bugged for the past 3 months.. hehee.. here are the buggers!



not just the steak... it involved a couple ruthless chefs... :-)




... and of course, a silly guest...


and great times of laughter and fun...

...Celebrating HIS goodness and kindness...


Yew Choong, Pink, Marie, Yohan, Khesin

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills,

where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip,

He who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you,

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm,

He will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

-Amen-

(Dangerously) Careless

It seems like i've been living a (dangerously) careless life for the past 48 hours. Check this out:

1. Sunday morning right before I left for church, I realized that my keys were no where to be found. (kunci segambreng itu lho...) my apartment key, car key, mailbox key, piano lab keys. All of them. I was looking high and low in my apartment. Suddenly I was thinking.. *could it be there?* Ahaaa.. i was right: It was hanging on the door knob OUTSIDE my apartment for the ENTIRE NIGHT!
2. This morning as i drove away from the post office, suddenly I felt a lot of air blowing right beside me.. Guess what? My car door was hanging open in the air. I didn't shut my door. No no.. i didn't even close my car door before I drove off! What am I doing? Luckily it was still in the parking lot and there's no car right beside my car.
3. This afternoon around 2pm as I opened my locker to keep my books after teaching class piano, a friend approched me and said, "Pink, somebody found your wallet in the parking lot. It's in the business office right now. Go and get it." I was like.. whattt?? Did i lose my wallet? Really?? (pasang tampang bingung). Eh, ternyata bener.. I didn't realize that it fell off my bag as I walked in the building this morning.

I guess my guardian angels are working extra hard for the past few days... hehehehehe... ;-)
Thank You LORD for Your protection and grace. I'm still alive, no robbery, no accident, everything is intact. Semoga besok2 ngga ceroboh lagi.. :P

Music and Time

Which one is true between these 2 statements?

a. Music exists in time
b. Time exists in music

Any thought?

A day off

Apa daya.. manusia memang terbatas.

Kamis lalu, abis pulang dari nonton concert tiba2 berasa aneh.. what's going on? Eh ternyata besoknya gw dilawat sama sakit leher, hidung tersumbat, dan teman2 lainnya.. Kemaren waktu studio class -- jam 6 sore (after a long day of teaching class piano, private students, accompanying 2 voice lessons, 1 double bass lesson, and opera), I used my last bit of concentration to perform the 15-minute long Schumann's Papillon for the class. Guess what?

After the not-so-satisfying performance i sat downand Doc said, "Pink, you look pale.."
I was sweating.. (biasanya ngga gitu kalo maen buat studio class) and i knew i was finally done for the day. Couldn't think anymore..

Stress + panic attack + bad weather + flu berat (hari ini ditambah fever) = stay home!

I just hope that my physique would cooperate.. the hearing is coming up really soon. If i can't pull things together i might need to postpone the hearing..
Not thinking about it at the moment. I need a long nap now. Adios!

Panic Attack

My recital hearing is taking place in 10 days!!! (Friday, Oct. 13, 2006)
Am i ready? NOOO!! *sigh*

kalo udah stress begini mendingan ngapain coba? apalagi kalo bukan masuk dapur! hehehee.. alhasil, lunch dinner besok lusa bakal mewah.. :-) You want some?

Drowned in His blessings

Celebrating the glimpse of grace for a successful oral comprehensive exam with great food and friends.


* the hotties: marie, pink, silvia, khe sin*

Strawberry-mango frozen marguerita, chips with spinach & artichoke dip, cajun lime tilapia, sizzling apple pie, dreamsicle cake.. Does that sound like i'm trying to gain some weight? hahahaa... i'm so full right now.. Can you tell??!! :-P

Thank you Lord for everything.. I'm drowned in Your blessings, awed by Your provision, and overwhelmed by Your grace. I will continue to testify Your wonderful love and deeds as long as I live. May all glory be to You!
Amen..

You pass...

PRAISE THE LORD!

"Congratulations! You pass.. "

Friday, Sept 22, 2006, 10.30am

thanks for the prayer, friends...

SOLI DEO GLORIA

Oral Comprehensive Exam

Next Friday
September 22, 2006
8.30-11.30am
*Pinkcheer Tamio's Oral Comprehensive Exam*

Committee Members:
Dr. James Miltenberger, chair
Dr. Mary Ferer, history
Dr. Andrew Kohn, theory
Dr. Christine Kefferstan, keyboard
Dr. Peter Ngan, orthodontics

Yes.. I will be given the opportunity to defend my 2-week long written doctoral comprehensive exam that I took over the summer (June 19-30). I looked through the document this morning and found spots that can be corrected, expanded, and elaborated. Gotta investigate more on my analysis, theoretical concepts, and keyboard literature. Study study study...

Next Friday will be a major landmark in my academic career. Semoga bisa 'ngobrol2' dengan lancar dengan para guru selama 3 jam hehehehhee... di-sidang bok!!!

Inget-inget gua yah kalo lagi doa...