New Cornerstone Church

The new Cornerstone church building has finally complete, and it's pretty near to Dunkirk. Too bad, the previous gang of people that I used to walk with to church are mostly gone. It's good that Cornerstone is open right before the new semester starts, I manage to bring some new transfer students to church.

About 15 minutes walk to the new Cornerstone building:

This is the first service in the new building, so honored to be part of it. It's at 3 pm because there's a big marathon happening in the morning. Also to make it a special thanksgiving service for being blessed with this new building. I knew Cornerstone has a lot of people normally, but seeing this huge sanctuary being filled just kinda overwhelm me.

Probably 500 people in this hall:

It's a pretty short service, talking about the roots of cornerstone church. As usual, we have tea/coffee and snacks after the service. While the new people are busy making new friends and introducing each other, I got to walk around the church building. Nice and simple, classrooms for Sunday school and chilling room upstairs with big and small auditorium down stair.

Around the church building:

"Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is."
-Amos 5:14-

It has been great listening to how God is so faithful and wonderful in His promises. Although I'm not really committed into this church's community, I pray that this new building will bring glory to our God and be a place where hearts turn from sin and come to know You more, Amen.

Not Coming True

"SoundShoots is a unique music platform that challenges music makers to create a 90 second piece of music in response to a given weekly theme. The site is 100% free to use and whether you make your own music, or just like listening, there are plenty of good reasons to join!"

This week's theme, 'Dream' gives a lot of space for creativity. It could be done as dreaming during a sleep, dream as in vision and aims in life, or a wonderful moment that is too good to be real. All the above sounds pretty positive, but how about, the breaking of dreams? When what you hope and hold on to just shattered, that things you really wish to happen seems impossible to realize. The disappointing and hopeless moment that hurt so bad and you try so hard to hide these inside yourself.

This is my first time recording soundshoot with live instrument, using the piano in university chapel. I've never intended to do this theme this way, but I guess my emotion just poured out as I touch the keys. Too many things happened throughout the summer, mix feelings here and there. I guess playing the piano still reflects my very true self inside.

Well, in order to support using other instruments, I really need to keep time using the metronome while recording. Trying to sync some simple beats, bass and strings to the piano piece can be a bit difficult. Anyway, it's suppose to be sorrow and emo, simple tune suits the ambient. Well sometimes we could be angry at the truth, so building up at the last loop with 16th beat drums kinda enforce that.

Click here to listen to:
Not Coming True - Adam Jong

Rate the track using the ✓ icon (you need to be a member to do this, but it's free). Check out other contributors' clip under "The Shoots" tab and top tracks of previous themes under "Showcase".

"He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord God Almighty is his name."
-Amos 4:13-

I know I don't understand right now, but I believe these scars are part of a greater plans. Pray that all these pain, doubts and fear will be washed away, and may us learn through these experience to be a greater person, Amen.

2 Pairs of Gifts

After a weekend trip, I'm back at home to find myself a parcel addressed for me. It might be my ebay purchases, but this is way too special. Other than my full name, the word 'Adam' written, with my yahoo email address and my contact number, this person must have know me well. So I opened it to find myself a pair of glove and sock.

Reebok glove and Nike socks:

It's from Wei Ern, all the way from Indonesia for my birthday (although its few weeks ago). We've been updating each other about life, and he wanted to get me something practical, probably these are things for my home work out and morning jog. Thanks so much, I love it! Attached in the parcel is also a note with encouraging message, I guess he really know how tough my situation is.

One thing that I learn about coming to UK, is to really treasure friendship. Despite the distance and time difference, people who care to make effort to contact me and share their life are the real buddies. Living in foreign place can be very lonely, especially when you meet weird people, but some best buddies will always be prepare to listen.

"I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil, enough to satisfy you fully; never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations."
-Joel 2:19-

It's wonderful to see how God plans things to work, if I've never stayed a year in Malaysia before coming to UK, I wouldn't have been close with these friends, and I wouldn't have get through this tough time now (although it's not really over). Thank You Lord for Your grace and mercy, for You won't send us into a battle that we cannot take, Amen.

Visiting Manchester

After a day at Lake District, we're now going for a day trip in Manchester, they sound kinda surprised knowing that I haven't visited Manchester. Had some leisure time walking around Piccadilly Garden and Town Hall, some famous place to go in Manchester. It's actually a lot bigger than Nottingham town.

Piccadilly Garden and Town Hall:

I've visited the University of Manchester library, it has a Gothic design and is partly a museum. I can't imagine that students really come to this place and study, it's a real and functioning library, so grand! It's built by Enriqueta Augustina Rylands in memory of her husband, John Rylands in 1900.

The John Rylands University Library:

The highlight of the day~ lunch at China Town, Dim Sum! This is authentic Chinese food, just look at the crowd around me, full of people from Hong Kong, China and Indonesia, basically the whole Asia is here, so I know this place is nice. Oh yeah, I had a great reunion with 叉烧包，烧买，奶王包 and other good pals.

Dim Sum Dim Sum here I come:

Although it's not my stuff, since we're in Manchester, we went to Old Trafford. This is Manchester united foodball stadium. Didn't really went in, just walked round the stadium and took picture with the statue. Who are they by the way?

Manchester United stadium:

Dinner is Indian food at Mughli, varies type of sauces for papadum and naan, and we share different types of grill meats. I think I kinda spend a lot for this trip, but it's alright once in a while, especially during stressful time. Just have to control my spending back in Nottingham T_T.

Indian food for dinner:

"Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation."
-Joel 1:3-

Finally, after a day of travelling and food hunting, I'll be back to reality. Hopefully I'll be more refreshed after this short escape, it's gonna be fresher's week soon, get ready to be busy! Really pray that, relationship with new people and old friends would be good, at least not worsen for this last semester in UK, Amen.

Hiking at Lake District

It's pretty sudden, with a very short notice, I'm at Lake District for hiking with Daniel Oh and his brother. We rented a car in Nottingham and drive to Youth Hostel, stayed a night there and had a pretty descent breakfast. It was 4°C the night before, super worry for hiking the next day.

One night in Youth Hostel near Lake District:

I hope things will be ok, carrying a bagpack with food and water with just a running shoe. A very beautiful place, wide green plains, rocky mountains and tranquil lake. It was kinda cold in the early morning, but after 15 minutes walking up hill, everyone is like taking off our jackets. Most of the paths are half river, ah~ my shoe is soaked wet, but no big deal.

Started the hike at 10am:

I shouldn't had run up the rocky stairs =.= was super tired but after a short rest and start pacing my speed, the whole journey was OK. I personally like this rocky cliff that we need to climb up, it's the harder but faster 'route'. Took me almost 20 minutes to reach the top, but I prefer involving my hands than just walking through the whole thing.

Climbing up the rocky path with hands:

So here I am at the top of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England (978m). The view from this place is awesome! It's like the world map of Final Fantasy IX. We had our packed lunch at the top of England, it was just 15 minutes after I stopped moving and it started to feel cold =.= But it was fun, and good thing that it's not as tiring as I imagined.

Mission accomplished, safe and sound!

It took us a total of 5 hours to complete the whole hike, quite fast actually. Then another 2 hours drive to Chester, we're staying at Daniel's friend, Cheryl's house for 2 nights. Wow! Home cook Hainan chicken rice for dinner, super rewarding meal after a long day.

A good way to end the day in Chester:

"I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them."
-Hosea 14:4

Thank You Lord for the wonderful sunny day although it has been raining days before this. Am also grateful of not getting injuries without proper equipment. It's really a fun trip and a good rest getting out of the miserable time in Nottingham. Truly glad that I chose to join this trip, Amen.

Lurking Crisis

"SoundShoots is a unique music platform that challenges music makers to create a 90 second piece of music in response to a given weekly theme. The site is 100% free to use and whether you make your own music, or just like listening, there are plenty of good reasons to join!"

I basically think that the themes lately resembles some themes that I used to do. "Hendonism" feels like making "Sunshine", "Ancient Civilization" is like "Cityscape", and now the theme of "Demons" that actually feels like "Death" theme. Demons are the fallen angels that tempt human into sin, and pull us away from God. In everyday life, there will be situations that cause negative thoughts such as jealousy, hate, lying and so on. Compare to the 'ghost'/monsters form of demons that movies portray, I think the sin of human is even scarier than that.

Basically, the flow is sorta like being alert of ambush, being uptight of when and where the enemy will be attacking. Abusing the minor chords gives the eerie and dark ambient. Layering strings as different parts, pad, counter melody and attack sort of strengthen the nervous and worrying emotion. Violin is used for lead, it does a great job for the struggling and sorrow bit. I finally have the chance of using tom tom drum pattern. However, I have to admit the transition parts are made too hasty, probably not in the mood at that time.

Click here to listen to:
Lurking Crisis - Adam Jong

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"Though they built many altars for sin offerings, these have become altars for sinning."
-Hosea 8:11-

No matter what the others say, no matter what people do to us, Lord bless us with a heart that forgive and forget. Instead of holding grudge and blaming each other, let us have the compassion to pray for each other. Most importantly, the faith and courage to stood up and ask for forgiveness and make things clear, Amen.

Fading Sweetness

"SoundShoots is a unique music platform that challenges music makers to create a 90 second piece of music in response to a given weekly theme. The site is 100% free to use and whether you make your own music, or just like listening, there are plenty of good reasons to join!"

'Hedonism', something that I must look for its definition online. From wikipedia, ethical hedonism is the idea that all people have the right to do everything in their power to achieve the greatest amount of pleasure possible to them. It is also the idea that every person's pleasure should far surpass their amount of pain. Sounds quite complicated but I'll take it as an emphasis of pleasure.

In this track, 'Fading Sweetness', I'm trying to say... people try so hard to achieve something that they thought would be a pleasure to have, but at the same time, lost things that are important as well. Also, nothing on Earth last forever, things that we once hold dear, might lose its meaning tomorrow.

Nothing complicated in the arrangement, simple guitar counterpart and piano sprinkle. Slowly building it up just like a journey to pursue happiness, and at the peak of the build up, breaking with a minor 4th chord, and slowly fade off as finisher. Kinda realize that no matter how hard we tried, the greatest pleasure is still the simple things that we already have in the beginning, a pure heart that love and care for each other.

Click here to listen to:
Fading Sweetness - Adam Jong

Please rate this soundshoot with the ✓ icon (only available for member). Check out other contributors' clip under "The Shoots" tab and top tracks of previous themes under "Showcase", enjoy!

Another challenge while making this shoot is, I'm suppose to make a sort of lively and cheerful track, but someone just really said something insensitive that greatly affects my mood. It is so not fun to do soundshoot that contradicts my real emotion.

"I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice in love and compassion."
-Hosea 2:19-

Dear Lord, I pray that You open our eyes and hearts to know the things that are truly important and beneficial in our life. Give us peace and strength to endure unrighteous thoughts. Even all wonderful things on Earth will come to a pass, Your love endures forever, Amen.

Chocolateful Day

While spending my night listening Soundshoots, Shi Wei and Jac came in with a mug cake with blackberries and whip cream. I knew they are busy rushing for dissertation deadline, and no one else are in UK, at least no more close friends around. Haha, but still appreciate their little token of celebration.

Mug cake at midnight:

After that, it's like an ordinary Wednesday where I spent whole day being lost in Matlab, went Chapel a while to play piano, rush back to change for badminton. Finally reach home at 11pm for dinner, but the special thing is, there are Kit Kats from Zi Jian and chocolate cakes from JooLian.

Thanks a lot, guys!

Haha, although it's not any celebration or whatever, a quiet birthday with good snacks kinda suits my style. Didn't really get to eat any of them that night, since it was pretty late after dinner, but I'll save if and slowly enjoy them throughout the next few days.

Getting fat soon~

"Do not be afraid. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."
-Daniel 10:12-

Oh Lord, it's been a year of ups and downs, too much to take probably. Anyway, just pray that things won't be too harsh in the near future, and if it did, bless me with the strength and heart to go through it. Also thanks for these few people who are left in Nottingham to bless me for this day, Amen.

4 Years Blogging Anniversary

It's been another year, these 12 months has probably been the highlight of my life, both good and bad. It's almost 1 year since I arrived UK, but research is not really good... I'm still stuck in numerical modelling using Matlab, there's some problems somewhere in my equations, it's like an infinite loop that has no escape! Besides, my 2nd year assessment was a nightmare.

Oh man, will you ever match the experimental graph? Please~

Although not an official member, I helped Nottingham Malaysian's Society with their annual event. A new experience doing sound effects for drama and accompanying chinese/malay/indian/english song at one go. I've also see some cool stuffs working in TEC, the best thing is entering some big events for free, but it's really tough to mix around with them.

Gostan performance and setting up for Summer Party:

As usual, I'm pretty much occupied by other activities as well. Kinda enjoyed Solid Rock which is my only opportunity to serve in worship band. Also been to Friend's International bible study, Impact and Globe Cafe. Anyway, I just join as a normal visitor, not helping much, so it's quite relaxing compare to the pass. These fellowships seriously make me busy all day, but that's what I like to do, somehow.

Fun time in Solid Rock and Globe Cafe outings:

Sometimes, when I'm checking out people in Malaysia, I often felt like I missed out a lot, especially weddings T_T. Hey, it's quite a happening year here in UK as well. I've been some other countries for tour, experienced snowing, it's the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, and also Olympics!

Snowing and Olympic badminton semi-final:

I was kinda worried before I move in, but staying with girls like Sera and Ghee Vui really is the best. We cook and clean the house together, having random nights doing crazy stuffs. I really love hanging out with the Year 4 Pharmacy students and great friends from SR & frisbee people. Unfortunately, some issues with a close friend pretty much upset me for months, but I'm still praying for a miracle, hoping that things will be OK again.

Housemates and SR choir:

Oh ya, the only thing that I'm really happy about this year is, being a member of SoundShoot! I stumble upon this developer who is designing a website for musicians to contributes ideas and songs based on a weekly theme given. A really good platform for me to exercise my music arranging and creativity. I've did 14 soundshoots so far, do drop by my profile(Windranzer) occasionally to check my songs~

soundshoots.com

"Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name."
-Daniel 9:19-

Thank you Lord for another year of grace and mercy, though the enemies try to bring us down, but You have bless us with strength and faith to endure and persevere. I pray that our faith in You would stand firm to face the challenges. I still believes, in every hopeless situation, You will be there, Amen.