Nov 30, 2014

Sunday Serenade: a sky full of stars

Not a huge fan of Coldplay but I quite like this song of theirs.. Hope you'll like it too.. Enjoy!

A sky full of stars
'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars
I'm gonna give you my heart
'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars
'Cause you light up the path

I don't care, go on and tear me apart
I don't care if you do, ooh
'Cause in a sky, 'cause in a sky full of stars
I think I saw you

'Cause you're a sky, 'cause you're a sky full of stars
I wanna die in your arms
'Cause you get lighter the more it gets dark
I'm gonna give you my heart

I don't care, go on and tear me apart
I don't care if you do, ooh
'Cause in a sky, 'cause in a sky full of stars
I think I see you
I think I see you

'Cause you're a sky, you're a sky full of stars
Such a heavenly view
You're such a heavenly view




Have a productive week ahead. Have fun at work/school/home!

Nov 29, 2014

Poetry Solace: winter's formulae

No, winter is not coming, it's already here.. ^.^ Anyway, this week, I'm sharing one final poem from Tomas Tranströmer called 'winter's formulae' as translated by May Swenson..

Winter's Formulae
I
I went to sleep in my bed
and awoke under the keel.

In the morning, four o'clock,
when bones, scoured clean,
collect together coldly.

I went to sleep among swallows
and awoke among eagles.

II
In lamplight, ice on the road
glistens like lard.

This is not Africa.
This is not Europe.
This is nowhere but "here".

And what was "I"
is only a word
in December's dark mouth.

III
The hospital pavilions
glow against the darkness
like lighted TV screens.

A hidden tuning fork
in the immense cold
emits its ringing hum.

I stand under starry sky
and feel the world crawl
in and out of my coat
as in an anthill.

IV
Three black oaks jut out of snow.
So rough, but nimble-fingered.
From their ample bottles
greenery will foam this spring.

V
The bus crawls through winter dusk
like a ship aglow among pines
where the road is a narrow, deep, dead canal.

Few passengers: some old, some youngsters.
If the bus stopped, with its lights out,
the whole world would be obliterated.


Have a fun weekend! Stay warm and stay safe!

Nov 23, 2014

Sunday Serenade: human

This week's song is neither fun nor cheery.. in fact it is kinda dark and real.. that's what I like about it.. the lyrics are real and raw.. it is something to ponder upon this Sunday morning..

Human   by Christina Perri
I can hold my breath
I can bite my tongue
I can stay awake for days
If that's what you want
Be your number one

I can fake a smile
I can force a laugh
I can dance and play the part
If that's what you ask
Give you all I am

I can do it (x3)

[chorus]
But I'm only human
And I bleed when I fall down
I'm only human
And I crash and I break down
Your words in my head, knives in my heart
You build me up and then I fall apart
'Cause I'm only human
[end of chorus]

I can turn it on
Be a good machine
I can hold the weight of worlds
If that's what you need
Be your everything

I can do it
I can do it
I'll get through it

[chorus]

I'm only human
I'm only human
Just a little human

I can take so much
'Til I've had enough

[chorus]





Have a great week ahead! Be healthy!

Nov 16, 2014

Sunday Serenade: ain't it fun

Let's have some fun this week with a song from Paramore.. Enjoy!




Have a great week ahead! Be healthy and stay safe!

Nov 15, 2014

Poetry Solace: journey

This week is back to Tomas Tranströmer.. another poem by this Swedish Nobel Laureate. It is translated by May Swenson, an American poet.  Hope you'll like it.

Journey
On the subway platform.
A crowd among billboards
in a staring dead light.

The train comes and fetches
faces and briefcases.

Darkness next. We sit 
like statues in the cars
hauled into the tunnels.
Strain, dreams, strain.

At the stations below sea level 
the news of darkness is sold.
People moving melancholy,
mum, beneath clockfaces.

The train carries a load
of street clothes and souls.

Looks in all directions,
passing through the mountain.
Nothing changing yet.

But near the surface begins
the hum of freedom's bees.
We emerge from the earth.

The countryside flaps its wings
once, and then subsides
under us, wide and greenish.

Shucks of corn blow in
across the platforms.
End of the line! I ride
beyond the end of the line.

How many aboard? Four,
five, hardly more.

Houses, roads, skies,
fjords, mountains
have opened their windows.



Have a great weekend! Stay healthy and be safe!

Nov 9, 2014

Sunday Serenade: friends

This is a song that I would like to dedicate to all my friends, aptly named 'Friends' by Travis. :)

Friends
Who cheers you up
When you are down
Who brings you cups of coffee
Who picks you up
When you're in town
Whatever makes you happy
And I'm glad you're better now
But I'm sad you're not around

[chorus]
Friends
Will never desert you
Or turn against
Friends
Won't love you and leave you
To mend the fence
[end of chorus]

ooohhh...
ooohhh...

Who wakes you up
When you're late for work
Who makes the bed so lovely
Who found your sock
Who picked your shirt
Whatever makes you love me
And I'm glad I'm better now
But I'm sad you're not around
Friends
Will never desert you
Or turn against
Friends
Won't love you and leave you
To mend the fence

ooohhh...
ooohhh...

Friends
Will never desert you
Or turn against
Friends
Won't love you and leave you
To mend the fence

Friends
Will never decieve you
and turn against
Friends
Won't love you and leave you
To mend the fence

ooohhh...




Have a good and productive week ahead!

Nov 2, 2014

Sunday Serenade: rather be

Again this week's song is chosen for its music video.. why? cos it was shot in Japan! I hate to say it but I miss Japan, especially its autumn season.. so it is kinda nostalgic to see some typical Japanese scenes in the music video.. of course, the song is pretty catchy too.. Enjoy!

Rather Be
by Clean Bandit ft Jess Gylnne
[Verse 1:]
We're a thousand miles from comfort, we have traveled land and sea
But as long as you are with me, there's no place I'd rather be
I would wait forever, exalted in the scene
As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat

[Pre-Chorus:]
With every step we take, Kyoto to The Bay
Strolling so casually
We're different and the same, get you another name
Switch up the batteries

[Chorus:]
If you gave me a chance I would take it
It's a shot in the dark but I'll make it
Know with all of your heart, you can't shake me
When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be
N-n-n-no, no, no, no place I'd rather be [3x]

[Verse 2:]
We staked out on a mission to find our inner peace
Make it everlasting so nothing's incomplete
It's easy being with you, sacred simplicity
As long as we're together, there's no place I'd rather be

[Pre-Chorus]

[Chorus]

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be

[Bridge:]
Hmmmmmmmmmm, hoooooooooo
Be [9x]
Yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah-e-yeah, yeah, yeah

[Chorus]

When I am with you, there's no place I'd rather be






Have a productive week ahead! Stay warm and be safe!


Nov 1, 2014

Poetry Solace: day of the dead

Today is the Day of the Dead, so I think it is appropriate for me to share a poem about this celebration. This is a poem from Joy Harjo's In Mad Love and War poem collection.

Day of the Dead
This is a witching season, the pivotal mouth as the world of the dead, staggered with the living, opens. Children dressed as spirits and monsters suck candy, parade the streets.
Wind is electric, sharp as truth. Spirits play crack-the-whip in the abyss. I have needed to talk but you are insanely absent and I have become insanely mute. When I hold the compass you gave me, the needle points in a direction that is neither yes nor no. The star map has become symbols I can't describe because it delineates a system entering a distant compassionate universe. I have built a fire in the cave of my body, and hope the devil wind gives it a chance. There is an underground river with blind fish nearby. What do they choose in this season where there must be spirit fish with wings? I cannot sing song of either staying or leaving unless I know what shape it takes when it leaves my mouth. And which direction, because I forgot to tell you that love changes molecular structure. I am transformed but without a map. The Day of the Dead marks skeletal transition and flowers bloom in the snow. I have checked the weather, and will tend the fire until I am forced to join the parade. Then I will be a madman. I will drink whiskey and slow-dance with slim boys, rock with glitter angels, before going home alone. Tomorrow I will feed the dead. Then I must find you.


Have a great weekend! Have fun and stay safe!