Friday Music - Roger Wang and Friends

Last week Cinda got a call from Claude if we were interested in attended a show by Roger (her hubby) and his bunch of talented friends for a special show to raise funds for a school. Cinda miracalously managed to get sitters for the two boys (thanks Bree) which open up a enjoyable and very inspiring show by Roger and his buddies for the friday evening concert.



Sometimes we tend to forget how good and talented those who are closer to home (Roger's Studio is across the road from my office) and it reminded me of the joy of great live music. It also open my eyes to the great talent out here in Sabah and a Website that promotes it - http://sabahsongs.wordpress.com/2011/05/07/roger-wang-friends-2011-fundraiser-at-the-sabah-trade-centre//.
It has great pictures of the concert  compared to my dodgy ones from my HTC Incredible S phone (wanna see my Incredible S is one of my friendly openers now). My memorable bits is the "Bojangles" number, the song for his sis and bro-in-law for their wedding and with Jonathan Tse (the coolest dude/pastor around!!!)

 Neatly presented including the introductions in the beginning with plenty of humour. This is a side of Roger you mostly don't get to see. He seem serious including his music but get to know him a little there is that keen sense of humour which is clearly seen with the number he did for his sister and brother-in-law's wedding, a mixture of  Rogers type of music and hard rock!!
I also appreciated the fact that he gave a bit of explanation to all the music and his great introduction to all the other performers as well.



If you wanna know Roger better click here - Post 1, Post 2 and Post 3

If any of you are into cantopop and considered one of the gods of music in Hong Kong Jacky Cheung selected  Roger's song titled 'Love Scale' for his current album.
I better stop now I am starting to sound like a groupie and I think I leave that to his wife and daughter!!!
Cheers Roger great Show and THANKS!!!! ( a yearly event....?!)



I personally prefer it with Mia...

What to Do As A Family! - White Water Rafting

In early 2008, a friend of mine, Aaron called if we would like to go to Kiulu (about one hour drive from KK) over the weekend to visit a building he designed run by nuns to educate and assist the kids and women of Kiulu. The itinerary would include white water rafting and a good barbecue for dinner and had enough for breakfast!

The building had accommodation with hot shower and air conditioning. The Building was built next to the river with a beautiful natural scenery. The constant rumbling of the river was soothing as well. The picture below of the two family by the veranda leading to the rooms.

Below the view included water buffo's taking a dip in the muddy pool and small grave yard (top left corner)

Aaron with the kids checking out the river!

That night we had some barbecue to load up for excursion on the white waters. Kiulu River is mild with grade I & II's only which was good for children.

The next morning all ready for white water rafting!! Below getting some last minute instructions.

My eldest daughter was then 9 years old and Tristan was 4 years old. Tristan and Ashe are seating between Cinda (my better half) and Lilian (Aaron better half). Ashe would start to cry when were about to hit the rough bits. It got worse after Nathaniel (bottom right) fell in after this picture was taken.

We had a few stops to cool down and rest.

.....and float down the river...

Both families together!!

All in all it was a great experience for all of us. The kids has sworn that they will never go on another raft but I believe its good for them to face their fears. And looking back they did enjoy themselves.

My appreciation to Aaron, Lilian, Crstal, Pearl and Nat for the invitation and the incredible and restful break from KK!!!

In Memory of Emil

Recently while on facebook, a friend tag me in a photo with a boarding mate of mine, Emil Goh from 1981-4 at St. Patricks House in Singapore. If you wondering which is Emil and who is Donald (since I had a lot more hair then), I am on the right and Emil in white on the left.

Another boarding mate of mine, Edward had commented "In memory of Emil Goh!!!" So I ask what had happened to him. I found out he had a cardiac arrest and passed away in September 2009 in Seoul, Korea. He was one year my senior. I have not met him since boarding school years but what I could remember he was a good kind friend and senior. Not the type to bully or intimidate anyone so a lot of the younger boarders befriended him.

So I did some googling to find out more about the Emil I missed out on and I found out the following from http://www.art-it.asia/u/admin_news/DRaM1yG9teSrl5gq6snI?lang=en

Chinese Malaysian artist Emil Goh died suddenly on 7 September at his apartment in Seoul. He was 43. Media sources are reporting the cause as a heart attack. As an artist, Goh was known mainly for his photo and video works documenting everyday life from a unique perspective. He was also for his activities as a designer, curator, and writer.

He also has a blog http://emilgoh.blogspot.com/ in memory of him and where I got most of my info on him including his biography.

He worked as an artist and dealt with photography, fine arts and video and had numerous exhibitions that span from Australia, Malaysia, Korea, London and Europe. This is the part of his life I didn't know about.

But the traits that I knew were evident in the writings from friends and colleagues alike. One person even wrote a song in memory of him (in his blog commemorating him).

Well Emil, all I got to say is thanks for your friendship and kindness and God Bless. It's strange missing someone only after twenty odd years. ...But I do.

EMIL' s BIO

Emil Goh was born in Johor Bahru in 1966 and spent his childhood growing up in various cities around Malaysia, including three years studying in Singapore. He moved to Australia in 1985 where he studied Photography & Sculpture at Sydney College of the Arts. Later he obtained his Masters from Goldsmiths College, London. Goh has been artist-in-residence at agnes b. London; the Hayward Gallery, London; Hong Kong University and SSamziepsace, Seoul. He has exhibited widely in Australia and internationally including: Busan Biennale, Busan, 2004; Slow Rushes, Contemporary Art Centre, Vilnius, 2004; Mix-Ed, Sherman Galleries, 2004; Location Location, Australian Centre for Photography, Sydney, 2003, Fruits, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, 2003; Housewarming, Parasite Artspace, Hong Kong, 2003; REMAP, Laforet Museum, Kokura, Japan, 2002; Buddha: Past, Present, Future , Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2002; Emil Goh 1996-2002 , Contemporary Art Centre of South Australia, Adelaide, 2002; New Releases , Gallery 4A, Sydney, 2001; Sydney!Vienna! Akadamie fur Bildenden Kunst, Vienna, 2000) and Arus/Flow National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, 2000.