Excellent coupling!

waiting...

Emil Chau & Jonathan Lee Concert 2005

Went with Mum for this one. I enjoyed it thoroughly although I think Mum would have preferred it to be just an "Emil Chau (Zhou Hua Jian)" concert. Afterall, Emil Chau's the charmer, energetic mr funny man who sings mesmerizingly well - he's had 2 or 3 sell-out concerts here before.

Well, the singing 'prowess' of Jonathan Lee (Lee Zhong Sheng, better known as the famous songwriter who was married to Sandy Lam before) wasn't one that went down well for many. He can't really sing like the polished pros...but I thought his unique 'constipated' type of singing along with equally constipated looks on his face, singing his own rendition of the many popular songs his written before were simply captivating. What was absolutely gripping about him was the emotion he put into every song he sang. Almost seemed like a musical, his musical - singing his life story of heartaches, love's trials and tribulations through his lyrics. Many of these love songs made references to his thoughts and feelings at the time when he was married but was also, seeing Sandy Lam. Interesting. Even celebrities have issues.

Sitting there listening to them belt out every song, at blasting volume, it's almost like the words were being forced down into your ears. No, not that it was unpleasant, au contraire. The story behind these songs were very real...people can actually relate to them, representative of matters related to the weak heart. It became somewhat emotional for me at some point, but heck, at the end of it, I was glad I had Mum with me and that we went to see it together.

You'll never know what you'll do till you really love someone.
Joe in "Alfie"

The Chinese in Me

Taxi drivers have on several occasions, embarassing ones, mistook me for a mainlander..."xiao jie...ni shi zhong guo lai de ma (miss, are you from China) *grin*?" Eugh...*grimace* I mean, which part of my "Uncle, to Bukit Batok Central, please" sound like a mainlander. Just cause I am fair (yes, I've been told and I admit I am can easily slip into the role of a walking lightbulb) and I speak Mandarin a little 'funny' sometimes.

Well, why is being referred or mistaken for a mainlander such a turn-off? Unfortunately, many ill media reports and discussions regarding the 'mainland' Chinese have permeated into our very minds - husband stealers, bar hostesses here to make money and potentially husband stealers, materialistic students, women stop-over for a real quick buck...anyone will do as long as there's cash in return. Bad rep all round. I've heard real stories myself. I can understand why.

But I also have a real good friend who hails from the 'mainland' China. And it makes me feel bad and guilty about my reaction to the taxi drivers. My reaction expresses my sub-conscious discontent towards the mainland Chinese women and it scares me. The power of the media and the weakness in human spirit.

Seriously, are there any decent mainland Chinese women at all? Yup, there are. There are many who are here to study, really, and strive for excellence in the field of education, sports, work in the broadcasting to entertain us or to provide information, to teach our young the all important Chinese language in this era, etc.

We all know that China will be the next super power and it seems to be happening sooner right before our very eyes. My mum made several trips to different parts of China and said it's no longer the place that epitomises poverty, poor infrastructure and backwardness. In fact, it's catching up so quick that she almost feels threatened that Singapore and Singaporeans for that matter is or will no longer remain superior for much longer. It's time I change my mindset and lose the stereotyping...and the next time, in my half-past six Mandarin, I'll reply the taxi-driver, minus the grimace.