Owl City

Just recently I have discovered this band, or more like a one-man band, called Owl City. The person behind it is a man of great talent, Adam Young. You see, I was sorting through my favourited videos on YouTube and came across a clip from the movie, The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole. The song featured in the clip was called 'To the Sky'. While I was listening to it, I thought, 'Wow who is this guy singing? His voice is amazing!' And I immediately Googled to find out. Turns out he became extremely popular when his song 'Fireflies' hit the top of the charts around two years ago.

It's not surprising that at the time, I never went out of my way to buy CDs or watch music videos online. I may have heard 'Fireflies' on the radio before but of course, I never bothered to follow up on it. But anyway, this belongs to the past.

After learning some more about this talented musician, I looked up some of his songs on YouTube. I am amazed myself that I liked nearly all his songs. The reason I've never had a favourite band or singer was because usually I only like say, a few songs from a single band/singer. Adam composes and programs (his genre is electro-pop) everything himself, from the melodies to the lyrics.

I promptly logged onto iTunes and purchased all his albums available in the Australian iTunes store. They included All Things Bright and Beautiful, Ocean Eyes, Maybe I'm Dreaming, Sky Sailing and Of June. There were also a couple of singles, Alligator Sky and Strawberry Avalanche, which I also bought. =P

There are quite a few reasons why I find his songs wonderful. First of all, the lyrics paint a picture in your mind as you are listening to the songs. They are simple and sophisticated at the same time, just utterly brilliant. Secondly, Adam sings his songs with clear articulation. I just hate it when you listen to a song and half the time you have no idea what the words are. Well this doesn't happen with Owl City! Finally, his songs never fail to cheer me up after a bad day, there's just something about them that makes warm and fuzzy inside. Adam Young's imagination is what makes his music outstanding and unique.

See for yourself, have a listen to some of his most popular songs, for example, Vanilla Twilight, The Saltwater Room, The Real World and Galaxies.

Oh and he is handsomely cute. ^^

Almost Time!

There is only two and a half weeks to go until semester one starts! I have mixed feelings about this. I sort of want to get into a routine again, yet I know I will miss the blissful holidays when I'm back at uni. This year will be my final year as an undergraduate, after that is either employment or postgrad study. I haven't decided which way to go yet. It is one of the several things I must sort out before the year ends.

I will be taking the following subjects this semester:
- Advanced Food Analysis
- Food Processing and Preservation
- Biotechnology in Practice
- Techniques in Molecular Science

It has been a busy February so far. For one there was the Chinese New Year celebrations, it's the year of the rabbit for those who don't know. We had a delicious family dinner at a new restaurant that opened in the city, called Shanghai Dynasty. The interior decor was spectacular! Full of golds and fancy furniture. There was dragon dance too, to entertain and bless the patrons dining that evening.

In other news, I have been kept on as a casual at David Jones! =D However we got a new manager and all that, so hopefully things will still look up. I gave in my uni availabilities in on Monday, so I am hoping to get consistent hours each week. Fingers crossed!

2011 - The beginning of a new decade

The passing of 2010 has been a milestone for me. It's been over ten years since my family and I immigrated to Australia. Although we arrived here in May 1999, if I subtract the months spent visiting relatives back in my hometown, it would make exactly ten years in Australia, give or take a week or so.

These ten extraordinary years will always be etched in my memory. So many amazing events and experiences have happened that would not have if I have remained in China. My outlook on life and the society would have been wildly different. So for this I am eternally grateful to my parents for bringing me over here.

Over the years I have made many life-long friends, and all of them have helped me to become the person I am today. Especially with my high school friends, the memories we shared are unforgettable; from the crazy times at school camps, to the joy of lunchtimes at school and activities such as team sports and orchestra. Even though most of us have gone to different universities, we have never lost contact and never hesitate to catch-up over a cup of coffee or a movie.

Growing up in Australia has helped me to put things in perspective. If I had stayed in China, my teenage years would have been nothing but years of endless study, competing with hundreds of thousands of hopeful students to get into the best universities. But my parents have given me a chance to grow and develop while balancing between work and play. A good education is paramount yes, but the difference is that I was still allowed to have fun. Our time on Earth are to be lived, meaning doing the things we love before it's to late.

The year 2010 has been amazing itself. I have started horse riding lessons, something I have dreamed about for years. Even though I only do so occasionally, I feel that I'm on the road to realizing this dream. 2010 is the year that I started volunteering, the importance of which I have overlooked before. The only regret is that I did not start earlier. I have also become more outgoing over the past year. By that I mean spending less time holed up at home in front of the computer, and instead enjoying the great outdoors with all my friends.

My wish, my resolution for the new year is to continue doing all these things mentioned above, as well as getting out there and discover new adventures.

2011 - I can feel dawning of the best year of my life.

Riding Video

Thought I'd share a few clips from my most recent riding lesson on Monday. It was definitely better than the last lesson, no falling off! xD
I had my lesson at 10am this time, as to avoid the heat of the day.

The summer break is in full swing! Can't wait until Christmas! =D

10th Riding Lesson

Because of uni exams, Christmas jobs and the bad weather over the past month, I just didn't have time to book a riding lesson. But today I finally had some spare time to do what I love most - horse riding! =D

It was a lovely sunny day up at Wandin Riding Academy, and Bart, the school horse I ride, was already there waiting for me. He has got his summer coat and was all shiny! I gave him a carrot to munch on while I groomed him and picked out his hooves. Bart is a 15.2hh (approx 154cm at the withers) gelding. I love him to bits. =D

Did the usual stuff for my lesson. Lots of trotting, both rising and sitting, and also worked on trot to canter transitions, which I find quite difficult. I get tense and the start to bounce all over the place, losing my stirrups and all. LOL! However today I managed to fall off while trying to canter! Landed on my back and had all the breadth knocked out of my body. Was a bit light-headed for a while too, but I was back to normal in an hour or so. Anyhow, it was a great lesson overall.

Now for some photos! Credit to Janey!

I love this pony! ^_^

Sorry about the pic overload! Hope you like them! =D