Spreading a little christmas cheer

Hey good people,

Here are 2 guitar covers I did to brighten up your day. The first one is yesterday by the beatles while the second one is silent night. Both are solo arrangements and the tabs can be found at http://www.justinguitar.com/. Enjoy!

Yesterday
http://uploading.com/files/LWK4H8H7/yesterday by the beatles.amr.html

Silent Night
http://uploading.com/files/8VEOCIJ7/Silent night!.amr.html

Haha I know that they are not that good but bear with me ok?

Chows,
Jethro

Put the fingers to the strings

"Put the fingers to the string". Yes, that is what I did yesterday, along with a few others. Namely my brother, eddie and oliver. We went to jam at a jamming studio. It all started when eddie suggested to me that we should go book a studio and jam our hearts out. So it was not long that we find ourselves taking a bus down to tampines safra and trying to find the studio, which is called living forte. Haha me and eddie couldn't recall the name so we thought it was living stone. Corney. And yes I mentioned that we had to find the place. Thats because it is situated in some super ulu area in the industrial park. Well, I guess its because its far cheaper to rent there.

I have to admit that the place is pretty cool. It's warm and cosy and the floor is carpeted. Throw in a friendly service-orientated owner for a cool price of 13$ per hour and what you get is a great deal. But the equipments are another story altogether. For a start, the drums were crappy enough. Then, the electric guitar was seriously out of tuned ( to the extent that its impossible to tune it) that they had to change it.But I guess the amps more that make up for it. Almost all were marshall, which produced nice beefy and soulful tones. Weee!!! I reallylike to twang a brightness of my guitar.

After much setting up and getting a little pissed, we were all set and ready to go. So theres me on rhythm guitar, my bro on lead guitar, oliver on drums and eddie on bass. This is OUR band. ( lol kidding) We decided to play Hosanna by hillsongs. I have to say that its really fun. Its really another thing to play alone at home and to play as a band. You have to watch the timing and all that dynamics. It really is an experience.

I want to go back again! Eddie said that we should go back next week. I guess its already set in stone for me.

Note: I think I should learn to blog. My writing style aint too good.

Btw, if you want to reach them for some jam, click here-http://www.livin-forte-production.blogspot.com/ They work on a booking basis. That means that they only open the place if you call them in advance to book. the fee is $15 per hour. Student is $13 per hour.

Chows,
Jethro

Awesome JC Outing

Today is officially JC outing day. And yes finally. I have already lost count of the number of failed JC outing attempts. So today started off with a totally ultimate breakfast at Long Johns Silver with my brother and bryan. We had a DOUBLE TURKEY BACON ULTIMATE BREAKFAST SET WITH ICED MILO!!!! And that my friend, is beyond awesome. Of course theres all the fat and cholesterol in it but who cares, I need it anyway.

After that, we went to vivocity to meet the rest of the JCs. There was me, my bro, bryan, mitchell, justin, joel and rachel. The other 2, Glenda and Nicole, only joined us later. Soon we boarded the tramp and headed for sentosa. Did I mention that the tramp was really slow? It was like crawling along the track. I really do not know what the wheels are there for. Upon arrival, we headed to siloso beach to go play volleyball. At least thats the idea. More like we were playing pick-the-ball-and-whack-it ball. Haha. But the crappiness was fun. But we got bored soon and so
we decided to assainate people into the pool of eternal sandiness. (by that I mean the sea) Boy it was freezing in there.

Yup so that sorta sums up the first part of the outing. We went to bath after that. There was also no sun so it was kinda like not the right setting.

Back at vivo we met Nicole and Glenda. And so we decided to watch Bolt. (Although I wanted Winx Club) Some of us ( not too sure who) slept during the movie because it was too boring. I was also damn tired by that time already. Probably due to sleeping at 1 plus and waking up at 8. Crap I really should sleep earlier. Luckily there was the beyond awesome Rhino the hamster that is like totally crappy and funny nin that ball of his and so I managed to keep awake. Of course there was the usual indecisive slacking but to cut the long story short, we went back after that. We had initially planned to go PS to slack somemore but then Rachel lost her ipod and so we made our way back to vivo. She found her ipod. Must thank God!!

By then we were already tired to the stoning level. So we went back home and blah blah blah....

Ok, thats the end of this long day. One takeaway from this outing: The JCs know how to have fun ( and do work!)

Liberty of the mend

Its been a few days since I last blogged. I don't really know what kind of posts should I type. Should I type simple recounts of my life and thoughts, or should I give deeper insights and format it properly. Well, whatever. Today's posts is the latter. Btw, I still do miss ACT-celerate camp alot. Fanning the flame now!

Many of us have ideals and principles. One of them is liberty and freedom, the right to free will. Yes, it is the great American dream. Think the statue of liberty or the stripes of red, white and blue. Freedom can be many things, as it itself is hard to define. Perhaps for most of my readers, who are teenagers, freedom is being able to stay out late, hang out with friends and do 'freedom' things. Sad to say, this is a very superficial form of freedom. (please don't get me wrong, it is still a valid opinion) It deals only with physical boundaries. Every of this actions and belief is central to the idea of expanding our physical boundaries.

Also, for many of us, our parents and society often put limits on our physical boundary. This often makes us feel restricted, unhappy, confused and fustrated. To us, it seems like they are unreasonable and not understanding. Howver, to they freedom is freedom from danger, harm and threats. Now let me make myself real clear. I do not wish to go into the debate as to which is right and wrong. Yet, we must understand that both ideas of freedom is valid. This leads me to my main point.

Perhaps one of the greatest forms of liberty is the ability to see that differnt people have different opinions of freedom, and to subject yourself to a certain level of tolerance of the other partys ideals.

What does that mean? Simple. It means that

1) You try to understand how the other party thinks.
2) You accept the idealogies even though you know that you don't believe them.

Now that does not mean that you allow youself to be oppressed by others. This tolerate here is of the toleration of the ideals but certainly not cases of oppression.

Ok, I shall just end of now cos I'm really tired. Lol abrupt ending. Thks for reading.

Chows,
Jethro

Youth Camp 'ACT-celerate'

Just came back from youth camp 'Act-celerate' today. I had to say, this was one of the best youth camps I have EVER attended. God's presence was moving so strongly throughout the whole of the camp. I can see the hand of God touching lives at the camp. His hands were restoring, healing, comforting, stregthening and building. Indeed, God is an AWESOME God. I really wanna thank Estee, Amos and Derek for planning this camp! Thks!:) We also had much fun in the camp, especially in the room. We were like crapping and laughing and then crapping somemore and crapping even more. I thank God for those in my room. There was Ezra, who is totally crappy and super funny. Appreciate it bro!

The camp speaker was Brian Tan. He is totally awesome. He has the ability to inspire and motivate the youth. When he spoke, the strong presence of God was always with him. Yeah! And also, he managed to set a vision for LIVEWIRE as a group. One of them is to increase in numbers! On a more personal approach, this camp is special because God let me realize his aAmazing Grace. He lets me understand his Amazing Grace in a whole new dimension. Although I feel like writing about it here, I choose not to because I know that even if I do write, it will never express the true significance of His Amazing Grace. I shall just put a video here. Watch it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXV6HJxUebg

AMZING GRACE!

I was also made the room I/C for my room. I thank God for this opportunity to serve him in this new dimension and also to grow in chirstian leadership. Indeed, the plans that God has for US, for ME is always good and perfect! I hope I have been a good room I/C. I also have to say that pastor Kenny is a really good youth pastor. He is always smiling and is so nice to everyone. Sometimes I feel so guilty that I didnt reciprocate and just gave an emo face in return. Sry Pastor Kenny! You are the best!

Theres still so much to talk about. Theres Angel Mortal, camp games and the skits(Uber funny) Not to mention the new friends I made at the camp! But Im too lazy. Next time perhaps.

Until then, Chows
Jethro Low

My Dream House

When I was still small and equally handsome as I am now, I used to imagine what it was like to live in a tree house. In this dream house there would be an infinite supply of lays BBQ flavor and I would be oh so invisible to the world. I could imagine myself in that little wooden shelter acting as if I was a spy. In those times, my dream house would morph into a spy's HQ. Yes, thats how awesomely great my childhood dreamhouse was.

Fast-foward about a decade later and my ideal dream house is totally different. Perhaps the course of life, in its difficulty and celebration, have altered it in such a way. My dream house is now a little cosy cottage atop a windy hill set amogst the meadows in norway. My little cottage would rear around 2-3 horses I could gallop on exploring the surrounding coniferous forest. In the morning having just woken up I would go out to the porch and sip a teacup of Earl Grey while watching the scenary. I would watch how the birds fly by and how raindrops formed. Everyday the sun would rise from the far end and stir up a breeze that would untangle my hair.

In the afternoon when it is a little hotter, I could go exploring on my horses and discover the wonderful world God had created. One day it will be a dark cave and the next it will be a waterfall. In fact, this will keep me fit and fab yeah! I should think that all this action will surely work up an appetite.

So when I return back, as does the sun, I would invite a few friends over for roast turkey and wine. We could jam a little on the guitar or play pokercards. Then, when its really late I will be at the front porch again looking up at a blanket of stars and thanking God for this wonderful life I am living. And God, in all his glory and grace, would send a little breeze to make my day.

Chows,
Jethro Low

+Positive Restrain+

I was trying to make the title of my entry today interesting but truth to behold, it is boring....And so that explains the funny symbols at the side to jazz it up abit. Well, doesn't matter anyway.Its the content right?

Today we shall talk about restrain. What exactly is restrain? To put it simple, restrain is something that holds you back from doing something. In the secular context, restrain is often seen in a negative light as something that inhibits your potential and prevents you from reaching your dreams. Issues like a lack of self-confidence, fear of failure and perhaps, a low level of IQ are constantly shelved on the hall of blame. Of course this are restrains that prevents you from the lifestlye of your dreams, no doubt. But since this have been talked on so much in our society, I refuse to join in the forray and make my article boring. All for your sake!!!

Restain can be postive as well. There are many aspects of positive restrain, but I will only focus on the most unheard one today. Restrain in the form of empathy. Many a times in our life we find that we may benefit if we are to take advantage of other people's weaknesses. One example. In a social setting, I find that many people try to find someone to tease and make fun of so as to gain the attention and acceptance of their friends. Such a move will obviously hurt this guy's feeling. This is where restrain of empathy comes into play. If the 'teaser' was to empathize and realize that this guy would get hurt and act on this empathy, he will not make fun of him. This is a good situation. However, in doing so, he will have to suffer the opportunity costs of not having gained his friends acceptance. This is also why restrain of empathy is so hard to act upon. Like all other restrains, it entails a sacrifice. However, restrain of empathy is even harder to act upon since you know that the power to act is in you.

Now, you may be thinking that restrain of empathy is only good in a general context but it is not beneficial for the individual. That may seem so on the superficial surface. But on deeper introspection, restrain of empathy is positive to the individual. Restrain of empathy helps you make friends since people know they are emotionally safe around you. It also helps you to gain the respect of others, which is a crucial component of effective leadership.

On the other hand, restrain of empathy whout CERTAINLY NOT be confused with other restrains such as inadequacy and a lack of confidence. People like to have a delusion of control and so they attribute their crappy life to the restrain of emphathy. For instance, they say 'Oh! I did not fight back for myself not because I do not dare to, but because I am afraid I will hurt them'. For goodness sake, it is 100% appropriate to defend yourselves should the need arise. Confusing this 2 would only leave you in a downward spiral of hopelessness and frustration.

To end off, I hope that all readers may begin to practice restrain of empathy. Not only will it help you, but it will make this world a so much better place to live in.

Chows!,
Jethro Low

When it rains

I love it when it rains. Haha and no im not talking about the korean popstar Rain. When it rains, it seems as if all things had come to a standstill. It is as though the past is past and the future the future. Only the moment is there. And i especially love the wind that comes with the rain. It sorta cools you down, takes away all the heatiness of the burdens and troubles. To me at least, it feels as if it is God's way of saying he is there through it all, do not worry. In fact, I could just be at the void deck of my 98 looking at the rain outside all day, thinking about things that matter.

I think that all of us have our favorite whether. It could be anything from burstingly hot to bitterly cold. Perhaps our favourite whether is our way of coming back to nature, and in its essence, coming back to the very truth of ourselves. On a more bigger picture, perhaps it is one of Gods own special way to us to let us experience him.

This is like a totally random post that Im typing now so pardon the tardiness. Hope you find your whether! In the meantime, I'll just be waiting for rain. ( and no not the korean rain)

Chows!,
Jethro Low