Dear Everyone,

the new beginning of 2009, happy New year to everyone and
here's a letter from Jon for you all.

stay in touch,
Eveline

----
A Very happy 2009 to you, and if you celebrate the Lunar new year... I
hope the year of the ox brings you good health to enjoy the many
adventures that life offers.

This January has been sort of a month away from music as I have spent
the most part of the month in Army reservist training. It was tiring
and yet invigorating, catching up with my campmates and going out in
the field to do what we used to do during our National Service. The 2
and a half weeks in green was a break away from music I guess. I could
listen, but not write. I think the time away gave me some time to mull
over new ideas and recharge my batteries. At the same time, I do feel
a little rusty as well, but I think I will get over that in a week.
Something very sad happened while my mates and I was in reservist
though, a fellow platoon mate of mine passed away from cancer. I
visited him when he was diagnosed in 2007 and the sickness did not let
up. We all attended the wake and paid our respects. He is the third
friend that I have lost in the course of my 26 years of life. I do
hope he is resting peacefully and that his family will cope well. He
will always remain in our fondest memories.

I managed to squeeze extra pockets of time to read two books this
month and these are my recommendations for the month, Neil Gaiman's-
Anansi Boys and Alan Moore's Watchmen. I think they are available at
the branches of our national library. Our National Library collections
are amazing, there really isn't much need to buy books if you lack in
storage space or aren't buying the book as a reference. From my
correspondence with friends from many other other countries, our
libraries are top notch! Use them, people!! Don't let it go to waste!
Books, music, movies.. taking in any form of storytelling that people
poured their souls into creating is the best form of education in my
opinion.

Watchmen was a re read for me because the motion picture is coming
out this year and I want to see if they did a good job translating the
monolith of a graphic novel onto the big screen. Alan Moore (the
writer) actually totally dissociates himself with any interpretations
of his work, hence the movie will only be credited to Dave Gibbons
(the artist). I think you guys can check up on Alan Moore and his
interesting opinions on things by googling him. I think I have said
this a few times already, I have a habit of repeating myself because
there are only so many things that I am realy into, Neil Gaiman's
works are a must read for me, I am kind of behind, actually... I have
yet to read his work outside of the Sandman, American Gods, Mirrormask
and now Anansi Boys. I even missed out on reading Stardust. I only
rented the DVD. I always have so many things that I want to do. There
are so many great books, art, music and movies to appreciate. The part
is I like to study them, which makes it more time consuming! Having to
review them many times when I still have such a long to do list to
fufill workwise.

Workwise, I hope to be able to squeeze in a decent amount of practice
time and writing time before the month ends but there are still houses
left to visit for the new year. Maybe I will just enjoy the festive
time since it's just once a year.
Do stay healthy, get some exercise, eat your vitamins...because
health, it's the most important thing in the end.

Warmest regards,
Jon.

Hi Jon

Really nice to hear from you. It seems like a long time. Time seems to drag when we're anxiously & excitely waiting for news from you, despite our being busy with work & other matters.

A good break & good exercise too during your reservist training, ya! But so so sad to hear about your friend's passing. Worst is for parents who go through the most pain & grief when losing their child. Truly hope too that the family is coping well.

Totally agree with you that our libraries have fantastic collections of books. I enjoyed spending quiet time at the comfortable reference room at the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library at Victoria Street, browsing through the huge collection of travel books, etc. and at the library at Esplanade, materials on music, arts & entertainment or borrow DVDs on movies, music, etc.

Today's already the 10th day of CNY - yes, do enjoy the season & eating YuSheng but I guess you should avoid eating too much of "heaty" goodies 'cause you got to maintain your voice & keep yourself in good health.

Keep going and make this year a Good Year!

Angelyn
$hug

:)

Hope everything's been fine for ya! Miss ya! *Luff*

Hi Jon,

Thanks for the update. Hope you had enjoyed the cny holidays.
And hope to see you performing for us again soon.
Happy Valentines Day smitten

Perhaps Jonathan Leong is looking for something thought-provoking to stimulate his mental faculties (before he can commit in words) :-

"Our current preoccupation with individual rights and personal gratification militates against the selfless devotion that is required in loving unconditionally".