Music Review: Alex Fong's CD "True"

Hello Dear Readers!

I thought I'd try something new this time around. I thought I'd try to write a music review based on Alex Fong's CD "True" (I know this is old, but I am also new to Chinese music I started listening this summer and I am beginning to get hooked)

Alex Fong's first CD has 13 audio tracks:

(Since my computer doesn't have a chinese option I am writing the titles of the songs in Mandarin Pinyin)--this CD is Cantonese by the way. The English titles are just rough translations I made up ...if I didn't put a translation, it's because I can't think of a title.

1. "Hao Xin Hao Bao" (Good person Good Return/Result) --Duet w/Stephy Tang
2. "Ji Xu You"
3. "Xia Yi Ci Zai Jian" ( See you again next time)
4. "Shi Jie Zhi Da" ( This World is large)--Feat. Cookies
5. "Bing Ji Liang Gong Li"
6. "Yu Le ni pengyou" (Entertaining your friend)
7. "Shi Lian Sheng di" ( Where love was lost)
8. "Da Chao Sheng"
9. "Man Niu"
10. "Dong Mian" (Hibernation)
11."Hao Xin Hao Bao" (Good person Good Return/Result)--Solo version
12. "Shun Jian Yi Dong"
13. "Mei Yi Ke De Zi you" (Every bit of freedom)

Well, here goes nothing: I think this CD is actually better than Alex Fong's second CD "Never walk alone"( More on that later) I originally didn't listen to chinese music regularly, but at the University of Waterloo I was actually in the campus at summer school. One of the ways my friends relaxed was going to "K-Zone" a singing lounge.

Anyway, I got interested in playing along although I was not originally interested (I ended up belting out Frank Sinatra's "My Way" because it was one of the only songs I know.) Anyway, when it came to Chinese music I was the worse guy ever...in fact I was so shy, I could not even project my voice because I felt like I died in embarassment.

One of my friends asked me to learn the first song "Hao Xin Hao Bao" (Good person Good Return/Result)--the duet version, So I didn't really know how else I am going to learn the song so I took one weekend, and went back to Toronto to buy this CD mainly because I felt that I made a promise I would try to learn the song for her. (Of course, I actually told my friend that I couldn't sing in Chinese--I think I suck...) But of course at her urging I thought: well, I got nothing to lose...it's going to be a long time. But I'll learn it...because when I make a promise I intend to keep it. (Which resulted in Amy C. asking me why I am blushing and other Cantonese CCF ppl thinking "what the...")

That and the fact that I think she's a nice friend. She is one of the people I know who could probably beat any opponent in any singing contest if she wanted to...did I mention she's nice? And yeah, she's an important friend to me. ^__^ (Angela L, that's what I think of you)

In case, you were wondering Gary L, Jojo H. Wayne C. you guys are included in that list of singing amigos. ^__~

When I brought one CD and then... I brought others (hence I got interested in Joey Yung CDs) Alex Fong huh? I think his songs on this CD were great (I originally didn't like it...but I got used to it.) The reason I didn't like was simply because Alex Fong's songs are very sad...it even brings back sad memories for me.

But I got over that and thought...hey! it's fun! ( "Hao Xin Hao Bao" (Good person Good Return/Result) --Duet w/Stephy Tang was so hard to learn... I can't believe this song is still giving me that much trouble..but then again I ended up singing it while studying at DC--Sorry for scaring you Kathy ^__^)

--But I am not going to give up. so there. (Amy C. I know, I know...I turn red okay? This is going to turn into no mercy teasing isn't it? Ha ha ha! ) ^__^;

Until next time,


TKO. ^__^

The road yet to be taken.

The Road Not Taken ---by Robert Frost (1874–1963)

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;"

"Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,"

"And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back."

"I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

This poem pretty much sums up what I feel right now about my choice of degree. The fact that I am even trying to do Social work scares me (maybe partly because I have an exam tomorrow) I wondered what life was about and I always find that life will always be interesting...it's never boring ...

Why you ask?

Life has so many twists and turns and yet for every action there is a consequence...you could never run out of things to do, yet we always say that we don't have enough time.

I found that for all I could ever do...there is always something left undone, unaccounted for...something unfinished. But I prefer to think of life this way, I also mentioned this to a friend of mine:

To me, life means being there for people I think that life is worth living because I wanted to make people laugh, to be with them when they need me, to laugh with, or cry with them...or even be a shoulder for them to cry on.

Life also means that I have the ability to love and to receive love, it make life so much more of a challenge. I live because I can cherish something or someone, I think that a way to make life less boring is to live every minute and make it count.

Read Luke 12:16-21...about the man that has riches and merely felt that he need only to bulid up his riches... so that he has no worries after his active working life is over...even with his riches he felt he needed more, but God obviously reflected that to take such a course of action is foolish.

But is it truly foolish? Or is this path something that everyone of us deal with some point in our lives?

Sure, I know that in the past I have taken paths where I felt were not worth taking...but would life become truly boring if we do not walk these paths? To truly take the road less traveled? I felt that God is important to me in my life yet...I am at odds with the fact that I feel I control my own destiny...mind you I do not believe that I have any control over fate.

My destiny can be one where I choose to make a difference. I learned from a old friend of mine that you can and always should try to make an "impact" to never let life simply past me by.

I don't feel I live life merely to be remembered...I understand that everyone will be forgotten at some point. So I live with every intention to see things through...To live with no true regret...easier said than done.

But there is one thing that keeps me going and that is ambition and drive. Sometimes I know that it may seem like a raw attitude...but I felt that I can choose to take paths or stay the course.

I think given that choice...I will go the distance and stay the course. To live for immortality is to live the life of a fool. Just ask Julius Ceasar. The Roman emperor might have said: "I came, I saw, I conquered" but in the end, it is not the conquering that matters...what killed him wasn't ambition it was just his ego.

What path have you not yet taken? We may meet each other down the road less traveled.


Hope to see you down the path,

TKO. ^__^

To Good Friends...it's been an honour to know you, Congrats

"I can no other answer make but thanks,
And thanks; and ever thanks oft good turns
Are shuffled off with such uncurrent pay:
But, were my worth as is my conscience firm,
You should find better dealing."
--William Shakespeare {from the play TWELFTH NIGHT Act3 Scene 3}

The words from the master himself...I could not come up with more profound words for you ,my friends at CCF. But I have to say that I am glad to have seen you at The UW Convocation Day today. And more importantly I got the chance to spent time chatting and wishing some of you congrats for officially finishing university!

I am just as nervous myself: before you say anything, yes, I am very aware of the fact this day isn't my day yet...but the thought of it does bring tears to my eyes when I finally get to the day where that piece of paper is in my hand.

The thought couldn't come soon enough and I am next. (Yes, Mike I know, it's convocation! Not my wedding! LOL) But you gotta admit that it makes you feel good inside doesn't it? I feel like I am staring right into the future. And the near future to boot! Those of you who know me well, know that I don't pull punches when I have anything I am asked to do, be it an assignment or exam or any paper work to be done.

But most of all, I would like to Thank You.

Mike M : For being a friend and being a leader who knows just what is required and when to take action.

Gerrome T : Thanks for giving me words of wisdom regarding why dependence on God is important.

Tania S : You're right, jogging just isn't the same without you. Thanks for being the good friend that you are! (Hey I'll stock up on popsicles if I ever get the chance to visit you in the U.S.)

Valarie P: Thanks. For making me laugh...be it the funny display pics or the added Chinese dialogue at the end of every sentence (don't worry, I am gulity of that too.) ^__^

Jackson L and Rebecca : Take care of yourselves...Jackson, if there was anyone who has proven that even the sky isn't the limit...you proved it. (I might end up pretty old by the time I finish...but hey Jackson congrats, you're a legend, and legends don't die...they don't ever give up either.) Keep in touch okay? ^__~

My night was just as good capped off by the CCF grads myself and others going to Gulf's Steakhouse and having a great time, me getting to meet a few new faces and getting to say congrats was great! I promise I'll keep in touch as much as I could. Thanks for giving me a day to remember.

P.S. If I didn't mention you, don't worry...I am sure somewhere down the line, you'll be part of my log somehow.

Until next time,

this is TKO signing off...

The Game of Life: Press Start

A Greeting to readers:

Hi! This is my first ever blog entry! You have just stumbled into the various thoughts and ravings of Thomas aka TheKnockOut in this blog I will be talking about various happenings and people in and out of my life. Topics can range from my thoughts about religion, life and any interests that I have, from music to movies, books I've read, and even things about my university classes.

I am currently involved with UW Chinese Christian Fellowship, UW Cantonese Chinese Christian Fellowship.

My past group involvement have included: Oasis Drop-in center, UW Navigators, CCSA Softball--The Knights, Chinese Students Association (CSA) and Taiwanese Students Association (TWSA).

Think of this blog as a doorway to my mind. And to my friends, you won't need a penny for my thoughts...

Best Regards,

Thomas aka TheKnockOut