How you see yourself

Move over Gangnam Style, here comes Gelan Style

Hey youngsters!  Gangnam style no more.  Here comes Gelan style.  Gelan??  This is the Hanyu Pinyin (Chinese) name for Grace Chang.  Grace Chang??  Aiyoh!!  Below is the "copy & paste" from Wikipedia.

Grace Chang (born June 13, 1933), aka Gě Lán (葛蘭), is a Chinese actress and singer.

Born in Shanghai, Chang moved with her family to Hong Kong in 1948.

She was an actress from the Cathay (Motion Picture and General Investments Limited) with many successes from "It Blossoms Again" to "The Wild, Wild Rose" and "Mambo Girl".

Chang appeared in 33 films during her 11-year acting career. Her last actual appearance was in 1964 though she has provided vocals for soundtracks.

Now before you click off the video, the action begins @ 1:50 of the Youtube track.  Mind you Gelan is still alive in Hong Kong, perhaps waiting for Psy to do the mambo with her.

Getting to know you

"Getting to know you" is the popular song from the 1956 movie "The King and I" starring Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr, sung by Marni Nixon.  I am sure all of you have heard this song a thousand times.  But have you heard, or in fact, have you ever watched a performance by a trio of 3 singers, one from America, one from Japan and one from China singing "Getting to know you"?

Here it is.  The Japanese singer is Yukiji Asaoka, a Japanese actress and singer.  The American was Dinah Shore.  And who was this Chinese lady? She is Grace Chang.  Grace Chang?  The Chinese audience will know her as Ge Lan (葛蘭), the popular Chinese film star of the 50s and 60s. 

 Grace Chang and Dinah Shore (October, 1959)




 

Tzu Chi, the greatest and most effective relief organization

(Tzu Chi Blue Angels)

Tzu Chi is perhaps the greatest and most effective international relief organization in the world.  The person behind this is Master Cheng Yen, who founded the Tzu Chi Foundation and is the spiritual mentor and motivator of all the Tzu Chi chapters worldwide.

Whenever there is a crisis or disaster, Tzu Chi volunteers will be amongst the first to arrive to help and relieve those in need of help.  These fully committed volunteers are always ready to spring to action immediately with love and compassion.  No wonder they are compassionately referred to as the "Blue Angels"!

Tzu Chi always delivers relief hands-on to the recipients with grace, love and humility and respect for the receivers.  It is just amazing how Tzu Chi is so effective.  Apart from international relief work, Tzu Chi has a wide spectrum of aids ranging from medical, social, to education. 

To read more please go to my article in Hubpages: CLICKHERE   

Playing the piano is easy.Even a five-year old can play.

Hey, I never knew playing piano is so easy.  Even a five-year old can play it so well.  I am taking back my old piano and start playing like this young boy in five weeks' time!

The Cancer Warrior, CT Chang leaves us today.

  

CT Chang

(sitting in the compound of Gerson Clinic, Mexico.)

Today is a sad day for me.  My internet friend CT Chang chose to leave this world today, September 11, 2012.  It was on this fateful day three years ago that the doctor gave him only 6 months to live.  He fought on and lived for another three fruitful years to the day.

Chang started journalising his battle with cancer in his blog "Upekha", and it was through his blog that I came to know him.  During the period of three years, Chang had shown his unwavering courage fighting cancer with alternative treatments, as the conventional treatments could not help him. He had gained great admiration for his tenacity and strong will power. He had helped many others personally as well as through the internet.

Chang at entrance of the Gerson Clinic

 

Chang with Charlotte Gerson

Chang with a clinic caregiver

Chang presenting a talk on "Why Should We Care" April 10, 2011, 

at the Royal Lake Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Chang, the quintessential Buddhist

Chang, the quintessential Buddhist. His blog is called “Upekha”. He purposely misspelt it for ease of finding his blog, according to him. The correct spelling is “Upekkha” . Upekkha is a Buddhist term in Pali meaning “equanimity” and is an important mindset in one’s spiritual development. In Chang’s own words in his blog heading:

“UPEKHA IS A PALI WORD TO MEAN EQUANIMITY. EVERYTHING IS EQUAL. THIS BLOG CONTAINS THE JOURNALS OF A PERSON WHO HAS STAGE 4 KIDNEY CANCER. IT DETAILS THE EMOTIONAL & MENTAL STATES AND ALSO THE GERSON & OTHER THERAPIES CHOSEN AND PROVIDES DAILY UPDATES WHERE POSSIBLE.”

Chang humbly informed readers which I quote again from his blog :

“I adopt a way of life which most people call Buddhism. I have not developed any level of spiritual attainment. I am a nobody, just someone wandering in samsara (cyclic existence).”

True to Chang’s amiable personality, he allowed every comment in his blog. Throughout the three years, Chang’s blog had attracted a diverse spectrum of readers, with occasional comments bordering on religious proselytizing, despite Chang’s declaration that he was a Buddhist. That did not bother him, for he was above petty issues. Chang was more concerned with the more important and urgent mission of fighting cancer than to allow those little irritancies to affect his quest.

I am in no position to analyze Chang’s sudden downhill slide for the worst. What I would comment is that since he went to China for the HIFU treatment in late December 2011, his condition started to deteriorate. It was an irony; the HIFU treatment was a success having destroyed the targeted tumurs. From the start of 2012, Chang’s postings gave more and more discouraging news on his health and recovery problems.

A closing contemplation for a Buddhist friend, my friend CT Chang

As a closing tribute to my friend; the amiable, compassionate, and courageous cancer warrior, please allow me to recite this Buddhist final contemplation on the final lap of his journey.

I salute you, Chang Chee Teck!
May you have a happy and fruitful rebirth!
May you attain the final bliss of Nibbana in due time!
**************************************************************************
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sama Sambuddhassa
(Homage to the Blissful One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One)
Aniccavata Sankhara
Uppadavaya Dhammino
Uppajjitva Nirujjhanti
Tesamvupa Samo Sukho
(All component things are indeed transient
They are of the nature of arising and decaying
Having come into being, they cease to be
The cessation of this process is bliss!)

The Chant of Metta by Imee Ooi
(Chang's favourite spiritual piece)

Malaysia "Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!"

Malaysia Merdeka!  55 years of independence, today, 31 August in the year 1957!

Time for a change, for whatever reasons.