no.39 130608 Thank you for the music and the way it made me feel today

Cute table setting at the Bay. I can't wait to have my own place and host dinner parties!

I'm not the best driver, but I enjoy driving from time to time (usually when I'm in the mood for it). And today, I was definitely in the mood for it. I didn't have a good morning when I woke up. I opened up my eyes before the alarm went off (which rarely happens), my legs were feeling funny. I was tired, I was in a bad mood, and the weather didn't help either. The blue sky was nowhere to be found - it was dark and dreary. I just felt out of place for some reason.

I had a wedding to attend, so I forced myself to get up to get ready. Although I got up pretty early, I was running behind since I was moving at a turtle's pace. I left my house later than I intended which made me more grumpy. I got into the car and put the volume on just right, and went through the songs I had on my phone. I found a song that can put me in a happy mood.

The song that put me in a happy mood today is called 'Beacuse of You' by Marques Houston. I don't know anything about him other than his name. Also, this is the only song I know. I found out about this song when I was in first year of university I think. Back then, I was really into music - mostly different genres of jazz, indie pop (Acid House Kings, Yo La Tengo, etc) and R&B. Once again, I don't have in depth knowledge about the types of music, so please correct me if I'm wrong. I found about a musician named Musiq Soulchild, and a few of his songs caught my attention. I guess I wanted to find other songs in the similar style and did my research. That's how I got to 'Because of You.' Ever since I first heard this song, I've been playing from time to time.

Do you ever wonder how music can make you feel certain way? If you click on the link above, I bet you'll understand what I mean. Go ahead, and try it! Today, the music helped me feel much better. I am thankful for the music and the way it made me feel today. It's nice to have a playlist of your favourite songs that can help you boost your endorphins when you're feeling low. By the way, there hasn't been that big of a change to my music list ever since my first/second years of university. This means that I haven't really looked up that many musicians lately. I am always open for discovering new musicians, so if you have any suggestions, do share with me!

no.19 130519 Thank you for my Sunday mornings

Two years ago, taken by Sunny Baby (my sister) with DSLR.

 

Jazz is one of my favourite genres of music. I guess it's really broad when I say jazz, because it can range anywhere from Louis Armstrong to Herbie Hancock to Wynton Marsalis to Diana Krall. I don't know much about the history of jazz or different types of jazz. When I hear a song I like, I look up the musician and listen to other songs by the same artist to get a glimpse of what his or her style is like. If I were to rank the types of music I like, Bossa Nova will be on my top five. Bossa nova is a Brazilian music, meaning 'new trend' in Portuguese. It is a fusion of jazz and samba. I first heard the famous bossa nova song called 'The Girl from Ipanema' by Antonio Carlos Jobim when I was in high school, and I absolutely fell in love with it.

 

I used to tune into the Toronto jazz station every Sunday morning while I was getting ready for church. On Sunday mornings, they always air John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey's Radio Deluxe. This was one of my favourite moments of the week. Why am I writing in past tense if I still go to church? It's because ever since I started serving at the preschool/kindergarten ministry, I have to go to church 2 hours earlier than I usually did.  Hence, I can't listen to the couple. I was a little bit sad about missing this show but I realized that I can listen to it on my way to church!

 

As usual, I had my radio tuned to 91.1 while driving to church. Out of the songs they played today, I especially enjoyed one song called 'My Cherie Amour (click to listen!).' The original is by Stevie Wonder, but as you might know, in jazz, there are lots and lots of covers of one song by various musicians. The version I listened to today was a cover by a Brazilian jazz artist, Eliane Elias with a bossa nova feel to it. I never heard of this version but I really liked it. What I like about bossa nova is the happy, light and frothy feel it has. There's some kind of mysterious charm to it - you'll know what I mean if you're a bossa nova fan like me. It made me feel so good, driving to church, listening this song, and having the wind gently brushing my hair. I was in a good mood already, but this song definitely made me extra happy! If you're in a bad mood today, I strongly suggest you listen to bossa nova. I highly recommend 'My Cherie Amour' by Eliane Elias. I'm pretty sure you'll be in a good mood just like I am!

 

I am thankful for this Sunday morning, and every other Sunday mornings! Not just because of this jazz radio station, but the fact that I can go to a place called church, where I gather with fellow Christians. I think it's easy to forget how blessed we are to live in Canada where we have plenty of churches, and to be able to go to one without any worries of getting in trouble.