Tag Archives: blog post

What Inspires Me to Write Songs

One of the first songs I’ve ever written was about a boy back in Kindergarten when he broke my crayon after borrowing it. Since then not much has changed. I still write about boys, however, instead of breaking my crayons a few have broken my heart. Reflecting back now, I find myself laughing at the countless times I’ve written songs after what feels like my heart getting ripped out of my chest, but hey! You go through what you need to go through in life. Musicians just cope by singing about it!

I grew up watching a lot of rom-coms that have conditioned me into being a hopeless romantic. In the grand scheme of things, it makes a lot of sense as to why I find myself writing about love so often. I see it in a lot of things throughout my life. Whether it be about my romantic relationship, friendships, parents, I just feel really lucky to be surrounded by it.

Aside from that, the biggest inspirations for me when it comes to songwriting is God. I feel like this might be a sensitive/personal topic for some, but I would like to try and explain why this is special to me. From a young age, my faith and relationship with Christ has always been a big part of my life. Within the last three to four years, I have found myself in situations that have me in a posture of surrender and trusting Him with what He has planned for me. I sing because I know music was a gift given to me to give to others.

A Love Letter to You 4

fourth mixtape by rapper Trippie Redd

A heartbreak mixtape released by Trippie Redd, this is the November singles playlist for those who haven’t gotten a date for cuffing season. November marks the start of social activities like seeing festivals of lights or Santa pictures. As December draws near, no doubt the feeling of single hits, but like the song says, who needs love?

To be honest, I have mixed feelings about this playlist. I don’t believe it’s a healthy thing to deny yourself of positivism and happiness, and this album seems to celebrate that feeling of loneliness and isolation. But at the same time, the beats and rhythm is sick and it features such talented artists like XXXTentacion (RIP), Juice WRLD, etc.

Overall, I don’t think it’s a bad album, I think it’s very mixed. However, the theme itself is contradictory to the album title, which may be the artistic intent. It’s most definitely not a love letter, because it talks about denying that love, but also wanting it. Rather, maybe it’s an expressive work talking about an unfulfillment in these artists lives?

always believe in magic

Location: Universal Studios, Orlando / Florida, USA Couple of years ago I had a chance to visit the Universal Studios in Orlando. For a movie freak like me this was something incredible. Seeing places, characters and items from your favourite movies in real life is such an extraordinary experience. There were a lot of activities […]

a place to get in touch with yourself

From the moment I stepped a foot in Vancouver it never failed to amaze me. Usually when I search for places to go I always keep my expectations really low because I used to believe that what they show you in their adds or the photos you see in the internet are never true. They […]

Phnom Penh Restaurant (Food)

Background
This is another classic that has stood the test of time and has emerged as one of the most successful restaurants in Vancouver. Unless you arrive once their doors open or right before they close, waiting for a table can take up to 90 minutes during peak lunch and dinner times. Phnom Penh has brought together Cambodian and Vietnamese flavors together and formed a true golden gem. The restaurant is family-owned, and staying true to their traditional roots is one of the many things that make them successful. No visit is complete their “golden trio” has been ordered, and I do just that at every visit.

#35 Filet Beef Luc Cac on Rice with Egg
Deliciously saucey meat served on top a bed of rice is one of the most comforting meals for anyone. First of all, this single dish sits at virtualy every table and has become a cornerstone item. Because of the sheer volume that this dish is being served, the restaurant is able to maintain a much higher quality of meat that is extremely fresh. For $10.95, this is virtually a bargain and a musttry for everyone that can eat beef.

#71 Marinated Butter Beef
Butter beef is really just a name for how smooth the meat is, rather than the preparation itself. A flat slice of beef is plated and topped with fried minced onions and an assortment of Asian green herbs. The marinade itself is probably made up of soy sauce, fish sauce, vinegar, and some sweetener like sugar or honey. Being another staple, This sells extremely well and would thus also ensure higher quality and freshness.

#78 Phnom Penh Deep-Fried Chicken Wings
Arguably the best chicken wings found in Vancouver, this lightly battered
crispy but flavourful dish has made many people rethink what it actually means. For starters, I am a believer that the oil used to fry to chicken wings have previously fried large amounts of shallots, garlic, ginger, and green onions. The chicken wings simply have a depth of flavor that is unachievable through marination alone. Seasoned perfectly, this dish is certainly friendly to anyone open to eating meat and is an absolute must.

Verdict
Phnom Penh is one of my favorite restraints in Vancouver. The dining area is always loud and crowded which is very reminiscent of eating in a classical restaurant in Asia. Despite not being a very luxurious restraint, they more easily appeal to people with small and large wallets increasing their overall popularity.

Closure

A song about not giving up on someone, even if that someone has given up on you, Closure talks about fighting for that someone in your life. People come and go, and if we don’t fight for the people we want in our lives, we’ll have no one that we actually care about.

Say that it’s okay
I know that it isn’t
Say you need space
That is your decision
Say it to my face
Tell me how I’m tripping
This is something real
I’m what you’ve been missing

At this point in my life, I can without a doubt say that I’ve lost people that I fought for. When we lose the people we thought cared about us, it becomes easy to lose yourself in negative thoughts, but this song reminds us of why we care. We fought for a reason and we loved for a reason. We cared about them and if we didn’t fight for that love, it just meant that wasn’t genuine love. To have fought and lost is better to just let things go without trying. Even in defeat, there is still victory.

Though this song can be interpreted as holding onto a feeling, I truly believe there is something deeper than that behind this. If people don’t reciprocate the same feeling back to us, then that’s one thing, but not letting go without a fight for the people you love and cherishing your relationship with them is another. Obviously we have to pick our battles here, but I think this song beautifully expresses how we should at least attempt to hold onto the things we hold dear.

Christmas Classics

With one and a half week past the end of Halloween, it’s time to begin the Holiday season and bump the classics, featuring Mariah Carey and Michael Bublé.

1. All I Want For Christmas Is You

If this isn’t the first Christmas song you’re playing then you’re doing something wrong. When you hear this song, you know it’s that time of the year to bring out the decorations.

2. Bublé Christmas

This entire album is so iconic might as well just add it all to your Christmas music queue.

3. Feliz Navidad

Honestly, the most fun Christmas song. You either hate it or you love, but you will never be able to resist the urge to sing it.

4. Jingle Bell Rock

The funniest use of Jingle Bell Rock yet, this song is an iconic symbol as both the holiday season and a Hollywood moment.

5. Last Christmas

Perhaps the saddest of the Christmas jingles, Last Christmas teaches us that the holiday seasons are meant to be spent with special people, not someone who will just give your heart away

winter in VanCity

You might have noticed that as we passed Halloween and welcomed November, stores immediately changed their concept. While we were exposed to costumes, scary or cute decorations now Christmas decorations took over the shelves. I am definitely not complaining because this time of the year is my favourite one. From where I come from Christmas […]

Jesus is King

Released on the 25th of last month, Jesus is King is Kanye West’s new latest album. Previously known as being an atheist with a belief in the only the truth, this album’s gospel theme is Kanye West’s interpretation regarding God and his conversion to the Christian faith. Full of passion, it is a beautiful expression of his experiences.

Image result for jesus is king kanye
  1. Every Hour
  2. Selah
  3. Follow God
  4. Closed on Sunday
  5. On God
  6. Everything We Need
  7. Water
  8. God Is
  9. Hands On
  10. Use This Gospel
  11. Jesus is Lord

Without a doubt, this is an artistically chilling album, but without a doubt, the Sunday Service version elevates the lyrics behind the entire album.

To be honest, the album has me lost for words. There is just something speechless about the delivery and how Kanye chooses to articulate himself. As a non-Christian and someone who has very little experience with gospel music, I am astonished by how quickly the album grew on me. Give it a listen, even if you’re not a Kanye fan or a Christian. Appreciate good art.

I Might Be A Weeb

So for a few weeks, I’ve been on a Japanese music-spree and honestly I have no idea what they mean, they just sound nice and I like the melody and rhythm. But yeah here’s a music dump