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This website is dedicated to my chinese wife (who found out about this website on our 10th year anniversary 3 years after it was created). 我的太太，我爱你．笨老公． Initially this was just a westerner man's personal blog that began his journey in January 2007 to try to learn Chinese with the aim to write, compose and sing a Chinese song for his wife on the 10th wedding anniversary on the 14/02/2010. Now the blog is just dedicated to writing songs that cherish our memories. Hopefully over time we can see some improvements in the song writing/composing with practice. I am legally deaf (5% hearing in each ear) and have never learnt Chinese before 2007. So the journey continues... |
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我的老婆,
Who would have thought that a small little idea back in Jan 2007 would lead down this path and take me on a journey...
I know we have many ups and downs, have happy moments and sad moments, good times and the bad. I know that I can be difficult to be with sometimes. And would like to say thank you for your support, caring and love over the years.
For once I am lost for words in what to say and maybe this time no words are needed. Happy 10th Anniversary!!
Lot's of love always,
笨老公
(Stupid Husband)
14/02/2010
You can find the final public version of the video song at:
Since 2007 it has been a huge learning curve for me. To learn Chinese, write the songs, understand the singing style of Chinese which is very different to English songs. It was hard to find the lyrics that was appropriate for the 10th year. In the end I choose this one. You can see some of the other songs I write below.
You can read more about this song at:
Me singing early draft of song:
The idea for the lyrics came to me while travelling with you and families from Malaysia to China. Upon return to Australia I completed the lyrics to the song. I like the words and the meaning in the song very much. Very likely I will revisit this song after my skill set has improved.
You can read more about this song at:
The idea for the lyrics came based on my own life. I was always searching for someone who shared my viewpoint and meaning of love. Simple fact is that I waited a long time for you to come along. It was well worth the wait.
You can read more about this song at:
Music playing for song:
This was one of the very first songs I worked on starting way back in 2007.
Most certainly not... Let's work on a new mission... This of course depends on rabbit.
Some of the ideas that I have was to continue progressing and improving song writing and singing. Perhaps we can reach an acceptable level where we can submit our song into a competition in China. Whether we win or loose - doesn't matter. Just our love story in the song is all that counts... We have a long way to go... but considering from where we came from... nothing is impossible.
ALL SONG, LYRICS (ENGLISH AND CHINESE) AND MUSIC BELONG TO GEIWODELAOPO.COM AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY BE COPIED WITH OUT WRITTEN CONSENTS FROM GEIWODELAOPO.COM
© GEIWODELAOPO / 笨老公 2007/2008/2009/2010, All rights reserved.
Busy weekend
Weekend is busy with the usual bustle of work and business.
However, will find time to take daughter to see twilight. We will go to the same cinema as last time – since my hearing success rate was higher at this cinema than the ones I usually go to. I actually had to check the ratings – whether should would be permitted to see the film or not. Luckily for the rating she can see it – just parental guidance is required.
Took son mountain climbing last weekend – and almost killed us. 
We could not make it to the top as it was too steep. Was planing for another one… but see when we go for this, need to fit it in my schedule.
I really need more time!!!!
再见，
笨老公
2010 – The Karate Kid
I have to say – this film was absolutely stunning. One of the best films by far. I went and saw it today with my daughter.
Actually, we went to the cinema that was supposedly supposed to have subtitles in it as I struggle badly to figure out what is being said. Last week I take daughter to see “Prince of Persia”. I think my understand on what was said was about 5 to 10% for the whole film. Any way – I thought we go to this cinema but for some reason there was no subtitles. However, the sound seemed better for me to hear with – I had about 70 to 80% success rate in understanding what was said. So I am happy despite not having subtitles – “reading cinema” is what they call themselves.
When watching the film you will see how parts of it lies in parallel to the previous version of the film “The Karate Kid” however, the remake was definitely better in every way.
Any way – the film is astounding. I think it does capture:
a) Culture differences. Trying to show how different it is they used a black boy actor. I guess this does highlight more the differences between the East and the West as many Caucasians and Chinese are couples now. However, Black and Chinese is still an uncommon sight. Even Indian and Chinese isn’t as common if you ask me.
b) The innocence of love when he has some feeling for a Chinese girl who becomes his friend. It was typical how later the parents find out about it and then bar her from seeing him. Later in the film it shows the parents relenting and accepting the friendship. From my friends in China I do believe that China is more open – for example, I’ve been told that the parents would not object if my Chinese friend marry a Westerner lady. Seems much more open these days then say a few years ago. I should add that I really do think the film captures the simplicity of love.
Chinese ladies has a way to really make love simple and easy to understand. But at the same time it can be so complicated and difficult because they expect more from a relationship. I will not go down this path as I will end up writing a novel about it and still not done as opposed to covering what I wanted to say about the film.
c) I think the essence of learning Gong Fu was covered in the film. Simple in thought and style but abundance in learning and teaching about the way of life.
d) The film showed some beautiful scenery and could see a little about life in China. Really was amazing. At times I really felt that I would be happy to live in China for a few years. The experience gained on the way of life would be worthwhile. I do not think the same could be said about living in Malaysia for a few years.
I must wait until it comes out on DVD and watch it on DVD. You mark my words that I will watch it again. I would definitely rank this film on the top few of my favorites along with Avatar.
Aloha Oe Farewell To Thee
A very nice version of the Aloha Oe Farewell To Thee. This is one version of the many that I like. The words to the lyrics are very nice written by Liliʻuokalani back in 1877. Find the words meaningful (of course it is translated). Her autobiography of her life is one that is very sad if you ask me. But too much to write about here. Do some web searching and you will find much to read about her and her life.
Last words in Chinese…
If you had to say the last sentence / phrase in Chinese before you disappear of the face of the earth? What would it be? What would be the last Chinese words that you say that perhaps you would want to be remembered by?
Or imagine being far away in the middle of the dessert all alone (in this case your hardly going to be remembered by the words because your all alone so maybe the last words you want to remember).
So the whole point is that the last words you would utter, yell or speak in Chinese before disappearing is … What would it be?
Interesting concept. Interesting point really. For some reason – I have been thinking about this – as it measures which words in Chinese have greater meaning, which words have value and which characters worth remembering.
I would actually say:
我的女王
我老婆
我的爱人
Simple words actually, surprising we learnt these characters early (i.e in the first year of Chinese learning probably would cover many of these characters). 王 = King, so it is obvious nv3 wang2 would just mean girl king = queen. Notice, I actually want “Queen” and not Empress as I am a Westerner and think in terms of Queen. You will see Wang being used often in many Chinese restaurant names if they want to say something that means like the Emperor palace etc etc.
wo3 lao3 po2 is obvious from my blog name. However, in this case the “de” has been dropped off since it is not needed when referring to close family members. I guess I learn this much later that the “de” isn’t needed.
Lastly, wo3 de ai4 ren2 to mean simply “my lover” and possibly just “my love” in this context.
So in effect the words would mean simply:
English:
My Queen,
My Wife,
My love.
Chinese:
我的女王
我老婆
我的爱人
Pin Yin:
wo3 de nv3 wang2,
wo3 lao3 po2,
wo3 de ai4 ren2.
Possibly this may work
The day has quickly ended
and the sunset is glorious tonight.
Holding you now so closely
to block out the chill in the night,
in Sandy Paradise.
In fact, I like the meaning / flow of this one more.
My meaning to convey is:
Verse 1: Reminds me of beautiful beaches in Sandy Paradise. And how rabbit and I could find so many beautiful seashells. It is like they are parading up the beach for us to view and admire. Also, gives a hint of fun times on the beach. We are DREAMING!!!
Verse 2: Convey how quickly days went with rabbit. How it can cool down at night (enough to do much hugging)
Chorus 1: Chorus intro and highlight that Sandy Paradise represents love.
Verse 3: Nights are fantastic. Stay out late, moon light glimmer on the beach. When the lights are all out, back in the room – the nights are all yours.
Chorus 2: Need to fix this one. Need to convey we are back “down under” far away from Sandy Paradise. We’re dreaming.
Verse 4: Reality of day-to-day life. Yet some where I feel a longing to back to those moments with rabbit.
Chorus 3: Sandy Paradise is calling us to return, simply to relive all our special moments again in Sandy Paradise just like before.
Draft alteration – 2nd Verse
This needs to be changed into:
The day has quickly ended
watching another sunset tonight.
Holding you now so closely
to block out the chill in the night,
in Sandy Paradise.
This fits in to the beat of the first verse – including the single, double and triple syllable count.
No doubt – more drafting is required. That is for sure!
笨老公
Started music writing + drafting on song
It appears that several more drafts are required to complete the song. Need to match on the Syllables to fit in with the beat of the song – slightly lively I guess.
Rabbit definitely does not want me to post the drafts as my singing is so horrible. Probably she will die from embarrassment. Yet on the bright side of things, rabbit will obviously have to help with the singing to ensure that it is fine before posting.
I am looking towards the fun part of all this.
More soon!!!
笨老公
First draft – Sandy Paradise in Penang (NOT COMPLETED)
CALLING US BACK TO SANDY PARADISE
(c) Copyright June 2010, All rights reserved 笨老公 (geiwodelaopo.com)
Dreaming of golden beaches
with beautiful sea shells on display.
Feeling the waves slap at our feet
while we talk and laugh all day,
in Sandy Paradise.
The day has ended so fast
watching another sunset tonight.
Holding each other tenderly
to block out the chilly night,
in Sandy Paradise.
Sandy Paradise –
Oooooh Sandy Paradise right in Penang.
It’s the home of true love
where sweet memories are made
down on Sandy Paradise.
When the lights are all out
back at our room with you.
It seems sleep is far away from us
when we love the night through,
in Sandy Paradise.
Sandy Paradise –
Oooooh Sandy Paradise right in Penang.
Right now we’re back at home,
so far away and just dreaming –
about Sandy Paradise.
When days are crazy with work
and some days are just plain black.
It’s during these moments I feel
the gentle tug calling us back –
to Sandy Paradise.
Sandy Paradise –
Oooooh Sandy Paradise right in Penang.
Calling us to return once more
to relive all our moments again,
down on Sandy Paradise.
Sorry for letting every one down!!!
你好，
Sorry for letting everyone down with the lack of my post. I just checked the stats and appears I have about 6,000 visitors visiting each day. However, I truly needed the rest from the completion on the mission completion on 14/02/2010 after several years at it.
However, now feel greatly energized, new inspirations and desire to write more songs with the thought to improve at the skills picked up from the last set of challenges. Hopefully should be more fun as rabbit can offer her feedback.
Even songs in plain English sounds exciting (singing about Chinese themes sound fun too). I do want to write about Sandy Paradise. Maybe put up a draft or so in the next day or so that I can continue to work on.
Penang!!! I am dreaming of you!!!!
So funny – the words of the new song is coming into my mind. Simply just about “Sandy Paradise” in Penang. I have much treasured memories there with rabbit, just the beauty of the beach, good food, good holiday… good hotels… memories were like magic.
We were young too! This was before we got married. So funny actually as we both be each others first love. In addition we were both late starters as well. So everything is new and nothing to compare against in terms of previous relationships. However, strangely we both be romantics aka one in the Westerner way and the other in the Chinese way.
I have memories walking with rabbit holding her hand, looking for beautiful sea shells. Many beautiful ones to be admired. Some Chinese guy passing by could hear us I suppose shrieking and marveling about the beauty of some of the shells and running around frantically (oh well all in the fun). And offered his beautiful shell that he found – and his was by far the most beautiful.
I have a longing to go back – when back, I really mean to go back and relive those moments again. Rabbit is asking me to go for holiday :p
Langkawi is also beautiful – but due to the timing of events, the stage of the relationship we were in – Sandy Paradise in Penang has a soft place in my heart. Words can not explain and no point explaining I guess.
笨老公。。。