Sounds Of Wood

News Round Up!!!

2008-04-03T00:52:00.002+08:00

I'm back in Hong Kong!!!!

The last two weeks of the course was amazing!
I now have a Live Audio Operator diploma!!!!
I really enjoyed the course and the people involved were fantastic. I made some special friendships and I was at one point seriously thinking of staying and work was offered. But my UK trip carried on with a view of maybe returning to London at a later date.

So it was off to Ballyemena, Northern Ireland to visit The Strachans!
I had a fantastic time with Ian and Anne and it was a blessing, God's love shined through them and it was immense. They have a very special place in my heart.

I was in Ireland for St. Patrick's Day and had a great Irish day out watching rugby, checking out Belfast from the heights of The Belfast Eye (Mega, big wheel) and eating it Irish!
One of the highlights of my stay in Ballyemena, was sitting in the hot tub in their back garden on a clear night gazing at the stars, with a cool breeze blowing, I was at peace.

The next and last port of call was to The Toon!!! (Newcastle)
I was visiting my Uncle Ken, Auntie Rosie, me nana and me cousins, Louise, Sarah & Gemma. They actually live in Alnwick which is about 20mins drive north from Newcastle.
I've not seen them in over 5yrs and you might think its weird, I was nervous but that was all put aside when I met me Auntie Rosie at the airport and me Uncle Ken hugged me and said 'Alreet Hin'!!!
From then on it was banter and laughter for the next 8 days. It was a good crak! I was feeling the love and after the Strachans, the combination was overwhelming. I just felt at ease, I was in my own, I was me.

And if that wasn't enough, to top it off I had one of the best days ever. I watched Newcastle United beat Fulham at St. James Park and I was there with 50,000 other Geordies. We were one heart beating in the stadium for our team, The Toon Army, it was life or death and the victory was sung all through the town.
It was purely belter!!!

With all the banter, laughter, love and awesome memories and experiences, I headed back to HK.

During my time in UK, I often had a conversation with God about what was next? Am I'm going to find a job in HK in the live sound area or shall I stay/go back to London.
During the last few days in England, I received an email from The Vine (my church in HK) and I was excited but aware that God had opened alot of doors for me in England and I was off thinking of if, whats, hows, London, HK, blah, blah.

Cut to the chase I sat in a meeting with Pastor John & Tony and God revealed all. Everything that I was worrying about was no longer. God had provided all.
I am now fully employed at The Vine, official title, Sound/production Assistant. Wohoo!!!

My journey so far has been one of many twists and unknowns. Several times I've wanted to walk away and do things myself but through the support of my close friends, I've pressed on with God and even though there will still be hard times to come, my trust in Him stands.
Thank you Lord.

Thank you to everyone who helped me get this far in life, through love, friendship, prayer and financially. Thank you all.

Love
Michele

Photos:
Class of March 2008
Ballyemena, N.Ireland
Geordieland

Week Two!

2008-02-26T06:32:00.002+08:00

The course has been great so far and I feel great in finally knowing the technical stuff that I've been wanting know for ages. And the good thing is that its not just information thrown at me, I've been able to use it straight away and get the full understanding of all the stuff. eg, gates, compressors, matrix, etc.

One of the guys who's on the course with me has an Indie band and they came and played on the Friday afternoon, so we where able to do a live scenario of what would actually happen on a proper gig from scratch. I was running front of house first and then switched to monitors. It was great to be able to use what I've learnt in the two weeks and hear the results immediately.

On Thursday our teacher, George, took us to a pub to do sound for a band that were playing there that night. It was a small place about the size of the Vine lounge area. The stage was at one end of the room. We set up and got things ready as the band got organised. They had drums, bass, electric guitar x 2, vocals, 3 congos, 2 bongos, chimes, cow bells, cymbals & a sax, all on this tiny stage! George kinda of put me in charge as everyone else on the team left for dinner! The first band were quite good playing Spanish stuff, then it went to African something. I ended up doing 4 bands that night with people adding keyboards and Djembes! It was fun and George & I were having a laugh cause at the end everyone was playing everything whenever, it was like the drums were trying to compete with the sound system! Overall, everyone had a good time and a laugh which was a good result for me.

Living with Ben's parents has been good and Ben's mom Kim, bakes a great Banana cake! They're very giving and its nice to stay in such a safe and warm environment.

I've had some great food experiences this week:
Fish'n'chips in Arnos Grove was good.
Sunday roast lunch with me cousin (who I haven't seen in 13yrs) was fantastic! 3-4 slices of roast beef, 2 Yorkshire puddings, roast tatties, veg & gravy and steamed toffee pudding with custard, champion!!
Rolo doughnuts!!!! Doughnut ring filled with toffee with chocolate on top. Oh Aye!!
Cornish Pasty from Cornwall Pasties, grand!
99 Flake - a must!
As most of you know I'm into my pop/soda and its been great having IrnBru, Lilt, Dr.Pepper and stuff on the shelf but I've been searching for two weeks in nearly every supermarket in London for a Mountain Dew!....Today my efforts were rewarded!!! In Covent Garden, a store called the Cyber Candy Sweet Shop had sitting in its fridge Mountain Dew Code Red!!!!
It was a great find and made my day especially after a bad weekend for us Geordies!

Sorry didn't get time to take as many photos this time: London Week 2
I'll take more this week!!

Seeya!!!

Week One!

2008-02-19T08:14:00.004+08:00

The first few days in London, I travelled around and got to see a bit of London before my course started. With the help of my monthly travel pass I can travel on the Tube and buses, as many times I want around London. Cool! But I found walking around was better for seeing stuff. I went to Piccadilly, Oxford Circus, Hyde Park, Green Park, The National Army Museum, Knightsbridge, Soho and some other places.
It’s been generally sunny, a few mornings with frost but I reckon that doesn’t mean its cold. I’ve yet to wear a coat! Apparently its 7 degrees here. It can get chilly when the suns down though, nowt a jumper wouldn’t solve.

Day 1 of the course and I was back in the thick of the sound action. Lots of information and practical and I’m really enjoying the course. After the 3rd day I was helping on stage during one of the gigs where 3 bands playing. The headline band was an American band called Manchester Orchestra, which I had not heard of but they sounded good. It was a good insight how things went as bands switched equipment and during the earlier sound checks how different artists set up their gear. At one point I thought this electric guitarist was deaf cause he kept wanting to turn his amp up. It was so loud we couldn’t put any of it through the house and it’s not a small venue! But I’ve been lucky to see all these bands for free and hear different electric & bass guitars, effects and amps and drums, cymbals & snares live.

Thursday was fantastic cause the venue was hosting Sheryl Crowe. Man, they were using a Dshow digital board it was awesome. She was great too. She had her whole band with her and she played songs from her new album and old ones. She’s got a great voice. They were using about 4 different acoustic guitars and it was great to experience how they sounded, they were nice. The total mix was awesome.

The other people on the course with me are nice and it’s been great getting to know them. The course instructors are very helpful and are very keen for us to learn as much as we can during the 4 weeks. Next week I’m helping on another gig probably some others during the week. Its great to get all the hands on experience as you're studying and keeping your eyes and ears open for any information that can be beneficial in the long run!

Check out me photos: London Week One

I'm Off!!!!

2008-02-06T01:24:00.001+08:00

Its been a year since I last blogged but its now blogging in excitement!!

Its also been a year since I quit my job after more than 10yrs of working on cars to follow God's calling for me in sound.
So far it has been a journey with many, many struggles and at times I was not confident that I was heading in the the right direction. There were times of doubting that I had made the right choice and that I was crazy, quiting a job that enjoyed.
But God had tipped my world upside down so that I would come to know the path he has set for me.
Through the encouragement and prayers of close friends, I pursued on the sound route and now I have a great opportunity to go on a Live Audio Engineering diploma course in London!

Through the ingenious minds of some friends, they eventually convinced me to have a Grow-a-thon to help raise money for the course fee!

We have managed to raise more than enough money to pay for the course!
I still can't believe I'm going!! I've got 6hrs before I take off!!!

I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me in donations, prayer and encouragement.
Without your support this would of not been possible.

God is awesome and I'm so excited!!! Wohoo!!!!

2007-02-20T15:04:00.000+08:00

Wood's Knee

Some of you probably know that I popped my knee out and tore my anterior cruciate ligament ACL) back in August 2006.

After joining queues after queues I finally had my operation on the 1st of Feb! My doctor, Jimmy Wong from Queen Mary Hospital, did a great job and everything went according to plan. I've been out of hospital for just over two weeks now and I'm off crutches walking about - at a sllllooooow pace.

The first week out was tough as I had to stay at home but its great now that I can get out and about. I keep forgetting that my knee has another four months of rehab/physio before its 100% ready for sports. I start walking off at my normal pace only to be reminded immediately by my right knee to slow down!!!

The toughess thing was to accept that I couldn't do things that I could normally do. It was especially hard for me to stop doing sound at the Vine for the whole of February. I felt useless. It got me down cause I'm a 'doing' person.

But God is showing me alot of things, one, that I don't have to be always 'doing' something. That its OK and it doesn't change His love for me.

I just want to say 'Thanks' to everyone who visited me at the hospital and at Anna G's, for the calls and SMS, I'm really blessed to friends like you, I felt the love, it was special.

Thank you for all your prayers, the recovery is going faster than the doctors predicted.

God's A Working!!!!!!

2006-11-25T12:56:00.000+08:00

FA Cup 1999

Newcastle United 0 ManU 2

I was just going through a pile of papers that I haven't touched in years and I came across a poem. I wrote it just after I watched wor Toon Army lose the FA Cup in 1999. I was devasted! I was probably with every Geordie in HK crammed into Delaney's watching every second to the final whistle. The next day I was still depressed about the game (that's how passionate we Geordies are about wors football) and all of a sudden a flow of words came out.
I remember, I just had this big grin on me face and I had that extra bounce in me step after I finished writing it.
I read it again today but it ment something different this time but it put that same grin on me face and that extra bounce in my step.
The Lord works in mysterious ways!

Day of Destiny

On this field we stand side by side
In our shirts of black & white
Shall we lift that golden cup?
Will we have that lucky touch?
As in the year of 1952
When wor Jackie donned his golden shoes

Face to face against the Devils red
Who will win the battle in the end?
Will we be the glorious today?
Or will our dreams just fade away?
The kick off whistle blows
Who will score that glorious goal?

As we stand amongst our fellow fans
We become a giant band
Cheering for our home team
Wishing for that famous feat

But alas as the final whistle blows
Our heads bow in sorrow
Football's greatest test
And to only make second best

Hopes lost in the wind
The players despair felt within
The golden cup lost
The glorious day shot
STOP!

We battled the teams of many
To come and play at Wembley
From near regulation
To the FA Cup celebration

Lift your heads you Geordie lads
We have no reason to be sad
We beat the rest
To be in this contest

Here we are in Wembley
We, The Toon Army
We shall return another day
Then it will be our glory day
With our mighty leader
Shearer! Shearer! Shearer!

2006-11-02T17:11:00.000+08:00

Remembrance Day 11/11

For those who don't know what Remembrance Day is - here's a short extract from the Royal British Leigion website:

'Remembrance Day and the Two Minute Silence have been observed since the end of the First World War, but their relevance remains undiminished. When we bow our heads in reflection, we remember those who fought for our freedom during the two World Wars. But we also mourn and honour those who have lost their lives in more recent conflicts. Today, with troops on duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble spots around the world, Remembrance, and this two minute tribute, are as important as ever'

11/11, I'll be selling poppies for the Poppy Appeal, all monies go to Veterans of HK. See ya on the street!

(Please be respectful and don't post any anti-war comments, thanks)

2006-10-31T23:16:00.000+08:00

Still Here!!!

Sorry been very busy.
Just letting you guys know I'm still here.
New post coming soon!!!!!

2006-08-22T21:23:00.000+08:00

See Ya Round Prideauxs!

Was spending one of the last nights for a while with me mates, Dave & Nina. Its been fantastic serving on the worship team together and hangin out. I was privileged to have Dave work on my song 'Be With You'. We recorded it one night after evening service. It was so much fun, I was especially honored to have Dave's new electric guitar ripping out some cool rifts! Looking forward to me & Matt visiting them at Phillip Island hearing the thunderous roars & seeing the flames from the superbikes & V8's, C'mon Skafie!

John 1:5
'The light shines through the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it'

2006-08-22T21:18:00.000+08:00

Tha Way Ah Speek

Alreet mates!

For Aall yee fowk not understanding the way Ah speek, 'ere's some 'elp:
(For all you folk who don't understand the way I speak, here's some help)

Geordies use "youse" for plural "you",
"me" for "my",
"us" for "me",
"wor" for "our".
"wors" for "mine" or "ours"
The word "wor" is sometimes placed before the given name of the person being the subject of conversation to denote that they are a family member, for example "wor Allan" or "wor da" (father). It is also quite common for Geordies to use the word "man" for both men and women, as in "howay man" (c'mon you).

Alreet! Belter! Noo yee aall understand us!
(Alright! Fantastic! Now you all understand me!)

Is there any other Geordies out there reading me Blog? Give's a bell!

2006-07-10T00:54:00.001+08:00

Sorry No Updates Till August!

2006-06-10T02:31:00.000+08:00

Do You Remember How To Really Worship?

I play drums for Flight 852 and this week I had an amazing experience. While I was playing I felt as if I was filled with the Holy Spirit, something I haven't really experienced. When I played the last two songs (Raindown by Planetshakers and To Live Is Christ by Youth Alive NSW) it was deep, I let everything go and just played, I was doing fills & hitting cymbals like there was no tomorrow and it felt good! (and apparently sounded good too!) It was an awesome way to worship, you really get into it. When I'm on sound, I sometimes get into a zone where I just feel God is there and I'm just zoned out into the mix, but lately I've been too in the technical stuff and lost that feel a bit. Lastweek I was at 180 and during worship I couldn't concentrate, I ended up just standing there trying to focus on the music and words without singing. Sometimes we get lost in all the technical stuff and we forget how to worship but on Friday I realized that we just got to let go and let God take us. Its not easy but its worth a shot!

2006-05-28T18:20:00.000+08:00

Geordies Know baseball?

Well atleast I do!
Summer is here and for all those who are American know its baseball season! I've been watching baseball nearly every day via a wonderful thing call MLB Live (Major League Baseball). Its belter! There's atleast 8-10 games on in a day and all I have to do is click on the game I want to watch and its streaming live right to my computer and the picture's rite good! Its like watching it on proper TV!
Use to be a NY Yankees fan but was persuaded to change, now I'm an LA Angels fan due to my sister living in LA for about 6 or 7 years but how did a Geordie get hooked on baseball?
Well, when I was 8yrs old there was an American dude living down the road from me, which is weird in itself. Anyways, I was messing about with a bunch of lads playing cricket in the road and he was sitting in his yard watching us. Long story short, we got talking and he gave me his baseball book and I was hooked. I read it from cover to cover (for those who know me now, yes I used to read) I practiced every pitch in that book with a hacky sack(drove my sister crazy throwin it across the landing at home) but I never got to do the real thing until.......last week I was up in China with an American & a sort of American and the 3 of us played on this patch of grass round the back of me friends house. It was cool!

Bet yer didn't know that about me!

2006-05-11T01:19:00.000+08:00

One Chip Down

Some people who are close to me know that I have collected alot of chips on my shoulder about things in my life and I'm finally proud to say that I got rid of one...and Man it feels good!

I met a person sometime last year and after a couple of times being around them in company I decided that I didn't like them, I had a big chip on my shoulder with their name on. At that time, once I had made a decision about somebody that was it....BUT....I saw a dramatic change in this person recently and I felt God telling me not to judge them because of what they were or did in the past but to give them a chance. It took a serious effort and it was hard work but I am so thankful that I did because I would have lost one of the best friends that I've now got. I finally understood what grace is and how we don't decide when or who we give it to.... only God decides that. I thank God everyday for the friends & people that He surrounds me with...they are all a blessing.

Please right now think of someone that you don't normally give the time of day to and make a real effort to get to know them....you could be missing out on some great friendships!

2006-04-24T12:07:00.000+08:00

Outside St James Park at the Gallowgate End

The Legend....Alan Shearer!

2006-04-19T13:49:00.000+08:00

Geordies 4 Mackems 1

What a game. Listening to the game on Metro Radio Newcastle was so much fun. 1-0 down and the commentary was steady and it all came to life when Chopra came on and scored in seconds with his first touch and then a minute later Alan Shearer blasts in a penalty and then Charlie boy scores a minute later! 2 minutes of yelling, singing and jumping up & down by me, the radio blokes and a whole lot of Geordies around the world. What a night!

Fingers trippled crossed on Shearer scan on his injury.........

2006-04-04T11:00:00.000+08:00

Am I Good Enough?

For the past few months I've had the honor of being part of the Soul Sisters & Flight worship band. Its been a big step for me to come out from behind the sound desk and get up on stage. I've always wanted to use my skills as a drummer to worship but I knew I wasn't good enough to be part of any worship band. I kept practising as I didn't want to give up trying. I've started to play at Flight. I'm always really nervous. I spend most Fridays praying that I wouldn't mess up and become a distraction. I've made some mistakes and I feel really bad at the end of the night. I was reminded one night by the worship leader that as long as was giving it my all for God then it was good enough. I didn't really take it in as I was still frustrated at myself, that I didn't do it right. Last night I was involved in the Soul Sisters-Brothers In Arms joint worship band. I was playing Djembe and I couldn't get this beat right during practise and I was getting really angry with myself. After practice I was thinking in my head that I can't do this and that I was crap. BUT it became clear. I was becoming so distracted with all the technicalities of it I forgot I was here to worship God. It wasn't about being good or bad it was about giving it my all, giving 110% to God. So I got up there and gave God everything that I had.

I'd like to thank everyone for all their support and encouragement.

2006-03-29T00:34:00.000+08:00

POEM

I was at the Vine Centre tonight and I had a sudden urge to write a poem. Here it is:

Glimmer

Dead leaves beneath my feet

The smell of decay rampant

I walk on hoping for green grass ahead

Time goes by but the debris thickens

The denseness weighs me down

I struggle on but seem to be stuck on a treadmill

But wait! What's That?

A glimmer of light

Suddenly I'm drawn to its intensifying brightness

With ease I swiftly move towards it

Joyfully I embrace it, clinging on tightly

Suddenly I recognise its warmth

Its my Father

2006-03-23T13:38:00.000+08:00

One Of Those Days...

I've just had one of those days..... things didn't go according to plan at work, had one of the worst football training sessions ever and on top that NUFC got knocked out the FA Cup. It was devastating to watch as the final whistle blew. My heart sunk and I was just staring at the screen.
Back in the day before I saw the Light I would of probably went out got wasted and felt much worse the next day. Its good now that I can have a few words with Him and listen to Switchfoot and genuinely feel a whole lot better.

2006-03-22T01:11:00.000+08:00

FA CUP

NUFC Vs Chelsea (Away)
Thursday 22nd March 4am HK time.
Big game for us Geordies - lets win it for Shearer!

2006-03-21T13:50:00.000+08:00

ALREET!

Finally got me self a website but you'll have to give me a day or two to sort it out.