where does our happiness lie if not in contentment?

i can't believe i haven't said this before: we're going to Taiwan end of this year, and will be crossing the new year in a foreign city, and enjoying a cool crisp air of Taipei.. and can someone tell me what are the odds of bumping into wlh?!?! 1 in a thousand? 1 in a hundred thousand?? a million? or is it zero, cos he will be back in NY with his family? i don't know, but i could wish right? maybe he'd do another freeshow (how does one NOT love that) like what he did this year? maybe, just mayyyyybeeeee... tee hee.

anyways, i've chosen for this post a simple song (i think i've overused this phrase lately haha.. I can be quite the nag.. i have just the next song to shut my mouth up hehe) written by his friend Vivian Hsu: 柴米油鹽醬醋茶, which is literally translated as Firewood, Rice, Oil, Salt, Sauce, Vinegar, Tea  a seven-word phrase meaning the essentials of life. hey, the iPhone is missing from the list! Steve Jobs is a-rolling in his grave. :P

this music video is undeniably inspired by the opening sequence of Pixar's Up. it was directed by none other than Music Man himself -- a decent job but i thought one scene in the ending was a bit the weird, as in the actor pairing.. if you get what i mean, then you do, if not, it's no biggie, it's just one scene.. this song is a reminder that we don't need a great deal of things to be happy, just the love of family and friends and good health. don't subscribe to what the world esteems as valuable, because it always gets it wrong. remember to count your blessings -- it's a great exercise to actually do it, and not just admire the sentiment or philosophy; you will be amazed at the results. trust me! :)

this song also brings to mind this scripture:

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:6-11 (NIV)

today's list of words:
穿梭 chuānsuō - shuttle
颳風 guā fēng - wind
保護 bǎohù - n. & v. protect, safeguard
複雜 fùzá - complicated

小時候 你想要什麼
我要一台大大藍色的飛機
帶我環遊世界
到地球每一個角落
在藍天白雲中穿梭
what did you want when you were young?
i wanted a huge blue aeroplane
to bring me around the world
to every corner of the earth
shuttling between the blue skies and white clouds

而長大以後 我想要什麼
我要一台小小紅色答錄機
和妳一起錄下
"喂 我們現在不在家"
藍色變成紅色 因為 妳
what did i want now that i've grown up?
i wanted a small red answering machine
to record with you this message
"hello we are not home right now"
blue becomes red, just for you

柴米油鹽醬醋茶
一點一滴都是幸福在發芽
月兒彎彎愛的傻
有了妳什麼都不差
firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, tea
every bit and every drop is budding happiness
crescent moon, silly love
when i have you, everything's great

給妳快樂無論白天黑夜
握緊雙手就算颳風下雨
我就是要妳
要妳待在我身邊
保護妳直到永遠
giving you happiness no matter if the sky's bright or dark
holding both your hands through strong wind and heavy rain
i only want you and only you by my side
to protect you for all times

月兒彎彎愛的傻
沒有一個理由
活的那麼複雜
有了妳什麼都不差
crescent moon, silly love
there's no reason for a complicated life
when i have you, everything's great



柴米油鹽醬醋茶
王力宏

小時候 你想要什麼
我要一台大大藍色的飛機
帶我環遊世界
到地球每一個角落
在藍天白雲中穿梭

而長大以後 我想要什麼
我要一台小小紅色答錄機
和妳一起錄下
"喂 我們現在不在家"
藍色變成紅色 因為 妳

柴米油鹽醬醋茶
一點一滴都是幸福在發芽
月兒彎彎愛的傻
有了妳什麼都不差

給妳快樂無論白天黑夜
握緊雙手就算颳風下雨
我就是要妳
要妳待在我身邊
保護妳直到永遠

月兒彎彎愛的傻
沒有一個理由
活的那麼複雜
有了妳什麼都不差