Easy piano songs to play

Source: Wikipedia

Perhaps it's a bit early to be putting your piano to work on "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth" or "Jingle Bell Rock".

Here's good news. What if I say you can now play

easy piano songs at woodwinds and brasswinds with a collection of simplified Christmas piano arrangements? Now we are talking!

Pianists of all ages will enjoy this big collection of titles including:

* All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth * Angels We Have Heard on High * The Annual Animal Christmas Ball * Auld Lang Syne * Away in a Manger * Believe (from The Polar Express) * Blue Christmas * Celebrate Me Home * The Christmas Waltz * The Coventry Carol * Deck the Halls * Even Santa Fell in Love * Fel­z Navidad * The First No«l * Frosty the Snowman * The Gift * God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen * Good King Wenceslas * Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer * Happy Xmas (War Is Over) * Hark! The Herald Angels Sing * Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas * (There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays * Saw Three Ships * I'll Be Home for Christmas * and more.

With arrangements by acclaimed piano arranger Dan Coates, the arrangements are a pleasure, because they are easier to play than standard sheet music arrangements, but full-sounding enough to stand on their own as piano solos or to provide accompaniment for singing along.

With 60 popular titles, this book provides pianists with enough material for a lifetime of musical Christmas gatherings!

By the way, this ships to Malaysia too, in case you are wondering.

Christmas morning

Christmas morn - sunny, blue skies here in Kuala Lumpur. Hope your Christmas Day is just as beautiful!

Merry Christmas!

And from Johore, the Sultan wishes all Christians in Malaysia a "happy Christmas".

A page from The Star..

Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar (pic) wishes all Christians in Malaysia a "happy Christmas".

On his Facebook page Friday, Sultan Ibrahim hoped they would have a wonderful time celebrating Christmas together with their families and friends.

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, writing on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page, also wished all Christians a Merry Christmas.

“On behalf of Johor Football Association and all JDT (Johor Darul Takzim) players, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Merry Christmas to all our Christian fans.

“For all of Bangsa Johor, I wish you all a very happy new year. May the coming year be filled with success and blessings for all,” he wrote.

Malaysia is made up of 13 states and three federal territories (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya in West Malaysia and Labuan in East Malaysia). Johore is the southern most state in West Malaysia. It's is just across from Singapore and connected by the Causeway. Here's a map for better understanding.

The World's Most Expensive Christmas Tree is in United Arab Emirates

Kuala Lumpur, like all other cities around the world, is beautifully decked in Christmas best. Shopping malls and complexes as well as hotels are drawing in crowds eager to share the joy and beauty of the Christmas decorations.

Shopping is great too as huge discounts are everywhere. Bargain-hunters take note.

Speaking of Christmas decoration, if you are in Abu Dhabi, UAE, I suppose this is one Christmas tree not to be missed.

Source: Bloomberg
The glitzy Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE, has done it again!

At the hotel lobby stands what has been named the Most Expensive Christmas Tree in the World.

Though it has yet to be certified by Guinness World Records as the Most Expensive Christmas Tree, this 43-foot Christmas tree is decked with USD11 million worth of 181 items of jewellery of bracelets, necklaces, earrings and watches studded with diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other precious stones along with the traditional baubles and such.

The Emirates Palace Hotel still holds the Guinness World Record they set in 2010.

This hotel also holds a few other 'firsts', one of which is the installation of the world's first gold vending machine. Another record recently set in June is when Capital Gate, the tilting glass tower, was named the “World’s Furthest-Leaning Manmade Tower” by Guinness.

Let me take this opportunity to wish you

MERRY CHRISTMAS
and
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Friday Frolics - What Does Your Christmas Tree Say About You?

Christmas is just one week away, how time flies!

Let's then take a Christmassy quiz this week. If you have a Christmas tree how would you decorate it? Take the quiz below and find out what your decoration of the Christmas tree tells about you.

Happy Holidays!

You Are Charitable

You like to party and live it up during the holidays. This is a time to be festive and celebrate. You are resourceful, quirky, and artsy. You like something that's a bit outside the norm. You aren't traditional. You like your holiday decor to have personal meaning. Your ornaments and decorations each tell a story. This holiday season you are hopeful and optimistic. You are thinking of the future and giving generously.

What Does Your Christmas Tree Say About You?

More Fun, Free Quizzes!

Last Week's Quiz: What Greek Island Should You Visit?

Christmas Shopping comes early

Christmas is a little over three months away. Time flies, huh? No, never too early to start Christmas shopping. Early shopping provides for a lot of advantages, you know that. You'd not have to get through that mad rush at the last minute for starters and you get more time to select gifts you think your friends and family would love.

The world is our oyster really when it comes to shopping and early shopping makes it more so. If you have yet to gift anyone with music gifts how about making a change this year and surprise your loved ones along the way. And while we are at it, why not reward yourself with a music gift this year. If you are a musician better yet, this music store that found is committed to helping musicians. Here are just a few reasons to shop with them..

See what I mean? Go check them out!

If you are living outside of the U.S. fret not as they do serve Internationally to over 100 countries. Got questions? Shoot them an email.

Happy shopping!

Deputy PM said Christmas is a time for all Malaysians to come together

Hear hear! It's good that somebody up there is speaking up.. and about time too!

"Christmas is a time for all Malaysians, regardless of ethnicity and religion to come together and have a joyous time of merrymaking, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin." spoken at the Christmas tea event hosted by the Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) at Subang Jaya on Thursday.

Source: The Star

Christmas ornaments

When you see this type of items in the shops, you know Christmas is coming!

Unfortunately, we don't find many of these Christmas ornaments here in KL. These I found on department 56 villages here

Talking about holidays, we have two public holidays lined up next week.

Hindus will celebrate Deepavali on Thursday, October 23, and Muslims will celebrate Awal Muharram on Saturday, October 25.

If one takes off on Friday then it'd be one long weekend. Sweet!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Early shopping for Christmas

Shopping malls are still packed with shoppers throughout the country currently because the annual Mega Sale is still on until 1 September.

Even though Christmas is some four months away, colleagues of mine are starting to shop for Christmas taking advantage of the substantial discounts during this mega sale.

However, a few others prefer to put a personal touch to their presents. For these talented friends, they have started going online to find christmas ornaments to color. They have no shortage of choices and each year, the range gets better and better.

Do you also like to make your own gifts or create your own cards? Share with us what you have made in the comments below.

So this is Christmas!

Celine Dion - So this is Christmas

..but disappointed with Google's doodle this Christmas. Don't they know it's Christmas?

Someone forwarded an old video for Christmas. Thought you might also get a thrill from seeing old familiar faces including Paul Young, Boy George, Sting, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley of Wham!, Phil Collins, Bob Geldof (of course) and others. Enjoy!

Band Aid 1984 - Do they know it's Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

A short post to wish you "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!"

Google doodle of the day..

Christmas at the London Zoo

I don't mean for Malaysia to be a copycat but then again, good things should be copied shamelessly as what a colleague used to say. Isn't there an idiom that goes something like to be copied is the best form of flattery?

I saw two pictures in The Star that capture the spirit of Christmas, of all places, at a zoo. It's the London Zoo and the animals even receive gifts. How sweet!

It got me wondering if our Zoo Negara (National Zoo) too celebrates our major festivals with the animals or create a festive atmosphere both for the animals as well as for visitors.

Maybe they do now. I'm guilty of not having visited the zoo in the last ten years or so even though I pass by it quite a bit. Come to think of it, anyone who commutes to work using the stretch of the Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) in the Ulu Kelang area passes by the National Zoo at least once a day.

Here is the location of Zoo Negara. It is worth a visit when you visit Kuala Lumpur.


View Larger Map
And now a look at Christmas at the London Zoo..

A lion holds a "Christmas gift" during a photocall marking Christmas at the London Zoo on December 12, 2012. - AFP - 13 December, 2012

A penguin eats a fish next to a Christmas tree at London Zoo on December 12, 2012, during a photocall to mark Christmas. - AFP - 13 December, 2012
Merry Christmas, everyone! The End of the World has been postponed.

Merry month of December

We have come to the first day of the last month of the year. Scary how time flies, doesn't it? They say time flies when you are having a good time. You think? Time flies whether we like it or not and we all have the same 24 hours every day, each one of us.

December is a month of company events and activities, of personalized trophies and accolades, of holidays, parties and presents. Did I hear shopping? But, of course!

Happy December, everyone!

The Santa Winter Games

The Chinese has a saying that goes something like even when you live a hundred years, there would still be new things to hear or learn about.

I never knew there is a Santa Winter Games, did you?

The Star reported that

Christmas cheer came early to Sweden's Arctic mining town of Gaellivare this weekend, where Santas from around the world gathered to compete in one of the world's most important but little known sporting events, the Santa Winter Games.

The nine competitors and their elves paraded Saturday through the Lapland town of Gaellivare, located 100km (62 miles) inside the Arctic Circle, to the site of the competition in the town's centre.

Japan's Santa Claus was accompanied by three human reindeer, who, in a gracious display of Christmas spirit, agreed to pull the sleigh of the local Santa also competing in the event.

As spectators watched from the sidelines, elves and reindeer handed out flags, whistles and candy to supporters.

The Father Christmas from Spain had a three-year-old helper named Marco who conscientiously completed his duties before diving face-first into the snow, as he discovered white fluffy snowflakes for the first time. (That must have been so cute to watch.)

The competition included a reindeer-riding event, porridge-eating, karaoke and sack races, before the jury crowned a winner.

In the end, the Santa from the Netherlands was declared the winner of the 2012 competition.

"I'm thrilled: I'm the first to win two years in a row. I'm going to come back next year to defend my title," he vowed.

After the competition, everyone had a smile on their lips as they drank mulled wine - or hot chocolate for the youngsters - at the town's picturesque Christmas market nearby.

Some 400 people braved the cold in parkas and warm boots to watch this year's competition, a record, according to organisers.

"Next year, we'll do things bigger," said Mathias Svalenstroem, who organises the annual event. - AFP


Talk about Santa and Christmas, I haven't been downtown to see whether the Christmas decorations are up in the malls. Have you seen any?

Friday Frolics - The Happy Pattern Test

Let's do a simple Friday Frolics quiz this week - to wind down the week for the holiday. Yay!

Best wishes to one and all for a wonderful holiday! Merry Christmas!

What makes me happy?

Doing My Own Thing Makes Me Happy

You can't help but think outside the box. As far as you're concerned, you don't even know where the box is. You have a delightful and colorful inner world. People would be stunned if they could see inside your head. You get a lot of laughter out of life, and others are surprised by how easy it is to make you happy. You have no desire to lead or follow. You prefer to not be a part of the crowd.

The Happy Pattern Test

Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Of things Christmassy and Flash mobs

Time and tide sure wait for no man and here we are again three days before Christmas. I imagine you would have dashed around town picking up all your Christmas presents, from watches to perfumes, unusual trinkets to useful yoga mat bags, toys to other pretty things.

Here's wishing you all who celebrate A Merry Christmas and everyone A Happy New Year!

Though I have not witnessed a flash mob in action, I can imagine flash mobs make interesting entertainment.

On Nov.13 2010 unsuspecting shoppers got a big surprise while enjoying their lunch. Over 100 participants in this awesome Christmas Flash Mob. This is a must see!



How about another flash mob performance at Dubai Airport? Enjoy!

Amazon selling over 1 million Kindles a week

Along the topic of Technology, are you still figuring out what gifts to buy for family and close friends? Obviously Kindles do make great gifts as Amazon.com Inc. says customers are buying "well over" one million Kindle devices a week despite some negative reviews of its new Kindle Fire tablet. This level of sales has occurred for three straight weeks, Amazon added in a statement.

There was a spate of negative reviews of the Kindle Fire focussing on issues such as slow response from the user interface and Web browser, the need for more privacy and child settings, and the lack of external volume control. In response, Amazon said earlier this week that it plans a software upgrade to the Kindle Fire in coming weeks that will "improve performance, touch navigation, and give customers the option to choose what items display on the carousel."

People often compare the $199 Kindle Fire to Apple Inc's iPad, which starts at $499 which is like comparing a $20,000 car with a $50,000 car, according to Ben Schachter, an analyst at Macquarie.

"It's a new product that can be improved," Schachter said. "We don't think any of the problems discussed are deal breakers."

More..The Star - Amazon selling over 1 million Kindles a week

Shop Amazon's New Kindle Fire

Friday Frolics - Which of the 12 Days of Christmas Are You?

Time flies doesn't it? In five weeks' time or thereabouts, we will be crossing into a new lunar year. The Year of the Dragon rules from January 23, 2012, and which begins the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration. I am looking forward to the holiday though next year has been foretold to be a tumultuous year, if not the end of the world.

In the meantime, life goes on and with Christmas barely ten days away, let's do a Christmas quiz, shall we? A set of interesting questions to boot.

Have a really lovely weekend ahead, everyone!

You Are a Partridge in a Pear Tree

For you, the holidays are a time of quiet reflection. You like to get some moments to yourself. You like to think about the meaning of the holidays. You tap into the spiritual side of things, even if you aren't religious. Your holiday wish is peace on earth. You wish the world was a happier place. You may not be able to change the world through your small actions, but you're going to try!

Which of the 12 Days of Christmas Are You?

There is a Quiz for Almost Everything

Friday Frolics - The Christmas Tree Test

Christmas being around the corner and everything, let's do a Christmas Tree Test, shall we?

I hear Christmas decorations are already up at the malls and shopping complexes in Kuala Lumpur. Can't wait to go mall-hopping to take in the lights and all. Great time to go trigger-happy too, the camera-type I mean. And with year-end sales and discounts at every store, the city would be filled with happy shoppers. If you are visiting Kuala Lumpur this time of the year, you would be in for a jolly good shopping experience. And for now, let's get on with the Friday frolicking.. The Christmas Tree Test.

You are Brightly Optimistic

During the holidays, you're the one who has a bit of cheer for everyone. Even when things get hectic and chaotic, you keep on smiling. You believe it's important to have a spirit of generosity and gratitude all the time... but especially this time of year. You get more satisfaction from giving than receiving. You're always going out of your way to improve someone's day a little.

The Christmas Tree Test

More Fun and Funny Quizzes

Friday Frolics - How Should You Spend New Year's Eve

Today is New Year's eve. The quiz here says I should throw a Party for New Year's eve. I should and you all would be invited!

H A P P Y.......N E W.......Y E A R!!

And May Each Day in the Year be a Good Day. Cheers!

You Should Throw a Party for New Year's Eve

You're a total social butterfly and the only person you know who could throw the party of the year. You would enjoy a big night out as much as anyone else, but a big night in would really make you shine. So make up your guest list, buy some champagne, and work on a killer playlist. You'll throw the type of party that everyone will be talking about during the whole new year!

How Should You Spend New Year's Eve?

Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.