Our Last Summer

I caught Mamma Mia in the cinema almost 2 years ago. Since then I've watched it a number of times either on DVD or on Astro. I happened to chance upon it again this evening, at that particular juncture where one of my favourite parts of the movie came on.

It's the part where Sophie goes sailing with her 3 potential fathers, and where they sing along to Our Last Summer. It's a song about the good times of years past. About reminiscing to a certain extent, melancholy even.

Parts of the lyrics ... the age of no regret ... we took a chance like we were dancing our last dance. Wise words to live by.

Photo of Harry and Sophie sailing in Greece in the movie Mamma Mia.

Hallelujah

I first came across the song 'Hallelujah' on one of those 'Oprah Moments' on the Hallmark Channel on Astro. It was performed by The Canadian Tenors with a special surprise appearance by Celine Dion. It is a really beautiful song.

Having done some research, I found out that the song was originally composed and sung by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen way back in 1984. I subsequently Googled the song and found a number of different versions, all sung in a different style but nevertheless retaining the beauty of its melodic phrasing.

Here are 3 such versions :

The Canadian Tenors & Celine Dion on Oprah

Australia's Got Talent 2009 winner Mark Vincent

Australia's Got Talent 2009 runner-up Jal Joshua

Enjoy.

Photo of The Canadian Tenors & Celine Dion on Oprah.

New Horizons

I was watching Marat Safin bring down the curtain on his career at the Paris Masters, via Astro that is. I've never been a great fan of the gifted but temperamental Russian tennis star. Nevertheless, I found myself intrigued by what he had to say when the tributes began flowing post match.

The tough situations he faced as a sportsman will be an ally when taking on new challenges in the future, he surmised. He went on to say that when one closes a door, another opens.

I am often inspired by such sentiments. They motivate me. There are always new horizons to conquer........

Photo shot at the waterfront in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.