Currently viewing the category:
"Memoir"
Morpheus:
You have to see it for yourself. This is your last chance. After this there is no turning back. You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes…. Remember, all I’m offering is the truth, nothing more… – The Matrix, 1999
I left my previous job after staying with the same organisation for 20 years. I loved the many opportunities that it opened up for me — it provided the platform to do all that I love: serve people, use my gifts in writing and design, travel. I thought I’d remain a staff till… well I just never thought I’d leave.
And then Digital Storytelling came along. I tried to fit my past job and this new thing that had unexpectedly fallen on my lap. I wanted to do them all, but one has only so much energy and so many hours in the day. I was getting invitations from all over: Can you come and teach us?
Did Froddo Baggins have a choice about taking the Ring to Mordor? Neo swallowed the Red Pill. Their decisions forever changed their lives.
The gift of Digital Storytelling was given to me all nicely wrapped. Had I remained where I was, I would have untied the pretty ribbon and no more. Now I am no longer sheltered by the familiar. I am forced to unwrap Digital Storytelling in its entirety. I am called to deliver this gift – but it has to be unwrapped and repackaged so that it would beautiful and useful to those I’m supposed to give it to.
Did I chose Digital Storytelling? Or did it chose me? This process of unwrapping is certainly springing up a lot of surprises.
Red Or Blue Pill? from otty on Vimeo.
This final installment of my story… the surprise I created for myself on my 50th birthday.
The surprise I created for my friends… Three videos for the people who have contributed to making me… I am who I am because you loved me…
The surprise I got my guests to make for me… I got my friends to go to my “recording room” and do a recording of their birthday wish for me. Nobody knew what everybody else said (except Jing and Ting who helped my friends do the recording). We screened the little video clips after I screened three video clips I made.
I’m only posting two that I made. Haven’t not had time to edit and string the little clips made on that day by my friends.
Most of those in the video were there at my surprise party. My longest time friend is Judy, I knew her since I was six. And next is my friend Catherine. We’ve been friends for 42 year!
Vocals: Angeline Koh with The African Children’s Choir
I chose this song because it says what I feel in my heart toward the family and friends gave to me.
Did I surprise me? YES. And everyone else got their share of surprises too. 
On the 2 October, I sent a reminder to my guests. It read:
Hello everyone.
It’s been fun preparing my surprise birthday party for myself Here are the details again…
Sunday, 3 October 2010
4 pm
Please come dressed comfortably… don’t worry, I’m not doing any games or whatever. I’d just like you to be comfortable. We are among friends
In case you are wondering why I’m suggesting to come at 4 pm, it’s because I attempting to make a surprise for myself. I don’t know if my idea will work, but anyway, it’s ok. We’ll see what comes out of my idea. If you can’t make it at that time, don’t worry too. It’s always open house. Dinner will be served at about 6 pm.
Feel free to call or sms.
Angel
You’ll have to wait for my actual day to find out how the surprise turned out
On the 19 September, I sent an email to a small group of my friends. My email read:
One morning a week ago, I woke up with the sudden urge to surprise myself with a surprise birthday party. Don’t ask me what I mean by “surprise myself”. If I know about the surprise, how can it be a surprise? Aren’t surprises supposed to be a secret kept from the one it’s for?
I turn 50 on 8 October 2010. I had been hesitant about making a big hoo-ha about it.
And then I woke up with this thought that I turn 50 only once in my life.
Fifty, half a century. Doesn’t the Bible have something to say about the year of Jubilee? The 50th year?
If life expectancy is really three-scores and ten, then I have only 20 years to go. Longer I hope, with good health (and no medical aids).
And well, wow, I DID take 50 years to get to 50. So that at least deserves a celebration.
I surprised myself by deciding I would have a party.
Yes a party, but not a big party. Just a few friends who have been life markers for me, turning me from one decade to another.
It’s my birthday and I want to thank you for being there for me.
It’s my birthday and I want to thank God for the journey.
It’s time to meet, time to remember, time to celebrate.
So how is it going to be a surprise?
I don’t know.
I’ll just be happy if you will be here.
Please don’t bring any presents, your presence will be present enough for me.
Ok now here your surprise for me…
Could you think of a line or two that you’d like to say to me, an advice or a blessing or a memory you have of our time together? If you have a photo or two that you’d like to share, please bring it or email to me.
And just be prepared that one surprise deserves another ok?
Sunday, 3 October, 4 pm
Thanks much and I look forward to see you. Don’t worry if you can’t make it.
Angel
So how did my surprise turn out… You’ve have to read my next two posts…
My grandfather was the head of our family. I went with Mummy to see Kong Kong when he got really sick. I waited outside his room.
I had become a follower of Jesus and I wanted to tell him… I wanted to tell him… I wanted to tell him so many things. I wanted to go in to see him. No one asked me to.
Then he died.
At 17, I learned that people die.
I learned that this commodity called time runs out at some point.
When I was born, my Kong Kong gave me the name Angeline, or Messenger of God. I never knew why he gave me that name. Maybe he wanted me to be angel or thought I was one, or maybe he believed in God. He left with me with my name as a legacy when I was born.
At 17, he left me with another legacy, the conviction to live life well, to live up to my name, and to be God’s messenger of hope.
