Last Thursday I went to watched Don Moen's concert. It was pretty fun. I got a good dose of "old-school" worship time (or rather, "90s" worship songs). I remember hearing his songs on tape when I was still in Jakarta. He was like the "Chris Tomlin" of the 90s XD LoL We used to use his songs a lot in church for worship. So, when he sang songs like "God will make a way", "God is good", "I Will Sing", I was going "wuaaa...I haven't hear this song in a longg timee!!" They bring back memories and of course memories will always made me amazed at God's faithfulness. To think of it, I don't think I have any of his songs on CD XD LoL I remember having them on tape but not CDs...By the time I had a CD player, I think I started to listen to Steven Curtis Chapman, Hillsongs, Jars of Clay, etc...

One of the fun moments was when we sang "God is good". We sang the first part, but then he stopped and said he only have time to sang that much for that song...and I thought, that must be "planned" he can't just leave that song hanging in there..hehehe aand I guessed it right, he continued the song later on. I also just know that one of the songs that we sang at choir was written by him, I didn't notice that :p it wasn't his style at all, so I didn't realize it, well, I haven't been hearing his songs for a long time too...hehehe..hmm..I should do a research of church music history..I read an article by DC*B on his magazine and it kind of intrigued me...

Great is Your Faithfulness by Matt Redman

Now unto the King who reigns over all,
and never changes or turns.
unfailing justice, unfading grace,
Whose promises remains.
Yes, Your promises remains.

The heavens rings, the saints all sing,
Great is your faithfulness.
From age to age we will proclaim,
Great is Your faithfulness.
How great is Your faithfulness.

Everything changes, but You stays the same;
Your word and kingdom endure.
We lean on the promises on all that You are,
and trust forevermore.
We will trust forevermore.

From generations to generations
You never fails us O God
Yesterday and today and tomorrow
until the day You return 

When I was reading this lyrics while listening to Matt Redman's new CD, this song's lyrics, especially the chorus somehow really made an impression on me. It's funny how a few entries back, I was just saying about how God is the constant and never changes and now this song also is about how God stays the same and His faithfulnes. God knows that I'm dealing with change, and somehow I'm just a little worried. And also the trip to Shanghai this summer made me thought of my future and how everything will be. This song is like God's reminder to me (again-- yes, I do need to be reminded a lot of times.....) that I can trust in Him because He is the ONLY one that never changes and is faithful. The fact that He is faithful through the ages should be enough for me not to worry. He is indeed faithful- people from the past to the present can testify that. I know I may sound redundant here, but I realized that God's faithfulnes is not only just based on our personal experiences, but it's a fact and a reality. I just love it when God send me His reminders.

On a side note, Fall semester already starts. Seemed like I'm going to be pretty busy. ^^;; Motion graphic class will always have an exercise hws ontop of our projects >_<  I took a Chinese class on Saturday and it totally made me felt like I'm in High School again XD LoL The class was held in a local high school and the students were all high schoolers...and the funny thing was they were all surprised when I introduced myself and said that I'm currently in graduate school. They're probably wondering what am I doing in there XD LoL The materials itself wasn't hard at all. I think I learned most of it, but I think it's just the classroom enviroment and motivation that I wanted. With such a bad procrastination habbit, learning by myself at home just doesn't work for me :p

Want to see Nanjing Rd in 1920's? Old Shanghai Street? The Foreign Concession? Then go to Shanghai Film Park/Studio. LoL, I sounded like an Ad there. Anyway, so I went to Shanghai Film & Tv Park two weeks ago with my family to see the replicas of the old Nanjing Rd. Apparently, not many people know this place because even during Sunday, there's not many people there. I've been wanting to go to this place ever since two years ago when I accidentally found out about it over the web. It's basically a backlot set and they opened it to public (I suppose they probably limited their locations when there's filming) It's like a mini universal backlot, except with focus on Shanghai.

We got there just a little after noon and the Old Nanjing Rd section was pretty much empty (I think there's a show going on in another section, so it's empty there) It was pretty cool but creepy. It really felt like I'm transported back to time and that place was deserted  or something. But, being able to see the whole set as if it's real and walk around was pretty cool. Though as soon as the show on another section ended, the street was a little busier, but still not many people. I'm guessing there's no filming currently so it's not as crowded. It's nice though because I'm able to take good pictures because of it :p There's also an old cable car that we could ride on that would take us around the Nanjing Lu set. Besides that, there's also old Shanghai street with old houses (the shikumen) and there's also the foreign concession villas and also Xujiahui church, and a mini Suzhou Creek's bridge. It's actually a pretty nice place to go, especially if you're interested in history and old Shanghai.

The highlight of the trip was actually the "photo session" with the rickshaw driver actor. He was just so funny. At first I thought I could just sit on the rickshaw and take a photo, as simple as that. No, that wasn't the case. He was directing us on what to do and where to take the picture and there's a story to it XD LoL It's funny. I kept on laughing when he told me to pose, and he told me not to laugh, but the moment he told me that, I laugh even more XD LoL His expression was just so funny and dramatic. Well, he's an actor after all, though an amateur one at that, but still an actor nonetheless. The fun didn't stop there though. My mom and step-dad got pulled over to take the photo session with him too. It's too funny! ^o^

Old Nanjing Lu. The only building I recognize from the current Nanjing Lu is that tower.

Another view of the Old Nanjing Lu