LEAN ON YOU 2012

Cancer is a scary thing...

When my grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, I thought that surely that was the end. Fortunately, her cancer is now in remission and for the most part she is able to live a normal life.

Although a cure for cancer seems still impossible, with modern science and technology having come so far already, who knows what is just beyond the horizon. The important thing is that we do not lose hope and also be more aware of how to care friends and family affected by this horrible disease.

This year, the annual charity run, RUN FOR HOPE, (organised by Four Seasons Hotel Singapore and Regent Singapore in aid of NCC Research Fund, managed by National Cancer Centre Singapore) also sees 40 artists come together with one voice to sing the theme song "LEAN ON YOU" in support of this annual fund-raiser.



Want to join the RUN FOR HOPE on 18th November 2012?
You can find more info & sign up HERE: RUN FOR HOPE. (Register before Oct 31st)

If you are unable to run but willing to help,
you can donate to the cause HERE: NCC RESEARCH FUND.

Oh and YES, I WILL be running... or more to the point probably jogging for hope on Nov 18th. 
Hope to see you there!!

Dear Misunderstood... Break The Silence

When I was first approached by Higher Productions to write a song against bullying, I immediately fell onto my psychology and counselling training - yes this was a worthy cause and something I often had to address when kids stepped into my Counseling Room (when I worked as a counselor at Wells International in BKK)

But when it came to the actual writing of the song, I placed myself in the shoes of a person who has been bullied... and realized - I'd been bullied too.

BULLYING is not just what we see in movies - big popular guy beating up small scrawny nerd, or pretty popular girl humiliating geeky misfit.
In fact, bullying happens more than we realize.

When I was a freshman in Nanyang Polytechnic, I was placed in a class where I did not fit.
Have you ever been in that kind of situation? Where you don't really "click" with anyone else, can't seem to find a friend, have different ideas and habits than everyone else...?

Well, that was me.
To make matters worse, I was appointed as some kind of group leader at one point, and ended up being criticized by some of the girls in class (ah lians as some would call them). They really scared me back then... so I just kept quiet and tried to hide myself.

I slowly became more withdrawn, missed classes altogether, and ended up failing that semester because I missed too many classes.

When all this was happening, I remember feeling like there was something wrong with me.
Why couldn't I make friends? Why did they hate me?
I couldn't explain to the teachers why I felt like that, or why I wasn't doing well in class because I felt so lousy.

Years on, I know now - our socio-emotional state has a very big impact on our learning behaviour. And learning in a SAFE environment is fundamental to good learning.


So when I wrote the song, "Dear Misunderstood", I wrote it from a very personal place.
I imagined what it would have been like if I had had one person, one friend - who told me that there was nothing wrong with me, and that I was not alone... that semester in NYP would have been very different.

I hope this song helps more people to understand what bullying is really about.
It's about being socially ostracized. Yes, there is physical bullying, but what's more common yet less known is that there is social bullying... and there's something we can do about that - look out for one another... stand up for that person being socially ostracized... be a friend to someone who looks alone.


PLEASE - if you've ever felt alone and powerless, you know how it feels - take a stand with me this 15th July - we will be marching along Orchard Rd to raise awareness.

DOWNLOAD THE SONG FOR FREE:
http://shimona.bandcamp.com/track/dear-misunderstood
Join us on 15th of July at The Cathay as we stand up against bullying!
Visit http://www.facebook.com/higherproduction for more details!
Email HigherProductionsSG@gmail.com to pre-register!

"Dear Misunderstood"
You say
I don't understand how you feel
when everyone's pointing at you
and you don't know what you should do
Well I know
better than you would have thought
I know what it feels like
when they just carry on laughing at you

So take my hand cuz I've been there too
Be my friend I'll take care of you
You're not alone,
have courage to sing this out loud and proud


We can take a stand together
we're not that different at all
when you and I are here together
our differences seem small
Look around and you'll find there are people who care
just because you don't see doesn't mean they're not there
to take a stand, together we can


You think
Somehow that it's all your fault
that you don't fit in
So you try to hide, hoping you'll fade away
But I'm here
so don't be afraid anymore
I'll sit right beside you
and help you look for the strength to go on

Where Did You Go

Where Did You Go by Shimona


Almost 5 years ago, my brother, Reuben Kee, was one of five boys who drowned in a tragic dragon-boating accident in Cambodia.

A few days ago, I allowed myself some time to sit and miss him.

You see, when the event transpired, I was so clammed shut with emotions that I could not write.
Ironic, me being a songwriter and whatnot...

But inspiration is a tricky fella.
Almost 5 years later, I find myself remembering - the disbelief that he was really gone.
I think one of the most difficult things about death is that it usually happens suddenly... and well, lasts forever.

When my brother passed, I sometimes wanted to run away from my house.
The jarring "sameness" of everyday life was contrasted by the fact that nothing was ever going to be the same again.
I remember my mother being so devastated, she kept thinking he would just open the door and walk back into our house.

We've come a long way since then.
I strongly believe that it is not enough just to survive... we must also THRIVE.
Death is a fundamental part of life, and nothing on earth is permanent.
We took one step at a time, one day at a time..., and slowly but surely, we learned to live life again - without him.

But that hole is still very much there... still where he left it.

So this song is perhaps one of many other songs I shall write about the brother I miss so much.
Not with us anymore, but never forgotten.
We love you Reuben.

LYRICS:

Where did you go
when I turned around
you were there just a while ago

You walked along this life so strong
how could you suddenly be gone

And I am waiting for the moment
you return
I am waiting for the door to open
I am waiting to hear your voice
But where did you go, you're not here.

Where did you go
in the blink of an eye
you were gone and I did not know

I cannot see how you disappeared
from my life in a wisp of wind

Maybe someday I will understand
Maybe someday I will see
Why the Lord had to take you from me
but for now, you are gone, you're not here.

PLEASE HELP!!

♥ YEP, it's one of those - I NEED YOUR HELP things - help me get play my music in GERMANY! Woot! Please click the link and vote for me! ♥
https://fb-app-contrib-compare.evly.com/Project/Entries/21?order=1#entry-1330

THE SOCIAL MEDIA SONG - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO!!!

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, presenting....

You Were Just Here

I'm trying not to think

how yesterday you were just here.

And our words drew aimless circles round our faces

while we sat mere inches apart.

And now you're not.

You're there.

And I can only savor the shadow of you

And look at pictures and dig out memories...

of laughter and sunshine.

Dancing and eating.

Talking and crying.

Where our paths have crossed I believe flowers grow now.

Because the seeds of our friendship have long since taken root.

They nestle in my heart and remind me of

the warmth of your love and acceptance.

Gifts that money cannot buy,

time cannot replace.

So now you are there

and I am here...

and I can do nothing to bring you near.

Yes, we will walk on...

our separate paths.

We are both strong women

with happy hearts.

We will take what life gives us

in abundance and in strife

We will remain essentially

US.

To friendship.

To Krung Thep.

To life and to love.

To the One who provides us all from above.

To the hardships we know must surely come.

To strength and wisdom to meet them

... and grace when all is done.

To Bali, ma chère.

We will meet again.

"Simply Shimona" - International Preorders!

If you're outside of Singapore and are wondering how you can get your hands on a copy of my debut album "Simply Shimona", I've got good news for you!

You can now preorder your CD, and it will be mailed to you once they are ready! Yahoo!!

Just FILL OUT THIS FORM: CLICK HERE.

This is IT!

No words can describe how I feel about finally completing my first full-length all-originals album.

Instead, if you are in Singapore, please let my music tell all:

SIMPLY SHIMONA DEBUT ALBUM LAUNCH

8pm, Feb 23rd, 2012

@The Merry Men

86 Robertson Quay

CLICK HERE --> Facebook invite and full details.