Cats - Memory and Intelligence

I love this song. Memory by Cats. I'm learning this from Richard Clayderman's song book. I'll probably will apply this pianist's techniques too.


Talking about cats, I have to say that my Minty is so intelligent. And cats surely have very good memory too.

Eversince Minty miraculously got home, he's been behaving differently, and we only noticed it after a few days. No, he's not acting wild, despite being 6 days away from home. In fact, he's even more affectionate. You call him from one end, and he'll come running from the other end to greet you. Wet Minty after a bath.

Lately he's been spraying around the house! Initially I thought it was Oreo. Poor Oreo. When Minty got home, he still tried to pick a fight, so back in the 4 storey apartmnet he go. Then, even after Oreo is confined, we smell it at various parts of the house, indoor and outdoor. Oh dear, it is Minty's doing. And the maid remarked that he did it here, he did it there. After thinking long and hard, I decided that Minty has to be a strictly outdoor cat. Breaks my heart, but it had to be done.

I did some googling why this change of behaviour, and possible causes and the most obvious one is territorial instinct. But he never did it before. My thought is, most probably on his 6 days 'adventure' he's met with other cats from other homes, and learn from there...hahaha. No, maybe other cats are doing that to deter him from coming near their grounds.

Another possible reason is Honey. A new addition that he feels threatened to. At first they seemed to get along fine, smelling each other, only once in a while Honey will hissed back at him. He insisted on eating Honey's special kitten meal. At one point, he even tried to climb over her, but luckily I saw and screamed at that.

So now we train Minty to stay outdoor. He did try to enter, but for the time being, until he learns, all door will be kept closed. Poor Minty...

However he is a very smart cat. Number one, he managed to get home from nowhere after 6 days! This neighbourhood is new to him, less than 2 months. Being an indoor/outdoor cat must have helped his instinct.

Number two, while he knows doors are closed to him, he'll try his best to come in. He was sucessful a few times only to be led outside again. And the other day when I was gardening, he came and rub himself around me (probably to leave his scent all over me, I am his property..haha) when he heard my maid open the back door, and her ran quickly towards that door trying to get in. We were from the other side of the house, and he can hear that.

Number three, I think now he's finally got it. He understands now that he has to stay outdoor. Maybe not 100% percent yet, but unlike before, he no longer wait for the door to be opened for him to jump in. He will stay put and watch our face or expression whether we'll let him in.

Poor Minty. My heart goes out to him. Its not his fault that he feels the need to spray his territory everywhere, cats being cats. But I think he's adjusted to this new arrangement wonderfully. I love you, Minty. And Honey, and Oreo.

Ballade Pour Adeline

Richard Clayderman, the famous pianist that has been a major influence on my interest in piano. He is a French pianist who has released numerous albums, including arrangements of popular music, and popular piano works of Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart.

His recordings focus mainly on popular music and orchestral arrangements of well-known romantic songs, such as Yesterday, The Sound of Silence and Memory.

Clayderman started studying to play piano at age six, and he was accepted at Conservatoire de Paris in Paris at age 12. He became famous with "Ballade pour Adeline" which is composed by French musical producer Paul de Senneville.

The single became an instant success, selling 22 million copies in 38 countries. Since then, he has recorded over 1000 songs and has become one of the most successful instrumental recording artists in the world, with reported record sales in excess of 70 million units worldwide.



Ballade Pour Adeline...simple yet challenging to master. Been practising this piece, but yet to perfect, especially on the crescendo.

Mandy! Not Mindy, not Minty...!

My Heart

I would say these songs were my strongest motivator to learn piano chords. I can pick up the melody on the right hands easily, but struggled to frustration on the leftie. So I closed one eye and swiped my credit card to take up the class and graduated Level 1 & 2 in 6 months.

From The Begining Until Now


The Song


The Hearthrob
















Autumn in my Heart


The Song



I will post more soon...

My Honeybuns

Honeybun Is Here!!

I have double joy between today and yesterday. Maybe more, but these 2 are top of the list, so far.



The vet called yesterday. They finally got a replacement kitten for me. Actually I was the one who instructed them to get this kitten of my choice from a trusted breeder. Since Minty escaped, they offered a replacement for me. I know I cannot take another male, or risk having Oreo chewing it to pieces. He's really protecting his territory now. I should have the videocam ready the next time he chased stray cats out of our compound.

So I got this sweet little bi-color red(as the Cat book term it) furball, actually orange in colour and white, 2 1/2 months old. She's a flat face persian type .... doesn't sound so flattering, but this one is really sweet and cute. And she's named 'Honeybun'.

Honey adapted well to her new home. She's so adorable and playful. Should see how she chased after feet(s) and brakes and slides on the slippery floor. So comical! And in-between playtime, she napped a few times. Once we had to keep her in her 'house' in the kitchen. She meowed so loud in protest, but seconds later, she was dozing off. Just like a real baby, crying before going to sleep. So that's supposed to be a happy ending.

However, the real joy came in this morning. Minty's home!! By true miracle, Minty found his way back 2.5km away seperated by fields, a river and a few housing areas, not to mention busy streets, in 6 days! Cats instincts is so strong, you never know how strong it can be. Until now, I really can't believe that he's really home like nothing had happened. He's still the same Minty whos's so sweet and obedient, comes to you when called and rolls on his back ready to be massaged. And boy..was he hungry. Keeps going back to his dish several times after minutes.

Now... what do I tell the vet. They had just forked out Rm1000 for Honeybun. Any advise, please? Whatever it is, I am keeping Honey.

I take this opportunity to thank all the well-wishers for Minty's return, namely Shah Cakapaje, Shirzad Lifeboat, Mr U.Lee, Jaflam, Amy, and everyone else who prayed for his safe return, and I believe that your positive belief led him back home. Thank you so much...!

Chicago

Songs I listened on my trip...but its not to Chicago.











A scenic spot





Oreo - Comot. 10 days overdue for a bath

Minty's Version. No Air...

No Air! No Air!

Surfing from Mr Lee's, to Amy's to Toughcookie's and she mentioned about this song. Nice!

Somewhere Out There...

From Mommy to Minty...



From Minty to Mommy...

My Story...

I am supposed to write about my trip to a beautiful scenic location, and probably upload some pictures and some of the songs that I listened to along the way. But my heart is somewhere else right now.

Last night I went to a wedding. It was drizzling on the highway. Suddenly right before my eyes, I saw a small lorry about to hit the divider from the opposite direction. I was too shocked to scream, and in seconds, some splattered glass hit my windscreen. The small lorry crashed into the divider right by me as I passed through in the opposite lane. I cannot imagine what will happen if the divider was not there... I am so grateful and thank God to still be here writing on my beloved laptop.

At the wedding, I smiled at everyone. I greet them, as I should. Little did they know that I was crying inside. No, not because of the accident, (nor was the groom my ex-boyfriend..hahaha..) I can still laugh?

My heart was still lingering on yesterday afternoon. After coming back from my trip, Minty was especially 'manja'. I guessed he did missed me. Its also time for his bath. Normally he gets an in-house bath treatment, but this time I decided to do a 'spring-clean' on him since he is now an indoor/outdoor cat. So off to the vet we went. Its a first time to this vet, coz we had just moved into this neighbourhood. After reminding Minty to 'be good' I went off for some other plans.

As I was still around with my chores, the vet called and said that my cat escaped. Am I hearing it right? I demanded that they find Minty. To my dismay, they can't find him anywhere. When I got there, I went round the back alleys of the whole blocks, but Minty was nowhere to be seen. What am I to say? How can they let this happen? This is unheard of!

They want to compensate me with a new cat. That's not the question. Minty has been with me for three years and has been such a darling part of the family. Minty is such a gentle and loving cat.

So at the wedding, I see happy faces, I see delightful smiles and I hear heartfelt laughter. Sometimes I joined in, at other times I looked away. I can't be telling the world that I lost a cat at a joyful event, can't I? Because if I did, I might just risk shedding tears and spoil my make-up (hahaha...again).

And it was raining last night, as if enjoining my sorrow. I don't know if Minty has a shelter or food. I hope someone would feed him or he can find food somewhere. I pray that he is safe, wherever he is, and with miracle, find his way home, 2.5km away...

Minty's Message

From Minty to Shah...

Sorry that you said goodbye before we even met...

Getaran Jiwa

Getaran Jiwa, one of my regular and favorite 'performance' on piano. And fancy this 'mat saleh', Mr Raymond Crooke amazingly sings this song with real feelings. Bravo, Mr Crooke!



And the original, Tan Sri P.Ramlee. Enjoy...