A Word of Encouragement

Dear friend:

You are special. 

As cliche as it might seem, there's only one of you in the entire universe. No person is entirely the same as you. Fingerprints, hair color, eye patterns, you name it. 

You are brave. 

If you fly in a plane without questioning the pilot, sit on a chair without testing it first, jump into a pool, try a new cuisine, shower in cold water, or even just get up from bed to face your least favourite people, I think you're pretty brave. 

You are beautiful. 

You were created for a purpose, a reason, and appearance should not be the main focus. Yes, be presentable and neat, but don't be vain. You are beautiful just the way you are. Stay happy. Beauty shines through happiness. 

You are amazing. 

You say thank you when you receive a gift. You say sorry when you knock into someone. You hold the door for the person behind you. You greet your grandparents when you see them. You are considerate, thoughtful, and kind. These may seem like small things; but you seem kinda amazing to me. 

You are loved. 

Your parents love you, no matter how it doesn't seem like it. You have friends who care. People drive you around, buy you food, pay for your fees, wash your clothes, remember your birthday and take care of you when you're ill. You are loved. 

And if you don't feel like what I said is true, let me assure you again:

You are special, brave, beautiful, amazing and loved. 

Now don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

With love, 

Jessica. 

How To Annoy Your Older Brother

1. Outsmart him.

Read up on topics he clearly isn't interested in, study the dictionary, brush up on your grammar; then correct him whenever you feel like it because you're a genius already.

2. Touch his face.
Nothing says "I love you bro" more than a nice little slap on his cheeks. UNLEASH THE ACNE!

3. Repeat everything he says.
"Get me some water."
"Get me some water."
"Do it now."
"Do it now."
"Stop repeating after me."
"Stop repeating after me."
"I'm stupid."
"You're stupid."

4. Agree with him whenever it sounds like an argument is about to begin.
Brothers are male. Brothers have man ego. Brothers like to WIN. So whenever he challenges you to answer something, just go "yeah man, that's right." Watch him fume as he realises that you're not going to fight back.

5. Peer over his shoulder when he games.
And then commentate every single thing he does in the game.

6. Ask to play with his phone.
Then if his phone has a password or code, repeatedly enter wrong numbers and DISABLE THAT PHONE!

7. Hold his hand/hug him.
Or any form of affection, really.

*from personal experience
**might not work all the time
***make sure knives are not present

5 Things Being A Drummer Has Taught Me

I'm not a FANTASTIC drummer, but these are some things I thought about when I recently became more interested in drumming.

1. Don't get too worked up
As energetic and enthusiastic a drummer may look, I've realised that drumming sounds best when the drummer is relaxed. An upcoming drum exam piece has got me frustrated due to its high speed; I've been struggling to keep up with the backing track since the beginning. But I discovered that enjoying the song, feeling the beat and "grooving" to the song (who uses groove anyway?) are all keys to playing a song successfully.Stressing over things and getting all worked up will most likely make the situation worse. Frustration never solves anything.

2. Everyone is important
To be honest, many instruments require only the hands (and the brain, obviously). But for the drums, all four limbs are in use and without the legs, the entire beat will be empty. The bass drum plays an essential part in giving the song a backbone, and the hi-hat foot gives the groove some flavour. Legs don't play a part in most instruments, but a drummer's legs are his (or her) assets. Value the underdogs, the ones who aren't always the center of attention, and understand that every person you meet has a part to play in your life.

3. Practice makes perfect
This is pretty self-explanatory. Be it a music instrument, mathematics, a sport, or even cooking, all talent without practice is futile.

4. You are more influential than you think
A drummer doesn't play chords. He doesn't play any melody or second voice. Worse, he can hardly produce musical notes. The entire band discusses chords and key changes but the drummer sits there, twirling his drumsticks since he can't participate in the discussion. The drums are just a bunch of wooden bottomless buckets with skins stretched over the tops, with some pedals and some metal plates. No strings, no tunes, nothing. But when the band starts playing, you are the rhythm. You are the underlying beat, the one who determines the speed. Once the drummer gradually speeds up in the middle of the song, the whole band unconsciously follows. No matter what you do, you actually impact people more than you think. You may be a shy, silent introvert, but any action of yours can change situations, mindsets or even solve problems. You are more influential than you think.

5. Silence is golden
Drummers aren't just people who know how to play a groove, how to attack at the right places or have perfect timing. They also know when to be quiet. They know that in certain songs, drums aren't needed. Drums will cloud the song, drums will be just "noise" and drums will overshadow the other musicians. Wanting to show off your skills doesn't mean making noise all the time. Sometimes silence shows more wisdom than anything.