A little taste of Taiwan

I had just completed my Army training in June, 2006, and was ready for my career, until the unimaginable happened – my father passed away. What made it worst was that it wasn’t a natural death – he had committed suicide. It happened suddenly in August. You would think the last thing I would do was leave my family behind.

September, 2006

Shaun and I arrived here in Taiwan. It was my first time in Taiwan, and also marked an official start for me.

My father’s death brought me down to my knees, but I think it also skyrocketed some part of me.

It is true – pain makes you grow. It gave me strength. Never have I wanted more to be heard, to make money for my family, and most of all – to make him proud. Will you forgive me, father?

I haven’t recovered. I’m deeply wounded and there will be scars. I am relying on my own mix of morphine – relieving pain by moving forth, busying, occupying myself, running. I have escapist tendancies.

I arrived and joined Shen Yi Entertainment. I had a good time knowing the people in the office, the new boys who would form a new boy band around.

During the next two months, I produced four new songs, and the company loved them. Their acknowledgment really kept me going, as I was still affected by my loss from time to time.

Unfortunately, I was soon informed to return home because of visa and perhaps, Dawn. Gossips, rumour, you know the drill. It really affects things in the entertainment field. She was introduced to this company by me, and they were interested in grooming her as well. We got together well, and it became a problem to the company.

I learnt a lot from this trip – lifestyle, healthy & unhealthy foods, music tastes, and most of all, people of Taiwan.

It wasn’t long before I got news that my manager had left the company due to some problems. I foresaw that coming. Shaun asked,

“Do you want to stay behind? You might be the next one to cut an album.”

He believed in me, although it took him quite some time, he still brought me here to Taiwan, and if I should cut an album, I want him to benefit from it.

Thus, I was back to square one – I left with Shaun, without a company, back in Singapore and waiting.

The whole experience was like a little taste of the forbidden fruit, like a little prank, bringing you closer to heaven, then dropping you down again.

However, I was sure it happened for a reason, for better things to come. At least, I tasted Taiwan.