Monday, July 31, 2006
@1:00 PM
Big Big Plans to look forward to
InClarion Clarinet recital is over! =D
One less concert to worry about. Still, I feel equally busy; Probably due to the increase in the no. of prac for NTUSB - Mon, Wed and Sat and also, Mus'art upcoming concerts.
Very looking forward to the concert at Esplanade!=D Mrs Chua seemed to be hinting us about some big big interesting plans installed for us; if I'm not wrong, it should be some band exchanges at Japan or performing for some festivals in other countries. Whatever it is, I want to get out of Singapore! *oops* Nah, it's not that I dislike living here, but I need fresh airs; A different..refreshing environment away from the monotonous garden city. It is a regret for not going anywhere this long hols. Oh well..I myself can't make it too. If only last yr's overseas trips were spread evenly to this yr..then probably I might have travelled to Beijing for this school break. *sigh* Anyway. I really hope that we'll sound good on stage at Esplanade concert hall and who knows? We might attract sponsors who are willing to lend us a hand for our overseas trip next year =P
InClarion Choir recital was a success! My first recital =) Though I din really sell tickets for this recital (well, I tried but..), I was glad to see familiar faces like Li Yen, Deanna and Samantha. It's so sweet of Samantha to give us a Ferrero Roche each, with a msg written on the wrinkled golden wrapper. =) Thanks lots, Samantha!
Well...I didnt expect the hall to be 3/4 filled either! ^-^
Somehow, I kind of like being in this choir. Despite being an ad-hoc group, I could feel some warmth in it. Despite not knowing everyone in the choir, I could still sense some air of friendliness which makes me feel comfortable staying with them. And not forgetting, LH is so funny la!! Haha.
I'm sad to say...and disappointed to point out that I'm in a certain group for close to a yr plus by now, yet I don't feel as if I'm part of it; I thought I could find warmth...but I've been searching for it for so long... and it's never found. It's not that I didnt try to be with the massess. However, it's just too difficult. You'll understand why if you're in my shoes. Maybe it's time for me to take a good break from there and move on to smth else...
Yearn for the days of innocence
Sunday, July 30, 2006
@12:58 PM
Special sem's over!
The exam on 27 July officially marks an end to my special sem. =D Truly, I enjoyed taking this module on 'Computer risks and piracy.' But I've to admit that initially, I decided to take it for the sake of taking it; for the sake of clearing my Prescribed electives. However after attending the lectures, DRAB changed my mindset totally and I really learnt alot from her. It is also DRAB who turned the otherwise dry and boring lecture into a 'lively' and interesting one. Really thank goodness that DRAB is the lecturer for this module. =D
The paper was quite alright. Except for being a little panicky at the start of the paper (cos' I reached on the dot and almost couldnt find my seat), I was relieved to spot all questions in the exam. =P Had so much in mind to write, but the limited 2 1/2 hrs duration did not allow me to. Well...hopefully I wrote enough! hee. Enough for me to score a good grade for this module. *Pray pray pray* =D
Yearn for the days of innocence
Friday, July 28, 2006
@3:30 PM
Though it's already over, still..
Happy belated 6 official months, dear!
Time flies...and we're celebrating our un-official anniversary soon. Hee =P Full of ups and downs for the past 6 months, but we never fail to move on from each obstacle and look for a better future =) Thank you dear, for coming into my life! We've to admit that Holland is really a wonderful place for romance, and for love to blossom. =D
How I love Maltesers so...
How I love Hamtaro-bor...
How I love YOU so! =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
@3:29 PM
My cutie hamtaro-bor =D 
Yearn for the days of innocence
@3:28 PM
=P
Yearn for the days of innocence
@3:26 PM
** S310 Rawksssssss **
It was one successful gathering I organized, and I'm on cloud nine! Am so happy to see that almost all turned up for 310 gathering, except for Xiaoting, Xiang and Meiyan. We rarely had such a good attendance >_< Weiee - One faithful hall six-en who is still busy with her hall stuffs, especially with the upcoming orientation camp. I suppose if she successfully descend the "Vice-president" post, she'll be madly packed. Anyway, all the best to your election run, Weiee! Hope you'll get what you wish for. =)
int'l WRM - One stress-ed soul who remains stressed with his school work. And oh my goodness! Did I hear wrongly that you've to finish 9 projects in a month?! Or is it 5?!Aiyo. But I'm sure you CAN do it, Winter!!! Anyway, I really kinda missed his ever-so-wonderful sacarsm that is capabale of sending hysterical laughters, and his funny complaints a.k.a Lily Lim Lay Lay. Hahaha. But Winter, don't get angry too frequently! Well, you should know it better... "Let it be..Let it be" ---> Your wonderful diva's song. Haha.
Poh Poh - My supposedly-routine-jogging companion. But we're too busy these days to keep up with it! Or am I the busy one? Oops. haha. Missed her quarelling with our Uncle tong. haha. It seems that each gathering will certainly not miss such episode. Kinda funny at times to see how the two arguing these and that. Both always claim validity of their points. But I guess Pohpoh is just too good for Uncle tong! *paiseh ah, kjt* Anyway, poh and I decided to work really hard together in Uni and get our honours! (at least 2nd class and above la. hee)
Rainbow - Wah, she went Bangkok! All of us werent even aware that she was away from Singapore for 5 days, enjoying life in Thailand. Wow! Xian mu! I also wanna go overseas. *sob sob* It is so nice of Bow to buy some gifts for us from Bangkok la! I like the 'bear' notebook very much! Thanks roomy! hee. =)
Juan - Looks like our dear diva here is used to nightlife liao! Haha. Well, she is very *ping*! Took 2 jobs at one go. Luckily, her contract for the other one has ended. But she has to work shifts for her bank job. I'm sure she gained lotsa experience from it nevertheless; especially dealing with the customers. It is never easy at customer-service line! Anyway, looking forward to taking Forensic Science with you! At least we can catch-up more often =)
Bee - Our queen bee made the day by being the latest-comer again! Aiyo. haha. Heard that her institution is forever asking her for payments; couldnt believe it when she told me all sorts of fees that she has to pay for. Fee to continue her education with the school?! Ridiculous!
Kjt - I totally agreed with Poh; Uncle tong was indeed the centre of all jokes for the day! His driving experience in the army is super funny. And when he told us about his role in NDP is to drive some prestigious vehicle, winter, bee and I thought he finally made a mark in his driving by fetching some big shots into the stadium. When we began to marvel at his 'achievement', it all turned out to be winter's imaginative inference. Ended up his role is simply to drive and park the car in the stadium carpark for some emergency purposes. Yes, he'll stay there at the carpark for the entire NDP. We were all like, "huh?!" Then Poh was like, "what if there's a bomb or what? Is he supposed to drive the bomb away?" Hahaha. So funny la! =P
Bryane - Heard that he's playing electric guitar and keyboard for his church. Cool!! Well..our dear Bryane still looks the same, except that I thought he's more macho now? haha. =D
Though everyone is leading their own different lives now, one thing remains about us; 310 rocks! Weiee may not be from 310, but she's long acknowledged to be part of us. =)
Am very happy to see my beloved 310 gang again!
May everyone succeed in our lives =D
Yearn for the days of innocence
Saturday, July 22, 2006
@11:27 AM
Is the world that small?
xx Part I xx
I can't believe it... Musart's concert program booklets FOUND its way to MY OFFICE!
Of all companies in Singapore, the courier man left a pack of ten(seemingly) freshly-printed booklets along with other documents with my colleague, KS and went off. Before he started to wonder how it landed on his hand when he didnt ask for it, another colleague of mine, AL found the programme cover familiar (cos' I gave her the postcard earlier to promote the concert). And what a pair of sharp eyes she has, she spotted me right there in a section photo taken at WMC. KS gave no second thoughts of peeping my phone and asked if those booklets belonged to me. I was like,
"HUH?! What do you mean by the 10 program booklets you mentioned? Yes, I did have a concert, but I only passed one POSTCARD to AL!"
Without furthur ado, I quickened my pace to the 1st storey and checked it out.
Indeed, the 10 booklets were nicely packed in a transparent plastic. The receptionist thought I forgot to take it with me and left it at the reception table. AL is even more imaginative. She asked if it's dear who delivered it to me. I was like, "hello, that's out of question. Why would he do that in the first place?!"
The most intriguing thing was the concert was already over last Sunday; What are these booklets doing here in the office? Even if it's for marketing purposes, the postcards make it more sensible than these programme notes.
As I was thinking how it all happened, KS was so funny la. He handed me a booklet that he took out from the pack, and asked me to look at the list of Musicians. There he put under the trumpet section, "Cheong KXX SXXX" Then, he lamed on and claimed that he performed in the concert but sadly, he din have a chance to sell tickets to them (my colleagues). He act act to the other colleagues by asking me (as if knowingly),
"Eh..Huili ah, our next concert is next year, July right? By then, I'll give you guys (complimentary) tickets to watch."
I wanted to expose him and asked,
"Err..so why is your name written in pencil ah?"
At a stroke of genius, he said," Oh..cos they left my name out. So, they added it in the last minute."
I really took my hats off him la!!!
(I learnt from AL who was formerly from band that before I came down, KS claimed that he's a trumpeter, but unknowingly put his name under the Percussion section till she told him. Haha. I almost burst out in laughter!)
But coming back to the matter, we later found out that the man made a mistake. He accidentally left the booklets with KS when he's supposed to deliver these extras to Jurong Green CC. But really, it was amusing that the courier man's mistake could be such perfect that the performer for the concert is right there in the office. The receptionist explained it to the man who returned later for the booklet, and even pointed out my picture to the man. I was like ehh...speechless.
What a coincidence! The world is that small. Can you believe it?
Buy toto? Haha. Nah. I'm not for it. =)
xx Part II xx
Due to this "Musart program booklet found its way to 'Academy of Medicine' " saga, almost the entire office knew of my band-ing and hammy who's my boyfriend. Cos' dear is also in the photo. It started with AL asking, "where's your boyfriend (in the WMC pics) ah?" She knew that dear is in the same band as me. Subsequently, other colleagues were like "where? where? which one?" Haha. Quite funny la. And the receptionist is soo nice!! She asked if I've other concerts; cos' she din know I possess such talent(I was really flattered) and she would like to support me if possible. I felt over the cloud nine! =D
***
My boss is soo sweet! I missed the Swensens' lunch for the company on Wednesday, but he bought me a slice of ice cream cake! He also gave it to those who couldnt turn up. Soo nice!!!
Yearn for the days of innocence
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
@11:55 AM
Post-1st National Band Competition
NBC's over in a twinkling of an eye! Somehow, I just couldnt believe that it's over so fast. I remember how Musart was gearing up for the NBC the day we decided to go for it. Each and everyone of us may be busy with our work and personal lives but we never failed to try our best to attend the weekly Sunday practice. We would start off each practice session with First Suite in E-flat - March; play, record and listen; followed by Xenia Sarda; play, record and listen. I thought it was really an effective way of learning; we listen to our strengths and weakness, and learn from our mistakes. Of course, I did wonder then if we could cope NBC and our annual concert, especially when the concert was only one day after the competition.
Now looking back, I'm proud to say we coped them both equally well! I'm glad to announce that Mus'art Wind Orchestra won a Gold medal with a score of 85.4 (I'm not very sure about the decimal cos' the annoucement was rudely interrupted by some "roars"). The best news for us is we entered top 3! We're in the third placing, and are invited to perform for the honours concert this Sunday at VCH. =)
However, the band opted out of the performance cos' we are given less than 10 mins on stage! That's quite ridiculous. A piece like Xenia Sarda already amounts to 10 mins plus. Anyway, we have other priorities too; essentially the upcoming National Day concert at CC, as well as Beautiful Sunday perf at the Esplanade. =) Looking forward to the latter!!!
That's besides the point but I'm very happy that we achieved what we worked for; and this is really a great great morale booster for the band (after the good achievement at WMC). Everyone has put in our heart and soul on the day of the competition. I must say, we sounded exceptionally well on stage that day; The best we played among all our rehearsals and practices.
Of course, I do not deny that there are always better bands amongst us, like those which came in 2nd and 1st. I heard the former; they were *thumbs-up*. But probably the winner sounded better at the same piece. Whatever it is, Congratulations to both bands! Not forgetting, I would like to congratulate MJCSB for grabbing a Gold medal in the 1st Division =D And to my Hai Sing Band juniors, you guys had done your very best at the competition too! The competition is not about winning, but rather, gaining more exposure by competing annd knowing where you stand among the rests. I'm sure through this wonderful experience, your music knowledge has certainly soared to greater heights! =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
@11:45 AM
The concert was a success!!! This is really one wonderful concert for I've the golden opportunity to play under the baton of Mr Shuichi Komiyama. =) I've seen him a no. of times at SYF central judging, but never dreamt of performing on stage with him. It was an honour for me, as well as the band. ^-^ Not forgetting, it was a rare opportunity to be on stage with a brilliant pianist too! Yes, she's Miss Azusa Hokugo, our guest pianist for Rhapsody in Blue =) I thought she was really good! How I wish my friends could come and watch this concert, cos' it was truly one worth watching. Sadly, they have their own commitments. For once, my ticket sales were so bad that I only managed to sell 2 tickets to my parents, who are ever soo supportive! Thank you, mom and dad! As this concert also clashes with NBC, the ticket sales was not very optimistic. But I marvelled at the marketing efforts for this concert by Mus'art committees, who specially made postcards that featured our photos taken at WMC. In addition, the programme booklet which came in the form of newsletter, was slotted nicely in a plastic folder printed with the band's name and concert's theme. They are all very nice and creative!!! For whom had spend the wonderful evening with us at SCH, thank you for your support! I would also like to thank my haising juniors - Rachel and Jieying for the sweet flowers!
Oh ya, happy catching up with darius! We've not met for four years by now since we graduated from Haising. It was purely a coincidence that we were brought together in this concert! Anyway, all the best to all your Piano competitions, Darius! =D
Lastly I have to say, I enjoyed playing at "Rhythme Et Blues." =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
@11:51 PM
Xinhui and I =) No regrets joining Mus'art since the day we decided to go for it ^-^
Aiyah, Deanna and Hansel tried to squeeze into the picture. And why is Deanna holding a Clar?!
Me and dear =) I recalled that in our last Mus'art annual concert, we were still like strangers to each other. Hee =D
Yearn for the days of innocence
Sunday, July 16, 2006
@2:09 AM
Pre-1st National Band Competition
Today is finally the day. Yes, the competition day; 1st National Band Competition.
This is the second time I go on a competition with Mus'art Wind Orchestra. The very first time was the World Music Contest at Kerkrade. Thinking of that, I couldnt imagine how time flies! Almost one year had passed since.. All the reminiscing memories I had in Holland.. Actually, Hammy is quite right about feeling less stress competing at WMC, though it is an international band competition. When we were in Europe, all that was in our minds was to concentrate in the big thing itself.No doubt we practised daily from morning till night, that's all that we were concerned about; We worried nothing else. The rests of our time we spent on enjoying ourselves, eating good and sleeping well. And the weather there was pretty good for relaxation too! Tuning my mind back to the reality, there are more things we worried about at home beside the competition. Or rather, we engaged ourselves with more activities here, such as schooling and work. So naturally, we might not be able to achieve that ultimate relaxed mode like we had in Holland. Nevertheless, I have faith that we CAN perform well for the competition. I believe that we will reap what we've sowed, and all that hard practices will not go into waste. =)
May the heavens watch over Mus'art during the competition, ensuring that everything will be a smooth-sail, and that we'll play our hearts out. Most importantly, all of us on stage will enjoy playing the March and Xenia Sarda.
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:46 AM
Though this come a tad late, still...
Haha.
My Haising band juniors were supposed to present this to the Clarinet Quintet on the concert day in June, but it slipped off their minds. So the "Thank You" board was passed to Mr Chua before it finally reached the quintet's hands on Wednesday. Anyway, thank you, juniors! So sweet of you guys to make this board for us! =) A very first token of appreciation for the Clarinet Quintet. Hopefully there are more to come as we hop from stage to stage in the future! =D
Yearn for the days of innocence
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
@2:37 AM
In Loving Memory of
Girl Girl
Memory wanders as shadows fall
Back to the days of happiness,
Days beyond recall.
A vision comes before us,
So calm, so dear, so sweet,
Of her lips now...
No longer moving to the rhythm of our fingers
And whose lids are wide-opened in ever-lasting sleep.
After joining our family for 2 years plus, it's a heartache to see her gone...
No longer do we have someone greeting us at the door...
No longer could we marvel at her talents of doing somersaults in the waters...
No longer do we have a pet to play with us when we're bored...
However, I believe she left us for the heavens peacefully.
May she live a better life in another dimension of the world.
Yearn for the days of innocence
@2:35 AM
Memories of Girl Girl
An active fish she is...
Yearn for the days of innocence
@2:34 AM
who never fails to capture our hearts..
Yearn for the days of innocence
@2:32 AM
A talent that she possess. She really impressed the family. =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
@2:30 AM
She seemingly knows that mom is taking a snap shot of her. A cutie luo han fish indeed.
Yearn for the days of innocence
Saturday, July 08, 2006
@1:59 PM
Finally, my hectic days had passed! Well...am still busy with work and band but at least, I've free mornings now to do whatever I want to do. Yay =) So to speak, my special sem classes are over! It is supposed to end two weeks later. However, my beloved lecturer cut it short and squeezed the curriculum into 3 weeks. ^-^ I must say, I love the lecturer lots! Her style of delivering the otherwise boring lecture is really interesting. It kept me awake throughout all of her classes though I was drained from my lack of sleep. And I made some great friends too! heh. Good thing now that the lessons are over; I could take a breather and revise my work for the exam. =)
***
Despite busy schedule, I managed to take time out for Sistaz Chalet. =) Of course, I made some sacrifices. I did not have much of a choice nevertheless, cos' the chalet was fixed way two months before with the assumption that I would be free from 30June - 2 July. Unfortunately, it clashed 'nicely' with ntu band camp. Oh well. I made for the loss of prac by attending Sun's session,which was the last day of the camp. But at the same time, I incurred an opportunity cost on Musart band prac. Gosh gosh gosh. =( This is the problem of having a packed schedule.
Anyway, here goes the Sistaz Chalet 2006 =P
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:58 PM
- Day 1 -
The Sistaz >_< without Yali cos' she was feeling unwell.
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:56 PM
- Day 2 -
Me and Fitrie at Changi Village
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:55 PM
Our beloved Loke Jia with her plate of Ikan Bilis 'with bones'. Haha
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:54 PM
On a bus ride to Sheng Xiong for our BBQ food =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:53 PM
Pre-BBQ game: The fingers game! V exciting=)
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:52 PM
Everyone scrutinized at their beautiful fingers...
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:49 PM
The Loser trio. *SuLk*
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:47 PM
Serving the punishment - Bread dipped into chilli sauce cum plain water mixture. *eeks*
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:45 PM
Pre-BBQ Game: The 'Majority' Wins. Pretty interesting game! We get to know each other better after this game =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:41 PM
Setting up the fire wasnt easy for us amateurs =x
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:39 PM
Still, we succeeded! Hooray!!!
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:38 PM
Zari, Hid n Yali at the pit
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:36 PM
Von, Kailing n Jiajia preparing the food for bbq =)
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:33 PM
Savouring each mouthful of BBQ food. ahh. My stomach is growling now. Oops.
Yearn for the days of innocence
@1:28 PM
A great play to watch at 'The Repertory Theatre'.=) It's based on the life of one of England's greatest Shakespearean actors, Sir Donald Wolfit,for whom Harwood was a dresser for five years. Catch Adrain Pang in the play. I thought he did a great job as Norman!
And this is a play that brought hammy and my parents together. Hammy's first 'meet-my-parents' session. heh=P
Yearn for the days of innocence
