Its been a long time since I was home. Now home seems different; it seems so foreign to me. No doubt its the same condo, the same unit and all the furniture are in the same place but the dynamics of home just seem so puzzling. Mei has taken over my table, so now she effectively has two tables (and she has surprisingly cleaned her table which she hasn't done for a long time) and she's more hardworking now. Yesterday she threw my books on the floor because she wanted to do A maths. Its not that i'm not happy with that, but I thought that was my table? Like mummy says, now its like the whole house is hers. She calls the shots here and my parents pamper her so much. But that's good in a sense, because i've been praying for the relationship between mummy and mei to blossom for a long time and for mei to reduce her rebellious nature and be the good little daughter she once was, so there would be no quarrels in the family.
After ten years of piano education, i've finally made the difficult decision to stop my lesson. I want to continue learning; I badly do, but circumstances has it that it'll be a waste of money if i do. Living in the hostel has made piano practices rare and few because the music room is always in use when I want it. And it seems that I can't complete my diploma in this year if that keeps up. Furthermore, mummy thinks its an "expensive hobby" and why don't i just practice by myself. I'm not the one with the money, so i don't have a say in this.
But I still want to thank Ms Chin for making this one year and a few months so enjoyable and making me view piano lessons in a new light, that music isn't just about practicing its about the perspective. That she opened my eyes to so many new things and changed my mindset about not being able to do the difficult technical portions. Though Mei didn't have a pleasant experience with her (i guess that's because she didn't practice), but I did and I've learnt much more in these months of lessons and enjoyed it much more than all the other nine years of learning. One thing i'll remember from her is the fact that whenever i kind of want to give up, she'll say "can one, try.", then she'll go on a story about how she couldn't do something last time but managed it after persevering on.
I simply cannot understand how people can study with loud rock music blasting in the background. The fact that you are singing to the music shows that you are not concentrating on your work and are listening to the music instead. Mummy says that your mind switches to and fro music and work; for me, i simply cannot stand any sort of music in the background, even classical music, because for classical music i would tend to listen to the details and figure out who wrote that and when the composer wrote that music.
Yesterday, there was a SNGS CO gathering at my condo. The girls were making a whole load of noise and we couldn't concentrate on what we were doing. I can't concentrate on reading my lovely book and my sister can't concentrate on doing her chinese homework (yes, they have holiday homework) since our silence was constantly punctuated by the loud screams and laughter of the girls from 5 storeys away. Worse still, i know a few of them personally which gives me an even worse impression of them than before. My good impression, once ruined is ruined forever.
Yet i still completed reading Pride and Prejudice. It is much easier to read after watching the movie. If i were to read the book first, i could have been bored to death, but the movie had made all the characters alive and the scenery so beautiful. And because this 1995 version of the movie really preserves all the conversation (except that they add actions to it) in the book so the book is really easy to follow. And I do love Elizabeth's wit and countering Lady Catherine, who opposed her marriage. And it was really sweet in the end that Mr Darcy had a change in character and was more humbled. But there was no kissing scene in the book, which the movie ended of with, so that's something different; after all, movie adaptations of books are seldom accurate.
Thanks to Gerlynn, who uploaded this video on facebook, i'm now so determined to play the Flight of the Bumblebee, piano transcription. Don't you think this chorus is so cool and so brilliant, using their vocals to imitate the orchestra instruments!
I'm going to try my best to play the score out, though it'll take quite a long time to learn it because this isn't an easy piece to play. I finally found the transcription by Rimsky-Korsakov online and it doesn't look easy. Actually it is, but when you play it fast, i doubt its that easy because you really need stamina to run through the notes.
I'm looking forward to the xmas party at Gerlynn's house! Though i'm not sure if mummy would let me out because its the day before o level chinese. But who studies for that anyways, and what is there to study?
The birthday fantasy ends here. Thanks to the deepavali holiday which was moved from somewhere in november (apparently its my sister's birthday then) to my birthday weekend, i had an extended celebration, the best way to spend my 16th birthday.
Yes, i'm sweet sixteen now! On friday, i received a beautiful necklace from Yenyan. Saturday, I didn't have piano lesson so i lazed around at home. But we went to some Famous Crab Restaurant to eat dinner! Oh, i so love the egg and spinach soup! It was a fabulous dinner. Sunday, i went to church, and though the speaker was boring enough for me to tune out after a while, there was a surprise pizza cake celebration! In the evening, i went to Carolyn's house to play Guitar Praise and i learnt one chord on the Guitar! O.o
Then monday was more of studying in the morning, with lunch as Bak Kut Teh. We were invited over to Carolyn's house for dinner and we had a whale of a time making popiah, though it involved a lot of work. But i learnt one full song on the guitar, God is so Good! Though my finger tips hurt from pressing the metal strings for such a long time in order to get the tune right, but i'm glad i tried! I need continuous practice to get the tone that i desire. That's the detriment of learning piano before learning the guitar -- you hear all the pitches very precisely, and you expect a lot. And yes, there was wine (ribena for me) and a candle on the cheesecake! With fried popiah to end the day at 9.00pm.
What interesting birthday cakes does Carolyn come up with! A pizza and a cheese cake :P
Today, there was a surprise celebration from my lovely class, 403! I so loved the blueberry cake, oh thank you so much! And, I admit, i must have been slow or something because i never suspected anything when they were discussing everything! I thought Gerlynn called Jerdine over to ask her something about some project or something like that. I never knew it could be a celebration! I received a load of presents, and i'm very glad! The lovely, shiny earrings from Junyan, and the nice pink diary/notebook from Gary (and i love the juxtaposition of the white stars on the black wrapper with the pink diary inside), a toothbrush holder from Jerdine (oh, silly her, such weird presents she give) and a black-pink bag from Auntie Katherine.
Evo Exam was easier than expected! :D Super happy now!
I missed three days of school, and I have so much homework to catch up on! Let's see, there's math, math honours, chem, physics, english (which is nothing much), chinese (nothing, as usual), and Genetics! Oh, i'm so going to have a hard time catching up on math, physics and Genetics! I have to work hard!
And Thank You everyone, for helping me collect my notes and fill them up! And for those who aren't in my class, thank you for your concern! I'm better now, but still not recovered. My Friends are so nice!
I love this blogskin. I modified a lot from the one that i ripped of www.blogskin.com. Go to Memories and check out the photos! Okay, okay, i didn't put much in, but i will; in due time. I will make this a nice blog, for myself, and everyone!
Yong Siew Toh Piano Recital Tomorrow! So looking forward to it! These two international pianists doing a duet, super cool! And i've always wanted to go for a piano recital; must improve my piano playing techniques!
I'm going to sleep; i'm tired. When you're sick, you're either tired or hungry.
I just feel confused. Obviously, my heart is not with staying on. Obviously i place one above another. When given a choice, i gravitate towards A and not to B. (Sorry, it isn't appropriate to reveal names of organisations, people, however you choose to interpret it.) Faced with two emails requesting for similar things, i choose A: i reply to A, comment about the activities, volunteer; for B, i do volunteer, but that's purely due to personal gains.
So why am i clinging on so fast to B? Why am i staying on? Why don't i have the courage to persuade mummy? And, why don't mummy let me leave? That would make my life much happier. Oh yes, much, much happier. I so cannot imagine a life without A, because that's my passion; but i guess B would get better, i just entered at the wrong time, that's all.
We're now going to be rushing for exam preparation. Not like we can prepare much for the exams now, anyway. But a least, while preparing for that mountain of tests that's going to crash on us next week, we can in a way get ready for exam. But exams will be muchmuch harder than the tests, and i fear that i can't do most of the questions, and pull my lovely CA marks down...
I just recieved the letter to make my IC today! HAHA. I'm going fifteen! Butbutbut, i haven't recieved my piano exam results, which i've been waiting for it for three weeks. It's supposed to come today, because thursday was three weeks from my exam, then you add another three delievery days in case anything funny happens. SO where is my letter!
Oh Renee, we need to do up the MA awards, thing, which we have not done anything yet. Uh oh. Somehow i find music very interesting. I love the smell of the new books and then the fun of writing my name on it, flipping it open and trying new pieces. I like to try new pieces(: Although i would very much like to try playing a duet with someone i'm close to
I'm so sorry for not blogging for such a long time! Please do continue to visit the blog and tag, though. The tagboard's so empty:(
Its Language week, and we had a Translation Competition. I think all the finalists are so super good! Each has their own unique feature, and all deserve to win! However, i think the best was the Hunchback of Notre Dame song, Danse mon Esperalda (or how is her name spelt?) The judging wasn't that fair, though. It was rather biased, i think.
Anyways. It was so enjoyable to watch all of them perform hahaa. Good job!
Now, my eyes are fixed on my piano exam, distinction~~ It's on such a lovely date, where something tragic happened on that day years ago, though it has no relation to my exam date. The next day there's some concert organised by the CO, which i willingly agreed to play, uhoh, what did i get myself into...
School's been pretty busy these days, its going to be over soon. How i wish i can just live in the hostel, so i can just return to the room during the many free periods i have, and take a nap(:
well, the school pianokeyboard does work wonders, despite its pedal being spoilt. I couldn't get the rhythm and the notes for this three lines of a piano score, and i tried it on the piano, owing to the fact that i have a lot of time to spare. Fabia and Hafizah were there too, but it doesn't matter. The fact is: I got the part correct, without the need to practice hands separately and together ten times each, as i always do at home in order to perfect a section!!! And the 'snowflakes' part of Chopin's Nocturne Op.55 was solved on that piano too!!! I practiced that seven bars for two days, one hour each day, ten times each hand, ten times each bar. And i still can't get it right! But, on the piano, i did get it right! I just played those two lovely sections again on my lovely upright piano, and wow, i did get them correct and can play them fluently!!
Next performance, SIMC. Then the one in July 27, called i don't know what. I hate rehersals, i always try every mean to escape them, but of course, it does not work. Hmm. I wonder how SIMC will be like. It seems to be grand, i wonder how grand. Let's see.
edit: we are fooled by randomness. how can i, a maths student, conclude that the school piano works wonders just by a mere isolated example? the reason why i could manage to play that few bars well is because i have been practicing those few bars for such a long time. you see, these things are completely random. it doesn't meanthat the piano is magic just like that. if you use probability, what is the chance that you would be able to perfect a piece (or a section of a piece, for that matter) without practice, but just by playing on the so-calledmagic piano? i'm not sure, probably one in a few hundred times. i think my CAP will be below 4 this sem:(( i'm very sad. its so difficult to keep my CAP afloat, and with all these activties going on. i know i have to cut down on my activities, but which ones?
Awww. Sometimes i wish that wishes you make upon a star really do come true. These are my wishes: 1. To get a high performer result for my G8 piano, after all, you have to end off the grades with a BANG right? 2. That all my homework will vanish into thin air 3. That i can learn the violin 4. That i can start getting As for my physics, when will that be?
I hate talking to some people online. There are just certain people who initiate a conversation with you and whenever you ask questions, they always avoid it, and say "don't know" or "..." These remind me of the kiasu spirit that was present in primary school. I'm not talking to you again online, you know why. It doesn't matter if you're smart, shouldn't you answer the question i ask and stop asking so many academic-related qns?
You know there's this craze currently on what you're majoring in year 5, i guess its the time we should seriously think about that question. But i'm in a dilemma. Should i major music? Yes because: 1. I love Music 2. The common excuse: I want to major music because i can't do physics 3. Music has been pulling my CAP up since...forever...
No because: 1. I might not be able to get G5 for voice by then 2. Music is not as easy as it seems 3. Music majors have to attend so many functions (eg. Masterclass, concerts...) 4. What if, i end up like Renee or Nes or Lynn being unhappy with the music cirriculum? 5. I don't like composition and theory. 6. I want practicalss!!!
Anyway, to Nes and Renee and Charmaine and Michelle and Aaron and Angela (Like they read this anyway): Hope your music exam went well and your do veryveryvery well! If it wasn't that good, then don't fret about it, it's over.
To all the year 6s and year 5s who happen to read this: All the best for your exams!! (Music majors, so sad you still have to go for CCAs, but never mind you'll do fine!)
So, here's the next term of the semester, of the academic year 2008. Gosh, this term will be fast paced. Oh i hope i have the strength to carry through, to excel to enjoy. Now here's what's on my mind currently: music ambassadors awareness posters (which i have to get write-ups from fungi), voice lessons (I need to settle my first lesson, should i go lesson or MA rehersal?), physics project (this one's really hard!!), geog project (gosh, i don't understand it!!), tomorrow's bach marathon (i have to practice laterr)....
Any ideas on how to sort of de-stress or get things done faster? I am at a loss. One of the few times i'm at a loss. Should i just quit MA? Or PSL? Or should i just transfer to another school, where the life there is more relaxed?
I wonder why many parents sign their children up for music lessons, for piano lessons especially. What is their purpose? They first have to consider if the child is truly intrested in the music or the instrument they are going for. Of course, at such a young age, one cannot decide properly due to the lack of experience. However, if the child begins to dislike the instrument, i think their parents should stop the lessons. To learn an instrument in today's age, costs a bomb--in terms of time and money: the lessons, instruments, books, exam fees. If the child dislike the instrument, aren't you wasting your time and money? And if the child is lazy to practice, that's worse, because there will never be improvements.
Marianne's mum inspired me to write this, well sort of. We were talking about piano lessons on the way home, after Marianne left the car for her lesson at woodlands. Why woodlands? Goshh. So far.
There are of course some people that start of not liking their instrument but end up loving them. Like me and my piano. Me and my voice, okay voice lessons haven't started properly, but i used to hate singing last time due to the lack of confidence. Yet, it was Renee in choir last year who brought up my confidence. We had no choice but to sing loudly, right, so i had no choice but to enjoy singing, and from there learn pitching. And Renee and her violing, see, she's so pro at it now!
We've ran out of ideas for the MA poster designs. All our ideas have to be rejected. Gosh. Copyright issues made us reject the first idea, which is of disney characters. I love that idea so much, because i thought of the captions and i think the captions fit very nicely with the characters and the roles they play in their individual fairytale. I think i really am in a fairytale, hoping that the ideas will come to me in a bout of inspiration. Talking about inspiration, it makes me think of the chinese comprehension passage on inspiration. It comes, but its not unprepared. It comes when your conscious mind slips letting your subconcious mind take over, where the inspiration comes. It comes when the ideas in your head, the things you are thinking about are mature, whereby it comes and strikes unexpectedly. When will my inspiration strike? We need to do a good and good and good poster.
I've resorted to reading art books and looking at art designs. I find the designs interesting. I've always been interested in art, just that i never did have the courage to perfect my drawing. I've always thought i draw horribly so i don't bother. But i do enjoy looking at art work. Maybe by looking at these designs i will gain some ideas, hopefully one of them will be the perfect idea Margy and I have been waiting for such a long time.
Yay we got KenWei's teacher back!! Hahaa((: I think it was quite interesting observing her funny dress code and her accent. I like her warmups it was super funnn. I hope we don't have to go to SOTA on tuesday because i will have to take bus home myself and i will reach home super super late. Let's see if my dear cousin can take taxi home with me hhahaha.
I really miss having Lynn and Renee in choir :( Because with them, choir is more like gossip cum singing session and Lynn can help me in my chem and Renee can help me in my maths, that's because i'm such a stupid person who needs help. But anyways, singing with Renee was funfunfun, holding the alto line together and singing the sop line when we feel like it;not that singing with Margie isn't fun, it is, but i just miss singing with Renee. And i miss the teasing from Renee and all the funny jokes Lynn, Kenwei and Renee will crack. Then i miss having Lynn to sing the super high descant parts and having lunch with her which is also a chem remedial, sort of. And talking about Mr Imbufe and other teachers, whether we like them or not. And stealing Renee's wallet and buying icecream for myself :(
Oh there's still Cassie and Rabbit! Where we would tease her about a certain someone special in her life and i would take Rabbit and sleep on it, and Kenwei would play around with Rabbit, holding it in weird positions, then Lynn would snap photos(: And Cassie playing the warmups too.
Aww. But we have to move on right? Last year would be a pleasant memory with Lynn and Renee and Cassie and Kenwei (though he's still in choir); but this year will be something new. Let's see if i can achieve my dreams. Margie thanks for all the encouragement!
I have changed my blogskin!! So happy. Thanks Jens((;
I'm so tired tired tired. So i slept andsleptand slept. Luckily today was crappy Axis so it doesnt matter if i miss school or not.Late nights and going home latelatelate.
Yesterday, during AMC, i was drawing lovely little fairies and clocks and mushrooms and elfs!I left almost half the paper blank, because if you leave blank you get 1.5 marks, that's better than zero marks for an incorrect answer, right?
They're celebrating Chopin's day on his deathday. And that happens to be my birthday!! So i shall drag some poor soul to plan the day with me, and we shall have a great big birthday cake and lots of presents for the MA and the staff((: And if possible, we'll have half day, all in celebration of my birthday Chopin's Day.
I have been reading Vanessa's blog...Or Livejournal,for that matter. I am quite surprised at her power of language. Gosh, i must be super childish to blog like that. Her blog is so...mature. Seriously. It's just the way she phrase it, i guess. Well, i'm still part of the fairytale,aren't i? She has already moved on from the fairytale like stage of life. Somehow, i've always found her really mature. And Renee's sort of mature, though i like the childish streak in her. Chermy seems focused on her work and what she wants she will get that kind of person(;
Surprisingly, the choir performance was nice, because it was the finale and the planning committee made it 'hyped up'! The funny parts: Ken Wei, you and your berms -.- and you didn't forget your lines, well done!! Muahahhaha! The off pitch couldn't be heard, because of all the noise, hahaha. And some people, almost all the choir forgot the verses of the last song!!
Well done choir((:
Silly Bach. Actually i don't understand why he must write such a funny piece. So hard. Someone tell me what his motivation was?? Oh never mind, it was heard that he wrote prelude and fugues for all the keys in the keyboard, i guess he had nothing better to do. Can't blame him, because i guess at that era, there really is nothing better to do. I wish my fingers were larger so i can stretch and hold on the notes.... Joanna, the piece is called: Prelude and Fugue in A Flat, what a great title ._.
CNY was not so fun this year:( Like the mood has dampened a lot :( I'm tired of visiting, and i'm so fuulllll. Mummy has to stuff me until i'm like fat?? And i apparently became a model yesterday because they were playing around with my hair, my earrings and my necklaces, painting my nails -.- grow up people. No, i guess that's just the satisfaction one gets when you have such a obedient daughter or niece that you can doll her up and snap pictures, and she's so guai that she sits on the floor staring at the food, but didn't eat them because she's so bloated, and sms-ing half the time.
Be glad all the three quizzes are over, i think i probably didnt do well in them, but oh wells. I'm such a stupid person. I can't understand maths!!! Oh wells. Gosh, i'm becoming like Renee, what influence.
Today the year 3s had CIP, level cleaning at blocks 405 and 406. Yes, don't ask me why i didn't go. I'm currently feeling cold, brrrrrrr, and having a headache, which means a potential fever. Hope i really recover!! Also, i cant walk that far to the blocks we were to clean...and i can't do cleaning chores. So, i asked to be excused. Thank goodness Ms Sie let me go. I better rest and get well so i can sing tomorrow!!
Ms Kong is so demanding. 3 pieces of homework, by tuesday! And we have to discuss one of them as a group before her lesson, not during!! I hate english. And she didn't want to mark our mock quiz, so i don't know where i stand, like what she was saying. I hope i don't fail the module. Or at least the quiz.
Lunch, Renee was being nicenicenice and listened to me play my very difficult and dry Bach piece and helped me with the ornaments!! Then Ms Sie came, and i was shivering when i was playing for her. I hope that doesn't happen on Bach's day, which is when i'm supposed to play the piece :(
I shall drink lots of water and rest and forget about the homework, so that i can recover to sing tomorrow. Center stage, the spotlight. O.o. Lucky i didn't get the mike(:
Its been a long time since I was home. Now home seems different; it seems so foreign to me. No doubt its the same condo, the same unit and all the furniture are in the same place but the dynamics of home just seem so puzzling. Mei has taken over my table, so now she effectively has two tables (and she has surprisingly cleaned her table which she hasn't done for a long time) and she's more hardworking now. Yesterday she threw my books on the floor because she wanted to do A maths. Its not that i'm not happy with that, but I thought that was my table? Like mummy says, now its like the whole house is hers. She calls the shots here and my parents pamper her so much. But that's good in a sense, because i've been praying for the relationship between mummy and mei to blossom for a long time and for mei to reduce her rebellious nature and be the good little daughter she once was, so there would be no quarrels in the family.
After ten years of piano education, i've finally made the difficult decision to stop my lesson. I want to continue learning; I badly do, but circumstances has it that it'll be a waste of money if i do. Living in the hostel has made piano practices rare and few because the music room is always in use when I want it. And it seems that I can't complete my diploma in this year if that keeps up. Furthermore, mummy thinks its an "expensive hobby" and why don't i just practice by myself. I'm not the one with the money, so i don't have a say in this.
But I still want to thank Ms Chin for making this one year and a few months so enjoyable and making me view piano lessons in a new light, that music isn't just about practicing its about the perspective. That she opened my eyes to so many new things and changed my mindset about not being able to do the difficult technical portions. Though Mei didn't have a pleasant experience with her (i guess that's because she didn't practice), but I did and I've learnt much more in these months of lessons and enjoyed it much more than all the other nine years of learning. One thing i'll remember from her is the fact that whenever i kind of want to give up, she'll say "can one, try.", then she'll go on a story about how she couldn't do something last time but managed it after persevering on.
I simply cannot understand how people can study with loud rock music blasting in the background. The fact that you are singing to the music shows that you are not concentrating on your work and are listening to the music instead. Mummy says that your mind switches to and fro music and work; for me, i simply cannot stand any sort of music in the background, even classical music, because for classical music i would tend to listen to the details and figure out who wrote that and when the composer wrote that music.
Yesterday, there was a SNGS CO gathering at my condo. The girls were making a whole load of noise and we couldn't concentrate on what we were doing. I can't concentrate on reading my lovely book and my sister can't concentrate on doing her chinese homework (yes, they have holiday homework) since our silence was constantly punctuated by the loud screams and laughter of the girls from 5 storeys away. Worse still, i know a few of them personally which gives me an even worse impression of them than before. My good impression, once ruined is ruined forever.
Yet i still completed reading Pride and Prejudice. It is much easier to read after watching the movie. If i were to read the book first, i could have been bored to death, but the movie had made all the characters alive and the scenery so beautiful. And because this 1995 version of the movie really preserves all the conversation (except that they add actions to it) in the book so the book is really easy to follow. And I do love Elizabeth's wit and countering Lady Catherine, who opposed her marriage. And it was really sweet in the end that Mr Darcy had a change in character and was more humbled. But there was no kissing scene in the book, which the movie ended of with, so that's something different; after all, movie adaptations of books are seldom accurate.
Thanks to Gerlynn, who uploaded this video on facebook, i'm now so determined to play the Flight of the Bumblebee, piano transcription. Don't you think this chorus is so cool and so brilliant, using their vocals to imitate the orchestra instruments!
I'm going to try my best to play the score out, though it'll take quite a long time to learn it because this isn't an easy piece to play. I finally found the transcription by Rimsky-Korsakov online and it doesn't look easy. Actually it is, but when you play it fast, i doubt its that easy because you really need stamina to run through the notes.
I'm looking forward to the xmas party at Gerlynn's house! Though i'm not sure if mummy would let me out because its the day before o level chinese. But who studies for that anyways, and what is there to study?
The birthday fantasy ends here. Thanks to the deepavali holiday which was moved from somewhere in november (apparently its my sister's birthday then) to my birthday weekend, i had an extended celebration, the best way to spend my 16th birthday.
Yes, i'm sweet sixteen now! On friday, i received a beautiful necklace from Yenyan. Saturday, I didn't have piano lesson so i lazed around at home. But we went to some Famous Crab Restaurant to eat dinner! Oh, i so love the egg and spinach soup! It was a fabulous dinner. Sunday, i went to church, and though the speaker was boring enough for me to tune out after a while, there was a surprise pizza cake celebration! In the evening, i went to Carolyn's house to play Guitar Praise and i learnt one chord on the Guitar! O.o
Then monday was more of studying in the morning, with lunch as Bak Kut Teh. We were invited over to Carolyn's house for dinner and we had a whale of a time making popiah, though it involved a lot of work. But i learnt one full song on the guitar, God is so Good! Though my finger tips hurt from pressing the metal strings for such a long time in order to get the tune right, but i'm glad i tried! I need continuous practice to get the tone that i desire. That's the detriment of learning piano before learning the guitar -- you hear all the pitches very precisely, and you expect a lot. And yes, there was wine (ribena for me) and a candle on the cheesecake! With fried popiah to end the day at 9.00pm.
What interesting birthday cakes does Carolyn come up with! A pizza and a cheese cake :P
Today, there was a surprise celebration from my lovely class, 403! I so loved the blueberry cake, oh thank you so much! And, I admit, i must have been slow or something because i never suspected anything when they were discussing everything! I thought Gerlynn called Jerdine over to ask her something about some project or something like that. I never knew it could be a celebration! I received a load of presents, and i'm very glad! The lovely, shiny earrings from Junyan, and the nice pink diary/notebook from Gary (and i love the juxtaposition of the white stars on the black wrapper with the pink diary inside), a toothbrush holder from Jerdine (oh, silly her, such weird presents she give) and a black-pink bag from Auntie Katherine.
Evo Exam was easier than expected! :D Super happy now!
I missed three days of school, and I have so much homework to catch up on! Let's see, there's math, math honours, chem, physics, english (which is nothing much), chinese (nothing, as usual), and Genetics! Oh, i'm so going to have a hard time catching up on math, physics and Genetics! I have to work hard!
And Thank You everyone, for helping me collect my notes and fill them up! And for those who aren't in my class, thank you for your concern! I'm better now, but still not recovered. My Friends are so nice!
I love this blogskin. I modified a lot from the one that i ripped of www.blogskin.com. Go to Memories and check out the photos! Okay, okay, i didn't put much in, but i will; in due time. I will make this a nice blog, for myself, and everyone!
Yong Siew Toh Piano Recital Tomorrow! So looking forward to it! These two international pianists doing a duet, super cool! And i've always wanted to go for a piano recital; must improve my piano playing techniques!
I'm going to sleep; i'm tired. When you're sick, you're either tired or hungry.
I just feel confused. Obviously, my heart is not with staying on. Obviously i place one above another. When given a choice, i gravitate towards A and not to B. (Sorry, it isn't appropriate to reveal names of organisations, people, however you choose to interpret it.) Faced with two emails requesting for similar things, i choose A: i reply to A, comment about the activities, volunteer; for B, i do volunteer, but that's purely due to personal gains.
So why am i clinging on so fast to B? Why am i staying on? Why don't i have the courage to persuade mummy? And, why don't mummy let me leave? That would make my life much happier. Oh yes, much, much happier. I so cannot imagine a life without A, because that's my passion; but i guess B would get better, i just entered at the wrong time, that's all.
We're now going to be rushing for exam preparation. Not like we can prepare much for the exams now, anyway. But a least, while preparing for that mountain of tests that's going to crash on us next week, we can in a way get ready for exam. But exams will be muchmuch harder than the tests, and i fear that i can't do most of the questions, and pull my lovely CA marks down...
I just recieved the letter to make my IC today! HAHA. I'm going fifteen! Butbutbut, i haven't recieved my piano exam results, which i've been waiting for it for three weeks. It's supposed to come today, because thursday was three weeks from my exam, then you add another three delievery days in case anything funny happens. SO where is my letter!
Oh Renee, we need to do up the MA awards, thing, which we have not done anything yet. Uh oh. Somehow i find music very interesting. I love the smell of the new books and then the fun of writing my name on it, flipping it open and trying new pieces. I like to try new pieces(: Although i would very much like to try playing a duet with someone i'm close to
I'm so sorry for not blogging for such a long time! Please do continue to visit the blog and tag, though. The tagboard's so empty:(
Its Language week, and we had a Translation Competition. I think all the finalists are so super good! Each has their own unique feature, and all deserve to win! However, i think the best was the Hunchback of Notre Dame song, Danse mon Esperalda (or how is her name spelt?) The judging wasn't that fair, though. It was rather biased, i think.
Anyways. It was so enjoyable to watch all of them perform hahaa. Good job!
Now, my eyes are fixed on my piano exam, distinction~~ It's on such a lovely date, where something tragic happened on that day years ago, though it has no relation to my exam date. The next day there's some concert organised by the CO, which i willingly agreed to play, uhoh, what did i get myself into...
School's been pretty busy these days, its going to be over soon. How i wish i can just live in the hostel, so i can just return to the room during the many free periods i have, and take a nap(:
well, the school pianokeyboard does work wonders, despite its pedal being spoilt. I couldn't get the rhythm and the notes for this three lines of a piano score, and i tried it on the piano, owing to the fact that i have a lot of time to spare. Fabia and Hafizah were there too, but it doesn't matter. The fact is: I got the part correct, without the need to practice hands separately and together ten times each, as i always do at home in order to perfect a section!!! And the 'snowflakes' part of Chopin's Nocturne Op.55 was solved on that piano too!!! I practiced that seven bars for two days, one hour each day, ten times each hand, ten times each bar. And i still can't get it right! But, on the piano, i did get it right! I just played those two lovely sections again on my lovely upright piano, and wow, i did get them correct and can play them fluently!!
Next performance, SIMC. Then the one in July 27, called i don't know what. I hate rehersals, i always try every mean to escape them, but of course, it does not work. Hmm. I wonder how SIMC will be like. It seems to be grand, i wonder how grand. Let's see.
edit: we are fooled by randomness. how can i, a maths student, conclude that the school piano works wonders just by a mere isolated example? the reason why i could manage to play that few bars well is because i have been practicing those few bars for such a long time. you see, these things are completely random. it doesn't meanthat the piano is magic just like that. if you use probability, what is the chance that you would be able to perfect a piece (or a section of a piece, for that matter) without practice, but just by playing on the so-calledmagic piano? i'm not sure, probably one in a few hundred times. i think my CAP will be below 4 this sem:(( i'm very sad. its so difficult to keep my CAP afloat, and with all these activties going on. i know i have to cut down on my activities, but which ones?
Awww. Sometimes i wish that wishes you make upon a star really do come true. These are my wishes: 1. To get a high performer result for my G8 piano, after all, you have to end off the grades with a BANG right? 2. That all my homework will vanish into thin air 3. That i can learn the violin 4. That i can start getting As for my physics, when will that be?
I hate talking to some people online. There are just certain people who initiate a conversation with you and whenever you ask questions, they always avoid it, and say "don't know" or "..." These remind me of the kiasu spirit that was present in primary school. I'm not talking to you again online, you know why. It doesn't matter if you're smart, shouldn't you answer the question i ask and stop asking so many academic-related qns?
You know there's this craze currently on what you're majoring in year 5, i guess its the time we should seriously think about that question. But i'm in a dilemma. Should i major music? Yes because: 1. I love Music 2. The common excuse: I want to major music because i can't do physics 3. Music has been pulling my CAP up since...forever...
No because: 1. I might not be able to get G5 for voice by then 2. Music is not as easy as it seems 3. Music majors have to attend so many functions (eg. Masterclass, concerts...) 4. What if, i end up like Renee or Nes or Lynn being unhappy with the music cirriculum? 5. I don't like composition and theory. 6. I want practicalss!!!
Anyway, to Nes and Renee and Charmaine and Michelle and Aaron and Angela (Like they read this anyway): Hope your music exam went well and your do veryveryvery well! If it wasn't that good, then don't fret about it, it's over.
To all the year 6s and year 5s who happen to read this: All the best for your exams!! (Music majors, so sad you still have to go for CCAs, but never mind you'll do fine!)
So, here's the next term of the semester, of the academic year 2008. Gosh, this term will be fast paced. Oh i hope i have the strength to carry through, to excel to enjoy. Now here's what's on my mind currently: music ambassadors awareness posters (which i have to get write-ups from fungi), voice lessons (I need to settle my first lesson, should i go lesson or MA rehersal?), physics project (this one's really hard!!), geog project (gosh, i don't understand it!!), tomorrow's bach marathon (i have to practice laterr)....
Any ideas on how to sort of de-stress or get things done faster? I am at a loss. One of the few times i'm at a loss. Should i just quit MA? Or PSL? Or should i just transfer to another school, where the life there is more relaxed?
I wonder why many parents sign their children up for music lessons, for piano lessons especially. What is their purpose? They first have to consider if the child is truly intrested in the music or the instrument they are going for. Of course, at such a young age, one cannot decide properly due to the lack of experience. However, if the child begins to dislike the instrument, i think their parents should stop the lessons. To learn an instrument in today's age, costs a bomb--in terms of time and money: the lessons, instruments, books, exam fees. If the child dislike the instrument, aren't you wasting your time and money? And if the child is lazy to practice, that's worse, because there will never be improvements.
Marianne's mum inspired me to write this, well sort of. We were talking about piano lessons on the way home, after Marianne left the car for her lesson at woodlands. Why woodlands? Goshh. So far.
There are of course some people that start of not liking their instrument but end up loving them. Like me and my piano. Me and my voice, okay voice lessons haven't started properly, but i used to hate singing last time due to the lack of confidence. Yet, it was Renee in choir last year who brought up my confidence. We had no choice but to sing loudly, right, so i had no choice but to enjoy singing, and from there learn pitching. And Renee and her violing, see, she's so pro at it now!
We've ran out of ideas for the MA poster designs. All our ideas have to be rejected. Gosh. Copyright issues made us reject the first idea, which is of disney characters. I love that idea so much, because i thought of the captions and i think the captions fit very nicely with the characters and the roles they play in their individual fairytale. I think i really am in a fairytale, hoping that the ideas will come to me in a bout of inspiration. Talking about inspiration, it makes me think of the chinese comprehension passage on inspiration. It comes, but its not unprepared. It comes when your conscious mind slips letting your subconcious mind take over, where the inspiration comes. It comes when the ideas in your head, the things you are thinking about are mature, whereby it comes and strikes unexpectedly. When will my inspiration strike? We need to do a good and good and good poster.
I've resorted to reading art books and looking at art designs. I find the designs interesting. I've always been interested in art, just that i never did have the courage to perfect my drawing. I've always thought i draw horribly so i don't bother. But i do enjoy looking at art work. Maybe by looking at these designs i will gain some ideas, hopefully one of them will be the perfect idea Margy and I have been waiting for such a long time.
Yay we got KenWei's teacher back!! Hahaa((: I think it was quite interesting observing her funny dress code and her accent. I like her warmups it was super funnn. I hope we don't have to go to SOTA on tuesday because i will have to take bus home myself and i will reach home super super late. Let's see if my dear cousin can take taxi home with me hhahaha.
I really miss having Lynn and Renee in choir :( Because with them, choir is more like gossip cum singing session and Lynn can help me in my chem and Renee can help me in my maths, that's because i'm such a stupid person who needs help. But anyways, singing with Renee was funfunfun, holding the alto line together and singing the sop line when we feel like it;not that singing with Margie isn't fun, it is, but i just miss singing with Renee. And i miss the teasing from Renee and all the funny jokes Lynn, Kenwei and Renee will crack. Then i miss having Lynn to sing the super high descant parts and having lunch with her which is also a chem remedial, sort of. And talking about Mr Imbufe and other teachers, whether we like them or not. And stealing Renee's wallet and buying icecream for myself :(
Oh there's still Cassie and Rabbit! Where we would tease her about a certain someone special in her life and i would take Rabbit and sleep on it, and Kenwei would play around with Rabbit, holding it in weird positions, then Lynn would snap photos(: And Cassie playing the warmups too.
Aww. But we have to move on right? Last year would be a pleasant memory with Lynn and Renee and Cassie and Kenwei (though he's still in choir); but this year will be something new. Let's see if i can achieve my dreams. Margie thanks for all the encouragement!
I have changed my blogskin!! So happy. Thanks Jens((;
I'm so tired tired tired. So i slept andsleptand slept. Luckily today was crappy Axis so it doesnt matter if i miss school or not.Late nights and going home latelatelate.
Yesterday, during AMC, i was drawing lovely little fairies and clocks and mushrooms and elfs!I left almost half the paper blank, because if you leave blank you get 1.5 marks, that's better than zero marks for an incorrect answer, right?
They're celebrating Chopin's day on his deathday. And that happens to be my birthday!! So i shall drag some poor soul to plan the day with me, and we shall have a great big birthday cake and lots of presents for the MA and the staff((: And if possible, we'll have half day, all in celebration of my birthday Chopin's Day.
I have been reading Vanessa's blog...Or Livejournal,for that matter. I am quite surprised at her power of language. Gosh, i must be super childish to blog like that. Her blog is so...mature. Seriously. It's just the way she phrase it, i guess. Well, i'm still part of the fairytale,aren't i? She has already moved on from the fairytale like stage of life. Somehow, i've always found her really mature. And Renee's sort of mature, though i like the childish streak in her. Chermy seems focused on her work and what she wants she will get that kind of person(;
Surprisingly, the choir performance was nice, because it was the finale and the planning committee made it 'hyped up'! The funny parts: Ken Wei, you and your berms -.- and you didn't forget your lines, well done!! Muahahhaha! The off pitch couldn't be heard, because of all the noise, hahaha. And some people, almost all the choir forgot the verses of the last song!!
Well done choir((:
Silly Bach. Actually i don't understand why he must write such a funny piece. So hard. Someone tell me what his motivation was?? Oh never mind, it was heard that he wrote prelude and fugues for all the keys in the keyboard, i guess he had nothing better to do. Can't blame him, because i guess at that era, there really is nothing better to do. I wish my fingers were larger so i can stretch and hold on the notes.... Joanna, the piece is called: Prelude and Fugue in A Flat, what a great title ._.
CNY was not so fun this year:( Like the mood has dampened a lot :( I'm tired of visiting, and i'm so fuulllll. Mummy has to stuff me until i'm like fat?? And i apparently became a model yesterday because they were playing around with my hair, my earrings and my necklaces, painting my nails -.- grow up people. No, i guess that's just the satisfaction one gets when you have such a obedient daughter or niece that you can doll her up and snap pictures, and she's so guai that she sits on the floor staring at the food, but didn't eat them because she's so bloated, and sms-ing half the time.
Be glad all the three quizzes are over, i think i probably didnt do well in them, but oh wells. I'm such a stupid person. I can't understand maths!!! Oh wells. Gosh, i'm becoming like Renee, what influence.
Today the year 3s had CIP, level cleaning at blocks 405 and 406. Yes, don't ask me why i didn't go. I'm currently feeling cold, brrrrrrr, and having a headache, which means a potential fever. Hope i really recover!! Also, i cant walk that far to the blocks we were to clean...and i can't do cleaning chores. So, i asked to be excused. Thank goodness Ms Sie let me go. I better rest and get well so i can sing tomorrow!!
Ms Kong is so demanding. 3 pieces of homework, by tuesday! And we have to discuss one of them as a group before her lesson, not during!! I hate english. And she didn't want to mark our mock quiz, so i don't know where i stand, like what she was saying. I hope i don't fail the module. Or at least the quiz.
Lunch, Renee was being nicenicenice and listened to me play my very difficult and dry Bach piece and helped me with the ornaments!! Then Ms Sie came, and i was shivering when i was playing for her. I hope that doesn't happen on Bach's day, which is when i'm supposed to play the piece :(
I shall drink lots of water and rest and forget about the homework, so that i can recover to sing tomorrow. Center stage, the spotlight. O.o. Lucky i didn't get the mike(:
Lynnette is a sweet little girl
Whose favourite day is 18th October
Where she is born into the House of God
And she loves playing music
From SNGS to NUSH, she loves them all
:P
Wonderful parents
Great sister
Great friends, who never hesitate to help me, yay 403!
Be able to cope with council, MA and school
A nice research mentor and a great team
A lovely hostel mate, just as i requested you and great toilet mates
Teachers' Day celebrations IC under MA
Good grades, and coping with physics
A new TV and stereo system!
Prayers
God has blessed me richly!
High School Never Ends :P
More 403 reunions
A great class next year
A great mentor next year
Great friends
Coping with hostel life
MA Exco
To be healed
To have the perfect family
