~aMrie's World~

Changed domain

2007-12-04T21:06:00.000+08:00

I've decided to change my blog domain to wordpress.

Click here

Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?

2007-12-03T21:32:00.000+08:00

This is highly irritating. In fact, in order to post on my OWN blog, I have to resort to doing this. Getting someone to post it for me, a.k.a sharing my username and password with that someone. Darn... But I am thankful for her. So, if you are reading this on my blog, that means that nice "Sweetie" Baka Neko (ewww... I hate this word. yucks! I have a phobia for this word!!) had posted it for me. Waha...! What a great partner is she? Yup, yup! ( =DDDD )

What exactly happened? Well, it so happens that the cookies needed to run my blog from my computer is very much Missing In Action. I followed the instructions/help given by Blogger and reset the darn thing over and over again but it just would not work. Damn...

So, yes, I asked Neko to post this for me. Sigh... I wonder whether it will be better if I move my blog to somewhere else, like WordPress... Hmmm... (WordPress, all the way!)

Anyway, if you see any funny symbols appearing, it is probably due to the cut-and-paste function.

So, what have I been doing since my last entry? Been fretting over my piano practical results, which turned out to be for naught but it was a good 'fretting' experience [waha!], cleaning my room which is only 80% done, setting the Christmas mood in the house, like putting up the Christmas tree, the Nativity set and other little decorations, been painting some old photo-frames, gone shopping many times, slacked, watched YouTube, getting the Christmas presents to be given away sorted out, and waiting very PATIENTLY for my results to arrive by snail-mail.

By the way, do you know that it is only 22 days to Christmas??? Yippee!!!

once again, thanks my dear Baka Roojin Neko-chan. :D (HAHA! Welcome!!)

take care and God bless.

aMrie. :)

NOTE: words like this are typed by en xin. WAHAHA! =D okay. not a very nice thing to do. sorry but it's rather fun! haha! sorry!

???metsys ada anam

2007-11-20T18:24:00.000+08:00

TOMORROW!!!

Shoots... And the person in-charge could only tell us all today about the programme notes thing. TODAY!!! The day before for 3 of us and 2 days before for the rest of the class. £$%^~#!!! mei si guo ah?!!! Not surprised if that person turns out to be a supporter of MAS ~~(the airlines)~~. Do not understand? Well, it works best if you know what the letters stand for in malay. [Huge hint: (a Da Vinci thing: read right -> left) metsyS adA anaM] Seriously!!! Sheesh! And so, here I am looking for information on my pieces. The day before the exam. Damn. It is not that I can not finish the programme notes in time, but it is just that I simply dislike being told about something at the very last "minute" when, most apparently, the person had a lot of time to inform us. Hell hath no fury like a woman ~~scorned~~ informed at the eleventh hour. I love this sentence. And it is my examination tomorrow!!! I shall wear black from head to toe. Pity I do not have a black shawl to go with my getup...

Back to crawling the net for more information.

Pondering: Why on earth did the publishers not put in the compositional date for my Haydn piece?

Never Ever Unless...

2007-11-10T22:21:00.000+08:00

Finally, DONE!!!

I never ever want to do such a thing again.

Sure, it was fun but the entire process was incredibly tiring, especially when we had to go looking for people to help us... There was even one time when we were very much chased out of a room, making us carry everything, including the smaller white-board, just to look for a place to act, from the sixth floor down to the third, then to the fourth before ending back on the sixth floor but in a different room.

For every single weekday, I was out of the house for an average of 11hours, leaving the house at about 9 in the morning and reaching home at about 10pm. The latest I had ever reached home was past midnight, all thanks to waiting for that blasted bus for half an hour yesterday.

Oh well, because of all of those late nights, I had a good sleep in today, waking up at almost 11am. Yippee!!! Haha!!!

Then again, I would not mind doing something of this kind if there are more people who are willing to do the background stuff, like the logistics, and have a fixed cast instead of 'make-dos'. Or even a professional crew will do wonders! LOL!!! Wahahahaha...!!! OK. That was very evil of me. I shall not harbour such dreams. Haha... But seriously...

Oh well... Off to watch the final product that Juls sent me.

See you later!

What's done is done

2007-10-31T00:48:00.000+08:00

Live and let live.

No use crying over spilt milk.

What's done is done.

If Life hands you lemons, make lemonade out of them.

If God closes a door, He will leave a window open.

These are a few phrases i.e. proverbs and idioms that I use on myself when things do not go my way, on top of a few more. And today is one of those days. It has something to do with my History presentation.

What a sad life I lead.

I guess that explains why I will like to have my own (imagination) circus so that those who are equally sad and unhappy will watch my circus show and go home happy, cheery and optimistic people. Is this too big an ambition?

Yes, I should be an entertainer, join the Theatre department. So, what am I doing in Music??? The truth is, I simply cannot do Stand Up Comedy for nuts. Really.

Other phrases: when I am irritated with or by someone...

Karma. What goes around comes around.

Do to others what you would want others to do to you.

When I am panicking because of some event, I will always use this...

I'll cross the bridge when I get to it.

EvilNari has a list of her own phrases, too, but it should not be posted here at all. Anyway, thank goodness she is off elsewhere "crying" in a corner but not here by my side hammering me to let her post her favourites.

Right. I am finally done with composing. More or less ready for Thursday's little class performance. Just got to print my piece out for my performers before heading to school. I hope I will remember.

So, what is left for this week and the next?

Thursday, Composition class performance and portfolio due.

Monday, Concert Attendance portfolio due.

Wednesday, School Opera Project due.

That is about it, I guess. If it is not, oh well...

Toodles!

Of Sunshine and Lightning

2007-10-29T03:27:00.000+08:00

3.26a.m. The greatest lightning I had ever seen struck near my house. Maybe it was because it struck really near by that is why I consider it the greatest so far. Scary.

I will be having my second last piano lesson with Ms Lim for this semester in 3 and 1/2 hours. I have only about 3 hours to sleep. Feeling lethargic. Weird.

History presentation is tomorrow, after it had been delayed by a week due to lecturer's order. Darn. Presentation slides are 99% done. I hope she will like it. Composers' Resumes have not even been started on. Die.

Composition is slowly going down the drain. Why must he want to have a little performance thingy??? 2 out of 3 of my musicians may not be free at that timeslot, the same goes for many others. And we are not allowed to change the timings. Damn. This is so not going to be good. Whatever. Do what I can. Sigh...

26 Oct. NAFA Sports Day was full of SUN, SAND & SEA, especially SUN. Lots of it. I did not participate in this year's Telematch games, so I stayed in the shade with Char to watch Juls and the others play and to cheer them on. [Poor Baka Neko was down with a fever, thus, she did not attend. But she was so loving to pass some of her lovely germs to me the day before... -.- *cough, cough*] I was perspiring buckets in that tent. It was a really HOT day. Terrible. Well, it definitely is better than having rain. Blah.

Nights/Early morning!

16th Oct 2007

2007-10-17T17:01:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, the 16th, was a good day.

My dog is HOME!!!

Yippee!!!

:D

Mum called up the SPCA in the morning to check if the girl was there. And she was. Or rather, the description of her matches the beagle they had there. So, Mum and Dad drove there to find out and there she was! Thank God!

God loves me. I love Him too. :)

Cheerio!

I Miss Her

2007-10-08T16:36:00.000+08:00

There is a sickness within my heart. No matter how funny the anime I watched is, I would not be able to laugh happily and as care-free as I used to do so.

Everybody at home misses her, even Mum, especially now that the floor is so clean without a single tuff of dog's hair or the clicking of claws against the marble floor as she used to run in and out.

Today is the third day since she went missing.

Oh God, please watch over her and bring her home safely. Soon. Amen.

Parent? Friend?

2007-10-04T20:12:00.000+08:00

Can someone explain to me why a parent cannot be a friend to his/her own child, especially in this present day and age???

Unless that parent happens to be a very traditional person.

But it is weird.

We laugh, we crack and share (very lame) jokes, we have serious discussions, and of course, we fight. Who does not? Which friendship does not involve some amount of fighting?

It is totally weird.

So Near Yet So Far

2007-09-27T23:47:00.000+08:00

Sigh, sigh, sigh... Major sigh.

So many things to do yet so little time. So near my goal of completing those blasted assignments and projects, yet still so far. And the sands of time is running out on me!!! Wahhhhhh!!! So sad... Boohoohoo...!!! *sob* *sniff* Wahhh...!!! Will I have enough time to get all done??? Sigh...

It has been more than two weeks since my last entry. Term break was for only a week during the second week of this month, better known as the week after the MOE week-long school holidays. Managed to get half of the annontated bibliography done (the other half is to typed it out which, till now, I have yet to do so).

Aargh!!! No idea what else to write.

Oh well... Shall stop here then.

Toodles!

Spanish music is exotic to me

2007-09-11T21:43:00.000+08:00

Sunday's SYC concert was highly interesting. Packed with students, especially in the stalls, the acoustics were still really good. Or maybe it was good due to us sitting in the centre of the front second row. Yes. That near. Gosh. Anyway, the programme consisted of only pieces inspired by the Spanish and its poetry. I do not have any particular dislike for any of the works presented because I like them all. A change of 'scenery', one might say, instead of the same-old, same-old; music from the Western world. Allow me to clarify my stand. Spanish music is definitely something that one does not hear on the radio every single day. What one hears every single day is music from the likes of the French, the English, the Germans, the Italians, etc. But not the Spanish. One can say that Spanish music is exotic, just like how the Western world view Asian music as exotic. 'Exotic' here is due to the fact that one does not get to see or hear something every single day.

Hence, Spanish music is exotic to me. :)

Taken on 9 September 2007, Sunday at Yoshinoya, Marina Square.
Infact, we took quite a few but they all turned out not alright. This one here was the best from the entire lot.

"I Know Where I've Been"

2007-09-05T23:13:00.000+08:00

I Know Where I've Been - Maybelle [Hairspray]

[This songs tells of the struggles the African-Americans went through in order to get their equality of rights, justice and freedom back in the 20th century. I am guessing this is called Soul Music. It is really soulful. Unfortunately, I can not and do not know how to upload the song.]

There's a light in the darkness
Though the night is as black as my skin
There's a light burning bright
Showing me the way
But I Know Where I've Been

There's a cry in the distance
It's a voice that comes
from deep within
There's a cry asking why
I pray the answer's up ahead
'Cause I Know Where I've Been

There's a road we've been travelin'
Lost so many on the way
But the riches will be plenty
Worth the price,
The price we had to pay

There's a dream in the future
There's a struggle that we have
yet to win
And there's pride in my heart
'Cause I know where I'm going,
yes I do
And I Know Where I've Been

There's a road we must travel
There's a promise, we must make
But the riches, the riches
will be plenty
Worth the risk and the
chances that we take
There's a dream in the future
There's a struggle that we
have yet to win
Use that pride in our hearts
To lift us up to tomorrow
'Cause just to sit still
Would be a sin
I know where I'm going
Lord knows I Know Where
I've Been
Oh, when we win
I'll give thanks to my God
'Cause I Know Where I've Been

"You Can't Stop The Beat"

2007-09-05T21:33:00.000+08:00

I LOVE HAIRSPRAY!!!

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE...

THE MUSIC,

THE LYRICS

&

THE DANCE

!!!

Do the capital letters describe my feelings clearly? I hope it does. Lol!

The girls and I went to watch it at The Cathay yesterday afternoon as part of our SOP work. It was really entertaining even though the plot was really simple. The songs were really catchy that anyone can sing or hum along once they got the "pattern" of the song, and my feet wanted to dance along to the music. Haha! But, of course, I did not. Lalalala...!!! But because this is the motion picture, they, the people behind it, cut away some scenes from the Broadway script but added some others to it. At the end of it, it is not Tracy who was crowned Miss Hairspray but Little Inez, quite different from the original script. Oh well... I got no qualms about it. :DThis is, after all, show business.

The story plot is about the Integration of Differences; the handsome guy does not necessarily ends up with the slim (and beautiful) girl, or that the colour of the skin prevents both sides from falling in love.

Love brings about the Integration of Differences.

I am now happily listening to the soundtrack. Yes, I bought it. Lol! Happy, happy... :) The music is really interesting. I shall listen to it again and perhaps, just perhaps, I will be able to draw some kind of inspiration from it. *Cross-fingers* Oh! And it's really err... interesting... watching John Travolta in drag. ;)

Tuesday was quite an interesting day. We did not have History after our Counterpoint class. So, we went to have a really early lunch. Neko had to go off to teach after lunch while Char and I were suppose to do some work at the school-library, instead, we went to get some snacks from Cold Storage (Peace Centre) before finally getting some work done. We then had to speed-walk to The Cathay, all thanks to having to go back to Campus 3 for somethings (which we did not get) and for someone. Dots... Anyway, we made it in five minutes, with a little bit more of time to get the tickets. Anyway, the film finally start 5minutes after the actual timeslot. So, after the film, which we stayed tilll the very end, I went down to Gramaphone, looking for the Hairspray OST.

Dinner with Enx at Subway (Paradiz Centre) was really funny yet insightful. I shall not go into details here. Lol! We met a few interesting characters yesterday while there. Some of Benjy's friends came walking through the Subway door. You can read more about it on Enx's blog.

The Windband Concert last evening was quite alright. I tried to sleep but could not. It maybe because of the loudness from the music or that Enx and I had something to talk about or point out from our little corner at the top near the doors. Yup. We were sitting 'up there'. Haha!

Well, I shall be done with this and get back to doing my rubbish. Have fun yourself!

Randomness II

2007-09-03T15:08:00.000+08:00

I had never spent so much on any person's birthday before. The spending includes afternoon tea, dinner and the presents. Gosh! I can not believe I was that insane!!! Right. Let me clear this air; it is not that I am angry at that Birthday Fool or at anything. I simply cannot believe that I spent so much more on the Fool than on my own mother! Get it now? GF and I had dinner with the Fool yesterday at Suntec City and we both spent about a total of $50+ on the dinner. But before that, we had tea at Parkway Parade on friday where we got the Fool a slice of cake. Haha! Sounds pathetic right? Oh well... By the way, GF and I split the bill which we calculated to be a grand total of $100 (including the time taken and the energy spent buying and making his presents). Hahahahahahha...!!!

He is a nice guy. Really. Thinks alot i.e. very analytical of people. And he can read anyone like a book. Scary. And he said that I am scary. Haha!

"... very good. Switch to composition!" I have been thinking about switching majors lately but decided not to. Maybe I'll come back to studying here at NAFA once I am done with either NIE or with the bond. Besides, the piece that he said was "very good" may be a once-upon-a-blue-moon thing. I may not be able to reproduce such 'good results' ever again. Let's wait and see.

What else can I type about? Hmmm...

It rained terribly just now, while I was at the Esplanade library. It was cold. Brrr... Freezingly cold. What was I doing there? Searching high and low for Takemitsu's November Steps, both score and recording. Unfortunately, I could not find it at all!!! Rubbish... So, I borrowed the two available scores there. I got to get the recordings too... Sigh...

Right. I shall stop here now.

Cheerio!

Post #140: Randomness

2007-08-29T21:35:00.000+08:00

It is already my 140th post. Incredible. Waha!

This post is going to be filled with randomness so, you have been warned. Blah.

What is due...

... tomorrow??? Hmmm... 80% of the folksong arrangment. But mine is at present no where near that 80% mark. How???

... on Friday??? Counterpoint assignment 3C!!!

Is there anymore? Hmmm... Nope. Unless you want to include my little bit of conducting for CD&T tomorrow.

Something really funny happened today. Not to me, but it happened to Enx. Both the straps of her sandals broke off one after the other while was crossing the road to school this morning. Mind you, it was both straps of both sandals. LOL!!! She rang me up at home and asked to borrow a pair of footwear from me (I had to transport it to school, of course!). Tut tut tut... How laughable. Waha! During the time in between the end of composition lecture and Music Platform, Char and I accompanied the Neko to OG to buy a pair of sandals. Interesting...

Platform was another interesting one. The right side of the theatre cheered so loudly when Wunady came onstage to perform his piece. How sarcastic... Tut tut tut. There was a surprised encore piece; a first (second?) year student presented/performed his variation of 'Twinkle, twinkle little star'. It was really interesting; the different ways, types and flavours of music present in his variations, like arabic, eastern, Chopin-ese, romantic, baroque, classical, jazz, blues, etc. You get the idea.

Evan and I did some birthday-present shopping yesterday at Bugis Junction. We ended up getting things to put in a box for the Birthday Fool. It was actually my idea of putting together specially thought-of things and then listing them and their significance. So, that is what we are doing. The box was made last night, at my expense. What is left is the "certificate" and the list. And maybe some sweets. That fella better appreciate it... -.-

I had to perform during last friday's Piano Class. The interesting part came during lunch when we three found out who was supposed to peform that day from EL. It was me! Blah. Piano Class came and I had to play. So, just whack lah! Hahaha...! It was not that bad, considering the last time I did practice prior to it was the evening before.

Sunday's Magnetic Band concert at the Esplanade Recital Studio was highly interesting. Tan Dun's Ghost Opera was not meant to be scary at all. I liked the textures and effects created by the use of different instruments and the voice. I understood the Opera part; the entire piece was quite dramatic. As for the Ghost, did it refer to the pipa-player wearing white? Peter Maxwell Davies' Eight Songs for a Mad King was, how shall I put it, entertaining? It was definitely interesting. However, I felt that the vocalist could had acted more. Like really coming up to the audience and sort-of screamed in their faces. That would had been really 'mad' considering the fact that the vocalist was acting the part of the mad King. Sadly, I did not have enough of the violin smashing part. It was so fast... Oh well... As compared to the last time I attended a Magnetic Band concert, I was wide awake through this one. Hee.

What else shall I add in? Hmmm... Nothing else.

Till next time!

:)

Rubber Jumping Around on Strings

2007-08-17T23:23:00.000+08:00

Well, well, well...

Another week of school has already zoomed-by, leaving us poor students spinning in its wake, trying to catch our breaths...

However, it has been a rather interesting week.

The SOP group had a meeting on tuesday where we brainstormed and came up with two rather interesting sort-of compositions based on John Cage's 'prepared piano'. We flimed it and uploaded it onto YouTube, with help from me filming one of two and with many thanks to Amy for using her camera and uploading it. Thanks, Amy! I personally like the first one, not because I helped filmed it but it is because I find it very interesting, especially when the rubber jumps around on the strings. The second video has its own interesting parts, like where Juls became totally ballistic in her own 'solo recital'. Lol! You have to watch it to believe it. Haha! Here are the 2 links:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5lA3ovF3Ao

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-ZZIaiNXME

On monday, Ms. Lim went through the contemporary pieces before attacking my Haydn-piece. But before that, she taught me another way to relax; let the feet (soles) feel the floor, not gripping the floor, and sink your upper body (the torso and up) into the chair. Let gravity do the sinking. It is helpful and one can do it not just at the piano, but anywhere, like now, sitting before the computer typing this: I like Ms. Lim... She is a very interesting lady. :)

Another thing regarding 'learning how to relax' happened on thursday during CT&D2. We five, as part of an in-class practice, had to raise and then drop the whole of our right arm. Like doing a free-fall of some sort. Just (let it) fall, not fling (it down). The funny thing JT wanted me to do for Enx and Char was to act as some "referee" to their little arm-falling "contest", which is actually a practice of how to relax the entire right arm, unfortunately, those two are having troubles with relaxation. Actually, most people have such a problem once they leave their childhood behind. They forget how to relax. That is why there are such places calling themselve 'spa', 'massage centres', etc.

We went back to NIE on that same thursday, dusting out the cobwebs in our mind's storage area, looking for and finally finding the recorder-related fingerings. Besides the recorder session with JW, we also had a "sharing" session which I shall not go into details. Lol! Blah.

Chamber choir today was quite a quiet affair because 1/3 of the members not present were involved in some brass and wind performance outside school. We did that mind-bloggling numbers excercise followed by that horrid 'follow-the-leader' type of rhythm-clapping. Tut tut tut...

Well, I better go off and do that history assignment now, and if there is abit more time, sleep!

Btw,

Happy 42 Years, 1 Week and 1 Day Old, Singapore!!!

Ms Lim is Home!!!

2007-08-07T00:52:00.000+08:00

Ms Lim is finally home!!! I am saved!!! I do not have to die over those contemporary works!!! Right Juls? We are saved!!! Wheet!!!

Yup. I had lesson with Ms Lim on Monday at 8 in the morning and we dove straight into the contemporary set works; Tsunami and In Memorium, and did not resurface till 9 on the dot. Spare me a moment to relate my feelings when Ms Lim rang me on Sunday, while I was teaching. I was extremely pleased to hear her voice. Lol! Anyway, as I had already mentioned, we were solely concentrating on the set works during the whole lesson, therefore, the Haydn sonata was very much left aside. At the end of the lesson, Ms Lim gave me a box of Swiss chocolates. Actually, it is harden strawberry yoghurt coated with chocolate. Yum. And it is called Yogurette by Ferrero. It is nice, not only Juls agrees, but my dad too (he took up my offer on a piece of it).

On a more serious note, I am quite troubled by how most human beings can have dual personalities. All it takes to trigger such a thing is just something very small. Like an avalanche. Are we such petty beings? Since us human beings have been created in God's own image, are we to say that God is also petty? Can we not let such small events go? Why bother making yourself and others around you troubled? The world is already a very troubled place, so why make it worse? It is already plagued with troubles since the beginning of time when Adam and Eve ate the Forbidden Fruit. Sigh... My bubble of the world around me had been burst, pricked by a sharp needle called pettiness. To borrow a line from The Bridge to Terebithia, "Keep your mind wide open".

School in the morning. Better sleep now.

Ta!

To Enx

2007-07-31T15:34:00.000+08:00

To EnX

In Times of Sorrow...
May you see God's light on the path ahead
When the road you walk is dark.
May you always hear,
Even in your hour of sorrow,
The gentle singing of the lark.
When times are hard may hardness
Never turn your heart to stone,
May you always remember
when the shadows fall—
You do not walk alone.

Feeling Slightly Depressed

2007-07-31T15:12:00.000+08:00

Char and I are now seating in the school library, supposedly revising and preparing for our Grade 8 theory. Instead, we are talking and thinking about which elective to replace due to that confounded clash in our timetable. Char and I were told by GTC that we had to put the core module before the electives. Thanks to such a system, I have already decided to drop IorVT but have yet to confirm the module that I want to replace it with. Char does not know what she wants. What is more shocking is that Enx wants to drop CT&D. !!! Sigh... I believe I know why I am feeling slightly depressed. It is because of all of these! Drats.

I have nothing else to say. So, back to work. If that is possible...

New Blog Skin!

2007-07-25T21:51:00.000+08:00

Whoot! New blog skin. It is a black and white piece but it is pretty!!! I can colour my typings now. Haha! What colour shall I use for the following paragraph? Hmmm...

My nephew is staying with us here till the weekend. God only knows what will happen, but nothing terrible will happen as long as my mum is incharge. Lol! I sound mean... It is not that I dislike having him here, on the contrary, I do! It is just that I feel tired just by watching this 2-years old running around. It is worse when I play with him. Haha!!! He is a real sweet and he is now trying to get to my computer and the mouse, and he does not want to sleep now. My mum is now trying to make him lie down. Crying away... Oh dear...

Something about school now. Char and I are in a fix. It seems like there is a clash of timings between our composition tutorial and an elective module [that we want]. Compo. tutorial is from 10 - 11a.m, while the IorVT Grp. A is from 9 - 11a.m. Mind you, we are the only ones in this particular mess. We told RA about it and he gave us two choices; either the entire Teaching group have the tutorial on another day or we two change the elective to another, which is certainly NO DEAL. Another option is to give up our beloved CT&D for the IorVT Grp. B from 11 - 1p.m. Sigh... What we both want is the CT&D from 9 - 11a.m and the IorVT Grp. A at 11 - 1p.m. There will be quite abit of pursuasion to be done during this week. Blah.

I must say that it was a very slack sort of day for us. We had Compo. lecture for an hour at 11a.m, followed by the hour-long lunchtime concert at 12.30p.m. After that, we were done for the day. This is absolutely crazy.

Right. I am going off now to seriously concentrate on the History assignment.

Changing this blog's skin

2007-07-25T21:03:00.000+08:00

It is about time I do something about this Imaginary Pianist blogskin. I am going to change it. Lol! I found a pretty cute one that is white and has clean navigational tabs. However, the design on its top may give a wrong impression to some people who happens to "read alot" of between-the-lines. Oh well... What matters most is that I LIKE THE DESIGN so STOP THINKING TOO MUCH, stupid cat.

Off I go to change it. See you later. :)

Back to School

2007-07-24T00:07:00.000+08:00

It is Back to School for us today. What can I say about it? It was ...err... totally slack? Lol! Well, this slack-ness will not last long. Tomorrow will be a long and rather packed day for us teachers-to-be, from 9am to 4pm. Yawn...

"After handing in our choice of elective forms, Enx, myself and Juls made our way to the theatre for the standard Start-of-Term treatment; chorus placement and Newbie Orientation. Unfortunately, there was only the placements but no orientation. Everyone had to go through it, except for the Westrn strings players. GTC and JT started off with the 4th years and started on the shortlisting for the Chamber Choir (CC) auditions. During that time, I was reading the epilogue of Char's copy of the last Harry Potter book that was out on Saturday, 21 July. Anyway, it was soon the 3rd years' turn. All of us got on stage where those who wanted to do the CC audition were to go to a side. Us four were being little clowns; a case of wanting to do the audtions yet did not want to. In the end, we did go to the side where JT took note our names and gave us the audition pieces to prepare. We were then allowed to get off the stage and back to our seats where we picked up our bags and went off for our lunch. It was about ten minutes to noon when we were out of the theatre."

I hope I can get into Chamber Choir. Auditions will be held on friday for those 50 shortlisted people, which includes me and the other three girls.

"We four had the longest lunch ever; lingering over our meal with lots of chatter, words not spoken to each other for nearly three whole months. During the one and half hours sitting in the food centre of Sim Lim Square, we often found ourselves talking in pairs, like Juls and I would be talking about something while the other two would be talking about something else. Other than that, besides the usual "lost" one, we had our fun, and while going through it, Juls manage to make a phone call to her usual hair salon in Bugis Junction. At 2:40-ish p.m, we finally managed to get ourselves out into the open and headed to Bugis, where Juls had a 3p.m appointment to keep, I wanted to take a look at the books in Kinokuniya, Char was meeting DW and Enx wanted to go to the National Library. And so, everyone had something to do there."

Yawn... And that was the first day of my third year in this school.

Right. I better turn in soon. First class at 9a.m. I will upload the photos another day. Hopefully, not too many days later. :)

I Am Home

2007-07-17T19:00:00.000+08:00

Hello! I am finally home! Well, actually, I was home since early saturday morning but I did not go online till today. So, it is good to be back even though the start of school is only 6 days away.

Sigh... I am now thinking of what elective modules to choose even though I already have my sights more or less set on 2 of them. Oh well... Anyway, I had taken a look at the school time-table and I got only one word to describe it: Slack. Sadly, it makes me rather paranoid. With all that "free" time, are the lecturers intending to swamp us with tonnes of work, in hopes of us using that "free" time to complete? Gosh. I am already starting to feel the stress just by thinking about it.

On a much lighter note, my baby niece, Nad, came along quite nicely yesterday morning. She looks totally different from her brother when he was born. She is heavier than him, thus her chubbiness. And she sleeps quite a bit. Her father, a.k.a my brother, is over the moon and he simply could not stop looking at her all yesterday. Oh well... Yup. I went to visit them at the hospital both yesterday and today. She was asleep during the time I was there. Her brother's excitement over her must be the cause of her tiredness. (Her brother and my Mum were there visiting and he, from both his maternal grandmother's and mother's accounts, caused a bit of a mayhem when he saw his little sister. I wonder what will happen when his little sister finally goes home from the hospital. All hell breaks loose...) By the way, both mother and daughter are well and shall be able to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. She is so cute! Especially when she yawns. Awww...

I shall go off for my dinner now and then get back here to upload my photos.

See ya!

Hoppers Crossing (con't)

2007-07-11T17:56:00.000+08:00

Oh! Did I mention that my luggage is packed to the brim? This is the first time it is so packed. A full 20 kilogrammes. Ahhhhh...!!! I have no idea what is in it!!! On top of that, I will be carrying my usual backpack and a stuffed green shopping bag onboard. Same as Mum. So, as you can imagine, it will be a little problem at Check-In.

Gosh!

Hoppers Crossing

2007-07-11T17:28:00.000+08:00

So, where am I now? Hoppers Crossing, western side of Melbourne. I will be here till Friday, the 13th, then to the airport and HOME. Whee!!! 6 bloody hours on the plane!!! How joyous. Blah.

We got in about 45mins ago, later than expected. Fr. Jude was waiting expectantly for us to appear at 5pm instead of 6.40pm. Waha! Anyway, the good Rev. Father let me use his internet while he is celebrating mass at a nearby parish ('cos their priest is not in today). Mum went with him.

So, how is it that I am using a priest's computer? Well, he happens to be Mum's and Aunt K's friend and also a son of Mrs. P. So, we are staying with him till we fly off for home. There you have it! [Note to self: Looks like I really have to upload the final days of my last year's trip here.]

What else can I type about? Hmmm... Nothing else, I think.

See you back home.

Ciao!

A Quick Post...

2007-07-02T07:34:00.000+08:00

A quick post before I leave Brisbane. May not get to touch a computer till I get back home. Heading south to Morwell in 5 minutes via a bit of the Pacific Highway. Hopefully we will be able to cover about 3ookm each day once we are off the coast and back inland. This is due to the wet road conditions along southern parts of the coast and in eastern Victoria, including East Gippsland. Sigh... Good bye Sunshine!!! I'll miss you... Back to the cold we go.

So, I'll see you once I get back to sunny old Singapore.

Ta-ta!

I HATE White Chocolate but I like Mermaids

2007-06-26T09:02:00.000+08:00

You are White Chocolate

You are White Chocolate
You are sweet, caring, and truly very innocent.
Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not, people like to take care of you.
You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated!

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

First and foremost, I got this from Enx's blog.

Secondly, WHITE CHOCOLATE???!!! I HATE WHITE CHOCOLATE!!! It's so damn bloody sweet... Yucks!

Thirdly, "You are sweet, caring..." Well, I do have my moments but, "... and truly very innocent"??? Hell NO!!!

Fourthly, "Whether your naive ways are a bit of act or not". Tell me people, do I act naively???

Fifthly, "...people like to take care of you". More like I like to take care of people.

Finally, "You are a quiet flirt, and your power is often underestimated!" ?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

You Are a Mermaid

You are a total daydreamer, and people tend to think you're flakier than you actually are.
While your head is often in the clouds, you'll always come back to earth to help someone in need.
Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational.
You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

1. "You are a total daydreamer..." Yes, that is true. "...and people tend to think you're flakier than you actually are." Really???

2. "While your head is often in the clouds, you'll always come back to earth to help someone in need." Maybe... Hmmmm...

3. "Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational." Caring? Maybe, but intelligent???

4. "You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else." Is it??? Does that explains why I like to look at the stars? Waha.

Yes. Both quizes were done due to boredom. If you remember, I am supposed to be on my way to the north today. However, it is not the case as it is raining here all night long. Oh no... Lionel Richie's "All Night Long" comes on... All night long... All night long... Sing with me... That explains why I am blogging. Sigh...

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day.

Northwards

2007-06-25T09:19:00.000+08:00

Well, here I am again. Typing about my holidays. However, I am not going to 'talk' much about it 'cos I am going to save the details for the other blog. :)

We went to the Gold Coast on Friday. It was interesting, especially the shops there at Surfer's Paradise. There were sales, and sales, and sales galore! What was even more interesting was that I did not spend a single cent there! Crikey!!! Totally wow... Amazing... The coast was amazingly beautiful. Sandy beaches, brilliant ocean waves, what's more, the sun was out! Totally surf's up! We all drove further down to Burleigh Heads which is another beach that has alot of smooth rocks and stones, and full of seashells. We had a magnificent view of the Gold Coast against the backdrop of the setting sun. Wow...

All five of usof us will be heading north tomorrow. Not very sure exactly where but will be back on Friday.

So, how is everyone? Going good? Enjoying yourselves? Keeping yourselves very busy or just lazing about? Just do not be very busy. Do some relaxation.

Right then. To all who reads this post, thank you for reading it. Please leave a message on my tagboard. Much appreciated. Thanks. Tagboard is very lonely. Boohoo...!!!

Greetings from Down Under

2007-06-18T19:24:00.000+08:00

Hello people!

Did you all missed me??? I missed you all too... Awww...

Anyway, I am now in Forestdale, which is about an hour away from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. How on earth did I get here? By car. What happened to my 'Let's go around Victoria tour' and how on earth did I get online? Mum and I, including Aunt K, are staying with friends here. Actually, we were invited here soon after we arrived in Melbourne. So, these friends have a computer, and with a computer, there is an internet connection. So there. An answer for two questions. Gosh! How many days have I left home? I somehow had lost count. Fortunately, I have been doing my usual journaling. That is good. What can I say about my trip so far? It is freaking cold down south, but it is now much better halfway across Australia (from Victoria). The roads travelled had been adventurous; out in the 'bush' on both sealed and unsealed roads. In the past few days, I have seen enough kangaroos and wallabies, plus roadkills, to last me a life time. O gosh! What else can I say? Hmmm... I bought stuffs. Waha! Speaking of which, I must be extremely careful of what I spend my money on. Argh! My money is dwindling... Boohoo! So, am I enjoying myself? Definitely.

I hope everyone back home in sunny Singapore are coping well. Miss you all! Including my ban mian, mee siam, xiao wan mian, chicken rice, char siew siew yok rice, wanton mee, ayam soto ...

Will be back on the 13th of July, and please, for the love of me, sms if there is any news from school cos I have no idea when I will be online again.

Muaks!

Char: Thanks and I hope you had a lovely time in Malaysia. Yes, get Julia to go out with you and Enx, even if you have to resort to 'that' excuse. ;)

At the airport now...

2007-05-28T19:02:00.000+08:00

Hello people. I am now at the airport waiting and typing this last entry before I fly off to Melbourne.

I have no idea when will I next touch a computer again. Anyway, I better make this a quick one.

So, if there's anything regarding school matters, just SMS me. But I will most likely NOT reply.

Going 28th May 2007, Monday, 7.45pm

Coming home 13th July 2007, Friday, evening.

Gone for 6 weeks 4 days.

I hope everything will alright at home. Right then, I shall be a very considerate Singaporean and let the mostly ang mohs here use the internet.

By the way, I saw RA (our HOD!) at the airport when I was going through customs. Waha! I was surprised. He's going of to Jakarta, probably for a concert. Saw him carrying his trumpet case with him.

Cheers! :)

Char: I gave my dad your home and handphone number, just for in-case. Hope you don't mind. :)

Ugly Betty Episodes 14-19 will be missed. By me.

2007-05-27T23:10:00.001+08:00

Alex Mead is still ALIVE???!!! Really??? OMGosh...!!! Didn't he die in that horrific snow mountain accident??? CRAP!!! I'm gonna miss 6 freaking episodes!!! AARGH...!!! I can't believe it. He underwent a sex-change operation and cosmectic surgery too. He is now a woman! And damn, he looks good. I mean she. He. She? He? AHHHHH...!!!!!!

And he/she wants to take over the company, with the help of Wilhelmina Slaters, by producing evidence against his/her/father's, Bradford, role in Fey Sommer's death.

So, what really happened to Fey (or is it Fay) Sommer's body?

Will someone be a good and kind soul to tape for me episodes 14-19??? Please??? I will get something really pretty for you...

Brahms???!!!

2007-05-24T21:04:00.000+08:00

You scored as Brahms, You're a steady person who

sticks by your friends. Your contribution to the world is not showy,

but great quality.

Brahms

80%

Mozart

80%

Chopin

75%

Tchaikovsky

70%

Beethoven

65%

Haydn

55%

Wagner

55%

Schumann

45%

J.S. Bach

40%

Schubert

40%

Handel

25%

Hector Berlioz

25%

Liszt

10%

Which classical composer are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

I got this quiz from a link in Enx's blog and I simply can not believe the results.

If you can not see the other part of the above quiz-result, here is the watered-down version.

You scored as Brahms, You're a steady person who sticks by your friends. Your contribution to the world is not showy, but great quality.

Brahms 80%

Mozart 80%

Chopin 75%

Tchaikovsky 70%

Beethoven 65%

Haydn 55%

Wagner 55%

Schumann 45%

J.S Bach 40%

Schubert 40%

Handel 25%

Hector Berlioz 25%

Liszt 10%

BRAHMS???!!! OMGosh...!!! You got to be seriously joking with me. I am so NOT like Brahms, musical-wise. But with regards about the personality part, yup, I stick by my friends and I got to admit, I am quite loyal. Please note the word "quite". :) On second thoughts, I do like a good tune most of the time. Nothing too ...hmmm... out of the world(?). Maybe I should listen to Brahms more often. Must check my CDs for any Brahms, or else I got to check with my brother whether he has any in his own collection. Then again, I am going off to Australia soon. (WOOHOO!!!) So, how am I suppose to listen to Brahms' pieces? iPod? Hmmm... How to recharge the battery without using a computer???

I am having going to have a lesson with Ms Lim tomorrow morning. It will possibly be my last lesson with her before I head Down Under. We are now dealing with Haydn's Sonata in e minor, which is found in the 3rd volume. Can not recall the work's number but all I can say is that it is quite a famous piece. We did quite a bit of good work: down with the first movement within three lessons in two weeks, all that is left are the memorising and polishing. As for the third movement, we skipped the second one, it is still in the learning process. I am now thinking whether I should get the pieces photocopied so that I can bring it along with me on my travels. However, what are the chances of me coming across a piano that I can practice on for at least an hour? Hmmm... Aargh! Forget it. But knowing your own self, your fingers will be itching to get on the keyboard. Mind you, your fingers will not be touching a piano for 7 weeks. SEVEN WEEKS. Where did you come from? Never you mind about where I come from. Infact, I am always around. In the back of your mind. Please remember that I am your CONSCIENCE. Yes, yes, yes. You are my conscience. Anyway, I shall think about it. Yup.

I am now wondering whether I will be having lunch with the girls tomorrow. Enx has not reply my SMS regarding where and when to lunch, and whether Juls will want to join us. As for Char, that Horse is being very funny. She was the one who called me and asked whether we should have a little meet-up before I sprout wings and fly south. Later on, I found out that she most probably will not join us because she will be having a lunch date with her boyfriend. -.-" ...dots...

Speaking of lunch, Mum and I went to Raffles Place The Arcade to run some errands at about eleven-ish; change somemore SGD for AUD and buy a few more shawls as (emergency) gifts for our Australian friends. That was when I experience the horrer of The Lunch Hour at Raffles Place. It was CROWDED. OKOK. It was not "packed-like-sardines" kind of crowded. Lots of people were walking around. Call me a clusterphobic or whatever. I do not care. I just simply do not like crowds. I will avoid them altogether, like the plague. And I have a feeling that I will get lost if I am there on my own for the very first time. Anyway, Mum and I had lunch at the Goldenshoe Complex. We had a fantastic bowl of Lor Mee each and it only cost $2/bowl. Amazing. It is really good that when we got there, there was a line already formed! Like you had mentioned, it was lunch hour. So, what where you expecting? A ghost town? Shut up. As I was saying, the lady at the stall was able to recognise Mum after so many years since she was last working there. Oh well, I guess that is the outcome of being a good customer for a long time. Up till now, the taste of the freshly pounded garlic that went with that bowl of Lor Mee still lingers in the pit of my stomach. Yumm...

Just a little thank you to Ah-Boy for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe OST. :)

By the way, the latest and last installation of The Pirates of the Caribbean is out today! I want to watch!!! "Yo ho ho, a pirate's life for me..."

For the last time...

2007-05-22T20:38:00.000+08:00

For the last time, for the benefit of a particular girl, I will say this...

I will be away in

Melbourne, Victoria State, Australia

from

28th May 2007, Monday

till

13th July2007, Friday.

So...

PLEASE STOP ASKING ME WHEN WILL I BE LEAVING FOR MY HOLIDAYS AND WHEN WILL I BE RETURNING!!!

Thank you.

Update: The SaT Page

2007-05-18T22:25:00.000+08:00

The Stories, arts, Travels Page
Is UPDATED!
click here
http://thesatpage.blogspot.com/

Not really but yes...

2007-05-17T00:12:00.000+08:00

Greetings.

It is now thirteen minutes past midnight and I better turn in soon after this entry.

Juls will be back in two days time and it will be exactly a week and three days to my departure from sunny Singapore to drought-hit Melbourne. I am praying desperately hard for it to rain there. Those people need the rain terribly.

So, I have somehow started on my packing, if you can call it packing... I got a new luggage bag on monday and a new Deuter pack and a greyish hoodie on wednesday. I must get my sleeping bag out from the storeroom. Now, where did I last kept it...???

Am I feeling excited to my trip? Not really. Am I looking forward to it? Yes. I wonder why I have such conflicting answers. Not really but yes. Hmmm... Maybe it is because I want to get out of the house yet I do not want to. OK. I am seriously making myself sound totally confused. Enough.

Looks like I really must turn in to the Sandman. G' Night!

Prince of Tennis Ep 71

2007-05-15T00:36:00.000+08:00

I am now watching Prince of Tennis (PoT) episode 71 n YouTube and it has so far been fairly hilarious (this can also be said of the previous episode). In this episode, Momo-chan has been asked out after school by the younger sister of the captain from a rival tennis school . He dragged Ryoma along for this outing that turned out to be a tennis date. Since Ryoma was already there, Ann-chan, the tennis rival's sister, invited him along. Somehow, their tennis teammate, Inui, was following them and calling up the rest of the team to go watch this interesting "date". Hoohoo! This is going to be interesting especially when the phrase "It's a date" is thrown in. Waha! Must watch!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULphTK31RIg&NR=1

Another Sunday

2007-05-13T21:16:00.000+08:00

I know I will be labled as partially crazy for saying this, but I do not care. Ha!

I am rather happy to start having P.S lessons with Ms Lim from tomorrow, but I am even happier to be starting a new piece from Haydn's Sonatas III, the extremely "new" book which I did not seriously touch since the day I bought it, which was about a year ago. Hee! :D

Crazy? I know.

Wonder how many people share the same kind of feeling... Not wanting the things we bought become white elephants...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Teaching has been rather crazy, especially since having to teach this kid... I know that it is very unprofessional to rant about one's students, but I need a place to vent out this !"%*&^%$£".

The thing is that he refuses to learn anything on his own. He rather be spoon-fed, and that was what his own elder sister, who is also another of my student, told me when I asked her whether he is always like that at home. I mean, come on! He is a primary four pupil, for goodness' sake!!! Children of his level should be able to figure out Jingle Bells on their own on the keyboard, especially after they had been taught the fundamentals! What is worst is that I helped him - gave him - the "answer" to the chorus of that song and he still dared to tell me "It's so difficult!" And then, while doing theory, he dared to give me the same crap, that he did not understand as it was "so difficult"! What is "so difficult"??? The question asked for a semibreve to be drawn on space 4 or line 2, is that difficult??? And once he manged to do it after I did one for him, you know what he said? "Haha! So easy!" Aargh!!!

Is it just me or is most boys like this??? Thank goodness his sister is the last student for the day before I go home or else I will be fuming. Sigh...

His mid-year examinations are over and I had told his mother to get him to figure out Jingle Bells. Let us see what will he do the next lesson. Gosh!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Right. I am off to watch Ugly Betty on the telly. That is the one programme I look forward to for the whole of sunday.

Ugly Betties of the World UNITE!!!

I am still alive!!!

2007-05-11T11:45:00.000+08:00

Hello there!

Yes, I am still alive even though I have been rotting my life away being at home. But then again, the past week had been slightly productive. I had started on a new piece by myself, thank you very much, Chopin's nocturne Op. 55 Nr. 1 (it's so beautiful!!!), went to the community library twice to borrow (and return) books, and I went out with Mum for the past two days; to Orchard on wednesday to do some shopping and lunch, and Parkway yesterday to develope the photos of her most recent travel. So, I am home today, updating this blog (at last! *Grins*).

Speaking of which, I have my old grievance to air and that is this stupid, stupid, stupid internet connection!!! Sometimes, it can work very well for hours on end, other times, it will only connect for about an hour before it "dies" on me. But most of the time, it cannot connect at all. Drats!!! Makes me wonder where the problem really lies... Sigh...

Juls is in Japan now. I hope she is enjoying herself. And because she is in Japan, our P.S teacher, Ms Lim, wanted me to have a lesson with her today evening, taking over Juls' usual time-slot. Unfortunately, I told her that I would be busy today, how about tomorrow, saturday? She will be busy too. So, she will call me next week for the first of two lessons before I fly off to Melbourne. Yippee! Wonder what pieces she will be teaching/ I will be practising...

I think I shall change my blogskin 'cos I had already found one the other day I was able to get online. Lol!

Ciao!

Cheap car???

2007-04-24T14:09:00.000+08:00

Hello again. I forgot to mention that the Gang celebrated Baka Neko's birthday 2 weeks ago. So, if you want to have a glimse of what we did, just check either the Neko's or Juls' blogs. It is all there. As for the photos, then it is at Juls'.

I think I shall either go play Maple (it has been a long time!) or else browse blogskins.com for another blogskin or watch Prince of Tennis (Tezuka-sempai!!! Fuji-kun!!!).

And another thing. I bought for myself the driving theory books when I was out with Neko. Yup. Will be taking the test as a private candidate.

Should I go for the Daihatsu Copen or a cheaper one??? Hmmmm... Best to cross the bridge when I get to it.

24th April 2007, Tuesday

2007-04-24T12:37:00.000+08:00

Hello. Did you miss me? I missed you too. (Waha! My skin is so damn thick... Lol!)

Right. If you can read this post, that means that I am finally online!!! Whoot! I guess I better make this a fast one.

So, what have I been doing since my last entry? I am rather fuzzy over the details but I can tell you this. I went out with Baka Neko last wednesday as she wanted to buy some presents. She called me up and I met her at Bugis at about 3 in the afternoon. Went walking around, she buying the presents while I gave her some ideas on what to buy. After that, we sat down at Terra for our afternoon tea and also to talk about the weather. Once we were done with our walking around Bugis Junction, I wanted to head over to school to check the reassessment list for myself, but that means that we had to walk through Bugis Street when I thought of getting some little presents of my own for my mum's OZ friends when we are there next month. And that was what we did. While over there, the two of us went winding in and out of the numerous shops, stalls and alleys in order for me to find that elusive little shop where I bought my shawl from about a year ago. (It was more like me leading the Neko around...) Hey! It was more than a year ago! How was I suppose to remember where it was exactly located? Besides, the chances of it not being there was rather high. In the end, we stumbled across this little shop specializing in the wholesale of crystal-glass jewellery/ornments. 6 small/medium pendant for $25 or buy 5 and get one free at $5 apiece. So, I bought 5 while the 6th piece went to the Neko who paid me $2 in return; $1 for the chain and $1 for the pendant. What a bargain for the both of us. (A/N: Note the sacarsm.) We then left Bugis St (finally) and headed for school before going our separate ways.

It was an interesting day, right, Baka Neko? What you had read was my version of events that day.

So, what else am I suppose to say? Errm... I just downloaded some games from Zone.MSN for me to play when I am not online. As you can see, I am trying to make full use of my time here. Hee! :)

Oh! The Gangsters will be having a picnic at Sentosa tomorrow. Let's hope the Juls can and will recover from her case of food poisoning, that AhBoy will be able to make space in his very busy and packed schedule for us, that WX will be able to dig up his old "army floor mat" or else we will be getting our bums baked by the hot sand, and most importantly, it will be a sunny and windy day tomorrow, without a single raincloud in the sky. :D

By the way, did I mention the fact that I did not fail any modules this semester? :)

Lazy Life

2007-04-10T15:43:00.000+08:00

I am lazy. Yes. It is a truth such that it becomes a fact.

I am lazy about most things, including updating this blog and the other one.

Thus, I am here to update this blog i.e. to update on my life.

Ever since the last assignment was handed up; the NIE one, I have been waking up every morning at almost 10, sometimes at 15mins past 1o. What is most alarming, to me, is the time that I turn in at night. Sometimes 10, 11 and 12. So, let us assume that if I sleep at 10p.m. and wake up at 10a.m., I would have slept for 12 hours straight. Half a day is gone...

After a cup of milk-loaded coffee, some biscuits and newspapers, it is almost lunchtime! Help Mutter with the preparation and some cooking, then lunch. After lunch, laze around, do some sewing (made a little green pouch/bag yesterday out of left-over material from Mutter's "tailoring" days. Currently making a cloth belt/sash), no naps. Before you know it, it is back to the kitchen for me to help Mutter.

Sounds boring, doesn't it? It sure is. What is worse is that I am yawning away while typing about my incredibly boring lifestyle. It is only 4p.m., 6 hours since I had awaken, and I am yawning away!!!

I am such a failure.

Oh yah... We, the Gangsters, will be celebrating Neko's birthday tomorrow. I believe I had mentioned this only in the previous post. It will be interesting. At the most, awkward for some whom I hope have already solve their unsolved issues.

This reminds me of mien mutter's Russian chilli plant out in the garden. It is quite dead yet the roots and stem are still alive. It is only the branches that are dried up. What I did was to cut away all the dried parts so that the plant can grow leaves from the green parts. It is a simple explanation of how settling issues can be like. However, yes, it is not that simple at all especially where Humans are concerned. Which brings us to this question; why is life so complex? Or is it only complex because of us, mankind; are we the ones who view the situations and tasks in such a complex and complicating manner, thus our solutions becoming equally complexed and complicated?

I have been telling a piano student of mine this when she viewed a piece as difficult, "If you think that the piece is difficult, it will get more difficult. If you think of it as an easy piece, it may get easier or not. The best is to think neither way; let your mind be empty like a blank piece of paper." What is the point of thinking the piece is easy just by first glance? It may be at first easy that eventually gets harder, and you will find yourself in deep water; struggling. Your expectations will be brought down to earth, falling, and then shattered like broken glass.

In the world of football, there is a very famous saying, "The ball is round." Anything can happen so why bother making it more complicated than it already is? In fact, keep things simple. Easier said than done? That is only if you choose to think of it in such a light.

Whether or not you agree with my thinking, I just want to say that this is entirely my thinking.

2 points down, Victoria to go.

2007-04-05T11:58:00.000+08:00

All I really want to do is to thank God that I had passed my piano examination, but I will not be true to my emotions. Do not take me wrongly. I am NOT blaming Him or anyone else for whatever I had received. Like I had mentioned at the beginning, I thank Him for letting me pass. However, after I received my comment sheet yesterday afternoon, I was, and still am, totally pissed that I got what I did not want. I mean, I worked so damn bloody hard to get what I avoided to receive and yet I ended up with 2 points lower than last semester's! I admit that I could had done it so much better than what I had done that fateful day. Am I making any sense here? No? Then that is good because this is entirely for me and me alone to understand. All I want now is to pass all of my subject modules so that I can move on to the third and final year at NAFA. I think I will miss the place, more of the people actually, like the very interesting lecturers there, yet I do not want to spend another year there. I am sure most of you should understand this "love-hate" relationship one has for their own alma mater. I can only presume, assume and conclude that it is the environment that makes us love our alma mater, and the "hate" part stems from what we have to go through. And all this is said in my own personal capacity. So there.

Anyway, NAFA's long-awaited school vacation is finally here. It had unofficially begun the day after our individual P.S exam. But then again, we, the Teaching group, had to accomplish our last assignment and that was the NIE one. It was fun working together as a pair, just Juls and myself. Got to know each other more than we already do, and because of this, I can safely conclude that Juls is not very scary at all! She is a very nice girl who happens to cause a bit of confusion over her "i-am-not-really-a-girl"statement. (And to this day, most of us, particularly Enx and I, will want to smack our heads in frustration whenever she says that.) :D It is true!!! OK. Maybe only when she slacks.... Which was what happened while we were "working". It was at a very sedated pace. Very... sedated... pace... Yawn... Zzzzzzzz...

Right. It was not that "bad". Really! We split our work; one do this, the other did that, and it was quite literally done so. As I had mentioned in the previous post, we both met up last wednesday to get a little bit done before Sushi-buffet lunch. Then on thursday, I went over to her place for the day to get more work done, and had her mum's first successful try at making lasagne for lunch. The day after, she was over here at my place for a few hours before her piano class to get more things done i.e. settle on who was doing what, and of course, lunch! Me mummy's Mee Siam and the first fruits of my daddy's labour; fresh sugar canes for afters! We were totally barbaric. WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Yup. We did our work over the weekend and met up in the school's library to finish whatever, and even had to walk back to our dear campus 3 to finish as the library was closing early due to the vacation. All too soon, we were back home to print out our respective parts; she was to print out whatever that was in colour while I print out the black-and-white ones. (Printer problem, don't ask...) We communicated by phone and not through the internet. (Again, internet connetion problem that is rather hard to explain, much less solve it.) By the time my head hit the pillows, it was close on 0400. As for dear Juls, it was about 0500 when she did the same. On tuesday, the day of completion, we were quite exhausted. Could not be very exhausted as we still had to present/teach one lesson (-plan). I admit, whatever we taught was cheem for secondary ones to comprehend but good enough for those taking the MEP or O-Level's music exam. Sigh... Oh well, it was a lesson well learnt.

So, my second year at NAFA is unofficially over. Why I said "unofficially over" is because I am still waiting for the final and combined results for the A.Y 2006-7.

Yes. This is one long post. Oh well... (Influenced by Juls.) At least it made up for all those days when I did not post, all thanks to my home internet connection that is very hard for me to explain what the problem is all about.

I had already bought my air-ticket to Victoria state, Australia (Yes, yes, yes... I know, I know... Again...) and will be disappearing there for 6-7 weeks. Hahahaha! So, I will not be back till almost mid-July. :D

By the way, the Gang will be celebrating Baka Neko's birthday someday next week at Juls'. Neko's way of treating us for her unexpected very-good P.S result and also for her birthday. She will be paying for the ingredients, if you must know... Now. What shall I get for her? Hmmmm...

SUSHI!!!

2007-03-28T11:47:00.000+08:00

I am now sitting in the computer lab with Juls, Enx and Dora. Well, we are suppose to be doing our NIE pairworks but, as you can tell, we are not. Wahahaha...!!!

I am feeling slightly depressed right now. I met those doing this morning's exam when I came to school and waited with them for the "results". EL and RP came out some minutes after Evan Wong was done playing and we asked the examiners who failed the exam. We then followed them down to get a detailed answer from them. So, EL told us that those who sat for this morning's exam had all passed! Unfortunately, someone failed for yesterday afternoon's exam. NO!!! Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh............................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That is why I am feeling depressed.

SIGH.

So, Juls and I are left in the computer lab because Enx and Dora were tired of waiting for us, thus they left for the Japanese restaurant at Paradiz Centre first.

OK. Juls is getting excited over reading some tour itinerary on Japan that she has yet to decide and book.

Right. Let's go. SUSHI!!!

Post #111: Exams are FINALLY over!

2007-03-27T16:59:00.000+08:00

Yup. This is post no. 111. What an interesting number...

Practical exam was over nearly 3 hours ago, and what I can say about my playing is that it was much MUCH better than a year go when I suffered quite a severe memory lapse. Thank God and Jesus for what I went through just. Nothing severe happened, just a few small little blunders like tripping. The examiners this time round are the same as last semester, namely RP and EL. Boy... I nearly had a heart attack while waiting for the two examiners to arrive at the exam room. At about 1:55pm, these two ang-mos came walking past me and headed towards the exam room. I went to tell ZQ about them and he came out of his practice room to see for himself. He then told me that they are from the YST Conservatory. Good grief! I nearly died there and then. But thankfully, they asked me whether there was an exam going on in that room and I naturally said yes and that the exam was at 2, as I was the one sitting for the exam. Then, one said to the other about the class being held somewhere else and they (I guess it was the office) did not book for them a room for their class. Phew! Thank goodness. Along came EL with his goofy-looking smile (most of you people should know what I am talking about...) followed by RP, who told me and Char, "Ni men si ding le..." Glups! What on earth...??? However, she was smiling. Good grief! Oh well... What is done is done. PRAY!!!

Juls and I will be in the computer lab. working on our pairwork tomorrow morning before meeting the Gang for lunch. Sushi buffet! Wheepee!!! Yum yum... And will be going to the cinema too! Hopefully, TMNT. Haha! Baka Neko must perform well so that she can join us for lunch instead of going home to cry over spilt milk. You hear me, Baka Neko?

I was suppose to blog about this the last time but was very much distracted by the heat. Well, I went out with most of the Co. last friday afternoon. It was interesting watching little Manda shopping for temperate clothing. What was most interesting was that Lisa and her bought the exact same clothes! Good grief! Lisa's reason for buying the same black pullover and brown long coat was for her to attract her students' attention or else she will lose command of the class. As for Manda, she was going to London for some education trip with her coursemates. Alright. She had already left for the northern hemisphere, which snowed not too long ago. Freaking weather... So, yes. She needed those clothes or else she will be freezing there now. Oh! Oh! I bought a pair of Hush Puppies 2-inch black court shoes that day. Well, it was not the first time I set eyes on it, saw it 2 days ago while out with my mum. 20% discount off as the shoppe was having a clearance sale. So, the price that I paid excluding a pair of gel-pad for my aching feet: $84. Haha! I spent quite a bit that day, partly because of the shoes and the dinner. Oh well... It was not as if the Co. got to spend time with each other on a daily basis, besides, Jenn's back from England for 6 whole weeks of hols. :)

Will someone PLEASE TAGGED??? My tagboard is feeling horrendously lonely, lonely, lonely ...

Hot, hot, hot!

2007-03-26T00:46:00.000+08:00

IT IS SO DAMN CONFOUNDEDLY HOT HERE!!!

Damn! How am I going to sleep tonight??? And it has been like this for the past 1 night! Aargh...!!!

I hope it will rain soon... Wahhhhh...!!! Buay ta-han...

Alright. It is now slightly more than a day away to my most dreaded exam and all I can do while waiting for it to descend upon me is to practice, practice and practice. Drats...

Must pass this exam!!! Go Marie, go!

5 days left to Doomsday a.k.a P.S Exam

2007-03-22T19:13:00.000+08:00

Right. It is now exactly five days to Doomsday a.k.a Principal Study Exam/Piano Practical. I am sure I mentioned this in the pevious post. So, it is practice, practice, practice till I drop dead at the examiners' feet. I wonder who will be the examiners this time? The last time (one year ago) was Dr. Eugene and EW. But who will it be this time round? Dr. Eugene and someone... Oh well...

Had my final lesson with Ms. Lim this morning. She got two new upright pianos now, one normal exam model and a upright-grand. Must had traded in her old Kawai one. Anyway, she let me used the exam model one. The one interesting thing is that the piano has a lever on the left of the keyboard to adjust the touch of the instrument. Wow. It was the first time I had seen such a thing. Interesting. So, she went through my exam repertoire and told me to unlock my muscles myself. Gosh. God only knows whether I will remember to do it on tuesday afternoon. Drats...

I wrote this poem on Sunday night after watching The Phantom of the Opera on the telly. You can say that I was inspired to write about it, especially one particular scene. Truth be told, that sunday evening was the first time I watch it; never on the telly, the DVD/VCD or much less the musical itself. I got the book about a year ago and sadly, I never did get past the first chapter. It is sad, is it not? I feel sad for myself too. What? The story is sad? Yes, yes. Of course it is sad but I was talking about me not reading finish one chapter of the book. Oh well... You can find the poem I wrote on the other blog. [Click here http://thesatpage.blogspot.com/]

Right then. Off I go to complete my resource collation for the NIE assignment that I am doing with Juls. Yes... I am working with her on this pairwork.

Toodles! *Muaks!* ;)

WHY???!!!

2007-03-19T16:53:00.000+08:00

AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.......................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am seriously in a dilemma here!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why must the school have such a stupid results posting system??? Why, why, why???!!! Why must they post the stupid reassessment notice so much later??? Why must they send out the final results just about a month before we all start school??? WHY???!!!

For goodness sake! Why must they put the reassessment dates in the middle of May??? Why can they not do it much, much, much earlier??? Like in April???

WHY???!!!

Because of all of these, I have no idea when I will get to enjoy my holidays in Australia!

I am ranting. And yes, the written papers are finally over. All that is left is the practical exam. Dead. So dead. May God help me and have mercy on my soul...

Written Papers.

2007-03-08T22:40:00.000+08:00

I have two news to share. Which one do you want to hear first? The good news or the bad news? Anyone. Just make it quick 'cos I want to play MapleStory. Fine.

The bad news first...
1) On Tuesday, I did not complete the harmony paper, especially the analysis part. I was writting absolute rubbish (chords) and left the whole of the second page blank as I was running out of time.
2) I could not memorise my entire definition for the history viva voce exam on Wednesday. I left out one important line and I could not quite recall what exactly I said that afternoon.

The good news next...
1) Aural exam today was in actual fact so much easier than the tests and last semester's exam. This applies especially so to the rhythmic dictation. It was easy. So, I have confidence to say that I will pass this paper, even if it is on the dot.
2) End of the written papers.

So, what is left?

Concert Attendance Portfolio (a.k.a Concerts and Masterclasses Reviews) - Due 12 March, Monday, 5 - 6p.m.
Performance Project - 16 March, Friday, 12nn.
Principal Study (a.k.a. Piano Practical) - 27 March, Tuesday, 2p.m.

That should be it.

Here are some photos taken on the 4th of March, Sunday, a.k.a YuanXiao Jie "15th day of the 1st Lunar Month"

Yummy! YuSheng!!! This here is the second one I ate this CNY. :P Looks not appetising but interesting.

Yuki-chan having her share of the YuSheng by licking the container clean. Do not worry, she is fine.

The full moon. Noticed the reddish tint? It is not done by me. If you had been reading the newspapers, you will understand. If not, sorry, mate, can not help you here as I do not know how to explain it.

19 years and 1 day old... Gosh! I feel old!

2007-03-03T22:08:00.000+08:00

Well, well, well...

My dear people, guess what? Just guess.

Giving up already? Alright, you lousy guess-ers.

I turned 19 years more than a day ago and I am starting to feel old. Yes, you heard me loud and clear. I AM STARTING TO FEEL FREAKING OLD!!!

Aargh...!!! I DUN-WANNA GROW OLD!!! WAHHHHHHHH...!!!

Alright. Enough with my rumblings and whinings. On with the script.

Here's what I want to say to certain people (you know who you are)...

Firstly, a great big THANK YOU to those who wished me a happy birthday through SMS, especially to a certain guy all the way in the Phillipines. THANK YOU! You all had made my day great (read on to find out how)! :)

Secondly, to my Gang-ster family. ARIGATO GOZAIMAS', MINNA-SAN!!! Thank you all so much for the incredible presents, especially one VERY INTERESTING HEART-SHAPED BOX. How do you all know what I wanted??? Yah right. As if they all do not know what you wanted especially since you put up a birthday wish-list more than 2 weeks ago... Haahaahaa...!!! *ignores alter-ego* And thanks again for putting aside some time to join Juls and me in our misery. Haha! No lah. Thanks for joining us for for our joint-birthday dinner. And yes. It was a joint-birthday dinner because Juls dear is a day younger than she is. You mean 'We are'. Anyway, psst! I am listening to the SecretGarden CD you people gave while typing this. It's so NICE!!! Especially the instrumental tracks. Ahhhh...!!! I cannot stop smiling from ear to ear... You are crazy. Shut up, eiraM. Whatever, Marie...

To NatAlie and Looky, thanks very much for the delicious banana-chocolate cake that Juls and I had to bring home.

To Enx, thanks for being a great working partner during our last essay. That last time was the best in our working relationship. No bickering or name-calling. Just plain good old co-operation and hard work. Want to work together again? Hhahha!!! Seriously, I do not mind. :) And thanks also for the items I requested; a water bottle and a stapler. Can use them in school. Yayyy...!

To Char, thanks for those very practical items in that pink heart-shaped box. Very practical indeed...

To ZQ, WX, AhBoy and Juls, thanks for the CDs. Totally appreciate it. :D

Last but not the least, to AhBoy and Juls, again, for making the CD of me. Even though you wrote there "From the Gangsters", I really thank you for your hardwork putting the photos together with those speech and thought bubbles. (Thanks alot, AhBoy. Do not think I do not know that you are the one behind all those interesting and highly amusing texts.)

Basically, thank you everyone for your well wishes as they mostly did come true i.e I did have a happy birthday even though it was pouring before I could leave the house in the evening... Drats.

Oh! If you want to see the photos taken on my birthday, check out Juls' blog. It is all there.

I went out to the open field next to the Kampong Ubi CC to await the Chingay floats with my mum about 2 hours ago. It was drizzling by then. The floats were really colourful and interesting. I caught them on video. Pity about the photos. Oh well... here are some photos taken while waiting there.

Words on the banner reads "Yuan Xiao Night Variety Show".

Dragon dance being performed while waiting for the floats to pass by.

Freebies! Just a whistle (shown in photo) and a clapper (not shown in photo, duh!)

Mummy! :D

This is a 19 years old me signing off. Not much of a difference, right? Oh well... Cheers!

Working hard.

2007-02-24T11:00:00.000+08:00

On with my - Oops! I mean - OUR essay. Some photos taken while at the library yesterday. Hey! I need to relax, both my eyes and brain, alright? I am not a robot... And the same goes for Enx. Blah! :P

Enx working hard at the computer.

The photographer of the day is who else but moi!!! Wahahahahahha....!!!

One of the rarest and best photos taken of us both.

As you can see for yourselves, we worked till the sun was setting in the distant horizon... Is it not pretty? The sun was setting and shining through the rain clouds.

I believe not the fact of growing a year older.

2007-02-23T02:09:00.000+08:00

Well, well. It is already almost the end of February and soon, real soon, it will be the start of the examinations. Yes. The final examinations for this academic year. Boohoohoo... *sob!* *sniff!* :'(

Neko and I will be staying in the school library for the whole of the day, from 10a.m till 7:30p.m or until the library closes, to complete our history essay which we had, very sadly, neglected since our presentation. Oh well... On a happier note, I had completed my composition yesterday and had sent it off to my violinist and pianist. Yay! All I have to do, with the help of my violinist, is to get the bowing done right.

Thursday's evening (yestereve by a few hours) was spent with the "Gangsters" (all eight of us; myself, Char, Enx, Juls, LH, WX, ZQ and Looky) to celebrate Char's birthday. Dinner was on her at the Singapore Recreation Club. It was actually on her parents but we shall leave it as it is. After dinner, we had a little presents-opening ceremony and then a few group photos. There were two highlights of the presents-opening part; Looky and Enx bought almost exactly the same present from almost the same shop. What was different was that Enx's present to Char contains only the first four letters of the birthday girl's name while Looky's contains her full name. They bought the presents from different outlets of Precious Thots. Hhahhahha! The second highlight came in the form of LH's, Juls' and WX's present (three of them shared the present). They got for her a soft toy parrot ALL THE WAY from Jurong Birdpark. (!!!) The parrot is a continuation of a joke and nickname the "twins" a.k.a LH and Looky made up. What was more interesting was that ZQ gave her a soft toy penguin. Two different species of birds. Hahaha!

After dinner, we walked to not-so-many places. This was because we all could not decide on a place to go to. In the end, we all, except Enx, had a cuppa at Hongkong Cafe (Marina Sq.). Enx left much earlier than us while we were there playing Hangman. I should spell it as Hangmen as we played many rounds of it. Haha! Finally left the place at about 10:55p.m.

It was nice to have everybody around celebrating together even though it got colder by the second *glares at two young boys who enjoyed making our lives terrible with their constant lame-ness*. Next up, it will be Juls and I. We will be celebrating our birthdays together next friday and I do not think all eight of us will be celebrating together. Can not believe that I will be turning 19 soon. Sigh... I do not think I want to grow up. To grow up means that I will have to do all those important and responsible things. Sigh... But I do not have a choice. Sigh... Therefore, I will have to accept my fate.

Yawn...!!! Tired. So much work left to do but must get it done all the same.

Please check my previous post for my birthday wishlist. Please keep in mind that No. 1 is quite a popular birthday present idea, so please DO NOT GET ME A WATER BOTTLE UNLESS YOU HAD ALREADY TOLD ME ABOUT IT OR I HAD REQUESTED IT FROM YOU or else I will end up with a bottle each day. Another ideal gift will be a CD of Celtic songs (instrumental and vocal). Thank you.

A long time (ago)... Updated!

2007-02-12T15:05:00.000+08:00

Updated list of my birthday wishlist

Right. It has been a very long time since I last blogged. My dear Harmony group is now having a meeting in the library, and as I am the "secretary", I have to take note of what everyone is going to do. However, I am quite lost on who is suppose to do what. Please excuse me while I listen in on my group-members...

This February is going to be really hectic, especially during the last week of the month. The Chorus had performed EW's "Voices of the Wind" last wednesday evening, which was, in my own personal opinion, nicely done. (Thank goodness we were singing only one piece otherwise we would had collapsed on stage!)

The Chamber Choir will be having our own concert this coming wednesday afternoon during Music Platform, singing such sad pieces... sigh... (on Valentine's Day, for goodness sake!) Yes, and for that, we all turned up at about 10 this morning to rehearse for this concert. Because of that, I am now feeling horrendiously tired and what is worse, there will be a Commuter Concert tonight, and I will probably fall asleep through the Brass Quintet performance.

The last week of the month will be hectic. Something important happens everyday that week. And that week ends with my birthday, which happens to be three days before the start of the school exams. What a way to celebrate my 19th birthday. Drats... On the bright side, there will be 3 months odd of holidays for us after this.

My classmate asked me what I want for my birthday, and truth be told, I do not feel like celebrating it. This is a list of what I want (it is basically anything that is practical to me):

1. Water-bottle (safety level mark of 5 and above) (all other colours except pink, red and orange)
2. Pencil case (cloth-type, black, blue or brown colours please)
3. Handphone pouch (Japanese material)
4. Deuter Backpack/Totebag
5. Celtic songs
6. Bleach DVD 6 onwards
7. Cream/white Vespa
8. Cream/ white Piaggio MP3

Well, Nos. 5 and 6 are not practical but they are something that I like. As for item numbers seven and eight, does anybody want to sponser me? Wahahahahahahhahaha...!!!

OK. I best stop here. God only knows why am I suffering from such flu-like symptoms of sneezing.

History Essay Presentation

2007-01-26T13:57:00.000+08:00

Well, the history essay presentation went quite smoothly, especially after the two of us practiced about three times reading through the script before the lecture. But then again, RK went into "panic" mode after our presentation because when we last saw her and let her vett our presentation "script", she only skimmed through all. She "paniced" as our last point(s) were not relevant enough to answering the first part of the question.

So, it is back to the computer for us both. However, we decided to take a break till after my CD&T1 presenation is over on Wednesday. So, there you go. We have a lot of work to do which I must force myself to be buried and not come up for air till the day we hand in the completed work, or earlier, that is if we are on the right track.

Hungry!!!

2007-01-24T20:03:00.000+08:00

It is now 8:02pm. I am still in school with my Ever-the-Greatest-Working-Partner Neko, working damn freaking hard on the script for tomorrow's history essay presentation. Good grief! And we are totally hungry!!!

We are now approaching the end of our script with constant pestering from our favourite little boy to watch a video clip on his _________________ (go figure).

Right. On with my work.

Back to normal

2007-01-17T16:29:00.000+08:00

Things are back to normal between Someone and me. I sent an SMS to Someone yesterday and we are more or less on talking terms now. So, how do I feel now? Relieved.

I find fighting with friends to be more painful than fighting with one's own family. I wonder why.

To clarify matters, Someone happens to be a close NAFA friend since the first year. *Shoots daggers at Ah-Man-Da using eyes...*

So, let us see how things will continue to be like for the rest of the week.

CRAP!

2007-01-15T18:04:00.000+08:00

I am not having dinner today. Or rather, I am not having dinner with Someone and Someone Else. Yes, I am still seething and I am sure that nothing good will come out of seeing that particular Someone. And yes, I admit that I am being childish. And another yes, I am still feeling full after lunch.

Good grief! Why the bloody hell am I letting this stupid nonsense affect me this much???!!! WHY WHY WHY???!!!

Crap!!!

Seething...

2007-01-15T16:53:00.000+08:00

Alright. The beginning of another school week and so far, things are not exactly great.

You see, I had a "fight" with Someone-Who-Shall-Remain-Anonymous during lunch.

It all started during Chorus this morning with me wanting to tell Someone my honest opinions about what that Someone is doing with that Someone's relationship with Someone Else. And Someone wanted me to say it out, which I did. Things then snowballed during lunch and ended with both sides seething.

During Piano Performance Class, I received an SMS from Someone but only read it after class ended as my mobilephone was in my bag. After reading it, I promptly deleted it.

Me ranting about this will be the first and last time on Blogger as I see no point in continuing with such nonsense.

Relationships. It becomes a huge problem if one does not know how to"juggle", especially with two suitors by the side. Sadly, one of these suitors happened to be quite a naive person. Sad.

Whatever. It is and was not my problem so I should never have been involved in this mess. It is just one of those sad times in life. Let us all see what will happen tomorrow.

Back to School

2007-01-10T13:10:00.000+08:00

Hello my good people.

It is the start of a new school term, which happens to be the final term before our very long end-of-academic-year break. So, are you feeling excited??? Well, I am quite excited. However, I have to get through the various presentations and examinations before I can be free of school for three months. Woohoo!!!

Anyway, this is the first week of school but my body has been so used to being lazy for the past two week (yes! It has only been two weeks!) that it somehow does not want to function properly, like keeping awake during the day. Argh! This is irritating!!!

So, today is a Wednesday. We handed up the last of our written assignment for CT&D1 and began the presentations. Shaun presented on 'Haiku for Dummies' which resulted in the three of us, namely myself, Neko and Char, writing english haikus about our favourite little boy. Right, girls??? LOL! It was really fun. (Haikus written today are posted in my other blog.) Haha! :D

Neko is now multi-tasking; reading about Bartok and blogging. Speaking about Bartok, we were at the NIE library looking for books on the late guy before signing up for the library membership. While waiting for the system to "digest" our information, we went to the inhouse cafe for a drink, read monday's newspapers and, naturally, to chat. :)

What can I say now? Hmmm... The Vocal students are putting up a concert tonight together with the orchestra. They will be performing excerpts from operas. How interesting...

Well, I do not think I have anything else to mention. So, there.

Oh! I will not be having class till 5pm today. Haha! 4 hours worth of break for my working partner and I to get some things done. Unfortunately, I am not helping her. Oops!

So, to borrow a quote from our favourite boy...

"C'ya around!"

Attack of the Loanshark-runners

2007-01-03T01:56:00.000+08:00

I am excited, so excited that I must blog about it.

Loanshark-runners striked again about 40 minutes ago. And no, it is not me in trouble but one of my neighbours. The targeted one had paid up the loan some time ago, but no, they would not leave the family alone. Well, unfortunately for those runners, my neighbours were prepared for them since the last paint-bombing. There were two cases within these past six months. My neighbours installed a security-alarm and a CCTV system less than a week ago. In a sense, they were really fortunate. The police was out on the road, standing infront of the house and taking photos of the paint attack for evidence. I am not sure whether they caught the perpetrators but it seems like their getaway car is parked really near by (from my look-out perch i.e. outer balcony, I saw the neighbours and my busy-body of a Father surrounding the unknown car).

It was about 1.25+a.m. I was sitting here before the computer doing I-could-not-remember-what when I heard violent movements, followed by a line of Hokkien curses. For a moment I thought it was coming from my Dad downstairs. But on further listening, I realised that it was coming from my neighbour. I then rushed out to the outer balcony, which overlooks the street, where I saw one of my neighbour's sons running out of the gate after another person, whom I shall assume is a guy. What I saw was red paint on the front porch of my neighbours'. Judging by the time it happened and the amount of paint there, I deduced that the runners only had time for one bottle of paint before my vigilant neighbour sprang out of the house and was after them.

Spare me a few minutes as I go check out the latest happenings from my perch.

Alright. I am back. The neighbour's son was signing something for the policeman, most likely a statement. The neighbours were talking to two other members of the neighbourhood. Nothing more to report.

So, what is (are) the lesson(s) of this episode?

1. Never ever borrow money from anyone. Especially from Loansharks.
2. Never ever become a loanshark-runner. It does not pay well and the result of being caught by the police is never a good thing.
3. Be vigilant, and if you must, be a busybody. Like my dad.

This is aMrie, reporting "live" from Mangis Road.

2nd January A.D 2007

2007-01-02T22:08:00.000+08:00

Hello dearies.

Did you miss me? I missed you too. It has been a year since I had written, has it not?

Hahaha! Crazy ass... So, as it is now the second day of the new year, has anyone made a new year's resolution? I did not. Alright. I did. To be less lazy. And to lose some weight or else maintain it. Drats...

I am being stressed by assignments that are due this month. And it is not one but three!!! Good grief! I feel as if I am being swarmed. Literally. I need a strong and solid stick to cling on to or else I will just be swallowed into the dead marshes. Will you stop complaining about your school work??? You always get them done on time so stop your whining. Remember that I am your conscience. Right. Conscience.

What am I doing?! I am crapping! Aargh...!!! No more typing until I straighten out my thoughts. Damn.

LIFE BOOSTER

2007-01-02T22:03:00.000+08:00

*Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop; Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.*

*Always try to help a friend in need*

*Believe in yourself*

*Be brave...but it's ok to be afraid sometimes*

*Study hard*

*Give lots of kisses*

*Laugh often*

*Don't be overly concerned with your weight, it's just a number*

*Always try to see the glass half full*

*Meet new people, even if they look different to you*

*Remain calm, even when it seems hopeless*

*Take lots of naps..*

*Be weird whenever you have the chance*

*Love your friends, no matter who they are*

*Don't waste food*

*RELAX*

*Take an occasional risk*

*Try to have a little fun each day. ...it's important*

*Work together as a team*

*Share a joke with friends*

*Fall in love with someone..*

*...and say "I love you" often*

*Express yourself creatively*

*Be conscious of your appearance*

*Always be up for surprises*

*Love someone with all of your heart*

*Share with friends*

*Watch your step*

*It will get better* *

There is always someone who loves you more than you know*

*Exercise to keep fit*

*Live up to your name*

*Seize the Moment*

*Hold on to good friends; they are few and far between*

*Indulge in the things you truly love*

*Cherish every Sunday*

*At the end of the day... PRAY*

*....... and close your eyes*

*And smile at least once a day!*

Christmas Eve

2006-12-24T15:05:00.000+08:00

It's already Christmas Eve! Yay!!! My presents from friends have been in for a few days now. Even the new Josh Groban CD my kor bought for me Christmas present has been in for a few weeks now. Cannot wait to open it. :)

The family will be heading down to my uncle's later for dinner instead of having it as usual; on Christmas Day itself. Well, the party organisers decided to change the time so what can we do about it... And I was suppose to have a nap... Yawn...

I am totally looking forward to Boxing Day. Firstly, there will be an Ahma_N_Co. gathering at Mandy's and then I will be traveling north to join the Gangsters at Juls' in Bishan. Happy! :D

Most of NAFA's Yr. 2s attended GTC's concert at the VCH on thursday and I met my old school choir conductor! Mr. Liew still looks young. What am I saying? It sounds like I did not see him for years when it was only two years ago. Wow... Time really flies... Anyway, GTC's concert was cool especially where the two choirs, Amadeus Choir and Victoria Chorale, sang 'Silent Night', the very same piece which the NAFA Chorus could not come close to perfecting it. Such shame... I agree with Neko. This has something to do with size. The bigger the group, the harder it will be to coordinate the singing.

I am now on two weeks of Christmas vacation and during these two weeks, I have a lot of reading to do for the History assignment(s) and presentation, for the Choral Direction & Training (CDT) assignment and presentation, and to practise hard, with memorisation, on the piano. So much to do... Sigh...

There is a shower of rain right now. Well, at least this is a thousand times better than what happened on tuesday, where it rained day and night, resulting in a flooding in the Bukit Timah/Thomson Road area and the overspilling of the reservoirs in that area. Thank God there was not any floodings over in the east.

Alright. I think I shall go play Maplestory as it was a long time I was there.

To everyone;

Have a ...

Merry and Blessed Christmas

and a

Fruitful and Peaceful New Year!!!

God Bless. :)

Lateral Thinking

2006-12-19T14:51:00.001+08:00

This puzzle is called Lateral Thinking . . . Just Check This Out ! ! !! Scroll down slowly and be honest to yourself. Think like a wizard . . .

man
1. ------------
board

Ans. = man overboard

Okay, let's see if you've got the hang of it.

stand
2. ------------
i

Ans. = I understand

OK . . . Got the drift ? Let's try a few now and see how you fare.

3. /r/e/a/d/i/n/g/

Ans. = reading between the lines

4. r
road
a
d

Ans. = cross road

Not having a good day now, are you ? Redeem yourself.

5. cycle cycle cycle

Ans. = tricycle

Not easy to figure out ha!

0
6. ------------
M.D.
Ph.D.

Ans. = two degrees below zero

C'mon give it a little thought ! !

knee
7. ------------
light

Ans. = neon light ( knee - on - light )

U can prove u r smart by getting this one.

ground
8. ---------------
feet feet feet feet feet feet

Ans. = six feet underground

Oh no, not again ! !

9. he's X himself

Ans. = he's by himself

Now u messing up big time.

10. ecnalg

Ans. = backward glance

Not even close ! !

11. death .. life

Ans. = life after death

Okay last chance ..................

12. THINK Ans. = think big ! !

And the last one is real fundoo - - -

13. ababaaabbbbaaaabbbbababaabbaaabbbb...

Ans. = long time no 'C' ( see )

INSTALLING LOVE

2006-12-19T14:45:00.000+08:00

Tech Support: Yes, ... how can I help you?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love. Can you guide me though the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I can help you. Are you ready to proceed?

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your Heart. Have you located your Heart?

Customer: Yes, but there are several other programs running now. Is it okay to install Love while they are running?

Tech Support: What programs are running?

Customer: Let's see, I have Past Hurt, Low Self-Esteem, Grudge and Resentment running right now

Tech Support: No problem, Love will gradually erase Past Hurt from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory but it will no longer disrupt other programs. Love will eventually override Low Self-Esteem with a module of its own called High Self-Esteem. However, you have to completely turn off Grudge and Resentment. Those programs prevent Love from being properly installed. Can you turn those off?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: With pleasure. Go to your start menu and invoke Forgiveness. Do this as many times as necessary until Grudge and Resentment have been completely erased.

Customer: Okay, done! Love has started installing itself. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other Hearts in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops! I have an error message already. It says, "Error - Program not run on external components ." What should I do?

Tech Support: Don't worry. It means that the Love program is set up to run on Internal Hearts, but has not yet been run on your Heart. In non-technical terms, it simply means you have to Love yourself before you can Love others.

Customer: So, what should I do?

Tech Support: Pull down Self-Acceptance; then click on the following files: Forgive-Self; Realize Your Worth; and Acknowledge your Limitations.

Customer: Okay, done.

Tech Support: Now, copy them to the "My Heart" directory. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching faulty programming. Also, you need to delete Verbose Self-Criticism from all directories and empty your Recycle Bin to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My heart is filling up with new files. Smile is playing on my monitor and Peace and Contentment are copying themselves all over My Heart. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes awhile, but eventually everything gets it at the proper time. So Love is installed and running. One more thing before we hang up. Love is Freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everyone you meet. They will in turn share it with others and return some cool modules back to you.

Customer: Thank you, God.

NAIL IN THE FENCE

2006-12-19T14:39:00.000+08:00

Make sure you read all the way down to the last sentence. (Most importantly the last sentence.)
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. " A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. Friends are very rare jewels, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share words of praise and they always want to open their hearts to us."

Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND, even if it means sending it back to the person who sent it to you. If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

YOU ARE MY FRIEND AND I AM HONORED!

Now send this to every friend you have!! And to your family. Please forgive me if I have ever left a hole.

6 Days to Christmas

2006-12-19T13:48:00.000+08:00

Hello. I know I did not blog for 2 over weeks now, so please excuse me until the holidays are over and the kids have gone back to school. There is a problem with my internet connection which problem, I believe, lies with the heavy usage of the I.P. So there.

Yes. It is that time of year where commercialism rules under the pretext of A Season of Giving. Well, it is true that Christmas is the time where the giving is more important than receiving, but that does not mean that the recipient does n0t accept the thoughtfulness of the giver *glares at certain BOY*. The lights and decorations along Orchard Road were up since mid-November but I feel that it is all not very pretty. Something is missing. Hmmm...

So, it had been eventful for the past days (can not say ''past few days'' as it has been more than a few days). I enjoyed yesterday's events. We did carolling in the NAFA library instead of having the Christmas concert tonight, which is, sadly, cancelled due to "Unforseen circumstances". It was fun. Chamber Choir went onto the platform first (yes, there is a wooden platform in a corner of the library). When it came to the Chorus' turn, all of us had to squeeze into that small area. Whatever it was, we all had fun.

After that, we, us 4 girls and ZQ, went for lunch at a coffee-shop in between Campuses 1 & 2. It is a new place which we had never eaten at before. We went back to school for piano performance class (I have to play on the 8th of January). After one hour, Neko accompanied me to Beads Hub to get some beads, naturally. They are having a 30% discount. What I bought yesterday should amount to $9.10 on a usual day, because of the discount, I spent $3-odd less. Maybe I shall go there again later. Haha!

Right. I am feeling tired now even though I had about 8 hours of sleep.

Anaemic. Damn.

Three

2006-12-06T14:35:00.000+08:00

I am happy. Well, sort of. Actually, it is a post-Monday effect. If you had read Juls' blog, we five, four girls and a guy, went to watch Three, a chorus concert put up by three different choirs from three different countries; namely Singapore, Japan and the Philippines, at the Esplanade on Monday night. I must add that it was the first time we skipped Commuter Concert. Woohoo!!! It was good. No. Good is an understatement. It was faboulous. The three choirs performed three combined works. One by our NAFA's very own Americ Goh, another by Ko Matsushita and the last one was commissioned for this concert. I agree with Juls that the Singapore Chorus choice of pieces were rather ... hmmm .... I shall leave that blank. But the other two were incredible. The Japanese choir sang their conductor's, Ko Matsushita's, works and they were all very catchy and fun pieces. I really like their last piece, 'Shinjuru' or 'Believe' in Japanese. It was really moving. I shall use this same word to describe the Philippines' repertoire, which comprised of sacred, secular/folk and pop music. I really like their 'I Believe' piece, taken from the Roman Catholic's the Apostles Creed, which caused me to have a sense of pride while hearing it. I do not know why but that was what I felt. After the concert ended, I went out to the Japanese and the Philippines booths and bought from them a CD each. The feeling I got while listening to the CDs simply can not replace the feeling that I got while being in the concert hall during the actual performance. All I could feel was satisfaction. I do not regret spending $20 on the ticket. Sigh... It was so beautiful... More sighs...

Right then. I best return to my composition, which is due tomorrow. :s

Ciao! :)

Dedication....

2006-12-04T15:45:00.000+08:00

Right. This entry is dedicated to The Baka Neko who is right now sitting infront of me, talking to her lover and who was nagging at me for not updating this blog.

I am now sitting in the NAFA Library, supposedly doing composition of 16 bars but not doing so. Simply can not get any ideas or inspiration to compose. Sigh...

I finally finished watching 'My Lovely Samsoon' last night/this early morning and I was rather disappointed at the ending. The whole story plot is interesting, as in it deals with 'a very modern day woman's problem', i.e. being a plumpish 30 years old who is looking for love desperately and finally found it in a guy who is 3 years her junior. So... what do you all think about such a situation? I do not think I will ever do what she, Sam Soon, did because I will probably give up on ever finding love and become an old spinster.

It is nice to dream... Yup.

Did I mention that my parents are finally home??? No? Alright then. I just did. Yayyyyy!!! New clothes to wear!!! Lalala... :P

Alright. I am going back to do some work, hopefully.

Tally-ho!

ipod nano!

2006-11-27T00:12:00.000+08:00

Fickleness. Or fickle-mindedness. Whichever you prefer, it also refers to me. (A/N: check Enx's blog.) Remember my 'dilemma'? Well... I got the ipod nano. My dear brother was at the store today when he messaged me saying that the ipod 4gb was selling at $320, including a silicone case. After I thought about it, I agreed and, like they say, the rest is history. I wanted a white one, but Kor suggested a black. So, OK. He called a minute later and I knew that there was none of the black ones left. So, what colour did I choose? The answer is very obvious, especially if you had been paying attention so far.

So, here I am, sitting, typing and listening to the songs I managed to sync to the ipod. Good for me.

I can not believe I will be parting with a huge sum of money. Money that is needed to pay for this ipod (Yes, I owe my brother), my mobile phone bills (for two months), my Australia trip and the monthly milk-money to my parents. My allowance for November will be used up and I have a feeling I will have to dig into the October savings. So... I am a spender. Sigh...

My Christmas tree is partially done. The angel is already up on top of the tree, while a few baubles and other ornaments are hanging on the branches. Another thing, I have yet to clean the furniture and take out the Nativity Scene Set but I had tied up the old newspapers and put them in a corner for Daddy to sell to the rag-and-bone man when Daddy gets home. Good for me. :)

I have yet to start on that NIE essay, which I am hoping and praying to do so when I get back from school in the afternoon since there will not be any Piano Performance Class in the afternoon.

I am now considering whether or not I should join one of the choirs at OLPS after hearing them during a youth mass on saturday. Another thing is whether I should join them in the near future or when I am working. Sigh... Those people need help.

Well, I shall get back to sync-ing my music tracks.

Ta-taa!

24 Nov 06 Bibliophile

2006-11-27T00:03:00.000+08:00

I am mad. That much I admit of myself. Truthfully, there is another thing. I am a pure bookworm, resulting in a bibliophile and you should seriously check out my collection of music books. You see, (A/N: check previous post) Kinokuniya, the bookstore, is having a 20% discount for all members happening today and tomorrow. Therefore, little ole’ me took a stroll under the not-so-heavy rain there, Bugis Junction, after lessons today, which resulted in 12 Chinese comics and an English book. (I got my Goong comics! Yay! For now, I got to wait patiently for book #13 to be out.) I was also tempted to buy a pair of shoes, a tee from Outfitters and the DVD set of ‘My Lovely Samsoon’. Unfortunately, I had only $10 plus left in my purse, thus, I did not buy anymore. More reasons for me to go shopping again! Haha!

Here is a list of what I spent on today:
Lunch – Fishball Noodles - $3.00
Books from Kinokuniya – 13 items - $68.75
Stationery from A “n” BC – 4 items - $5.80
Snack – Sushi box-set - $2.00
Grand Total (after less): $79.55

A breakdown of the books and stationery I bought:
Comics – Goong (!!!) – 2x$6.27
- 4x$6.32
- 3x$6.31
- $6.28
- Detective Conan Special Version – 2x$5.00
English Book – Eldest - $12.92
Total (w/o discounts): $82.51

File – Sale item - $1.00
Clear plastic wrap for books - $2.50
G1 Grip Pilot 0.5 Black - $1.45
G1 Grip Pilot 0.5 Black Refill - $0.85

I must start thinking what presents to get for the family. Think, think, think!

One thing good about shopping alone is that the mind is focused on getting (a) certain something(s), therefore, the time taken is much shorter and the buying process is done faster. But it means one cannot really enjoy browsing unlike shopping with someone else, which is ten times more fun. I am sure many other people will agree with me that it is more fun to shop with only two people, but not in a group.

Oh well… There is a couple of essays I got to do, such as the one on ‘My Ideal Music Education’ or something along that line, and another two for Choral Training & Direction. Oh well…

Ciao!

Of Twigs, Snowmen and Checkered Shirts.

2006-11-20T22:31:00.000+08:00

I am in a dilemma right now. I am thinking really hard whether I should buy myself an iPod or not, since there is a promotion going on till the 24th, Friday. I mean: do I really need an iPod that badly??? There are many things I can buy using the equal sum of money spent on an iPod. Not only that, I just receive an email from Kinokuniya Bookstore. They are offering a 20%-storewide discount to all Priveledge cardholders on the 24th! Think of all the books and comics I can buy! Yes, yes. I am a pure bookworm. So... I shall pass up on the iPod. Till next time, that is.

Right. Let's talk about my school-life. Today is the start of the 3rd week of school and I have an essay that deals with a lot of reading, which is due this coming wednesday. Unfortunately, I was already turned off just by reading the first sentence of the reading in the library this afternoon. Sigh... So much to read, yet so little is needed to write. Sigh...

There was Commuter concert this evening, and as usual, I fell asleep. However, there was a fairly good reason behind it. The programme consisted of 20th-century music, which I totally know neither head nor tail about. The pianist, a Korean lady, Lee Jung-Hwa, gave us 2 encore pieces. Thank goodness those two had nothing to do with the 20th-century repetoire. She played a Chopin nocturne, which I could not for-the-life-of-me remember the number, and Schubert's Moments Musical No. 2. Speaking of which, it was purely coincidental that Enx and I heard two different pieces of the Moments Musical today. EL let us Teaching group watch a DVD on an international piano competition during Piano class this afternoon, and one of the competitors played Moments Musical No. 3. Wow... What a pleasant coincidence...

That reminds me... I did not touch my piano for five days now. Oh boy... I am so dead if Ms Lim ever finds that out. Haha! Better practise/practice in the morning.

The girls and myself had a lovely afternoon in the library, discussing our Harmony homework and Korean hunks. We continued our conversation during dinner at Burger King about twigs, snowmen and checkered shirts. We had a lovely time there.

There is a crazy and huge mosquito flying about in my room, trying its hardest to feed off my blood. My blood must be really sweet. How delightful.

I shall return to my harmonic dictation before preceeding to Intensive Reading.

Cheerio! :)

I am RIGHT!

2006-11-17T22:22:00.000+08:00

I am such a genius. Well, not exactly. If you happen to be reading or have already read today’s Today paper and if you had read my previous post, you will realise that I am right in my theory of the latest James Bond film. And to set the record straight, I did not know the plot at all until I was sitting in the cinema for 2 and ½ hours.

Read this excerpt which I took this from Today’s edition of Plus (17 November 2006), written by Neil Humphreys.

‘So, the Bond-making Broccoli family have made the only decision available: Take him back to the beginning.

Casino Royale is the first Fleming novel and the only one that has not been mad by an official Broccoli production house. It is the ultimate prequel: The story predates 20 other movies to depict the birth of an assassin.’

And from the same edition of the newspaper, here is an excerpt from a film review by Felix Chong, who gave a summary of the entire film.

‘Cruel rather than cool, street-smart rather than suave, his is a Bond who’s equal parts vulnerability and menace. He makes mistakes. He has an uneasy working relationshipwith his boss, M ( Judi Dench). He gets hurt in fisticuffs. He doesn’t just dust himself off, as Roger Moore once did, with a wink and a wisecrack.

This is where Casino Royale holds the trump card: 007 is flawed and – gasp – actually human.’

So, we all know.

They say this of love, “Once bitten, twice shy.” In Bond’s case, many times shy.

I also realised that many of the Bond Girls never did have a happy ending.

Oh well, how else are we going to get such a good plot? Haha!

Did I mention before that Daniel Craig is a good actor and that he has a very lean body even though he has a craggy face? No offence, Mr. Craig.

Cherio!

16th Nov 2006 - Casino Royale!

2006-11-17T00:18:00.000+08:00

I am now sitting in front of my laptop, blogging about my rather eventful day while brushing my wet hair and talking to two weirdos about our very strong feelings regarding a common topic and "literature". Muahahahaha...! Sorry girls. :D Anyway, it had been a long time since we four girls had a time together watching a film. And it was not any ordinary film. It was the latest James Bond one: Casino Royale. How cool! Yayy!!! Kudos to the director and to Fleming guy for the film, and to DMG & Partners for sponsering the premier at Cathay Cineplex Orchard. :)

The following is about my feelings with regard to the film.

There is some sort of heaviness in my heart. It maybe due to the tragic ending which I had anticipated after 3/4 of the film. The film had an amount of slowness and surprises. The slowness of the plot might had been done to keep the audience in suspense, which I admit was effective enough. Same goes to the surprises of voilent deaths. Whatever it is, I had form a theory while sitting through 2 and 1/2 hours. Even though the timeline of the plot is set post-911 a.k.a modern day, I had a nagging suspicion that the plot was meant for the beginning of 007 because of ...

1. M said somewhere in the first-quarter, "I knew I shouldn't had promoted you too soon..."
2. And at the end of the whole film, there was his, James Bond's, very famous line, "Bond. James Bond." And viola!
3. There is a degree of roughness and violence found in the film. It gives me the feeling of watching a very 'young' and 'inexperienced' Bond who was not that suave as in the other Bond films.
4. Ever wondered why is it that Bond, in all the other films, hardly profess his love to his lady, except this one??? Ever considered the idea of him having a tragic relationship with his lady-love, where she died during a very complicated twist of events in order to save him??? How cliche... That is what keeps the story going.

OK. My eyelids are closing on me and I am trying my hardest to keep them open. I wonder why I am so sleepy. Yawn...

I am left at home with only my dog for the next 2 weeks and then, Mum will be back from China with my tailored clothes! Yayy! More new clothes! :)

Well. It is already friday. T.G.I.F!!! Heehee! Chamber choir in less than 12 hours. If it was not for the premiere being on the thursday, we would had gone to the Esplanade to support GTC and his saxophone concert. Haha! Random...

Right. I hope my readers will not be so lazy as to not tagged on my board. *Hint-hint*

Year 2, Semester 2: Week 1 Down.

2006-11-11T22:22:00.000+08:00

It has been a pretty good week of school, even though the assignments had already poured in. I am starting to feel the heat, albeit the cool rains of the monsoon. Drats. I am thinking of Geography when I am not even doing that subject. Oh! The heartache... And the headache I am getting just by thinking about all the assignments I have to complete by Christmas. Good grief!

Let me clue you in on my new subjects; Composition and Choral Direction.

Choral Direction lasts for 3 hours straight every Wednesday from 9am. It is fun, especially with Ms Tham and Albert, but quite tough, especially with all the reading and planning. I wonder how on earth am I going to survive when I do take on a choir. On a happier note, the 1st assignment will not be due till 2 weeks later from the date-of-issue. You made it sound like some canned food. Oh, not you again... What? It is too bad if you do not like me. Blah! :P Great. Anyway, I have to read up an article on conducting and write an essay on it. Remind me to wear either my three-quarts of jeans on Wednesday. Did you hear me? Huh? Were you talking to me? Yes. I was talking to you, thus acknowledging your presence. Oh... I am so honoured. Sigh... *Shakes head slowly and sadly while walking away slowly...*

On the other hand, Composition lecture lasts for only an hour on Thursday mornings. And boy were we happy when we heard this change of duration the day before. Lecture was ... slack? The same applies to the tutorial session on Friday. I do not know... Maybe it was just me feeling that way. However, time passed by quickly during those periods of time. So, you enjoyed Composition? Perhaps I did. Let us see whether my feelings will be the same for the next session. Besides, I better start on the piece homework soon.

Maybe on Monday with my favourite Baka Moo-ta Neko at TCC. I have to agree with Doggie (Author's Note: Read my tagboard.). That Neko has a likable face. And I find that same likable face a calming influence. Haha! I hope you all are not thinking what I think you all are thinking. So, do not be mistaken by my words. I am straight. Straight as an arrow. Not a single lump, bumb, twist or even a turn can be found on my self. So there.

I am looking forward to the next Chorus and Chamber Choir practice. How apt. Chorus begin the week while Chamber Choir ends it. I am happy, yet stressed. :)

The SaT Page is Updated.

2006-11-06T23:46:00.000+08:00

The Stories and Travels Page

Is UPDATED!

click here

http://thesatpage.blogspot.com/

The First Day of Semester 2.

2006-11-06T22:08:00.000+08:00

I realised that I did not mention anything about school starting today. And so, I shall, albeit the lateness of such an announcment.

The first day of Semester 2 started today, on the 6 of November. And I was looking forward to Chorus because we were going to prepare for the Christmas concert. So fun! And it was. We are to sing 'Shepherds in the Field Abiding' and 'Three Kings of Orient', which are the traditional ones, and 'Silent Night', which was specially arranged by GTC for "Mixed Choir and Double bass Solo". We had fun doing our own counting while practising the 'Silent Night' as there were complex time signatures such as 7/8 and 9/8. Haha! Another reason was that we would get our individual comment sheet for P.S, which we, unfortunately, did not due to EL not knowing that he was suppose to have all our comment sheets. Oh well... Hopefully, we will all get it next monday. Cross fingers.

Two surprises today. Ong XM is back in NAFA. Do not have any idea who she is? Well, it is a long story and it really is not my problem. Haha! All I can say is that she caused some trouble to the other girls and was "outcasted". She left school sometime in the second semester of Yr. 1 after being absent from lessons for many days at a stretched. And she is now back as a Yr. 1 student, picking up where she left off, academically. As GTC exclaimed with surprised to the chorus this morning,"She is now known as Quinn." You should had seen his face. He was pure shocked. I too when I saw her this morning. I walked passed her without realising that she was standing at a side with another new girl until Enx told me. Oh well... Looks like there will be something exciting to watch out for. Haha! I am so evil.

The second surprise is this. I got a C for our short stinct in Brass Studies. And I was hoping for a D. Haha! Oh well... God is good to me. So is Jesus, Mary, my guardian angel, my grandparents, Blessed Barre and all those who prayed for me. :)

OK. So, what happened today? I forgot to bring my wallet and I only realised it when I was already in the bus as a "vision" of my wallet lying in my drawer came to my mind. After searching my bag, I told Enx about it and she offered to lend me money. How sweet of her... Naturally, I accepted her offer or else why on earth did I tell her about it? I aske for $50 and she asked me whether I was mad. But she loan that amount to me soon after I got to school. With that $50, it was down to $2.55 at the end of the day, which was after 4+ hours. Amazing? This was what I spent on.

1. Lunch: Burger King Meal. $6.45 (This is what happens when one does not have one's ENTIRE wallet.)
2. 2006 Korean Drama OST compilation. $7. (Could not help it as it has the Goong OST. :))
3. Kinokuniya Privilege Card. $21. (Been eyeing it for a few months now, especially after I saw the comics of Goong being sold there.)
4. Set of 5 pair of ear-studs from Diva. $13. (Need new ear-studs.)

I walked around Parco Bugis for a while more after Kinokuniya as it was still early. The problem was that I wanted to add in a new pair of shoes to the list above but I could not because of 2 reasons.

1. I was short of cash and
2. Mum would kill me.

So, what do you think? I do not want to know. So, please leave your honest opinion to yourself. Thank you very much. Haha!

I better go and do some stuff on my OTHER BLOG.

Ciao!

For the Love of Life, Youth and Fun...

2006-11-05T23:28:00.000+08:00

Ladies and gentlemen, after reading and viewing the photos in this blog, I, yours truly, aMrie, the blogger, asks of you to not have any "adverse dimensions" of a certain classmate of mine. After all those crazy photos posted here, this Certain Classmate of Mine had asked me to take down some of those said crazy photos. But for the love of life, youth and fun, I decided not to accede to his request.

What a sweet little boy... He was rather alarmed that all those crazy photos would reflect badly of himself onto the world. How sweet... However, you, my dear readers, must definitely agree with me that the boy looked cute in those photos. He was, and is, such a natural infront of the camera. Sigh... And he is adamant in me taking down some of those photos. What should I do? Even my dear Baka Neko put up the same photos in her blog, that was after she took mine. So, my question to him is this, "Why should I oblige you?" I shall stick to my initial decision no matter what his protests are. Ha ha ha.

The End.

Gangsters at Aloha Loyang - Epilogue

2006-11-05T00:17:00.000+08:00

I like the background of my new blogskin but I have no idea why there is so much space in between each photo and caption. And so, please do not blame me, my dear gentle viewers but help me to solve this problem.

Thank you.

P.S: I did all I can to make it look OK, including changing the size of the photos. So, HELP!

Gangsters at Aloha Loyang - Part 3 (Finale)

2006-11-04T23:48:00.000+08:00

Part 3 (Finale) of Gangsters at Aloha Loyang.

Birthday boy blowing out the candles.

Birthday boy cutting the cake.

The Gangsters. (Front row; left yours truly, right the spastic LH. Back row; left to right ZQ, Char, Juls and Enx.)

The Buddy-buddy photos.

Juls helping the Boy to cut his cake up.

3 November, Friday. Downtown East. Wanted to go to Escape Themepark but it was closed. So, we ended up walking around Downtown East before heading back to the chalet for a dip in the pool, wearing t-shirts and shorts. Haha!

That is the end of the photos. Yours truly could not be bothered with taking any photos of the BBQ that night. Juls and I stood at the BBQ pit for the beginning half, cooking our dinner and also for ZQ's family while the Boy worked hard for his dinner by keeping the two chefs cool i.e fanning us with plastic plates, and keeping the burning charcoal alive. We had stingray, prawns, sotong, otak-otak, satay, fishballs, crabsticks, plain fried beehoon, chicken curry, konniyaku and toasted marshmellows. Yum. A pity Enx was not with us but was in Desaru on that day. Haha! Oh well...

Char's parents were very kind to send us all home. Thus, Char, myself, Juls and LH squeezed ourselves into the back seats of the car. First stop, my place, then Juls, LH's, and finally homeward bound for Char and her parents.

I enjoyed myself. I totally did. Including the randomness, the squeezing, the tau-pok-ing, the bed-sharing, the half-naked boy and the hentai-ness of a certain someone. I really did.

Must go to Escape before the year's end. Must go. :)

Gangsters at Aloha Loyang - Part 2

2006-11-04T23:23:00.000+08:00

The second part to Gangsters at Aloha Loyang. The first part is below this entry.

My present to him. Bought from Melbourne. Haha!

And finally... Juls'! Secret Garden CDs! Limited Edition. Wow... Look at how happy he is!

The proud Mum-to-be striking a pose for the camera.

Randomness... Taken at Pasir Ris Park beach.

The hidden talent of LH. Ooh... O.o By the way, what happened to his hand?

Birthday boy with his birthday cake.

Birthday boy fervantly making his wish...es.

Gangsters at Aloha Loyang - Part 1

2006-11-04T22:46:00.000+08:00

Wah... My arm muscles are aching right now due to the "strainous" swimming done yesterday. I am sure you must be asking what had happened yesterday. Well, you should take a look at this...

02 November, Thursday, Aloha Loyang.

On the bus to Downtown East before walking to Aloha Loyang. (Foreground: center Enx, right myself. Background: left ZQ, center LH, right Juls.)

LH, in person.

Where did that hand come from???

The girls' room.

LH being his usual self; Spastic.
(Taken with hidden camera. Waha! :P)

The birthday boy with his presents. Yours truly still can not believe that he is already 18...

The Gift Unwrapping Ceremony, starting with Enx's. A card and a Laos keychain.
But err... why does this photo look so wrong???

I am very Sorry.

2006-11-01T22:13:00.000+08:00

Ok. I am feeling very bad right now. I promised Juls a week ago that I would buy from her Mozart Sonata Vol. 1. However, due to either reasons; my brain going towards another stage or my eyes were really playing tricks on me, I bought from Gramercy Music Shop Mozart Sonata Vol. 1 instead of Vol. 2. !!! I only realised it when I got home. What was worse was that I had my "shopping" list with me at the shop and I reminded myself yesterday evening by sending an SMS to me that I was going to get the Vol. 1 from Juls. How wondrous...

I feel so bad now. It is not that I "decided not to buy" the book, it was that I ... AAARRRGGGHHHH...!!! And gosh! You do not have to put it in such a manner!

"apparently, the previous person who's supposingly to buy it decided not to buy it anymore."

I am very sorry, Ok? You do not have to make me feel even more miserable.

I got every item on my list of books Ms Lim recommanded me (17 in all), saved for that Vol. 2, thus, spending a total of $337.40. Thank goodness Mum had her Nets, otherwise I had no idea how I was going to pay that amount. And I thought $200 would be enough...

Right. Advertisment time.

MOZART SONATA VOL. 2. $33.60 (AFTER DISCOUNT OF 30%). BRAND NEW! STILL IN PLASTIC WRAPPER.
CONTACT ME OR JULS.

I Failed that Stinking Module by a FEW Marks... Blah! :P

2006-10-30T12:35:00.000+08:00

Righto. The latest news regarding my mysterious Aural and Sight-singing results is just in. All thanks to ZQ for finding it out for me. Arigato gozaimas', ZQ. :)

I failed the Aural test but passed the exam and GTC did include the gradings for the Sight-singing part, which I had passed. However, because of the Aural test results, it pulled my total grade for Aural down by a few marks. Thus, I failed the entire module.

And so, I, ZQ, Char and Dora will be sitting for the reassessment tomorrow at noon before heading of to NIE together. How interesting...

Blah!

EtHnOMusIcoLoGy

2006-10-27T23:03:00.000+08:00

I received this mass email from my Ethnomusicology lecturer and I found it damn funny which I really want to share with you all.

"dear ...notti...students...
those who got their results as failed for ethnomsuic and / or gamelan....
the reassessment is monday 9am for both courses. The exam will be similar to the last exam, same content to learn, i will ask mainly for the same topics but restructure the questions, maybe focus on another aspect of the same topic...e.g. instead of name and descibe 3 instruments from java and laos, i might ask for names of ensembles....
for gamelan shanti, and for ethnomusic jobyna will also have to play gamelan for me...old thing...eling eling...irama 1 going into 2

The exam was easy if you learn, like all my exams, unmanagable if you don't learn. There are A results, so it was not impossible.
i am getting some emotional sms from people not accepting that they failed, then i check on their papers, and half the paper is empty and the stuff written is pretty horrible....if gamelan students dont know the name of the instruments after 6 months playing (the javanese drum is NOT called ketupat!), or don't even know the name of the only 2 existing scales, and if you don't remember a single instrument from southeast asia after 14 sessions lecture about southeast asian music, if you still think, hornbostel sachs is a piano house, then rather consider apologizing for failing than playing the victim of unjust correction."

I read it just now and found it so hilarious that I nearly cried. Seriously... Whatever made those students think that a Javanese drum is called a ketupat? Those students were probably thinking about Hari Raya Puasa celebrations. Haha! Sigh...

I still can not believe I got a C for this subject. I am still thinking whether I should send him a email to find out how did I pass. Hmmm... Should I? Should I not? Should I? Should I not? Should I? Should I not? Should I? ...

Until Ep 3

2006-10-27T00:16:00.000+08:00

Right. I had watched My Lovely Samsoon only until episode 3 because there are only two available episodes on YouTube. And so, if any one has the full VCDs/DVDs, please kindly lend it to me. Thank you.

What shall I watch now???

Goong... The End.

2006-10-24T14:46:00.000+08:00

I just finished watching Goong and I can not help smiling like an idiot. I am such a sucker for 'happily-ever-endings'. And, Oh my goodness! Choi Sang Gung is so pretty especially after Chaegyung gave her a makeover. Hha! *smiles silly* Do you know Kang Hyun? She's CG's friend, the one with the spectacles and very straight long hair. That little side-story about one of Shin's friends "falling" for her was hilarious. Haha!

My next K-drama will be My Lovely Samsoon. Heehee! :)

I am such an addict...

Results!

2006-10-23T22:52:00.000+08:00

Well, well, well... Guess what happened. I received the results today and I was not and still am not happy with it. There happens to be a missing subject listed and that is Brass Studies or whatever you want to call it. The result for that was not listed on the piece of paper. Oh, I passed every other subject except for Aural & Sight-singing. Aaarrgghhh!!! I am so irritated!!! In the first place, we were only examined on Aural, without the Sight-singing component. Secondly, I had failed my Aural Term 1 test. Thirdly, HOW ON EARTH DID THEY DO THE STUPID BLOODY !@$#$%$%^%^&%&@#$!!@#@ MARKING???!!! AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH....................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so pissed off right now. I got a D for Principle Study. Deja vu! Just like the first semester of Year 1. Brilliant. Bloody brilliant. And there is Bach's Prelude and Fugue to prepare for the second semester's exam. How brilliant.

On a happier note, I passed History, which I had totally crapped through, MoA, which I had completed only 60% of the paper, Harmony, Ethnomusicology, which you better read in my many entries ago, and those two other subjects, Concert Attendance and Performance Project, which I had Bs for both. Amazing!

Mum accompanied me to the Esplanade library this afternoon as I wanted to borrow JS Bach's Prelude and Fugue Book 2, which I eventually did. After that, we walked around Marina Square and went through Robinsons at Raffles City before taking the bus home. There were some lovely Victorian-ish clothing and there was one black-and-white sleeveless dress that was really pretty. However, the prices were not very pretty. Sigh...

I miss Enx. I need someone to talk too, especially about school stuff. Venting my fustrations here is not enough. I need someone to listen to my woes and share my opinions. Sigh... Friends are trully invaluable. May God bless these friends.

I am going back to Goong-ing so that I can direct my extra energy on Shin, Yul and Chaegyung for those three are totally stupid. Stupid, stupid, STUPID!!! Aaaarrrrgggggggggghhhhh...!!!

To Dream or Not to Dream

2006-10-21T14:04:00.000+08:00

Juls and I had a very interesting conversation in the wee hours of the morning. It happened while I was, in her very own words, "Goong-ing" episode 11 on YouTube(TM)(C). (Goong or Princess Hours can be found on Channel U, Mondays-Fridays at 7.30pm.) You will find something like this on her own blog. Well, from talking about Yul and Shin, we drifted off to another topic about dreaming. K-dramas, or rather, the people behind them had very much epitomised any and every girl's Prince Charming/ Knight in Shining Amour. Caring, sweet, charming, good-looking, (a bit proud,) and definitely rich, is it not every girl's dream? It is precisely almost every girl's dream-guy that we can hardly find one in this world. Haha!

I said to Juls, "It is nice to dream because dreams hardly come true." That is why I continue to dream; dream that Prince Charming will save me from an evil witch or fiery dragon, sweep me off my feet onto his white horse and ride into the sunset, and his castle where we will leave happily ever after. Too good to be true? Lol! That is why I dream, just like all normal human beings.

Another question that Juls asked me, was I going to remain single or become a sister? My answer to that is this. Remaining single is one of two options; either single and spinsterhood or get married. But being single is quite a good option. I can get my yearly ang bao while spoiling my brother's kids without really taking care of them. Haha! Becoming a religious sister is definitely out of the question. I am not meant for it. So there.

Well, I am going back to dream and watch Goong. :)

My Personality Quiz

2006-10-19T22:47:00.000+08:00

I took this personality quiz that I happen to "find" while reading Juls blog and the results are rather surprising. There is only one part I agree with and that is "Independent and stubborn". Oh well...

You Are An INFJ

The Protector

You live your life with integrity, originality, vision, and creativity.
Independent and stubborn, you rarely stray from your vision - no matter what it is.
You are an excellent listener, with almost infinite patience.
You have complex, deep feelings, and you take great care to express them.

You would make a great photographer, alternative medicine guru, or teacher.

What's Your Personality Type?

2006-10-18T22:00:00.000+08:00

The Stories and Travels Page

http://thesatpage.blogspot.com/

I am homeeee... And I need to get a new tagboard.

2006-10-18T01:10:00.000+08:00

Hello, hello...

Did anybody miss me while I was away? Besides that Baka Neko who is currently in Laos. I know you did. Yes, you, the one who is reading this entry. Don't you dare give me that "Who? Me?" expression. You would not be reading this unless you miss me. Muahahahahaha...!!!

Anyway, there is something seriously wrong with my tagboard. Therefore, can somebody recommend me a better tagboard system. That will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I will be setting up another blog solely for my Stories and Travels (SaT) and so, you will find my thoughts and reviews on my latest trip, accompanied by photos, there. I will put up a notice when I am finally done with it.

Here is a quickie of what I had done today (Tuesday) as it was more exciting than the previous day since I came home. I went walking with Mummy to Sheng Siong for grocery shopping as the refridgerator was 90% empty of vegetables and we had lunch at Haig Road Hawker Centre, eating Mee Rebus, Soto Ayam and Indian Rojak. Oooh... I seriously missed my Asian food. After the grocery-shopping, we had a lovely walk home in the afternoon sun with the haze around us. When we got home, I spent some time playing a game which I had downloaded onto my computer before taking an hour worth of nap.

Got up at about 5pm-nish to bathe and get ready for my trip out to City Hall to 'celebrate' WX's belated birthday. I was quite behind time and so, I got Daddy to drive me to the MRT. We had Japanese at a building next to Capitol Centre (and ZQ said City Hall and later Capitol). I had a guess that we would be eating there as I walked past the little restaurant on my way to the meeting place. There was 2 reasons: 1. He ever mentioned that there was a resonably-priced Japanese resturant near Capitol Centre, and 2., he said that we would not be having any bread, pasta and pizza for dinner when I asked him what was for dinner. There were 6 of us; 3 couples, with the guys sitting opposite us girls. Correction: 2 guys and a boy were sitting opposite us girls. Have no idea how did that happen, with LH opposite Juls, WX opposite me and naturally, ZQ opposite Char.

Well, the dinner was full of laughs and hilarious antics, especially on the part of The Boy. In fact, it was the entire evening that was pure entertainment. After dinner, Juls went off, by cab, to church for cell group meeting while us remaining 5 walked to Marina Sq, where WX bought a double-cone of Japanese ice-cream, before walking back to CityLink and plonking ourselves on the cushions of the TCC there. At about 9:45pm, Juls came back to join us in our after-dinner coffee, courtesy of the belated birthday boy. We sat there and continued to talk till almost 10:45pm before leaving for home.

What an evening. There were many times I had to control myself from doing something quite uncivilised to The Boy. During dinner, I asked him which way did he want to get out of the resturant; horizontally or vertically. Trust me, it was many times.

Well, I shall end here. Till another time, ciao!

Something is Wrong with My Blog...

2006-10-05T13:59:00.000+08:00

Aargh! Yes, I am back again. However, I am here to leave a message.

As you can see, there is not a 'Comments' button. And so, please leave your VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE on my Tagboard or else e-mail me. My e-mail address is on the sidebar, under the section 'Me'.

Thank you. :D

Right. It is now exactly three hours till I leave the house for the airport, and then another two hours odd of waiting before boarding the plane for KL - Melbourne. My bag is packed but I have yet to lock it. And this is probably the last entry until I get home. God only knows when will I ever lay hands on a computer over there. But I promise to bring home lots of photos. Whahahahahaha!!!

I do not know why I am not excited. Something must be wrong with me. I mean, is it not exciting to travel to another country that you had never set foot on??? I guess this is quite the norm; to be not excited until one is on the plane.

Oniisan and his little family is already on their way to Melbourne. Yup. We are going to the same place but, obviously, on different flights. He tried to get the same flight as us but because he was "slow" in booking, he had to take the early morning flight and come back almost a day later than us. The chances of us meeting in Melbourne are quite close to zero. Haha! Oh well...

Yesterday's Piano practical was rather ... slow. I got there way before my allocated time of 2pm. Unfortunately, the examiners, RP and EL, were a good fifteen minutes late. Therefore, I started my practical at 2:15pm instead. Anyway, I stuck to my original course of action. I played the scales and pieces relatively slow. Yes. I was SLOW. However, I only took about ten minutes in the exam hall. I made a few blunders over the scales. There was one where I incorporated a bit of the melodic minor into the harmonic minor scale. Haha! Chotto. Or was it the other way around??? Oh well! What is done is done. As I told Evan last night, we had done all we could. It is now up to God (to decide). For my pieces, I am proud to say that it was not a "failure" like a year ago. I made some minor mistakes, can not recall what they were, but I did not stop at all. I simply picked myself up when I fall. So, there.

By the way, Daddy sent me to school and Mumzy waited outside the Recital Hall and had a good chat with my fellow classmates. Haha! Lol! Enx asked RP whether any of us had failed and the answer was a negative. Yay! :) I better continue to pray that I will pass all of my subjects... It is still quite unsettling. Sigh...

Well, I do not think I have anything else to add.

Till the 16th of October, smiles!!! :)

On Tagboard Only.

2006-10-05T13:34:00.000+08:00

3 Hours More

2006-10-05T13:06:00.000+08:00

Aargh! Yes, I am back again. However, I am here to leave a message.

As you can see, there is not a 'Comments' button. And so, please leave your VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE on my Tagboard or else e-mail me. My e-mail address is on the sidebar, under the section 'Me'.

Thank you. :D

Right. It is now exactly three hours till I leave the house for the airport, and then another two hours odd of waiting before boarding the plane for KL - Melbourne. My bag is packed but I have yet to lock it. And this is probably the last entry until I get home. God only knows when will I ever lay hands on a computer over there. But I promise to bring home lots of photos. Whahahahahaha!!!

I do not know why I am not excited. Something must be wrong with me. I mean, is it not exciting to travel to another country that you had never set foot on??? I guess this is quite the norm; to be not excited until one is on the plane. Oniisan and his little family is already on their way to Melbourne. Yup. We are going to the same place but, obviously, on different flights. He tried to get the same flight as us but because he was "slow" in booking, he had to take the early morning flight and come back almost a day later than us. The chances of us meeting in Melbourne are quite close to zero. Haha! Oh well...

Yesterday's Piano practical was rather ... slow. I got there way before my allocated time of 2pm. Unfortunately, the examiners, RP and EL, were a good fifteen minutes late. Therefore, I started my practical at 2:15pm instead. Anyway, I stuck to my original course of action. I played the scales and pieces relatively slow. Yes. I was SLOW. However, I only took about ten minutes in the exam hall. I made a few blunders over the scales. There was one where I incorporated a bit of the melodic minor into the harmonic minor scale. Haha! Chotto. Or was it the other way around??? Oh well! What is done is done. As I told Evan last night, we had done all we could. It is now up to God (to decide). For my pieces, I am proud to say that it was not a "failure" like a year ago. I made some minor mistakes, can not recall what they were, but I did not stop at all. I simply picked myself up when I fall. So, there. By the way, Daddy sent me to school and Mumzy waited outside the Recital Hall and had a good chat with my fellow classmates. Haha! Lol! Enx asked RP whether any of us had failed and the answer was a negative. Yay! :)

I better continue to pray that I will pass all of my subjects... It is still quite unsettling. Sigh...

Well, I do not think I have anything else to add.

Till the 16th of October, smiles!!! :)

A Little Quickie

2006-10-03T22:29:00.000+08:00

Hey all. Here is a little quickie otherwise a certain Neko will bug me for not updating. *Stares at certain baka neko...*

It is my last paper tomorrow and may God help me with the scales part. Sigh... I had been practising twice a day since Saturday. I think I shall go a little slower for that section and for the etude. Why spoil good music with all the presto in it??? I just do not understand some people, including the now-six-feet-under composer. D. Sarlatti's Sonata in E, Kp. 380 and Chopin's Etude Op. 25 No. 2. May God help me, Jesus guide me, Mother Mary and all the angels in heaven pray for me. I so need help. Not only that, I pray that I will pass all of my subject modules. I do not want to fail. I am scared. Terribly scared... Oh Abba Father, please help me.

My last paper, which I had mentioned in my last entry, was Ethnomusicology. And boy was it bad. There was supposed to be another lesson to replace the one he missed. Unfortunately, most of us forgot all about it, except for Amy who just happened to be there. Damn... Thus, when it came to the practical part, most of us did not know what to do. In fact, all of us did not know what to do. And there I was, on a thursday evening, wondering what we were going to do for the practical. Therefore, it is now entirely up to TM whether he should give us some extra marks in place for the practical part. The paper was easy, if I did study with the proper notes that I did not receive at all. Aargh! Oh please... Let me pass... WAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :'( I WANT TO CRY!!! This is not a good sememster!!! WAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :'( Sob! Sniff! Sigh...

Right. I will be flying off to Melbourne on thursday evening and I will probably spend some time praying like crazy that I will pass all of my subject modules. Sigh... I simply can not believe this.

Well. I shall stop here as I am feeling quite lazy. Not only that, I had ran out of things to say.

Till next time, which will be either tomorrow afternoon after my exam or else before I leave Singapore, take care! :)

Double Whammy

2006-09-28T22:03:00.000+08:00

Right. I had most certainly lost my favourite ring again, the one Ching bought from her NZ trip years ago, and a plastic ear stud that I wore on my second earhole. Okaasan found the back part of the earstud minutes ago from my bed. Haha! I can not believe my things are going missing. Third time lucky? I hope not. LOL!

Anyway, it is time to tell you about my day(s). We had Aural yesterday afternoon. Daddy drove me to the street before Mayo Street, which is along Jalan Besar, and I walked to school from there. He did not know that he could had dropped me off outside Prinsep Street instead as he thought there was not a right turn into Rochor Canal Road available even though I tried to explain it to him. (He was avoiding the ERP as he does not have a CashCard.) Haha! He stopped at that street and Okaasan went out to scout around. (Yup. She came along for a spin.) Now he knows. Aural exam was much better than the test. We were provided with only a piece of manuscript paper that time. Thus, we had to pick out the appropriate time signature for the questions EW played on the piano. How horrible. Naturally, I failed. This time round, EW gave us a proper piece of exam paper, with the questions, inclusive of both the key and time signatures written out. I managed to get the Melodic dictation done, saved for the second last bar which was a whole mess, because EW played the melody five times. Yay! As for the second question, Rhythmic dictation, I was and still is a complete failure at it. I had only complete the first bar which was partially correct. Drats! As for the Harmonic dictation, may God bless me as I was really tikam-ing through out. What was a little worrisome was when EW made a red mark on the top of my paper when he went around checking out aural homework. You see, I did not know that we had to complete another four pages and so, when I got to school and found out about it, I had only managed to copy the last two pages, in the hope that he would not check the other last two, which he did. So, there went at least 2% of my overall marks. Sigh...

I am so tired now. All thanks to having both Harmony and MoA exams on the same day, which happened to be today. It was a pure double whammy. Thank God those two were not one after the other or else all of us would be very much dead. Instead, we had a 3 over hours worth of break to continue with our MoA mugging. I managed to complete both questions for the Harmony exam as I was very much panicking during the final minutes. Unfortunately, I believe there is some mistakes with my modulations/tonicisations. Aargh! Forget it. What was done is done. If I was asked each paper was a killer, I would pick the MoA one. It was neck-aching, back-breaking, mind-numbing, brain-freezing, eye-straining, butt-iching (yah right!), finger-cramping (if there is such a word as 'cramping'), heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, highly-irritating piece of paper. Wow... So, you are finally done with all the adjectives. Funny. Haha. I skipped the essay question that was worth 40%, which I had only wrote a sentence some time later, and headed straight for the other 60%. And it was because of this 60% that caused me all of the above adjectives, especially the horrible question on the matrix and the score "analysing". Sigh... It was HORRIBLE. Just by basing on the 60% portion, how am I going to pass the exam??? I thought I had made a huge blunder because the notes in the score looked like an Inversion of some kind. So, I checked it against the matrix that we were suppose to construct using the given twelve tones. Which I did and I was so STUPID as to think that those sets of tones were different from the Prime original. AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH...!!!!!!! HOW COULD I BE SO STUPID??? IT WAS PRIME ORIGINAL THROUGHOUT THE F***ING PIECE!!! AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHHH...!!!!!!! And there I was, sitting in the examination hall/Recital Hall, panicking like crazy all thanks to my brains being in over-drive mode.

Truthfully, never in my life have I felt so much for my examinations. Never. What is more amazing is that my current feelings are on the brighter side as compared to last week, even though it is now the examination week. For this whole week, especially after the history exam, I am feeling confident. Maybe it is because I know that God, Jesus, Mother Mary, Gong-gong and Ma-ma, my guardian angel and Blessed Barre are all with me. Maybe that explains why.

I have Ethnomusicology later in the afternoon and I have yet to study as my time was taken up by the KWLA journals that RK wants us to do as part of our MoA portfolio. Thank God we all will not have this module any more come next semester. Therefore, the journals are our only tickets left in order to pass. May God bless me that I will pass this module. Heaven only knows how I am going to mug Ethnomusic later after I awake, especially with what little notes I have of the semester, including those from last year's Gamelan studies. Sigh... It was a very bad idea to upload the lecture notes onto the Yahoo Group as these prevented us all from entering, making us wait for an "invitation" from TM. Well, I am off to bed now as I seriously need to sleep. My eyes were trying to keep open throughout the day. My poor eyes...

After Ethnomusicology, it will be full steam a head for my Piano practical! Choo-choo!!!

Article: 10 Reasons Not to Go to Mass

2006-09-28T21:45:00.000+08:00

My dear readers, you should know by now that I am a Catholic. I would like to share this little article that I had received from a mailing list I belong to. However, please do not turn your pretty eyes away from it and think that it is for only Catholics to read. It is not. It is for all Christians as I believe this "problem" exists in other branches of this One Vine. I shall be updating on my day-to-day problems soon. Take care and may God bless.

10 reasons not to go to Mass
(and one really good reason why you should)
Gregory F. Augustine Pierce

This article is forwarded by http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/catholicpriests

OUR FIRST TWO KIDS, a twin boy and girl, began their college education this fall, and their younger brother will do so next year. This has caused my wife and me to think about why young adults should go to Mass, even after they leave the weekly supervision and cajoling of their parents. First, here are some previously used reasons that I don’t think will fly with them or others of their generation:

1. Go to Mass because we do or because we said so.This worked somewhat when they were younger and living under our roof. There is no reason to think it will work now. In fact, it’s time they make the decision for themselves about religion and spirituality— just as they are making other important decisions about their lives and just as we had to make this decision for ourselves way back when we were their age.

2. Go to Mass because the church says so or because you might go to hell if you don’t.The church doesn’t have a lot of credibility with our kids right now. Some of that is self-inflicted by the church itself, and some of it is because the church is getting hammered in the values department by both the secular culture and the religious right and left. Most young adults aren’t going to go to Mass because a pope, cardinal, bishop, priest, sister, brother, or layperson tells them they should. They just don’t believe in a God who would send them to hell for eternity because they skip a Sunday or two (or even 50) every year.

3. Go to Mass because God wants you to. There is a lot of evidence to support this reason, including the Second Commandment and the teaching of Jesus. Unfortunately it suffers from the same conundrum that a lot of religious imperatives do: Who knows the mind of God? This is a circular argument to our kids. In order to buy that they should go to Mass because the Bible says so, they have to believe the Bible in the first place. Not only that, they have to believe the Bible pretty literally, which leads to lots of other questions.

4. Go to Mass because the community needs you. I actually try this one a lot, and it is not bad from my 58-year-old perspective. It is clear that the church needs all of us to attend Mass as often as possible because that is what makes our communal efforts viable and successful. While this reason to attend Mass seems compelling to me, it is not to my kids. They view the church as “our” institution right now — and will continue to do so until they make it their own — and they feel very little responsibility for sustaining, building, or even continuing it. Perhaps they will in the future, but as a starting place, it is a no-go.

5. Go to Mass because you need a community. At least this reason focuses on the needs of our young adults rather than on our needs. As mature adults, we recognize the need for community in our lives, and the Catholic Church and its Mass is one of the main communities we cherish. For my kids, however, this is not so true. While they may feel a need for various communities, they are not so sure that church is one of them. They’ve got their family, they’ve got their friends, they’ve got their sports teams, they’ve got the Internet, and now they’ve got their new college communities. Why do they need a local parish — especially if it is not the one they grew up in — as another community?

6. Go to Mass because you like the music or the homilies or the worship space. This may work with some young adults, but not mine. Not that our parish doesn’t have good music and homilies and worship space, but in and of itself these are not good enough reasons for them to get out of bed on Sunday. And who knows what they are going to encounter in their new surroundings? I hope that whenever and wherever my kids go to Mass they have a good experience. But as a reason to go to Mass, it is pretty thin. In other words, the lack of good liturgies is a good reason not to go to Mass more than it is a reason to go to Mass.

7. Go to Mass because it makes you feel good or holy or peaceful. But what if it makes you feel bored or anxious or resentful? If we are going to argue with our young people that they should go to Mass because of how it makes them feel, then we run the risk of having them throw that reason right back in our face. Sometimes Mass does make us feel good. But it is an old, familiar, formulaic liturgy that often does not lend itself to warm, fuzzy feelings, especially for young adults. Sometimes we have to work at getting something out of Mass, and if we don’t admit this, our kids will see right through this rationale for Mass attendance.

8. Go to Mass as a refuge from the world. Certainly at times in their lives — when they or their loved ones are ill or depressed or dying or going through some awful crisis — our children will need a refuge from the world, and we hope that the church will be there for them. But to identify the Mass as a refuge from the world is to ruin it for all the other times in our lives when things are going well and we are fully engaged in the world. Young adults generally are not looking for a refuge from the world. For the most part, they love the world; they can’t get enough of it. It’s religion they are trying to avoid!

9. Go to Mass because you’ll need a place to get married or help raising your own children. They’ll figure this out when they reach that place in their lives and not before. It’s actually a terrible reason to get them to go to Mass now because marriage and raising children is the last thing on most of their minds (and most parents would like to keep it that way for a while longer). The idea of long-term self-interest is almost an oxymoron for most young adults, and maybe it should be. They are looking for a good reason to go to Mass now, not five or 10 years from now.

10. Go to Mass because you’ll be sorry if you don’t. If this is the best reason we can come up with to get our young adults to go to Mass we ought to be ashamed of ourselves.
Now for my one compelling reason for young adults to go to Mass. This is the one that I am trying with my three college-age children, and I’ll let you know in four or five years how it works.

I am pointing out to my children that what they are searching for is a guiding principle, what I call a “mission worthy of their lives.”

I tell them that the church has such a mission to send them on, the very mission on which Jesus of Nazareth sent forth the original disciples. That mission is to make this world a better place, a place more like the way God would have things. I then tell them that they need two things in order to accept and carry out this mission. They need a community of believers to send them forth on the mission, and they need that same community to go forth with them to help accomplish it. That community could be the church, specifically the local arm of the church that we Catholics call the parish. And that community should be already committed to this mission. We already have a liturgy to celebrate and promote it. That liturgy is called “the Mass,” which can be loosely translated as “the sending forth.”

Test this reasoning with some young adults you know. In fact, test it with yourself. Are you interested in a mission worthy of your life? Is making the world a better place such a worthy mission? Are you willing to be sent forth on that mission each time you go to Mass? Do you need a community to send you forth, to go with you, and to be there when you return? If so, then you too have another reason to go to Mass on a regular basis.

Gregory F. Augustine Pierce is the author of The Sending Forth: Spirituality for Catholics in the World of Work, to be published next spring by Ave Maria Press. This article appeared in the October 2006 (Volume 71, Number 10; pages 22-23) issue of U.S. Catholic.

Exams are in the Air: 1 Down, 5 to Go.

2006-09-25T18:27:00.000+08:00

Woohoo!!! History exam is over!!! I am over the MOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNN... ...!!! !!! WHEEPEE!!! !!! Well, it is not as if I am going to get myself a distinction in the subject. Nooooo... I am happy that the two questions that I had prepared for came out for the exam. Yes, yes. I only prepared two instead of four questions like I had mentioned last night. Heaven is kind to me by telling me to focus on those two questions instead of the other two. Too bad to Charles that only one of his two "spotted" questions was asked. Hahaha! :D Evil...

And so, I would like to thank, which I already did on the bus home, Father God, my Saviour Jesus, Holy Mother Mary, my guardian angel, my Gong-gong and Ma-ma, St. Patron-Saint-of-Hopeless-Cases and Blessed Nicholas Barre for praying for me. Please continue to pray for me and for all my other classmates that we will at least pass all of our exams.

"To God be the glory,
Great things He has done.
So love we the world
that He gave us his son..."

Let me just give a short account of what I did since I last posted.

I had my notes and texts in a semi-circle before me on the floor. As I could not focus, I went to sleep at 12:15am, setting my alarm clock at 3:05am. Unfortunately, the lazy me got up to switch off the alarm when it rang before falling asleep again. The next time I awoke was at 3:35am. There and then I decided to sleep till 4:05am. Sadly, I finally woke up at 4:33am. By the time I sat down to prepare my question 2b, it was already 5am. Thus, I spent a jolly hour preparing that particular question till the end before hugging my huge cushion to sleep sitting on the cold hard floor. I woke up again at about 7 to do somemore revision but had difficulty keeping my eyes open. Sigh... Typical. Anyway, what happened to the other question you said you were preparing? Oh, that one. Well, I had it completed on Saturday afternoon. Haha! Dots... -.-" And there was a heavy morning shower before I was completely awake. A good omen? Depends on how one inteprets it. Hahaha!!! :)

I am feeling rather sleepy now. And so, before I fall asleep early tonight, I had better practice for my piano practical exam as I have a lesson, the final one, with Ms Lim tomorrow morning. I certainly do not want her to shred me up into little pieces. Another thing I am to accomplish is to get my Aural homework and at the least, half a KWLA journal done.

Here is my exam time-table:
27 Sep. Wed - Aural
28 Sep. Thurs - Harmony & MOA
29 Sep. Fri - Ethnomusicology
04 Oct. Wed - Piano Practical

Ja-ne!

Exams start tomorrow!!!

2006-09-24T20:23:00.000+08:00

Here I am, blogging, instead of fully concentrating on the preparation for my history exam which is to be held tomorrow. It is a good thing I am in my room now instead of being infront of the telly, subjecting my delicate ears to such torture by those two crooning away on Singapore Idiots. Oops! I mean Singapore Idols. Do not get me wrong, my dear readers. Those two are good, in their own genres, but the entire idea of a singing competition that is no longer about talent just does not sound right at all!

Sigh... Why, oh why must we go through such things???

I rather do more assignments than to have an exam. In fact, I rather the weightage of the assignments be more than that of the exam. So, the entire thing, including the presentations, will look something like this: Presentations 40% Assignments 40% Exams 10%. Hopefully... Someone should suggest this to the next board meeting. Anyway, back to my lamentations. WHY???!!!

As Enx said in her blog entry, I shall say the same. There is not enough space in my brain for 5 essays, and so, I shall memorise 4 and may God be kind to my poor soul. Sigh...

Here's a short list of what had been happening in my life, especially my school life:
21 September Thurs - Handed in Harmony portfolio. Performance Practice Viva Voce Assessment. A Year 1 girl and myself did not talk much as most of the talking were done by two seniors. May get a pass only. Did some Evaluations on Lecturers in the computer lab after the assessment.
22 September Fri - Brass exam. Passed and shall not talk about it as it will only break my already fragile heart. May get a C if DS moderates the result quite nicely, since he did say that no one got 90%. Returned the cornet. Like Enx, I felt rather sad even though I am not a professional or a great cornet-"lover", much less a "liker". I felt quite "empty". Full of question marks over that one. I know. But it feels as if there is something missing...
23 September Sat - Oniisan and The Usagi got into a serious quarrel, and the reason behind it all is causing Okasan to fume like a dormant volcano and Otoosan to rant like a stream of flowing lava.

Well, I better get back to work. There's 2 1/2 essays to squish into my head before I sleep, Aural homework to complete by Wednesday 27 September and 6 KWLA journals to complete by Friday 29 September 6pm.

Start of Study Break

2006-09-18T00:43:00.000+08:00

Well, here I am. Sitting here blogging because I am suffering from writer's block. Do not think that term is applicable to writing concert reviews. Oh, whatever... Two reviews left while the other two had somehow exceeded the "word limit" by more than a 100%. Sigh... I simply dislike writing reviews, especially when I am not allowed to write "grandmother's stories". Sigh...

In response to complaints made with regards to my entries being hard to read due to my lazyness and ineptness in choosing colours, I am terribly sorry. Thus, the colours will be done based on a trial-and-error effort. I hear the groans. Muahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha...!!! Whatever, Marie... Whatever...

Right. Enough of those craps. After posting this, I shall make my way to the washroom to get ready for bed. As for the two remaining reviews, I shall get them done in the morning by hook or by crook. All the best to me. ;)

For your information, today is the start of our week of Study break. However, most of us will be trudging back to school over the week to attend extra lessons and to hand in our assignment portfolios. All of these done in the days leading up to our semestral exams which starts next monday. Sigh... Wish me luck! :)

Adieu!

~*aMrie's World*~

Changed domain

Who Stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar?

???metsys ada anam

Never Ever Unless...

What's done is done

Of Sunshine and Lightning

16th Oct 2007

I Miss Her

Parent? Friend?

So Near Yet So Far

Spanish music is exotic to me

"I Know Where I've Been"

"You Can't Stop The Beat"

Randomness II

Post #140: Randomness

Rubber Jumping Around on Strings

Ms Lim is Home!!!

To Enx

Feeling Slightly Depressed

New Blog Skin!

Changing this blog's skin

Back to School

I Am Home

Hoppers Crossing (con't)

Hoppers Crossing

A Quick Post...

I HATE White Chocolate but I like Mermaids

Northwards

Greetings from Down Under

At the airport now...

Ugly Betty Episodes 14-19 will be missed. By me.

Brahms???!!!

For the last time...

Update: The SaT Page

Not really but yes...

Prince of Tennis Ep 71

Another Sunday

I am still alive!!!

Cheap car???

24th April 2007, Tuesday

Lazy Life

2 points down, Victoria to go.

SUSHI!!!

Post #111: Exams are FINALLY over!

Hot, hot, hot!

5 days left to Doomsday a.k.a P.S Exam

WHY???!!!

Written Papers.

19 years and 1 day old... Gosh! I feel old!

Working hard.

I believe not the fact of growing a year older.

A long time (ago)... Updated!

History Essay Presentation

Hungry!!!

Back to normal

CRAP!

Seething...

Back to School

Attack of the Loanshark-runners

2nd January A.D 2007

LIFE BOOSTER

Christmas Eve

Lateral Thinking

INSTALLING LOVE

NAIL IN THE FENCE

6 Days to Christmas

Three

Dedication....

ipod nano!

24 Nov 06 Bibliophile

Of Twigs, Snowmen and Checkered Shirts.

I am RIGHT!

16th Nov 2006 - Casino Royale!

Year 2, Semester 2: Week 1 Down.

The SaT Page is Updated.

The First Day of Semester 2.

For the Love of Life, Youth and Fun...

Gangsters at Aloha Loyang - Epilogue

Gangsters at Aloha Loyang - Part 3 (Finale)

~aMrie's World~