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Music camp has officially ended. The next time I go for it (if I'm still in guitar), I would be a senior. Time flies haha. It has concluded quite successfully, hope everyone had fun playing angels and mortals. I won't describe the happenings here, not now, it's late! I'll maybe post agn since it's hols now and quite free haha. Time to catch up on violin after not touching it for a week.

Post camp nostalgia!! Haha I saw improvement in my sightreading during sectionals and performed a stunt of getting ready to perform a piece within 5 days (can't remember exactly how many days, I'll count next time) from receiving score to performing in public. Wow haha achievement unlocked! I got closer to my guitar friends too and felt much more comfortable with them :) even the seniors I don't usually/ really talk to. Hahaha. I'm quite happy with my progress in learning guitar, although I could have been better (lol). My guitar goal for this sem is to be able to sightread fast, I have not accomplished it fully, but getting closer!

This is good cos I don't dread sectionals so much now hahaha cos I can sort of keep up! And our new sl is quite nice hahaha, although I do miss my old sl and still feels kinda alone in p1.

Anw my term as ps is ending soon :( one more semester. Hahaha shall do more things and make the times last, happy memories!

Couldn't help comparing with my previous cca agn. Felt the pain agn :( saw a junior wearing a cl drama shirt at camp and thought of it agn. Wanted not to cry (at home of cos) but couldn't help it. Haiz, this always brings tears to my eyes whenever I think about it. I must not be too bothered by these thoughts! Maybe it's god's will that drama be out of my life entirely, as we will no longer be collaborating with stage for naf next year. I know I shouldn't be so biased towards drama, esp english drama, stage is different from tjd afterall. But generalisation kicks in, I will always be reminded of the 6 fruitless years in drama I've spent. The pain and disappointment, esp now that I'm enjoying myself a lot in guitar and the camp our comm organised has just ended. Yay I love our comm and I love the ensemble <3 The stark contrast made guitar stand out much much more, and drama fades into the background~ and disappears! :D

Sometimes I wonder what are my other cl drama friends doing now. What are their thoughts about drama now. Whether they are still passionate about drama, or maybe drama was, and is still just an interest to them. Or they may be like me, on the other extreme end. I don't really see much traces of drama in their lives on fb, friends like wz, wc, ze. Except for rb who's doing a degree in theatre performance (I think) and zh, who is still seemingly passionate about drama as can be seen from his fb comments. Good for them, if they are doing what they like. Good for me too, I have found a new love of my life after ditching drama and reconsidering music. Hahaha. Maybe drama wasn't the correct route to take in the first place, and now god has put me on the correct path :)

Labels: guitar, thoughts about my life

Tmr will be my last paper! I dunno to be happy or sad. It's stats!! Anw, I'm really looking forward to post exam activities hahahhaha. That would be music camp! I rmb feeling very uncertain, not knowing what to expect, not knowing how it will be like, being unsure and afraid whether I had made the correct decision to continue in guitar and go for camp. It turned out to be an important checkpoint (like in those games you know haha) for me to continue in guitar. And now it's my second music camp! Looking forward, partly cos I know what exciting activities have been planned hahahaha, and also getting to know the juniors and other members better! I'm afraid again, haha, of the sectionals and ensemble practices, cos I can't sightread properly yet, and the memories of what happened during sectionals last music camp are still fresh in my mind. Haha damn embarrassing, I'm the only one who can't play in my section :( Can't even follow.

And I've been neglecting my violin since the last lesson. Haven't been touching it. Hopefully I can prac more after exams and before music camp starts if not then I'll just be going for lesson without practising for the entire week!

Ok I should be studying stats now!

Labels: guitar, random

Estaciones has officially ended yesterday (oops I mean on Sunday since today is Tuesday alrdy). Like many others, I'm "suffering" from post-concert nostalgia. No more pracs... But there are still upcoming things to look forward to! Like planning for music camp.. etc etc. So I'll still get to see my beloved comm members as well haha. I felt really happy that we have succeeded in the first concert that we organised as a comm. Could still rmb the time where we got rejected from emcc and then had to do our own concert, the time where we realised we were behind time for publicity and began to rush out the poster and pb. There were ups and downs and it made this experience more memorable. I was sad too, to remind myself that our term will come to an end next year, and I must cherish the moments that happen now. Too much oxytocin at work alrdy ;D

Labels: guitar, thoughts about my life

Spent the afternoon at cfa doing matric fair poster and flyer with partner! Ended up watching documentary about lions while waiting for the rest to finish their meeting so that we can go dinner tgt. Lions are v cute! Anw it was the first prac for cp tonight, and I'm in guitar 4! Well, I wouldn't have chosen this part cos I need to down tune the last string to D, and that messes up the fingering on the last string, which adds onto the chaos and panic that I'm feeling inside cos I can't read bass notes very well. But I thought it is a challenge and very good exposure cos I'm only playing bass notes for one song only, so if I don't like it, it's still one song only. Considering that my aim is to try guitarron (not likely to materialise) in the future, in addition to the fact that this part seem "easier" than the rest (Idk for sure, I just feel this way), I'll just give it a shot!

But the prob lies not in the bass notes, the score is manageable (not so many chords) but there doesn't seem to be a distinct tune or melody :/ I thought it sounds a bit messy, hmmm, not like the other songs we play in ensemble. Maybe that's the composer's style, I'll google him when I'm free.

While waiting for my hair to dry, I've typed so much above. But, the main purpose of this post, is to put into words, how grateful I am to be able to join a musical group with ZERO music background, in UNIVERSITY. It suddenly dawned on me, that all the other juniors who were accepted into guitar, be it workshop or not, have some music background. They either play other instruments, or have already experimented with the guitar. Most of those who don't have any music background are rejected. I'm one of the lucky few who got in. All thanks to WH (I think).

I rmb the wait aft the audition, at first I was kind of indifferent towards being able to get in or not, but it turned into anxiety after WH got her acceptance email. Cos we wanted to get into the same cca. And I was wondering if they will take in a beginner like me :/ who has a phobia of reading musical scores (lol I think I still have a lil bit of it) I was overjoyed (and relieved) when I got the acceptance email, anxiety gone, and ready to take on the realm of music! Haha no, I've always wanted to play in an orchestra (I still do), they sound so majestic! But I'm scared of reading complicated scores haha. But I don't want to keep reading simple scores only, make me feel like a beginner, no, more of like a noob (worst than beginner). So I contradict myself lol. Anw, now thinking back about it, I'm really lucky to get in! Since I don't have any music background (cannot count the primary school recorder experience) I most likely will get the boot, I think it could be due to WH (wa great influence haha). I was joking about the influence part, but I think maybe A thought WH was a good player and wanted to keep her, so he should keep her friend (aka me) too, so that WH will stay on or smth. Idk if it's true, it's just my guess, but I think God brought me here. I wanted a change, away from drama, I wanted to join a musical group (or sports group haha, anything but drama). For a beginner like me who has only picked up the instrument that same year, and still not very good at it, chances of getting into the cca at university level is probably as slim as an underweight person (can't think of good examples at night). So I'm very happy and grateful where I am now. Guitar has fulfilled many dreams of mine: To be part of a musical group, to be part of the comm (I've always wanted to be in the comm during my drama days, but sadly never got in, which contributed to the disappointment in the earlier drama), to make friends and feel really happy and proud to be in my cca (a feeling that I've never had since very long ago ;( ) and feel like I really love my cca (yea I really love guitar now, can't imagine how my life would be without it <3). Thank you God for bringing me here, thank you WH for teaching me guitar (if not I can't even get in -.-). I really thank my lucky stars that I got into uni and got into this cca. I really hope that it will not follow the path of drama, and end up becoming the reason for my tears. And to think I almost decided not to stay, after WH left the cca. There were many times when I felt like leaving, like most of the time I'm alone, like many times I can't play well and others have alrdy mastered the whole song. So tempting to quit becos I don't want to feel inferior. "Give me 5 years, or 6 years, and I'll be like them too." was what I thought to myself many times. But if I quit, then I'll just be delaying my own improvement, I probably won't be so motivated to practise, maybe even give in to procrastination (cos no concert pieces to practise). I'll also be giving up the chance to play together with others, back to square one with regards to my orchestra dream. I'm glad that one day I might fulfil this dream, becos of my decision to take up an additional instrument.

Anw my hair is somewhat dry now, so I'll conclude this post. Tmr still need to do a lot of things to prepare for the camp, some moments ago I was still very panicky and insecure, but now I feel more prepared and more confident. Believe in yourself! I need to feel more confident in speaking and socialising, more confident in guitar playing, and more confident in my academics and abilities. Go for the mods that I want to take! Go for the the events that I want to go! Go for the things in life that I'm after!

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, thoughts about my life

Went for ls prep camp last mon and tues. Haiz regret not gng for scamp or union camp now! Anw it's not like I expected a lot from this camp, but oh well. Hmm I don't think the total number of people could form one og, maybe can squeeze out a small one haha. But anw it was ok la, I especially like to travel arnd NUS at night haha, be it night games or bathing. Like to explore the dark side of my schools (which reminds me, I haven had a camp in tj yet! Overnight camp I mean) but oh well it's too late! Ok enough talking abt regrets, anw I'm the only ogl for my og, which has 10 ppl as of now. Gotta go think of ice-breakers to last for 3 hours!! Gosh. Anw must try for scamp or uc next year, at least once before I grad! Hopefully doesn't clash with internship or anything I'm gng to have then.

Have loads of things to do before gng for the camp: matric fair stuffs and other guitar stuffs (gonna take up the bulk of time), module planning (time to think of how to have enough time to overload and study and get my desired cap, and balancing all my other commitments), practising cowbell cos the 15 jul gig is coming soon (hopefully can fix my rhythm, don't wanna ruin everyone's playing cos of my lousy playing; I do want to try percussions in the future), ls camp stuffs like designing the og logo, thinking of cheers and ice breakers, blah blah (this the first time I've come across a camp that require the ogls to do so much, and thrs only 1 ogl per og). Tbh I feel inadequately prepared for this, I don't wanna appear flustered and end up giving the freshies a bad experience. There doesn't seem to be enough time to do an identity too, haiz I'll see what comes along. Damn, I should stop regretting my decisions and just pull through until the next time I need to make a decision agn, then I'll consider carefully. And stop being so easily influenced!!! Argh I hate this trait of me. So easily influenced. Regretted so many things because of this. ARGH!!!!!!!

Anw, away from sad things, there're my instruments! <3 Progressed to slurs in violin lesson today, I think I'm doing ok so far, but still far from expectations cos the sounds I produce are horrible and I wouldn't really consider them music. But hey, my fingerings are more accurate without looking! ^^ The sound from my teacher's violin and my violin are really miles apart. Looking forward to having my professional violin one day (but that's gng to be expensive so not in the near future I guess). No violin lesson next week, thankfully, cos I'll just break camp on sat and prolly gng to guitar aftwards (should I go? But I'll be tired and din really prac a lot lol), so thrs prolly not much time for me to prac my violin too. Switching frequency to guitar, I think I need to prac more and start to train my muscle memory, especially for WC, since it's mostly chords. And then thr's the comm piece, whr I'll be playing bass. Zomg! Bass!! Haha sommore nid to down tune guitar. Prolly cannt sightread alrdy haha. Sevilla is still giving me headaches, must quickly resolve before other songs come, and juniors come in. Oh ho! Matric fair! Haha kinda looking forward to it. Looking forward to welcome tea too, hehe. But not looking forward to bidding lol. I hope I get my psych mods, if not I will fight till the end for them!!!

Ok, better start using my time wisely now. No time to lose!!

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, School, violin

It's July already! My fingertips are hurting and peeling from sectionals haha. And it hurt so much when I tried to practice violin just now. So fast it's July already! Means matric fair is coming! Haha looking forward to meeting new juniors! And I'm kinda excited for the ls camp too hahaha.

Sectionals today, but started the day with assembling our road signs and ended up late for sectionals :x oops haha. Received new score WC today. So many chords!! Hahaha almost the entire score is chords la haha how to sightread. Progressed quite a lot for Sevilla haha, but I'm still lagging. And talking about lagging, I was lagging for the cowbells :( And went through Spring as an ensemble today, can't really hear myself, can only hear the altos. Lol, maybe cos I'm sitting next to them. Dunno to be sad or happy that I'm not in alto this sem. Haiz just can't help but think about this issue every now and then. Haiz. Hope it will go away soon and who knows, I may find greener pastures in prime lol.

After practice stayed back a little to do matric fair stuff. Poor B is sick, hope she gets well soon! And then went to eat dinner with pres and vice pres at utown italiano haha. I think utown italiano is a nicer name. Haha, anw, ordered some bolognese thing even though I don't like tomato. Turned out dry and tomato-ish, had a hard time trying to finish it up. Left most of the meat in the end and ate the pasta haha. Don't like the meat. Should have just ordered my pizza right. Next time I will do just that. Despite the pizza being more expensive than the pasta and to me the difference is not justified. But I should eat happily rite. After that went to order ice cream. Caramel! <3 So sweet but yet some parts taste/ smell plastic-y. Still prefer the caramel and biscuit or smth from HD. It shall be one of my motivation to work hard and earn more money. Haha.

Ok finished talking about today, oh no, it's "yesterday" already lol. First day of July will be spent on violin, packing and getting ready for ls prep camp. And sending the matric fair collaterals to the relevant ppl for their opinions. And thinking how to hand in the matric fair forms. And hoping I can prac my guitar a little before going off to camp. WC! Haha I love cats ^^ Meow!

Finally submitted the form to indicate my interest for an accommodation in school next AY. Was pondering whether I should stay in school, since I have violin now and I would be putting a lot of things on my plate. But it's a once in a lifetime experience that I once yearned so much for, despite being so expensive lol, and probably not worth it if I look at monetary terms. $2k for 1 sem! Plus travelling costs cos I have violin. Should I stop violin? But I don't want to put it off le. And sommore I want to overload, clear my mods so I can take psych minor. Plus that gem that I s/ued. And guitar pracs! And pub stuffs! Hahaha. I guess excellent time management is the answer. I'm not confident of that, I've been procrastinating lol. Well, no harm trying. We'll see if I manage to get in and what plans God has for me. I really hope to be able to get in! Preferred one pls. Haha.

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, School, violin

Started my first sectionals with the primes last sat. So little ppl haha! And both the sls were not there. Well, I feel that the songs next sem are more difficult than the ones last sem, and if I were still in alto1 I would not be able to survive the auditions. That said, prime parts were not that easy too. Notes for Spring were ok for me to handle and for once I could sightread and play slowly with the rest! Haha very happy but I'm not that easily contented lol. Not for sightreading like that at least. My inability to count was actually the biggest problem, esp for Kiko, and that is the thing I'm gonna tackle when my sightreading improves a bit. Haiz. I think my phobia with reading music score is more of counting. Forever cant count :(

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, SSB, violin

This post is meant to be posted on 3/6/2012, but I forgot to post it before midnight lol.

Had my 3rd violin lesson today! WH had some issues with her teacher and she might not be continuing in the school :/ Well, I do have some issues of my own too, but not much major ones. Like changing time or day of lesson. My teacher has been good so far, and finally today I've started learning notes! No more the days of only being able to play on open strings! Haha, she helped me tape my violin with golden finger tape for positions 1 and 3. She said she'll give me a year before taking off the tape. Better start training my hearing! Oh and she kept correcting my right hand position lol, esp the little finger. Till now I still am not concretely sure about the correct position to hold the bow.

Oh and the teacher also said she is free on friday mornings from Aug onwards. Hope that my timetable will be able to accommodate that, hopefully friday's a free day for me!

Oh, had a meeting yesterday at cfa to discuss about naf. I was early ok! Haha shall try to keep that up. Oh yes it was pouring on that day! Super big rain, was fighting the rain to protect my precious laptop. After that was the SL crash course, I am no SL or ASL, but went because everyone else was going and I didn't have anything else on, it's useful too! Received 3 scores and looked through but couldn't figure out which one was the prime 1 parts lol. And it's so stressful to be a SL, gotta sacrifice practice during sectionals, must be able to keep time and listen for errors, must be able to teach and lead section members..... etc etc. I kept being reminded of hejing and how hard and headache it must be for her to have me in alto 1 lol. Gotta teach, guide and look after me who can't even read notes lol. Reminded of the time during music camp, it was the last sectionals I think, and she taught me one-on-one. Haha, glad that I'm not the ASL too, I don't think I can handle the job. Gotta take care of my own playing first before I can teach others. When I first got the score, I tried to read it, still very slow, but hey, so much better than how I was the same day one year ago. Still cannot sightread properly, sigh. And felt intimidated when everyone else was so pro, when in the end, almost everyone started playing guitars, and I couldn't cos I'll most probably be embarrassing myself. Can't deny the fact that my pride is rather strong lol.

There will be an engagement on 15 July and I'll be playing the cowbell. A bit glad that I'm not playing the guitar (to be honest I'm not confident of my playing, reminds me of what shu hann mentioned during the crash course), but I'm a bit worried about playing the cowbell cos I'm worried about my sense of rhythm, and I'm prolly the only one on the cowbell lol, so there's the pressure of playing "solo". And I'm very afraid of disappointing CC cos if I can't do it, he'll have to find someone else, like giving him more troubles lol. And then it would seem like I'm very useless lol, guitar cmi, percussion also cmi. Haha. Shu hann said smth like, one may not be the best player, but the most hardworking one. I shall try to be the hardworking one, need not be the most hardworking, but hardworking enough to reach the goals that I have set for myself. Shall start practising and trying out the scores to improve my sightreading. It is still the thing that I feel most embarrassed about, being unable to sightread fast.

Ok, so what's in store for the next few weeks?

Tmr will be meeting my partner to make the matric fair boards. And then should be free this week, haha then one day go eat ice cream, cos I got 8 coupons lol and they expire by 13 June! Shall try to get dad to bring us out to finish up the coupons. And then nothing much alrdy, tuesdays going to prac the cowbell, and then sectionals going to start in 19 days. And having violin lessons. My days will probably be filled with guitar and violin pracs, or doing guitar stuffs haha. Oh and maybe going for rag lol.

Time passes so fast, its June already! May 2012 is gone and will never come back :( Anw Hebe's concert is in 5 days! And only Cat 4 tickets are left! Wish her all the best for the concert! Although I can't go cos it's too exp. Maybe next time when I'm earning my own income (then I'll be learning the cello too hopefully!)

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, violin

Last week is quite a happening week, considering that I mostly rot stay at home during the hols. Hey I'm not rotting ok! I have stuffs to do hehe, just maybe not as much as other more hapz ppl. I prolly din deserve my break now, cos today (or ystd, as it has become) the results just came out. And it was horrible. Ok maybe not that very horrible, cos I managed to get the exact same cap as last sem! Lol, don't know if it's a good or bad thing. Ever since A lvls I've been getting B average. Last last sem like this, this past sem also. Except for the extreme dip in CM1401 and this sem's GEM2900. Who said GEM2900 was easy huh!!! So far all my frens that I know of got the same result as me lol. And I got the same grade for CM1401 and GEM2900. So my grades are "doomed" to be all Bs, be it B+, B or B-, and then one D+. A good thing is that I can SU the gem, so my cap prolly has a chance to increase, but not a lot I guess. Argh that CM1401 cannot be SUed! But then I would have used up one of my SUs. So gotta be careful in module selection and mugging from now onwards.

How surprising pleased I was for LSM1202! I thought I screwed it up badly and would prolly end up with a C or D. Ok with LSM1104, my core, what can I say (dun get me wrong I like all my core mods). And the profs are quite nice to us alrdy I think haha. Prof Ip!!! :DD Then there's SSA1201, ok la haha. A bit uncertain for the essay part, but I thought I did quite gd, but I am quite contended, maybe with a + at the back would be better. A bit disappointed with LSM1103, but maybe cos it's open book so the bell curve may have a greater influence on the final grade. And the botany mcqs during finals arghhhhhh. Till now I still dunno what is neoteny (which came out in the prac exam). A google search suggested that it may linked to paedomorphism. Oh goodness!!! I know what is paedomorphism lol. Damn could have guessed the correct answer. Argh! Definitely not the frog, hope I din put yes for the frog (oh but its over:((((( ) Ok, I should snap out of this talking to myself thing cos it's all over and I can't change my results. Bad result for GEM2900, but sort of expected. Din even finish most of the paper, and whatever I wrote I was certain they are all gibberish and I would definitely get 0 for this mod. Maybe the CAs helped me a bit. Oh and the bell curve too. Just a bit sad that the MCs couldn't be counted towards graduation and this means I don't have a GEM! Means I gotta overload next sem most prolly (and I'm still thinking of taking a psych minor, afterall it's what I wanted for so long, to study psychology).  I don't mind spending the rest of my UEs on psych mods, thrs nothing else I'm dying to take alrdy (other than psych, must at least take PL1101E and abnormal psych before I grad) -.- Even if it means having to overload and "waste" 6 of my UEs on a psych minor, I still feel strongly that it is the way to go. I have decided that either I'll try to do double major for psych and ls, or in the event I can't, I'll take either as a major and the other as a minor. I hope that I still can study psych in the future, like a Masters or smth, if I ever one day decide that I'm not cut to be a biologist and is simply misguided all these years into thinking I loved biology.

Okok stop all these serious thinking, this post is supposed to be light and relaxing before I turn in for the night. Had my violin lesson ystd (or more like the day before cos its tuesday now) and worked on switching the bow on different strings, up bows and down bows, bowing for different note values. Need to improve on my sightreading. I'm really glad I have a bit of experience reading music in guitar, if not I would be a total newbie with a phobia of reading notes and then I would progress really sloooooow. Well, I hope I can continue with violin and not have to disrupt it halfway cos I can't juggle between my commitments: guitar pracs, guitar comm, studies (might be overloading), violin, other commitments I might be taking up like tutoring my cousin and my sister more, or taking on tuition assignments. Really hope I can continue with learning violin cos I feel it would be a beneficial relationship in my learning of the guitar and the violin. I can apply what I have learnt in violin in guitar, I really hope my sightreading and theory will improve. Both are stringed instruments with the need to keep one's left hand nails short. Haha, I guess I have been affected ever since that day, the PDP exhibition for the J1s. I rmb I was sitting in the black box with other drama members, relaxing cos thr was no J1 in the black box, and then suddenly I heard string ensemble and guitar ensemble playing a tune tgt. I think it was a violin-guitar duet (I think!) and I fell in love with it! So nice! And then suddenly I wondered what am I doing in the black box instead of doing such cool stuffs like playing nice music. Ok, enough reminiscing, so I am indeed very happy that I'm on my way to become a violinist and guitarist. Esp since nus guitar has been so awesome haha.

Went on early Sat morning for meeting in cfa. Lasted till abt 4 smth, or 5 plus (I can't rmb), which resulted in us not having enough time to eat a proper dinner. Went to the venue hastily haha. Sungha Jung was amazing!! So cute! Haha, thanks to hanwen we were able to take pictures with him! So super cute, better looking than how he was in the youtube videos. Skinny legs! Preston Reed was cool with his techniques at playing the guitar, but I guess contemporary and popular pieces attracted the audience more than cool techniques but not very memorable and sound alike tunes. Both are unique and great guitarists in their own way though, to each his own! And the concert has certainly motivated me to up my guitar playing standards, esp I'm a senior now and cannot rely on other pro players to help cover up my mistakes anymore. Just some thoughts, couldn't get enough of Sungha's playing and I thought he was given a rather short time (maybe cos I gt a bit bored at Reed's segment, sry Reed) Haha but Reed was quite humorous and he came in a T-shirt and berms lol.

Last Wed went out with TJ clique to sing k at NTUA. Was feeling a bit fiesty and angry lol, prolly cos the time of the month is nearing. Got 3 (and a half) blisters after climbing up the hill, which added on to my angry mood lol. But was a fun day singing k, and I managed to pull off Zhang Shao Han's Bu Tong! Haha I can't hear how I really sounded, but I think I didn't go out of tune ba :/ Quite pleased with myself lol haha and actually this is the first time I went singing with TJ clique. First time singing Hebe's songs in public also lol (^^) After that went for dinner at Clementi mall ichiban! Ate a very salty chicken with egg. Very nice to go out with frens once in a long while! ^^ I think my angsty mood died down at the end of the day but it restarted on the train home agn lol.

Tuesday went for ls car wash. Washed 7 cars (6 actually cos the others were alrdy washing one car when we arrived) and got a horrible sunburn! >< Pain! I din realise I got sunburnt until the end of the day. Maybe the reflecting surface of the cars contributed to the horrible burn. Mainly on my arms and a bit on the legs. And I got distinct slipper marks now lol. Lucky I din wear watch if not I will get watch marks too lol. Must get sunblock for Sentosa!

Ok I think that's all for this long post about the past week. Project a little on the coming week.....

Will be SUing my gem ltr during the day, and meeting my partner online to do the marketing proposal for sem 1 concert. I need more bright ideas! Heh feel excited about the fb page! Erm... then I cannot think of anything else for the next week le. Maybe do MF stuffs?

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, School, violin

Done the first draft for MF2012, gonna post about ALR now.

Morning, didn't keep up to my planned timetable and thus was unable to reach the venue by 9am cos the bus C won't come!! Lol. I missed a D2 cos it was in front of the A1 I was in but the D2 always drove off before A1 stopped. So I was stuck at YIH, sweaty (no idea why) and waiting for C. Finally C came and alighted opposite UCC. Met MH on the way and it turned out she's from dance smth (I forgt, ensemble or synergy?) Anw, we wore our genus shirt!! Hehehe. Went to register and got a huge bound book with all the SOP, a file with all the notes for the talks later, a nametag and a shirt. Haven really taken a good look at the shirt yet, but from what I saw it's quite nice. Anw we had morning tea! Just drank a cup of tea cos I ate alrdy. Then we went in to UCC Theatre, and then came out for games, the first one where everyone was given a word and we had to form a paragraph. Haha not easy cos there were words like "and", "the"..... Could fit anywhere. I took "opportunites"! Haha. Then we were split into groups and started the cross the river with the materials you were given game. I was in group A. Haha. Saw a fellow group mate from mazarin camp last time. How coincidental, she was from dance ensemble. Then we went in for the talks... And then some random games of knowing each other. Haha made a fren xiangyun from CO. Cool, but then I wasn't staying for the entire duration so probably we will forget each other as time passes :( Then had a tour around UCC, went to Hall, Theatre and Dance Studio. Learnt many things about the venues, I hope we can get the Hall for our next performance or smth. Didn't manage to get to go up to the cool catwalk. All those technical terms reminded me of drama, speaking of which, TJ Drama gt a GwH for SYF. Haha, knew they could do it. Haiz, maybe I'm just not suitable for drama. Nvm, I'm very happy in guitar now <3

Then it was lunch! Haha, after that we went in for more talks and more games again. There was a game where we had to write down some issues pertaining to the next NAF's theme. Nice time brainstorming, but the markers no ink lol :( Then there was an afternoon tea and then it ended off with a few talks.

And we got to submit our NAF proposal by June/ July (can't rmb when). Quite early considering NAF is March next year. And then there's Matric Fair coming up soon. Suddenly there seems to be a lot of things to do! *Panic mode on*

And I'm still thinking whether I should go for Hebe's concert! Cheapest $88 and I worry I don't have enough cos of violin which takes $100++ from me every month and I haven't secured employment. Should I? http://www.sistic.com.sg/portal/dt?dt.isPortletRequest=true&dt.action=process&dt.provider=PortletWindowProcessChannel&dt.windowProvider.targetPortletChannel=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar/Event&dt.containerName=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar&dt.windowProvider.currentChannelMode=VIEW&dt.window.portletAction=RENDER&contentCode=hebe0612

Labels: guitar, holidays2012

The exams are over and the holidays start! Actually my last paper was on 27th Apr and I'm pretty satisfied with what I wrote, just hope the bell curve will treat me well :/ I'm prepared to s/u the gem, and I'm probably never going to take a maths/ stats mod again (but I still gt st1232 next year as a core mod!!! and I haven fulfilled my faculty requirement yet :( so means I might be suffering at the hands of maths/ stats/ physics again! And I can't s/u these mods!!)

Anyway, I 'll do a module review some other day. This post is supposed to be about the upcoming 3 month holidays that I'm having, and I really want to make it a meaningful one. The irony is even though I want to enjoy my free time and do things that I want to do, I probably can't find enough things to last me 3 months, or won't bankrupt me :/

Should I get an internship? Well, of course. But damn, I missed out on the TIP!! Totally forgot about it. They probably wouldn't accept me cos my grades aren't very good. Should I get a job? Definitely, but I hope I can find something that is related to my major so that I have an idea of what I can do when I graduate (time flies, I'm gonna be year 2 already!!) I'm in a dilemma cos honestly, I don't know what should I do in the future. I like Science, and before I was in JC I wanted to be a teacher. But now, seems like I'm easily influenced by people around me saying that being a teacher is not very good. It does carry some truth though, and I want to spice up my portfolio/ resume so that I can land the dream teaching job in the future. (If I can find work in a relevant industry and further my studies, I might be able to get to that.)

Let's see, what is in place for me this summer?

May:
7 (tomorrow, or rather, later): Orientation meeting in the morning in school, and then going to look at the music school and shop in the afternoon (I'm still undecided :/)
8: ALR
10: Watching RV Choir's concert (Makes mental note to save 7 bucks for this)

Plus gotta come up with a plan for matric fair. Like, I've forgotten about matric fair, lol. Suddenly reminded that it's coming soooon! Haha, I'm somewhat excited to meet the new freshies! I'm no longer a freshie :(

And I think I'm going for a guitar concert this month, somewhere in May. I've forgotten when's the date, I think it's towards the end of the month. And I still owe pq money! (Makes mental note to save 50 bucks for that)

June:
First few days (can't rmb when ><) going for an astronomy event volunteering in school haha. Sounds cool!!  Astronomy!! And then I think I got nothing else in June le. Lol. Empty. Maybe I can get a job/ plan outing with friends during this month.

July:
Sounds busier cos school's gonna start soon. Hmm, let me try to recall, I think there should be more guitar stuff, like matric fair, planning for the next concert, might have pracs :/ And the orientation camp. (Makes mental note to save some money for the camp, like... $60? Enough??)

Now, what's with the making mental notes to save money? Cos I'm thinking of learning violin. And I'm not working, so that's gonna eat up a huge chunk of whatever I've saved from my past allowances, which is not a lot. The instrument itself is expensive (or else you won't get a good one) and then the monthly fees is another thing. I'm still deliberating about it, not just due to the money issue, but also time. Do I have the time? Studies + practicing guitar + comm stuff + practicing violin?? Studies are top priority cos I gotta push up that cap so that I can get into Hons or else employment might be harder to secure in the future. And comm stuff are on the same level as studies, cos I've committed myself to it and should do my best (And I've never regretted putting this commitment on my plate :)) So I shan't disappoint the seniors, my peers, the incoming juniors, and of course, myself. And then there's practicing guitar, I'm not very good at it, and there will be juniors coming in, so must not be too lousy or rusty if not got no face hahaha. And I don't know how prime's like, haha, sounds "easier" than alto generally, but is it really so? Haha, gotta train myself in chords and reading multiple notes at once. I'm still stuck with reading simple single notes lol. Really want to see improvements, currently I'm still stagnant. Thinking of getting books to prac (needs $$ too).

So how? Very scared I can't cope financially and with my time. And if I can't cope financially means I would have to get a tuition job or something. So the time available decreases even more. This reminds me of a picture I saw on FB:

Teens: got time, got energy, but no money
Working: got energy, got money, but no time
Old age: got money, got time, but no energy
Moral: Enjoy every stage of your life, cos you can't have everything at once

How true. Haha, and I've been wanting to learn violin/ viola cos I want to be in an orchestra. Haha. Now that I'm in guitar ensemble, I think this dream can be considered fulfilled? Really happy to play in an ensemble, playing with many others haha. Or the better players (which is like everyone) can cover my bad, wayward playing, hahaha. jk la, I really like to play tgt ok!

Suddenly had an image in my head, I'm working in Cadbury's factory and everyday I go to work with the aroma of chocolates welcoming me and surrounding me as I work; everywhere I go I'm surrounded by chocolate; every breath I take has a tinge of chocolately smell in it. Haha, best is if I'm working in the manufacturing dept, or something that can allow me to see the chocolates and smell them in the air (I sound like some predator). All these spell B-L-I-S-S. Haha, how wonderful will that be. But just a dream :( Singapore doesn't have Cadbury factories, the ones that manufacture chocolates I think.

In summary, my holidays = comm stuff + prac guitar + LS orientation (hopefully doesn't clash with guitar) + going for concerts + outings (1 as of now, will have more, if not I will plan, haha got bdays coming!) + get a job/ internship (subject to availability cos I'm on money conservation mode now) + adhoc stuffs (caligraphy cos I bought the paper alrdy; learning PS; packing my room and blah blah) + learning violin??

Looking forward to a meaningful hols!

PS Saw somewhr that Hebe's gonna have a concert sometime this year (forgot when). Feel like going! But subject to availability of money ($88 cheapest). And I feel like going for the next SHE concert (with approval from my wallet again) cos very long nv see them tgt and nv go this kind of concert before. Haha. Start saving/ earning money!! And scouting for people to go with me hehe. (Makes another mental note)

Labels: guitar, holidays2012

It has been 9 days since Asian Waves drawn its curtains. My second guitar concert (first one was last sem's guitarras), but the first one that I'm playing in the main ensemble. I was actually pretty worried that I will be nervous on stage and then blank out (!!!) haha cos that was what happened during guitarras last sem!! Apparently after spending years in drama, I still cannot escape the clutches of stagefright ><

But I wasn't nervous at all! In face was quite calm. I think it's the excitement, and the thought about playing with everybody else :D Anyway it's also my first time wearing a suit! Haha, I think I looked ok :/

On a sad note, the comm will be stepping down and the new comm will be taking over. Worried about how the next year will be like :/ And the seniors would be graduating, leaving, and next sem will be a different ensemble altogether. Or maybe a different section. Alto 1 would never be the same again. I might not even be playing in Alto 1, who knows? Haiz, change is the only constant.

Anyway, I have been really happy for this sem playing in Alto 1. The awesome people have made things great. Despite not being able to catch up, despite the runs, playing very fast, it is one of the best choices that I've made to join alto! Haha, and I'm not one to express love freely (lol). I <3 alto 1 and I'll miss it :')

The only regret would probably be not meeting up with my friends after Asian Waves. It's my fault really :(

Moving on, it will be agm in 4 days time. The future holds excitement, but me being worrywart-me, can't seem to get rid of the worries that I have, of not being able to do a good job, I'm afraid I can't even maintain status quo :/ That everything the seniors built will be ruined at my hands :o Ok that's being too exaggerating, but I think my worries are not unfounded. I've never done publicity before, and don't know Photoshop!! Ahhhhh!! *Falls into pit of despair*

And annual dinner will be after agm, I hope everyone will like the place that we have chosen! Haha. I probably should relax and be calm before the storms (finals) come. Go away worries!!

Oh yes, separate issue, the accommodation exercise results will be out next wed! Hopefully I can get into hall!

Labels: guitar

Yesterday was a looong day. It was the 31st comm election for the ensemble. Well, I was really nervous cos we had to give a speech and there was a qna session after that. I ran for treasurer... Haha, cos I really wanted to try treasurer. Anyway, I thought it would be treasurer or nothing. When the results came out, I was disappointed that my name didn't appear under the treasurer column. Haha, cos I thought if I didn't get to become treasurer, then I wouldn't be in the comm. So I was shocked when I saw my name under Pub Sec column. Had to see a few times to double confirm I didn't see the wrong thing. I was shocked cos I didn't really focus on the Pub Sec aspect during my speech and the qna. Was touching a lot more on treasurer. And I didn't expect people to vote for me to be Pub Sec, I thought a lot more people would vote Shiyao... Haha, anyway, I'm quite worried cos I don't have publicity experience, and very lousy with Photoshop!!! Haha, I use the primitive Paint. Maybe it's time to upgrade to Photoshop. Just installed the Photoshop CD I got when I bought this laptop in school. Haha, it has finally come to use. I thought I wouldn't need it, but would be a good thing to have.

Thank God! Haha. I did a small prayer before the start of the election that I'll leave it to God. And I became a Pub Sec instead of treasurer :( Haha, maybe God has other plans for me. (Anyway I'm still in a free thinker-Christian state, in a dilemma)

My partner is Beatrice! Hopefully we will be able to do a good job and bring the publicity of the ensemble to greater heights!

Yup, going to start exploring Photoshop and practising guitar~

On a side note, it's recess week! Musn't waste this week away >:/

Labels: guitar

There are two things I want to write about in this post. Firstly, from 5 Dec to 10 Dec, Guitar camp!

Initially I was a bit worried.... Nervous.... Since I don't know most from the main ensemble, and the thought of playing in the man ensemble was.... Haha, well, I know I can't reach that standard..... yet. Haha. But it seems that the camp is overall, enjoyable. Camps are meant to bond! And I think the only camp where I don't feel really bonded is.... A camp a few years ago.

Anyway, I'll leave out the nitty gritty details. Some highlights:

1) 1st day (5/12): It started out awkward, for me. Haha, the workshop members were sitting in our own circle while the main ensemble were in theirs. Then admin stuffs, checking into RH (I've been wanting to stay on campus for a long time actually), lunch and ice breakers, then sectionals, dinner and changing strings, and the x'mas party planning. It was my first sectionals with the altos. I think it's horrible haha! For me, cos I just got the score and my sightreading fail and playing fail. And tuning fail. Alto guitars are tuned differently from primes. I felt something was amiss when the notes I played didn't sound like the ones others played. And I couldn't tune my guitar to standard tuning cos it seems very awkward. Haha, and I didn't ask cos it seems very silly! Hahaha, so that was the first day with the wrong tuning. I tried to tune to others' notes. But I could remember the excitement when I first saw I had an alto assigned to me! Haha, no need to borrow other people's guitar already. I love my alto! Haha!

2) 2nd day (6/12): Nose got blocked and body ached from sleeping on the floor. And the room is really dusty and dirty and ants-y and.... Argh, I'll elaborate more later. Sectionals and lunch.... Main ensemble practising for the NUH CIP on Fri so gave us the workshoppers some time to practice. I'm not the only one who's struggling :/ And Dayl left after day 1, so I'm the only workshopper in alto! Goodness! Haha. Main ensemble and night games followed. I really liked the music! Jap songs ftw! Not J-pop though haha. Night games were creative and fun! Haha, the photoframe game, the syllabus game, the pictionary game and the drink game! Gave me diahrrea the next morning >.< But haha! I got to know more people.

3) 3rd day (7/12): The day started with the usual breakfast, sectionals and lunch. Then mini-ensemble for the first time. Goodness. Only gt 3 people from alto 1. Ended up the last song I had to play solo cos our dear SL was playing the cembalo and Yin Yun had to leave for games. Horrible. No sound! Haha. Guess that will spur me towards trying harder to play! Oh my! (Won't forget that experience) Then games dinner and main ensemble. And then Rika and I brought back our guitars to prac. Halfway through, I saw a weird stick insect that runs v fast, looks like centipede. Then a weird bug on the bed beside Rika. Both os us were really scared! Finally mustered up the courage and caught the weird bug. But the weird stick insect on the floor ran away! We didn't dare to sleep in the room/ on the floor and went to Cheers to look for insecticide. But don't have! Almost wanted to go Rika's house (which was near) to sleep. In the end we squeezed on the bed. But eventually I still ended up on the floor haha.

4) 4th day (8/12): The usuals, then amazing race. Quite fun! Vivocity to make pocky stickman, then Holland V to look for eggs and crack 'em. Orchard central to get 10 honks (Honk for X'mas! Why nobody want to honk!), scape to kick slippers (I'm such a bad slipper-kicker, I keep hitting Shruti, sorry!!) and finally to the not-so-secret final station PS (Elizabeth let slip the final location haha). Ate dinner there and bought my baygon to kill the weird insect in the room! Finally can sleep in peace (hopefully).

5) 5th day (9/12): Breakfast, then prepared to go NUH for the CIP performance. Helped to load the equipment since the workshoppers are not performing. Walked under the hot sun from PGP to NUH Tower block! In my oversized black guitar shirt! Haha. Lunch at megabites at NUH and listened to the main ensemble. After that, sectionals, dinner and main ensemble.

6) Last day (10/12): Breakfast sectionals lunch. We had sectionals by ourselves while Shu Hann went over to alto 2. Our dear SL personally coached me and I realised that I made quite a lot of mistakes! Goodness me. But hey! I felt I improved over the few days. Thanks Hejing! Alto 1 is awesome! Main ensemble with Dr. Robert afterwards. Then OTOT, preparing for the X'mas party. We were quite last minute, but hey! Everything went fine! Haha. Went to collect the food at utown koufu. Sooo long. Cut my toe with cardboard lol. We went back with the ayam penyet and everyone was there already! Ate, then section performances. So spicy!!!!! Sorry for no decorations haha. After that was games, guess song title/ artist/ continue the lyrics. Then the find items starting with the letter to spell the word game (that was played during TJ prom last year). And then we had Murderer, which name was changed to Pedobear (lol!) and revelation of Angel and Mortal. My angel was really nice to give me letters everyday. And his handwriting was so nice (nicer than mine) such that I thought my angel was a girl initially. And my mortal! Haha, sorry for not preparing nice paper, and giving the final clue on Fri. Haha, but I think it was sufficient to let him guess it was me. And the party ended with forfeiting the X'mas comm. Lol. What is this. All the comms got forfeit, except the breakfast comm. Lol.

Anw, I couldn't go for LPG. Cos of some relative's wedding dinner. Lol. She's a complete stranger to me although we are relatives. I want to go LPG! Haha, but I don't want to embarrass myself. Maybe I can go for the next next LPG, after I'm better at the guitar. Ok set. Nobody/ Nothing is going to deter/ stop me from going for it. Haha, meanwhile, practise!!!

One thing to admit, I had thoughts of quitting during sectionals, like, I feel I'm going too fast, haven't even master my basics then going so fast already. But everytime the ensemble plays together, the thought will vanish. Anyways, I've decided I'm going to stay in guitar and not gonna be a quitter. Hopefully it will help in my guitar learning and I'm gonna zoom towards my goal!

The End of Guitar camp! Haha, it was quite a fun and fulfilling one. Made quite a lot of friends too ^^

The second thing I want to talk about, 11 Dec 1am to 6am, the stayover!

After guitar camp ended, family came to pick me up. Yay they bought my dou hua!!!! Went home and unloaded things (fat luggage and my alto), then bathed and went out to meet lingxiang, wanjing, weiting and jasme. They came to fetch me cos it was like 1 am already. We went to eat supper at ecp mr teh tarik. Ate tissue prata with chocolate chips (Those colourful chocolate vermicelli on doughnuts) and teh tarik. Quite nice! But quite expensive too for roti prata. After that went to fly kite at marina barrage! Phobia of holding the kite for fear it will fly away!! It was super cold there (but not as cold as the Dance Studio before the X'mas party) Took a lot of photos with the special lights effect. Super cool. Weiting is the artist and helped us draw a lot of nice things. Haha! Then we recorded 2 songs for the "19 and unaccomplished" album. Lol! Eventually we went to eat breakfast at marine parade hawker centre and went home cos we were all tired. Luckily I remembered to bring my house keys.

After that I slept awhile then went out to buy bed. Haha!

What a happening life! Haha. Till the next time then! I shall go and catch up on things while I was away.

Labels: guitar

Music camp has officially ended. The next time I go for it (if I'm still in guitar), I would be a senior. Time flies haha. It has concluded quite successfully, hope everyone had fun playing angels and mortals. I won't describe the happenings here, not now, it's late! I'll maybe post agn since it's hols now and quite free haha. Time to catch up on violin after not touching it for a week.

Post camp nostalgia!! Haha I saw improvement in my sightreading during sectionals and performed a stunt of getting ready to perform a piece within 5 days (can't remember exactly how many days, I'll count next time) from receiving score to performing in public. Wow haha achievement unlocked! I got closer to my guitar friends too and felt much more comfortable with them :) even the seniors I don't usually/ really talk to. Hahaha. I'm quite happy with my progress in learning guitar, although I could have been better (lol). My guitar goal for this sem is to be able to sightread fast, I have not accomplished it fully, but getting closer!

This is good cos I don't dread sectionals so much now hahaha cos I can sort of keep up! And our new sl is quite nice hahaha, although I do miss my old sl and still feels kinda alone in p1.

Anw my term as ps is ending soon :( one more semester. Hahaha shall do more things and make the times last, happy memories!

Couldn't help comparing with my previous cca agn. Felt the pain agn :( saw a junior wearing a cl drama shirt at camp and thought of it agn. Wanted not to cry (at home of cos) but couldn't help it. Haiz, this always brings tears to my eyes whenever I think about it. I must not be too bothered by these thoughts! Maybe it's god's will that drama be out of my life entirely, as we will no longer be collaborating with stage for naf next year. I know I shouldn't be so biased towards drama, esp english drama, stage is different from tjd afterall. But generalisation kicks in, I will always be reminded of the 6 fruitless years in drama I've spent. The pain and disappointment, esp now that I'm enjoying myself a lot in guitar and the camp our comm organised has just ended. Yay I love our comm and I love the ensemble <3 The stark contrast made guitar stand out much much more, and drama fades into the background~ and disappears! :D

Sometimes I wonder what are my other cl drama friends doing now. What are their thoughts about drama now. Whether they are still passionate about drama, or maybe drama was, and is still just an interest to them. Or they may be like me, on the other extreme end. I don't really see much traces of drama in their lives on fb, friends like wz, wc, ze. Except for rb who's doing a degree in theatre performance (I think) and zh, who is still seemingly passionate about drama as can be seen from his fb comments. Good for them, if they are doing what they like. Good for me too, I have found a new love of my life after ditching drama and reconsidering music. Hahaha. Maybe drama wasn't the correct route to take in the first place, and now god has put me on the correct path :)

Labels: guitar, thoughts about my life

Tmr will be my last paper! I dunno to be happy or sad. It's stats!! Anw, I'm really looking forward to post exam activities hahahhaha. That would be music camp! I rmb feeling very uncertain, not knowing what to expect, not knowing how it will be like, being unsure and afraid whether I had made the correct decision to continue in guitar and go for camp. It turned out to be an important checkpoint (like in those games you know haha) for me to continue in guitar. And now it's my second music camp! Looking forward, partly cos I know what exciting activities have been planned hahahaha, and also getting to know the juniors and other members better! I'm afraid again, haha, of the sectionals and ensemble practices, cos I can't sightread properly yet, and the memories of what happened during sectionals last music camp are still fresh in my mind. Haha damn embarrassing, I'm the only one who can't play in my section :( Can't even follow.

And I've been neglecting my violin since the last lesson. Haven't been touching it. Hopefully I can prac more after exams and before music camp starts if not then I'll just be going for lesson without practising for the entire week!

Ok I should be studying stats now!

Labels: guitar, random

Estaciones has officially ended yesterday (oops I mean on Sunday since today is Tuesday alrdy). Like many others, I'm "suffering" from post-concert nostalgia. No more pracs... But there are still upcoming things to look forward to! Like planning for music camp.. etc etc. So I'll still get to see my beloved comm members as well haha. I felt really happy that we have succeeded in the first concert that we organised as a comm. Could still rmb the time where we got rejected from emcc and then had to do our own concert, the time where we realised we were behind time for publicity and began to rush out the poster and pb. There were ups and downs and it made this experience more memorable. I was sad too, to remind myself that our term will come to an end next year, and I must cherish the moments that happen now. Too much oxytocin at work alrdy ;D

Labels: guitar, thoughts about my life

Spent the afternoon at cfa doing matric fair poster and flyer with partner! Ended up watching documentary about lions while waiting for the rest to finish their meeting so that we can go dinner tgt. Lions are v cute! Anw it was the first prac for cp tonight, and I'm in guitar 4! Well, I wouldn't have chosen this part cos I need to down tune the last string to D, and that messes up the fingering on the last string, which adds onto the chaos and panic that I'm feeling inside cos I can't read bass notes very well. But I thought it is a challenge and very good exposure cos I'm only playing bass notes for one song only, so if I don't like it, it's still one song only. Considering that my aim is to try guitarron (not likely to materialise) in the future, in addition to the fact that this part seem "easier" than the rest (Idk for sure, I just feel this way), I'll just give it a shot!

But the prob lies not in the bass notes, the score is manageable (not so many chords) but there doesn't seem to be a distinct tune or melody :/ I thought it sounds a bit messy, hmmm, not like the other songs we play in ensemble. Maybe that's the composer's style, I'll google him when I'm free.

While waiting for my hair to dry, I've typed so much above. But, the main purpose of this post, is to put into words, how grateful I am to be able to join a musical group with ZERO music background, in UNIVERSITY. It suddenly dawned on me, that all the other juniors who were accepted into guitar, be it workshop or not, have some music background. They either play other instruments, or have already experimented with the guitar. Most of those who don't have any music background are rejected. I'm one of the lucky few who got in. All thanks to WH (I think).

I rmb the wait aft the audition, at first I was kind of indifferent towards being able to get in or not, but it turned into anxiety after WH got her acceptance email. Cos we wanted to get into the same cca. And I was wondering if they will take in a beginner like me :/ who has a phobia of reading musical scores (lol I think I still have a lil bit of it) I was overjoyed (and relieved) when I got the acceptance email, anxiety gone, and ready to take on the realm of music! Haha no, I've always wanted to play in an orchestra (I still do), they sound so majestic! But I'm scared of reading complicated scores haha. But I don't want to keep reading simple scores only, make me feel like a beginner, no, more of like a noob (worst than beginner). So I contradict myself lol. Anw, now thinking back about it, I'm really lucky to get in! Since I don't have any music background (cannot count the primary school recorder experience) I most likely will get the boot, I think it could be due to WH (wa great influence haha). I was joking about the influence part, but I think maybe A thought WH was a good player and wanted to keep her, so he should keep her friend (aka me) too, so that WH will stay on or smth. Idk if it's true, it's just my guess, but I think God brought me here. I wanted a change, away from drama, I wanted to join a musical group (or sports group haha, anything but drama). For a beginner like me who has only picked up the instrument that same year, and still not very good at it, chances of getting into the cca at university level is probably as slim as an underweight person (can't think of good examples at night). So I'm very happy and grateful where I am now. Guitar has fulfilled many dreams of mine: To be part of a musical group, to be part of the comm (I've always wanted to be in the comm during my drama days, but sadly never got in, which contributed to the disappointment in the earlier drama), to make friends and feel really happy and proud to be in my cca (a feeling that I've never had since very long ago ;( ) and feel like I really love my cca (yea I really love guitar now, can't imagine how my life would be without it <3). Thank you God for bringing me here, thank you WH for teaching me guitar (if not I can't even get in -.-). I really thank my lucky stars that I got into uni and got into this cca. I really hope that it will not follow the path of drama, and end up becoming the reason for my tears. And to think I almost decided not to stay, after WH left the cca. There were many times when I felt like leaving, like most of the time I'm alone, like many times I can't play well and others have alrdy mastered the whole song. So tempting to quit becos I don't want to feel inferior. "Give me 5 years, or 6 years, and I'll be like them too." was what I thought to myself many times. But if I quit, then I'll just be delaying my own improvement, I probably won't be so motivated to practise, maybe even give in to procrastination (cos no concert pieces to practise). I'll also be giving up the chance to play together with others, back to square one with regards to my orchestra dream. I'm glad that one day I might fulfil this dream, becos of my decision to take up an additional instrument.

Anw my hair is somewhat dry now, so I'll conclude this post. Tmr still need to do a lot of things to prepare for the camp, some moments ago I was still very panicky and insecure, but now I feel more prepared and more confident. Believe in yourself! I need to feel more confident in speaking and socialising, more confident in guitar playing, and more confident in my academics and abilities. Go for the mods that I want to take! Go for the the events that I want to go! Go for the things in life that I'm after!

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, thoughts about my life

Went for ls prep camp last mon and tues. Haiz regret not gng for scamp or union camp now! Anw it's not like I expected a lot from this camp, but oh well. Hmm I don't think the total number of people could form one og, maybe can squeeze out a small one haha. But anw it was ok la, I especially like to travel arnd NUS at night haha, be it night games or bathing. Like to explore the dark side of my schools (which reminds me, I haven had a camp in tj yet! Overnight camp I mean) but oh well it's too late! Ok enough talking abt regrets, anw I'm the only ogl for my og, which has 10 ppl as of now. Gotta go think of ice-breakers to last for 3 hours!! Gosh. Anw must try for scamp or uc next year, at least once before I grad! Hopefully doesn't clash with internship or anything I'm gng to have then.

Have loads of things to do before gng for the camp: matric fair stuffs and other guitar stuffs (gonna take up the bulk of time), module planning (time to think of how to have enough time to overload and study and get my desired cap, and balancing all my other commitments), practising cowbell cos the 15 jul gig is coming soon (hopefully can fix my rhythm, don't wanna ruin everyone's playing cos of my lousy playing; I do want to try percussions in the future), ls camp stuffs like designing the og logo, thinking of cheers and ice breakers, blah blah (this the first time I've come across a camp that require the ogls to do so much, and thrs only 1 ogl per og). Tbh I feel inadequately prepared for this, I don't wanna appear flustered and end up giving the freshies a bad experience. There doesn't seem to be enough time to do an identity too, haiz I'll see what comes along. Damn, I should stop regretting my decisions and just pull through until the next time I need to make a decision agn, then I'll consider carefully. And stop being so easily influenced!!! Argh I hate this trait of me. So easily influenced. Regretted so many things because of this. ARGH!!!!!!!

Anw, away from sad things, there're my instruments! <3 Progressed to slurs in violin lesson today, I think I'm doing ok so far, but still far from expectations cos the sounds I produce are horrible and I wouldn't really consider them music. But hey, my fingerings are more accurate without looking! ^^ The sound from my teacher's violin and my violin are really miles apart. Looking forward to having my professional violin one day (but that's gng to be expensive so not in the near future I guess). No violin lesson next week, thankfully, cos I'll just break camp on sat and prolly gng to guitar aftwards (should I go? But I'll be tired and din really prac a lot lol), so thrs prolly not much time for me to prac my violin too. Switching frequency to guitar, I think I need to prac more and start to train my muscle memory, especially for WC, since it's mostly chords. And then thr's the comm piece, whr I'll be playing bass. Zomg! Bass!! Haha sommore nid to down tune guitar. Prolly cannt sightread alrdy haha. Sevilla is still giving me headaches, must quickly resolve before other songs come, and juniors come in. Oh ho! Matric fair! Haha kinda looking forward to it. Looking forward to welcome tea too, hehe. But not looking forward to bidding lol. I hope I get my psych mods, if not I will fight till the end for them!!!

Ok, better start using my time wisely now. No time to lose!!

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, School, violin

It's July already! My fingertips are hurting and peeling from sectionals haha. And it hurt so much when I tried to practice violin just now. So fast it's July already! Means matric fair is coming! Haha looking forward to meeting new juniors! And I'm kinda excited for the ls camp too hahaha.

Sectionals today, but started the day with assembling our road signs and ended up late for sectionals :x oops haha. Received new score WC today. So many chords!! Hahaha almost the entire score is chords la haha how to sightread. Progressed quite a lot for Sevilla haha, but I'm still lagging. And talking about lagging, I was lagging for the cowbells :( And went through Spring as an ensemble today, can't really hear myself, can only hear the altos. Lol, maybe cos I'm sitting next to them. Dunno to be sad or happy that I'm not in alto this sem. Haiz just can't help but think about this issue every now and then. Haiz. Hope it will go away soon and who knows, I may find greener pastures in prime lol.

After practice stayed back a little to do matric fair stuff. Poor B is sick, hope she gets well soon! And then went to eat dinner with pres and vice pres at utown italiano haha. I think utown italiano is a nicer name. Haha, anw, ordered some bolognese thing even though I don't like tomato. Turned out dry and tomato-ish, had a hard time trying to finish it up. Left most of the meat in the end and ate the pasta haha. Don't like the meat. Should have just ordered my pizza right. Next time I will do just that. Despite the pizza being more expensive than the pasta and to me the difference is not justified. But I should eat happily rite. After that went to order ice cream. Caramel! <3 So sweet but yet some parts taste/ smell plastic-y. Still prefer the caramel and biscuit or smth from HD. It shall be one of my motivation to work hard and earn more money. Haha.

Ok finished talking about today, oh no, it's "yesterday" already lol. First day of July will be spent on violin, packing and getting ready for ls prep camp. And sending the matric fair collaterals to the relevant ppl for their opinions. And thinking how to hand in the matric fair forms. And hoping I can prac my guitar a little before going off to camp. WC! Haha I love cats ^^ Meow!

Finally submitted the form to indicate my interest for an accommodation in school next AY. Was pondering whether I should stay in school, since I have violin now and I would be putting a lot of things on my plate. But it's a once in a lifetime experience that I once yearned so much for, despite being so expensive lol, and probably not worth it if I look at monetary terms. $2k for 1 sem! Plus travelling costs cos I have violin. Should I stop violin? But I don't want to put it off le. And sommore I want to overload, clear my mods so I can take psych minor. Plus that gem that I s/ued. And guitar pracs! And pub stuffs! Hahaha. I guess excellent time management is the answer. I'm not confident of that, I've been procrastinating lol. Well, no harm trying. We'll see if I manage to get in and what plans God has for me. I really hope to be able to get in! Preferred one pls. Haha.

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, School, violin

Started my first sectionals with the primes last sat. So little ppl haha! And both the sls were not there. Well, I feel that the songs next sem are more difficult than the ones last sem, and if I were still in alto1 I would not be able to survive the auditions. That said, prime parts were not that easy too. Notes for Spring were ok for me to handle and for once I could sightread and play slowly with the rest! Haha very happy but I'm not that easily contented lol. Not for sightreading like that at least. My inability to count was actually the biggest problem, esp for Kiko, and that is the thing I'm gonna tackle when my sightreading improves a bit. Haiz. I think my phobia with reading music score is more of counting. Forever cant count :(

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, SSB, violin

This post is meant to be posted on 3/6/2012, but I forgot to post it before midnight lol.

Had my 3rd violin lesson today! WH had some issues with her teacher and she might not be continuing in the school :/ Well, I do have some issues of my own too, but not much major ones. Like changing time or day of lesson. My teacher has been good so far, and finally today I've started learning notes! No more the days of only being able to play on open strings! Haha, she helped me tape my violin with golden finger tape for positions 1 and 3. She said she'll give me a year before taking off the tape. Better start training my hearing! Oh and she kept correcting my right hand position lol, esp the little finger. Till now I still am not concretely sure about the correct position to hold the bow.

Oh and the teacher also said she is free on friday mornings from Aug onwards. Hope that my timetable will be able to accommodate that, hopefully friday's a free day for me!

Oh, had a meeting yesterday at cfa to discuss about naf. I was early ok! Haha shall try to keep that up. Oh yes it was pouring on that day! Super big rain, was fighting the rain to protect my precious laptop. After that was the SL crash course, I am no SL or ASL, but went because everyone else was going and I didn't have anything else on, it's useful too! Received 3 scores and looked through but couldn't figure out which one was the prime 1 parts lol. And it's so stressful to be a SL, gotta sacrifice practice during sectionals, must be able to keep time and listen for errors, must be able to teach and lead section members..... etc etc. I kept being reminded of hejing and how hard and headache it must be for her to have me in alto 1 lol. Gotta teach, guide and look after me who can't even read notes lol. Reminded of the time during music camp, it was the last sectionals I think, and she taught me one-on-one. Haha, glad that I'm not the ASL too, I don't think I can handle the job. Gotta take care of my own playing first before I can teach others. When I first got the score, I tried to read it, still very slow, but hey, so much better than how I was the same day one year ago. Still cannot sightread properly, sigh. And felt intimidated when everyone else was so pro, when in the end, almost everyone started playing guitars, and I couldn't cos I'll most probably be embarrassing myself. Can't deny the fact that my pride is rather strong lol.

There will be an engagement on 15 July and I'll be playing the cowbell. A bit glad that I'm not playing the guitar (to be honest I'm not confident of my playing, reminds me of what shu hann mentioned during the crash course), but I'm a bit worried about playing the cowbell cos I'm worried about my sense of rhythm, and I'm prolly the only one on the cowbell lol, so there's the pressure of playing "solo". And I'm very afraid of disappointing CC cos if I can't do it, he'll have to find someone else, like giving him more troubles lol. And then it would seem like I'm very useless lol, guitar cmi, percussion also cmi. Haha. Shu hann said smth like, one may not be the best player, but the most hardworking one. I shall try to be the hardworking one, need not be the most hardworking, but hardworking enough to reach the goals that I have set for myself. Shall start practising and trying out the scores to improve my sightreading. It is still the thing that I feel most embarrassed about, being unable to sightread fast.

Ok, so what's in store for the next few weeks?

Tmr will be meeting my partner to make the matric fair boards. And then should be free this week, haha then one day go eat ice cream, cos I got 8 coupons lol and they expire by 13 June! Shall try to get dad to bring us out to finish up the coupons. And then nothing much alrdy, tuesdays going to prac the cowbell, and then sectionals going to start in 19 days. And having violin lessons. My days will probably be filled with guitar and violin pracs, or doing guitar stuffs haha. Oh and maybe going for rag lol.

Time passes so fast, its June already! May 2012 is gone and will never come back :( Anw Hebe's concert is in 5 days! And only Cat 4 tickets are left! Wish her all the best for the concert! Although I can't go cos it's too exp. Maybe next time when I'm earning my own income (then I'll be learning the cello too hopefully!)

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, violin

Last week is quite a happening week, considering that I mostly rot stay at home during the hols. Hey I'm not rotting ok! I have stuffs to do hehe, just maybe not as much as other more hapz ppl. I prolly din deserve my break now, cos today (or ystd, as it has become) the results just came out. And it was horrible. Ok maybe not that very horrible, cos I managed to get the exact same cap as last sem! Lol, don't know if it's a good or bad thing. Ever since A lvls I've been getting B average. Last last sem like this, this past sem also. Except for the extreme dip in CM1401 and this sem's GEM2900. Who said GEM2900 was easy huh!!! So far all my frens that I know of got the same result as me lol. And I got the same grade for CM1401 and GEM2900. So my grades are "doomed" to be all Bs, be it B+, B or B-, and then one D+. A good thing is that I can SU the gem, so my cap prolly has a chance to increase, but not a lot I guess. Argh that CM1401 cannot be SUed! But then I would have used up one of my SUs. So gotta be careful in module selection and mugging from now onwards.

How surprising pleased I was for LSM1202! I thought I screwed it up badly and would prolly end up with a C or D. Ok with LSM1104, my core, what can I say (dun get me wrong I like all my core mods). And the profs are quite nice to us alrdy I think haha. Prof Ip!!! :DD Then there's SSA1201, ok la haha. A bit uncertain for the essay part, but I thought I did quite gd, but I am quite contended, maybe with a + at the back would be better. A bit disappointed with LSM1103, but maybe cos it's open book so the bell curve may have a greater influence on the final grade. And the botany mcqs during finals arghhhhhh. Till now I still dunno what is neoteny (which came out in the prac exam). A google search suggested that it may linked to paedomorphism. Oh goodness!!! I know what is paedomorphism lol. Damn could have guessed the correct answer. Argh! Definitely not the frog, hope I din put yes for the frog (oh but its over:((((( ) Ok, I should snap out of this talking to myself thing cos it's all over and I can't change my results. Bad result for GEM2900, but sort of expected. Din even finish most of the paper, and whatever I wrote I was certain they are all gibberish and I would definitely get 0 for this mod. Maybe the CAs helped me a bit. Oh and the bell curve too. Just a bit sad that the MCs couldn't be counted towards graduation and this means I don't have a GEM! Means I gotta overload next sem most prolly (and I'm still thinking of taking a psych minor, afterall it's what I wanted for so long, to study psychology).  I don't mind spending the rest of my UEs on psych mods, thrs nothing else I'm dying to take alrdy (other than psych, must at least take PL1101E and abnormal psych before I grad) -.- Even if it means having to overload and "waste" 6 of my UEs on a psych minor, I still feel strongly that it is the way to go. I have decided that either I'll try to do double major for psych and ls, or in the event I can't, I'll take either as a major and the other as a minor. I hope that I still can study psych in the future, like a Masters or smth, if I ever one day decide that I'm not cut to be a biologist and is simply misguided all these years into thinking I loved biology.

Okok stop all these serious thinking, this post is supposed to be light and relaxing before I turn in for the night. Had my violin lesson ystd (or more like the day before cos its tuesday now) and worked on switching the bow on different strings, up bows and down bows, bowing for different note values. Need to improve on my sightreading. I'm really glad I have a bit of experience reading music in guitar, if not I would be a total newbie with a phobia of reading notes and then I would progress really sloooooow. Well, I hope I can continue with violin and not have to disrupt it halfway cos I can't juggle between my commitments: guitar pracs, guitar comm, studies (might be overloading), violin, other commitments I might be taking up like tutoring my cousin and my sister more, or taking on tuition assignments. Really hope I can continue with learning violin cos I feel it would be a beneficial relationship in my learning of the guitar and the violin. I can apply what I have learnt in violin in guitar, I really hope my sightreading and theory will improve. Both are stringed instruments with the need to keep one's left hand nails short. Haha, I guess I have been affected ever since that day, the PDP exhibition for the J1s. I rmb I was sitting in the black box with other drama members, relaxing cos thr was no J1 in the black box, and then suddenly I heard string ensemble and guitar ensemble playing a tune tgt. I think it was a violin-guitar duet (I think!) and I fell in love with it! So nice! And then suddenly I wondered what am I doing in the black box instead of doing such cool stuffs like playing nice music. Ok, enough reminiscing, so I am indeed very happy that I'm on my way to become a violinist and guitarist. Esp since nus guitar has been so awesome haha.

Went on early Sat morning for meeting in cfa. Lasted till abt 4 smth, or 5 plus (I can't rmb), which resulted in us not having enough time to eat a proper dinner. Went to the venue hastily haha. Sungha Jung was amazing!! So cute! Haha, thanks to hanwen we were able to take pictures with him! So super cute, better looking than how he was in the youtube videos. Skinny legs! Preston Reed was cool with his techniques at playing the guitar, but I guess contemporary and popular pieces attracted the audience more than cool techniques but not very memorable and sound alike tunes. Both are unique and great guitarists in their own way though, to each his own! And the concert has certainly motivated me to up my guitar playing standards, esp I'm a senior now and cannot rely on other pro players to help cover up my mistakes anymore. Just some thoughts, couldn't get enough of Sungha's playing and I thought he was given a rather short time (maybe cos I gt a bit bored at Reed's segment, sry Reed) Haha but Reed was quite humorous and he came in a T-shirt and berms lol.

Last Wed went out with TJ clique to sing k at NTUA. Was feeling a bit fiesty and angry lol, prolly cos the time of the month is nearing. Got 3 (and a half) blisters after climbing up the hill, which added on to my angry mood lol. But was a fun day singing k, and I managed to pull off Zhang Shao Han's Bu Tong! Haha I can't hear how I really sounded, but I think I didn't go out of tune ba :/ Quite pleased with myself lol haha and actually this is the first time I went singing with TJ clique. First time singing Hebe's songs in public also lol (^^) After that went for dinner at Clementi mall ichiban! Ate a very salty chicken with egg. Very nice to go out with frens once in a long while! ^^ I think my angsty mood died down at the end of the day but it restarted on the train home agn lol.

Tuesday went for ls car wash. Washed 7 cars (6 actually cos the others were alrdy washing one car when we arrived) and got a horrible sunburn! >< Pain! I din realise I got sunburnt until the end of the day. Maybe the reflecting surface of the cars contributed to the horrible burn. Mainly on my arms and a bit on the legs. And I got distinct slipper marks now lol. Lucky I din wear watch if not I will get watch marks too lol. Must get sunblock for Sentosa!

Ok I think that's all for this long post about the past week. Project a little on the coming week.....

Will be SUing my gem ltr during the day, and meeting my partner online to do the marketing proposal for sem 1 concert. I need more bright ideas! Heh feel excited about the fb page! Erm... then I cannot think of anything else for the next week le. Maybe do MF stuffs?

Labels: guitar, holidays2012, School, violin

Done the first draft for MF2012, gonna post about ALR now.

Morning, didn't keep up to my planned timetable and thus was unable to reach the venue by 9am cos the bus C won't come!! Lol. I missed a D2 cos it was in front of the A1 I was in but the D2 always drove off before A1 stopped. So I was stuck at YIH, sweaty (no idea why) and waiting for C. Finally C came and alighted opposite UCC. Met MH on the way and it turned out she's from dance smth (I forgt, ensemble or synergy?) Anw, we wore our genus shirt!! Hehehe. Went to register and got a huge bound book with all the SOP, a file with all the notes for the talks later, a nametag and a shirt. Haven really taken a good look at the shirt yet, but from what I saw it's quite nice. Anw we had morning tea! Just drank a cup of tea cos I ate alrdy. Then we went in to UCC Theatre, and then came out for games, the first one where everyone was given a word and we had to form a paragraph. Haha not easy cos there were words like "and", "the"..... Could fit anywhere. I took "opportunites"! Haha. Then we were split into groups and started the cross the river with the materials you were given game. I was in group A. Haha. Saw a fellow group mate from mazarin camp last time. How coincidental, she was from dance ensemble. Then we went in for the talks... And then some random games of knowing each other. Haha made a fren xiangyun from CO. Cool, but then I wasn't staying for the entire duration so probably we will forget each other as time passes :( Then had a tour around UCC, went to Hall, Theatre and Dance Studio. Learnt many things about the venues, I hope we can get the Hall for our next performance or smth. Didn't manage to get to go up to the cool catwalk. All those technical terms reminded me of drama, speaking of which, TJ Drama gt a GwH for SYF. Haha, knew they could do it. Haiz, maybe I'm just not suitable for drama. Nvm, I'm very happy in guitar now <3

Then it was lunch! Haha, after that we went in for more talks and more games again. There was a game where we had to write down some issues pertaining to the next NAF's theme. Nice time brainstorming, but the markers no ink lol :( Then there was an afternoon tea and then it ended off with a few talks.

And we got to submit our NAF proposal by June/ July (can't rmb when). Quite early considering NAF is March next year. And then there's Matric Fair coming up soon. Suddenly there seems to be a lot of things to do! *Panic mode on*

And I'm still thinking whether I should go for Hebe's concert! Cheapest $88 and I worry I don't have enough cos of violin which takes $100++ from me every month and I haven't secured employment. Should I? http://www.sistic.com.sg/portal/dt?dt.isPortletRequest=true&dt.action=process&dt.provider=PortletWindowProcessChannel&dt.windowProvider.targetPortletChannel=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar/Event&dt.containerName=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar&dt.windowProvider.currentChannelMode=VIEW&dt.window.portletAction=RENDER&contentCode=hebe0612

Labels: guitar, holidays2012

The exams are over and the holidays start! Actually my last paper was on 27th Apr and I'm pretty satisfied with what I wrote, just hope the bell curve will treat me well :/ I'm prepared to s/u the gem, and I'm probably never going to take a maths/ stats mod again (but I still gt st1232 next year as a core mod!!! and I haven fulfilled my faculty requirement yet :( so means I might be suffering at the hands of maths/ stats/ physics again! And I can't s/u these mods!!)

Anyway, I 'll do a module review some other day. This post is supposed to be about the upcoming 3 month holidays that I'm having, and I really want to make it a meaningful one. The irony is even though I want to enjoy my free time and do things that I want to do, I probably can't find enough things to last me 3 months, or won't bankrupt me :/

Should I get an internship? Well, of course. But damn, I missed out on the TIP!! Totally forgot about it. They probably wouldn't accept me cos my grades aren't very good. Should I get a job? Definitely, but I hope I can find something that is related to my major so that I have an idea of what I can do when I graduate (time flies, I'm gonna be year 2 already!!) I'm in a dilemma cos honestly, I don't know what should I do in the future. I like Science, and before I was in JC I wanted to be a teacher. But now, seems like I'm easily influenced by people around me saying that being a teacher is not very good. It does carry some truth though, and I want to spice up my portfolio/ resume so that I can land the dream teaching job in the future. (If I can find work in a relevant industry and further my studies, I might be able to get to that.)

Let's see, what is in place for me this summer?

May:
7 (tomorrow, or rather, later): Orientation meeting in the morning in school, and then going to look at the music school and shop in the afternoon (I'm still undecided :/)
8: ALR
10: Watching RV Choir's concert (Makes mental note to save 7 bucks for this)

Plus gotta come up with a plan for matric fair. Like, I've forgotten about matric fair, lol. Suddenly reminded that it's coming soooon! Haha, I'm somewhat excited to meet the new freshies! I'm no longer a freshie :(

And I think I'm going for a guitar concert this month, somewhere in May. I've forgotten when's the date, I think it's towards the end of the month. And I still owe pq money! (Makes mental note to save 50 bucks for that)

June:
First few days (can't rmb when ><) going for an astronomy event volunteering in school haha. Sounds cool!!  Astronomy!! And then I think I got nothing else in June le. Lol. Empty. Maybe I can get a job/ plan outing with friends during this month.

July:
Sounds busier cos school's gonna start soon. Hmm, let me try to recall, I think there should be more guitar stuff, like matric fair, planning for the next concert, might have pracs :/ And the orientation camp. (Makes mental note to save some money for the camp, like... $60? Enough??)

Now, what's with the making mental notes to save money? Cos I'm thinking of learning violin. And I'm not working, so that's gonna eat up a huge chunk of whatever I've saved from my past allowances, which is not a lot. The instrument itself is expensive (or else you won't get a good one) and then the monthly fees is another thing. I'm still deliberating about it, not just due to the money issue, but also time. Do I have the time? Studies + practicing guitar + comm stuff + practicing violin?? Studies are top priority cos I gotta push up that cap so that I can get into Hons or else employment might be harder to secure in the future. And comm stuff are on the same level as studies, cos I've committed myself to it and should do my best (And I've never regretted putting this commitment on my plate :)) So I shan't disappoint the seniors, my peers, the incoming juniors, and of course, myself. And then there's practicing guitar, I'm not very good at it, and there will be juniors coming in, so must not be too lousy or rusty if not got no face hahaha. And I don't know how prime's like, haha, sounds "easier" than alto generally, but is it really so? Haha, gotta train myself in chords and reading multiple notes at once. I'm still stuck with reading simple single notes lol. Really want to see improvements, currently I'm still stagnant. Thinking of getting books to prac (needs $$ too).

So how? Very scared I can't cope financially and with my time. And if I can't cope financially means I would have to get a tuition job or something. So the time available decreases even more. This reminds me of a picture I saw on FB:

Teens: got time, got energy, but no money
Working: got energy, got money, but no time
Old age: got money, got time, but no energy
Moral: Enjoy every stage of your life, cos you can't have everything at once

How true. Haha, and I've been wanting to learn violin/ viola cos I want to be in an orchestra. Haha. Now that I'm in guitar ensemble, I think this dream can be considered fulfilled? Really happy to play in an ensemble, playing with many others haha. Or the better players (which is like everyone) can cover my bad, wayward playing, hahaha. jk la, I really like to play tgt ok!

Suddenly had an image in my head, I'm working in Cadbury's factory and everyday I go to work with the aroma of chocolates welcoming me and surrounding me as I work; everywhere I go I'm surrounded by chocolate; every breath I take has a tinge of chocolately smell in it. Haha, best is if I'm working in the manufacturing dept, or something that can allow me to see the chocolates and smell them in the air (I sound like some predator). All these spell B-L-I-S-S. Haha, how wonderful will that be. But just a dream :( Singapore doesn't have Cadbury factories, the ones that manufacture chocolates I think.

In summary, my holidays = comm stuff + prac guitar + LS orientation (hopefully doesn't clash with guitar) + going for concerts + outings (1 as of now, will have more, if not I will plan, haha got bdays coming!) + get a job/ internship (subject to availability cos I'm on money conservation mode now) + adhoc stuffs (caligraphy cos I bought the paper alrdy; learning PS; packing my room and blah blah) + learning violin??

Looking forward to a meaningful hols!

PS Saw somewhr that Hebe's gonna have a concert sometime this year (forgot when). Feel like going! But subject to availability of money ($88 cheapest). And I feel like going for the next SHE concert (with approval from my wallet again) cos very long nv see them tgt and nv go this kind of concert before. Haha. Start saving/ earning money!! And scouting for people to go with me hehe. (Makes another mental note)

Labels: guitar, holidays2012

It has been 9 days since Asian Waves drawn its curtains. My second guitar concert (first one was last sem's guitarras), but the first one that I'm playing in the main ensemble. I was actually pretty worried that I will be nervous on stage and then blank out (!!!) haha cos that was what happened during guitarras last sem!! Apparently after spending years in drama, I still cannot escape the clutches of stagefright ><

But I wasn't nervous at all! In face was quite calm. I think it's the excitement, and the thought about playing with everybody else :D Anyway it's also my first time wearing a suit! Haha, I think I looked ok :/

On a sad note, the comm will be stepping down and the new comm will be taking over. Worried about how the next year will be like :/ And the seniors would be graduating, leaving, and next sem will be a different ensemble altogether. Or maybe a different section. Alto 1 would never be the same again. I might not even be playing in Alto 1, who knows? Haiz, change is the only constant.

Anyway, I have been really happy for this sem playing in Alto 1. The awesome people have made things great. Despite not being able to catch up, despite the runs, playing very fast, it is one of the best choices that I've made to join alto! Haha, and I'm not one to express love freely (lol). I <3 alto 1 and I'll miss it :')

The only regret would probably be not meeting up with my friends after Asian Waves. It's my fault really :(

Moving on, it will be agm in 4 days time. The future holds excitement, but me being worrywart-me, can't seem to get rid of the worries that I have, of not being able to do a good job, I'm afraid I can't even maintain status quo :/ That everything the seniors built will be ruined at my hands :o Ok that's being too exaggerating, but I think my worries are not unfounded. I've never done publicity before, and don't know Photoshop!! Ahhhhh!! *Falls into pit of despair*

And annual dinner will be after agm, I hope everyone will like the place that we have chosen! Haha. I probably should relax and be calm before the storms (finals) come. Go away worries!!

Oh yes, separate issue, the accommodation exercise results will be out next wed! Hopefully I can get into hall!

Labels: guitar

Yesterday was a looong day. It was the 31st comm election for the ensemble. Well, I was really nervous cos we had to give a speech and there was a qna session after that. I ran for treasurer... Haha, cos I really wanted to try treasurer. Anyway, I thought it would be treasurer or nothing. When the results came out, I was disappointed that my name didn't appear under the treasurer column. Haha, cos I thought if I didn't get to become treasurer, then I wouldn't be in the comm. So I was shocked when I saw my name under Pub Sec column. Had to see a few times to double confirm I didn't see the wrong thing. I was shocked cos I didn't really focus on the Pub Sec aspect during my speech and the qna. Was touching a lot more on treasurer. And I didn't expect people to vote for me to be Pub Sec, I thought a lot more people would vote Shiyao... Haha, anyway, I'm quite worried cos I don't have publicity experience, and very lousy with Photoshop!!! Haha, I use the primitive Paint. Maybe it's time to upgrade to Photoshop. Just installed the Photoshop CD I got when I bought this laptop in school. Haha, it has finally come to use. I thought I wouldn't need it, but would be a good thing to have.

Thank God! Haha. I did a small prayer before the start of the election that I'll leave it to God. And I became a Pub Sec instead of treasurer :( Haha, maybe God has other plans for me. (Anyway I'm still in a free thinker-Christian state, in a dilemma)

My partner is Beatrice! Hopefully we will be able to do a good job and bring the publicity of the ensemble to greater heights!

Yup, going to start exploring Photoshop and practising guitar~

On a side note, it's recess week! Musn't waste this week away >:/

Labels: guitar

There are two things I want to write about in this post. Firstly, from 5 Dec to 10 Dec, Guitar camp!

Initially I was a bit worried.... Nervous.... Since I don't know most from the main ensemble, and the thought of playing in the man ensemble was.... Haha, well, I know I can't reach that standard..... yet. Haha. But it seems that the camp is overall, enjoyable. Camps are meant to bond! And I think the only camp where I don't feel really bonded is.... A camp a few years ago.

Anyway, I'll leave out the nitty gritty details. Some highlights:

1) 1st day (5/12): It started out awkward, for me. Haha, the workshop members were sitting in our own circle while the main ensemble were in theirs. Then admin stuffs, checking into RH (I've been wanting to stay on campus for a long time actually), lunch and ice breakers, then sectionals, dinner and changing strings, and the x'mas party planning. It was my first sectionals with the altos. I think it's horrible haha! For me, cos I just got the score and my sightreading fail and playing fail. And tuning fail. Alto guitars are tuned differently from primes. I felt something was amiss when the notes I played didn't sound like the ones others played. And I couldn't tune my guitar to standard tuning cos it seems very awkward. Haha, and I didn't ask cos it seems very silly! Hahaha, so that was the first day with the wrong tuning. I tried to tune to others' notes. But I could remember the excitement when I first saw I had an alto assigned to me! Haha, no need to borrow other people's guitar already. I love my alto! Haha!

2) 2nd day (6/12): Nose got blocked and body ached from sleeping on the floor. And the room is really dusty and dirty and ants-y and.... Argh, I'll elaborate more later. Sectionals and lunch.... Main ensemble practising for the NUH CIP on Fri so gave us the workshoppers some time to practice. I'm not the only one who's struggling :/ And Dayl left after day 1, so I'm the only workshopper in alto! Goodness! Haha. Main ensemble and night games followed. I really liked the music! Jap songs ftw! Not J-pop though haha. Night games were creative and fun! Haha, the photoframe game, the syllabus game, the pictionary game and the drink game! Gave me diahrrea the next morning >.< But haha! I got to know more people.

3) 3rd day (7/12): The day started with the usual breakfast, sectionals and lunch. Then mini-ensemble for the first time. Goodness. Only gt 3 people from alto 1. Ended up the last song I had to play solo cos our dear SL was playing the cembalo and Yin Yun had to leave for games. Horrible. No sound! Haha. Guess that will spur me towards trying harder to play! Oh my! (Won't forget that experience) Then games dinner and main ensemble. And then Rika and I brought back our guitars to prac. Halfway through, I saw a weird stick insect that runs v fast, looks like centipede. Then a weird bug on the bed beside Rika. Both os us were really scared! Finally mustered up the courage and caught the weird bug. But the weird stick insect on the floor ran away! We didn't dare to sleep in the room/ on the floor and went to Cheers to look for insecticide. But don't have! Almost wanted to go Rika's house (which was near) to sleep. In the end we squeezed on the bed. But eventually I still ended up on the floor haha.

4) 4th day (8/12): The usuals, then amazing race. Quite fun! Vivocity to make pocky stickman, then Holland V to look for eggs and crack 'em. Orchard central to get 10 honks (Honk for X'mas! Why nobody want to honk!), scape to kick slippers (I'm such a bad slipper-kicker, I keep hitting Shruti, sorry!!) and finally to the not-so-secret final station PS (Elizabeth let slip the final location haha). Ate dinner there and bought my baygon to kill the weird insect in the room! Finally can sleep in peace (hopefully).

5) 5th day (9/12): Breakfast, then prepared to go NUH for the CIP performance. Helped to load the equipment since the workshoppers are not performing. Walked under the hot sun from PGP to NUH Tower block! In my oversized black guitar shirt! Haha. Lunch at megabites at NUH and listened to the main ensemble. After that, sectionals, dinner and main ensemble.

6) Last day (10/12): Breakfast sectionals lunch. We had sectionals by ourselves while Shu Hann went over to alto 2. Our dear SL personally coached me and I realised that I made quite a lot of mistakes! Goodness me. But hey! I felt I improved over the few days. Thanks Hejing! Alto 1 is awesome! Main ensemble with Dr. Robert afterwards. Then OTOT, preparing for the X'mas party. We were quite last minute, but hey! Everything went fine! Haha. Went to collect the food at utown koufu. Sooo long. Cut my toe with cardboard lol. We went back with the ayam penyet and everyone was there already! Ate, then section performances. So spicy!!!!! Sorry for no decorations haha. After that was games, guess song title/ artist/ continue the lyrics. Then the find items starting with the letter to spell the word game (that was played during TJ prom last year). And then we had Murderer, which name was changed to Pedobear (lol!) and revelation of Angel and Mortal. My angel was really nice to give me letters everyday. And his handwriting was so nice (nicer than mine) such that I thought my angel was a girl initially. And my mortal! Haha, sorry for not preparing nice paper, and giving the final clue on Fri. Haha, but I think it was sufficient to let him guess it was me. And the party ended with forfeiting the X'mas comm. Lol. What is this. All the comms got forfeit, except the breakfast comm. Lol.

Anw, I couldn't go for LPG. Cos of some relative's wedding dinner. Lol. She's a complete stranger to me although we are relatives. I want to go LPG! Haha, but I don't want to embarrass myself. Maybe I can go for the next next LPG, after I'm better at the guitar. Ok set. Nobody/ Nothing is going to deter/ stop me from going for it. Haha, meanwhile, practise!!!

One thing to admit, I had thoughts of quitting during sectionals, like, I feel I'm going too fast, haven't even master my basics then going so fast already. But everytime the ensemble plays together, the thought will vanish. Anyways, I've decided I'm going to stay in guitar and not gonna be a quitter. Hopefully it will help in my guitar learning and I'm gonna zoom towards my goal!

The End of Guitar camp! Haha, it was quite a fun and fulfilling one. Made quite a lot of friends too ^^

The second thing I want to talk about, 11 Dec 1am to 6am, the stayover!

After guitar camp ended, family came to pick me up. Yay they bought my dou hua!!!! Went home and unloaded things (fat luggage and my alto), then bathed and went out to meet lingxiang, wanjing, weiting and jasme. They came to fetch me cos it was like 1 am already. We went to eat supper at ecp mr teh tarik. Ate tissue prata with chocolate chips (Those colourful chocolate vermicelli on doughnuts) and teh tarik. Quite nice! But quite expensive too for roti prata. After that went to fly kite at marina barrage! Phobia of holding the kite for fear it will fly away!! It was super cold there (but not as cold as the Dance Studio before the X'mas party) Took a lot of photos with the special lights effect. Super cool. Weiting is the artist and helped us draw a lot of nice things. Haha! Then we recorded 2 songs for the "19 and unaccomplished" album. Lol! Eventually we went to eat breakfast at marine parade hawker centre and went home cos we were all tired. Luckily I remembered to bring my house keys.

After that I slept awhile then went out to buy bed. Haha!

What a happening life! Haha. Till the next time then! I shall go and catch up on things while I was away.

Labels: guitar

Hey! I'm 19 this year and currently in an important stage of my life. After thinking I decided to start this blog, to record down the ongoings of this stage in my life. For memory purpose, haha, when I'm old I'll be looking back at the posts here and laugh at how childish/ cry at how foolish I was. Yea, that's life.
To contact me you can leave a message at the tagboard >>>
Information correct as at 28/11/2011.

Why, good grades at exams of course!
Play in an orchestra <:D
Work in Cadbury! Haha!
Snow chocolates!!!
A more realistic one, to be able to keep in touch with all my friends.
And also, get better with the guitar ♥



♥ Chocolates, of course! CBF!

X Cockroach lol

SweetFriends

Aw, Leaving Already ?

Seashellbottle - B - C - D - E

I started blogging on 28/11/11, 12 midnight. I blog because I want to record this stage in life, and share my life with whoever's interested (aka you who is reading this now ;D).
Since we're talking about history, we gotta have some dates:

28/11/11, 12+am : Birth of this blog!!



Layout done by, -xCherrie

Others: I HEART YOU

Jul 2012
15: An engagement*
16: A case competition
20: Photocopy day
23: Decorating for MF
24 - 27: Matric Fair 2012*

Aug 2012

* Look forward to updates!



Aug 2011
09: NDP 2011
11: Start of school (A new chapter!)

Oct 2011
09: Guitarras Expresivas

Nov 2011
19 - 28: Sem 1 Finals
30: SSB Outing to Punggol #

Dec 2011
02: NDP11 YPC BBQ
05 - 10: Guitar camp #
11: 19 and unaccomplished night outing #
20: Release of Sem 1 Results

Jan 2012
04: Guitar chalet
05: Ikea trip
06: YPC lunch
07: Guitar prac
09: Start of school Sem 2
14: LPG2012 (Which I can't go)
23 - 24: CNY

Mar 2012
11: NAF12: Asian Waves #
13: Guitar Recording
24: Guitar AGM and Annual Dinner
28: Hall Application Results

Apr 2012
02: LSM1104 CA2
21 - 27: Sem 2 Finals

May 2012
07: Orientation meeting, going to see music school
08: Arts Leaders Retreat #
20: First violin lesson!! #
26: Sungha Jung and Preston Reed's concert #
28: Release of Sem 2 Results #

Jun 2012
12: Practising cowbell
21: Do matric fair publicity at partner's house
23: Start of sectionals #
24: Elva's birthday lunch #
30: Sectionals #

Jul 2012
02 - 03: LS Prep Camp #
10: Prac for cp #
12 - 14: LS Camp #

# Blog updated