Yay, Band Camp is coming up next week! I was already quite excited about it when Mr Ho first announced it a couple of weeks ago (or less?). Justine doesn't like to stay in school and was complaining about having to stayover for Harmonica camp last Friday.
We are going to Guang Zhou and Hong Kong in late December too! Yay!! That's really something to look forward to. Etude and Band Feista wouldn't be the final events of my life in NJCSB before everything big in life is all about 'A' levels then I have to leave college.
The pieces we are playing for this year's concerts are so nice! I simply enjoy myself playing them, although I got alot of my notes wrong. Phantom of the Opera, Cry of the Celts (I don't know if its confirmed but this piece is absolutely lovely! I want to watch the movie! but I don't know the story. The melodies are very familiar. JingWei likes it so much she was practising it alone after school on Friday), The Incredibles (simplified version), Orient Express, Disney on Parade, and of course Amazonia. Oh, now to think of it, I kind of miss Singapore Rhapsody.
I am still puzzled over how Justine and I can end up hanging out with each other most of the time during school hours this year, after quarrelling so much during PW last year. We did build up a friendship after finding some common characteristics, before finding out that we were in the same group for PW, and both of us, being stubborn, had argued over many things. Actually I have forgot what those things were, but we just got very unhappy. Hmms, but I think we did learn from the experience, about conflict management. hahas.
I've to make a correction: The senior's name is Kian Hua, not Tian Hua - found out from Boyang, 'cos both of them are from Cat High.
I think my dreams these days are less absurd, in other words less imaginative. When I was younger, I would have out-of-the-world dreams like being heavily burdened by a gigantic bean bag; being able to move around with huge jumps (sometimes a few metres, other times a few dozen or a few hundred metres high); dropping a few hundred metres down; maneuvering a car over roller-coaster-like highways or at very high speeds; crossing a percarious bridge being chased by skeletons and scary people. Okays, by now it should be evident that many of my dreams, or at least many of the dreams that I remember, are what people call, "nightmares". Nowadays, I seem to be able to remember much less dreams. Its not that I am dreaming less, according to sources, its just that I remember less dreams. Those which I remember are just so similar to real life, I think.
I attended a resume writing and interview skills talk on Thursday. At the end of it I just got freaked about them. In application forms the admission personnels want to see leadership positions, but I don't even have any. Ugh. Sometimes I just wonder if I should really try hard to get a scholarship or simply stick to nothing.
After the talk I was already late for Greenlink elections. Surprisingly they were only at the fourth speaker, though it was already an hour into the meeting. There were ten people running for eight positions, but five of the seven whose speeches I heard weren't even the least convincing that they were genuine Greenlinkers who wanted to serve. In the end eight were still chosen. I wonder why double posts weren't given. Maybe they were just following NJ's policy of giving everyone a chance to lead, even though I think at least they should be worthy of it, which a few of them really weren't. Janice said she wanted Wei De to run, unfortunately he's running for shooting club. I learnt, to my surprise, that Shufen was NY Green Club's president. Peiling seemed to want to make her the new Greenlink president, yet again, unfortunately, she's running for harmonica band.
There was DramaFest 2005 on Friday. I sort of wanted to go but didn't decide on it 'cos I know none of my classmates would go. Then on that morning, Karen asked Addy to go, and they asked me too. It was a couple of hours later when I realised that it isn't as easy as things used to be - I can't return at any time I want ; I have to apply for permission to return after curfew hours. (But if I weren't staying at the hostel, I actually wouldn't go 'cos I would have to wait in school from 1.20pm till 7.30pm.) I ended up spending half an hour waiting for the matron to agree to sign the permission slip 'cos it was supposed to be signed by the "house tutor".. who wasn't in then. This girl Sisi who was helping out at the office took pity of me and after 15 minutes of waiting, she told the matron I've been waiting for a very long time, which I'm sure the matron knows. Although she was attending to some scholars, I felt she was taking more time than was necessary, like she just wanted to make us wait. Perhaps I could have been more assertive, or simply break the curfew, but I guess its just not wise to get into the matron's bad books... Haha, I suddenly realised it could be describe as red tape.
Back to the DramaFest. There were four stories, but we didn't get to watch the first 'cos one of the three actors was ill. For the remaining three, it seemed as if they were ordered in terms of quality of performance, 'cos the following was better than the previous, and the finale, a Gold award winner at the recent SYF - a performance put up by IPers. They were indeed impressive. Sharon considered the other IPers' shrills of support immature, but I guess it should be okay for 15-year-olds. I liked the script. At the beginning the producer (acted by this thin tall girl Charmaine Miranda) was talking (either to herself or to an invisible cast) back face the audience then when she turned around, she was shocked to see the audience because it was supposed to be a rehearsal for the following week's performance, but she said it was okay as long as we stay quiet. Then there was one part where it was supposed to be the butler's turn to talk but the actor was missing so the stage manager (acted by chubby boy Jeremy Yeo), under the instructions of the producer was calling for the actor before he realised he was supposed to act as the butler. Although its quite cliche, Jeremy succeed in creating the hilarious effect.
Yesterday Mr Ho got us to play Amazonia once again after about a three-week hiatus. He said we have to keep on playing. So we played once through and I made two blunders! I came in one beat early at the extremely quiet part where percussion and woodwinds played quavers and I hurriedly flipped the page, having forgotten that I had put two copies of the score into the file so that we would have to flip. Ugh. I felt so stupid.
Anyway, Colleen came back! This adds up to three juniors coming back to play for Etude! Wenjie (bass clarinetist) and Stefania (saxaphonist. I don't know how to spell her name) being the other two.
Mr Ho admitted that we should have played Amazonia instead of practising Orient Express so hard within a week. He said its time the audience learnt to appreciate such a piece. I agree with him. Fortunately I heard/read some good comments, though we screwed up once again. These few weeks (maybe even longer ago?) I always look forward to Mr Ho conducting, whenever its one of the PPs doing it. Daryl noted on his blog that "the band sounds like shit when Mr Ho's not around". Its quite queer that something personally felt by me is similar to the rest of the band, although I play just as badly whoever's conducting. I just feel better when its Mr Ho.
Well, there's Exco nominations going on now. I think Jingwei must have impressed Zhiyong somehow - each person can only nominate two people and she was one of those he nominated even though they are from different sections. I learnt, again to my surprise, that Kirby, an extremely quiet guy, was an ex-band major. He does display confidence when he plays but I thought leaders were supposed to be very sociable.
After band, our section had lunch together again, this time at Curry Wok. My wallet went into negativity, despite me having an extra $10 which Jasper paid for an Etude ticket. I shouldn't have gone, I had actually planned not to. Sigh. Anyway, so I decided to walk back to the hostel, though it wasn't a nice walk for the weather was scorching and I was wearing black.
Haha, abit about me.
Your Brain is 46.67% Female, 53.33% Male
Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female You are both sensitive and savvy Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve
While some of your behavior is quite normal... Other things you do are downright strange You've got a little of your freak going on But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself
Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.
With a birthday on the 15th of any month, you are apt to have really strong attachments to home, family and domestic scene. The 1 and 5 equaling 6, provide the sort of energy that makes you an excellent parent or teacher. You are very responsible and capable.
This is an attractive and an attracting influence. You like harmony in your environment and strive to maintain it. You tend to learn by observation rather than study and research.
You may like to cook, but you probably don't follow recipes. This number shows artistic leanings and would certainly support an talents that may be otherwise in your makeup. You're a very generous and giving person, but perhaps a bit stubborn in ways.
Delicate, timid, and attractive - sometimes you really do act like a bunny.You're very compassionate and protective of those you love, sometimes too protective. Your home is really your castle, and you make sure your home is comfortable and well furnished. You don't like to argue - and you prefer a quiet, peaceful life.
You are most compatible with a Goat or a Pig.
You Should Have Been Born Under:
You are solid, methodical, and you do things right the first time.Even when no one else does, you always believe in yourself.You tend to see the world in black and white, right or wrong.A good memory and eye for details means you tend to thrive at near impossible tasks. You are most compatible with a Snake or Rooster.
The Artist You are a gifted artist or musician (though your talents may be dormant right now).You enjoy spending your free time in nature, and you are good with animals and children.Simply put, you enjoy bueaty in all its forms and live for the simple pleasures in life.Gentle, sensitive, and compassionate - you are good at recognizing people's unspoken needs. You would make a good veterinarian, pediatrician, or composer.
Your #2 Match: ISTP
The Mechanic You are calm and collected, even in the most difficult of situations.A person of action and self-direction, you love being independent.To outsiders you seem impulsive, surprising, and unpredictable.You are good at understanding how all things work, except for people. You would make an excellent pilot, forensic pathologist, or athlete.
Okays, my feelings about last day of school. I didn't intend to blog about it, but decided to after visiting a few blogs. I didn't feel anything different about Friday being the last day of Term 2. It seemed just like a usual day.
Ohs, I just realised I forgot the existence of my class blog! To think I was its creator...
I miss listening to songs I like when at the hostel. I want an mp3 player!
wishing; 5/29/2005 11:45:00 AM
Have Read
'04 year-end holidays (highest number of books read in a long time)
-The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom (gd read)
-Princess Diaries: Third Time Lucky by Meg Cabot (fun read)
-Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (must read - inspirational)
-Slab Rat by Ted Heller (full of office politics and R21 stuff - not for kids)
-The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (makes u want to finish it)
-A walk to remember by Nicholas Sparks (simple but meaningful)
-The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark (can identify with)
-The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks (romantic love story with too much R21 stuff)
-Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks (even more R21. ugh)
-The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery
-Unstrung Heroes by Franz Lidz (autobiography about his four uncles and father)
-The Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
-The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (very unique POV of an autistic boy)
-The Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux (love the breadth of the plot, one of my favourites)
-Wild Orchids by Jude Deveraux (alternating between two first persons' view - unique, but don't like e plot)
-Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder (philosophy tb in a story; gets abit dry though plot saved)
-forgot what i read...-
-Working Wonders by Jenny Colgan (story of an urban planner)
-Angels and Demons by Dan Brown (impressive intelligence with bits of great humour)
-Just between Us by Cathy Kelly (thickest bk i've ever read-600+pg, too long for me but not bad)
ha, started a few bks but didn't enjoy them enough to read more.
'06
-Life of Pi by Yann Martel (novel based on true story; a lot to learn from the book - animals, religions,
survival, appreciation of simplicity; marvelous descriptions of both the tangible and the intangible,
such that I could feel their realness; bits of very enjoyable humour; a must read)
-The Complete Analects of Confucius, Volume 1 - Asiapac Comic Series (some good teachings.
didn't read everything though)
-The Parable of the Pipeline by Burke Hedges (lent to me by Shujun; like she said, its a short version
of Rich Dad Poor Dad - good financial tips)
-The Alchemist by Paul Coelho (simple story with deep meaning)
-Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results
(hai, doesn't seem to be working for me - cos im not applying..)
-haven't been updating from Jun'06 to Jul'07-
'07
-Take a Chance by Sarah Webb (very interesting twist towards the end)
'08
-A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer (very saddening. made me realise how significant family is in how a child behaves)
-Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite by Paul Arden (refreshing book with many pics)
-The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Rui Zafon (amazing how people can think of so much plot to pack into one book, wld b a gd tv series)
-The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (the story is interesting but i think the ending cld hv been better written)
-This Book Will Save Your Life by A.M. Homes (a bit thought-provoking on relationships but i didnt like e abrupt ending)
-Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner (gd knowledge but partly qte repetitive)
-For One More Day by Mitch Albom
-The C Words by Mark Mason (made me keep wanting to read on. light & funny)
'09
-Return to Summerhouse by Jude Deveraux (another good read from Deveraux)
-The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (gosh such vivid descriptions! very well written book. i liked d theme of friendship and the realness of the story)
'10
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (a must-read!! i love the expressed thoughts of the protagonist, esp those about friendships, and the writing style - it seems like she's telling me her story specifically to me)
How to Save Your Own Life by Michael Gates Gill (an inspiring read, for emotional liberation and greater joy in life)
Reading
on hold
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
Waiting for chance to get hold of
The Little White Car by Danuta de Rhodes
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon or The Diving Bell and the Butterfly by Jean-Dominique Bauby
My Left Foot by Christy Brown
Gotai Fumanzoku or An Unsatisfactory Body (Translated into English as No One's Perfect) by Hirotada Otatake
Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami
Other Recommended Readings by Marc
The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin – Few books have had as significant an impact on the way society views the natural world and the genesis of humankind.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell – Gladwell looks at how a small idea, or product concept, can spread like a virus and spark global sociological changes. Specifically, he analyzes “the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable.”
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens – This is a tale that lingers on the topic of attaining and maintaining a disciplined heart as it relates to one’s emotional and moral life. Dickens states that we must learn to go against “the first mistaken impulse of the undisciplined heart.”
Lolita – This is the kind of book that blows your mind wide open to conflicting feelings of life, love and corruption… and at times makes you deeply question your own perceptions of each. The story is as devious as it is beautiful.
Getting Things Done by David Allen – The quintessential guide to organizing your life and getting things done. Nuff said.
How To Cook Everything by Mark Bittman – 900 pages of simple instructions on how to cook everything you could ever dream of eating. Pretty much the greatest cookbook ever written. Get through a few recipes each week, and you’ll be a master chef by the time you’re 30.
Honeymoon with My Brother by Franz Wisner – Franz Wisner had it all… a great job and a beautiful fiancée. Life was good. But then his fiancée dumped him days before their wedding, and his boss basically fired him. So he dragged his younger brother to Costa Rica for his already-scheduled honeymoon and they never turned back… around the world they went for two full years. This is a fun, heartfelt adventure story about life, relationships, and self discovery.
Self-note: Tip for my future business =D
give employees reasonably high pay to keep them- otherwise they are unlikely to stay loyal.
treat employees not according to how well they treat me but how conscientious they are at work
(of course, musn't expect them to only do work throughout the entire working hours -
give some breathing space too, we are humans, not machines) Movies watched(listing started on 6jan08)
in cinema from VCD/DVD
1Sep07: "Hairspray" w TK, GH & SH
14Sep07: "Ratatouille" w mom & extended family
28Dec07: "The Pianist" w Jus & Pam (heartbreaking but good lessons; i recommend!)
2Jan08: "I Am Legend" w Sherm (scary! but good acting; thought provoking; i recommend!)
5-6Jan08: "A Good Year" alone (excellent show! i like the acting; funny; good lessons; touches my heart; i recommend!)
11Jan08: "Le Grand Chef" w WLing, JT & Irene (good! funny, very touching, :) nice; watch if like humour+meaning+food)
7Feb08 (CNY 初一): "Ah Long Pte Ltd" w parents (pretty hilarious - but u gotta understand dialects, some teary parts. wells typical of jack neo movies but with diff content)
11Mar08: "The Leap Year" w Sherm (so sweet! :) and apart from couple relationship it touches the theme of mother-daughter and best friends too)
6Jun08: "P.S. I Love You" w Sherm (don't know if its coz we watched it on laptop, coz it didn't impress me as much as it did for him in cinema)
8Jun08: "The Forbidden Kingdom" w Lisa, Karen & Sandy (ums..guess i'm really not into kungfu)
8Jun08: "What Happens in Vegas" w Lisa, Karen & Sandy (simple,relaxing show)
7Jul08: "我和狗狗的10个约定" w Sherm, his ma & sisters (very simple,touching but actually not my type of show)
10Jul08: "Before Sunrise" w Sherm (hmm maybe watchg on laptop really affects appreciatn of movies..)
30Sep08: "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" w Sherm (i didn't like it as much as i thought i wld when i saw the ads)
31Dec08: "Yes Man" w Mom (inspiring and funny)
11Feb08: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" w Mom (not as impressive as i thought it wld be)
1Jul09: "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" w Yumei, YY & Matt (the best thing was the soundtrack. heh.)
14Aug09: "GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra" w Joyce (it was awesome! best action movie i've ever watched)
17Aug09: "Food, Inc." w SYL & RuiQ (learnt some stuff abt the American food industry but it was a bit boring and not worth the $10)
22Sep09: "The Time Traveller's Wife" w WB, VanD, WLing, CHL, Irene, VanQ, Mf, Pg (i liked it. having read the book really helps w udsg)
21Nov09: "Gokusen" w Mf, Eva, Tony, Sarah (funny inspirational movie)
24Dec09: "十月围城" w Tony, WLing, VanQ (action action and a bit funny? tony criticised the plot. my fav scene was the running n jumping through the crowd along the five-foot ways w/o cuts)
30Dec09: "Sherlock Holmes" w Irene, Tony, Sweetee (my favourite genre of books made into a movie - what else can be more cool? acting effects humour excitement suspense all in)
12Jan10: "Avatar 3D" w Mom (didn't appreciate the digital effects which everyone wowed about. content etc was so-so. cathay's 3D glasses were too heavy for me)
8Feb10: "The Truman Show" w Ky n sis n Yuhshin (a must-watch. very thought-provoking, funny. reminder to be spontaneous and create your life the way you want, instead of falling into a typical routine
14Feb10: "New York, I Love You" w Mom (I loved it! a good couple movie with meaningful pointers to keep it going. but i think some stories could be more developed)
16Feb10: rewatched "The Pianist" (still find it good, tho i still feel first viewings are the best)
17Feb10: "Valentine's Day" w CHL n WB (laughed throughout - a feel-good movie; liked the fact that the various stories binded tog so well with the little surprises here and there, vs NY ILU in which each story was separate)
20Feb10: "赤壁二" w Addy, Karen, Sharon, SJ (should have watched the first one first cos i ended up not knowing who's who and what's happening and had to keep asking :/ and couldn't pay attn.. if not i think it should be a pretty good movie..)
4Mar10: "Alice in Wonderland 3D" w Mf (i found the 3D effects of this @ CCK Shaw SO much better than Avatar @ The Cathay =/ and the movie was much more enjoyable too! - cheered a sad me up :)) favourite quote - the Mad Hatter: “You used to be much muchier before. ... You have lost your muchness.”)
18Mar10: "Nodame Cantabile" w Irene, Mf (i thoroughly enjoyed some of the orchestra pieces - SO impressive! the expressions of the actors were really amusing :D)
23Apr10: "Ice Kacang Puppy Love" w Mom (funny, touching and meaningful - about love between friends and family. i cried 3 tissues! cos some touching parts i could really understand the feelings of the characters involved)
Inception
Letters to God (very simple Christian movie)
22Nov10: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" w Ame, Irene (they loved it. pretty good, i guess the main problem i had was that im not familiar with HP :X)
13Dec10: "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" w Sj (not bad, could follow the story unlike HP. like the meaningful teachings, too long - in a post)
2Mar11: "The King's Speech" w Ame (hilarious, inspirational, tho it doesn't impress me that much to understand why it's the Oscar winner)
Mar11: "10 Things I Hate About You" very funny. silly sweet high school romance. just right for having breaks in between doing homework
23May11: "Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides" w Wb Yl Ame Pg (pretty good - scenery, freakish parts, fighting scenes, dressing, humour, bits of Christianity like when the Spanish said "only God gives life")
6Jun11: "Xmen First Class" w Wb Ame Pg (i was very keen on watching it and it was really good! intellectual, makes sense, cool action, some humour)
9Jun11: "Legally Blonde 2" w Irene (seems like some dumb blonde movie but kind of meaningful too - speaking up for yourself and what you stand for)
17Jun11: "Something Borrowed" w Sandy Lisa (quite funny, somewhat meaningful wrt friendships. they didn't like the lack of sense for one part tho)
16Jul11: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" w Irene, Sweetee, Kw (not bad. i didn't understand some parts again but the humour and effects were pretty good)
Aug11 "Horrible Bosses" w Ma (she fell asleep! gosh. the movie was very crude i must say but there was the humour)
25Oct11: "The Three Musketeers" w H (i would rate it 3.5 for humour/intellectual language and 4 for action. it's by the same producer or director as Sherlock! but a bit less awesome albeit a good chill out movie)
5Nov11: "Real Steel" w Hl (action packed but not too hardcore for me. i liked that there was the father and son element and how the father eventually softened his heart and especially the part when charlie was having trouble telling max sth and max was so understanding saying "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me." touching and demonstrates true fighting spirit)
12Dec11: "50/50" w L (adopting her words - a heavy topic put across in a lighthearted way, but not taking away d meaning. most of it was rather hollywood-ish trashiness but there were a couple of punch lines "u can't change ur parents, but u can change d way u respond to them.")
25Dec11: "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" w KY (ultimate action packed! super tense almost throughout the movie, and interesting Tom Cruise made it such that not everything happened smoothly - he would jump and misland and get all sorts of injuries..it's really the courage to jump without hesitation even though you are not sure you'll be alive after that. KY loved d movie and said she would watch it again!)
3Jan12: "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" w KY (i love mystery (: and the witty sarcastic dialogues. good level of excitement with the action. didn't understand some parts as usual. i like Holmes and Watson they depict such a true pair of buddies ;D)
23Jan12: "You are the Apple of My Eye" w mom (now i understand why guys like this movie so much - the anxiety of chasing after a girl and the acts schoolboys do to get the girl's attention and hopefully affection. the initial fluttering and the subsequent quarrelling)
22Mar12: "The Iron Lady" w KY (really love Thatcher's sharp words. inspiring and thought-provoking, tho i was still left uncertain of what to do with my life, the movie is definitely an encouraging one)
29Mar12: "Barney's Version" w SJ (a funny movie of a screwed up life of a man who had 3 wives, smoked and drank but very heartwarming at the same time, the relationships with the dad and the 3th wife - quotable quotes!)
27Apr12: "The Hunger Games" w Mom
4May12" "Avengers" w MF n PS (funny, action-packed)
7Jul12: "The Amazing Spiderman"
21Jul12: "The Dark Knight Rises" (fantastic depth, loved the twists)
20Aug12: "ParaNorman" w Mom (simple funny animated movie, heartwarming support)
Performances watched (listing started on 25Apr10)
20Jan10: Patrick Marber's Closer by outoftheBLUE, NUS Science w Pam (
13Mar10: The Rain Came Down Like Pearls the Night I Died... The New Musical - Sing & Tell by Mark Chan w Addy & Jy
21Mar10: Quintessence by NUSCO w CHL
