Felt slightly better today even though last night was terrible. I was wondering when such a breakdown would happen 'cos I have been handling it moderately well,in fact, maybe better than expected. Anyways, after the airport trip with Ai Ping yesterday after Sports Day (which was quite a waste of time), was feeling so much better although I suffered the consequences of a chocolate overdose in school today. (Think of what one whole bottle of Meiji Chocolate Milk, loads of Andes Chocolates, many slices of pizza, a packet of Ruffles potato chips can do to your stomach!)


Choir Forum really helped in lifting my spirits, all the comments by Gabriel, Matthew and the J1s plus some J2s were really encouraging and super funny :D


And we weren't sharp by 4 semitones but only 1! (which is normal for any excited and perky Choir performing in a competition). Mistake on Gabriel's part. Phew!


Moreover, the fact that the 2 conductors were really affected by it made the recovering process easier. They didn't expect it to turn out this way too. (Nelson couldn't sleep because of us, his only Choir that got Silver and Mr.Low said that we did well.)


Anyways, we received word that the reason of us getting a Silver could be due to our intonation. And seriously, I feel rather unjustified by this. I mean, it didn't occur to me that this would even be the criteria other than pitching, expression and dynamics...



INTONATION?!?!?!?!


I seriously have nothing to say man....this is really something that is subjected to one's discretion....


Choir aside, it's time for a reality check. Many tests lined up one day after another (Faculty Test, Common Test, Block Test,Mid-year Exams...whatever...they're still tests) And the bad news is, I'm seriously behind the class. SERIOUS.





God help me.





And I'm sorry to say this but I've had enough of you. I don't even understand why you're complaining about practices ALL the time and thinking of skipping it just for the sake of your studies, without even considering that your fellow friends are going through the same thing. I mean,it's important that we prioritise studies over Choir but during the days leading to SYF period, it's unfair to place academics first. And also, all the unnecessary bitching about a certain someone should be done WITH THOUGHT. Why don't you try being in his position and accounting to the Choir after the results were announced? It's not as easy as it sounds. It really hurts me to even think such thoughts of you 'cos I regard you as a super close friend,in fact, maybe a sister. Seeing you during Sports Day didn't help either. It's amazing how you can seem so unnaturally happy at a time like this. It's as if your intention for joining Choir is purely done to secure a perfect record on your SGC. Argh, I don't know...

I am still in a state of shock.


Hmm...didn't really expect this to happen even though there was this nagging feeling that told me that it wouldn't be a smooth ride after all. Anyway, all of us knew how the school would react when we broke the news to them 'cos after all, many expected us to produce Gold, if not Gold with Honours. Well, the critics out there, especially those from certain performing arts groups ( I said CERTAIN), would be having a field day now...I guess and it didn't help that some have already approached the Choir people and "comforted" them...


Maybe I'm being angsty and bitchy but you can't blame me for the state I'm in now 'cos I really gave EVERYTHING....imagine all the sacrifices,meetings,scoldings and practices that we have to put up with and what do we get in the end?



And the worse part is, we are not even sure what went wrong, the people present were equally puzzled too...All I knew was that we certainly went sharp but going sharp by 4 semitones is unforgivable (according to the recordings on the Choir forum). And you have no idea how hard I tried to suppress that bundle of nerves onstage just to ensure that we wouldn't go flat or sharp and that the emotions would be able to flow freely....



Of course there would be some that really think that we are good and that there might be some error or glitch on the judges' part...that one SYF doesn't prove how good/bad we were but Olivia has a point: People only look at the results in the end. They wouldn't bother to argue and discuss what went wrong and so on....


Maybe we really derserve it 'cos there were some who didn't put in their best, or so I heard. It's surprising how they can just shrug it off and move on so quickly that it almost seems unnatural. Anyway, it doesn't matter now 'cos what's done is done.


I can just imagine what would happen during assembly when the results are announced...


Ms. Quek and Prem were right in saying that it doesn't matter how hard we fall but how we pick ourselves up after that. I guess eventually we would be fine but it isn't easy to forget that you made history in a different way when you know that you could be painting a different picture in the first place.


This really reminds me of what happened in secondary school. Maybe Ai Ping was right, we're jinxed,haha....


I'm just sad that people who worked so hard and sacrificed so much had to face the consequences as well. I mean, they are really sincere in their efforts and everything...


'Guess that we wouldn't appear on tpjc.net's "SYF Gold" list after all: something that our dear critics would gloat about.

For now, studies would be my solace..haha....I'll be fine....

Yesterday was really a day of miracles. For the first time since she accepted Christ, mum voluntarily agreed to go to church with us! Since she was new to Christianity, there were many things that she has yet to experience,one of them being Holy Communion.

So of course she questioned me about it and she was hesitant to take it at first but after she did, she said that it was "quite delicious!" :D


Anyway, the feeling of proving someone wrong just gives you the adrenaline rush and I'm glad that I did not fail this time. Of course this is done with the help of my sister. I've yet to receive an apology from the person but I guess what I've done is more than enough...muahahahaha!


Sunday practice was short and sweet...I didn't expect it to end THAT early but guess it was sorely needed...

After all the practices and various exchanges with the JC Choirs, I guess this is it...tomorrow is THE day and I really hope that it will end fast and end well. However, I can't imagine what school would be like without Choir practices though, not that I miss the practices itself but the people who have really brighten up what would otherwise be a dull and monotonous school life =)

The flu bug seems to be having a field day these days....it's just dispiriting to see friends succumbing to the virus one by one....why can't this vicious cycle end?

So, to all my beloved friends and loved ones (you know who you are), please please please take care of yourself k? Drink lots of water, have a balanced diet [and that means no dieting!] and don't sleep too late ok? =)

It's annoying that whenever I try so hard to get well and when I finally do, it comes back much stronger than before and it's irritating cos SYF is less than 2 weeks away.Judging from yesterday's practice, I don't like what I hear...Ok,maybe for the set piece only....

More news about SYF: Modern Dance got a Gold with Honours, adding to the so-far-so-good results of Guitar Club attaining Gold with Honours and Indian Dance achieving Gold...


It's hard to maintain the Gold record that Choir has been achieving for many years and now that judging has become stricter (many Secondary School Choirs downgraded this year, with the judges handing out Certificates of Participation like nobody's business...) and many of us not in top form...I'll be jumping for joy if we get Gold,seriously...


One word of advice to the one I'm referring to: Continue demoralising us and you'll see the result. I know it's hard being who you are but you should know that you have to change your modus operandi after knowing that it doesn't work.

My academic situation in school is starting to get bad...I'm starting to lag behind on tutorials and topics that I have to cover which the tutors have done,especially Maths...and homework which I would normally try to complete seems to be forgotten. I really have to manage my time well!!!! Just thinking of A Level Results Day is enough to motivate me...

Well, today's EU Concert was screwed up...at least according to me 'cos firstly, the Auditorium started to leak (of all days!) and that means we get to perform at the area under the Audi which is NOT GOOD!! It spoils the mood and most of us were distracted by all the background noise and what-not. (even though the latter isn't a good excuse for our mediocre performance) Next would be, as mentioned already, our lacklustre performance... why issit that everytime we go onstage we lose everything that has been conveyed to us during practice? Suddenly all the dynamics,diction,vocal techniques just wasn't there, not to mention the emotions (I mean we can't even get the basics right...). Issit due to our nervousness/stage fright? I really don't know...



EU Concert



Maybe I'm being too harsh but I can't help it. SYF is coming and what with all the internal and external pressure...sigh...

the only good thing that happened was that we get to go for the buffet which the school provided and __________.

Tomorrow had better be a good day.....

voyAJe Concert at the Esplanade was not bad...started when Jill,Weilin,Val,Henry and I set off to the tailor's at 10am to help them iron the gowns and blazers. Cabbed down to Esplanade after that and entered backstage first. The exciting part was seeing all the boxes of props,equipment,costumes of The Phantom of The Opera!! Argh!!! But it was such a pity that the cast took Mondays off!


Weilin!



Jill the cat woman...

The sign at the Green Room which made the both of us speechless with delight....





Dressing Rooms of the various cast/crew of POTO



The dressing rooms allocated to us this time was much bigger than that of Panorama so it was good! Rehearsed and perfected "Quam Iuvat", "Dokin Dokin" and "In Pride of May" so many times that I almost fell asleep while singing...Got to know AJC's Choir President a little better. She's actually very nice! hahaha! I still think that their gowns are more elegant than ours even though theirs is black...what's even worse is that the Choir teachers are thinking of getting silver hairbands and chokers for the girls to match their gowns...I can't wait to see how we look man....

Took way more photos than Panorama time....

"Bogoroditse Devo" (Ave Maria in Russian) and "The Snow" was nice, but I think we sounded better in the former...pardon me for the lousy narration here but I can't remember details of what happened!

In our new Choir gowns!

ALTOS!

Violet!

Fiona!
Val!

'Was so tired that I slept through most of the classes the next day.The alarming thing is that this may soon be a continual trend: what with SYF coming and the amount of tests, remedials and makeup lessons we have that never seem to end. Speaking of SYF, I really hope we can make it-at least to maintain the Gold momentum...this year's judging seems to be stricter and the bad thing is, some of this year's adjudicators have seen our scores before during Jubilate so, they would know our strengths and weaknesses but still, I'm not giving up hope yet.

Finally I can take a breather from my "no-life" school life to post a long overdue entry...hmm, where shall I start? So many things happened recently that one blog post would not be sufficient to cover every detail and aspect but I guess I'll try...

The past few days, or even weeks, has been rather a busy week due to Ai Ping's birthday. I felt that it was especially stressful this year as there were so many groups of people I had to celebrate it with but anyways, thank God it's over! On the day itself, celebrated it with Charlie Brown, Mimi and Duc. Had a sleepover at Ai Ping's house with the Cheapskate gang which was very refreshing after many months of not seeing each other. We should have it more often...missed them so much man! Then, Sunday was madness, preparing for the surprise party at Selina's function room. We gathered all of Ai Ping's close friends and surprised her. Put up a video of all her photos and well-wishes from everyone. Thank God everyone helped out and did their part! Hmm...spent close to 70 bucks on the whole thing this year: all the presents shared across different people and the cakes AND the pizza but, at least she enjoyed herself!












First and foremost, I have to talk about my beloved- something very, very, very close to my heart forever: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! Finally I can get to watch the long awaited musical which I didn't get to see 10 years ago! Initially I gave up hope on ever getting to see the musical before I grow older and go to London to catch it but I guess I'm really fortunate to get the tickets in time. (I got it last year and even then, most of them were sold out so we got the $70 tickets). Went with Ai Ping on Easter to catch it and as usual, we were almost late. (We don't seem to learn our lesson, don't we?)

Anyways, it was really awesome! From the singing (it sounded surreal!), costumes, the orchestra and the stage action, everything was close to perfection! The gun shot and lighting effects really added colour to the routine. I particularly liked the transition from one scene to another swiftly. It was so efficient because normally, we have to wait for the props to be arranged nicely before the next scene commences but everything went like clockwork! ('Guess that's the benefits of watching good shows!) At the end of the show, we were really tired due to all the viewing through the binoculars but it was worth it, albeit uncomfortable. Bought the programme booklet and I'm thinking of getting the jacket even though it costs a bomb but the material's good and it's a PHANTOM OF THE OPERA JACKET!!! ARGH!!! Hahaha!

As usual, we had our embarrassing moments. During the security check, Ai Ping had to leave our NTUC plastic bag at the entrance for security reasons (although I'm not sure how much harm we could cause with 2 mineral water bottles and an NTUC plastic bag but who knows...). We were told to collect the bag after the show. However, we took a long time to buy the programme and so, when we went to collect the bag, it was quite amusing to see a whole group of Esplanade staff in their smart, black attire waiting solemnly at the holding area with the NTUC bag with them! We couldn't control our laughter man!!!


Secondly, 8th April 2007 is a significant day in history because my mum accepted Christ! When I heard the news from my third aunt I couldn't believe it at first. [My mum attended Easter service at my third aunt's church that day]. She voluntarily raised her hand when the Pastor asked if anyone would like to receive Christ! I'm praying really hard that she'll continue believing and growing in Christ! It's really an encouragement for me and it also serves to remind us what our purpose in life is :)


13th April (Black Friday!) was an eventful day and I'm not exaggerating here! For starters, Samantha fainted not long after completing the 4 by 400m race held during PE. At first, everything seemed OK when Charlene called Lizard and I to the stadium toilet to help bring Sam to the canteen as she was feeling dizzy. Not long after we arrived at the toilet, she fell from the bench and hit the floor head first! This is the first time I experienced someone fainting in real life!
Anyway, we were all shocked and we panicked. Lizard went to get help whilst Charlene and I were trying to support Sam and prop her up. Our class was informed of the matter and the girls came down to review the situation. Many PE teachers were called in to assist in one way or another. Shifted Sam to the area outside council room using a stretcher. It was a class effort though and on our way there, there were many onlookers and I was quite disappointed that they did not offer their help at all...Anyway, Sam was still in a semi-conscious state and her legs were stiff and numb. Commando Lee and Ms Goh drove her to the hospital accompanied by Charlene in the end. GP test was cancelled for our class…...
After that was PW Results. Was super nervous and didn't expect much but was more than surprised in the end. Most importantly, the results were justified. So, all's well! All those late nights editing and perfecting every single component of the PW were worth it! =)

Choir auditions for SYF took place on this day too. (As if the day wasn't happening enough...) 'Was really nervous when I was waiting my turn to be auditioned. My singing was fine when we were outside while Nelson was auditioning us individually but once I entered the room, I was all a bundle of nerves...it was like I never knew that I had a vibrato (a fake one though!). He was quite strict this time, only 12 out of 29 Altos managed to pass and the outlook in the other sections was not that optimistic either. Even though I got in, I didn't feel the joy that I thought I would be feeling, partly due to the number of people around me that were disappointed and so on. In other words, it was not a happiness that everyone could share.

Got to try our Choir gowns today too. The verdict? We look like expecting mothers in our bright and billowing blue gowns! Why can't the tailors do a proper job and ensure that the fitting is correct before they distribute the costumes to us? Now they have to do more work and rush to meet the tight deadline which is by latest, next Monday due to the AJC Concert at night.

Enough said. Eyelids are getting heavier by the minute....'till another time!