Here are 3 versions of the song 'Somewhere Out There' from the 1987 animated film An American Tail. This song is rather poignant for people with loved ones far away from them.
The original movie version sung by the mice. Cute, because the mice were slightly out of tune on the high notes!
This one's by Taiwanese singer Evonne Hsu on a variety show. Many people think she's very princess-like but I think she's a bit too tall and fair. She speaks and sings in perfect English cos she grew up in the States.
The original 'proper' version by Linda Ronstadt (really powerful vocals and wacky hairdo!) and James Ingram.
So which version do you like best? I think those that are young at heart will prefer 1, most guys will favour 2 and the connoiseurs/hard core music fans will like 3.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Cherish your Childhood! It'll be gone before you know it.
Haley Joel Osment
Macaulay Culkin
A certain JT
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Ng Man Tat. I don't have (and won't care to see) his childhood photo.
Here's a song on childhood. What happens when someone grows up.
When she loved me by Sarah Mclachlan
This has all the hallmark of a great song.
One. The minimalist accompaniment and Sarah Mclachlan's poise and purity of voice is infinitely natural and touching.
Two. The shifts in harmony is so haunting/beautiful/unexpected. Unlike most pop songs, which have rather predictable harmonies.
Three. The utterly simple yet deep/meaningful lyrics.
Four. The universal theme - growing up, becoming hardened and losing one's childhood dreams.
Oh, if I only knew the road back,
The dear road to childhood's land!
Oh, why did I search for happiness
And leave my mother's hand?
Oh, how I long to be at rest,
Not to be awakened by anything,
To shut my weary eyes,
With love gently surrounding!
And nothing to search for, nothing to beware of,
Only dreams, sweet and mild;
Not to notice the changes of time,
To be once more a child!
Oh, do show me the road back,
The dear road to childhood's land!
In vain I search for happiness,
Around me naught but deserted beach and sand!
Klaus Groth
Friday, November 23, 2007
PSLE results
The PSLE results were released yesterday.
Those who've scored well, congrats. But remember that's no guarantee to success in life. Those who've not done so well, take heart. I've seen so many cases of people who, despite of not-so-fantastic PSLE scores, go on to ace their O and A Levels, and vice versa, of course. So continue to enjoy learning, and be humble.
My only recollection of my own PSLE release of results and subsequent school posting was this silly classmate of mine who danced around the room shouting at us in glee, 'I'm going to RI, you are all not fit to talk to me!' :/
Here's a rather humorous (and slightly irreverent, especially to Rafflesians) spoof on the 'Founding of Singapore' featuring 'Sir Stamford Raffles' and 'William Farquhar'. Have a good laugh!
Those who've scored well, congrats. But remember that's no guarantee to success in life. Those who've not done so well, take heart. I've seen so many cases of people who, despite of not-so-fantastic PSLE scores, go on to ace their O and A Levels, and vice versa, of course. So continue to enjoy learning, and be humble.
My only recollection of my own PSLE release of results and subsequent school posting was this silly classmate of mine who danced around the room shouting at us in glee, 'I'm going to RI, you are all not fit to talk to me!' :/
Here's a rather humorous (and slightly irreverent, especially to Rafflesians) spoof on the 'Founding of Singapore' featuring 'Sir Stamford Raffles' and 'William Farquhar'. Have a good laugh!
MDA Rap and all the Flak
This is the infamous rap from the top brass at the Media Development Authority (MDA).
This has drawn a lot of flak since it's release a few days ago. Comments like 'they are so stiff', 'they shouldn't be in suits', 'pretending to be hip', 'humiliating' etc have been made by netizens and articles in the press.
But my question is, why be so hard on them? They aren't professional rappers. What do you expect? I think it's already quite brave for them to attempt to do something like that. I bet it's the first time most of them are actually rapping. So are the critics expecting them to rap like Snoop Dogg or Eminem?
It's true that the title of the rap 'MDA Senior Management Rap' is a bit of a put-off, and the lyrics are also pretty awkward, because they try to squeeze so many words into each line, but I think it's overall a very commendable effort. The message that the MDA is forward looking and creative is more effectively conveyed through a rap rather than via a standard, boring speech.
If you think that rapping is only reserved for the 'young and cool' and it's so 'high-brow' that it's only open to a select group who 'knows how to do it', I think that's rather unfair. We have seen memorable and funny moments where politicians such as former Russian President Boris Yeltsin and ex-Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi letting their hair down and dancing. So are we going to criticize them if their dance moves are inelegant ?
It boils down to the fact that people enjoy rebelling against authority. People have this mentality, that the more you tell them not to do something, the more they want to do it. Parents, teachers, the government and the law are all figures of authority who set rules and tell you what not to do. So people like to rebel against such figures. And the MDA is the authority who sets the policy for the local media, regulates media content, and tells us what we can and cannot watch. No wonder some disgruntled media players enjoy poking fun at them for their rap.
This has drawn a lot of flak since it's release a few days ago. Comments like 'they are so stiff', 'they shouldn't be in suits', 'pretending to be hip', 'humiliating' etc have been made by netizens and articles in the press.
But my question is, why be so hard on them? They aren't professional rappers. What do you expect? I think it's already quite brave for them to attempt to do something like that. I bet it's the first time most of them are actually rapping. So are the critics expecting them to rap like Snoop Dogg or Eminem?
It's true that the title of the rap 'MDA Senior Management Rap' is a bit of a put-off, and the lyrics are also pretty awkward, because they try to squeeze so many words into each line, but I think it's overall a very commendable effort. The message that the MDA is forward looking and creative is more effectively conveyed through a rap rather than via a standard, boring speech.
If you think that rapping is only reserved for the 'young and cool' and it's so 'high-brow' that it's only open to a select group who 'knows how to do it', I think that's rather unfair. We have seen memorable and funny moments where politicians such as former Russian President Boris Yeltsin and ex-Japanese PM Junichiro Koizumi letting their hair down and dancing. So are we going to criticize them if their dance moves are inelegant ?
It boils down to the fact that people enjoy rebelling against authority. People have this mentality, that the more you tell them not to do something, the more they want to do it. Parents, teachers, the government and the law are all figures of authority who set rules and tell you what not to do. So people like to rebel against such figures. And the MDA is the authority who sets the policy for the local media, regulates media content, and tells us what we can and cannot watch. No wonder some disgruntled media players enjoy poking fun at them for their rap.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Let's talk about LOVE
Some of you have tagged to say you think that girls and guys can be best friends. I think it's quite difficult. Okay, let's define what 'best friend' means first. If someone is your best friend, s/he is probably the person you talk to the most; his/her name appears frequently on your hp's call list; you share common interests and hobbies with him/her; you go out with him/her a lot; the 2 of you understand each other a lot. Well, I think it's rare if you can say that of a girl and guy, unless it's of the 'buddies' sort. Of course a girl and guy can be good friends, but best friends? Nah, I'm sceptical!
Okay, now to the main topic...
We are going to talk about love today. In case you are sticking out your tongue and feeling squeamish, relax. This is going to be very objective and healthy.
Teenagers often confuse love and infatuation. Infatuation is also known as puppy love or 'crush'. Sometimes, teenagers think that they are in love, when in actual fact, they are only experiencing puppy love.
So what's the difference between PUPPY LOVE and TRUE LOVE?
Signs of puppy love
1. You can't stop thinking about the other person
2. You feel inexplicably sad and distracted when s/he is not around
3. You feel that life is meaningless if you don't see him/her
4. You fall in and out of puppy love very quickly
Signs of true love
1. It is unconditional. You don't love to 'feel good'
2. You are willing to sacrifice/undergo some inconveniences and discomforts for love
3. You plan for your future with your loved one
4. You don't fall in and out of true love very quickly
As you can see, the major difference between puppy love and true love is that you can get infatuated with someone very quickly, just by something nice the other person say to you for example, or for some other superficial reason, such as an attraction to some physical characteristic of the other person (He has a nice smile...she is so pretty etc). However, it takes time and cultivation for 2 person to truly fall in love.
Teenagers who think of pairing up too early should consider these.
1. Why have a bf/gf so early? You should get to know more members of the opposite sex, be friends with them, go out with a group of mixed company before considering a serious relationship.
2. Being in a serious relationship costs lots of time and money. Will you neglect your studies? Is it burning a hole in your pocket?
Well, for me, I think the ideal is:
in your secondary school years, you should focus on your studies and make more same-sex friends (I think that of all the friends you make in your various schools, those from sec school tend to stay with you for life),
in junior college, you will have lots of opportunity to know more people of the opposite sex. don't rush into things and weigh consequences wisely. but don't forget the A level exams. it is not an easy exam,
in university, you should be wise enough and it's the best time to think of pairing up. ideally, you should pair up with the eventual aim to get married. that way, you will be responsible and serious, and not merely 'having fun' or 'feeling good'.
Well, for your interest, the Greeks defined for us 5 kinds of love, they are:
Eros, which is passionate love, to do with the senses and the physical
Philia, which is the love and loyalty you feel for your friends
Storge, which is the natural love parents feel for their children
Xenia, which is the love and hospitality a host feel for his guest/visitor
Agape, which is unconditional, self-sacrificing and thoughtful love
There is also a famous passage in the Bible where the Apostle Paul defines love as such:
'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.'
This is from the book of 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 4-7. This is really a great kind of love, if anyone can love like that, s/he would be really noble. So which of the 5 kinds of love as defined by the Greeks does this biblical definition of love fall into?
Plenty of deep stuff today, hope it gives you some food for thought!
Okay, now to the main topic...
We are going to talk about love today. In case you are sticking out your tongue and feeling squeamish, relax. This is going to be very objective and healthy.
Teenagers often confuse love and infatuation. Infatuation is also known as puppy love or 'crush'. Sometimes, teenagers think that they are in love, when in actual fact, they are only experiencing puppy love.
So what's the difference between PUPPY LOVE and TRUE LOVE?
Signs of puppy love
1. You can't stop thinking about the other person
2. You feel inexplicably sad and distracted when s/he is not around
3. You feel that life is meaningless if you don't see him/her
4. You fall in and out of puppy love very quickly
Signs of true love
1. It is unconditional. You don't love to 'feel good'
2. You are willing to sacrifice/undergo some inconveniences and discomforts for love
3. You plan for your future with your loved one
4. You don't fall in and out of true love very quickly
As you can see, the major difference between puppy love and true love is that you can get infatuated with someone very quickly, just by something nice the other person say to you for example, or for some other superficial reason, such as an attraction to some physical characteristic of the other person (He has a nice smile...she is so pretty etc). However, it takes time and cultivation for 2 person to truly fall in love.
Teenagers who think of pairing up too early should consider these.
1. Why have a bf/gf so early? You should get to know more members of the opposite sex, be friends with them, go out with a group of mixed company before considering a serious relationship.
2. Being in a serious relationship costs lots of time and money. Will you neglect your studies? Is it burning a hole in your pocket?
Well, for me, I think the ideal is:
in your secondary school years, you should focus on your studies and make more same-sex friends (I think that of all the friends you make in your various schools, those from sec school tend to stay with you for life),
in junior college, you will have lots of opportunity to know more people of the opposite sex. don't rush into things and weigh consequences wisely. but don't forget the A level exams. it is not an easy exam,
in university, you should be wise enough and it's the best time to think of pairing up. ideally, you should pair up with the eventual aim to get married. that way, you will be responsible and serious, and not merely 'having fun' or 'feeling good'.
Well, for your interest, the Greeks defined for us 5 kinds of love, they are:
Eros, which is passionate love, to do with the senses and the physical
Philia, which is the love and loyalty you feel for your friends
Storge, which is the natural love parents feel for their children
Xenia, which is the love and hospitality a host feel for his guest/visitor
Agape, which is unconditional, self-sacrificing and thoughtful love
There is also a famous passage in the Bible where the Apostle Paul defines love as such:
'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.'
This is from the book of 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 4-7. This is really a great kind of love, if anyone can love like that, s/he would be really noble. So which of the 5 kinds of love as defined by the Greeks does this biblical definition of love fall into?
Plenty of deep stuff today, hope it gives you some food for thought!
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The Incident at this certain DVD store and my writing inspiration
Today, this moronic sales assistant at this certain DVD store (I choose not to name this store, for certain reasons) made me very angry.
I was looking for a complete edition of a certain tv series but they've only got the 4 seasons sold separately. So I asked this sales assistant why the store does not carry the complete edition. Then, he gave me this incredulous, goggle-eyed look. Here's the transcript of what transpired between us.
Me: Do you have the complete edition?
Him: No. We only have the separate seasons.
Me: So can I place an order for the complete edition?
Him: No. We only have the separate seasons.
Me: I know. But why can't you order the complete one?
Him: Because we already have the separate seasons.
Me (getting quite exasperated): But isn't the complete edition more worthwhile to get?
Him: But there's already the separate seasons.
Me: So there's no way I can order the complete edition?
Him: No, because there's already the separate seasons.
Me: Is the complete edition in your catalogue? (As long as something is in their catalogue, they can try to order it, even if it's currently out of stock. That's how they work)
Him: No.
Me: Okay, it's alright. Thank you.
He was a real automaton - capable of repeating only 1 phrase throughout. And then he just turned away without even saying sorry. Such rudeness!
Later as I reflected, I think he meant that if they ordered the complete edition, then nobody would purchase the separate seasons and they wouldn't know what to do about it. But I guess he was just too dense to be able to express himself properly.
Anyway, I went to enquire from another staff and found out that they did have the complete edition of what I was looking for in their catalogue. So he was lying after all.
I was quite worked up initially after all these, but after reflecting on the circumstances, I was inspired to write a poem based on what happened. So it's in fact a blessing in disguise.
I always get my writing ideas from things that I feel strongly about.
To those of you who love writing creatively, especially those who are trying for CAP, think about things which you feel strongly about. Things that make you most happy, excited, furious, sad etc. Things that provoke strong emotions in you. You tend to write most persuasively if you write about such things.
I was looking for a complete edition of a certain tv series but they've only got the 4 seasons sold separately. So I asked this sales assistant why the store does not carry the complete edition. Then, he gave me this incredulous, goggle-eyed look. Here's the transcript of what transpired between us.
Me: Do you have the complete edition?
Him: No. We only have the separate seasons.
Me: So can I place an order for the complete edition?
Him: No. We only have the separate seasons.
Me: I know. But why can't you order the complete one?
Him: Because we already have the separate seasons.
Me (getting quite exasperated): But isn't the complete edition more worthwhile to get?
Him: But there's already the separate seasons.
Me: So there's no way I can order the complete edition?
Him: No, because there's already the separate seasons.
Me: Is the complete edition in your catalogue? (As long as something is in their catalogue, they can try to order it, even if it's currently out of stock. That's how they work)
Him: No.
Me: Okay, it's alright. Thank you.
He was a real automaton - capable of repeating only 1 phrase throughout. And then he just turned away without even saying sorry. Such rudeness!
Later as I reflected, I think he meant that if they ordered the complete edition, then nobody would purchase the separate seasons and they wouldn't know what to do about it. But I guess he was just too dense to be able to express himself properly.
Anyway, I went to enquire from another staff and found out that they did have the complete edition of what I was looking for in their catalogue. So he was lying after all.
I was quite worked up initially after all these, but after reflecting on the circumstances, I was inspired to write a poem based on what happened. So it's in fact a blessing in disguise.
I always get my writing ideas from things that I feel strongly about.
To those of you who love writing creatively, especially those who are trying for CAP, think about things which you feel strongly about. Things that make you most happy, excited, furious, sad etc. Things that provoke strong emotions in you. You tend to write most persuasively if you write about such things.
Friday, November 16, 2007
My first quiz
I've often seen others filling up quizzes, so since I'm free tonight, I'm going to attempt my first one here, for my own amusement (and maybe yours)...
1. name: Jack
2. sex: male
3. birthday: 30th Sep
4. siblings: 1 bro
5. hair color: black
6. eye color: brown I think, sometimes it looks black to me.
7. any tattoos or piercings: no
8. do you do drugs?: yes if caffeine’s considered one
9. what kind of shampoo do you use?: no fixed brand. Switch between sunsilk, ginvera, dove….
10. what are you most scared of?: losing my ideals/losing God’s fellowship
11. who is the last person that called you?: my dad (to say goodnight:)
12. where do you want to get married?: church. Where else?
13. how many buddies are online right now?: I don’t do msn any more :(
f a v o r i t e (s)
1. color: sky blue
2. food: steamed dumplings (shui 2 jiao3)
3. boys names: Jack (haha…I’m egotistical!)
4. girls names: Julianne (I intend to name my first daughter this)
5.subjects in school: English Literature
6. animals: cats and birds
7. sports: I don’t do much sports
h a v e y o u e v e r
1.given anyone a bath?: my terrapins counted?
2. smoked?: no. and never will I
3. bungee jumped?: no
4. made yourself throw up?: force vomit, no. but I’ve thrown up after seeing (and smelling) someone throw up when I was young(er).
5. skinny dipped?: no
6. ever been in love?: what do you think? ;)
7. made yourself cry to get out of trouble?: of course not, that’s weakness of character!
8. eaten a lemon in its entirety?: nope.
9. run away from home?: I’ve stormed out in anger before, but not ‘run away’ as in don’t come back and disappear
10. cried when someone died?: in soap operas? Yes!
11. lied? : who hasn’t lied before?
12. fallen for your best friend?: what a strange question. One’s best friend is usually of the same sex. And I’m not gay!
13. been rejected?: am not saying ;)
14. rejected someone?: am not saying ;)
15. used someone?: no, I’ve never and will never do such a base thing
16. done something you regret?: many times
c u r r e n t
1. clothes: a ‘holey’ shirt and pyjamas (super unglam!)
2. music: nil. Can’t compete with the telly
3. make-up: haha
4. annoyance: I’m barely halfway through this quiz
5. smell: huh? You mean the smell around me or if I smell?
6. favorite group: ?? you mean band? Then don’t have!
7. desktop picture: nothing, just a blue background.
8. book you are reading: heart of darkness by joseph conrad
9. color of toenails: haha…I’m beginning to suspect this quiz is designed for girls.
10. last person you touched: the ‘uncle’ on the bus, tapped him to say ‘excuse me, please move in’
11. hugged: I don’t give away hugs anyhow :0
12. instant messaged: refer to final question. Section 1
13. you yelled at: I rarely yell
14. you kissed: I don’t give away kisses anyhow :0
a r e y o u
1. open-minded: not with morality issues
2. arrogant: not really. It’s bad to be.
3. insecure: not really. One feels more at ease with things as one grows older
4. random: no. I am usually quite focused.
5. hungry: nope. Ate a full course meal at delifrance, a mos burger and orange for dinner.
6. moody: not now.
7. organized: yes. after I’ve tidied up my room tomorrow. haha
8. difficult: if you are difficult to me, I will be difficult to you too.
9. attractive: that’s not for me to say.
d o y o u e v e r
1. sit on the internet all night waiting for that someone special to you?: of course not at the moment. But I think I did do some silly juvenile things of that sort when I was young(er) which I cringe to think about now.
2. wish you were a member of the opposite sex?: nope
3. wish you were younger?: sometimes. Then I could be a student again. Being a student is one of the best things in life. Trust me on that, you will only realize that when you are no longer one.
4. cried because someone said something to you?: who hasn’t? unless you have a heart of stone
N u m b e r of times
1. i have had my heart broken: not telling ;)
2. no. of hearts i have broken: 0. I’m no casanova
3. no. of guys ive kissed: I was coerced to kiss a boy my age when I was 4, at his birthday party. It was disgustingly sloshy.
4. no. of girls I’ve kissed: you think?
5. no.of continents i have lived in: 1
F i n a l Q u e s t i o n s
1. do you like filling these out?: this is my first one. So far so good. But I tend to be coy sometimes haha
2. gold or silver?: silver. Gold seems vulgar sometimes
3. favorite cartoon/anime?: teenage mutant ninja turtles, carebears, transformers and masks, my favourite ones when I was a small boy
4. what did you have for breakfast this morning?: fresh milk with oats and cheese cake
5. who would you love being locked in a room with?: Jeeves (haha, I’ve been reading something by wodehouse)
6. could you live without your computer?: I guess so. Computers only became a household item when I was in my teens. So I’ve experienced life without one.
7. would you color your hair?: never. I don’t like to tamper with things given by God and my parents
8. could you ever get off the computer?: of course.
9. habla espanol?: espanol=spain, habla=?
10. how many people are on your buddy list?: refer to final question. Section 1
11. Drink Alcohol?: sometimes. But I’ll go for fruit juice/water/milk anytime.
12. Your name spelled backwards?: kcaj (looks like some unit of measurement)
13. Where were your parents born?: dad:m’sia; mum:taiwan
14. Have you ever moved?: yes
15. What's your Favorite place to go: where my heart is
16.What's your favorite sport to play?: don’t do much sports
17. How many kids do you want?: Maybe 3?
18. Type of music you dislike most?: Music without melody/music with blasphemous lyrics/classical music with a disco beat (Vanessa mae/maksim haha)
19. Colour of your school bag?: Rats, now I know this quiz is not only meant for girls, but school girls specifically!
20. Do you have cable? Yeah. My mum watches lots of Taiwanese programmes
21. Favorite 80's song?: somewhere out there. Linda ronstadt/james ingram
22. Ever prank call anybody?: no, I’m very guai
23. Ever get a parking ticket?: nope
24. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?: hasn’t this question appeared before?
25. Ever bowl a 300?: nope. Don’t bowl
26. What's your favorite comic strip?: Garfield, dilbert, the born loser, the one with the short king (can’t rem the name)
27. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?: s’pore or m’sia? But I notice many people mixing up ‘bersatu’ and ‘berseru’ in the s’pore natl anthem. It’s “Marilah kita bersatu” and “Semua kita berseru”
28. Bath or Shower?: shower.
29. Favorite pizza topping?: meat! I’m carnivorous!!
30. Beer or ale?: yucks.
31. Have you ever smoked peanut shells?: nope.
32. Do you eat skin on chicken?: not if it’s too fatty.
33. Apple juice or Orange?: apple juice’s more special and refreshing.
34. Favorite type of chocolate bar?: I currently love toblerone.
35. Your favorite fruit?: orange, pears
36. Your favorite vegetable?: I like most green leafy vegs
37. Are you a good cook?: hahahaha!!!!
38. Bought something from an infomercial?: nope. Rem slim10?
39. throw up in public?: thankfully no
40. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love?: true love
41. Do you believe in love at first sight?: no. attraction at first sight is possible, but you’d be belittling love to think that you can love someone at first sight. Love’s too noble and unfathomable for that.
42. Ever call a 1-900 number?: yes.
43. Ever been stood up for a date?: I don’t think so.
44. Biggest turn off of the opposite sex?: either overly loud/brazen or overly shy. Both are not good
45. Ever Been Cheated on?: no
46. What are the names of all your pets dead and/or alive?: my terrapins are called riperoptocus and riperopsaurus. Haha, dinosaurish names cos turtles have been around for as long as dinos, I think.
47. Can ex's be friends?: yes, but a tad awkward.
1. name: Jack
2. sex: male
3. birthday: 30th Sep
4. siblings: 1 bro
5. hair color: black
6. eye color: brown I think, sometimes it looks black to me.
7. any tattoos or piercings: no
8. do you do drugs?: yes if caffeine’s considered one
9. what kind of shampoo do you use?: no fixed brand. Switch between sunsilk, ginvera, dove….
10. what are you most scared of?: losing my ideals/losing God’s fellowship
11. who is the last person that called you?: my dad (to say goodnight:)
12. where do you want to get married?: church. Where else?
13. how many buddies are online right now?: I don’t do msn any more :(
f a v o r i t e (s)
1. color: sky blue
2. food: steamed dumplings (shui 2 jiao3)
3. boys names: Jack (haha…I’m egotistical!)
4. girls names: Julianne (I intend to name my first daughter this)
5.subjects in school: English Literature
6. animals: cats and birds
7. sports: I don’t do much sports
h a v e y o u e v e r
1.given anyone a bath?: my terrapins counted?
2. smoked?: no. and never will I
3. bungee jumped?: no
4. made yourself throw up?: force vomit, no. but I’ve thrown up after seeing (and smelling) someone throw up when I was young(er).
5. skinny dipped?: no
6. ever been in love?: what do you think? ;)
7. made yourself cry to get out of trouble?: of course not, that’s weakness of character!
8. eaten a lemon in its entirety?: nope.
9. run away from home?: I’ve stormed out in anger before, but not ‘run away’ as in don’t come back and disappear
10. cried when someone died?: in soap operas? Yes!
11. lied? : who hasn’t lied before?
12. fallen for your best friend?: what a strange question. One’s best friend is usually of the same sex. And I’m not gay!
13. been rejected?: am not saying ;)
14. rejected someone?: am not saying ;)
15. used someone?: no, I’ve never and will never do such a base thing
16. done something you regret?: many times
c u r r e n t
1. clothes: a ‘holey’ shirt and pyjamas (super unglam!)
2. music: nil. Can’t compete with the telly
3. make-up: haha
4. annoyance: I’m barely halfway through this quiz
5. smell: huh? You mean the smell around me or if I smell?
6. favorite group: ?? you mean band? Then don’t have!
7. desktop picture: nothing, just a blue background.
8. book you are reading: heart of darkness by joseph conrad
9. color of toenails: haha…I’m beginning to suspect this quiz is designed for girls.
10. last person you touched: the ‘uncle’ on the bus, tapped him to say ‘excuse me, please move in’
11. hugged: I don’t give away hugs anyhow :0
12. instant messaged: refer to final question. Section 1
13. you yelled at: I rarely yell
14. you kissed: I don’t give away kisses anyhow :0
a r e y o u
1. open-minded: not with morality issues
2. arrogant: not really. It’s bad to be.
3. insecure: not really. One feels more at ease with things as one grows older
4. random: no. I am usually quite focused.
5. hungry: nope. Ate a full course meal at delifrance, a mos burger and orange for dinner.
6. moody: not now.
7. organized: yes. after I’ve tidied up my room tomorrow. haha
8. difficult: if you are difficult to me, I will be difficult to you too.
9. attractive: that’s not for me to say.
d o y o u e v e r
1. sit on the internet all night waiting for that someone special to you?: of course not at the moment. But I think I did do some silly juvenile things of that sort when I was young(er) which I cringe to think about now.
2. wish you were a member of the opposite sex?: nope
3. wish you were younger?: sometimes. Then I could be a student again. Being a student is one of the best things in life. Trust me on that, you will only realize that when you are no longer one.
4. cried because someone said something to you?: who hasn’t? unless you have a heart of stone
N u m b e r of times
1. i have had my heart broken: not telling ;)
2. no. of hearts i have broken: 0. I’m no casanova
3. no. of guys ive kissed: I was coerced to kiss a boy my age when I was 4, at his birthday party. It was disgustingly sloshy.
4. no. of girls I’ve kissed: you think?
5. no.of continents i have lived in: 1
F i n a l Q u e s t i o n s
1. do you like filling these out?: this is my first one. So far so good. But I tend to be coy sometimes haha
2. gold or silver?: silver. Gold seems vulgar sometimes
3. favorite cartoon/anime?: teenage mutant ninja turtles, carebears, transformers and masks, my favourite ones when I was a small boy
4. what did you have for breakfast this morning?: fresh milk with oats and cheese cake
5. who would you love being locked in a room with?: Jeeves (haha, I’ve been reading something by wodehouse)
6. could you live without your computer?: I guess so. Computers only became a household item when I was in my teens. So I’ve experienced life without one.
7. would you color your hair?: never. I don’t like to tamper with things given by God and my parents
8. could you ever get off the computer?: of course.
9. habla espanol?: espanol=spain, habla=?
10. how many people are on your buddy list?: refer to final question. Section 1
11. Drink Alcohol?: sometimes. But I’ll go for fruit juice/water/milk anytime.
12. Your name spelled backwards?: kcaj (looks like some unit of measurement)
13. Where were your parents born?: dad:m’sia; mum:taiwan
14. Have you ever moved?: yes
15. What's your Favorite place to go: where my heart is
16.What's your favorite sport to play?: don’t do much sports
17. How many kids do you want?: Maybe 3?
18. Type of music you dislike most?: Music without melody/music with blasphemous lyrics/classical music with a disco beat (Vanessa mae/maksim haha)
19. Colour of your school bag?: Rats, now I know this quiz is not only meant for girls, but school girls specifically!
20. Do you have cable? Yeah. My mum watches lots of Taiwanese programmes
21. Favorite 80's song?: somewhere out there. Linda ronstadt/james ingram
22. Ever prank call anybody?: no, I’m very guai
23. Ever get a parking ticket?: nope
24. Would you go bungee jumping or sky diving?: hasn’t this question appeared before?
25. Ever bowl a 300?: nope. Don’t bowl
26. What's your favorite comic strip?: Garfield, dilbert, the born loser, the one with the short king (can’t rem the name)
27. Do you really know all the words to your national anthem?: s’pore or m’sia? But I notice many people mixing up ‘bersatu’ and ‘berseru’ in the s’pore natl anthem. It’s “Marilah kita bersatu” and “Semua kita berseru”
28. Bath or Shower?: shower.
29. Favorite pizza topping?: meat! I’m carnivorous!!
30. Beer or ale?: yucks.
31. Have you ever smoked peanut shells?: nope.
32. Do you eat skin on chicken?: not if it’s too fatty.
33. Apple juice or Orange?: apple juice’s more special and refreshing.
34. Favorite type of chocolate bar?: I currently love toblerone.
35. Your favorite fruit?: orange, pears
36. Your favorite vegetable?: I like most green leafy vegs
37. Are you a good cook?: hahahaha!!!!
38. Bought something from an infomercial?: nope. Rem slim10?
39. throw up in public?: thankfully no
40. Would you prefer being a millionaire or find true love?: true love
41. Do you believe in love at first sight?: no. attraction at first sight is possible, but you’d be belittling love to think that you can love someone at first sight. Love’s too noble and unfathomable for that.
42. Ever call a 1-900 number?: yes.
43. Ever been stood up for a date?: I don’t think so.
44. Biggest turn off of the opposite sex?: either overly loud/brazen or overly shy. Both are not good
45. Ever Been Cheated on?: no
46. What are the names of all your pets dead and/or alive?: my terrapins are called riperoptocus and riperopsaurus. Haha, dinosaurish names cos turtles have been around for as long as dinos, I think.
47. Can ex's be friends?: yes, but a tad awkward.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Florestan & Eusebius
Lights
Eusebius is at the piano, playing a sentimental and lyrical Chopin Nocturne. In a while, Florestan barges in.
Florestan: What's this infernal din?
Eusebius: Shh...
Florestan: Stop this monstrosity at once! And at this hour...sheesh!
Eusebius: Quiet. I'm trying to concentrate.
Florestan: Shut up! Shut Up!! SHUT UP!!!! SHUTTTT UPPPP!!!!!!!
Eusebius stops playing and throws his hands up in despair.
Eusebius: What's wrong with you?
Florestan: Bloody son of a b. What in the name of the devil were you playing?
Eusebius: It's a nice piece, so beautiful, so tender.
Florestan: Such soppiness, fake tenderness.
Eusebius: The harmonies touch me so. The warmth of A flat major caresses my whole being...
Florestan: What rot! Incorrigible!
Eusebius: Poetry in music. Pure lyricism.
Florestan: The mad gibbering of a fool.
Eusebius: Chopin put his heart and soul into the music. All his emotions are poured into the lovely melodies and lush harmonies.
Florestan: You are beyond hope.
Eusebius: I wonder which girl he was thinking of when he composed this? Oh how lucky that girl was...
Florestan: You are still dreaming such foolish dreams.
Eusebius: If only things in real life could be so beautiful.
Florestan: Ha!
Eusebius: What?
Florestan: You have just said it yourself. 'If only things in REAL life could be so beautiful'. That means you know that REAL life could never be like that.
Eusebius: Why do you always catch me like that?
Florestan: I'm talking sense. Cold hard sense, my dear boy.
Eusebius: Why don't you ever let me dream?
Florestan: Wake up, silly boy. The REAL world is never like how you dream it to be.
Eusebius: But even so, we all dream. Of a place more beautiful than we could ever have imagined. People all kind and lovely.
Florestan: Hahaha, you bloody moron!
Eusebius: I will keep dreaming.
Florestan: Shame on you!
Eusebius: Let me play it for you again.
Eusebius is at the piano, playing a sentimental and lyrical Chopin Nocturne. In a while, Florestan barges in.
Florestan: What's this infernal din?
Eusebius: Shh...
Florestan: Stop this monstrosity at once! And at this hour...sheesh!
Eusebius: Quiet. I'm trying to concentrate.
Florestan: Shut up! Shut Up!! SHUT UP!!!! SHUTTTT UPPPP!!!!!!!
Eusebius stops playing and throws his hands up in despair.
Eusebius: What's wrong with you?
Florestan: Bloody son of a b. What in the name of the devil were you playing?
Eusebius: It's a nice piece, so beautiful, so tender.
Florestan: Such soppiness, fake tenderness.
Eusebius: The harmonies touch me so. The warmth of A flat major caresses my whole being...
Florestan: What rot! Incorrigible!
Eusebius: Poetry in music. Pure lyricism.
Florestan: The mad gibbering of a fool.
Eusebius: Chopin put his heart and soul into the music. All his emotions are poured into the lovely melodies and lush harmonies.
Florestan: You are beyond hope.
Eusebius: I wonder which girl he was thinking of when he composed this? Oh how lucky that girl was...
Florestan: You are still dreaming such foolish dreams.
Eusebius: If only things in real life could be so beautiful.
Florestan: Ha!
Eusebius: What?
Florestan: You have just said it yourself. 'If only things in REAL life could be so beautiful'. That means you know that REAL life could never be like that.
Eusebius: Why do you always catch me like that?
Florestan: I'm talking sense. Cold hard sense, my dear boy.
Eusebius: Why don't you ever let me dream?
Florestan: Wake up, silly boy. The REAL world is never like how you dream it to be.
Eusebius: But even so, we all dream. Of a place more beautiful than we could ever have imagined. People all kind and lovely.
Florestan: Hahaha, you bloody moron!
Eusebius: I will keep dreaming.
Florestan: Shame on you!
Eusebius: Let me play it for you again.
Florestan: It's time for work.
Eusebius: Shucks.
Florestan: Back to the petty little arguments, jealousies, back-stabbings, outwittings blah blah with the guys in the office.
Eusebius: Groans.
Florestan: Welcome to the real world!
Eusebius and Florestan do not move. They stare at each other.
Lights out.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Peach shake
I have a (not so secret) craving for the Peach shake from Yami Yoghurt.
Slices of sweet juicy peach (straight from the can no doubt, but do I care?) mixed with chilled yoghurt and milk. Mama mia!
I developed a liking for shakes because I like ice-cream but I'm too chauvinistic (haha) to eat ice-cream openly in public. So having a shake is second best.
Slices of sweet juicy peach (straight from the can no doubt, but do I care?) mixed with chilled yoghurt and milk. Mama mia!
I developed a liking for shakes because I like ice-cream but I'm too chauvinistic (haha) to eat ice-cream openly in public. So having a shake is second best.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Musicians, Make-up and Marriage
Musicians
It's amazing how many Koreans and Japanese make it to become international classical music stars. You have Mitsuko Uchida, Seiji Ozawa, Midori, Akiko Suwanai, Kyung Wha Chung, Myung Wha Chung, Myung Whun Chung, Sarah Chang, Han Na Chang, Sumi Jo and the list goes on. When you think of Chinese representatives in this field, only 3 come to mind, all pianists - Fou Tsong, Lang Lang and Li Yundi. Of course the last 2 are world famous at the moment, making heaps of money with their international tours and albums. (Erratum: I had forgotten about Yo Yo Ma and Cho Liang Lin!)
I remember this story told of the young Japanese violinist Midori, who as a very young child of 10, played for the famous violinist and pedagogue Pinchas Zukerman. She played for him Bach's Chaccone, and Zukerman was astounded by the incredible maturity shown by little Midori in interpreting this musically and emotionally very difficult piece. After all, she was only 10! When Zukerman asked Midori what she thought the piece was about, she said it's about 'a dear dog, who has died and has gone to heaven'.
Zukerman's eyes were filled with tears after hearing that. There before him, was this precocious girl who played and felt for this piece of music with the emotional maturity of someone thrice or four times her age, and yet, when she described her feelings for it, it was done with the simple innocence of a child.
Well, Midori has grown from a child prodigy to an internationally well known violinist, unlike many child prodigies, who burn out after the initial spark fizzles out due to overexposure and the constant media attention.
Here's her personal website: http://www.gotomidori.com/
Here's Bach's Chaccone, the piece the young Midori thought sounded like a dog having died and gone to heaven. (The version here isn't played by Midori though):
Make-up
The issue of make-up is very interesting. Girls and women look very different after putting on make-up. When young girls put on make-up, they look very much more mature (provided the make-up is done properly of course, haha there's always the risk of looking like ghosts if it's done by an inexperienced hand); when women put on make-up, facial flaws are often very effectively covered.
I think I would not like my future wife to wear lots of make-up, it's good to be natural what.
A colleague once told me that she does not wear make-up because she doesn't want her husband to wake up in the middle of the night and get a shock to see the person beside him looking so different from her daytime version.
This same colleague said she had a room mate who wore very heavy make-up, and whenever she shed the rouge, she looked like a ghost, because her complexion was greenish due to her smoking. In her case, make-up was necessary to cover some flaws.
So you see, make-up can do lots of things for women, but I think if you have good complexion, it's best that you use all the lipstick, foundation and mascara sparingly. Being natural is still the best.
Marriage
I attended a JC friend's wedding on Sunday. Actually, it's 2 JC friends since I know both of them.
It was at Sheraton Towers. It's my first time there, never expected the interior to be so posh and beautiful.
Anyway, I'm very happy for them. 9 years of courtship, and the love between them never wavered. They are quite compatible - both of them so kind and mild-mannered. It's also quite sweet, thinking of how they got together - being in the same CCA, she played the cello while he played the violin, and they both went to the States to study.
I quite miss my JC days. It was the year when all the guys in the rj chamber orchestra came from chinese high - 9 of us! So although I didn't go to hcjc, like most of my classmates, I still felt very much at home. It's quite funny actually, even the orchestra girls from my batch were from st nics, scgs and dunman - not a single rafflesian!
I miss the old school building, though not very impressive but there's always a comfy feeling about it, and all the nooks and crannies where you could chat with friends. Though the toilets were perennially smelly (haha) but I still love that place! And not to forget the back gate which leads to the Ghim Moh market, and how we often boycott canteen food and have our lunch there. There's even this dessert stall with a concoction specially for rj students!
It's amazing how many Koreans and Japanese make it to become international classical music stars. You have Mitsuko Uchida, Seiji Ozawa, Midori, Akiko Suwanai, Kyung Wha Chung, Myung Wha Chung, Myung Whun Chung, Sarah Chang, Han Na Chang, Sumi Jo and the list goes on. When you think of Chinese representatives in this field, only 3 come to mind, all pianists - Fou Tsong, Lang Lang and Li Yundi. Of course the last 2 are world famous at the moment, making heaps of money with their international tours and albums. (Erratum: I had forgotten about Yo Yo Ma and Cho Liang Lin!)
I remember this story told of the young Japanese violinist Midori, who as a very young child of 10, played for the famous violinist and pedagogue Pinchas Zukerman. She played for him Bach's Chaccone, and Zukerman was astounded by the incredible maturity shown by little Midori in interpreting this musically and emotionally very difficult piece. After all, she was only 10! When Zukerman asked Midori what she thought the piece was about, she said it's about 'a dear dog, who has died and has gone to heaven'.
Zukerman's eyes were filled with tears after hearing that. There before him, was this precocious girl who played and felt for this piece of music with the emotional maturity of someone thrice or four times her age, and yet, when she described her feelings for it, it was done with the simple innocence of a child.
Well, Midori has grown from a child prodigy to an internationally well known violinist, unlike many child prodigies, who burn out after the initial spark fizzles out due to overexposure and the constant media attention.
Here's her personal website: http://www.gotomidori.com/
Here's Bach's Chaccone, the piece the young Midori thought sounded like a dog having died and gone to heaven. (The version here isn't played by Midori though):
Make-up
The issue of make-up is very interesting. Girls and women look very different after putting on make-up. When young girls put on make-up, they look very much more mature (provided the make-up is done properly of course, haha there's always the risk of looking like ghosts if it's done by an inexperienced hand); when women put on make-up, facial flaws are often very effectively covered.
I think I would not like my future wife to wear lots of make-up, it's good to be natural what.
A colleague once told me that she does not wear make-up because she doesn't want her husband to wake up in the middle of the night and get a shock to see the person beside him looking so different from her daytime version.
This same colleague said she had a room mate who wore very heavy make-up, and whenever she shed the rouge, she looked like a ghost, because her complexion was greenish due to her smoking. In her case, make-up was necessary to cover some flaws.
So you see, make-up can do lots of things for women, but I think if you have good complexion, it's best that you use all the lipstick, foundation and mascara sparingly. Being natural is still the best.
Marriage
I attended a JC friend's wedding on Sunday. Actually, it's 2 JC friends since I know both of them.
It was at Sheraton Towers. It's my first time there, never expected the interior to be so posh and beautiful.
Anyway, I'm very happy for them. 9 years of courtship, and the love between them never wavered. They are quite compatible - both of them so kind and mild-mannered. It's also quite sweet, thinking of how they got together - being in the same CCA, she played the cello while he played the violin, and they both went to the States to study.
I quite miss my JC days. It was the year when all the guys in the rj chamber orchestra came from chinese high - 9 of us! So although I didn't go to hcjc, like most of my classmates, I still felt very much at home. It's quite funny actually, even the orchestra girls from my batch were from st nics, scgs and dunman - not a single rafflesian!
I miss the old school building, though not very impressive but there's always a comfy feeling about it, and all the nooks and crannies where you could chat with friends. Though the toilets were perennially smelly (haha) but I still love that place! And not to forget the back gate which leads to the Ghim Moh market, and how we often boycott canteen food and have our lunch there. There's even this dessert stall with a concoction specially for rj students!
Friday, November 9, 2007
Acting as a guy
Oh, gotta say something, before I forget.
On the last night of choral n drama nite, there was this sec 2 play (205??) where a girl played a guy. After the show, I overheard lots of people gushing about how shuai he(she) was and how convincing she was in playing a guy.
It made me think about this a little. Actually, it's not tough for a girl to play a guy. Here's how:
1) Lower your voice and speak mostly in grunts
2) Speak in monosyllables (Mmm, Uh, kay(ok), fine, orh, no)
3) Wear a perennial blank expression
4) Don't make eye contact with the person who is talking to you/you are talking to (better still if you face away from that other person)
5) Don't flap your arms (something many girls do a lot unwittingly)
6) Drag your feet when you walk
That's how a teenage guy with 'attitude' behaves, I think.
Girls, don't emulate that in real life though. Use it only if you are acting as a teenage guy in a performance.
Girls should be girls, no gender bender stuff puh-lease!
On the last night of choral n drama nite, there was this sec 2 play (205??) where a girl played a guy. After the show, I overheard lots of people gushing about how shuai he(she) was and how convincing she was in playing a guy.
It made me think about this a little. Actually, it's not tough for a girl to play a guy. Here's how:
1) Lower your voice and speak mostly in grunts
2) Speak in monosyllables (Mmm, Uh, kay(ok), fine, orh, no)
3) Wear a perennial blank expression
4) Don't make eye contact with the person who is talking to you/you are talking to (better still if you face away from that other person)
5) Don't flap your arms (something many girls do a lot unwittingly)
6) Drag your feet when you walk
That's how a teenage guy with 'attitude' behaves, I think.
Girls, don't emulate that in real life though. Use it only if you are acting as a teenage guy in a performance.
Girls should be girls, no gender bender stuff puh-lease!
Carmen Fantasy
This kind of fiendishly difficult music is certain to bring the house down. Curiously, it has the same effect as watching acrobats in action or viewing a fireworks display.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 1
Part 2
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Choral & Drama Nite - The Aftermath
Was so tired yesterday and slept immediately after coming home. And I woke up only at 10am today! (that's very late for me)
Well, it's finally over - 5 days of Choral and Drama Nites.
For the Sec 2s, it's their last time doing this. Next year, they will be doing other EOY programmes - regional CIP to China, India etc. It's also probably their last time together as a class (sob sob), they will all be in different classes next year.
For the Sec 1s, they will be moving into the realm of English drama, and will also be learning the various aspects of theatre - lighting, stage/props design, scriptwriting, directing etc.
I was present 4 out of the 5 nights for C & D Nite this year. Last Thurs and this Mon as stage manager, and this Tues and Wed as an audience member, so got a general sense of how the performances were like this year. Initially, I had said that the Sec 1s did mostly slapstick and the Sec 2s had more serious stuff, but judging from yesterday, I'm gonna change my mind.
These were some of the things in the Sec 2 plays yesterday:
1) Father with a feather duster chasing son round and round the stage.
2) President Duncan drinking poisoned soup served by Prime Minister Macbeth and dies. PM Macbeth was not arrested at once!
3) A minister named Frankenstein (in the same Macbeth play).
4) A mother introduces her Daughters as Daughlly (Dolly) and Terlly.
5) An impressively dressed but goofy Sherlock Holmes.
6) 2 policewomen running onto stage and introduced themselves by spelling out the letters 'P-O-L-I-C-E with big hand gestures.
7) The rich husband is going out with his wife. He tells his wife to wait for him at the bus stop as he gets the car! (Don't they have a garage, a porch and driveway? They are supposed to be HSBC directors)
8) Boy gives a flower to Girl, and he says 'I want to show the flower how pretty you are.' (The best pick-up phrase I've heard this week).
That's why I changed my mind, as you can see, the Sec 2s are perfectly capable of slapstick.
Is there anything wrong with slapstick? Not at all, since it's entertaining, most audiences (esp younger ones) love it, it's very accessible and you don't need to think too hard to get it.
But those who delight in slapstick, do ask yourself, beyond the laughs, is there a message in your play that you let the audience take away? That's what all good drama should have.
Those who want to learn how to write good comedy, go read the farces by Alan Ayckbourn and Georges Feydeau. These are all very silly but expertly crafted comedic plays. Also try The Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo, my favourite piece of slapstick farce, but with a relevant political message. All these plays can be borrowed from library@esplanade. Happy reading!
Well, it's finally over - 5 days of Choral and Drama Nites.
For the Sec 2s, it's their last time doing this. Next year, they will be doing other EOY programmes - regional CIP to China, India etc. It's also probably their last time together as a class (sob sob), they will all be in different classes next year.
For the Sec 1s, they will be moving into the realm of English drama, and will also be learning the various aspects of theatre - lighting, stage/props design, scriptwriting, directing etc.
I was present 4 out of the 5 nights for C & D Nite this year. Last Thurs and this Mon as stage manager, and this Tues and Wed as an audience member, so got a general sense of how the performances were like this year. Initially, I had said that the Sec 1s did mostly slapstick and the Sec 2s had more serious stuff, but judging from yesterday, I'm gonna change my mind.
These were some of the things in the Sec 2 plays yesterday:
1) Father with a feather duster chasing son round and round the stage.
2) President Duncan drinking poisoned soup served by Prime Minister Macbeth and dies. PM Macbeth was not arrested at once!
3) A minister named Frankenstein (in the same Macbeth play).
4) A mother introduces her Daughters as Daughlly (Dolly) and Terlly.
5) An impressively dressed but goofy Sherlock Holmes.
6) 2 policewomen running onto stage and introduced themselves by spelling out the letters 'P-O-L-I-C-E with big hand gestures.
7) The rich husband is going out with his wife. He tells his wife to wait for him at the bus stop as he gets the car! (Don't they have a garage, a porch and driveway? They are supposed to be HSBC directors)
8) Boy gives a flower to Girl, and he says 'I want to show the flower how pretty you are.' (The best pick-up phrase I've heard this week).
That's why I changed my mind, as you can see, the Sec 2s are perfectly capable of slapstick.
Is there anything wrong with slapstick? Not at all, since it's entertaining, most audiences (esp younger ones) love it, it's very accessible and you don't need to think too hard to get it.
But those who delight in slapstick, do ask yourself, beyond the laughs, is there a message in your play that you let the audience take away? That's what all good drama should have.
Those who want to learn how to write good comedy, go read the farces by Alan Ayckbourn and Georges Feydeau. These are all very silly but expertly crafted comedic plays. Also try The Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo, my favourite piece of slapstick farce, but with a relevant political message. All these plays can be borrowed from library@esplanade. Happy reading!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Choral & Drama Nite Day 4 - The Lowdown
Finally attended C & D Nite as an audience member today. I could watch the plays properly and here's my take on them.
107B - Mai chi bang de xiao nan hai 'The Wing-seller boy'
So glad that my class was the first one to go. I think you must have something solid to be the opener in any performance. The chorus bits (where everyone spoke together) sounded quite musical, I think their voices blended quite nicely. This is a touching story of selfless love - how a boy supplied wings to needy people and animals all his life - blessing those around him. When he eventually died of exhaustion, he received a pair of white wings and became an angel. I think there must have been some wet eyes in the audience after the performance.
202A - She's Watching You
Have you received chain mail? Do you dutifully forward it to others? Will you really suffer some terrible fate if you do not do what the chain mail asks of you? These were some of the question this play asked. This was also a ghost story - with eerie green lights and a spirit which refused to let the protagonist Clara go, until her body was discovered. Some funny moments - a newscaster announcing the discovery of a dead body, then wishing viewers a happy halloween. I thought the opening, when Clara laughed off the 'threats' of the chain mail, could be played up more, to make her subsequent 'possession' more compelling.
107A - Zui chu de meng, zui zhen de meng "Our earliest dreams are the truest"
The second group from my class. This one is more idea-based than 107B's, and thus more abstract, but it touched me a lot. I think the idea of losing one's innocent dreams and youthful friendships as one grows up is very touching. As we grow up, we are often too caught up with the realistic requirements of society - chasing after money and career, trying to outdo others in school (especially so in competitive Singapore) etc, that we forget the true and childlike dreams and friendships we once had. The image of the childhood friends stacking up their chairs after playing their childish games, and waving goodbye to them, and in the next instant, they have grown up, and could hardly recognize one another on the street, was quite moving.
106A - Tai zi xuan fei ji "The Prince chooses his bride"
This was a very effective play, with fantasy and realistic elements, song, narration, dance and even martial arts (Cinderella hacking a 'brick' with her head!) thrown in. And very well put together too. The most memorable moment was when the three contenders for the prince's hand - Snow White, Cinderella and this impish girl in black and white (whom I couldn't recognize who) doing a talent show. They even asked the audience to vote the winner. (Whether or not the audience vote really counted, audience participation is one winning strategy for any live performance. Kudos!)
204B - I oso wanna learn Engerrish
A crowd-pleaser. This one is about a group of foreigners learning Engerrish (English) in a language school. And this group is as colourful and diverse as you can get - you have the overly frank Punjabi (who speaks of the language school principal's 'large bosom' without a blush and as casually as if he's referring to the ripe watermelons in the market); the serious Japanese student (done with perfect accent); the Ah Lian manicurist (who is aptly named Chow Ah Lian); the seductive French (or Spanish??) student who keeps making advances at the teacher; an overly preachy Ah Ma who perennially thinks others are not showing enough respect for her etc. Throw in a potential romance between the two new teachers, this was a rather good play. And one which I hope would be developed into a full length one. Lots of room for expansion. To keep to the allocated 15 minutes, a lot of things had to be hastened (eg. the burgeoning romance between the two teachers). Some things could be cut too - the national pledge bit didn't really work. Some roles could be expanded too. (I really wanted to see more of the comical Malay food seller!) But this certainly ended the first half with a bang.
106B - Qing xu guai shou - EMO
I wasn't able to catch this. Went in late. Was bombarded by the fund-raisers outside the audi and I consumed a lipton tea, 2 muffins and nacho with cheese (which I shared with Ms Lydia Teo and Ms Sarah Birchwood) :@
204A - A Happy Ending?
The ultimate screwball comedy of the evening! Judging by the enthusiastic cheers from the audience, they probably had the most fans present tonight. But what a riduculous plot and eccentric characters! You have this loud and over-the-top character who ejects his wife from the plane. She survives, but becomes a savage in a tribe. He remarries and his 2 kids have to put up with a horribly naggy stepmother. By some fantastic twist and turns in the plot, the original family of 4 are reunited and they all join the savage tribe! And who should they bump into but the horrible stepmother! And they cannibalize her!! All these drew mad laughter from the audience. I think our audiences enjoy slapstick a lot.
113 - Lao ren jia de da xiao gao di (sorry, i can't translate this, my chinese skills have sadly regressed :()
I like how this one's staged. They have this 4 groups of elderly people at 4 points in a circle, and they are all frozen until they are rotated to the spot at downstage centre (the spot closest to audience), where each group is in turn tricked of their possessions by this gang of swindlers. Natural acting throughout with a relevant (though familiar) message.
202B - Amore Cache
I checked up the title of this play. I think it means a place where you keep your love. After watching it, I guess it referred to the father's diary where the children discovered his unspoken love for them after he died. This one's about how a father has to cope with a mentally challenged daughter, a spoilt daughter, an unfaithful wife and his worsening health. He tries his best to protect his disabled daughter and to prevent his wife from leading the spoilt daughter further astray. His mercenary wife then runs off with another man. In order to hide his wife's unfaithfulness from his children, he lies that she is dead. The highlight of the show is the wonderful acting of the actress playing the spoilt daughter. She gets the 'Best Actress Award' tonight, if there was one. In the closing scene, she reads out her dead father's diary, and discovers how much he actually loved them. This was done with real emotional depth, with her voice gradually cracking and her person visibly breaking down. I couldn't see her face from where I was, but I heard that her eyes were puffy and teary while doing this scene earlier during the rehearsals.
107B - Mai chi bang de xiao nan hai 'The Wing-seller boy'
So glad that my class was the first one to go. I think you must have something solid to be the opener in any performance. The chorus bits (where everyone spoke together) sounded quite musical, I think their voices blended quite nicely. This is a touching story of selfless love - how a boy supplied wings to needy people and animals all his life - blessing those around him. When he eventually died of exhaustion, he received a pair of white wings and became an angel. I think there must have been some wet eyes in the audience after the performance.
202A - She's Watching You
Have you received chain mail? Do you dutifully forward it to others? Will you really suffer some terrible fate if you do not do what the chain mail asks of you? These were some of the question this play asked. This was also a ghost story - with eerie green lights and a spirit which refused to let the protagonist Clara go, until her body was discovered. Some funny moments - a newscaster announcing the discovery of a dead body, then wishing viewers a happy halloween. I thought the opening, when Clara laughed off the 'threats' of the chain mail, could be played up more, to make her subsequent 'possession' more compelling.
107A - Zui chu de meng, zui zhen de meng "Our earliest dreams are the truest"
The second group from my class. This one is more idea-based than 107B's, and thus more abstract, but it touched me a lot. I think the idea of losing one's innocent dreams and youthful friendships as one grows up is very touching. As we grow up, we are often too caught up with the realistic requirements of society - chasing after money and career, trying to outdo others in school (especially so in competitive Singapore) etc, that we forget the true and childlike dreams and friendships we once had. The image of the childhood friends stacking up their chairs after playing their childish games, and waving goodbye to them, and in the next instant, they have grown up, and could hardly recognize one another on the street, was quite moving.
106A - Tai zi xuan fei ji "The Prince chooses his bride"
This was a very effective play, with fantasy and realistic elements, song, narration, dance and even martial arts (Cinderella hacking a 'brick' with her head!) thrown in. And very well put together too. The most memorable moment was when the three contenders for the prince's hand - Snow White, Cinderella and this impish girl in black and white (whom I couldn't recognize who) doing a talent show. They even asked the audience to vote the winner. (Whether or not the audience vote really counted, audience participation is one winning strategy for any live performance. Kudos!)
204B - I oso wanna learn Engerrish
A crowd-pleaser. This one is about a group of foreigners learning Engerrish (English) in a language school. And this group is as colourful and diverse as you can get - you have the overly frank Punjabi (who speaks of the language school principal's 'large bosom' without a blush and as casually as if he's referring to the ripe watermelons in the market); the serious Japanese student (done with perfect accent); the Ah Lian manicurist (who is aptly named Chow Ah Lian); the seductive French (or Spanish??) student who keeps making advances at the teacher; an overly preachy Ah Ma who perennially thinks others are not showing enough respect for her etc. Throw in a potential romance between the two new teachers, this was a rather good play. And one which I hope would be developed into a full length one. Lots of room for expansion. To keep to the allocated 15 minutes, a lot of things had to be hastened (eg. the burgeoning romance between the two teachers). Some things could be cut too - the national pledge bit didn't really work. Some roles could be expanded too. (I really wanted to see more of the comical Malay food seller!) But this certainly ended the first half with a bang.
106B - Qing xu guai shou - EMO
I wasn't able to catch this. Went in late. Was bombarded by the fund-raisers outside the audi and I consumed a lipton tea, 2 muffins and nacho with cheese (which I shared with Ms Lydia Teo and Ms Sarah Birchwood) :@
204A - A Happy Ending?
The ultimate screwball comedy of the evening! Judging by the enthusiastic cheers from the audience, they probably had the most fans present tonight. But what a riduculous plot and eccentric characters! You have this loud and over-the-top character who ejects his wife from the plane. She survives, but becomes a savage in a tribe. He remarries and his 2 kids have to put up with a horribly naggy stepmother. By some fantastic twist and turns in the plot, the original family of 4 are reunited and they all join the savage tribe! And who should they bump into but the horrible stepmother! And they cannibalize her!! All these drew mad laughter from the audience. I think our audiences enjoy slapstick a lot.
113 - Lao ren jia de da xiao gao di (sorry, i can't translate this, my chinese skills have sadly regressed :()
I like how this one's staged. They have this 4 groups of elderly people at 4 points in a circle, and they are all frozen until they are rotated to the spot at downstage centre (the spot closest to audience), where each group is in turn tricked of their possessions by this gang of swindlers. Natural acting throughout with a relevant (though familiar) message.
202B - Amore Cache
I checked up the title of this play. I think it means a place where you keep your love. After watching it, I guess it referred to the father's diary where the children discovered his unspoken love for them after he died. This one's about how a father has to cope with a mentally challenged daughter, a spoilt daughter, an unfaithful wife and his worsening health. He tries his best to protect his disabled daughter and to prevent his wife from leading the spoilt daughter further astray. His mercenary wife then runs off with another man. In order to hide his wife's unfaithfulness from his children, he lies that she is dead. The highlight of the show is the wonderful acting of the actress playing the spoilt daughter. She gets the 'Best Actress Award' tonight, if there was one. In the closing scene, she reads out her dead father's diary, and discovers how much he actually loved them. This was done with real emotional depth, with her voice gradually cracking and her person visibly breaking down. I couldn't see her face from where I was, but I heard that her eyes were puffy and teary while doing this scene earlier during the rehearsals.
C & D Nite Day 3 'cont
And finally I can attend the c n d nite as an audience member tomorrow (today -> time check 12.20am now)! Yay!
I'll be writing about what I think about the plays here.
Basically, what I've gathered so far (I have to say I can't see or hear much when I'm backstage) is that the sec 2s did mostly more serious stuff while the sec 1s were mostly slapsticks or fables.
And I have a surprise for tomorrow.
Anyway, while backstage today, I found this Barbie doll left behind on the grand piano. Hate that doll - that perpetual smile, impossibly perfect figure, flawless curves and tan -- all so fake.
(No offense to those who love Barbie dolls, it's just me.)
So I was telling another teacher lots of mean things about that Barbie doll backstage. Like how Barbie's jilted by her bf Ken and she strangles herself with her luscious blond locks, or how she plunges into the murky depths by throwing herself off the Bosendorfer piano. Evil!!
Which reminds me of this silly Barbie doll song by Aqua which I've not heard for quite a while. In it, Barbie sounds so sickeningly whiney while Ken sounds like a pervert :{
I'll be writing about what I think about the plays here.
Basically, what I've gathered so far (I have to say I can't see or hear much when I'm backstage) is that the sec 2s did mostly more serious stuff while the sec 1s were mostly slapsticks or fables.
And I have a surprise for tomorrow.
Anyway, while backstage today, I found this Barbie doll left behind on the grand piano. Hate that doll - that perpetual smile, impossibly perfect figure, flawless curves and tan -- all so fake.
(No offense to those who love Barbie dolls, it's just me.)
So I was telling another teacher lots of mean things about that Barbie doll backstage. Like how Barbie's jilted by her bf Ken and she strangles herself with her luscious blond locks, or how she plunges into the murky depths by throwing herself off the Bosendorfer piano. Evil!!
Which reminds me of this silly Barbie doll song by Aqua which I've not heard for quite a while. In it, Barbie sounds so sickeningly whiney while Ken sounds like a pervert :{
Monday, November 5, 2007
Choral & Drama Nite Day 3
I'm in school for Choral & Drama Nite again today. We've just finished our super long rehearsal. Lots of ambitious plays today, so plenty of things to iron out. 3 of the teams rehearsed a second run of their plays. I hope things will turn out fine later.
I'm now going to complete my work review form, and if I have time, to do some filing.
I've also just had my lunch - Nissin Cup Noodles (Chicken flavour).
This is my second time eating instant noodles in 2007. How exciting.
The canteen's completely not operating, so I couldn't get a Kit Kat Bar.
I'm so looking forward to my dinner in 2 hours' time - Unif Super Bowl Instant Noodles-Artificial Stewed Pork Chop Flavor. Sounds so exciting ;0
I'm now going to complete my work review form, and if I have time, to do some filing.
I've also just had my lunch - Nissin Cup Noodles (Chicken flavour).
This is my second time eating instant noodles in 2007. How exciting.
The canteen's completely not operating, so I couldn't get a Kit Kat Bar.
I'm so looking forward to my dinner in 2 hours' time - Unif Super Bowl Instant Noodles-Artificial Stewed Pork Chop Flavor. Sounds so exciting ;0
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Choral & Drama Nite Day 1
I was on duty as stage manager on Day 1 of Choral and Drama Nite today. My duties were mainly a) to ensure the smooth flow of performers going on and coming off stage, b) maintain discipline in the wings/backstage and c) to ensure the curtains in the wings were drawn during the show. Actually I didn't have a hard job because the stage hands (consisting of theatre club and chinese drama people) were super efficient and sharp. They were the sort who'd understand you completely with minimal prompting.
My class 107 was selling foodstuff for charity. And I bought from them
1) 2 orange juices
2) 1 egg tart
3) 1 doughnut
4) 3 sugar rolls
Well, to show support for them and also to do my part for charity. But I think I'll be getting fat!
I also bought an (Ikea) hotdog and a root beer from 113. Celine and Sim Hwee came to ask me, and when the 2 of them appear together, they have this strangely persuasive power that makes their requests hard to put down (don't you 2 get any ideas, if you are reading this haha). I think it must be partly because they look slightly similar in some way so when they ask you together, it's like the request is multiplied many times.
On another note, I have a large pimple on my left temple. I get pimples even by drinking coffee or eating fast food. It's darn irritating. So it's either I'm very heaty at the moment, or perhaps it's a sign that I'm still young. Aren't pimples called qing1 chun1 dou4?
My class 107 was selling foodstuff for charity. And I bought from them
1) 2 orange juices
2) 1 egg tart
3) 1 doughnut
4) 3 sugar rolls
Well, to show support for them and also to do my part for charity. But I think I'll be getting fat!
I also bought an (Ikea) hotdog and a root beer from 113. Celine and Sim Hwee came to ask me, and when the 2 of them appear together, they have this strangely persuasive power that makes their requests hard to put down (don't you 2 get any ideas, if you are reading this haha). I think it must be partly because they look slightly similar in some way so when they ask you together, it's like the request is multiplied many times.
On another note, I have a large pimple on my left temple. I get pimples even by drinking coffee or eating fast food. It's darn irritating. So it's either I'm very heaty at the moment, or perhaps it's a sign that I'm still young. Aren't pimples called qing1 chun1 dou4?
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