today i accompanied my mum to johor bahru.
she wanted me to watch 'bourne ultimatum' with her
but i refused. :/
i have this strange aversion to action movies.
i think this started after watching the 'infernal affairs' triology a few yrs back.
(those of you who have no idea what 'infernal affairs' is about
can go google it...it's this blockbuster chi movie with big names
like andy lau, tony leung, leon lai, shawn yue and edison chen etc..)
'infernal affairs 2' must be one of the most violent movies i've watched.
the dead bodies just kept piling up.
the worse thing was that i was seated in the very first row,
and thanks to the marvelous technology known as DTS surround sound,
every gunshot was amplified,
which meant that the violence was magnified manifold.
i wonder what the heck DTS's for?
its main purpose seems to be to amplify
screams, (from the horror flicks)
gunshots,
and other assorted sounds of battles.
tsk tsk such things make me very nervous.
i've friends who tell me that if they are to go to a movie,
it must be something spectacular, like
epic battles,
virtuosic fight sequences,
eye-boggling computer effects,
exhilarating and heart-stopping car chases.
but for me, i'm not impressed by
grand stories of one man trying to save the world
from the slimy paws of some terrorists by jumping from planes,
or emerging unscathed from a ferocious gun fight
after singlehandedly shooting all the enemies,
and doing other superhuman stunts.
i'm not thrilled to watch helicopters exploding in balls of fire,
or how people could fight suspended in air.
i don't care for a film that is set in the sahara desert or the himalayas,
with plenty of superhuman adventures,
and grand gestures.
i would rather watch a quiet little film
that is set entirely on a sofa in a living room,
but with meaningful dialogue
and wonderful human sentiment.
on another note,
i most unexpectedly bumped into a student and her family
at JB.
i think she was initially quite shocked
that she completely did not acknowledge me.
so for a full 5 seconds,
i was there waving at her and nodding at her family,
and they looked positively surprised.
they must've been thinking
'who's this strange person gawking and waving at us?'
until a few secs later,
when i identified myself and things became clear.
quite amusing.
on yet another note,
i've given up trying to read haruki murakami's 'a wild sheep chase'.
i've read about 80 pages of it...
deep stuff, very philosophical...
and it's so full of malaise--
the characters are all living such
meaningless and depressing existences.
what's more, the plot gets increasingly confusing,
so i've decided to put it aside for now.
i'm certainly not in the mood for meandering narratives right now.
and i've started on 'brave new world'.
can you believe someone could write
about genetic engineering as early as 1932?!
that's what this book's about.
cool stuff.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
should i post more often?
hmmm i'm thinking that i should post more often,
so that this would become more like a diary,
and since it's the holis now
and i've got more time.
but then the posts would have to be short.
anyway, i've just finished a meeting in school.
considering watching this movie
called 'lars and the real girl'...
about this man who buys a s-- doll (chong1 qi4 wa2 wa1)
and pretends it's his gf.
(again i don't spell out s-- as not to corrupt the minds
of my students, whom i'm sure are 'pure and innocent' haha!)
hmmm what an interesting premise this movie has.
should i go watch it? should i? should i??
so that this would become more like a diary,
and since it's the holis now
and i've got more time.
but then the posts would have to be short.
anyway, i've just finished a meeting in school.
considering watching this movie
called 'lars and the real girl'...
about this man who buys a s-- doll (chong1 qi4 wa2 wa1)
and pretends it's his gf.
(again i don't spell out s-- as not to corrupt the minds
of my students, whom i'm sure are 'pure and innocent' haha!)
hmmm what an interesting premise this movie has.
should i go watch it? should i? should i??
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Moliere
I watched 'Moliere', a biopic of the French playwright today.
Anyway, something silly, before I talk about the movie proper...
Today I watched the movie alone -
When I watch a no-brainer movie,
or one purely for entertainment,
I would go with somebody.
But when I'm in there to learn something
about the writing, the plot/story...
I prefer going alone,
as I tend to get distracted with someone beside me.
Strange habit I have!
And I have digresssed!
Back to the silly thing that happened...
As I was alone,
I wanted to get a seat that is hidden at one corner.
So I chose seat A1, at one corner.
But when I entered the theatre,
lo and behold,
there was this strange looking guy seated at seat A2,
while the entire row was empty!
The idea of 2 guys who don't know each other
sitting side by side in a dark corner of a theatre for 2 hours
didn't seem very welcoming to me,
so I invaded the seat at the other corner of the empty cinema,
praying very hard that that seat had not been bought.
In a while, 2 guys came over and sat in my row beside the aisle,
leaving a few empty seats between us.
The film then started,
and I thought I was safe.
But a few minutes later,
a group of 5 persons came in and proceeded to my row.
There were only 4 empty seats,
and just as I was preparing to evacuate my stolen seat
to prevent a row,
the 2 guys beside the aisle gave their's up
and saved me!
Hmm, actually I suspect that the 2 guys were also not sitting
at their designated seats,
since they stood up for the latecomers so readily,
but I do feel a bit guilty since I was in the wrong too!
Anyway, 'Moliere''s quite a silly movie.
(Warning: Spoilers ahead!)
It's about how Moliere was thrown into prison for not paying his taxes,
and how a boorish rich man Jourdain bailed him out,
on the condition that Moliere teach him acting skills,
so that he could woo a young coquette.
In the process,
Moliere fell in love with Jourdain's wife,
and she inspired him to become the great comic writer that the world would know.
The plot is non-linear,
starting with Moliere receiving the news that Mrs Jourdain's dying,
and then we were brought back 13 years earlier to where the main plot happens,
and finally back to Mrs Jourdain's deathbed again.
The autumn-summer romance between Mrs Jourdain and Moliere
was a bit weird.
She was visibly so much older than him,
and Moliere looked so much more compatible with her daughter.
The premise of their romance was also rather tacky.
He merely stole a glance at her bare back through a window,
and then became head over heels in love with her.
Jourdain provided the comic moments in the film.
Here's my favourite one (I've forgotten the actual lines, so I'm making some up):
Jourdain: Help me write a letter to accompany the ring I'm giving to my lover.
Moliere: What do you want me to write?
Jourdain: "My fair maiden, if thou accept this ring, I shall die of love." But write it in a prettier way.
Moliere then suggests something pompous, (I've completely forgotten the lines) which Jourdain rejects.
Moliere: Then my suggestion to you would be "Fair maiden mine, if thou this ring accept, I shall die of love." Or "Maiden fair mine, this ring if thou accept, die of love I shall." blah bah.
Basically, he changes the word order of Jourdain's original lines - quite funny.
Anyway, the movie's NC-16, for a very minor making out scene.
Actually, the actors were fully clothed.
Granted there were some 'cries of passion',
though I've seen far worse things on TV,
but I guess the local censors have to ensure that the
'pure and innocent' minds
of our youths do not get corrupted,
and hence the rating.
I agree (from both religious and moral standpoints) that unwholesome images
should be kept out.
Having said that,
when we are talking about 'control' and 'regulation' generally,
it may/may not be (delete as you wish) good to be too absolute.
Leaves little room for freedom and creativity.
Anyway, something silly, before I talk about the movie proper...
Today I watched the movie alone -
When I watch a no-brainer movie,
or one purely for entertainment,
I would go with somebody.
But when I'm in there to learn something
about the writing, the plot/story...
I prefer going alone,
as I tend to get distracted with someone beside me.
Strange habit I have!
And I have digresssed!
Back to the silly thing that happened...
As I was alone,
I wanted to get a seat that is hidden at one corner.
So I chose seat A1, at one corner.
But when I entered the theatre,
lo and behold,
there was this strange looking guy seated at seat A2,
while the entire row was empty!
The idea of 2 guys who don't know each other
sitting side by side in a dark corner of a theatre for 2 hours
didn't seem very welcoming to me,
so I invaded the seat at the other corner of the empty cinema,
praying very hard that that seat had not been bought.
In a while, 2 guys came over and sat in my row beside the aisle,
leaving a few empty seats between us.
The film then started,
and I thought I was safe.
But a few minutes later,
a group of 5 persons came in and proceeded to my row.
There were only 4 empty seats,
and just as I was preparing to evacuate my stolen seat
to prevent a row,
the 2 guys beside the aisle gave their's up
and saved me!
Hmm, actually I suspect that the 2 guys were also not sitting
at their designated seats,
since they stood up for the latecomers so readily,
but I do feel a bit guilty since I was in the wrong too!
Anyway, 'Moliere''s quite a silly movie.
(Warning: Spoilers ahead!)
It's about how Moliere was thrown into prison for not paying his taxes,
and how a boorish rich man Jourdain bailed him out,
on the condition that Moliere teach him acting skills,
so that he could woo a young coquette.
In the process,
Moliere fell in love with Jourdain's wife,
and she inspired him to become the great comic writer that the world would know.
The plot is non-linear,
starting with Moliere receiving the news that Mrs Jourdain's dying,
and then we were brought back 13 years earlier to where the main plot happens,
and finally back to Mrs Jourdain's deathbed again.
The autumn-summer romance between Mrs Jourdain and Moliere
was a bit weird.
She was visibly so much older than him,
and Moliere looked so much more compatible with her daughter.
The premise of their romance was also rather tacky.
He merely stole a glance at her bare back through a window,
and then became head over heels in love with her.
Jourdain provided the comic moments in the film.
Here's my favourite one (I've forgotten the actual lines, so I'm making some up):
Jourdain: Help me write a letter to accompany the ring I'm giving to my lover.
Moliere: What do you want me to write?
Jourdain: "My fair maiden, if thou accept this ring, I shall die of love." But write it in a prettier way.
Moliere then suggests something pompous, (I've completely forgotten the lines) which Jourdain rejects.
Moliere: Then my suggestion to you would be "Fair maiden mine, if thou this ring accept, I shall die of love." Or "Maiden fair mine, this ring if thou accept, die of love I shall." blah bah.
Basically, he changes the word order of Jourdain's original lines - quite funny.
Anyway, the movie's NC-16, for a very minor making out scene.
Actually, the actors were fully clothed.
Granted there were some 'cries of passion',
though I've seen far worse things on TV,
but I guess the local censors have to ensure that the
'pure and innocent' minds
of our youths do not get corrupted,
and hence the rating.
I agree (from both religious and moral standpoints) that unwholesome images
should be kept out.
Having said that,
when we are talking about 'control' and 'regulation' generally,
it may/may not be (delete as you wish) good to be too absolute.
Leaves little room for freedom and creativity.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Chopin's concerto
Today, I'm going to talk about Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1.
Chopin is known as the 'poet of the piano' for his dreamy and tenderly poetic piano works.
His piano works (the majority of his compositions were for this instrument) contain long-breathed and lyrical melodies that could melt your heart.
The slow movement of the 1st piano concerto is the epitome of Chopin's poetic writing. In Chopin's own words, this movement "is intended to convey the impression one receives when the eye rests on a beloved landscape, which calls up in one's soul beautiful memories, for instance, on a fine moonlit night in spring." (see, even his description of the movement is so poetically done.)
In the recording below, you will hear the prize-winning performance of one of the hottest property in classical music today -- Li Yundi. At age 18, he was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. This recording is from the final round of the competition. (ie. he was announced winner after this performance)
Chopin is known as the 'poet of the piano' for his dreamy and tenderly poetic piano works.
His piano works (the majority of his compositions were for this instrument) contain long-breathed and lyrical melodies that could melt your heart.
The slow movement of the 1st piano concerto is the epitome of Chopin's poetic writing. In Chopin's own words, this movement "is intended to convey the impression one receives when the eye rests on a beloved landscape, which calls up in one's soul beautiful memories, for instance, on a fine moonlit night in spring." (see, even his description of the movement is so poetically done.)
In the recording below, you will hear the prize-winning performance of one of the hottest property in classical music today -- Li Yundi. At age 18, he was the youngest ever winner of the prestigious International Chopin Piano Competition in 2000. This recording is from the final round of the competition. (ie. he was announced winner after this performance)
Friday, October 19, 2007
Music clips
Here are some great music clips...
Nicola Benedetti, the 20 year old Scottish (I think she probably has Italian blood, looking at her name) violinist with both looks and talent. Here she's playing the Meditation from Thais by Massenet (I hope I got the piece right, I don't always have good memory for such cheesy pieces:)). This girl's really talented. Let's hope she doesn't do a 'Vanessa Mae' (ie. pose in a translucent dress in the sea and switch over to play classical music with a disco beat!) http://www.nicolabenedetti.co.uk/
Andras Schiff, one of my 'favouritist' pianists playing the lovely Schubert Arpeggione Sonata with an unknown cellist.
Krystian Zimerman playing and conducting the buoyant and energetic Beethoven 1st piano concerto. This is great fun to watch. I think he's one of the three pianists in the world(together with Stephen Hough and Maurizio Pollini) whose technique is so out of the world that he has probably never played a wrong note before.
Nicola Benedetti, the 20 year old Scottish (I think she probably has Italian blood, looking at her name) violinist with both looks and talent. Here she's playing the Meditation from Thais by Massenet (I hope I got the piece right, I don't always have good memory for such cheesy pieces:)). This girl's really talented. Let's hope she doesn't do a 'Vanessa Mae' (ie. pose in a translucent dress in the sea and switch over to play classical music with a disco beat!) http://www.nicolabenedetti.co.uk/
Andras Schiff, one of my 'favouritist' pianists playing the lovely Schubert Arpeggione Sonata with an unknown cellist.
Krystian Zimerman playing and conducting the buoyant and energetic Beethoven 1st piano concerto. This is great fun to watch. I think he's one of the three pianists in the world(together with Stephen Hough and Maurizio Pollini) whose technique is so out of the world that he has probably never played a wrong note before.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Russian ironist
i'm listening to some cds by shostakovich
while preparing for the 'family day' discussion with my class later.
shostakovich's music is interesting -
his is a curious mix of sarcasm, parody, military harshness and jazz.
very eclectic and versatile he is.
his music runs the gamut of emotions
from deepest despair,
to the frivolity of 'clown' music.
he lived through a very tough period in russian history-
the overthrowing of the tsars,
the revolutions,
the rise and fall of Stalin,
who denounced his music.
i just love the acerbic quality of his music,
and also the various jazz elements.
while preparing for the 'family day' discussion with my class later.
shostakovich's music is interesting -
his is a curious mix of sarcasm, parody, military harshness and jazz.
very eclectic and versatile he is.
his music runs the gamut of emotions
from deepest despair,
to the frivolity of 'clown' music.
he lived through a very tough period in russian history-
the overthrowing of the tsars,
the revolutions,
the rise and fall of Stalin,
who denounced his music.
i just love the acerbic quality of his music,
and also the various jazz elements.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Private blogs
Some people have private blogs.
The reasons why they want the restriction might be:
1) They've scolded someone on their blogs.
2) They've written something sensitive or potentially embarrassing. (eg. my crush is_____, i think XXX is cute)
3) They want their blogs to be very exclusive. (only a select group of friends permitted to read)
For me, I post on my blog
to share information which I think might be useful for my students.
or occasionally to air my thoughts so that students and friends
can know more about my beliefs.
There is nothing that is restricted.
If I have something to say that might embarrass anyone,
I wouldn't post it online at all.
For example,
if I need to reprimand a student,
or to correct a behaviour,
I will go talk face to face with that student.
You might ask me if everything I write on my blog is really what I think.
Well, I will say that I try to be as sincere as I can when I write.
Because I'm one who values openess and hate any kind of pretence.
But being one who is interested in creative writing,
I do assume a kind of blog persona when I post too.
So I choose what to write and what not to write.
But I would say that whatever I write, I believe.
The reasons why they want the restriction might be:
1) They've scolded someone on their blogs.
2) They've written something sensitive or potentially embarrassing. (eg. my crush is_____, i think XXX is cute)
3) They want their blogs to be very exclusive. (only a select group of friends permitted to read)
For me, I post on my blog
to share information which I think might be useful for my students.
or occasionally to air my thoughts so that students and friends
can know more about my beliefs.
There is nothing that is restricted.
If I have something to say that might embarrass anyone,
I wouldn't post it online at all.
For example,
if I need to reprimand a student,
or to correct a behaviour,
I will go talk face to face with that student.
You might ask me if everything I write on my blog is really what I think.
Well, I will say that I try to be as sincere as I can when I write.
Because I'm one who values openess and hate any kind of pretence.
But being one who is interested in creative writing,
I do assume a kind of blog persona when I post too.
So I choose what to write and what not to write.
But I would say that whatever I write, I believe.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Stephen Hough
i just have to post this.
i've just attended the best concerto performance of my life.
stephen hough was just amazing.
i've always thought that british pianists are predictable, safe and boring,
but hough just shows otherwise.
he's so naturally one with the music,
he sat quite still during his playing,
and never for once resorted to histrionics.
yet his octaves had so much power,
his hands glided over the keys with such fluency,
and he played with a ravishingly beautiful tone.
his playing of the third movement
made me see it in a totally different light.
i didn't know it could be so 'hungarian' with all those accents.
he played with such ease in such a difficult piece of music.
i must have attended over a hundred live classical music concerts since 1995,
never for once have I been so impressed before.
and the brahms concerto isn't even one of my favourite concerti.
i will now definitely put stephen hough as one of the world's top 3 pianists.
okay, enough of gushing.
more marking to be done tomorrow.
i've just attended the best concerto performance of my life.
stephen hough was just amazing.
i've always thought that british pianists are predictable, safe and boring,
but hough just shows otherwise.
he's so naturally one with the music,
he sat quite still during his playing,
and never for once resorted to histrionics.
yet his octaves had so much power,
his hands glided over the keys with such fluency,
and he played with a ravishingly beautiful tone.
his playing of the third movement
made me see it in a totally different light.
i didn't know it could be so 'hungarian' with all those accents.
he played with such ease in such a difficult piece of music.
i must have attended over a hundred live classical music concerts since 1995,
never for once have I been so impressed before.
and the brahms concerto isn't even one of my favourite concerti.
i will now definitely put stephen hough as one of the world's top 3 pianists.
okay, enough of gushing.
more marking to be done tomorrow.
Of Compre, Brahms and Psalms
All the very best to those taking the L.A. Paper 2 on Monday.
Make sure you read the passage and questions very carefully.
Don't make any careless mistakes,
or else I will....
be very disappointed.
________________________________________
I'll be attending a SSO concert later.
Grieg's peer gynt suites (nice norwegian music)
and Brahms' 1st piano concerto.
The latter is a most monumental work-
symphonic in scope,
but intimate in the loving exchanges between piano and orchestra,
and definitely very concertante in the very idiomatic piano part.
At >50 minutes, it's a really taxing and demanding work for any pianist.
Tonight we'll be hearing british pianist stephen hough.
a cool customer who is never showy but has a stupendous technique.
Though he was in the news recently for the wrong reasons,
over some 'gay' remarks he made.
http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/6569.html
Stephen Hough
Make sure you read the passage and questions very carefully.
Don't make any careless mistakes,
or else I will....
be very disappointed.
________________________________________
I'll be attending a SSO concert later.
Grieg's peer gynt suites (nice norwegian music)
and Brahms' 1st piano concerto.
The latter is a most monumental work-
symphonic in scope,
but intimate in the loving exchanges between piano and orchestra,
and definitely very concertante in the very idiomatic piano part.
At >50 minutes, it's a really taxing and demanding work for any pianist.
Tonight we'll be hearing british pianist stephen hough.
a cool customer who is never showy but has a stupendous technique.
Though he was in the news recently for the wrong reasons,
over some 'gay' remarks he made.
http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/6569.html
Stephen Hough
________________________________________
One of my favourite Psalms
Psalm 139 (verses 1-10)
Psalm 139 (verses 1-10)
O Lord, you have searched me
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in - behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.
You hem me in - behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
My concert
I played in a concert yesterday.
Ying Ning, Ying Liang, Mel, Huiwen and I
Our programme page 1
Our programme page 2
It was okay overall.
Small and intimate audience of about 50.
Nice and cosy for chamber music.
Ying Ning, Ying Liang, Mel, Huiwen and I
Our programme cover
Our programme page 1 Our programme page 2Sunday, September 30, 2007
A Birthday Poem
Here's another poem.
It wasn't natural for me writing this one,
cos I usually don't try to rhyme.
For me, it's restricting, unnatural and it may end up sounding like some sentimental lyrics from some soppy ballad.
The last stanza is a bit removed from the earlier ones,
cos my cynical streak kicked in then.
So you may read it as two separate poems if you wish.
Some expect presents from all,
saying "It's MY day after all".
Some give presents all around,
"It's my day, and love will abound".
Some give presents to their moms,
for the labour pains before they could come.
Yet some refuse presents and all those stuff,
saying they don't care for 'all those fluff'.
Some boys like the notion of getting older,
cigs, beers, R21 movies will soon be in order.
Most girls don’t like getting older,
it’s goodbye to flawless skins and slender shoulders,
Some remain child-like as they age,
Unclouded innocence their image.
Some become jaded before their time,
cynical and scornful before their prime.
Some like to celebrate at home,
with candles, cake and champagne foam.
Some would rather celebrate away from home,
to avoid the ‘So when are you getting married?’ in mom’s usual tone.
Some kids prefer celebrating at McDonalds,
they get ‘Happy Meals’ and a photo with Ronald Mcdonald!
Some eat noodles and eggs on that day,
for longevity and health they pray.
Some say:
presents,
notions of getting older
and celebrations
are but things
that mark a most randomly begotten date.
But others maintain:
coveting nice presents,
watching their first adult movie on their 21st birthdays,
or posing with the red-haired clown with a perpetual smile,
prove that they are not here by chance.
It wasn't natural for me writing this one,
cos I usually don't try to rhyme.
For me, it's restricting, unnatural and it may end up sounding like some sentimental lyrics from some soppy ballad.
The last stanza is a bit removed from the earlier ones,
cos my cynical streak kicked in then.
So you may read it as two separate poems if you wish.
Some expect presents from all,
saying "It's MY day after all".
Some give presents all around,
"It's my day, and love will abound".
Some give presents to their moms,
for the labour pains before they could come.
Yet some refuse presents and all those stuff,
saying they don't care for 'all those fluff'.
Some boys like the notion of getting older,
cigs, beers, R21 movies will soon be in order.
Most girls don’t like getting older,
it’s goodbye to flawless skins and slender shoulders,
Some remain child-like as they age,
Unclouded innocence their image.
Some become jaded before their time,
cynical and scornful before their prime.
Some like to celebrate at home,
with candles, cake and champagne foam.
Some would rather celebrate away from home,
to avoid the ‘So when are you getting married?’ in mom’s usual tone.
Some kids prefer celebrating at McDonalds,
they get ‘Happy Meals’ and a photo with Ronald Mcdonald!
Some eat noodles and eggs on that day,
for longevity and health they pray.
Some say:
presents,
notions of getting older
and celebrations
are but things
that mark a most randomly begotten date.
But others maintain:
coveting nice presents,
watching their first adult movie on their 21st birthdays,
or posing with the red-haired clown with a perpetual smile,
prove that they are not here by chance.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Someone WISE and MIGHTY once said that we should all keep as much spontaneity, inventiveness, curiosity, child-like faith and innocence in us, even as we are growing up.
This simple video tells it all. For your viewing pleasure while you are taking a break from your revision. (Don't forget to go back to your books though!)
This simple video tells it all. For your viewing pleasure while you are taking a break from your revision. (Don't forget to go back to your books though!)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
A Lomantic Poem
i was at east coast park
doing my marking by the beach today.
here's a poem i composed as i sat looking out to the sea.
The Lomantic Beach
This stretch of artificial beach
is what we call
nature -
an escape
from the burdens of city life.
a row of evenly spaced out stone benches,
neat state-planted coconut trees
(make no attempt to pluck the coconuts, lest you get fined).
a pair of young lovers strolling on the narrow beach,
she brushing an imaginary itch off her thighs every now and then,
her city-acclimatised skin unused to being touched by nature,
he whispering into her ear:
'dis place not bad leh,
got sea, got sand, got wind,
more lomantic den orchard load leh.'
they tread cautiously,
she almost stepping on a half-eaten burger king broiler
(the CIP students chose somewhere else for their mandatory mission today),
the breeze grows stronger,
bringing in an incense from the nearby refineries.
we thank them.
for we would not have our beautiful city without the income they bring.
soon it will be night.
the lights of the oil tankers will brighten the horizon.
but just for today -
we will imagine them to be luxury cruise ships
and the lights are but
decklights warming the soft skins of young lovers reclining on the decks.
- just to be lomantic
* if you don't understand the poem, try sticking out your tongue and putting it in your cheek. do that and read it again.
doing my marking by the beach today.
here's a poem i composed as i sat looking out to the sea.
The Lomantic Beach
This stretch of artificial beach
is what we call
nature -
an escape
from the burdens of city life.
a row of evenly spaced out stone benches,
neat state-planted coconut trees
(make no attempt to pluck the coconuts, lest you get fined).
a pair of young lovers strolling on the narrow beach,
she brushing an imaginary itch off her thighs every now and then,
her city-acclimatised skin unused to being touched by nature,
he whispering into her ear:
'dis place not bad leh,
got sea, got sand, got wind,
more lomantic den orchard load leh.'
they tread cautiously,
she almost stepping on a half-eaten burger king broiler
(the CIP students chose somewhere else for their mandatory mission today),
the breeze grows stronger,
bringing in an incense from the nearby refineries.
we thank them.
for we would not have our beautiful city without the income they bring.
soon it will be night.
the lights of the oil tankers will brighten the horizon.
but just for today -
we will imagine them to be luxury cruise ships
and the lights are but
decklights warming the soft skins of young lovers reclining on the decks.
- just to be lomantic
* if you don't understand the poem, try sticking out your tongue and putting it in your cheek. do that and read it again.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Dying Young
the pccg lesson we had earlier today was on resilience.
we looked at the lives of terry fox, and closer to home, dr william tan.
both are persons who are immensely resilient -
able to face their physical handicap bravely,
and despite of their disabilities,
thought about people who needed help
and worked tirelessly to raise funds for the needy.
as i was preparing for the lesson,
i thought about another example of a resilient person.
that is joan chan, an ex rgs/rjc girl,
who died at the age of 19.
although her physical body succumbed to cancer,
her spirit did not.
she was described as a 'fighter' by all who knew her,
and in her own words too.
you can read what she said on her blog http://onlyskindeep.blogspot.com/
and on the blog her friends created for her http://joanchanshufang.blogspot.com/
it's a great loss when someone young dies.
the only instance when i've experienced someone from school dying,
was when i was in my second year at junior college.
2 first year girls (one formerly fr rgs, another fr nygh) drowned after their raft went under water on an obs trip.
i remember on the next day,
the student council put out 2 condolence books
and we all went to put in our messages of sympathy.
the whole school was in mourning,
and the atmosphere was quite gloomy for some time.
the vice principal teared when she addressed us a few days after that,
she told us how she'd make sure she kissed her own children every morning from that day on,
knowing how fragile life could be.
i later learnt that one of my friends was the 'angel' of one of the deceased girls,
(the girl was in his junior class, and was his 'mortal' in the angel-mortal game)
and the day before the accident,
she'd written a letter to him.
it's sad when young lives are lost,
when we think of the unfulfilled promises and aspirations,
what they might have achieved.
in the case of terry fox and joan chan --
when we see how resilient they were before they passed on,
and how their spirit touched thousands of people -
people who used to complain about minor discomforts in their lives
but became converted and found new meaning in their lives
when they realize what they're suffering is nothing compared to terry fox and joan --
then we know that their legacy and their fighting spirit have lived on,
blessing the generations to come.
having said that,
do value your life
and try to achieve your dreams!
The Best is Yet to Be!
(pardon me for stealing the acs motto, though i'm no acs boy, but that motto's apt here :)
we looked at the lives of terry fox, and closer to home, dr william tan.
both are persons who are immensely resilient -
able to face their physical handicap bravely,
and despite of their disabilities,
thought about people who needed help
and worked tirelessly to raise funds for the needy.
as i was preparing for the lesson,
i thought about another example of a resilient person.
that is joan chan, an ex rgs/rjc girl,
who died at the age of 19.
although her physical body succumbed to cancer,
her spirit did not.
she was described as a 'fighter' by all who knew her,
and in her own words too.
you can read what she said on her blog http://onlyskindeep.blogspot.com/
and on the blog her friends created for her http://joanchanshufang.blogspot.com/
it's a great loss when someone young dies.
the only instance when i've experienced someone from school dying,
was when i was in my second year at junior college.
2 first year girls (one formerly fr rgs, another fr nygh) drowned after their raft went under water on an obs trip.
i remember on the next day,
the student council put out 2 condolence books
and we all went to put in our messages of sympathy.
the whole school was in mourning,
and the atmosphere was quite gloomy for some time.
the vice principal teared when she addressed us a few days after that,
she told us how she'd make sure she kissed her own children every morning from that day on,
knowing how fragile life could be.
i later learnt that one of my friends was the 'angel' of one of the deceased girls,
(the girl was in his junior class, and was his 'mortal' in the angel-mortal game)
and the day before the accident,
she'd written a letter to him.
it's sad when young lives are lost,
when we think of the unfulfilled promises and aspirations,
what they might have achieved.
in the case of terry fox and joan chan --
when we see how resilient they were before they passed on,
and how their spirit touched thousands of people -
people who used to complain about minor discomforts in their lives
but became converted and found new meaning in their lives
when they realize what they're suffering is nothing compared to terry fox and joan --
then we know that their legacy and their fighting spirit have lived on,
blessing the generations to come.
having said that,
do value your life
and try to achieve your dreams!
The Best is Yet to Be!
(pardon me for stealing the acs motto, though i'm no acs boy, but that motto's apt here :)
Monday, September 3, 2007
Online SRQ 1
Will my Sec 4 students please respond to the following paragraph, or to any part of the essay I've given to you.
Click on the 'Comments' hyperlink at the bottom of this post and start posting. Remember to leave your name at the end of your post. You may also respond to comments by your peers and I will also comment on your comments (:
'Some critics of the stand that war produces no winners, only losers, may claim that wars are fought for heroic and noble causes by providing examples of wars fought for unification of territory as in China, or against barbarians such as in the case of the Crusades. However, they have forgotten that these are merely excuses for more sinister and dark agendas, such as genocide and for the lust of power.'
~ Ng Khiang Ching Rona (RJC 1997)
Click on the 'Comments' hyperlink at the bottom of this post and start posting. Remember to leave your name at the end of your post. You may also respond to comments by your peers and I will also comment on your comments (:
'Some critics of the stand that war produces no winners, only losers, may claim that wars are fought for heroic and noble causes by providing examples of wars fought for unification of territory as in China, or against barbarians such as in the case of the Crusades. However, they have forgotten that these are merely excuses for more sinister and dark agendas, such as genocide and for the lust of power.'
~ Ng Khiang Ching Rona (RJC 1997)
Sunday, September 2, 2007
SSO Concert
i've just come back from a sso concert.
i love symphony concerts.
i remember my first sso concert.
it was in 1994 -
an outing with my sch's string orchestra.
that was how i started getting interested in classical music.
i love the sound of the different instruments playing together.
it's a joy that you can't get from playing the piano.
the concert today started with richard strauss' tone poem-
till eulenspiegel's merry pranks.
i don't really fancy richard strauss.
think he's a bit excessive and over the top.
but the performance today was okay.
the swiss conductor thierry fischer made the textures sound very clear.
and there was actually some attractive waltzy bits.
the highlight of the night for many was
venezuelan pianist sergio tiempo playing chopin's piano concerto no. 1.
yest's newspapers described him as one with a 'tousled mop of dark hair and liquid brown eyes...looks more handsome in person than he does in his publicity photos'.
but i didn't see lots of screaming female fans or groupies leh.
i guess classical music will never have the same appeal
as pop and rock,
which are more immediate and 'in your face'.
the typical audience you meet at classical music concerts are
ang mohs, music students and corporate sponsors.
anyway sergio tiempo was an amazing pianist -
highly virtuosic and completely effortless in his playing.
his fingers ran up and down the length of the keyboard with such ease.
i didn't realize chopin's concerto to be so difficult,
though tiempo made it look easy,
the runs are hard to execute lah,
and to play it so delicately and poetically,
no joke man.
okay, my top 4 of the most difficult piano concerti:
1) brahms' concerto no. 2: its sheer length of 50 mins is enough to kill. added on to that is a solo part that sounds so symphonic, chordal and requiring large hands and immense strength to play.
2) chopin's concerto no. 1: difficult to achieve the delicacy and poetry required of the piece. the bland orchestral part is quite redundant, really.
3) rachmaninov's concerto nos. 2 and 3: okay, here we have the ultimate 'hollywood' concerti - gorgeous and soaring melodies, wears its emotions on the sleeve, lush and thick orchestrations. you would know rach 3 if you've watched the movie 'shine'. again, music which is not really to my taste, a bit over the top. i like things subtle.
anyway, after the concerto was the intermission,
and when i came back from my toilet break,
lo and behold,
sergio tiempo was there signing autographs for his 'ardent' fans,
flanked by a policeman and an esplanade representative.
well, i'm neither a screaming female fan nor is he my favourite pianist,
but i took some pictures of him signing the autographs,
just for the thrill of it.
the pictures are rather blur,
cos i was using my lousy 2 megapixel phone cam. here they are:
next on the programme was berlioz's symphonie fantastique
this is my favourite symphony after schubert's unfinished symph.
it's a loud and bombastic work.
berlioz is crazy,
the symphony was inspired by his mad infatuation for an irish actress.
there's a story in the music.
it's about an artist's unrequited love for some girl,
then he takes opium,
and in his drug-induced stupor,
he hallucinates about killing his beloved,
he is sent to the guillotine,
and it ends with his beloved turned into a witch who mocks his dead soul.
the 3rd movement (slow movement) was the most boring,
at the end of it,
about 5 people evacuated from the hall -
most of them were families with young children.
i never understand why parents bring their young children
to such symphony concerts.
they are wasting their money
and boring these poor kiddies to death.
how can you expect a 6 year old to sit quietly
and listen attentively to straight-laced musicians
in their serious-looking black suits and pants
play serious-sounding music for 2 hours? sheesh
those concerts in the park at botanical gardens
or the afternoon matinees for kids (which sso does once in a while)
would be more appropriate for these kids.
the 4th n 5th mvts of the symphony were my favourite.
in the 4th, entitled 'march to the scaffolds',
the artist is led to the scaffolds
for 'killing' his beloved.
the music is so darn descriptive:
at the moment just before the execution,
this recurring tune is heard (which represents his beloved)
and then it's the chop of the axe,
which is depicted by a swift stroke on the strings,
and we can even 'hear' the decapitated head dropping
and blood dripping as represented by the string pizzicatos.
the final movement is the most grotesque of all.
the artist's beloved has now turned into an ugly witch
and is now mocking him.
the clarinets play the recurring tune in a grotesquely modified form.
berlioz even quotes the dies irae theme (G F# G E F# D E E)
and turns it into a bombastic and macabre dance of death
in the rousing finale.
i like music like that,
slightly irreverent and grotesque.
though, i didn't quite enjoy tonight's performance.
i thought that the conductor was playing things a bit too safe.
i mean, sure he's swiss
and they are known for their precision, accuracy, efficiency (you know how a swiss watch is yah?)
but i would've preferred it if he had roughened up the music a bit,
and bring out the passion more.
sure, he opted for neat ensemble
and the sound was really opulent,
but i just wish he could've taken some risks.
well, but i'm sure impressed with the sso.
they've improved so much.
the winds and brass parts in tonight's works are so hard to play.
richard strauss's winds/brass parts are designed to kill them.
a story goes whereby a frazzled horn player told the composer imploringly,
"mr strauss, the horn part is too difficult! It doesn't mean that if it can be played it on the piano, it can be played on the horn!"
and richard strauss replied "my dear boy, i can't play that on the piano either".
sabbath day tmr,
gotta go and sleep now. bye
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thank You!
Thanks for the kind gifts and greetings you have given to me!
Really appreciate it!
Chill out and have a smashingly good holiday!
Really appreciate it!
Chill out and have a smashingly good holiday!
Friday, August 24, 2007
The Amazing Resurrecting Cockroach
i'm the official cockroach buster in the english department.
whenever a cockroach is spotted in the toilet in our staffroom,
i'll be tasked to get rid of it.
the roaches in our staffroom are quite amazing.
they alway look like they've died,
lying on their backs.
but when i try to pick them up with tissue,
they will suddenly flip over
and attempt to make a desperate getaway.
either they were playing dead,
or they were half dead and semi-conscious.
somehow, when i try to pick them up with tissue,
they will resurrect and try to run away.
freaky!
whenever a cockroach is spotted in the toilet in our staffroom,
i'll be tasked to get rid of it.
the roaches in our staffroom are quite amazing.
they alway look like they've died,
lying on their backs.
but when i try to pick them up with tissue,
they will suddenly flip over
and attempt to make a desperate getaway.
either they were playing dead,
or they were half dead and semi-conscious.
somehow, when i try to pick them up with tissue,
they will resurrect and try to run away.
freaky!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Corny Korean drama
my mum's watching this corny korean drama on cable channel 50
they have the most corny dialogue and cliched situation.
in today's episode (i had to watch it as i was eating dinner),
the mother reconciles with her estranged long-lost son.
the son calls his mother 'ma' for the first time in his life.
here's their exchange:
Son: Ma, why didn't you attend my wedding engagement?
Mother: What did you say?
Son: My wedding engagement...
Mother (begins trembling): No...what did you say before that?
Son is quiet.
Mother: Wh..whaat d..did you ca..call me...me? (her voice is now trembling violently and her eyes are teary)
Son: Ma...?
Mother: My son!
Son: Ma!
Mother: Oh my son!
Son (he starts to cry too): Ma...Ma!
Mother (she moves her trembling hands towards son's face) : Oh my dear dear son!
Son: Ma!
Mother: Can I embrace you? (Does she need to ask this unecessary question now?)
They embrace.
More crying.
A soppy and sentimental ballad comes on in the background.
Mother (weeping very badly now): How have I longed to embrace you, my son!
Son (weeping just as badly, muscus glistening at his nostrils): Ma, I'm sorry, so sorry.
Mother: How many times have I told myself, if I could just embrace you, I am willing to die right now, contented!
************
Eeuww....such soppiness!
it reminds me of those yucky taiwanese soap operas.
i think one criteria for acting in these dramas is that you must be able to cry a lot,
if you show some mucus, that's even better.
it shows that you are really crying,
and not like lousier actors,
who have to use eyedrops.
there was this equally bad local drama a few years back-
legend of the condor heroes,
starring fann wong as xiao long nu (little dragon girl) and christopher lee as yang guo.
in that drama,
for 80% of the time,
xiao long nu will move around looking forlorn and downcast...
and her only line will be -
"Guo er, ni wei she me zhe yang dui wo, ni wei she me bu ai wo? Ru guo ni bu ai wo, na wo huo zhe you you she me yi si?"*
*eng translation: "Guo er, why do you treat me like this? Why don't you love me? If you don't love me, why should I carry on living?"
:\
they have the most corny dialogue and cliched situation.
in today's episode (i had to watch it as i was eating dinner),
the mother reconciles with her estranged long-lost son.
the son calls his mother 'ma' for the first time in his life.
here's their exchange:
Son: Ma, why didn't you attend my wedding engagement?
Mother: What did you say?
Son: My wedding engagement...
Mother (begins trembling): No...what did you say before that?
Son is quiet.
Mother: Wh..whaat d..did you ca..call me...me? (her voice is now trembling violently and her eyes are teary)
Son: Ma...?
Mother: My son!
Son: Ma!
Mother: Oh my son!
Son (he starts to cry too): Ma...Ma!
Mother (she moves her trembling hands towards son's face) : Oh my dear dear son!
Son: Ma!
Mother: Can I embrace you? (Does she need to ask this unecessary question now?)
They embrace.
More crying.
A soppy and sentimental ballad comes on in the background.
Mother (weeping very badly now): How have I longed to embrace you, my son!
Son (weeping just as badly, muscus glistening at his nostrils): Ma, I'm sorry, so sorry.
Mother: How many times have I told myself, if I could just embrace you, I am willing to die right now, contented!
************
Eeuww....such soppiness!
it reminds me of those yucky taiwanese soap operas.
i think one criteria for acting in these dramas is that you must be able to cry a lot,
if you show some mucus, that's even better.
it shows that you are really crying,
and not like lousier actors,
who have to use eyedrops.
there was this equally bad local drama a few years back-
legend of the condor heroes,
starring fann wong as xiao long nu (little dragon girl) and christopher lee as yang guo.
in that drama,
for 80% of the time,
xiao long nu will move around looking forlorn and downcast...
and her only line will be -
"Guo er, ni wei she me zhe yang dui wo, ni wei she me bu ai wo? Ru guo ni bu ai wo, na wo huo zhe you you she me yi si?"*
*eng translation: "Guo er, why do you treat me like this? Why don't you love me? If you don't love me, why should I carry on living?"
:\
Friday, August 17, 2007
Harry Potty
seen: banner outside orchard road presbyterian church (orpc) -
God is the Potter, not Harry.
quite creative sia.
the message is...
don't get so crazy over harry potter
that you let it take over your life...
that it becomes like a potter moulding your life.
do everything in moderation.
God is the Potter, not Harry.
quite creative sia.
the message is...
don't get so crazy over harry potter
that you let it take over your life...
that it becomes like a potter moulding your life.
do everything in moderation.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
links
anyone wants me to link you?
just drop me a note.
just came back from the gala dinner.
tired.
will post the pix another time.
gdnite!
just drop me a note.
just came back from the gala dinner.
tired.
will post the pix another time.
gdnite!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
national day
national day holiday...
i didn't go anywhere the entire day,
apart from buying the newspapers
and some bananas (haha i love bananas, they are cheap n good you know!)
from the stores near my home in the morning.
and i've heeded my own advice-
to do the important and non-urgent things (Priority 2 things -refer to my july 29th post below) when i can.
so i've started writing the qualitative remarks for my sec 1 classes.
have done nos. 1-15 of 108 already.
things to do over the next few days....
1) mark the sec 1 sia scenario writings
2) mark the sec 4 prc scholars' srq writings
3) continue writing the qualitative remarks for 108 and 107
4) do the unseen prose revision lesson plans
5) be at the gala dinner music rehearsal from noon at raffles city on saturday
i had the luxury to practise the piano for 1.5 hours today.
1.5 hours' not too bad and i'm quite pleased with myself.
it's difficult to put in that amount of time during school days.
i'm practising for a concert i'm playing with some friends in october.
the piano part for mendelssohn's piano trio is not easy...
i must really practise hard
so we can resume rehearsals soon.
well...will talk more about the concert next time.
i watched the ndp telecast on tv just now.
i've attended 2 live ndps,
once when i was very young (the details i can't recall at all)
and the 2nd time in either 1998 or 1999.
this kind of event is supposed to instill
a sense of patriotism in the citizens.
and it's very effective i should say -
seeing the impressive-looking military fleet marching past,
the beautiful formations executed by the fighter planes,
the heroics of the marine and air divers and so on.
this is what they call psychological defence (re - NE)
and to cap it with the singing of the rousing national day songs,
i bet many would gladly sacrifice themselves for their beloved country after this!
anyway, the 1st part of the parade,
with the various military displays,
was rather spectacular.
added on to that
was the scenic watery surroundings
and the beautiful Shenton Way skyline.
this year's ndp was rather artistic
and highly representative in nature.
they had 3 roller bladers dressed like characters from 'transformers'
and they spouted 'mythical' lines
about mother nature, water, the earth etc
there were also
people dancing with strange spiky things protruding from their backs;
a male singer with highlighted hair, all dressed in white,
emerging from an all-white car to sing a national day song;
and even the new song was delivered in an operatic version first
before they tried a more contemporary style.
not surprising as the creative director, goh boon teck
is one of singapore's most promising young theatre directors.
anyway, kudos to the organizers for the great effort put in.
the nation enjoyed the solid military display,
the rousing fireworks (especially spectacular this year),
the singing of the familiar old favourites like
'stand up for singapore' and
'count on me singapore'
at the beautiful marina bayfront.
happy 42nd bday, singapore!
i didn't go anywhere the entire day,
apart from buying the newspapers
and some bananas (haha i love bananas, they are cheap n good you know!)
from the stores near my home in the morning.
and i've heeded my own advice-
to do the important and non-urgent things (Priority 2 things -refer to my july 29th post below) when i can.
so i've started writing the qualitative remarks for my sec 1 classes.
have done nos. 1-15 of 108 already.
things to do over the next few days....
1) mark the sec 1 sia scenario writings
2) mark the sec 4 prc scholars' srq writings
3) continue writing the qualitative remarks for 108 and 107
4) do the unseen prose revision lesson plans
5) be at the gala dinner music rehearsal from noon at raffles city on saturday
i had the luxury to practise the piano for 1.5 hours today.
1.5 hours' not too bad and i'm quite pleased with myself.
it's difficult to put in that amount of time during school days.
i'm practising for a concert i'm playing with some friends in october.
the piano part for mendelssohn's piano trio is not easy...
i must really practise hard
so we can resume rehearsals soon.
well...will talk more about the concert next time.
i watched the ndp telecast on tv just now.
i've attended 2 live ndps,
once when i was very young (the details i can't recall at all)
and the 2nd time in either 1998 or 1999.
this kind of event is supposed to instill
a sense of patriotism in the citizens.
and it's very effective i should say -
seeing the impressive-looking military fleet marching past,
the beautiful formations executed by the fighter planes,
the heroics of the marine and air divers and so on.
this is what they call psychological defence (re - NE)
and to cap it with the singing of the rousing national day songs,
i bet many would gladly sacrifice themselves for their beloved country after this!
anyway, the 1st part of the parade,
with the various military displays,
was rather spectacular.
added on to that
was the scenic watery surroundings
and the beautiful Shenton Way skyline.
this year's ndp was rather artistic
and highly representative in nature.
they had 3 roller bladers dressed like characters from 'transformers'
and they spouted 'mythical' lines
about mother nature, water, the earth etc
there were also
people dancing with strange spiky things protruding from their backs;
a male singer with highlighted hair, all dressed in white,
emerging from an all-white car to sing a national day song;
and even the new song was delivered in an operatic version first
before they tried a more contemporary style.
not surprising as the creative director, goh boon teck
is one of singapore's most promising young theatre directors.
anyway, kudos to the organizers for the great effort put in.
the nation enjoyed the solid military display,
the rousing fireworks (especially spectacular this year),
the singing of the familiar old favourites like
'stand up for singapore' and
'count on me singapore'
at the beautiful marina bayfront.
happy 42nd bday, singapore!
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Something funny during contact time
during class contact time today,
the students had to go to the hall
to practise the 90th anni song.
(btw, the song is very nice and tuneful,
it's by this well known local musician called iskandar ismail,
check this out if you don't already know how prominent he is.
http://www.nus.edu.sg/cfa/groups/music/jazzband/bio.html)
i was having some difficulty locating my class initially,
as the sec 1s and 2s were scattered all over the place.
so i was walking up and down,
looking left and right
for quite some time,
before i finally turned around
and lo and behold, they were behind me
all the time!
from the cheeky grins some of them had,
they must have been quite amused
at my confused demeanour
as i searched high and low for them.
but at least i found them.
my babies were safely settled down.
(i'm beginning to think of my students as my 'babies', like how some of my colleagues do)
but they are 'big babies' already --
in a twinkling of the eye, they will be sec 2s,
and they will have a batch of sec 1 juniors to take care of.
i hope they will always remember what i've told them
at the start of the year.
even if they've been treated not so nicely by some of their seniors,
they shouldn't do the same to their juniors.
some students think that it's natural to follow everything their seniors do,
so if the seniors shout at them for no reason,
or force them to do menial things very matter-of-factly and scorn at them,
they will replicate these unruly behaviours
in their subsequent dealings with their own juniors.
this is very wrong,
it's as if you are venting your frustration for your seniors
on your poor juniors.
And you might be starting a vicious circle,
for your gullible juniors might imitate your behaviour just as well!
but don't misunderstand me,
i'm not saying that if your seniors ask you to do things which might seem insignificant,
they are bullying you.
things like doing backstage work during performances,
carrying props and equipment,
or cleaning up,
which many sec 1s do,
especially during ccas,
are tasks which will build up your character,
and make you humble and willing to serve the common good of the cca.
however, if your seniors command you to do these
in an unreasonable manner,
overwork you, or take you for granted,
then it is wrong of them.
it infringes on your right as an individual
in a democratic society
and you ought to raise this to your teacher.
if you do meet such unreasonable people,
there's some consolation for you...
in time to come, only 2 things can happen to them.
either
1) they 'mature' and blush when they recall their childish action of ordering you around just because they happen to be one or two years older, or just a little more experienced than you.
or
2) they continue their unreasonable behaviour and get cast out by all their friends.
but remember, my big 'babies'....NEVER BE UNREASONABLE TO YOUR JUNIORS IN 2008
you might make others fear you for a while,
but the true mark of a good senior is when you earn the respect of your juniors.
okay, enough about that now,
let's talk about the 90th anniversary rehearsal yesterday at raffles city.
we left the school at 11.30am,
did 2 runs of the programme at the venue,
and only managed to leave for school at 5.30pm.
the 'musical' in the performance
neatly chronicles the history of nygh.
the dancers were all very good,
and our choreographer mdm chen lili
has done a wonderful job in making everything so oriental,
something befitting a school that prides herself
for upholding good chinese values.
i saw some of my students wearing thick make-up
for the performance.
it takes me some time to get used to something like that..heh
because they look suddenly so grown up with all that rouge.
when we were waiting for our turn,
i had some interesting conversations with some of my colleagues.
one of them told me how posh the ladies was,
with a couch and all.
so i went to check out the gents,
and was disappointed that there was no couch,
but lots of mirrors!
i was also asked to pretend that i was the conductor of the guzheng ensemble,
and had to walk up the stage upon cue.
i had once dreamed to be a conductor (of a symphonic orch, not a guzheng ensemble!),
it's nice to be able to stand in front of a hundred musicians,
and to draw out beautiful music with the wave of your arms.
hmmm...maybe someday.
ps did i ever tell you that one of my very first wish was to be a bus driver? :\
the students had to go to the hall
to practise the 90th anni song.
(btw, the song is very nice and tuneful,
it's by this well known local musician called iskandar ismail,
check this out if you don't already know how prominent he is.
http://www.nus.edu.sg/cfa/groups/music/jazzband/bio.html)
i was having some difficulty locating my class initially,
as the sec 1s and 2s were scattered all over the place.
so i was walking up and down,
looking left and right
for quite some time,
before i finally turned around
and lo and behold, they were behind me
all the time!
from the cheeky grins some of them had,
they must have been quite amused
at my confused demeanour
as i searched high and low for them.
but at least i found them.
my babies were safely settled down.
(i'm beginning to think of my students as my 'babies', like how some of my colleagues do)
but they are 'big babies' already --
in a twinkling of the eye, they will be sec 2s,
and they will have a batch of sec 1 juniors to take care of.
i hope they will always remember what i've told them
at the start of the year.
even if they've been treated not so nicely by some of their seniors,
they shouldn't do the same to their juniors.
some students think that it's natural to follow everything their seniors do,
so if the seniors shout at them for no reason,
or force them to do menial things very matter-of-factly and scorn at them,
they will replicate these unruly behaviours
in their subsequent dealings with their own juniors.
this is very wrong,
it's as if you are venting your frustration for your seniors
on your poor juniors.
And you might be starting a vicious circle,
for your gullible juniors might imitate your behaviour just as well!
but don't misunderstand me,
i'm not saying that if your seniors ask you to do things which might seem insignificant,
they are bullying you.
things like doing backstage work during performances,
carrying props and equipment,
or cleaning up,
which many sec 1s do,
especially during ccas,
are tasks which will build up your character,
and make you humble and willing to serve the common good of the cca.
however, if your seniors command you to do these
in an unreasonable manner,
overwork you, or take you for granted,
then it is wrong of them.
it infringes on your right as an individual
in a democratic society
and you ought to raise this to your teacher.
if you do meet such unreasonable people,
there's some consolation for you...
in time to come, only 2 things can happen to them.
either
1) they 'mature' and blush when they recall their childish action of ordering you around just because they happen to be one or two years older, or just a little more experienced than you.
or
2) they continue their unreasonable behaviour and get cast out by all their friends.
but remember, my big 'babies'....NEVER BE UNREASONABLE TO YOUR JUNIORS IN 2008
you might make others fear you for a while,
but the true mark of a good senior is when you earn the respect of your juniors.
okay, enough about that now,
let's talk about the 90th anniversary rehearsal yesterday at raffles city.
we left the school at 11.30am,
did 2 runs of the programme at the venue,
and only managed to leave for school at 5.30pm.
the 'musical' in the performance
neatly chronicles the history of nygh.
the dancers were all very good,
and our choreographer mdm chen lili
has done a wonderful job in making everything so oriental,
something befitting a school that prides herself
for upholding good chinese values.
i saw some of my students wearing thick make-up
for the performance.
it takes me some time to get used to something like that..heh
because they look suddenly so grown up with all that rouge.
when we were waiting for our turn,
i had some interesting conversations with some of my colleagues.
one of them told me how posh the ladies was,
with a couch and all.
so i went to check out the gents,
and was disappointed that there was no couch,
but lots of mirrors!
i was also asked to pretend that i was the conductor of the guzheng ensemble,
and had to walk up the stage upon cue.
i had once dreamed to be a conductor (of a symphonic orch, not a guzheng ensemble!),
it's nice to be able to stand in front of a hundred musicians,
and to draw out beautiful music with the wave of your arms.
hmmm...maybe someday.
ps did i ever tell you that one of my very first wish was to be a bus driver? :\
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Music trivia
here's a little trivia about me...
My pianistic lineage...
My teacher is Lim Tshui Fang,
whose teacher was Patsy Toh,
whose teacher was Yvonne Lefebure,
whose teacher was Alfred Cortot,
whose teacher was Emile Decombes
whose teacher was Frederic Chopin.
Which means that Chopin is my great great great great grand teacher!
My pianistic lineage...
My teacher is Lim Tshui Fang,
whose teacher was Patsy Toh,
whose teacher was Yvonne Lefebure,
whose teacher was Alfred Cortot,
whose teacher was Emile Decombes
whose teacher was Frederic Chopin.
Which means that Chopin is my great great great great grand teacher!
Friday, August 3, 2007
The Mad Hatter's Party
this morning, i was asked by ms foo soo ling & ms sandra teng
to join their sabbatical girls for tea
at this tea place opposite nygh.
their sabbatical was about how to carry out good conversations
and what tea etiquette's about.
and on the final day (today),
the students were supposed to host a few of us teachers at the tea place
and conduct good conversations over tea and a light meal.
i was with this group of 3 students from 403 and 404 -
quite well mannered girls,
although it took some time for the conversation to warm up.
it's not easy to have tea and conversation with people you don't know well lah.
but i have to say that as the session progressed,
they gradually opened up,
and were quite forthcoming too.
we talked about
their ccas,
the schools we went to,
jc life,
gp vs ki,
the 90th anni musical,
arts subjects vs science subjects,
religion etc...
of course wrt to religion you have to discuss with discretion,
that kind of topic can be quite sensitive.
1 point of note,
they agreed too that many students go into the science stream,
because there are more job prospects in that.
i mean even students who might be more arts-inclined.
my sabbatical ended today with a dramatised reading.
had some rather good plays,
one funny one had this prince with pig's skin called hamson
who's hounded by 3 clingy girls called bel, bella and belly
it's quite funny, how these girls keep pestering the prince,
and it turned out that they wanted to ensnare hamson
because they wanted to eat his pig's skin.
so in the end hamson married a vegetarian named cabbage --
to save his own skin!!
so creative, can think of such a ridiculously funny plot.
there were also lots of socially conscious ones
on real life issues such as whale poaching
and the true story of this korean man who's born in a jail.
many of the students also got their ideas
from the issues/scenarios that were raised in class.
great, shows that they were paying attention.
to be frank,
i was disappointed when some of them
told me on day 1 that the module wasn't their first choice,
but from the good plays we have today,
i think they've gotten something out of it,
so i'm happy about that.
yesterday, we watched the phantom of the opera movie during sabbaticals.
i didn't really like it when i watched it in the theatres in 2004,
but this time round,
i felt more for the phantom.
he's loathed by all because of his deformity
and thus has never experienced love from others.
he's a figure that doesn't know how to relate to others --
like an animal, he follows his primal instincts,
and kills anyone who's against him.
and yet he's supposed to be a genius --
a composer, architect, inventor and magician etc.
that's the part of the story i have a problem with,
how can someone with such an undeveloped and crude nature
be a genius in things so refined like music and architecture?
but it's quite moving in that when christine finally shows
love (not erotic!) and compassion for him,
he can't take it and breaks down.
well that's a beautiful moment for me.
the savage receiving love when he least expects it,
and crumples because of it.
i think i didn't like the movie when i first watched it
principally because gerard butler (the actor who played the phantom)'s
singing was absolutely awful!
and I still think so now!
to join their sabbatical girls for tea
at this tea place opposite nygh.
their sabbatical was about how to carry out good conversations
and what tea etiquette's about.
and on the final day (today),
the students were supposed to host a few of us teachers at the tea place
and conduct good conversations over tea and a light meal.
i was with this group of 3 students from 403 and 404 -
quite well mannered girls,
although it took some time for the conversation to warm up.
it's not easy to have tea and conversation with people you don't know well lah.
but i have to say that as the session progressed,
they gradually opened up,
and were quite forthcoming too.
we talked about
their ccas,
the schools we went to,
jc life,
gp vs ki,
the 90th anni musical,
arts subjects vs science subjects,
religion etc...
of course wrt to religion you have to discuss with discretion,
that kind of topic can be quite sensitive.
1 point of note,
they agreed too that many students go into the science stream,
because there are more job prospects in that.
i mean even students who might be more arts-inclined.
my sabbatical ended today with a dramatised reading.
had some rather good plays,
one funny one had this prince with pig's skin called hamson
who's hounded by 3 clingy girls called bel, bella and belly
it's quite funny, how these girls keep pestering the prince,
and it turned out that they wanted to ensnare hamson
because they wanted to eat his pig's skin.
so in the end hamson married a vegetarian named cabbage --
to save his own skin!!
so creative, can think of such a ridiculously funny plot.
there were also lots of socially conscious ones
on real life issues such as whale poaching
and the true story of this korean man who's born in a jail.
many of the students also got their ideas
from the issues/scenarios that were raised in class.
great, shows that they were paying attention.
to be frank,
i was disappointed when some of them
told me on day 1 that the module wasn't their first choice,
but from the good plays we have today,
i think they've gotten something out of it,
so i'm happy about that.
yesterday, we watched the phantom of the opera movie during sabbaticals.
i didn't really like it when i watched it in the theatres in 2004,
but this time round,
i felt more for the phantom.
he's loathed by all because of his deformity
and thus has never experienced love from others.
he's a figure that doesn't know how to relate to others --
like an animal, he follows his primal instincts,
and kills anyone who's against him.
and yet he's supposed to be a genius --
a composer, architect, inventor and magician etc.
that's the part of the story i have a problem with,
how can someone with such an undeveloped and crude nature
be a genius in things so refined like music and architecture?
but it's quite moving in that when christine finally shows
love (not erotic!) and compassion for him,
he can't take it and breaks down.
well that's a beautiful moment for me.
the savage receiving love when he least expects it,
and crumples because of it.
i think i didn't like the movie when i first watched it
principally because gerard butler (the actor who played the phantom)'s
singing was absolutely awful!
and I still think so now!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Improvisations
we did some improvisations for sabbaticals yesterday
had some interesting scenarios:
...a hci boy and a shy girl trapped in a lift
...a rude american tourist with a pet gorilla on a leash bumping into a girl on flag day cip
...spongebob and a smelly crow in a classroom
...a grouchy aunty bumping into an acs boy
...
..
.
must say that all the students did quite well
considering that all of them are new to improvisations.
and even if you were quite shy about acting,
don't fret,
many good writers are inward and they express their emotions better with a pen.
had some interesting scenarios:
...a hci boy and a shy girl trapped in a lift
...a rude american tourist with a pet gorilla on a leash bumping into a girl on flag day cip
...spongebob and a smelly crow in a classroom
...a grouchy aunty bumping into an acs boy
...
..
.
must say that all the students did quite well
considering that all of them are new to improvisations.
and even if you were quite shy about acting,
don't fret,
many good writers are inward and they express their emotions better with a pen.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Class Gathering & Time Management
had a jc class gathering at mel's house yesterday,
woah...haven't seen some of them for almost 8 years.
hmm...most of them look the same,
and for the record,
almost half of my classmates have become lawyers (most of the arts stream ppl fr my sch have),
there're a few doing finance,
1 pilot,
1 computer game designer (!),
1 businessman
and so many of the guys have become teachers haha so unexpected
there were 18 of us in the class-
11 girls and 7 guys
but still quite an even girl-guy ratio
considering that some of the science classes had like 24 guys and 2 girls.
our civics tutor ms melissa lim (she's minister lim boon heng's daughter btw)
called us the 'crazy' class...
haha the thing i remember most was that during occasions like valentine's day or christmas,
the girls would make nice things like cookies and personalized ribbons etc for the guys,
while the guys would give the girls.....
NOTHING!
haha, how evil boys are!
anyway, i really feel like kicking myself now.
yesterday, ms lim asked if we're still holding on to the 'farewell ribbons',
and a few of us was like
'what ribbons? what are you talking about?'
and then it dawned on us that on the last day of school,
she brought this long ribbon thing made into a ball to class
and we all passed it around and blessed one another,
after which the long ribbon was snipped,
and everybody kept one portion for remembrance.
where's my portion now?
have i kept it away in some corner?
am i so unsentimental? :((
anyway, back to school matters,
last week, i was going through time management strategies with 107,
here's the gist....
Here's how you should prioritize your time after school
1. Start off with P1(Priority 1) activities. These are Urgent and Important activities such as completing homework that's to be submitted on the following day, revising for last minute tests, attending to important matters at home (eg. taking care of sick sibling) etc. These activities should rightfully take about 20% of your time. Many people spend too much time doing these because they procrastinate and wait until the last minute before beginning on homework, test revisions. Start preparing for tests/exams in advance. Don't wait until the day before submission day to begin your assignments. You can reduce lots of stress if you follow this advice.
2. After finishing P1 activities, you should do the P2(Priority 2) ones. These are Non-urgent and Important activities such as revising for tests/completing homework in advance or exercising. You should rightfully spend 60% of your time doing these. If you prepare things in advance, you might not see the benefits straight away, but you are an 'investor', in the sense that you are investing in the future - you study now for a test in 2 week's time, and you will reap the rewards in 2 weeks. Most students spend far too little time on P2 activities.
3. Next, you should do the P3(Priority 3) activities. These are Urgent and Non-important things like text messaging friends and catching the latest drama serial on TV. You should spend about 15% on such things - though they are entertaining and may help you de-stress, they don't help you advance your goals and fulfill your dreams.
4. And finally, after completing P1, P2 and P3(in that order), if you still have time left, you can do some P4(Priority 4) matters. These are Non-urgent and non-important things and should be your lowest priority. These include lazing around, excessive sleeping, hanging around shopping malls etc. Students who indulge in such activities are called 'bums'. Deservedly!
(terms adapted from Adam Khoo's book)
woah...haven't seen some of them for almost 8 years.
hmm...most of them look the same,
and for the record,
almost half of my classmates have become lawyers (most of the arts stream ppl fr my sch have),
there're a few doing finance,
1 pilot,
1 computer game designer (!),
1 businessman
and so many of the guys have become teachers haha so unexpected
there were 18 of us in the class-
11 girls and 7 guys
but still quite an even girl-guy ratio
considering that some of the science classes had like 24 guys and 2 girls.
our civics tutor ms melissa lim (she's minister lim boon heng's daughter btw)
called us the 'crazy' class...
haha the thing i remember most was that during occasions like valentine's day or christmas,
the girls would make nice things like cookies and personalized ribbons etc for the guys,
while the guys would give the girls.....
NOTHING!
haha, how evil boys are!
anyway, i really feel like kicking myself now.
yesterday, ms lim asked if we're still holding on to the 'farewell ribbons',
and a few of us was like
'what ribbons? what are you talking about?'
and then it dawned on us that on the last day of school,
she brought this long ribbon thing made into a ball to class
and we all passed it around and blessed one another,
after which the long ribbon was snipped,
and everybody kept one portion for remembrance.
where's my portion now?
have i kept it away in some corner?
am i so unsentimental? :((
anyway, back to school matters,
last week, i was going through time management strategies with 107,
here's the gist....
Here's how you should prioritize your time after school
1. Start off with P1(Priority 1) activities. These are Urgent and Important activities such as completing homework that's to be submitted on the following day, revising for last minute tests, attending to important matters at home (eg. taking care of sick sibling) etc. These activities should rightfully take about 20% of your time. Many people spend too much time doing these because they procrastinate and wait until the last minute before beginning on homework, test revisions. Start preparing for tests/exams in advance. Don't wait until the day before submission day to begin your assignments. You can reduce lots of stress if you follow this advice.
2. After finishing P1 activities, you should do the P2(Priority 2) ones. These are Non-urgent and Important activities such as revising for tests/completing homework in advance or exercising. You should rightfully spend 60% of your time doing these. If you prepare things in advance, you might not see the benefits straight away, but you are an 'investor', in the sense that you are investing in the future - you study now for a test in 2 week's time, and you will reap the rewards in 2 weeks. Most students spend far too little time on P2 activities.
3. Next, you should do the P3(Priority 3) activities. These are Urgent and Non-important things like text messaging friends and catching the latest drama serial on TV. You should spend about 15% on such things - though they are entertaining and may help you de-stress, they don't help you advance your goals and fulfill your dreams.
4. And finally, after completing P1, P2 and P3(in that order), if you still have time left, you can do some P4(Priority 4) matters. These are Non-urgent and non-important things and should be your lowest priority. These include lazing around, excessive sleeping, hanging around shopping malls etc. Students who indulge in such activities are called 'bums'. Deservedly!
(terms adapted from Adam Khoo's book)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Weekend's approaching!
friday afternoon...
am I looking forward to the weekend?
there's an ultimate frisbee course coming up later at 3pm.
i'm in it because miss sandra teng asked me to replace her,
she's out with the judo team.
i hope it'll be fun.
it's pretty warm outside.
yesterday was a hectic day again.
finally completed the scheme of work for the narrative/personal recount unit.
i left sch at 6.15pm
and rushed to telok ayer for bible study.
it's my turn to play the piano for the hymns.
the singing was supposed to begin at 7.25pm,
but at 7.20 i was still eating my char kuey tiao at the food centre.
then, kelvin called me at 7.23,
i must have given him a heart attack -
the session's about to begin
and the pianist's MIA.
i told him i was downstairs (actually i was still at the foodcentre with my half-eaten char kway tiao!),
so i left the remainder of my food there,
and crossed the road to get to the church.
i didn't even have time to gargle my mouth with water,
so there was this disgusting lard smell in my mouth when i entered the sanctuary.
the first hymn i had to play was 'to God be the glory'
a familiar hymn - so luckily i was quite secure even though
my heart was still palpitating due to the rush.
hehe but i stayed in A flat throughout,
didn't feel confident enough to tranpose to A major.
did the reading cartwheel trial run with my 2 classes.
a few notes:
a) speak up, or else you can't be heard, and won't be graded
b) don't use vague adjectives eg. nice, not nice, fine, gross, strange, sick, fun, weird - these are not precise
c) don't say unreasonable and disparaging things about your book
d) you can disagree/not like things in the book, but you have to justify it
e) listen to the question carefully, consider, then answer
f) don't be passive, tap people out when you have things to say
g) don't tap people out when they are speaking
h) be nice, don't hog the limelight
i) don't be upset if you're tapped out, you can tap to go back in.
all the best!
am I looking forward to the weekend?
there's an ultimate frisbee course coming up later at 3pm.
i'm in it because miss sandra teng asked me to replace her,
she's out with the judo team.
i hope it'll be fun.
it's pretty warm outside.
yesterday was a hectic day again.
finally completed the scheme of work for the narrative/personal recount unit.
i left sch at 6.15pm
and rushed to telok ayer for bible study.
it's my turn to play the piano for the hymns.
the singing was supposed to begin at 7.25pm,
but at 7.20 i was still eating my char kuey tiao at the food centre.
then, kelvin called me at 7.23,
i must have given him a heart attack -
the session's about to begin
and the pianist's MIA.
i told him i was downstairs (actually i was still at the foodcentre with my half-eaten char kway tiao!),
so i left the remainder of my food there,
and crossed the road to get to the church.
i didn't even have time to gargle my mouth with water,
so there was this disgusting lard smell in my mouth when i entered the sanctuary.
the first hymn i had to play was 'to God be the glory'
a familiar hymn - so luckily i was quite secure even though
my heart was still palpitating due to the rush.
hehe but i stayed in A flat throughout,
didn't feel confident enough to tranpose to A major.
did the reading cartwheel trial run with my 2 classes.
a few notes:
a) speak up, or else you can't be heard, and won't be graded
b) don't use vague adjectives eg. nice, not nice, fine, gross, strange, sick, fun, weird - these are not precise
c) don't say unreasonable and disparaging things about your book
d) you can disagree/not like things in the book, but you have to justify it
e) listen to the question carefully, consider, then answer
f) don't be passive, tap people out when you have things to say
g) don't tap people out when they are speaking
h) be nice, don't hog the limelight
i) don't be upset if you're tapped out, you can tap to go back in.
all the best!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Lovely song sung in church yesterday
I know who holds tomorrow
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from it's sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said,
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
Ev'ry step is getting brighter,
As the golden stairs I climb;
Ev'ry burden's getting lighter;
Ev'ry cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eyes,
At the ending of the rainbow,
Where the mountains touch the sky.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty;
But the One Who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One Who stands by me.
And the path that be my portion,
May be through the flame or flood,
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know Who holds tomorrow,
And I know Who holds my hand.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Aust Eng Comp, Scenario Writing, Sabbaticals and the long awaited CAP report
We had the Australian English Competition today.
There was this article on the Singaporean toy piano player Margaret Leng Tan in the paper.
Too bad my language arts lesson with 107 fell during the time of the comp.
So 108's currently further ahead than 107.
Must try to catch up with 107 tmrw.
I've read through all of the first drafts of my classes' scenario writing.
The AFIs I have already mentioned in class,
So maybe I will write about other things here...
1) A few of the scripts touched me a lot
2) Many of the girls could empathize with and wrote well about the plight of lonely old people
3) There were 2 scripts with violent and bloody endings
4) Few wrote on 'Population'
5) The favourite topics were 'Privacy' and 'Caring for our elders'
6) Most who chose 'Privacy' wrote on how children's privacy are being infringed upon by their parents via embedded microchips in their heads etc
7) Most who chose 'Caring for our elders' wrote on how lonely old people are being neglected by their busy 'high-flyer' kids and are taken care of by robots
Hmmm....do all students think alike?
I'm now thinking of my sabbatical module - 'Writing a short play' in wk 6.
In term 2, I showed my group a 1950s film of Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.
Great film, with killer lines.
But perhaps some of the humour is lost with 13 year olds.
I have another film in mind,
(which I will not tell now)
which I may use with my next group of sabbatical students.
Okay, after more than a month...
I'm finally going to update you on my experience at the Creative Arts Programme (CAP) camp
from 28th may to 1st june.
actually i'd intended to update there and then at the camp -
every night of it,
so that the memory is fresh
and the ideas will be vivid.
i even brought my laptop from school there
expressly for that purpose.
but alas silly old me didn't realize that one needs a visitor's account to login to the nus network.
argh! what made me think that there'll definitely be wireless to tap on in the nus halls?
anyway, we stayed at nus's eusoff hall for 5 days.
i was there as a teacher observer,
and who did i expect to see but ms grace chua (hci teacher) there!
met her last year at the gifted education foundation course at ri,
so was very glad to catch up with her again.
she's a very creative person -
full of ideas (as can be seen from the drawings and poems she improvises in her notebook)
the CAP camp is a great place for student writers to interact with like-minded peers,
they attended plenery lectures (we had a great one by the very wise and self-deprecating philip jeyaratnam, on what is art), were mentored by well-known local writers (I attended workshops by alfian saat, jean tay and christine suchen lim) and they went to a performance workshop of their choice, which culminated in a performance at the ucc theatre on the last day.
I was asked to be one of 3 judges for the haiku slam contest. a haiku is a japanese poem where you have a syllabic pattern of 5, 7, 5. the students were up on stage reciting their haikus, and we had to raise red japanese (looked more chinese) flags to indicate the winners (haha, felt like an american idol judge!)
there was this haiku by these hci boys which was so funny:
"This is a haiku
Not a very good haiku
But still a haiku"
so ridiculous! the 3 of us couldn't stop laughing.
Of course they didn't get through.
I also managed to meet up with my jc classmate, liwei at nus.
he's working at a tuition centre there.
managed to have lunch with him
and talked about old times.
during one of the workshops,
i asked this rgs councillor about the books that girls enjoy reading.
i know some suitable titles,
but they are mainly classics.
so i decided to ask her as i'm sure she'll know more about the reading habits
of girls around her age.
well, she (very helpfully) suggested a few titles -
from these, I asked my students to read Ender's Game.
and i think they enjoy it! :)
There was this article on the Singaporean toy piano player Margaret Leng Tan in the paper.
Too bad my language arts lesson with 107 fell during the time of the comp.
So 108's currently further ahead than 107.
Must try to catch up with 107 tmrw.
I've read through all of the first drafts of my classes' scenario writing.
The AFIs I have already mentioned in class,
So maybe I will write about other things here...
1) A few of the scripts touched me a lot
2) Many of the girls could empathize with and wrote well about the plight of lonely old people
3) There were 2 scripts with violent and bloody endings
4) Few wrote on 'Population'
5) The favourite topics were 'Privacy' and 'Caring for our elders'
6) Most who chose 'Privacy' wrote on how children's privacy are being infringed upon by their parents via embedded microchips in their heads etc
7) Most who chose 'Caring for our elders' wrote on how lonely old people are being neglected by their busy 'high-flyer' kids and are taken care of by robots
Hmmm....do all students think alike?
I'm now thinking of my sabbatical module - 'Writing a short play' in wk 6.
In term 2, I showed my group a 1950s film of Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.
Great film, with killer lines.
But perhaps some of the humour is lost with 13 year olds.
I have another film in mind,
(which I will not tell now)
which I may use with my next group of sabbatical students.
Okay, after more than a month...
I'm finally going to update you on my experience at the Creative Arts Programme (CAP) camp
from 28th may to 1st june.
actually i'd intended to update there and then at the camp -
every night of it,
so that the memory is fresh
and the ideas will be vivid.
i even brought my laptop from school there
expressly for that purpose.
but alas silly old me didn't realize that one needs a visitor's account to login to the nus network.
argh! what made me think that there'll definitely be wireless to tap on in the nus halls?
anyway, we stayed at nus's eusoff hall for 5 days.
i was there as a teacher observer,
and who did i expect to see but ms grace chua (hci teacher) there!
met her last year at the gifted education foundation course at ri,
so was very glad to catch up with her again.
she's a very creative person -
full of ideas (as can be seen from the drawings and poems she improvises in her notebook)
the CAP camp is a great place for student writers to interact with like-minded peers,
they attended plenery lectures (we had a great one by the very wise and self-deprecating philip jeyaratnam, on what is art), were mentored by well-known local writers (I attended workshops by alfian saat, jean tay and christine suchen lim) and they went to a performance workshop of their choice, which culminated in a performance at the ucc theatre on the last day.
I was asked to be one of 3 judges for the haiku slam contest. a haiku is a japanese poem where you have a syllabic pattern of 5, 7, 5. the students were up on stage reciting their haikus, and we had to raise red japanese (looked more chinese) flags to indicate the winners (haha, felt like an american idol judge!)
there was this haiku by these hci boys which was so funny:
"This is a haiku
Not a very good haiku
But still a haiku"
so ridiculous! the 3 of us couldn't stop laughing.
Of course they didn't get through.
I also managed to meet up with my jc classmate, liwei at nus.
he's working at a tuition centre there.
managed to have lunch with him
and talked about old times.
during one of the workshops,
i asked this rgs councillor about the books that girls enjoy reading.
i know some suitable titles,
but they are mainly classics.
so i decided to ask her as i'm sure she'll know more about the reading habits
of girls around her age.
well, she (very helpfully) suggested a few titles -
from these, I asked my students to read Ender's Game.
and i think they enjoy it! :)
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Open House and Fruit juice warning
Was at the school's Open House today.
Finally got to listen to the sec 1 guzheng players perform.
they did the *bee song (533 422 1234555)
*I don't know if that's the title of the song
and another one which I couldn't recognize
but sounded quite difficult.
Wah, quite proud of them,
to master these in very few months.
I also went to listen to the string ensemble play.
I have much feelings for string ensembles,
after all, I've been in string ensembles during my schooling days
for 6 years - sec 1 to jc 2.
come to think of it,
i've always been in music ccas,
was in choir back in pri sch.
Anyway, back to today's open house.
manning the NY strings' publicity booth were
Rachael, Kai Yun, Yang Jie and Lois - all of them my students.
They suggested that I ask them some 'strings-related' question
to make them look busy.
So I pretended not to know anything about string instruments,
and asked them the difference between a violin and a viola.
hehe, and they answered me seriously!
Later in the afternoon,
I was at Isetan Scotts.
Here's a warning...
If anyone goes to the basement supermart,
beware of Sunny's Fruit Bar.
They have this drink called super (something) vitamin a and c,
which contains carrot, tomatoes and some strange fruit called red 'pinam' or something that is spelt like that.
It advertises itself as a juice for heavy smokers and it is good for flu prevention and vision improvement.
Well, I don't smoke,
but I could do with some flu prevention and myopia improvement.
So I gladly bought the juice.
Yucks, it was absolutely awful.
It tasted like bitter tomatoes.
Can you imagine that?
It's more like tomatoes and bitter gourd.
Or perhaps that 'pinam' fruit is bitter.
What a harrowing experience.
Finally got to listen to the sec 1 guzheng players perform.
they did the *bee song (533 422 1234555)
*I don't know if that's the title of the song
and another one which I couldn't recognize
but sounded quite difficult.
Wah, quite proud of them,
to master these in very few months.
I also went to listen to the string ensemble play.
I have much feelings for string ensembles,
after all, I've been in string ensembles during my schooling days
for 6 years - sec 1 to jc 2.
come to think of it,
i've always been in music ccas,
was in choir back in pri sch.
Anyway, back to today's open house.
manning the NY strings' publicity booth were
Rachael, Kai Yun, Yang Jie and Lois - all of them my students.
They suggested that I ask them some 'strings-related' question
to make them look busy.
So I pretended not to know anything about string instruments,
and asked them the difference between a violin and a viola.
hehe, and they answered me seriously!
Later in the afternoon,
I was at Isetan Scotts.
Here's a warning...
If anyone goes to the basement supermart,
beware of Sunny's Fruit Bar.
They have this drink called super (something) vitamin a and c,
which contains carrot, tomatoes and some strange fruit called red 'pinam' or something that is spelt like that.
It advertises itself as a juice for heavy smokers and it is good for flu prevention and vision improvement.
Well, I don't smoke,
but I could do with some flu prevention and myopia improvement.
So I gladly bought the juice.
Yucks, it was absolutely awful.
It tasted like bitter tomatoes.
Can you imagine that?
It's more like tomatoes and bitter gourd.
Or perhaps that 'pinam' fruit is bitter.
What a harrowing experience.
Funfair
We had our annual funfair yesterday.
Sec 107 sold popcorn and candy floss,
with machines courtesy of Natalie's Dad.
It's a real blessing to have someone in the class
who has contacts for such things,
and who is willing to contribute for charity.
On behalf of the class,
thanks to Natalie, her Dad, the man who supplied the machine, and the 2 machines!
And of course, everyone who sold the food deserves 3 cheers too.
3 cheers for everyone!
Hip hip, hooray x3
Anyway, I bought a stick of candy floss
and a bag of popcorn from the class,
must show some support to the class what.
Although those are not my kind of food.
Methinks it's embarrassing for a grown-up male to eat candy floss in public (last time I did that was at this restaurant called 'new york - something' at citilink and I had to finish it quickly before anyone could see it..haha)
Yesterday, it took a lot of bugging from my class before I bought the bag of popcorn.
Actually I really dislike popcorn..
Never eat it during other times.
But hmmm, my class' popcorn didn't taste too bad actually.
Perhaps a tad sweet...maybe they put too much syrup.
But anyway, well done 107!
I think we sold stuff which appealed to the school children (I required some pestering before I would buy them, but I am oldddd and my tastebuds are different from school children lah!)
In all, our stall rocks!
We've all done our bit for charity!
I also bought --
a) a shake from 108 (my other class, so must support..and they claimed the drink's healthy, so I even recommended it to Mr James Tan);
b) a fruit punch from 111 (my ex-class, so must support too, and besides, Yujie kept asking me. anyway, she is a nice salesperson, not pushy, and smily even when people say no, so I obliged)
c) sushi from 104 (because they asked me in the quadrangle under the hot sun...hmm so dedicated in their promotion efforts)
d) chocolate marshmallow dip from 110 (because Carmen kept asking me, but anyway, I asked her to eat it in on my behalf because I was really full then and I think she'd enjoy it more than me)
I also helped out at the English teachers' stall.
We were selling good solid food,
I said solid food (not snacks) because they are things you can get full on,
nasi lemak, yam cakes, and assortment of interesting cup cakes and other kuehs on the theme of coconut,
all of them made by the teachers themselves.
Those who didn't patronize our stall missed something good...haha
Sec 107 sold popcorn and candy floss,
with machines courtesy of Natalie's Dad.
It's a real blessing to have someone in the class
who has contacts for such things,
and who is willing to contribute for charity.
On behalf of the class,
thanks to Natalie, her Dad, the man who supplied the machine, and the 2 machines!
And of course, everyone who sold the food deserves 3 cheers too.
3 cheers for everyone!
Hip hip, hooray x3
Anyway, I bought a stick of candy floss
and a bag of popcorn from the class,
must show some support to the class what.
Although those are not my kind of food.
Methinks it's embarrassing for a grown-up male to eat candy floss in public (last time I did that was at this restaurant called 'new york - something' at citilink and I had to finish it quickly before anyone could see it..haha)
Yesterday, it took a lot of bugging from my class before I bought the bag of popcorn.
Actually I really dislike popcorn..
Never eat it during other times.
But hmmm, my class' popcorn didn't taste too bad actually.
Perhaps a tad sweet...maybe they put too much syrup.
But anyway, well done 107!
I think we sold stuff which appealed to the school children (I required some pestering before I would buy them, but I am oldddd and my tastebuds are different from school children lah!)
In all, our stall rocks!
We've all done our bit for charity!
I also bought --
a) a shake from 108 (my other class, so must support..and they claimed the drink's healthy, so I even recommended it to Mr James Tan);
b) a fruit punch from 111 (my ex-class, so must support too, and besides, Yujie kept asking me. anyway, she is a nice salesperson, not pushy, and smily even when people say no, so I obliged)
c) sushi from 104 (because they asked me in the quadrangle under the hot sun...hmm so dedicated in their promotion efforts)
d) chocolate marshmallow dip from 110 (because Carmen kept asking me, but anyway, I asked her to eat it in on my behalf because I was really full then and I think she'd enjoy it more than me)
I also helped out at the English teachers' stall.
We were selling good solid food,
I said solid food (not snacks) because they are things you can get full on,
nasi lemak, yam cakes, and assortment of interesting cup cakes and other kuehs on the theme of coconut,
all of them made by the teachers themselves.
Those who didn't patronize our stall missed something good...haha
Friday, July 6, 2007
New class...BSF
Yesterday was a hectic day.
Finished lessons at 2.30pm
and had to rush off immediately
to attend the GE course on Singapore Literature.
Luckily, I managed to hitch a ride in Ms Lydia Teo's car.
Before we went to the GE Headquaters (Grange Road),
we made a stopover at Great World City,
and Mr Calvin Lee and I went up to Starbucks
to get coffee and muffins.
I got an ice blended mocha.
I always get ice blended mocha when I go to Starbucks.
I'm not a very adventurous person,
if I come across something that I like,
I will tend to stick with it for a long time.
It's reliable and safe.
Anyway, the GE course lasted 2.5 hours from 3.30-6pm.
Lim Siew Yea gave us lots of resources.
Great stuff to give to my students,
especially the 5 students from 101 and 102 I'm mentoring for playwriting.
Interesting stuff for them to read.
After the GE course,
I rushed down to library@esplanade to borrow a book,
and to reply to an email to one of my PRC students.
This term, I've taken over a new class of sec 4 PRC scholars from 401 and 403,
they are rather motivated and responsive students.
In class we debate interesting issues/current affairs
such as genetic engineering and global warming.
I enjoy facilitating discussions like that.
Brings back memories of the GP days in JC.
Anyway, that means that I'm no longer teaching 111.
Will miss them,
they are a united class with great class spirit.
Well, but it's interesting teaching the sec 4s too.
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) resumed yesterday.
I was late because it was a real rush
to get there from the library@esplanade.
But anyway, I promise to devote more time
to this study this term....
to read the notes diligently
and to answer the discussion questions daily.
Finished lessons at 2.30pm
and had to rush off immediately
to attend the GE course on Singapore Literature.
Luckily, I managed to hitch a ride in Ms Lydia Teo's car.
Before we went to the GE Headquaters (Grange Road),
we made a stopover at Great World City,
and Mr Calvin Lee and I went up to Starbucks
to get coffee and muffins.
I got an ice blended mocha.
I always get ice blended mocha when I go to Starbucks.
I'm not a very adventurous person,
if I come across something that I like,
I will tend to stick with it for a long time.
It's reliable and safe.
Anyway, the GE course lasted 2.5 hours from 3.30-6pm.
Lim Siew Yea gave us lots of resources.
Great stuff to give to my students,
especially the 5 students from 101 and 102 I'm mentoring for playwriting.
Interesting stuff for them to read.
After the GE course,
I rushed down to library@esplanade to borrow a book,
and to reply to an email to one of my PRC students.
This term, I've taken over a new class of sec 4 PRC scholars from 401 and 403,
they are rather motivated and responsive students.
In class we debate interesting issues/current affairs
such as genetic engineering and global warming.
I enjoy facilitating discussions like that.
Brings back memories of the GP days in JC.
Anyway, that means that I'm no longer teaching 111.
Will miss them,
they are a united class with great class spirit.
Well, but it's interesting teaching the sec 4s too.
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) resumed yesterday.
I was late because it was a real rush
to get there from the library@esplanade.
But anyway, I promise to devote more time
to this study this term....
to read the notes diligently
and to answer the discussion questions daily.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Randomness
The extremely IT-unsavvy Jack Tan has finally figured out how to place a CD box (is that even what it's called) on his blog. Start flooding it with comments!!
Today I'm going to write on the reasons why people are 'random'...
Reasons for randomness
1. You think faster than you speak
2. You've got too many things on your mind
3. You are high/hyper
4. The other person seems uninterested in what you're saying (thus the need to switch topics rapidly)
5. You notice something suddenly (which you haven't observed before)
6. You think of something suddenly (which you haven't thought of before)
7. You find it difficult to develop your thoughts and ideas (!)
8. You want to impress your friends with your skill at changing topics
Today I'm going to write on the reasons why people are 'random'...
Reasons for randomness
1. You think faster than you speak
2. You've got too many things on your mind
3. You are high/hyper
4. The other person seems uninterested in what you're saying (thus the need to switch topics rapidly)
5. You notice something suddenly (which you haven't observed before)
6. You think of something suddenly (which you haven't thought of before)
7. You find it difficult to develop your thoughts and ideas (!)
8. You want to impress your friends with your skill at changing topics
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The Specialists by Pluck
I went to a comedic performance by the string trio 'Pluck' yesterday.
How hilarious it was!
They call themselves the world's most stupid musicians, and the trio consists of:
1) Yarlsburg, the violinist, so naturally the leader of the trio. He has this wide-eyed "Oh I'm so horrified" look as he acts cocky and proud to his members.
2) Mr Abanathie, the violist, and the nice guy of the trio. He is also their handyman, who does all the dirty cleaning up work and is constantly pushed around by Yarlsberg.
3) Kadifachi, the cattish cellist who often snarls (and shows her teeth-jaws) at the men for not waiting for her to extend the spike of her cello before beginning to play.
And here's some of what they did:
1) Yarlsberg downing a huge can of coke before playing Satie's Gymnopedie, thus accompanying the piece with very rhythmic burps. (How disruptive, for those who know this atmospheric and calm piece)
2) The trio playing something from Mozart's Requiem for Mr Abanathie's dead chick. Nobody expected what happened next...a 'chicken angel' (on suspensions and complete with a golden halo round its head) descended from the ceiling and carried the dead chick up with it. (we guessed it's magnetism at work)
3) Kadifachi playing the Swan from Carnival of the Animals accompanied by her (very suggestive) moans and sighs whenever the music swelled to expressive heights.
4) The trio playing an accelerating version of Mozart's Turkish March.
Well, all in all, a very entertaining performance.
A sweet marriage of classical music and slapstick!
I bought their DVD after the show,
and got them to autograph it!
Hmm, one more week to the new school term, I shall post my diary of my experience at the Creative Arts Camp here soon.
cheers
How hilarious it was!
They call themselves the world's most stupid musicians, and the trio consists of:
1) Yarlsburg, the violinist, so naturally the leader of the trio. He has this wide-eyed "Oh I'm so horrified" look as he acts cocky and proud to his members.
2) Mr Abanathie, the violist, and the nice guy of the trio. He is also their handyman, who does all the dirty cleaning up work and is constantly pushed around by Yarlsberg.
3) Kadifachi, the cattish cellist who often snarls (and shows her teeth-jaws) at the men for not waiting for her to extend the spike of her cello before beginning to play.
And here's some of what they did:
1) Yarlsberg downing a huge can of coke before playing Satie's Gymnopedie, thus accompanying the piece with very rhythmic burps. (How disruptive, for those who know this atmospheric and calm
2) The trio playing something from Mozart's Requiem for Mr Abanathie's dead chick. Nobody expected what happened next...a 'chicken angel' (on suspensions and complete with a golden halo round its head) descended from the ceiling and carried the dead chick up with it. (we guessed it's magnetism at work)
3) Kadifachi playing the Swan from Carnival of the Animals accompanied by her (very suggestive) moans and sighs whenever the music swelled to expressive heights.
4) The trio playing an accelerating version of Mozart's Turkish March.
Well, all in all, a very entertaining performance.
A sweet marriage of classical music and slapstick!
I bought their DVD after the show,
and got them to autograph it!
Hmm, one more week to the new school term, I shall post my diary of my experience at the Creative Arts Camp here soon.
cheers
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Week 8
Time flies
And we are nearing the end of term 2...
Half a year gone
an eighth of your secondary school life gone for my sec 1 students...
seems like a scary thought?
So how are all of you doing so far?
have you met the goals you've set for yourself?
have you been procrastinating a lot?
have your grades for semester 1 met your expectations?
do you spend enough quality time for with your family?
some of the questions you'd like to ask yourself.
just something I'd like to share with all my students...
make good use of your time,
don't wait until the moment before your final exams to start studying hard.
yes, you might still pull through by the skin of your teeth,
but the stress and the risk you put yourself in is not worth it.
the reason why your CAs and SIAs are worth a considerable % of the final grade
is so that it's not so exam-oriented...
so that you can also gain points through fun things like projects and presentations,
and even speaking up in class, joining in discussions.
in my time we didn't have such a thing.
usually it was CAs 40% SA 60%.
so if you're not putting in effort during term time,
during everyday projects and assignments,
then you're really defeating the purpose of an IP programme.
anyway, last week was a packed week.
essays to finish grading before marks submission deadline...
comments to write for students' report books...
SMBO matters...
on thursday,
mr paul tan and I had to station ourselves at the boarding school
to wait for the malaysian participants of SMBO.
we stayed till 8pm, where we received 1 group.
also had boarding school food.
it's actually not bad.
balanced diet...rice (carbo), meat, beancurd (protein), vege, fruit (fibre) and soup (a little salty, but at least it's herbal)
on friday,
i got off my last period of the day to do invigilation work at the boarding school.
ms sarah birchwood and i were in charge of 98 students from s'pore/m'sian schools
and we had half a dozen sec 3 girls to assist us in the invigilation.
the girls were very excited about the whole thing,
for many of them, it's the first time they could play teacher.
well,
come the next 2 weeks, it will be 1 week to finish the poetry unit
and another for the sabbaticals.
i still remember how my sec 1 literature teacher made poetry interesting for us,
and i will do the same for my students.
it's always fun to begin learning poetry,
because we're surprised at how interesting and innovative the use of language can be.
as for the sabbatical for week 10,
i hope to make all the participants start writing their plays,
we'll be looking at examples/extracts from great plays,
how to write good dialogue,
how to create unique characters
and we'll be watching films of plays.
And we are nearing the end of term 2...
Half a year gone
an eighth of your secondary school life gone for my sec 1 students...
seems like a scary thought?
So how are all of you doing so far?
have you met the goals you've set for yourself?
have you been procrastinating a lot?
have your grades for semester 1 met your expectations?
do you spend enough quality time for with your family?
some of the questions you'd like to ask yourself.
just something I'd like to share with all my students...
make good use of your time,
don't wait until the moment before your final exams to start studying hard.
yes, you might still pull through by the skin of your teeth,
but the stress and the risk you put yourself in is not worth it.
the reason why your CAs and SIAs are worth a considerable % of the final grade
is so that it's not so exam-oriented...
so that you can also gain points through fun things like projects and presentations,
and even speaking up in class, joining in discussions.
in my time we didn't have such a thing.
usually it was CAs 40% SA 60%.
so if you're not putting in effort during term time,
during everyday projects and assignments,
then you're really defeating the purpose of an IP programme.
anyway, last week was a packed week.
essays to finish grading before marks submission deadline...
comments to write for students' report books...
SMBO matters...
on thursday,
mr paul tan and I had to station ourselves at the boarding school
to wait for the malaysian participants of SMBO.
we stayed till 8pm, where we received 1 group.
also had boarding school food.
it's actually not bad.
balanced diet...rice (carbo), meat, beancurd (protein), vege, fruit (fibre) and soup (a little salty, but at least it's herbal)
on friday,
i got off my last period of the day to do invigilation work at the boarding school.
ms sarah birchwood and i were in charge of 98 students from s'pore/m'sian schools
and we had half a dozen sec 3 girls to assist us in the invigilation.
the girls were very excited about the whole thing,
for many of them, it's the first time they could play teacher.
well,
come the next 2 weeks, it will be 1 week to finish the poetry unit
and another for the sabbaticals.
i still remember how my sec 1 literature teacher made poetry interesting for us,
and i will do the same for my students.
it's always fun to begin learning poetry,
because we're surprised at how interesting and innovative the use of language can be.
as for the sabbatical for week 10,
i hope to make all the participants start writing their plays,
we'll be looking at examples/extracts from great plays,
how to write good dialogue,
how to create unique characters
and we'll be watching films of plays.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Tuesdays with Joe
Last Wednesday, there was a performance of the songs for my musical - Tuesdays with Joe.
It's a work in progress (though I doubt I will ever finish it, I've always disliked the commercialism and glitter associated with musicals) and what we did on Wednesday was to present 6 of the key songs of the musical at the Esplanade concourse (the open area between the two main halls).
I accompanied my singers on the piano. It was my first time playing there and the acoustics were really good (the music reverberated well because of the high ceiling domes).
Anyway, the audience enjoyed my songs, though there's some feedback about it being similar and soppy. Well, I can only write sentimental and syrupy songs, so sue me!!
It's a work in progress (though I doubt I will ever finish it, I've always disliked the commercialism and glitter associated with musicals) and what we did on Wednesday was to present 6 of the key songs of the musical at the Esplanade concourse (the open area between the two main halls).
I accompanied my singers on the piano. It was my first time playing there and the acoustics were really good (the music reverberated well because of the high ceiling domes).
Anyway, the audience enjoyed my songs, though there's some feedback about it being similar and soppy. Well, I can only write sentimental and syrupy songs, so sue me!!
Me playing accompaniment to my own music.
I wasn't nervous, unlike playing classical music, when I will get more worked up as it's much more emotionally draining.
In the Esplanade dressing room before the performance.
I wasn't nervous, unlike playing classical music, when I will get more worked up as it's much more emotionally draining.
In the Esplanade dressing room before the performance.
As we made our way into our room, we passed by rooms with
actors from The Phantom of the Opera dressing up, there were wigs,
actors from The Phantom of the Opera dressing up, there were wigs,
fanciful costumes and other assorted items.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Lifeskills Camp, March Holidays, Storytelling Presentations
At the rate at which I'm going, looks like it's 1 post per month...But anyway, here's an update of what has gone in March.
Lifeskills Camp
Lifeskills Camp was undoubtedly the highlight of term 1, and I think most of my students enjoyed themselves tremendously.
The high points of the camp for the students were:
1. Squeezing onto the small mat for class picnic by the sea.
2. Realizing that it's possible to bathe in just 5 minutes (no more of those hour long 'beauty showers').
3. Sleeping in close quarters with your classmates in the classroom (so now you know who talks in their sleep, who snores, who cannot do without a bolster etc...)
4. Cheering until your voice becomes hoarse.
5. The pool game at SAFRA where you had to fill a bucket with water from your hair!
6. Singing/Dancing/Acting for Talentime in the field beside the warm campfire.
7. Crying before/after Talentime because you were too touched/overwhelmed.
8. Cheering for others when they win.
9. Keeping up the spirit even if you don't win.
10. Realizing the importance of team spirit and class unity.
1) Don't speak in a 'lazy' manner. Ar-ti-cu-late all syllables clearly.
2) Don't cover your face with the script.
Lifeskills Camp
Lifeskills Camp was undoubtedly the highlight of term 1, and I think most of my students enjoyed themselves tremendously.
The high points of the camp for the students were:
1. Squeezing onto the small mat for class picnic by the sea.
2. Realizing that it's possible to bathe in just 5 minutes (no more of those hour long 'beauty showers').
3. Sleeping in close quarters with your classmates in the classroom (so now you know who talks in their sleep, who snores, who cannot do without a bolster etc...)
4. Cheering until your voice becomes hoarse.
5. The pool game at SAFRA where you had to fill a bucket with water from your hair!
6. Singing/Dancing/Acting for Talentime in the field beside the warm campfire.
7. Crying before/after Talentime because you were too touched/overwhelmed.
8. Cheering for others when they win.
9. Keeping up the spirit even if you don't win.
10. Realizing the importance of team spirit and class unity.
March Holidays
On the first day, all the teachers went to an Independent Schools' Conference at ACS (I). It was the first time I'd been to their new IB block. Gosh, it was really posh.
I remember the two times I'd been to ACS for official functions. The first was when I was in P6 and ACS was one of my considerations as a Secondary school, and the second was when my younger brother was considering going there.
But it turned out that none of us went there.
Of course I'd been there during a string orchestra camp in Secondary 2. Yeah...they have wonderful facilities.
Anyway, back to this conference...I had hoped to catch up with my JC civics tutor, who was presenting a paper there, but alas I didn't manage to see her.
But it was all in all a rewarding conference, got to know more about the English programme at RI and HCI.
Well, so what did I do for the rest of the holidays?
I had 2 days of a Kagan course, it's this series of courses for teachers by this innovative American educator that will build up students' interest in the classroom.
On the first day of Term 2, I tried some of the 'structures' we learnt at that course with one of my classes, and it seemed to work fine!
Storytelling Presentations
I remember the two times I'd been to ACS for official functions. The first was when I was in P6 and ACS was one of my considerations as a Secondary school, and the second was when my younger brother was considering going there.
But it turned out that none of us went there.
Of course I'd been there during a string orchestra camp in Secondary 2. Yeah...they have wonderful facilities.
Anyway, back to this conference...I had hoped to catch up with my JC civics tutor, who was presenting a paper there, but alas I didn't manage to see her.
But it was all in all a rewarding conference, got to know more about the English programme at RI and HCI.
Well, so what did I do for the rest of the holidays?
I had 2 days of a Kagan course, it's this series of courses for teachers by this innovative American educator that will build up students' interest in the classroom.
On the first day of Term 2, I tried some of the 'structures' we learnt at that course with one of my classes, and it seemed to work fine!
Storytelling Presentations
Some points to note for storytelling and other future oral presentations:
1) Don't speak in a 'lazy' manner. Ar-ti-cu-late all syllables clearly.
2) Don't cover your face with the script.
3) Pronounce the consonants at the end of words clearly. (kick, not ki, dream, not drea
4) Don't mix up your 'b's and 'p's.
5) Distinguish between 'three' and 'tree', 'thank' and 'tank'.
6) Don't block your supporting actors/let your supporting actors block you.
7) Don't let your supporting actors steal your show/take a lot of your lines.
8) Let it become a play(drama), rather than story telling.
I showed my classes a recording of the Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida, to highlight the importance of preparedness, focus on the task, losing oneself in the performance and stage grace.
However, the mischievous students couldn't stop laughing at Uchida's facial antics.
Well, she's entitled to be eccentric, since she's already achieved greatness in what she's doing.
4) Don't mix up your 'b's and 'p's.
5) Distinguish between 'three' and 'tree', 'thank' and 'tank'.
6) Don't block your supporting actors/let your supporting actors block you.
7) Don't let your supporting actors steal your show/take a lot of your lines.
8) Let it become a play(drama), rather than story telling.
I showed my classes a recording of the Japanese pianist Mitsuko Uchida, to highlight the importance of preparedness, focus on the task, losing oneself in the performance and stage grace.
However, the mischievous students couldn't stop laughing at Uchida's facial antics.
Well, she's entitled to be eccentric, since she's already achieved greatness in what she's doing.
Do check out her website http://www.mitsukouchida.com/ to find out more about this truly great Asian pianist.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Poems
Here are some poems that I like.
This one's by my favourite German poet Heinrich Heine. His poems revolve around the theme of unrequited love and many composers (esp Schumann and Schubert) have set his poems to music.
I like this poem for its utter simplicity:
You are like a flower
So lovely, pure and fair;
I gaze upon your face
And sadness steals into my heart.
I fain would lay my hands
In blessing on your brow,
Praying that God will keep you,
So lovely, pure and fair.
The next one is by Christina Rossetti. I remember when I was in JC and I asked my GP tutor to recommend some nice poems for me to read, and this is the one she gave me. It's another poem tinged with sadness and quiet melancholy.
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
The last one is a called A Reminiscence by Anne Bronte (Charlotte 'Jane Eyre' Bronte's sis). This is a famous poem about death, and it's often recited at funerals. I remember this sad incident during my JC days when 2 girls drowned during an OBS trip. This poem appeared in our year book, as a kind of tribute to them. It is really quite touching -- a poignant eulogy for the loss of a young life.
Yes, thou art gone! and never more
Thy sunny smile shall gladden me;
But I may pass the old church door
And pace the floor that covers thee;
May stand upon the cold, damp stone
And think that frozen lies below
The lightest heart that I have known,
The kindest I shall ever know.
Yet though I cannot see thee more
'Tis still a comfort to have seen,
And though thy transient life is o'er'
Tis sweet to think that thou hast been;
To think a soul so near divine
Within a form so angel fair
United to a heart like thine
Has gladdened once our humble sphere.
This one's by my favourite German poet Heinrich Heine. His poems revolve around the theme of unrequited love and many composers (esp Schumann and Schubert) have set his poems to music.
I like this poem for its utter simplicity:
You are like a flower
So lovely, pure and fair;
I gaze upon your face
And sadness steals into my heart.
I fain would lay my hands
In blessing on your brow,
Praying that God will keep you,
So lovely, pure and fair.
The next one is by Christina Rossetti. I remember when I was in JC and I asked my GP tutor to recommend some nice poems for me to read, and this is the one she gave me. It's another poem tinged with sadness and quiet melancholy.
Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.
Remember me when no more day by day
You tell me of our future that you plann'd:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be late to counsel then or pray.
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
The last one is a called A Reminiscence by Anne Bronte (Charlotte 'Jane Eyre' Bronte's sis). This is a famous poem about death, and it's often recited at funerals. I remember this sad incident during my JC days when 2 girls drowned during an OBS trip. This poem appeared in our year book, as a kind of tribute to them. It is really quite touching -- a poignant eulogy for the loss of a young life.
Yes, thou art gone! and never more
Thy sunny smile shall gladden me;
But I may pass the old church door
And pace the floor that covers thee;
May stand upon the cold, damp stone
And think that frozen lies below
The lightest heart that I have known,
The kindest I shall ever know.
Yet though I cannot see thee more
'Tis still a comfort to have seen,
And though thy transient life is o'er'
Tis sweet to think that thou hast been;
To think a soul so near divine
Within a form so angel fair
United to a heart like thine
Has gladdened once our humble sphere.
Monday, January 29, 2007
We are starting on Emily!
We are finally going to begin our study on Emily of Emerald Hill this week!
I have been doing an introduction to the various text types with my classes over the past few weeks and the feedback I have been getting is that the material is rather dry.
I know that....but it is something we have to go through...(my students would have heard this many times, but I'm saying it again) it IS very important!
Anyway, to kick off the study of Emily, here's a little anecdote...
Last week, I was travelling on the bus and there was this HCI boy sitting next to me. I was reading my Emily and after a while, I noticed the boy staring into my book.
Normally, if you want to spy on what the person next to you is reading, you do it discreetly...in the form of a sideway glance, or perhaps an occasional peek...but what this boy did was stare long and hard!
At first, I was a little annoyed, but I feigned ignorance, hoping that he would become embarrassed and look away soon. However, he continued to gawk at my book!
After a few moments of tension, he blurted out, "She wraps her family in quilts - signifying control".
I was reading the part on how Emily knitted quilts for her family, and I realized he was talking to me about the book.
It turned out to be an introduction to a nice chat between us, where I found out that the HCI boys do Emily of Emerald Hill in Sec 2 and he also updated me on various aspects of my alma mater.
Well, to all of my students...Hope that all you have re-read Emily over the weekend and will pass with flying colours the quiz on Friday and the scrap-book presentation tomorrow.
Just a few reminders on the presentation:
1) Speak loud and clear. Project your voice to the last row.
2) Show genuine interest in what you are presenting. This will be infectious! .
3) Rehearse your presentation and make sure you keep to the 3 minute time limit.
4) Structure your presentation so that it flows smoothly.
Good luck!
I have been doing an introduction to the various text types with my classes over the past few weeks and the feedback I have been getting is that the material is rather dry.
I know that....but it is something we have to go through...(my students would have heard this many times, but I'm saying it again) it IS very important!
Anyway, to kick off the study of Emily, here's a little anecdote...
Last week, I was travelling on the bus and there was this HCI boy sitting next to me. I was reading my Emily and after a while, I noticed the boy staring into my book.
Normally, if you want to spy on what the person next to you is reading, you do it discreetly...in the form of a sideway glance, or perhaps an occasional peek...but what this boy did was stare long and hard!
At first, I was a little annoyed, but I feigned ignorance, hoping that he would become embarrassed and look away soon. However, he continued to gawk at my book!
After a few moments of tension, he blurted out, "She wraps her family in quilts - signifying control".
I was reading the part on how Emily knitted quilts for her family, and I realized he was talking to me about the book.
It turned out to be an introduction to a nice chat between us, where I found out that the HCI boys do Emily of Emerald Hill in Sec 2 and he also updated me on various aspects of my alma mater.
Well, to all of my students...Hope that all you have re-read Emily over the weekend and will pass with flying colours the quiz on Friday and the scrap-book presentation tomorrow.
Just a few reminders on the presentation:
1) Speak loud and clear. Project your voice to the last row.
2) Show genuine interest in what you are presenting. This will be infectious! .
3) Rehearse your presentation and make sure you keep to the 3 minute time limit.
4) Structure your presentation so that it flows smoothly.
Good luck!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)