This morning, I drove my family to Changi Airport to see me off. Something seems wrong with that sentence, I know. Cos usually the person who's being sent off doesn't drive the people who are seeing him off. But then, I drove because I won't get to drive for the next 6 months that I'm here in Shanghai so I was grabbing all the opportunities to drive in Singapore this time while I was back.
Yeah, so I had been doing lots of driving over the past 2 weeks, I even drove half of the way from KL back to S'pore (my Dad and I took turns). It's actually more interesting to drive along the small roads in M'sia. The roads are quite winding, you frequently have to overtake and get overtaken, and there are many road hazards (cows, dead cats etc) that you have to watch out for.
Although I'd not driven for the 5 months I was away from S'pore (25 July- 20 December), my driving skills hasn't deteriorated. Do you know why? Because I've been 'practising' my driving in Shanghai. Let me tell you more about it.
Those of you who have been here will know how brave (aka reckless) the drivers are. You need to have nerves of steel to drive here really. I kid you not! They simply weave in and out of traffic, drive against traffic etc etc. So since I sit beside the driver (a wonderful chap my age with lightning quick reflexes) on our school bus, I get to 'simulate' driving by observing the road conditions. I guess that's why my driving skills are not rusty. Or maybe I have wonderful psychomotor skills haha.
Anyway, this visit to Singapore was very short, so the majority of the time was spent catching up with my family members. So glad to be able to revisit our favourite haunts like Marina Square, Vivocity, the Taman Jurong Food Centre (!) etc. I'm also very encouraged by the fact that my Dad went to church with me twice in a week. First, we attended Wesley Methodist in KL, which was where his old school was. It was a nostalgic moment, because he found most of the old buildings where he spent his high school days intact - he even took a picture at his old boarding school and later I found an old photograph of him with his friends taken at the exact spot more than 40 years ago! Then, my Dad also went to the Christmas eve concert at Glory Presbyterian Church. Our church always has wonderful Christmas concerts.
I also went back to NYGH and had said hi to my ex-colleagues and had dinner with a few of them in the boarding school. I also saw a few of my ex-students. Talked to a few of them about how they are doing but some others pretended not to see me. I can't understand why they behave like that. It's true that I was a little strict, especially in 2007, but I've never scolded anyone without explaining the rationale later on and anyone could see that everything I did was out of concern. I don't know why there might be some who think that I'm not approachable.
I think to understand me, you've got to know that I often speak tongue in cheek and you've got to understand some of my sarcasm. I guess younger students might misunderstand my sarcasm. And the sarcasm is never meant to hurt. I don't use sarcasm in a bitter and cynical way. For example, when a student does not complete her work, instead of punishing her, I would ask 'Did you use invisible ink to complete your assignment?' I think sarcasm is good for diffusing tense moments, and I love sarcasm because I am someone who always sees the ridiculous side of life.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Sunday, November 23, 2008
I wrote this poem in 2 minutes today!
Winter's the perfect time for poetry
Because when it's cold,
You look into yourself
And think of the possibilities
Or the impossibilities
To be happy.
Then you either wallow in self pity
Or cry out to God,
Both of which
Inspires poetry.
Because when it's cold,
You look into yourself
And think of the possibilities
Or the impossibilities
To be happy.
Then you either wallow in self pity
Or cry out to God,
Both of which
Inspires poetry.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Chinglish encounter!
New revelation today.
I've finally realized why I've had trouble at the ATMs of this particular bank for months. (here in China, you can withdraw money from the ATMs of any of the local banks, provided they have this 'Union Pay' logo)
What happened was each time after I keyed in the amount I wished to withdraw, the machine would prompt me to enter one of 3 options:
1) Correct
2) Confirm
3) Cancel
So I'd always press 1) Correct
but what happened was the amount I'd keyed in would disappear, and then I'd have to key that in again and I'd press 1) Correct again and I'd get the same result.
What's wrong? I'd keyed in the amount I desired, and I should press 1) Correct, isn't it? That was the CORRECT amount I wished to withdraw.
Then today, by some stroke of good luck and wisdom, instead of 1) Correct, I pressed 2) Confirm, and voila, I was successful!
And then it dawned on me that the machine's using 'correct' as a verb and not an adjective, as what I thought it was.
correct (verb)
-- to set or make true, accurate, or right; remove the errors or faults from:
eg. The native guide corrected our pronunciation. The new glasses corrected his eyesight.
correct (adjective)
-- conforming to fact or truth; free from error; accurate:
eg. He gave me a correct answer.
I've finally realized why I've had trouble at the ATMs of this particular bank for months. (here in China, you can withdraw money from the ATMs of any of the local banks, provided they have this 'Union Pay' logo)
What happened was each time after I keyed in the amount I wished to withdraw, the machine would prompt me to enter one of 3 options:
1) Correct
2) Confirm
3) Cancel
So I'd always press 1) Correct
but what happened was the amount I'd keyed in would disappear, and then I'd have to key that in again and I'd press 1) Correct again and I'd get the same result.
What's wrong? I'd keyed in the amount I desired, and I should press 1) Correct, isn't it? That was the CORRECT amount I wished to withdraw.
Then today, by some stroke of good luck and wisdom, instead of 1) Correct, I pressed 2) Confirm, and voila, I was successful!
And then it dawned on me that the machine's using 'correct' as a verb and not an adjective, as what I thought it was.
correct (verb)
-- to set or make true, accurate, or right; remove the errors or faults from:
eg. The native guide corrected our pronunciation. The new glasses corrected his eyesight.
correct (adjective)
-- conforming to fact or truth; free from error; accurate:
eg. He gave me a correct answer.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The poets lied! There's nothing romantic about Autumn!
Aha, here's finally a post in months that isn't about music. Yeah I know, recently, my blog has become like a classical music review site. But that's because I've been attending so many concerts since I've been here. There are simply so many top acts that stop by Shanghai. And most of them don't visit Singapore. So, going for all these concerts will be something that I hope to achieve during my stay here in Shanghai.
Apart from that, here are a few more things that I hope to accomplish while I'm here..
1) Travel around the city and beyond, to learn more about Chinese culture and improve my Chinese (my Chinese has sadly regressed after my final HCL lesson in Sec 4)
2) Continue attending bible study and be an effective and loving teacher in the children's class (my new area of service here)
3) Eat lots of good Shanghainese food! (just for the record, yesterday for dinner, i gorged on 6 xiao long baos and 4 large fried dumplings for a grand total of 10 yuan - 2 singapore dollars! yes, food is that cheap here)
4) Learn a foreign language (no, not Chinese nor Shanghainese haha...i will tell you more if this plan of mine ever comes true)
5) Be a nurturing form teacher to my primary 6 class (i had hoped to teach sec sch here, cos i've always been teaching at that level in Singapore, but since God led me otherwise, I want to do my best for my class....well, so far so good.)
Okay, I shall stop at 5 items for now....no point being too ambitious and end up accomplishing nothing.
Anyway, I think I've been spending a little more than I should on winter clothing these few days. The temperature's falling drastically and winter clothings abound in the department stores. Just to let you know, I'm quite a goondhu when it comes to shopping. What I mean is that I ask the salesgirl very silly questions sometimes.
I remember back in Singapore when I was buying jeans and I couldn't differentiate between male and female jeans so I had to ask the teenage salesgirl. Afterwards, the whole bunch of them starting whispering behind my back and giving me dirty looks.
Then today, I kept asking the salesgirl whether a certain white or blue jacket's nicer, even though everyone knows they undoubtedly give politically correct answers and will tell you that you look nice in everything.
Okay, I'm going to mark my students' compositions soon. They wrote mystery narratives....I hope there will be some outstanding ones, and not too many about ghosts and gore!
I think I shall post a picture of my form class.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Hilary Hahn!
i attended a concert by the Vancouver symphony and Hilary Hahn on the 19th of oct. for those of you who don't know, hilary hahn is a grammy award winning violinist who also played on the soundtrack of 'the village'.
anyway, she's only 28 and i find her playing a little too 'serious'. she's one determined lady who makes no compromise in her music, but sometimes i hope she can relax a little.
I had a hard time taking this photo. And it didn't turn out well too. The concert hall had these super enthu custodians waiting to pounce on trigger-happy people.
Hilary Hahn signing autographs....and my 10 secs of conversation with her
Scene: Hilary Hahn, looking smaller in person, tired after playing the horrendously difficult Tchaikovksy concerto has changed out of her fabulous brown evening gown and is now wearing an ugly blue shirt. She beams her megawatt smile. She is flanked by 2 irritated-looking minders.
Me: Hi.
(Hilary continues to beam her megawatt smile as she receives my CD and begins signing her name)
Me: I've got your Mozart CD at home.
Hilary H: That's great.
Me: Will you be recording any chamber music soon?
Hilary H: I hope so.
She has finished signing the CD.
She beams her megawatt smile again.
Exeunt Me.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
North German Radio Symphony Orchestra
The North German Radio Symphony Orchestra performed here at the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre on the 10th of October. On the programme was Beethoven's Egmont Overture, Sibelius' Violin Concerto and Brahm's Symphony No. 2.
Conducting the orchestra was Christoph von Dohnanyi, who at the age of 79, is one of the greatest living maestros. He is a master well versed in the German symphonic tradition, and his grandfather is the Hungarian composer Erno von Dohnanyi.
Beethoven's Egmont Overture is a grand and heroic work (like a lot of Beethoven's music) with plenty of brass fanfares and a climactic finale that is simply so triumphant. It's great to start the evening with this short but effective overture. I was seated flanking the orchestra so I could observe the conductor closely and I must say he beats time so clearly. Any orchestra would love that.
Next on was Sibelius' Violin Concerto. I love this work because although it is somewhat dark and forboding, like much of Sibelius' music, the solo writing is very violinistic (Sibelius once aspired to be violin virtuoso) and lyrical as well. The work opens with murmuring strings -- almost like nothingness, and then the solo violin floats in above this. To me, this is such a beautiful moment, it rather reminds me of the opening of Beethoven's Choral Symphony. The dark sounds of the orchestral parts remind one of the dark and sombre Nordic landscapes and there lies the irresistible attraction of the work -- though you know it's dark and all, yet you are attracted to its mysterious ways.
The soloist for the evening was the German violinist Frank Peter Zimmerman. He has such immaculate technique and wonderful intonation. It really was a note-perfect performance. When something like that is said, people will think the performance is cold and without emotions. But the thing about Zimmerman is that he gets right into the heart of the music without any idiosyncracies in his interpretation and he plays each note just as what the composer wants. And he is such a modest performer too. Anyway, he is not known for his looks, so my reasoning is that if someone can be such a superstar without banking on his looks, he must be really talented.
For the encore, he played this variations on 'God save the King' by Paganini which was super entertaining, with all the violin acrobatics.
The second half of the night featured Brahms' 2nd symphony. This is a favourite work of mine because of its pastoral feeling, the sense of repose and the lovely long melodies. It is such a sunny work which gives you a sense of warmth but there are many tragic moments too, such as the angsty slow movement. I love the last movement the most and the climactic finale, with blazing trumpets and horns is really so triumphant. It was a great experience listening to a German orchestra play a German symphony, conducted by an expert of German music some more (Dohnanyi's grandfather knew Brahms personally). After listening to their rendition, I really felt that this symphony is one of the greatest in the world -- I mean the rich sound they drew out and the deep understanding of the work's structure and architecture, these are things only a German orchestra can do.
For the encore, they entertained us with a Hungarian Dance by Brahms and when the applause refused to die down, they brought the house down with a Chinese piece!
Conducting the orchestra was Christoph von Dohnanyi, who at the age of 79, is one of the greatest living maestros. He is a master well versed in the German symphonic tradition, and his grandfather is the Hungarian composer Erno von Dohnanyi.
Beethoven's Egmont Overture is a grand and heroic work (like a lot of Beethoven's music) with plenty of brass fanfares and a climactic finale that is simply so triumphant. It's great to start the evening with this short but effective overture. I was seated flanking the orchestra so I could observe the conductor closely and I must say he beats time so clearly. Any orchestra would love that.
Next on was Sibelius' Violin Concerto. I love this work because although it is somewhat dark and forboding, like much of Sibelius' music, the solo writing is very violinistic (Sibelius once aspired to be violin virtuoso) and lyrical as well. The work opens with murmuring strings -- almost like nothingness, and then the solo violin floats in above this. To me, this is such a beautiful moment, it rather reminds me of the opening of Beethoven's Choral Symphony. The dark sounds of the orchestral parts remind one of the dark and sombre Nordic landscapes and there lies the irresistible attraction of the work -- though you know it's dark and all, yet you are attracted to its mysterious ways.
The soloist for the evening was the German violinist Frank Peter Zimmerman. He has such immaculate technique and wonderful intonation. It really was a note-perfect performance. When something like that is said, people will think the performance is cold and without emotions. But the thing about Zimmerman is that he gets right into the heart of the music without any idiosyncracies in his interpretation and he plays each note just as what the composer wants. And he is such a modest performer too. Anyway, he is not known for his looks, so my reasoning is that if someone can be such a superstar without banking on his looks, he must be really talented.
For the encore, he played this variations on 'God save the King' by Paganini which was super entertaining, with all the violin acrobatics.
The second half of the night featured Brahms' 2nd symphony. This is a favourite work of mine because of its pastoral feeling, the sense of repose and the lovely long melodies. It is such a sunny work which gives you a sense of warmth but there are many tragic moments too, such as the angsty slow movement. I love the last movement the most and the climactic finale, with blazing trumpets and horns is really so triumphant. It was a great experience listening to a German orchestra play a German symphony, conducted by an expert of German music some more (Dohnanyi's grandfather knew Brahms personally). After listening to their rendition, I really felt that this symphony is one of the greatest in the world -- I mean the rich sound they drew out and the deep understanding of the work's structure and architecture, these are things only a German orchestra can do.
For the encore, they entertained us with a Hungarian Dance by Brahms and when the applause refused to die down, they brought the house down with a Chinese piece!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra
Last Friday, we attended the La Scala Philharmonic Orchestra's debut concert at the Shanghai Oriental Art Centre. Led by Korean conductor Myung Whun Chung (the younger brother of the famous violinist Kyung Wha Chung), the Italian orchestra played Rossini's overtures to William Tell, The Italian Girl in Algiers, the Intermezzo from Puccini's Manon Lascaut, Verdi's overture to La Forza del Destino and Tchaikovsky's 4th symphony.
We were late by 5 minutes (that day being the start of the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, we couldn't get a cab to the subway station) and we missed the opening piece. Luckily for us, they decided to play the overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers first. I'm not saying that piece's lousy. Well, to some extent, it really is just full of bubbling good spirits and not too deep, but there are some buoyant good tunes in it as well. But why I'm saying that is because I wouldn't want to miss the William Tell overture for anything.
The William Tell overture has a famous finale that even non-classical music listeners would recognize. I can bet you a considerable sum of money that you would know the tune, although you might not know its name. Curious? Well, go 'you-tube' it! Anyway, the orchestra did a decent job of the overture, the cello ensemble in the first section of the work neat and refined, gradually building up into the 'storm' section, which was a little subdued I think. Then came the lovely woodwind solos in the third section. The cor anglais player and flautist did their parts beautfully, and finally, with the heralding trumpets came the famous 'horse-riding' finale. The famous finale really resembles riding on a horse. So overall, very competent playing, but I did feel that the players were not 100% warmed up at this point. They didn't lose themselves totally in the music, and there was perhaps a little too much care in their playing.
Next came the Puccini and Verdi. I shall not go into this too much, for these are pieces I've never liked very much. Puccini to me is a very soppy composer and this particular Verdi is not one of my favourites - it sounds very much like loose bits patched together.
After the interval came the main course of the evening - Tchaikovsky's dramatic and sonorous 4th symphony. Tchaikovsky's a pretty neurotic guy who has unmatched pessimism and who always thinks his life's extremely screwed-up. So he is one guy who always wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows in his very passionate music. You can always hear him wailing and sighing his heart out. The final 3 of his 6 symphonies are his most famous. In this one, the 'fate' motif, blared out by the brass in the opening bars dominate the work, but thankfully, it is transformed into a theme of triumph in the finale. Chung controlled the structure of the work very well, shaping each phrase, making most of each dramatic moment, yet never overdoing it. He is known as a master of the orchestral sound -- under his baton, no orchestra has a bad sound. That's why he is such a master interpreter of French music, with wonderful recordings made of Berlioz's music.
That evening, the orchestra really livened up with the Tchaikovsky symphony. They had excellent brass and wind players and the work really gave them the opportunity to shine. But overall, I still felt that their paramount concern during this concert was for a beautiful sound and perfection, I didn't really feel the infectious Mediterranean passion until the encore work. After receiving at least 5 curtain calls, Chung shushed the audience and shouted 'Viva Italia!' and they played the finale of the William Tell overture again, to the rapturous delight of the audience. This time, the orchestra really played with their hearts and we definitely felt the passion. I saw a few audience members beating time to the exciting music and more than a dozen persons gave Chung and the orchestra a standing ovation.
Well, not too bad an experience, my first visit to the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre. More to come!
We were late by 5 minutes (that day being the start of the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, we couldn't get a cab to the subway station) and we missed the opening piece. Luckily for us, they decided to play the overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers first. I'm not saying that piece's lousy. Well, to some extent, it really is just full of bubbling good spirits and not too deep, but there are some buoyant good tunes in it as well. But why I'm saying that is because I wouldn't want to miss the William Tell overture for anything.
The William Tell overture has a famous finale that even non-classical music listeners would recognize. I can bet you a considerable sum of money that you would know the tune, although you might not know its name. Curious? Well, go 'you-tube' it! Anyway, the orchestra did a decent job of the overture, the cello ensemble in the first section of the work neat and refined, gradually building up into the 'storm' section, which was a little subdued I think. Then came the lovely woodwind solos in the third section. The cor anglais player and flautist did their parts beautfully, and finally, with the heralding trumpets came the famous 'horse-riding' finale. The famous finale really resembles riding on a horse. So overall, very competent playing, but I did feel that the players were not 100% warmed up at this point. They didn't lose themselves totally in the music, and there was perhaps a little too much care in their playing.
Next came the Puccini and Verdi. I shall not go into this too much, for these are pieces I've never liked very much. Puccini to me is a very soppy composer and this particular Verdi is not one of my favourites - it sounds very much like loose bits patched together.
After the interval came the main course of the evening - Tchaikovsky's dramatic and sonorous 4th symphony. Tchaikovsky's a pretty neurotic guy who has unmatched pessimism and who always thinks his life's extremely screwed-up. So he is one guy who always wears his heart on his sleeve and it shows in his very passionate music. You can always hear him wailing and sighing his heart out. The final 3 of his 6 symphonies are his most famous. In this one, the 'fate' motif, blared out by the brass in the opening bars dominate the work, but thankfully, it is transformed into a theme of triumph in the finale. Chung controlled the structure of the work very well, shaping each phrase, making most of each dramatic moment, yet never overdoing it. He is known as a master of the orchestral sound -- under his baton, no orchestra has a bad sound. That's why he is such a master interpreter of French music, with wonderful recordings made of Berlioz's music.
That evening, the orchestra really livened up with the Tchaikovsky symphony. They had excellent brass and wind players and the work really gave them the opportunity to shine. But overall, I still felt that their paramount concern during this concert was for a beautiful sound and perfection, I didn't really feel the infectious Mediterranean passion until the encore work. After receiving at least 5 curtain calls, Chung shushed the audience and shouted 'Viva Italia!' and they played the finale of the William Tell overture again, to the rapturous delight of the audience. This time, the orchestra really played with their hearts and we definitely felt the passion. I saw a few audience members beating time to the exciting music and more than a dozen persons gave Chung and the orchestra a standing ovation.
Well, not too bad an experience, my first visit to the Shanghai Oriental Arts Centre. More to come!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Sheltie!
my cousin, Eunice's new sheltie pup.
he's incredibily quiet.
he hasn't had his first bark.
he loves Eunice's room and his own cage.
he is half toilet trained (ie. he doesn't shat in his cage but does it on the floor outside it).
he loves being petted on the head.
he walks in a sort of gallop, rather like a pony.
he has this habit of lifting and suspending one paw in mid air when in hesitation.
he simply melts your heart when his eyes meet yours.
his name is Tyler.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
i miss my piano ;/
i can't believe it.
i've not played the piano for more than a month.
i don't think i've ever had such a long gap without touching the piano since i began playing when i was 5.
but the comforting thing is i'm doing choir in my school.
i'm going to volunteer to play accompaniment for all of the choir pieces!
i've not played the piano for more than a month.
i don't think i've ever had such a long gap without touching the piano since i began playing when i was 5.
but the comforting thing is i'm doing choir in my school.
i'm going to volunteer to play accompaniment for all of the choir pieces!
Monday, August 25, 2008
A perfect storm!
First day of school. And we were all caught in a terrific storm.
The sky was grey and the wind was howling when I woke up and by the time I left the house, it was a full blown storm.
My bus pick-up point is a 15 minute walk from where I stay. (NB. i realized on the way back that this bus actually stops just outside the house! yayness! <--i learnt this term from my ex-students)
After walking 10 minutes with my tiny umbrella and no raincoat, I was completely drenched! But I continued walking, thinking of the terrors if I were to miss the school bus.
But by the time I was almost at my destination, I realized I just couldn't go on. My bag was completely soaked, my feet was squishing in my water-logged shoes and my drenched clothes were almost 2 times as heavy as before.
I was late for half an hour. And when I rushed to my classroom, I saw only 4 students there. Apparently, more than half of the school was late due to the storm.
It was flooded everywhere -- all the roads, the buses, and even the school canteen.
We later heard on the news that it was the day of the highest rain volume in a hundred years! Sheesh! On the first day of school some more.
The sky was grey and the wind was howling when I woke up and by the time I left the house, it was a full blown storm.
My bus pick-up point is a 15 minute walk from where I stay. (NB. i realized on the way back that this bus actually stops just outside the house! yayness! <--i learnt this term from my ex-students)
After walking 10 minutes with my tiny umbrella and no raincoat, I was completely drenched! But I continued walking, thinking of the terrors if I were to miss the school bus.
But by the time I was almost at my destination, I realized I just couldn't go on. My bag was completely soaked, my feet was squishing in my water-logged shoes and my drenched clothes were almost 2 times as heavy as before.
So what I did was to flag a cab to take me back (I know, it was only about 500 metres) and I came up, got changed and then took a cab to school.
I was late for half an hour. And when I rushed to my classroom, I saw only 4 students there. Apparently, more than half of the school was late due to the storm.
It was flooded everywhere -- all the roads, the buses, and even the school canteen.
We later heard on the news that it was the day of the highest rain volume in a hundred years! Sheesh! On the first day of school some more.
I managed to snap a few shots of the flooded roads while I was on the taxi.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
1st day of school next week
sorry i've not been updating a lot here. have been putting up photos and updates on facebook, yeah, so do add me jacktanhj@gmail.com
anyway, i've been in shanghai since 12th august. the first 2 weeks were spent touring and shopping. i must say s'poreans are really good at shopping, the expat teachers in our group were amazed at our boundlesss energy in shopping.
school starts next week, and i have a primary 6 form class. i will see them everyday, because i'm teaching them english, math, social studies, civics, and health education (!!).
i've got an interesting class consisting of students from korea, singapore, malaysia, china, hong kong, taiwan, japan, canada and russia.
okay, gottta go, will update soon.
oh, i should mention that i do rather miss nanyang girls high, my supportive colleagues and all my students, but i guess life has to go on.
I miss my desk. It's a little sad thinking how it is now empty and all. I have a great attachment to places. Even if I have only been somewhere just 2 days, I feel sad when I have to leave.
anyway, i've been in shanghai since 12th august. the first 2 weeks were spent touring and shopping. i must say s'poreans are really good at shopping, the expat teachers in our group were amazed at our boundlesss energy in shopping.
school starts next week, and i have a primary 6 form class. i will see them everyday, because i'm teaching them english, math, social studies, civics, and health education (!!).
i've got an interesting class consisting of students from korea, singapore, malaysia, china, hong kong, taiwan, japan, canada and russia.
okay, gottta go, will update soon.
oh, i should mention that i do rather miss nanyang girls high, my supportive colleagues and all my students, but i guess life has to go on.
A lecture during my last weeks in NYGH
With the speaker, Dr Ho, during that lecture
I miss my desk. It's a little sad thinking how it is now empty and all. I have a great attachment to places. Even if I have only been somewhere just 2 days, I feel sad when I have to leave.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Bug in my Soup
This post is titled as such because I've just fished out a dead bug from my bowl of wanton soup which I've ordered from this cafe where I am surfing the net from.
But I've decided to go ahead and eat my soup. After all, if the bug's in a bowl of piping hot soup, it would've been cooked anyway. In fact, I could've eaten the bug if I wanted to. What's the difference between cooked chicken and cooked bug? Anything that you take in is eventually broken down to carbon, if you get what I mean.
Unless the bug only fell in while the waiter was delivering the soup to me, somewhere along the way from the kitchen to my table. Okay, I better stop pursuing this point, or I might decide to abandon my soup altogether.
So it's been almost a week since I arrived at KL. So how's Malaysia like? Well, I've not been here for years, but I feel quite at home. Things move at a slower pace than in Singapore. People don't seem to be in a hurry all the time. There's also much more space here and you feel freer. Of course, the walls around the malls are not as polished as those in Singapore, people just dump their rubbish openly in front of the shops and the traffic seems more chaotic, but there's just this freedom and openess about things.
There's a school in front of our house. At 2.30pm, school dismisses and everybody (yes, EVERYONE, including the teachers) go home. This is so unlike Singapore.
I've been busy helping to take care of my granny who just had a minor stroke. She's rather alert, only that she's unable to talk. We suspect it might be because she's taken out all her dentures. So maybe one day, we will put them back, and voila, she would be able to speak again!
I've also met so many of my relatives that I've not seen for ages. Now, I have the company of two very interesting aunts -- my 1st aunt, who's a TV addict. She spends her free time, watching all the HK and Taiwanese soaps on cable TV (called Astro here). When I sit down in front of the TV with her, she always switches the audio to Mandarin but I tell her to switch it to Cantonese with Chinese subtitles so I can learn some Cantonese. It's a dialect I really wish to learn.
Then of course, my very resourceful 4th aunt who runs the house so effectively and she's helping me a lot with my visa matters too.
I've also met my precocious 4-year old cousin for the first time. She's the daughter of my Dad's youngest brother. My Dad's the eldest in a family of ten, so that accounts for the age gap between my cousin and I.
Why do I say she's precocious? She can recite the names of my Dad and the 9 of his siblings, she has such boundless energy - she's awake till midnight and she talks somewhat like an adult. She likes to order us around. Among the things she has made me do are putting her toy Mickey mouse to bed, carry her downstairs and push her around in a swirling chair.
When she was about to leave for home, I made her an origami boat which she promptly crumpled and refused to accept!
What can I say?
Children are such enigmatic and unfathomable creatures.
But I've decided to go ahead and eat my soup. After all, if the bug's in a bowl of piping hot soup, it would've been cooked anyway. In fact, I could've eaten the bug if I wanted to. What's the difference between cooked chicken and cooked bug? Anything that you take in is eventually broken down to carbon, if you get what I mean.
Unless the bug only fell in while the waiter was delivering the soup to me, somewhere along the way from the kitchen to my table. Okay, I better stop pursuing this point, or I might decide to abandon my soup altogether.
So it's been almost a week since I arrived at KL. So how's Malaysia like? Well, I've not been here for years, but I feel quite at home. Things move at a slower pace than in Singapore. People don't seem to be in a hurry all the time. There's also much more space here and you feel freer. Of course, the walls around the malls are not as polished as those in Singapore, people just dump their rubbish openly in front of the shops and the traffic seems more chaotic, but there's just this freedom and openess about things.
There's a school in front of our house. At 2.30pm, school dismisses and everybody (yes, EVERYONE, including the teachers) go home. This is so unlike Singapore.
I've been busy helping to take care of my granny who just had a minor stroke. She's rather alert, only that she's unable to talk. We suspect it might be because she's taken out all her dentures. So maybe one day, we will put them back, and voila, she would be able to speak again!
I've also met so many of my relatives that I've not seen for ages. Now, I have the company of two very interesting aunts -- my 1st aunt, who's a TV addict. She spends her free time, watching all the HK and Taiwanese soaps on cable TV (called Astro here). When I sit down in front of the TV with her, she always switches the audio to Mandarin but I tell her to switch it to Cantonese with Chinese subtitles so I can learn some Cantonese. It's a dialect I really wish to learn.
Then of course, my very resourceful 4th aunt who runs the house so effectively and she's helping me a lot with my visa matters too.
I've also met my precocious 4-year old cousin for the first time. She's the daughter of my Dad's youngest brother. My Dad's the eldest in a family of ten, so that accounts for the age gap between my cousin and I.
Why do I say she's precocious? She can recite the names of my Dad and the 9 of his siblings, she has such boundless energy - she's awake till midnight and she talks somewhat like an adult. She likes to order us around. Among the things she has made me do are putting her toy Mickey mouse to bed, carry her downstairs and push her around in a swirling chair.
When she was about to leave for home, I made her an origami boat which she promptly crumpled and refused to accept!
What can I say?
Children are such enigmatic and unfathomable creatures.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Goodbye Singapore!
I'll be leaving for KL later today and will fly straight to Shanghai to teach in August.
Before I go, I'd like to thank the classes I've taught this year - 301, 308, 313 and the International Scholars, for all the fun we've had writing commonwealth essays, digging into poems deep and dangerous and sharing your experiences from your obs trip in the reflective essays.
Of course, I haven't forgotten my classes from last year, those are the current 207, 208 and 211.
Take care all of you, and do keep in touch!
Email me at jacktanhj@gmail.com and let me know how you are doing!
Before I go, I'd like to thank the classes I've taught this year - 301, 308, 313 and the International Scholars, for all the fun we've had writing commonwealth essays, digging into poems deep and dangerous and sharing your experiences from your obs trip in the reflective essays.
Of course, I haven't forgotten my classes from last year, those are the current 207, 208 and 211.
Take care all of you, and do keep in touch!
Email me at jacktanhj@gmail.com and let me know how you are doing!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Mystique Reverie
I had a weird dream last night.
I dreamt that I was a student of Nanyang Girls' High School.
Stop laughing, you!
I wasn't a girl in the dream!
Nor had Nanyang Girls' become co-ed.
In my dream, I was walking around the school, and somehow, I just knew that I was studying there. I think I was late for a test or something, and I couldn't find my classroom, so I was walking along the various floors of the school frantically.
But the really weird thing was that the school building wasn't what the real NYGH looks like, but in my dream, it rather resembled one of those old tacky shopping centres, like beauty world shopping centre, ginza plaza or katong shopping centre.
I often have dreams where the different people from the different phases of my life, and the different places I've been to are all mixed up. For example, I might dream that I'm at my primary school classroom, talking to my present colleagues, and then the teachers there are my secondary school teachers, that sort of dream that is all messed up, you get what I mean?
I dreamt that I was a student of Nanyang Girls' High School.
Stop laughing, you!
I wasn't a girl in the dream!
Nor had Nanyang Girls' become co-ed.
In my dream, I was walking around the school, and somehow, I just knew that I was studying there. I think I was late for a test or something, and I couldn't find my classroom, so I was walking along the various floors of the school frantically.
But the really weird thing was that the school building wasn't what the real NYGH looks like, but in my dream, it rather resembled one of those old tacky shopping centres, like beauty world shopping centre, ginza plaza or katong shopping centre.
I often have dreams where the different people from the different phases of my life, and the different places I've been to are all mixed up. For example, I might dream that I'm at my primary school classroom, talking to my present colleagues, and then the teachers there are my secondary school teachers, that sort of dream that is all messed up, you get what I mean?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Crossroads of my life
i am at a point of my life when big decisions have to be made.
yeah, i might be going abroad to work.
earlier on, i had thought i would be going to study, but there has been many new developments recently.
not that i do not want to study anymore. i still look forward to the day when i will go do my postgraduate studies, preferably in the united kingdom, the states, or new zealand.
okay, i cannot reveal too much now, because things are not too certain yet.
it has been a very busy and stressful week, full of ups and downs, rather like a roller coaster ride.
i am sorry if i cannot reveal too much now. but a time will come when i will tell people who are interested to know, all that has happened. or maybe i will write a novel or play of my life. (haha as if anyone would be interested to know the details of my boring life!)
but anyhow, i am depending on God's grace to lead me through this period of my life. i have depended on Him in the past and i know He can be depended upon.
okay, a former piano student of mine commented on facebook that i am a 'reserved and politically correct person'. i guess that is true to some extent, i am a very careful and methodical person. but close friends of mine would know that there is more to me than that.
i guess i have been very 'reserved and politically correct' in this post too, since there are so many things i would not reveal. well, all i would say is, if you are my good friend, and the time is right, i might just tell you more some day.
and by the way, i am not typing in 'twit' language today, whatever that is, since kylie reminded me not to do so. in fact, i do not think i had even used a single contraction in my entire post.
but aiyah, even an engerish tr's blog posts no need to b so formal lah, u say rite or not?
yeah, i might be going abroad to work.
earlier on, i had thought i would be going to study, but there has been many new developments recently.
not that i do not want to study anymore. i still look forward to the day when i will go do my postgraduate studies, preferably in the united kingdom, the states, or new zealand.
okay, i cannot reveal too much now, because things are not too certain yet.
it has been a very busy and stressful week, full of ups and downs, rather like a roller coaster ride.
i am sorry if i cannot reveal too much now. but a time will come when i will tell people who are interested to know, all that has happened. or maybe i will write a novel or play of my life. (haha as if anyone would be interested to know the details of my boring life!)
but anyhow, i am depending on God's grace to lead me through this period of my life. i have depended on Him in the past and i know He can be depended upon.
okay, a former piano student of mine commented on facebook that i am a 'reserved and politically correct person'. i guess that is true to some extent, i am a very careful and methodical person. but close friends of mine would know that there is more to me than that.
i guess i have been very 'reserved and politically correct' in this post too, since there are so many things i would not reveal. well, all i would say is, if you are my good friend, and the time is right, i might just tell you more some day.
and by the way, i am not typing in 'twit' language today, whatever that is, since kylie reminded me not to do so. in fact, i do not think i had even used a single contraction in my entire post.
but aiyah, even an engerish tr's blog posts no need to b so formal lah, u say rite or not?
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
God will alleviate your pain
I've been viewing some blogs and i see a lot of 'emo-ness' around.
Here's a verse that might alleviate your pain:
'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'
from Philippians 4:6-7
The phrase 'transcends all understanding' means a lot to me. it means that the peace and security that God will grant you if only you would cast your cares upon Him in prayer will be beyond anything that you can ever imagine.
You must learn to trust God to take care of you, even though you can't see Him.
If you still don't grasp what i'm trying to tell you, let me tell you a story...
A boy was trapped on the second storey of his burning house. As the flames grew wilder and the thick smoke was all around him, he heard his father's voice from the ground.
"Son! Jump! Jump down! I am down here and I will catch you."
The boy, choking from the smoke, and his vision totally obscured by it, exclaimed:
"But...I can't jump, I really can't. I can't see you!"
The father, in a most reassuring and gentle voice:
"But I CAN."
That's what God promises you. He is able to carry you out from your trouble, but you have to take the first step in trusting Him.
Here's a verse that might alleviate your pain:
'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.'
from Philippians 4:6-7
The phrase 'transcends all understanding' means a lot to me. it means that the peace and security that God will grant you if only you would cast your cares upon Him in prayer will be beyond anything that you can ever imagine.
You must learn to trust God to take care of you, even though you can't see Him.
If you still don't grasp what i'm trying to tell you, let me tell you a story...
A boy was trapped on the second storey of his burning house. As the flames grew wilder and the thick smoke was all around him, he heard his father's voice from the ground.
"Son! Jump! Jump down! I am down here and I will catch you."
The boy, choking from the smoke, and his vision totally obscured by it, exclaimed:
"But...I can't jump, I really can't. I can't see you!"
The father, in a most reassuring and gentle voice:
"But I CAN."
That's what God promises you. He is able to carry you out from your trouble, but you have to take the first step in trusting Him.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
What singing you?
lovely song by candy lo & wang lee hom. lovely not just because of the attractive melody but because half of it is in a language i don't understand (cantonese), which makes it rather mysterious.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Lazy to blog!
Because I have no patience to type out a blog post, I shall conveniently copy an essay I wrote 3 years ago and plonk it here! (sec 3 & 4 students, it might give you some ideas on reflective essay writing)
My most memorable musical experience
My most memorable musical experience was in 1999, when I performed on stage for the first time. It was a students’ recital organized by my piano teacher and he wanted me to play a work for two pianos with a fellow student, Ching. I had known Ching for sometime already and we got along well because we had similar musical interests and we both loved J.S. Bach. It was not easy to find a Bach work for two pianos but our teacher suggested that we do his Trio Sonata in C in a version arranged for two pianos by Victor Babin.
Ching decided to do first piano and I, second. We examined the work away from the piano initially, and realized that the two parts are rather equal, with no one part subordinate to the other. The challenge of this piece lies in playing the notes articulately and cleanly, and blending the two parts into one harmonious whole. With that in mind, we began our rehearsals. At first, it was sometimes difficult keep up with each other, especially when we were too much engrossed in our own parts. But as the rehearsal went along, and as we knew our own parts better, we learnt to listen more to the other person as we played, thus seeing the logic of the whole piece better. I also learnt to project my playing more whenever I had the principal melody while to play softer and ‘act as accompaniment’ when Ching had the melody.
Finally, the big day came. We were performing at Victoria Concert Hall and staring out at the many rows of seats from the stage before the concert was rather daunting. How were we going to project ourselves and our music to the rows of audience out there? However, our teacher kindly advised us to just enjoy the music and be our usual selves.
The moments before going onto the stage to perform the piece was indeed nerve-wracking. Questions flooded my mind. “Will everything turn out alright?” “How will the audience respond to our playing?” As I pondered on these, I took a few deep breathes and calmed down by telling myself that I love music and if what I am about to do is what I enjoy, then why should I be nervous?
It is strange that at the moment when my fingers touched the keys, most of the nervousness that I had felt before disappeared and I thought only about the music. I realized that when you are totally focused on the music and desire to communicate through your playing, worries about the presence of the audience and what they think of you disappears.
As I played, what engaged me was projecting myself more than what I usually do because I was then playing in a big hall and my teacher had always reminded me that the playing must reach out to the person seated at the very last row. I was also paying attention to Ching’s playing, listening to how he shaped the phrases and trying to match them so that the playing sounds homogeneous. As I engaged more with the music and desired to share my love of the music with the audience, inhibitions were overcome and I began to enjoy playing the piece more.
I think what made this experience so memorable was that through it, I came to realize that the nature of performance is one where you have to engage with the audience and to communicate your ideas about the music. To do that, you must realize that you are doing something you love and desire to share this love with the audience. Easier said than done, although I always tell myself to abide by this philosophy, as I performed more in the following years, nervousness still creeps in from time to time. But during times like that, I will look back on this first performance on stage and remember that to perform with naturalness and confidence is to be fully engrossed in the music and to be focused on projecting the music to every member of the audience. Of course, I have to remember to ‘be my usual self and just enjoy the music’ too.
My most memorable musical experience
My most memorable musical experience was in 1999, when I performed on stage for the first time. It was a students’ recital organized by my piano teacher and he wanted me to play a work for two pianos with a fellow student, Ching. I had known Ching for sometime already and we got along well because we had similar musical interests and we both loved J.S. Bach. It was not easy to find a Bach work for two pianos but our teacher suggested that we do his Trio Sonata in C in a version arranged for two pianos by Victor Babin.
Ching decided to do first piano and I, second. We examined the work away from the piano initially, and realized that the two parts are rather equal, with no one part subordinate to the other. The challenge of this piece lies in playing the notes articulately and cleanly, and blending the two parts into one harmonious whole. With that in mind, we began our rehearsals. At first, it was sometimes difficult keep up with each other, especially when we were too much engrossed in our own parts. But as the rehearsal went along, and as we knew our own parts better, we learnt to listen more to the other person as we played, thus seeing the logic of the whole piece better. I also learnt to project my playing more whenever I had the principal melody while to play softer and ‘act as accompaniment’ when Ching had the melody.
Finally, the big day came. We were performing at Victoria Concert Hall and staring out at the many rows of seats from the stage before the concert was rather daunting. How were we going to project ourselves and our music to the rows of audience out there? However, our teacher kindly advised us to just enjoy the music and be our usual selves.
The moments before going onto the stage to perform the piece was indeed nerve-wracking. Questions flooded my mind. “Will everything turn out alright?” “How will the audience respond to our playing?” As I pondered on these, I took a few deep breathes and calmed down by telling myself that I love music and if what I am about to do is what I enjoy, then why should I be nervous?
It is strange that at the moment when my fingers touched the keys, most of the nervousness that I had felt before disappeared and I thought only about the music. I realized that when you are totally focused on the music and desire to communicate through your playing, worries about the presence of the audience and what they think of you disappears.
As I played, what engaged me was projecting myself more than what I usually do because I was then playing in a big hall and my teacher had always reminded me that the playing must reach out to the person seated at the very last row. I was also paying attention to Ching’s playing, listening to how he shaped the phrases and trying to match them so that the playing sounds homogeneous. As I engaged more with the music and desired to share my love of the music with the audience, inhibitions were overcome and I began to enjoy playing the piece more.
I think what made this experience so memorable was that through it, I came to realize that the nature of performance is one where you have to engage with the audience and to communicate your ideas about the music. To do that, you must realize that you are doing something you love and desire to share this love with the audience. Easier said than done, although I always tell myself to abide by this philosophy, as I performed more in the following years, nervousness still creeps in from time to time. But during times like that, I will look back on this first performance on stage and remember that to perform with naturalness and confidence is to be fully engrossed in the music and to be focused on projecting the music to every member of the audience. Of course, I have to remember to ‘be my usual self and just enjoy the music’ too.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Recommended Books
Dear students, as promised, here's the list of recommended classics for you to read during the June break. Happy reading!
1. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
This is a story about genetic engineering, but the amazing thing is it's written in 1932! It tells of a dystopic world where permanance and deep relationships are things of the past. You will like this if you've read 1984 by George Orwell.
2. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
When the protagonist meets a strange woman dressed all in white on the lonely road at night, he becomes embroiled in a tale of deceit, suspense, romance and murder. This sensational novel is totally unputdownable.
3. The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins
Another classic by Wilkie Collins. This is a classic detective story involving the loss and recovery of a gem. You will be guessing at the identity of the master thief till the very end.
4. Strange Case of Jekyll and Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson
A famous (and very short) story about the duality of human nature.
5. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
This famous horror classic about man trying to play God and the need for love and companionship needs no intoduction.
6. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
Another gothic tale about a narcissistic man who sells his soul to a beautiful portrait of himself so he can remain charming and young forever.
7. Tess of the D'urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
Some people find Thomas Hardy long-winded and whiney. But his lovely descriptions of nature and the countryside is second to none. This is a moving (and very sad 'aka EMO') story about how our protagonist Tess is tossed about by fate in her family and love life.
8. Any book by P.G. Wodehouse!
I'll heartily recommend any book by Wodehouse, especially the 'Jeeves and Wooster' series. He is, in my opinion, the funniest writer ever.
Happy reading!
1. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
This is a story about genetic engineering, but the amazing thing is it's written in 1932! It tells of a dystopic world where permanance and deep relationships are things of the past. You will like this if you've read 1984 by George Orwell.
2. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
When the protagonist meets a strange woman dressed all in white on the lonely road at night, he becomes embroiled in a tale of deceit, suspense, romance and murder. This sensational novel is totally unputdownable.
3. The Moonstone - Wilkie Collins
Another classic by Wilkie Collins. This is a classic detective story involving the loss and recovery of a gem. You will be guessing at the identity of the master thief till the very end.
4. Strange Case of Jekyll and Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson
A famous (and very short) story about the duality of human nature.
5. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
This famous horror classic about man trying to play God and the need for love and companionship needs no intoduction.
6. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde
Another gothic tale about a narcissistic man who sells his soul to a beautiful portrait of himself so he can remain charming and young forever.
7. Tess of the D'urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
Some people find Thomas Hardy long-winded and whiney. But his lovely descriptions of nature and the countryside is second to none. This is a moving (and very sad 'aka EMO') story about how our protagonist Tess is tossed about by fate in her family and love life.
8. Any book by P.G. Wodehouse!
I'll heartily recommend any book by Wodehouse, especially the 'Jeeves and Wooster' series. He is, in my opinion, the funniest writer ever.
Happy reading!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
patience, jack, Patience!
I'm typing this while eating my dinner (hope I don't make any typos!), the reason being that I have no patience to blog. I have great patience for many things but updating my blog just happens to be something I have absolutely no patience for. The process is so tiresome.
Anyway, the dinner today was cooked by my Dad. Cooking happens to be something I have no patience for either. Sweeping, mopping, washing dishes, washing clothes, folding clothes, wiping windows...I don't mind doing. But cooking and ironing are no-nos. So either my wife or maid will have to do it next time. Haha, but I will do all the other household chores listed above, so all's fair and square. I'm no MCP okay.
Today I was at the Esplanade library and from the glass windows facing Marina Bay, you could see a magnificent storm brewing. So I went up to the rooftop terrace, bore the rain and took this rather threatening-looking picture.
On another note, I recently discovered in my CD collection this lovely Adagio by Mozart. It sounds very innocuous and simple but at the same time a little sad. It's the feeling you get when your good friend is going away and you sit by the window, gazing at the falling leaves and the darkening sky, realizing that you won't be able to see her and talk to her again. That sort of quiet melancholy.
Anyway, the dinner today was cooked by my Dad. Cooking happens to be something I have no patience for either. Sweeping, mopping, washing dishes, washing clothes, folding clothes, wiping windows...I don't mind doing. But cooking and ironing are no-nos. So either my wife or maid will have to do it next time. Haha, but I will do all the other household chores listed above, so all's fair and square. I'm no MCP okay.
Today I was at the Esplanade library and from the glass windows facing Marina Bay, you could see a magnificent storm brewing. So I went up to the rooftop terrace, bore the rain and took this rather threatening-looking picture.
On another note, I recently discovered in my CD collection this lovely Adagio by Mozart. It sounds very innocuous and simple but at the same time a little sad. It's the feeling you get when your good friend is going away and you sit by the window, gazing at the falling leaves and the darkening sky, realizing that you won't be able to see her and talk to her again. That sort of quiet melancholy.
It was also in the French movie called Turning Pages I watched a few years back. In it, there's this girl who'd just flunked her major piano audition, and as she walked out of the music room, knowing that her dream of becoming a pianist was dashed forever, this music was played. Really appropriate.
I managed to find it on youtube. Listen to it and see if you get the same feeling. (I don't really like this version though. The pianist doesn't shape off his phrases nicely.)
I managed to find it on youtube. Listen to it and see if you get the same feeling. (I don't really like this version though. The pianist doesn't shape off his phrases nicely.)
Monday, May 26, 2008
10 things you didn't know about me
Some people have complained that my blog is quite boring and that I'm quite elusive. So today, for the first and only time, I shall list 10 things I bet you didn't know about me.
1. My mother is Taiwanese.
2. Harmonies in music can make me cry easily.
3. I'm afraid of spiders but I think lizards are cute.
4. I had a Snoopy toy which I carried everywhere when I was small.
5. One of my childhood ambitions was to become a bus driver. I love to ferry people.
6. My father used to teach at ACJC.
7. I gave away a penalty for handball the first time I played soccer back in Sec 1. That was also the last time I played soccer.
8. Mrs Chitra was my form teacher at Chinese High in Sec 4.
9. I used to be a piano teacher. (I taught beginners to DipABRSM levels)
10. I used to work part time at HMV (Classical & Jazz) during my university days.
1. My mother is Taiwanese.
2. Harmonies in music can make me cry easily.
3. I'm afraid of spiders but I think lizards are cute.
4. I had a Snoopy toy which I carried everywhere when I was small.
5. One of my childhood ambitions was to become a bus driver. I love to ferry people.
6. My father used to teach at ACJC.
7. I gave away a penalty for handball the first time I played soccer back in Sec 1. That was also the last time I played soccer.
8. Mrs Chitra was my form teacher at Chinese High in Sec 4.
9. I used to be a piano teacher. (I taught beginners to DipABRSM levels)
10. I used to work part time at HMV (Classical & Jazz) during my university days.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
irreconcilable differences
The twilight turns from amethyst
To deep and deeper blue,
The lamp fills with a pale green glow
The trees of the avenue.
The old piano plays an air,
Sedate and slow and gay;
She bends upon the yellow keys,
Her head inclines this way.
Shy thoughts and grave wide eyes and hands
That wander as they list--
The twilight turns to darker blue
With lights of amethyst
The images don't seem to go with the words. But isn't life often like that? ~sigh~ :/
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Here comes the Bride!
Joanne (my JC classmate)'s wedding @ Wesley Methodist Church today.
Joanne's Dad walking her down the aisle to give her away to the groom. They were walking mighty slowly. It took about 4 verses of Amazing Grace for them to complete the walk.
The wedding service was short and sweet.
And very Christ-centred. Immediately after the exchange of vows, the Reverend told them that the first thing they should do as a wedded couple was to kneel in prayer to the Lord.
Then later there was this moving bit in Joanne's speech where she thanked her Dad for always being so encouraging. Her voice was trembling as she recalled the incident after her PSLE when she felt she didn't do well and called her Dad, in tears. Then her Dad spoke kindly to her and told her it didn't matter. And how her Dad never compared her with other children.
That made me think about how stressful a lot of school children are with all the expectations from parents, some of which are overly high. I think though academic scores are important, especially in a meritocratic society like ours, whether or not you eventually succeed in life, or whether or not your life has quality depends not merely on your grades but also on other factors like strength of character, perseverance and luck. Personally I think faith in religion is very important too. That's why Joanne's Dad did the right thing in not comparing her with other children and not fussing over her grades.
I think school children today are lucky, especially IP students, because they don't need to go through the burden of the O Levels, and can thus spend time on enrichment stuff. Similarly, project work and daily classroom assignments count towards the final score, so that the final paper doesn't seem that 'all important' and stressful.
Anyway, congratulations Joanne on being the first person in our class to get married! Will always remember the lame jokes we shared whenever we sat together during lectures and how you recommended 'Jane Eyre' to me though you were not a literature student. All the best on your married life to Andre!
Photos!
Joanne's Dad walking her down the aisle to give her away to the groom. They were walking mighty slowly. It took about 4 verses of Amazing Grace for them to complete the walk.
A badly taken photo - all blurry and fuzzy (because the photographer was me)
From L to R: Jasmine, Lynn, Andre, Joanne, Me, Liwei and Stan
This one came out better (because the photographer wasn't me)
The wedding service was short and sweet.
And very Christ-centred. Immediately after the exchange of vows, the Reverend told them that the first thing they should do as a wedded couple was to kneel in prayer to the Lord.
Then later there was this moving bit in Joanne's speech where she thanked her Dad for always being so encouraging. Her voice was trembling as she recalled the incident after her PSLE when she felt she didn't do well and called her Dad, in tears. Then her Dad spoke kindly to her and told her it didn't matter. And how her Dad never compared her with other children.
That made me think about how stressful a lot of school children are with all the expectations from parents, some of which are overly high. I think though academic scores are important, especially in a meritocratic society like ours, whether or not you eventually succeed in life, or whether or not your life has quality depends not merely on your grades but also on other factors like strength of character, perseverance and luck. Personally I think faith in religion is very important too. That's why Joanne's Dad did the right thing in not comparing her with other children and not fussing over her grades.
I think school children today are lucky, especially IP students, because they don't need to go through the burden of the O Levels, and can thus spend time on enrichment stuff. Similarly, project work and daily classroom assignments count towards the final score, so that the final paper doesn't seem that 'all important' and stressful.
Anyway, congratulations Joanne on being the first person in our class to get married! Will always remember the lame jokes we shared whenever we sat together during lectures and how you recommended 'Jane Eyre' to me though you were not a literature student. All the best on your married life to Andre!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Tick, tick....boom!
My mum bought this cheap and ugly looking wind-up clock from malaysia which plays a very metallic and brittle sounding version of some lullaby when wound up.
Just now, in her over-enthusiasm, she wound up the thing thrice instead of twice, and so, that cheesy lullaby tune blared out more metallic and brittle than usual and then the silly thing whirled around unsteadily and finally exploded, throwing its glass panels in all directions. Kaput. Finita. Mati.
We were saying yi1 fen1 qian2 yi1 fen 1 huo4
(I realize I've composed 2 very long sentences)
Goodbye.
Just now, in her over-enthusiasm, she wound up the thing thrice instead of twice, and so, that cheesy lullaby tune blared out more metallic and brittle than usual and then the silly thing whirled around unsteadily and finally exploded, throwing its glass panels in all directions. Kaput. Finita. Mati.
We were saying yi1 fen1 qian2 yi1 fen 1 huo4
(I realize I've composed 2 very long sentences)
Goodbye.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Guzheng Concert
Guzheng Concert yesterday.
I was manning the ticketing counter and some people were coming at 340pm though the matinee began at 3pm.
I saw some students who looked very different from how they look like in school uniform. There was this girl in gothic costume.
Then in the evening, I was 'coerced' by some of my ex-students to buy bubble tea, and I decided to be nice and support them (and the choir). For the record, I've never ever bought bubble tea out of my own free will. I mean, I don't mind the tea itself, but I can't stand those rubbery 'agar agar-like' pearls.
Yeah, all things jelly and gummy are no-no for me. I can never make myself love the flimsy texture of those bubble tea pearls. Furthermore, you'd be sipping happily at your tea, and then those irritating pearls will every now and then shoot up your straw into your mouth, and you'll almost choke!
Then after the concert, the performers' friends all rushed up the stage to present them with flowers, balloons and other gifts. I think this part is very important for them because girls like receiving such 'nice girlie things'. Anyway, we've even allocated 10 minutes specifically for this purpose in our concert itinerary.
I can't remember what my friends gave me after my string ensemble concerts when I was in school. Probably they didn't at all. I guess boys don't go for such things. As long as their friends buy tickets and come, that's good enough already.
Boys are such boring and unsentimental creatures!
Anyway, the concert yesterday was great.
I managed to slip in and caught a few of the pieces. I think I'm beginning to appreciate Chinese music more.
I've always thought that Western classical music is more subtle, has more interesting harmony and dynamic/expressive variety while Chinese music is more celebratory and 'in-your-face' but I guess those are prejudices.
I shall just keep to my old maxim that anything with good melody is good music!
I was manning the ticketing counter and some people were coming at 340pm though the matinee began at 3pm.
I saw some students who looked very different from how they look like in school uniform. There was this girl in gothic costume.
Then in the evening, I was 'coerced' by some of my ex-students to buy bubble tea, and I decided to be nice and support them (and the choir). For the record, I've never ever bought bubble tea out of my own free will. I mean, I don't mind the tea itself, but I can't stand those rubbery 'agar agar-like' pearls.
Yeah, all things jelly and gummy are no-no for me. I can never make myself love the flimsy texture of those bubble tea pearls. Furthermore, you'd be sipping happily at your tea, and then those irritating pearls will every now and then shoot up your straw into your mouth, and you'll almost choke!
Then after the concert, the performers' friends all rushed up the stage to present them with flowers, balloons and other gifts. I think this part is very important for them because girls like receiving such 'nice girlie things'. Anyway, we've even allocated 10 minutes specifically for this purpose in our concert itinerary.
I can't remember what my friends gave me after my string ensemble concerts when I was in school. Probably they didn't at all. I guess boys don't go for such things. As long as their friends buy tickets and come, that's good enough already.
Boys are such boring and unsentimental creatures!
Anyway, the concert yesterday was great.
I managed to slip in and caught a few of the pieces. I think I'm beginning to appreciate Chinese music more.
I've always thought that Western classical music is more subtle, has more interesting harmony and dynamic/expressive variety while Chinese music is more celebratory and 'in-your-face' but I guess those are prejudices.
I shall just keep to my old maxim that anything with good melody is good music!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Abortion
Today I sat in a class discussion on abortion.
Two thoughts came to my mind -
1) Legalizing abortion will deter illegal or black market abortion (perhaps even by unqualified practitioners), which poses a health risk to the women involved. However, legalizing abortion does not mean that it becomes morally right. Legalizing betting will not stop some religious groups and individuals from resisting it.
2) Does the unborn foetus have any say regarding abortion? Do we accord the foetus any rights? When do we consider the foetus an individual? When its heart is formed? When its features are formed?
Two thoughts came to my mind -
1) Legalizing abortion will deter illegal or black market abortion (perhaps even by unqualified practitioners), which poses a health risk to the women involved. However, legalizing abortion does not mean that it becomes morally right. Legalizing betting will not stop some religious groups and individuals from resisting it.
2) Does the unborn foetus have any say regarding abortion? Do we accord the foetus any rights? When do we consider the foetus an individual? When its heart is formed? When its features are formed?
Friday, April 4, 2008
Untitled
The Uncertainty of the Poet (from the Sec 3 Poetry Lecture)
I am a poet.
I am very fond of bananas.
I am bananas.
I am very fond of a poet.
I am a poet of bananas.
I am very fond.
A fond poet of 'I am, I am'-
Very bananas.
Fond of 'Am I bananas?
Am I?'-a very poet.
Bananas of a poet!
Am I fond? Am I very?
Poet bananas! I am.
I am fond of a 'very.'
I am of very fond bananas.
Am I a poet?
Wendy Cope
Yummy!
Oink oink tinkle tinkle (onomatopoeia)
************
3rd April 2008. 7pm. I discovered my first white hair
I am a poet.
I am very fond of bananas.
I am bananas.
I am very fond of a poet.
I am a poet of bananas.
I am very fond.
A fond poet of 'I am, I am'-
Very bananas.
Fond of 'Am I bananas?
Am I?'-a very poet.
Bananas of a poet!
Am I fond? Am I very?
Poet bananas! I am.
I am fond of a 'very.'
I am of very fond bananas.
Am I a poet?
Wendy Cope
Yummy!
Oink oink tinkle tinkle (onomatopoeia)
************
3rd April 2008. 7pm. I discovered my first white hair
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
90th post, and it's Mozart again!
You shall pardon me for gushing about Mozart here again x0 What you will listen to below is from his Jeunehomme Concerto, written when he was 21. It's a real miracle, given its boundless energy and never-ending vitality. One thing so remarkable about Mozart is that he's able to come up with music of such optimism even during times of sadness. Not that he was experiencing any disaster when he composed this concerto, but if you listen to his later works, (Concerti 23-27, the Jupiter Symphony), you can hardly believe that he was in debt and dying as he composed some of those cheerful works. However, to a discerning listener, he will discover some tears behind the smiles in some of these works.
Anyway, to me, Mozart is the purest musical voice ever. His music is touched by God because it flows so naturally and unaffectedly. There is no pretence in him at all and he has maintained a childlikness throughout his tragically short life. To play his music well, you must get rid of every bit of ego in you and just let the music speak naturally, without imposing your idiosyncrasies on the work. The piece you are about to hear contains a middle section where the restless music comes to an abrupt halt, the tempo slows considerably and we get a rather quaint minuet which to me is infinitely beautiful - you feel as if time has come to a halt and suddenly, you begin to notice all the beautiful things around you that you've failed to notice when the pace of life gets too fast.
Okay, enough blabbing. On with the music!
Anyway, to me, Mozart is the purest musical voice ever. His music is touched by God because it flows so naturally and unaffectedly. There is no pretence in him at all and he has maintained a childlikness throughout his tragically short life. To play his music well, you must get rid of every bit of ego in you and just let the music speak naturally, without imposing your idiosyncrasies on the work. The piece you are about to hear contains a middle section where the restless music comes to an abrupt halt, the tempo slows considerably and we get a rather quaint minuet which to me is infinitely beautiful - you feel as if time has come to a halt and suddenly, you begin to notice all the beautiful things around you that you've failed to notice when the pace of life gets too fast.
Okay, enough blabbing. On with the music!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Ode to the greek god statues at the National Museum
Hail, statues of Greek gods,
how far you have journeyed to our humid abode.
You'd better take care of your naked marbled bodies,
and mind you don't catch a cold.
In the dark recesses of our national museum,
your light shines forth.
Four out of five visitors come for you,
bypassing the relics of Farquhar and Sang Nila Utama.
One of them sighs at your high cheekbones,
praying she will find one in real life at least half Greek and a quarter God.
Another rubs his flat nose,
"It can never be as high as those," and into his hanky he blew his nose.
how far you have journeyed to our humid abode.
You'd better take care of your naked marbled bodies,
and mind you don't catch a cold.
In the dark recesses of our national museum,
your light shines forth.
Four out of five visitors come for you,
bypassing the relics of Farquhar and Sang Nila Utama.
One of them sighs at your high cheekbones,
praying she will find one in real life at least half Greek and a quarter God.
Another rubs his flat nose,
"It can never be as high as those," and into his hanky he blew his nose.
Posing with Keat's Ode on a Grecian urn
We have our Socratic seminars because of this guy
Head of a veiled woman. She looks sad.
The goddess Athena
Eros, the little god of love
I can't remember what this is, but it looks nice and orderly
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Beethoven is...
Beethoven is....
...simple and childlike (Fur Elise)
...so full of worship and goodness (Ode to Joy)
...stormy and full of anger (Symphony No. 5)
...full of manic energy (Symphony No. 7)
...so mysterious and reflective (Moonlight Sonata)
...so melodious and full of sweetness (Spring sonata)
...playful and cheeky (Turkish March)
...oh so romantic! (Romance in F)
How all-encompassing he is! His music embraces all the emotions of the universe.
...simple and childlike (Fur Elise)
...so full of worship and goodness (Ode to Joy)
...stormy and full of anger (Symphony No. 5)
...full of manic energy (Symphony No. 7)
...so mysterious and reflective (Moonlight Sonata)
...so melodious and full of sweetness (Spring sonata)
...playful and cheeky (Turkish March)
...oh so romantic! (Romance in F)
How all-encompassing he is! His music embraces all the emotions of the universe.
Monday, March 10, 2008
This House believes...
i watched the telecast of 'the arena' on tv just now
one of the boys actually rolled his eyes (on national tv!) when his opponent said something he disagreed with
the judges were seated on this elevated platform and the debators had to look up to behold them when they delivered their verdict
gaurav keerthi is a good adjudicator because he gives a fair and balanced verdict with practical advice for the debators. he is also very calm and articulate
one of the boys actually rolled his eyes (on national tv!) when his opponent said something he disagreed with
the judges were seated on this elevated platform and the debators had to look up to behold them when they delivered their verdict
gaurav keerthi is a good adjudicator because he gives a fair and balanced verdict with practical advice for the debators. he is also very calm and articulate
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
My big fat pretentious rap
Yo girl why so bored?
There's more to life you know?
Yo girl why so bored?
Your life's what you make of it.
Yo girl why so stone?
You can't forever sit there alone.
Yo girl why so glum?
It's time to get up from the slump.
There're many things you can do,
to make your life more full.
Ways of thinking you should change,
to give your life more range.
Start by smiling more,
accept others who are different,
listen to others more,
don't always insist on your way.
Respect your elders,
though you don't know why they always scold,
but they care a lot, you know?
Don't befriend someone just because they can help you,
but befriend them because you want to help them.
Yo girl why so bored?
There's more to life you know?
There're many things you can do,
to make your life more full.
Love someone not to feel good,
but love that someone because your heart tells you so.
Your life might not always be filled with rainbows,
shooting stars do not come by every day.
But the gentle morning breeze,
the warm sun on your skin,
the happy voices of playing children in the evening,
mother's simple but familiar dinner,
father's encouraging smile,
and your best friend's friendly squeeze of your hand,
are simple things to be happy about.
Yo girl why so bored?
There's more to life you know?
There're many things you can do,
to make your life more full.
PS I will give you 50 bucks if you can fill in the music for me.
Disclaimer: I know nothing about raps, except that you stick out your index and baby finger and go 'yo yo yo'.
There's more to life you know?
Yo girl why so bored?
Your life's what you make of it.
Yo girl why so stone?
You can't forever sit there alone.
Yo girl why so glum?
It's time to get up from the slump.
There're many things you can do,
to make your life more full.
Ways of thinking you should change,
to give your life more range.
Start by smiling more,
accept others who are different,
listen to others more,
don't always insist on your way.
Respect your elders,
though you don't know why they always scold,
but they care a lot, you know?
Don't befriend someone just because they can help you,
but befriend them because you want to help them.
Yo girl why so bored?
There's more to life you know?
There're many things you can do,
to make your life more full.
Love someone not to feel good,
but love that someone because your heart tells you so.
Your life might not always be filled with rainbows,
shooting stars do not come by every day.
But the gentle morning breeze,
the warm sun on your skin,
the happy voices of playing children in the evening,
mother's simple but familiar dinner,
father's encouraging smile,
and your best friend's friendly squeeze of your hand,
are simple things to be happy about.
Yo girl why so bored?
There's more to life you know?
There're many things you can do,
to make your life more full.
PS I will give you 50 bucks if you can fill in the music for me.
Disclaimer: I know nothing about raps, except that you stick out your index and baby finger and go 'yo yo yo'.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Inspired
Yesterday I was at Amazing Grace Presbyterian Church at Upper East Coast for the Good Friday Choir Rehearsal and the choir pianist was my piano teacher. After hearing her, I'm now quite inspired to practise the piano.
Schumann's Carnaval, here I come!
Schumann's Carnaval, here I come!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Paper cuts
I've been getting some strange cuts on my hands recently.
Last Sunday I was pulling out this file from a cabinet in church and the sharp edge sliced my left palm. Okay, the word 'sliced' makes it sound quite horrific as if blood spluttered in all directions but actually, it's only a 1cm cut and not too deep.
Then on Thursday, I was helping a colleague open her newly-bought IT gadget (can't remember if it's a thumbdrive, laser pointer or something like that), which was so securely sealed that you have to make cuts in all sorts of directions before you could pull the thing out. After that, I discovered a small cut on the left hand of my baby finger, opps...I mean the baby finger of my left hand.
Then, this afternoon, I discovered another cut at one of the joints on the back of my right baby finger. I don't know how I got that cut, but it must have been there for some time, because there was dried blood around it on the wrinkly skin around the joint, forming a web-like pattern of brown. Must have cut it somewhere this morning.
Why am I writing this boring account of the misadventures of my hand?
Anyway, on my last lesson with 301 on Thursday, the Language Arts rep gave a tiny impromptu 'tribute' to me on behalf of the class. Anyway, the gist of her speech was thanking me for giving them worksheets :) They are a very responsive class who are always on task.
I'm sorry to those of you whose links on my blog have disappeared. The cyber bogeyman invaded my site and swallowed them! Haha.
Last Sunday I was pulling out this file from a cabinet in church and the sharp edge sliced my left palm. Okay, the word 'sliced' makes it sound quite horrific as if blood spluttered in all directions but actually, it's only a 1cm cut and not too deep.
Then on Thursday, I was helping a colleague open her newly-bought IT gadget (can't remember if it's a thumbdrive, laser pointer or something like that), which was so securely sealed that you have to make cuts in all sorts of directions before you could pull the thing out. After that, I discovered a small cut on the left hand of my baby finger, opps...I mean the baby finger of my left hand.
Then, this afternoon, I discovered another cut at one of the joints on the back of my right baby finger. I don't know how I got that cut, but it must have been there for some time, because there was dried blood around it on the wrinkly skin around the joint, forming a web-like pattern of brown. Must have cut it somewhere this morning.
Why am I writing this boring account of the misadventures of my hand?
Anyway, on my last lesson with 301 on Thursday, the Language Arts rep gave a tiny impromptu 'tribute' to me on behalf of the class. Anyway, the gist of her speech was thanking me for giving them worksheets :) They are a very responsive class who are always on task.
I'm sorry to those of you whose links on my blog have disappeared. The cyber bogeyman invaded my site and swallowed them! Haha.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
To Live
Here's a quick one before I go to sleep.
Today, we watched the 2nd part of 'To Live' during the joint lecture. There was this poignant bit where the boy (Youqing)'s parents packed a tin of dumplings for him and sent him to school though he's so tired. In school, he was killed when the district chief's car knocked down the wall while he was asleep on the other side. At his grave, his grieving mother opened the pack of uneaten dumplings (still perfect albeit a little brown) plus another bowl of freshly cooked ones and implored her dead son to eat, and thereafter to have a good sleep, because he had never had a good night's sleep when he was alive. It was at this point when I noticed many of the students brushing tears from their eyes. It was indeed a moving scene, the quiet melancholy very tastefully done without histrionics.
Then, another scene of note happened towards the end of the film, where Fengxia (the protagonists' daughter) was giving birth in a hospital run by ridiculously young doctors, who reigned supreme because of their socialistic fervour rather than medical expertise. Worried, Fengxia's family brought in an aged professor of obstetrics, who had been labelled as a 'reactionary' and jailed, to see to Fengxia's delivery. The family then made a tragic error by buying 7 buns for the straving professor, and to add fuel to the fire, pumped him with water after he's eaten the buns (they later said 7 buns become 49 (7x7) with the water). Thus, when Fengxia suffered serious internal bleeding after giving birth, the hapless young doctors could do nothing while the professor was totally bloated and knocked out. We were all panicky as we watched the family running to and fro, between the gasping Fengxia (who's dying from loss of blood) and the similarly gasping professor (who's 'dying' of overeating). It's really a tragicomic moment. It's funny because the situation's so absurd. The professor who could save Fengxia having gorged himself with numerous buns because he was starving as a result of persecution by the young doctors who were too useless to help Fengxia. Tragic because we see a life - a new mother that is - ebbing away and no one could do anything. It's a moment where you don't know whether to laugh or to cry because you realize the whole situation's so ridiculous, and it's the most memorable bit for me in the film.
Today, we watched the 2nd part of 'To Live' during the joint lecture. There was this poignant bit where the boy (Youqing)'s parents packed a tin of dumplings for him and sent him to school though he's so tired. In school, he was killed when the district chief's car knocked down the wall while he was asleep on the other side. At his grave, his grieving mother opened the pack of uneaten dumplings (still perfect albeit a little brown) plus another bowl of freshly cooked ones and implored her dead son to eat, and thereafter to have a good sleep, because he had never had a good night's sleep when he was alive. It was at this point when I noticed many of the students brushing tears from their eyes. It was indeed a moving scene, the quiet melancholy very tastefully done without histrionics.
Then, another scene of note happened towards the end of the film, where Fengxia (the protagonists' daughter) was giving birth in a hospital run by ridiculously young doctors, who reigned supreme because of their socialistic fervour rather than medical expertise. Worried, Fengxia's family brought in an aged professor of obstetrics, who had been labelled as a 'reactionary' and jailed, to see to Fengxia's delivery. The family then made a tragic error by buying 7 buns for the straving professor, and to add fuel to the fire, pumped him with water after he's eaten the buns (they later said 7 buns become 49 (7x7) with the water). Thus, when Fengxia suffered serious internal bleeding after giving birth, the hapless young doctors could do nothing while the professor was totally bloated and knocked out. We were all panicky as we watched the family running to and fro, between the gasping Fengxia (who's dying from loss of blood) and the similarly gasping professor (who's 'dying' of overeating). It's really a tragicomic moment. It's funny because the situation's so absurd. The professor who could save Fengxia having gorged himself with numerous buns because he was starving as a result of persecution by the young doctors who were too useless to help Fengxia. Tragic because we see a life - a new mother that is - ebbing away and no one could do anything. It's a moment where you don't know whether to laugh or to cry because you realize the whole situation's so ridiculous, and it's the most memorable bit for me in the film.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
The well documented painter
Today I bought 2 inner painting snuff bottles from this cny fair.
They are small bottles with paintings inside them, where the painter has to insert a small calligraphy-like brush through the small neck and make those fine drawings.
This painter had a whole series of certficates and newspaper cuttings of himself pasted all over his store, and he showed me a photo he took with Goh Chok Tong and a listing of himself in some 'Who's who in Chinese Art' book. He was very eager to show how famous he is with all these documents.
Anyway, I picked a snuff bottle with cat pictures, and he said he could write my name in the bottle on the spot. Well, I certainly was thrilled, so I wrote my Chinese name for him. Then, being kiasu, I asked him (half thinking he might charge me extra) to write my English name too, which he gladly obliged.
Seeing how nice and obliging he was, I picked another bottle with crane pictures, and asked him to write my Dad's name. He wrote using this super thin calligraphy brush with the help of a magnifying class.
Then, the cheapo part of me kicked in and I asked him if there's a discount since I'm buying two. He seemed very scandalized (but he didn't lose his cool) and he said how can a master artist like him give a discount (yes, he actually called himself da4 shi1).
Okay, guess I should have just kept quiet and pay up for the pieces of art with gratitude and awe. (But anyway, the bottles were not too expensive lah, he had a huge range and I got the lower end ones)
Then, as I was leaving, I asked him if he resides in Singapore. He said he lives in America, and being the document lover that he was, he immediately pulled out his green card to show me as proof :) What a funny chap, but he really has great skill and patience to do such drawings.
PS. There's this strange anonymous person that's tagging a lot on my CBOX. I wonder who s/he is...
They are small bottles with paintings inside them, where the painter has to insert a small calligraphy-like brush through the small neck and make those fine drawings.
This painter had a whole series of certficates and newspaper cuttings of himself pasted all over his store, and he showed me a photo he took with Goh Chok Tong and a listing of himself in some 'Who's who in Chinese Art' book. He was very eager to show how famous he is with all these documents.
Anyway, I picked a snuff bottle with cat pictures, and he said he could write my name in the bottle on the spot. Well, I certainly was thrilled, so I wrote my Chinese name for him. Then, being kiasu, I asked him (half thinking he might charge me extra) to write my English name too, which he gladly obliged.
Seeing how nice and obliging he was, I picked another bottle with crane pictures, and asked him to write my Dad's name. He wrote using this super thin calligraphy brush with the help of a magnifying class.
Then, the cheapo part of me kicked in and I asked him if there's a discount since I'm buying two. He seemed very scandalized (but he didn't lose his cool) and he said how can a master artist like him give a discount (yes, he actually called himself da4 shi1).
Okay, guess I should have just kept quiet and pay up for the pieces of art with gratitude and awe. (But anyway, the bottles were not too expensive lah, he had a huge range and I got the lower end ones)
Then, as I was leaving, I asked him if he resides in Singapore. He said he lives in America, and being the document lover that he was, he immediately pulled out his green card to show me as proof :) What a funny chap, but he really has great skill and patience to do such drawings.
PS. There's this strange anonymous person that's tagging a lot on my CBOX. I wonder who s/he is...
Friday, February 8, 2008
I love The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera main theme
Angel of Music
Think of me (Christine's big break. Lovely coloratura at the end)
All I ask of you (An incredibly lovely song. When Christine (Emmy Rossum) sings, time seems to stand still)
Masquerade (The people celebrate joyfully, unawares of the massive catastrophe that is to follow)
Music of the Night
Will Ferrell's version of Music of the Night (he is such a nutcase and a comic genius!)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
CNY and 'music therapy'
Okay, first things first.
I shall proudly declare to the world that THIS IS MY 80TH POST! Ok. 'Nuff said.
At the CNY concert in school today, the Chinese dancers did a good enactment of peacocks (or rather, peahens!). My colleagues and I were reminded of the ‘arch of the back’ of the woman in Maya Angelou’s poem. Something only a woman can carry off.
Just done with spring cleaning. I was assigned all the doors of my home to wipe. As I did the work, I played Beethoven's 1st piano concerto on the stereo. Great, invigorating music to go along with the grueling work. It really kept the spirits (and my arms) up and going. I've always found music touching at various points of my life. I remember the warmth I felt listening to the brass instruments while playing for the first time in a combined orchestra during a music camp in JC. I remember always listening to Bach's Bradenburg Concertos to cure my headache when I was young(er). I remember feeling very emo(tional) one day years ago, and as I played Chopin's A flat etude on the piano, tears just kept streaming down my cheeks because the harmonies were just so lovely....the list goes on.
BTW, now that I'm done with the spring cleaning, I've changed the disc on the stereo to Chinese oldies by Feng Fei Fei (this Taiwanese singer who always dons a cap on stage. and her name means 'Phoenix Fly Fly' in English btw) to please my parents. One should not blast symphonic music at your elders all day.
Happy CNY to all. May you all have a good rest from the hard work and go back to school/work refreshed next week!
I shall proudly declare to the world that THIS IS MY 80TH POST! Ok. 'Nuff said.
At the CNY concert in school today, the Chinese dancers did a good enactment of peacocks (or rather, peahens!). My colleagues and I were reminded of the ‘arch of the back’ of the woman in Maya Angelou’s poem. Something only a woman can carry off.
Just done with spring cleaning. I was assigned all the doors of my home to wipe. As I did the work, I played Beethoven's 1st piano concerto on the stereo. Great, invigorating music to go along with the grueling work. It really kept the spirits (and my arms) up and going. I've always found music touching at various points of my life. I remember the warmth I felt listening to the brass instruments while playing for the first time in a combined orchestra during a music camp in JC. I remember always listening to Bach's Bradenburg Concertos to cure my headache when I was young(er). I remember feeling very emo(tional) one day years ago, and as I played Chopin's A flat etude on the piano, tears just kept streaming down my cheeks because the harmonies were just so lovely....the list goes on.
BTW, now that I'm done with the spring cleaning, I've changed the disc on the stereo to Chinese oldies by Feng Fei Fei (this Taiwanese singer who always dons a cap on stage. and her name means 'Phoenix Fly Fly' in English btw) to please my parents. One should not blast symphonic music at your elders all day.
Happy CNY to all. May you all have a good rest from the hard work and go back to school/work refreshed next week!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Ultimate Mother Tongue Regression
This morning, I was writing a note to my mum and I realized I've forgotten how to write 'fridge' in Chinese!
I was trying to write the words 'bing1 xiang1' and I had to look up the Chinese dictionary for the 'xiang'.
That's how much my Chinese has regressed!
I remember vividly my final Chinese lesson in Sec 4. Our teacher was giving us a pep talk on scoring well for the O Levels and she said if we passed our Chinese, she would be our 'mo4 dai4' (final) Chinese teacher.
Well, I did pass and so that was the last time I'd ever attended a Chinese lesson.
That was in 1997, and ever since, there hasn't been an occasion when I need to write anything longer than a sentence in Chinese :(
I was trying to write the words 'bing1 xiang1' and I had to look up the Chinese dictionary for the 'xiang'.
That's how much my Chinese has regressed!
I remember vividly my final Chinese lesson in Sec 4. Our teacher was giving us a pep talk on scoring well for the O Levels and she said if we passed our Chinese, she would be our 'mo4 dai4' (final) Chinese teacher.
Well, I did pass and so that was the last time I'd ever attended a Chinese lesson.
That was in 1997, and ever since, there hasn't been an occasion when I need to write anything longer than a sentence in Chinese :(
Thursday, January 24, 2008
I love Mozart
Take your time to listen to these.
Symphony No. 40
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music)
Turkish March
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The Queen of the Night Aria (yes, the human voice can actually sound like a piccolo!)
Clarinet Concerto
Symphony No. 40
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (A Little Night Music)
Turkish March
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The Queen of the Night Aria (yes, the human voice can actually sound like a piccolo!)
Clarinet Concerto
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Sheltie!
Today I was at the pet store at Vivocity (pet safari, I think) and there was this person who brought her shetland sheepdog (which I think is the cutest dog breed, such beautiful snouts and lovable manners they have) to look at the two sheltie puppies on sale over there.
Then I observed something rather peculiar. The adult sheltie kept turning its head away, as if embarrassed to look at the two puppies behind the glass panel, while the two pups became very excited and began to fight and bite at each other.
Can any dog expert explain to me what this means?
Then I observed something rather peculiar. The adult sheltie kept turning its head away, as if embarrassed to look at the two puppies behind the glass panel, while the two pups became very excited and began to fight and bite at each other.
Can any dog expert explain to me what this means?
Friday, January 4, 2008
Monday, December 31, 2007
2008 Beckons!
On this last day of 2007, I'd like to wish one and all a very blessed new year (in about 17 hrs and 15 mins!). May love, joy, hope and peace be with you throughout 2008!
Especially for all the students I've taught this year:
Form and Language Arts class 107
Language Arts class 108
Language Arts class 111 (1st semester)
FPS classes 105 & 110
EL Elective 'Hear me, hear me' with students drawn from 413, 414 & 415
PRC Scholars from 401 & 403
Playwriting sabbatical with students drawn from 101 & 102 (Term 1)
Playwriting sabbatical with students drawn from 110, 111, 112 & 113 (Term 2)
Everyone from NYGZ
My wish for all of you in 2008:
Give of your best in all that you do. Learn from the past, seize the present and plan well for the future.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Romeo and Juliet
Hello Sec 1 students of 2007! Many of you would have bought (and read) Romeo and Juliet by now. Here are some of my thoughts on the play.
a) Romeo and Juliet is probably the most famous love story in literature, or even in the entire world. I kid you not!
b) If you think Shakespeare's language is strange and hard to understand, use the footnotes to help you. Or get hold of an additional edition of the play that contains a parallel modern English version.
c) Shakespeares's lines are pure poetry. Notice the rich imageries he uses and the regular rhythm whenever the characters (usually the upper-class) speak in verse. His understanding of human nature and psychology is also second to none. He is not one the very greatest writers of the English language for nothing.
d) The Prologue in Romeo and Juliet is very important. It basically tells you what's going to happen in the rest of the play.
e) The theme of 'fate' which figures prominently in the play is immediately apparent right from the Prologue. The ill-fated lovers are called the 'star-crossed' lovers (ie. their tragic fate has been fortold in the stars). Also note the sense of premonition before Romeo meets Juliet.
f) Other themes in the play include 'love' - different characters' perception of this; 'light' - Juliet is often associated with light, what does this signify?; 'the old vs the young' - the different perception of love and marriage shown by Juliet's parents and herself etc.
g) Romeo's interest in Rosaline and Juliet are interesting points of comparison. With Rosaline, Romeo is "in love with the idea of being in love".
h) The character of Juliet is very well portrayed. While Romeo comes across as a rash young man, Juliet grows and develops from an innocent young girl at the start of the play, to a newly-wed young woman who is thrown into such dire circumstances and has nobody to depend on at the end.
a) Romeo and Juliet is probably the most famous love story in literature, or even in the entire world. I kid you not!
b) If you think Shakespeare's language is strange and hard to understand, use the footnotes to help you. Or get hold of an additional edition of the play that contains a parallel modern English version.
c) Shakespeares's lines are pure poetry. Notice the rich imageries he uses and the regular rhythm whenever the characters (usually the upper-class) speak in verse. His understanding of human nature and psychology is also second to none. He is not one the very greatest writers of the English language for nothing.
d) The Prologue in Romeo and Juliet is very important. It basically tells you what's going to happen in the rest of the play.
e) The theme of 'fate' which figures prominently in the play is immediately apparent right from the Prologue. The ill-fated lovers are called the 'star-crossed' lovers (ie. their tragic fate has been fortold in the stars). Also note the sense of premonition before Romeo meets Juliet.
f) Other themes in the play include 'love' - different characters' perception of this; 'light' - Juliet is often associated with light, what does this signify?; 'the old vs the young' - the different perception of love and marriage shown by Juliet's parents and herself etc.
g) Romeo's interest in Rosaline and Juliet are interesting points of comparison. With Rosaline, Romeo is "in love with the idea of being in love".
h) The character of Juliet is very well portrayed. While Romeo comes across as a rash young man, Juliet grows and develops from an innocent young girl at the start of the play, to a newly-wed young woman who is thrown into such dire circumstances and has nobody to depend on at the end.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
l'orchestre
Done!
So, it took me 7 days to complete my first jigsaw puzzle. Thoughts after the process? I had great fun piecing the bits together using hints such as the composers' hair, bow ties, coat colour, face colour, fiddles, bows etc. Somehow, the woodwinds section got done rather quickly. The trickiest parts were the bottom corners (Beethoven and Grieg). Hmm...I think I will not be attempting another puzzle in the near future. I realized I'm not really a jigsaw person and I did this one only because I like the picture. So, unless I find another picture I love just as much, then would I make myself repeat this arduous (but rewarding) process.
Oh, do check out the pictures from our Christmas carolling at Bukit Timah Plaza. http://pengmun.zenfolio.com/p79109084
Began on 17th Dec
Completed on 25th Dec
2 days of non-activity.
So, it took me 7 days to complete my first jigsaw puzzle. Thoughts after the process? I had great fun piecing the bits together using hints such as the composers' hair, bow ties, coat colour, face colour, fiddles, bows etc. Somehow, the woodwinds section got done rather quickly. The trickiest parts were the bottom corners (Beethoven and Grieg). Hmm...I think I will not be attempting another puzzle in the near future. I realized I'm not really a jigsaw person and I did this one only because I like the picture. So, unless I find another picture I love just as much, then would I make myself repeat this arduous (but rewarding) process.
Oh, do check out the pictures from our Christmas carolling at Bukit Timah Plaza. http://pengmun.zenfolio.com/p79109084
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas! :))
Merry Christmas & A Blessed New Year to all readers of my blog!
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Mini Poetry Lesson 3
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.
Today, we will not go into anything technical. We will just think about why this poem's so beautiful.
Isn't this such a lovely poem? It's one of my favourite.
Before we go any further, read the poem again, aloud. How do you feel as you listen to the words? Do you feel that it's so lyrical, musical, fluent but at the same time, filled with a sense of melancholy?
Can you guess whether it's written by a male or female poet?
If you guessed female, then you're right. The author of this poem is Christina Rossetti, one of the greatest female poets who ever lived.
Your reason for guessing that it's written by a woman is probably because it is so sensitive and gentle in tone and the poet is very aware and in touch with her innermost feelings. Women are usually better in such things than men. (Okay, this is a general statement)
Why is this poem so beautiful?
a) It is about sadness and parting. Things which strike a chord with most people.
b) The pair of loved ones are far apart. The poet is speaking of a time when she has 'gone far away into the silent land' (most likely implying death).
c) There is a sense of nostalgia and regret in the parting of the poet with her loved one. This is movingly described by the poet in that her loved one can no longer 'hold her by the hand', 'tell [her] of [their] future that [he] plann'd', and to 'counsel' and 'pray'.
d) The poet's desire to be remembered is quite moving, because we all hope that people whom we care for will never forget us.
e) The last 6 lines of the poem displays the poet's generosity towards her loved one. Read it again.
'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.'
Although she has been asking (almost pleading) with her loved one to remember her, she is now telling the other person not to 'grieve' if he forgets her for a while. She assures her loved one that she would rather that he forgets her but remains happy rather than remember her and be grieved.
For those of you who enjoy a challenge, there's actually another way of interpreting the last six lines (in fact the whole poem). Do some research on Christina Rossetti's life. Find out her views on religion, and how this affects her ideas of romantic love. Does her religious convictions make her sort of ambivalent towards how she hopes the one she loves will remember her? Is it her puritan religious ideals that make her generous towards how her loved one will remember her?
If the above paragraph is too much for you, it's okay. Don't worry too much about it. Just read and enjoy this poem as a lyrical and beautiful piece.
That's all I have for you for poetry for now. I hope you are at least a little bit more interested in poetry now. I'm sure your teachers next year will tell you more.
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.
Today, we will not go into anything technical. We will just think about why this poem's so beautiful.
Isn't this such a lovely poem? It's one of my favourite.
Before we go any further, read the poem again, aloud. How do you feel as you listen to the words? Do you feel that it's so lyrical, musical, fluent but at the same time, filled with a sense of melancholy?
Can you guess whether it's written by a male or female poet?
If you guessed female, then you're right. The author of this poem is Christina Rossetti, one of the greatest female poets who ever lived.
Your reason for guessing that it's written by a woman is probably because it is so sensitive and gentle in tone and the poet is very aware and in touch with her innermost feelings. Women are usually better in such things than men. (Okay, this is a general statement)
Why is this poem so beautiful?
a) It is about sadness and parting. Things which strike a chord with most people.
b) The pair of loved ones are far apart. The poet is speaking of a time when she has 'gone far away into the silent land' (most likely implying death).
c) There is a sense of nostalgia and regret in the parting of the poet with her loved one. This is movingly described by the poet in that her loved one can no longer 'hold her by the hand', 'tell [her] of [their] future that [he] plann'd', and to 'counsel' and 'pray'.
d) The poet's desire to be remembered is quite moving, because we all hope that people whom we care for will never forget us.
e) The last 6 lines of the poem displays the poet's generosity towards her loved one. Read it again.
'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.'
Although she has been asking (almost pleading) with her loved one to remember her, she is now telling the other person not to 'grieve' if he forgets her for a while. She assures her loved one that she would rather that he forgets her but remains happy rather than remember her and be grieved.
For those of you who enjoy a challenge, there's actually another way of interpreting the last six lines (in fact the whole poem). Do some research on Christina Rossetti's life. Find out her views on religion, and how this affects her ideas of romantic love. Does her religious convictions make her sort of ambivalent towards how she hopes the one she loves will remember her? Is it her puritan religious ideals that make her generous towards how her loved one will remember her?
If the above paragraph is too much for you, it's okay. Don't worry too much about it. Just read and enjoy this poem as a lyrical and beautiful piece.
That's all I have for you for poetry for now. I hope you are at least a little bit more interested in poetry now. I'm sure your teachers next year will tell you more.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Mini Poetry Lesson 2
Welcome to the 2nd installment of our 3-part poetry series! Take some time off from soaking up the festive mood and immerse yourself in the wonderful world of verse!
Festival
1 We sit in a corner, my friends and I
5 The old men talk at the tables,
9 We watch the television, glued to its screen,
13 When the dinner is brought on,
17 Somewhere down the street
21 On my door hang spring couplets:
25 We watch the organized festivities
1. The title. The first thing you look out for in a poem is its title (obvious, isn't it?). However, a lot of poems do not have titles, so the first line of the poem becomes its title. In today's poem, the title "Festival" gives it a 'local' feel because in our multi-racial society, we experience a myriad of festivals all through the year.
2. What's the theme of this poem? A theme is an idea that keeps appearing in the poem (ie. the predominant idea). After the first read-through, keywords such as 'generation gap', 'old versus young' and 'changing customs' come to mind.
3. The way Kenneth Wee presents this poem is by showing the contrasts between the behaviour and activities of the younger and older generation. Let's look at the various contrasts in detail:
a) Distance: There is distance between the two generations. The younger ones 'sit in a corner' (line 1) while the 'old men talk at the tables' (line 5). We can gather that they're probably not close, and have nothing common to talk about, and thus do not sit together. The fact that the youngsters back themselves 'in a corner' in a house that is 'filled with the roaring of the docks and harbours of our ancestors' also suggests that they are uncomfortable being in an atmosphere that is filled with things of the past.
b) Customs/Activities: Although the youngsters are eating lotus seeds (a traditional food), they eat it 'not knowing the meaning' (line 10), they eat it 'unseeingly' and it is 'just more candy' to them. This suggests that they have lost touch or they simply do not care about the story behind traditional customs and foods. For dinner, the elders prepare 'special food', which we can assume to be traditional food. The youngsters openly 'grimace' and show their disdain for the 'tasteless' stuff and 'think longingly of cheesy pizzas', which is a Western food. The traditional activity of lion dancing is also contrasted with the dancing to the 'latest rock hits' enjoyed by the youngsters, though both are 'heart thumping music'. In the 6th stanza, we are given a humorous take on the shift of customs. The Chinese traditionally hang 'spring couplets' with words of blessing and good fortune on their doors. The younger generation still hang 'spring couplets', but replacing the words of blessing are more Westernized stuff - 'quotations from Shakespeare'. In the same manner, the door gods of these youngsters are the movie stars they worship - Schwarzenegger and Stallone.
4. The impact of the last stanza. A strong poem needs a punchline that ends it on a high note. Often, the poet leads us to think in a certain way and then breaks our expectation and when that happens, it has great power. This is what happens here. While the youngsters 'watch the organized festivities', they feel 'proud to be Chinese' (line 27). When we read to the end of this line, we are comforted, thinking that although the entire poem has been about how these youngsters are losing their traditional Chinese customs, there's still some consolation in the end, because they still feel proud about being Chinese. However, the powerful last line breaks this consolation when we realize the irony of it all - these youngsters are so entrenched in their 'Westernized values' that even when they think of their Chinese-ness, they think in English. This strikes a chord with many of us who speak English and embrace Western values so much that we are losing our 'Asianess'. The little pause that we take between line 27 and 28 also make the last 2 words 'In English' more impactful.
5. Share this poem with your grandparents, they might identify with the situation well. Perhaps you can feel for the situation too.
Did a quick google and found that Mickey and Minnie were created in 1928 and Donald in 1934.
Which makes...
Mickey and Minnie Mouse: 79 years old (!!)
Donald Duck: 73 years old (!)
I wonder what an innocent kid will think if you tell them that. That these cute creatures are older than their grandaddies!
We are going to look at a poem by local poet Kenneth Wee entitled "Festival". This is in your very first handouts (Sec 1) given at the beginning of the year. We didn't have time to go through it then so I thought I'd discuss it with you now.
Festival
Kenneth Wee
1 We sit in a corner, my friends and I
2 In a house filled with the roaring of the
3 Docks and harbours of our ancestors, and the
4 Colours of the sun which burned their fields.
5 The old men talk at the tables,
6 Remembering old times. We know them
7 Not, nor the language that they speak,
8 Yet we are relatives, only two generations apart.
9 We watch the television, glued to its screen,
10 Not knowing the meaning of the lotus seed
11 We unseeingly eat.
12 They are just more candy to us.
13 When the dinner is brought on,
14 With special foods prepared by the elders,
15 We grimace at the "tasteless" stuff
16 And think longingly of cheesy pizzas.
17 Somewhere down the street
18 Lion dancers twirl to heart thumping music
19 In my room we, too, dance,
20 But to the latest rock hits.
21 On my door hang spring couplets:
22 Quotations from Shakespeare.
23 Door gods adorn our entrances
24 Posters of Schwarzenegger and Stallone.
25 We watch the organized festivities
26 And are reminded of our culture, our roots
27 And we think: "I'm proud to be Chinese,"
28 In English.
1. The title. The first thing you look out for in a poem is its title (obvious, isn't it?). However, a lot of poems do not have titles, so the first line of the poem becomes its title. In today's poem, the title "Festival" gives it a 'local' feel because in our multi-racial society, we experience a myriad of festivals all through the year.
2. What's the theme of this poem? A theme is an idea that keeps appearing in the poem (ie. the predominant idea). After the first read-through, keywords such as 'generation gap', 'old versus young' and 'changing customs' come to mind.
3. The way Kenneth Wee presents this poem is by showing the contrasts between the behaviour and activities of the younger and older generation. Let's look at the various contrasts in detail:
a) Distance: There is distance between the two generations. The younger ones 'sit in a corner' (line 1) while the 'old men talk at the tables' (line 5). We can gather that they're probably not close, and have nothing common to talk about, and thus do not sit together. The fact that the youngsters back themselves 'in a corner' in a house that is 'filled with the roaring of the docks and harbours of our ancestors' also suggests that they are uncomfortable being in an atmosphere that is filled with things of the past.
b) Customs/Activities: Although the youngsters are eating lotus seeds (a traditional food), they eat it 'not knowing the meaning' (line 10), they eat it 'unseeingly' and it is 'just more candy' to them. This suggests that they have lost touch or they simply do not care about the story behind traditional customs and foods. For dinner, the elders prepare 'special food', which we can assume to be traditional food. The youngsters openly 'grimace' and show their disdain for the 'tasteless' stuff and 'think longingly of cheesy pizzas', which is a Western food. The traditional activity of lion dancing is also contrasted with the dancing to the 'latest rock hits' enjoyed by the youngsters, though both are 'heart thumping music'. In the 6th stanza, we are given a humorous take on the shift of customs. The Chinese traditionally hang 'spring couplets' with words of blessing and good fortune on their doors. The younger generation still hang 'spring couplets', but replacing the words of blessing are more Westernized stuff - 'quotations from Shakespeare'. In the same manner, the door gods of these youngsters are the movie stars they worship - Schwarzenegger and Stallone.
4. The impact of the last stanza. A strong poem needs a punchline that ends it on a high note. Often, the poet leads us to think in a certain way and then breaks our expectation and when that happens, it has great power. This is what happens here. While the youngsters 'watch the organized festivities', they feel 'proud to be Chinese' (line 27). When we read to the end of this line, we are comforted, thinking that although the entire poem has been about how these youngsters are losing their traditional Chinese customs, there's still some consolation in the end, because they still feel proud about being Chinese. However, the powerful last line breaks this consolation when we realize the irony of it all - these youngsters are so entrenched in their 'Westernized values' that even when they think of their Chinese-ness, they think in English. This strikes a chord with many of us who speak English and embrace Western values so much that we are losing our 'Asianess'. The little pause that we take between line 27 and 28 also make the last 2 words 'In English' more impactful.
5. Share this poem with your grandparents, they might identify with the situation well. Perhaps you can feel for the situation too.
Seen at Parkway Parade.
Guess the ages of Mickey, Minnie and Donald right and you stand a chance to win these large stuffed toys (worth $888 each!).
Guess the ages of Mickey, Minnie and Donald right and you stand a chance to win these large stuffed toys (worth $888 each!).
Did a quick google and found that Mickey and Minnie were created in 1928 and Donald in 1934.
Which makes...
Mickey and Minnie Mouse: 79 years old (!!)
Donald Duck: 73 years old (!)
I wonder what an innocent kid will think if you tell them that. That these cute creatures are older than their grandaddies!
(on 20th December 2007) Finally did the borders, which should've been the first step to do. Didn't work on this yesterday & today. But think it should still be in time for the 31st dec target.
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