We had the external DMP module for "Song-writing, Recording, Production and Audio Engineering Techniques" today. And we did do audio engineering. I thought it was kinda tough for them, considering how messy all of us were.
My day started at 11am, for once. Woke up finding myself practising Chopin's Op 25. No. 1 "Harp" Etude. Then after that I got a call from Jonathan Lim, and called my mum to fetch me to RI and there I was.
Because today was debates.
You see, I'm not born to debate, I'm born to produce music for your pleasure.
Oh and guess what, we had personality test today, and they found out I was a advisor and a listener. Ya, I think that's what I see myself as. It'S what they call, cool. You know, cool.
Back to debate, other than making the class laugh a little, there was little I could do except to repeat my points again and constantly "strengthening" (repeating) my points. Time taken? 1.2m.
Style? 0.
For external DMP I had to activate a quartet (as mentioned in my previous blogpost) to record for this session. We did, and earlier in the morning upon arriving in my class I found a guitar, and they proudly proclaimed it a class guitar, and allowed anyone to bring back home. I took it around with me today, and along with my cello for the quartet, that's two instruments on my body.
But I carried David's violin for Benwee, that makes it three instruments at once. No wonder they said I'm a musician. You don't see normal people carrying three instruments around the school. What's next, trolley for the piano?
So basically everywhere I went today was pretty much music, considering how I missed 10 mins of lesson time yesterday playing the piano with my friend and singing.
I played "Hey Jude" in class today and Eugene and Samuel played the guitar parts. And they requested me for a new pop song next week, which I have gamely completed while on the way back home. Upon reaching home, I tried it out, and voila, now to confirm the lyrics and chords and bring it to both of them next week where we will record it for the 2nd part of the External DMP.
Is anyone out there interested in joining a band?
Thursday, September 13, 2007
With lots of love and support and thanks
Hello. It's been a long day and I'm feeling very tired. And sad. And at the same time, happy and relieved. Tonight isn't a really starry night, but it's ok.
Supposed all of you heard of Mr. Otto Fong. I may have been shocked at first, never knowing the possibility, until I realised that there was indeed nothing wrong as long as he has never broken the law.
And btw, I would like to say that he's a good teacher, and was the one who recommended me to the Science Club after I talked to him about Relativity. But luckily I didn't go because I got 10/45 for physics later LOL. That was 1 year ago. He also wrote a comic on electricity, which really made it easy for us to understand. The electrons moving in directions, those fuels, yep, those stuff.
And so I would like to , no, not profess I'm gay, but express my support for my teacher, my RI teacher, my cool RI teacher. I don't see anything wrong with him - we can continue life as peacefully. Will it make you shocked if I professed that I'm a Eskimo?
No it wouldn't. Although Eskimos don't play Faure or Mozart or Debussy.
That's that.
Some people see the whole picture, but most people don't. Some of them are in the picture, some are outside the picture. For me, I'm the frame. I know what's inside the picture, yet I hold everyone together.
A pacifist.
A musician.
A guy who wants his job and money.
Probably shouts my name out to you when you read this.
Some quotes today - Miss Hahn "A good student is one who remembers."
When she says one thing, you do the same thing for any passage that appears similar.
Lots of love and support and thanks to everyone,
Jonathan
Supposed all of you heard of Mr. Otto Fong. I may have been shocked at first, never knowing the possibility, until I realised that there was indeed nothing wrong as long as he has never broken the law.
And btw, I would like to say that he's a good teacher, and was the one who recommended me to the Science Club after I talked to him about Relativity. But luckily I didn't go because I got 10/45 for physics later LOL. That was 1 year ago. He also wrote a comic on electricity, which really made it easy for us to understand. The electrons moving in directions, those fuels, yep, those stuff.
And so I would like to , no, not profess I'm gay, but express my support for my teacher, my RI teacher, my cool RI teacher. I don't see anything wrong with him - we can continue life as peacefully. Will it make you shocked if I professed that I'm a Eskimo?
No it wouldn't. Although Eskimos don't play Faure or Mozart or Debussy.
That's that.
Some people see the whole picture, but most people don't. Some of them are in the picture, some are outside the picture. For me, I'm the frame. I know what's inside the picture, yet I hold everyone together.
A pacifist.
A musician.
A guy who wants his job and money.
Probably shouts my name out to you when you read this.
Some quotes today - Miss Hahn "A good student is one who remembers."
When she says one thing, you do the same thing for any passage that appears similar.
Lots of love and support and thanks to everyone,
Jonathan
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
New Quest
And so I have just returned from Miss Hahn's piano lesson. Oh wait, there's a new quest for me.
"Hi Jon Shin, can you activate a string quartet for this week's DMP lesson? We're doing some recording. "
Alright. Time for Jonathan Shin to get down to some musical work again. Loads and loads of shit coming your way, watch out!
But no, seriously, at least this kind of things I enjoy doing. Music. That's why I want everything. I want the best of both worlds. And these worlds come under one universe of Music. And I cannot appear in both worlds at one time. That's when the spaceship comes. It eases my trouble. Driver of the spaceship? My mum. Kudos to her for driving up to sometimes 100km a day.
Unbelievable? Ask yourself. Bishan-Clementi-Mr Song's house (somewhere near Pasir Panjang?)- Bishan - VCH - Home
Sometimes worse than that. In any case it's getting bloody streneous, and it doesn't help when I see more people falling in despair everyday. I don't like seeing people in dispair, but even though I'm sometimes in despair (near suicidal) I always manage to pick myself up.
Ok so better spread on the joy to other people.
Next week I will be having my first Primarily Piano concert at YST. It's free so if you're free please come. It's on the tuesday. Yep, so I will be playing Beethoven's "Tempest" 1st movement.
It's strange. I am the only guy, out of 4 million people, doing this. But what an exciting life. No one ever gets what I get.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Shin
"Hi Jon Shin, can you activate a string quartet for this week's DMP lesson? We're doing some recording. "
Alright. Time for Jonathan Shin to get down to some musical work again. Loads and loads of shit coming your way, watch out!
But no, seriously, at least this kind of things I enjoy doing. Music. That's why I want everything. I want the best of both worlds. And these worlds come under one universe of Music. And I cannot appear in both worlds at one time. That's when the spaceship comes. It eases my trouble. Driver of the spaceship? My mum. Kudos to her for driving up to sometimes 100km a day.
Unbelievable? Ask yourself. Bishan-Clementi-Mr Song's house (somewhere near Pasir Panjang?)- Bishan - VCH - Home
Sometimes worse than that. In any case it's getting bloody streneous, and it doesn't help when I see more people falling in despair everyday. I don't like seeing people in dispair, but even though I'm sometimes in despair (near suicidal) I always manage to pick myself up.
Ok so better spread on the joy to other people.
Next week I will be having my first Primarily Piano concert at YST. It's free so if you're free please come. It's on the tuesday. Yep, so I will be playing Beethoven's "Tempest" 1st movement.
It's strange. I am the only guy, out of 4 million people, doing this. But what an exciting life. No one ever gets what I get.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Shin
HELP. HELP NEEDED.
I now sincerely wish I had two bodies to go with.
I need to get back to RISE, but I also have to go for Primarily Piano rehearsal.
I need to go back to RISE, but I have LRSM exam.
I need to return back to RISE, but I have my dental appointment and NRIC.
I'm now thinking - how am I going to handle all this.
Let's consider this together:
If I don't go to RISE:
1) I will kenah.
2) I will not know my music.
3) I wouldn't have time to rehearse
4) I don't play soccer with my friends.
5) I wouldn't be able to have experience conducting.
If I don't go to YST rehearsal:
1) I will do badly for Primarily Piano concert
2) I won't know my music.
3) I won't have time to rehearse.
4) I don't get to eat with my friends.
5) I wouldn't be able to have experience performing.
6) And if I do badly, I wouldn't be able to perform already and this would lead me to not collecting enough credits, and thus ruining my entire future.
But if I don't go for RISE, and I get kicked out of RISE, which is really below the last thing on my mind, I will just lose my sanity because that's only where I've got actually friends.
But if I go for RISE, I will miss out YST, and my parents will kill me, and Miss Hahn will be 'probably' be pissed.
But Mr Sze is also pissed because I didn't go for RISE rehearsal. Picture this - roughly 30 seconds after Miss Hahn called me to arrange lesson time, Mr Sze calls me and ask why I didn't come for rehearsal and that I failed to provide an actual reason. (although I did send an email through my computer)
And I only have two options - either RISE or YST. And I cannot have the best of both worlds. My parents will 80% disown me if I don't go for YST classes (which are almost everyday nowadays)
This is what I'm hoping for: That there is no YST rehearsal on Friday and next Monday.
That RISE has its rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
That YST shifts 4 hand classes to a Thursday so at least I can skip MEP. Definitely RISE over MEP.
That RISE understands my fcking problem - it's probably the decision of my life.
Readers PLEASE PLEASE tag your comments on my tagboard about this post. I seriously need help and comments.
This aside, many many other things are bugging me. I'm very tired really. I couldn't sleep last night and resorted to practising piano about 1. My mealtimes are all screwed. I feel hungry at 12 and rather full in the afternoon. I wait till 10pm for my dinner.
My right hand has a scar and a bent fourth finger. My hair is looong and full of dandraft. Yucks. And my right eye is probably nearly screwed. Its swollen. I probably sound like a freak. Thank you September holidays.
And I really do have three homes now. Home, RI, YST. 9 hours at home, 8 hours at RI, and 7 hours at YST.
SICKENING.
I need to get back to RISE, but I also have to go for Primarily Piano rehearsal.
I need to go back to RISE, but I have LRSM exam.
I need to return back to RISE, but I have my dental appointment and NRIC.
I'm now thinking - how am I going to handle all this.
Let's consider this together:
If I don't go to RISE:
1) I will kenah.
2) I will not know my music.
3) I wouldn't have time to rehearse
4) I don't play soccer with my friends.
5) I wouldn't be able to have experience conducting.
If I don't go to YST rehearsal:
1) I will do badly for Primarily Piano concert
2) I won't know my music.
3) I won't have time to rehearse.
4) I don't get to eat with my friends.
5) I wouldn't be able to have experience performing.
6) And if I do badly, I wouldn't be able to perform already and this would lead me to not collecting enough credits, and thus ruining my entire future.
But if I don't go for RISE, and I get kicked out of RISE, which is really below the last thing on my mind, I will just lose my sanity because that's only where I've got actually friends.
But if I go for RISE, I will miss out YST, and my parents will kill me, and Miss Hahn will be 'probably' be pissed.
But Mr Sze is also pissed because I didn't go for RISE rehearsal. Picture this - roughly 30 seconds after Miss Hahn called me to arrange lesson time, Mr Sze calls me and ask why I didn't come for rehearsal and that I failed to provide an actual reason. (although I did send an email through my computer)
And I only have two options - either RISE or YST. And I cannot have the best of both worlds. My parents will 80% disown me if I don't go for YST classes (which are almost everyday nowadays)
This is what I'm hoping for: That there is no YST rehearsal on Friday and next Monday.
That RISE has its rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
That YST shifts 4 hand classes to a Thursday so at least I can skip MEP. Definitely RISE over MEP.
That RISE understands my fcking problem - it's probably the decision of my life.
Readers PLEASE PLEASE tag your comments on my tagboard about this post. I seriously need help and comments.
This aside, many many other things are bugging me. I'm very tired really. I couldn't sleep last night and resorted to practising piano about 1. My mealtimes are all screwed. I feel hungry at 12 and rather full in the afternoon. I wait till 10pm for my dinner.
My right hand has a scar and a bent fourth finger. My hair is looong and full of dandraft. Yucks. And my right eye is probably nearly screwed. Its swollen. I probably sound like a freak. Thank you September holidays.
And I really do have three homes now. Home, RI, YST. 9 hours at home, 8 hours at RI, and 7 hours at YST.
SICKENING.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
As good as he can be
Ok I finally really wanted to post. The other days I'm just too tired to do anything. So here I am, in front of the computer, wondering what I can type here.
Ok firstly my university courses are long up and running, and I have been going there for almost everyday. I have three homes, Raffles, YST, and Senja Rd. Seriously. I spend around 6 hours in Raffles, YST practise and courses around 6 also? And then the rest of the 12 hours at home, 6 hours to sleep and the other 6 to do things.
But it is a rather fun lifestyle no one else has. What a privelege - a sad one sometimes. Today was RISE BBQ day, and damn, was it fun as usual.
Firstly I feel a need to say thanks to Adriel Chang - gosh you cannot believe what this person has done.
And also David for all the fun and kicks and girls. It's something you can't be missing.
YiYang for being always the model Rafflesian in my head, and Kuangnan, ah well he's as good as he can be.
And then we have the RISE guys, I don't know it really makes me feel like I'm at home. Bloody hell. RISE forever. Thanks Sec 4s.
If given a chance, I want to skip school - go to the design centre and practise piano, then go for CCA, then YST, then home, and the whole thing repeats again.
And probably our dear Jonathan Koh has heard of this already, but girl I promise I'll be back after 3 years. When I'm older and earning money, I'm going back to you again!
Ok firstly my university courses are long up and running, and I have been going there for almost everyday. I have three homes, Raffles, YST, and Senja Rd. Seriously. I spend around 6 hours in Raffles, YST practise and courses around 6 also? And then the rest of the 12 hours at home, 6 hours to sleep and the other 6 to do things.
But it is a rather fun lifestyle no one else has. What a privelege - a sad one sometimes. Today was RISE BBQ day, and damn, was it fun as usual.
Firstly I feel a need to say thanks to Adriel Chang - gosh you cannot believe what this person has done.
And also David for all the fun and kicks and girls. It's something you can't be missing.
YiYang for being always the model Rafflesian in my head, and Kuangnan, ah well he's as good as he can be.
And then we have the RISE guys, I don't know it really makes me feel like I'm at home. Bloody hell. RISE forever. Thanks Sec 4s.
If given a chance, I want to skip school - go to the design centre and practise piano, then go for CCA, then YST, then home, and the whole thing repeats again.
And probably our dear Jonathan Koh has heard of this already, but girl I promise I'll be back after 3 years. When I'm older and earning money, I'm going back to you again!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Quiz!
| Your Kissing Purity Score: 83% Pure |
 But the kisses you've given are very missed |
| You Are 70% Psychic |
 |
http://www.blogthings.com/areyoupsychicquiz/">Are You Psychic?
| You Are 84% Burned Out |
 |
http://www.blogthings.com/areyouburnedoutquiz/">Are You Burned Out?
| You Are a Fun Flirt |
 |
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofflirtareyouquiz/">What Kind of Flirt Are You?
| Your Personality is Somewhat Rare (ESFP) |
 Only about 7% of all people have your personality, including 9% of all women and 5% of all menYou are Extroverted, Sensing, Feeling, and Perceiving. |
http://www.blogthings.com/howrareisyourpersonalityquiz/">How Rare Is Your Personality?
Monday, August 13, 2007
Put your head up high
sian. die already. cannot talk liao. haiya why everything must like that...
Haiya!
eh how come I wrote three posts and I never posted anyone of them.
Anyway I would like to thank everyone who's been behind me for the start of my semester at YST.
These people include Fiona, Jonathan (Koh), Audrey, and my dad.
Although my mother still does not understand why is that so, it is because you need company and support from friends to make it. We are social beings, and we need each other. It's not the case of whether they distract me or not, it's just that when I'm feeling down or bad there's somebody to talk to.
So there. Lately I've not been smsing much to people or msning because apparently. No wait, not apparently. They just got deleted by who-else and of course I'm irritated.
But heck. I have lots and lots of work to catch up on and I don't think I can handle them all.
But I shall. Put your head up high!
Haiya!
eh how come I wrote three posts and I never posted anyone of them.
Anyway I would like to thank everyone who's been behind me for the start of my semester at YST.
These people include Fiona, Jonathan (Koh), Audrey, and my dad.
Although my mother still does not understand why is that so, it is because you need company and support from friends to make it. We are social beings, and we need each other. It's not the case of whether they distract me or not, it's just that when I'm feeling down or bad there's somebody to talk to.
So there. Lately I've not been smsing much to people or msning because apparently. No wait, not apparently. They just got deleted by who-else and of course I'm irritated.
But heck. I have lots and lots of work to catch up on and I don't think I can handle them all.
But I shall. Put your head up high!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
NDP day, mah-de
I'll be performing at Marina Bay later, so do catch me!
I think it's possible to catch me on TV, probably on the big screens, but maybe it will last for about 10 seconds. It's rather late/middle in the show, which is probably bad news for some of you, but good news for anyone who is watching the entire show.
And I'm super happy because can-you-believe-it-or-not I completed another song!
I hate my mum. She intrude in other peoples' privacy. She opens my MSN contact list and sees what is inside my conversations, which do not reveal anything at all. And she doesn't want me to talk to any girls. What, she wants me to turn into some gay? Loser.
Sometimes mums just don't get it, right?
Right?
;)
I think it's possible to catch me on TV, probably on the big screens, but maybe it will last for about 10 seconds. It's rather late/middle in the show, which is probably bad news for some of you, but good news for anyone who is watching the entire show.
And I'm super happy because can-you-believe-it-or-not I completed another song!
I hate my mum. She intrude in other peoples' privacy. She opens my MSN contact list and sees what is inside my conversations, which do not reveal anything at all. And she doesn't want me to talk to any girls. What, she wants me to turn into some gay? Loser.
Sometimes mums just don't get it, right?
Right?
;)
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Pop Music
So I've actually written about 9 songs already, and recorded 4 songs (one isn't mine) for my greenwave project with my RE mates. Then the rest include 'Pretty Girl', 'When the Sun Shines', 'If Monday never came' and the last one I can't remember.
I would like to collaborate with more people though. Maybe now I know why double gender bands do not really work. But some do though (ABBA, Black-Eye Peas). Usually when there's single sex bands, it is easier to communicate, and probably share jokes. Besides, there are really very little all girl bands anyway. (Pussycat Dolls, Spice Girls)
So I've actually done one album in my life already! Green Crotchets -.-
Which is good ok. At least there's something called PROGRESS. (:
Oh i'm doing it this way now (: not this way :). I've been INFLUENCED! :O
But it's ok. (:
I would like to collaborate with more people though. Maybe now I know why double gender bands do not really work. But some do though (ABBA, Black-Eye Peas). Usually when there's single sex bands, it is easier to communicate, and probably share jokes. Besides, there are really very little all girl bands anyway. (Pussycat Dolls, Spice Girls)
So I've actually done one album in my life already! Green Crotchets -.-
Which is good ok. At least there's something called PROGRESS. (:
Oh i'm doing it this way now (: not this way :). I've been INFLUENCED! :O
But it's ok. (:
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Chemistry. DIE....Ensemble FUN!
Oh so I did finally say it. That takes a huge load off my mind.
In any case I have to find a teacher who can teach me Chemistry. Here are my choices:
1) Mrs Kuah (my chemistry teacher - she's good, but my chemistry mind is a little bit slow)
2) Matthew Chua - brother of Andrew Chua, GPA 4.0 Chemistry
3) Audrey Ng - topped class for Chemistry, teach cousin Chemistry, GPA for Chemistry most certainly 4.0, had me confirmed as a total crap for Chemistry
(but a little inconvenient)
Then I have to ask all of them the tuition fees. Anyway, I just don't get it. Why does everyone seem to excel in Chemistry? I most definitely think that the Sciences have never been appealing to me, and I would be better off doing English, Humanities, and Music. Languages and Arts.
What I should do for my music career:
1) Be a good student conductor
2) Play wonderful music
3) Set up a permanent quartet where I can go to for rehearsals every Sunday
4) Do well in university, basically survive
Considering what Adi said this afternoon, his idea has lots of potential. Just that he does not really know how unpolitical it is. But I have harboured (heeheehee) thoughts of it - a full-sized orchestra evolved from RISE.
Imagine how much trouble Mr Sze has to go through, trying to get members from band, to come in, MEP.
Bureaucracy matters.
And looking at human emotions and feelings, it's not surprising to see politics starting to appear. After all, politics is almost based entirely on human emotions, feelings and relationships!
In any case I have to find a teacher who can teach me Chemistry. Here are my choices:
1) Mrs Kuah (my chemistry teacher - she's good, but my chemistry mind is a little bit slow)
2) Matthew Chua - brother of Andrew Chua, GPA 4.0 Chemistry
3) Audrey Ng - topped class for Chemistry, teach cousin Chemistry, GPA for Chemistry most certainly 4.0, had me confirmed as a total crap for Chemistry
(but a little inconvenient)
Then I have to ask all of them the tuition fees. Anyway, I just don't get it. Why does everyone seem to excel in Chemistry? I most definitely think that the Sciences have never been appealing to me, and I would be better off doing English, Humanities, and Music. Languages and Arts.
What I should do for my music career:
1) Be a good student conductor
2) Play wonderful music
3) Set up a permanent quartet where I can go to for rehearsals every Sunday
4) Do well in university, basically survive
Considering what Adi said this afternoon, his idea has lots of potential. Just that he does not really know how unpolitical it is. But I have harboured (heeheehee) thoughts of it - a full-sized orchestra evolved from RISE.
Imagine how much trouble Mr Sze has to go through, trying to get members from band, to come in, MEP.
Bureaucracy matters.
And looking at human emotions and feelings, it's not surprising to see politics starting to appear. After all, politics is almost based entirely on human emotions, feelings and relationships!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Ants and Blogskins. No Cs, sorry
There has apparently been an ant invasion happening right on my desktop, and I still cannot find the source of it. Might be a crumb of Oreo behind the table, or a dead lizard in the middle of the books, but I'm not really sure.
I don't know how it will look like if I find the source. The source. Probably all the ants will be like "??? Who's that!" and then start scrambling around, looking for the nearest paperclip to launch at me or the largest book to hide in.
After all, they don't have to worry because I'm not planning to find it. If I do find it, then they will have to build their civilisation one level down.
I've been over the months trying to find for a new blogskin, but Blogger does not accept anytime, either because one of the wordings don't seem to fit, or they just don't want their own blogskin to be replaced.
LOTS of work to do, which includes practising piano, doing homework, talking on MSN, going to CCA etc.
How stressful can life get? Very.
I don't know how it will look like if I find the source. The source. Probably all the ants will be like "??? Who's that!" and then start scrambling around, looking for the nearest paperclip to launch at me or the largest book to hide in.
After all, they don't have to worry because I'm not planning to find it. If I do find it, then they will have to build their civilisation one level down.
I've been over the months trying to find for a new blogskin, but Blogger does not accept anytime, either because one of the wordings don't seem to fit, or they just don't want their own blogskin to be replaced.
LOTS of work to do, which includes practising piano, doing homework, talking on MSN, going to CCA etc.
How stressful can life get? Very.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
My WEEK
We'll see about that, audrey.
Right here goes my blogspot. It's going to be longer...but no pictures.
Maybe there will be pictures, but I don't know! We shall see about that.
Monday was the piano majors barbecue. Did I mention that? At the gathering were all the piano majors (duh), Julie (owner of Music Essentials, where we all get our scores), her husband, Mr. Albert Tiu, Dr. Hecht, and some other adults who contributed in the cooking or were part of the faculty.
And then the food was wonderfully cooked I tell you. There was beef, chicken, stingray, durian and manjo cake, plus spicy stingray!
But I skipped the stingray in any case. The rest was absolutely fantastic, really. Imagine beef so tender and soft...the taste that melts into your mouth...I had 3 slices of it, and that was all I had for dinner. I skipped the chicken also, because I didn't feel like getting my fingers oily. But it surely surely looked good.
And sounds good ;)
Before the eating though there was a briefing of this semester's happenings, and the exams and blah.
Once again I saw Clarence, someone I knew for 2 years already. He's really someone I respect, not because he's my senior but because of his skills. Then after that there was Tarin and Akkra and Andre, and the girls too. Imma? and then there was Eng Han. Freshmen, but me and Aidi are part-timers.
Then there was graduate Lee, who was the cook of the day...thank you for the food.
Did I mention fresh salad? Lettuce, tartar sauce, tomato... just to clear out the oily stuff.
Perfect.
Then there were the games - Taboo. Ok fine, game.
I was with Clarence, Tarin, Aidi and all the other adults. Basically it's a game where the person goes up there and acts out a word (or alternatively some other words) and the group he belongs to will start guessing the correct word.
I collected all together 10 points, in the whole game. Dr. Hecht did 11 in one go, the record of the day. And Clarence was a pretty good actor too...then we realised Tarin was having a fever. But in any case I went back at about 10pm. 3 hours of fun!
On a side note thanks Mr. Sze for letting me off early, but I have to buy him a tub of Haagen-Daas, when I have not even tasted a single DRIP of it.
How about a mamashop one? Just kidding.
Some of the thoughts that came into me while I was in the shower/practising cello/basically doing other things:
I only grow on Saturdays and Sundays.
(Because I get to sleep early and wake up late, which means ENOUGH time to grow in my sleep. Not more)
And then from Maximillian Viera.
"Are you tired?"
"Yes"
"No, you're Jonathan Shin."
"(THE look) "
"What!"
And then from me, this time in class.
"When you're Norman you know who to call..."
(after 6 seconds of silence)
Norman, Enghan, Clement - "...?"
Me - "...?"
then we started to ROFL...
Right here goes my blogspot. It's going to be longer...but no pictures.
Maybe there will be pictures, but I don't know! We shall see about that.
Monday was the piano majors barbecue. Did I mention that? At the gathering were all the piano majors (duh), Julie (owner of Music Essentials, where we all get our scores), her husband, Mr. Albert Tiu, Dr. Hecht, and some other adults who contributed in the cooking or were part of the faculty.
And then the food was wonderfully cooked I tell you. There was beef, chicken, stingray, durian and manjo cake, plus spicy stingray!
But I skipped the stingray in any case. The rest was absolutely fantastic, really. Imagine beef so tender and soft...the taste that melts into your mouth...I had 3 slices of it, and that was all I had for dinner. I skipped the chicken also, because I didn't feel like getting my fingers oily. But it surely surely looked good.
And sounds good ;)
Before the eating though there was a briefing of this semester's happenings, and the exams and blah.
Once again I saw Clarence, someone I knew for 2 years already. He's really someone I respect, not because he's my senior but because of his skills. Then after that there was Tarin and Akkra and Andre, and the girls too. Imma? and then there was Eng Han. Freshmen, but me and Aidi are part-timers.
Then there was graduate Lee, who was the cook of the day...thank you for the food.
Did I mention fresh salad? Lettuce, tartar sauce, tomato... just to clear out the oily stuff.
Perfect.
Then there were the games - Taboo. Ok fine, game.
I was with Clarence, Tarin, Aidi and all the other adults. Basically it's a game where the person goes up there and acts out a word (or alternatively some other words) and the group he belongs to will start guessing the correct word.
I collected all together 10 points, in the whole game. Dr. Hecht did 11 in one go, the record of the day. And Clarence was a pretty good actor too...then we realised Tarin was having a fever. But in any case I went back at about 10pm. 3 hours of fun!
On a side note thanks Mr. Sze for letting me off early, but I have to buy him a tub of Haagen-Daas, when I have not even tasted a single DRIP of it.
How about a mamashop one? Just kidding.
Some of the thoughts that came into me while I was in the shower/practising cello/basically doing other things:
I only grow on Saturdays and Sundays.
(Because I get to sleep early and wake up late, which means ENOUGH time to grow in my sleep. Not more)
And then from Maximillian Viera.
"Are you tired?"
"Yes"
"No, you're Jonathan Shin."
"(THE look) "
"What!"
And then from me, this time in class.
"When you're Norman you know who to call..."
(after 6 seconds of silence)
Norman, Enghan, Clement - "...?"
Me - "...?"
then we started to ROFL...
Sunday, July 29, 2007
NDP
ok i finally post after so many days.
Our RE group really did a stunt as what jinghui said. 6 pop songs in 4 weeks. Can you believe it? I seriously cannot imagine.
Anyway yesterday was NDP preview and I performed! I think my face was on the 2 big screens but I'm not really sure because while I was playing my back was faced towards the screens and the main floating platform.
Anyway the whole thing was very very cool. DJs...blah
right. so I finally touched this blog post after 1 week. how stupid can this get!
Very.
Our RE group really did a stunt as what jinghui said. 6 pop songs in 4 weeks. Can you believe it? I seriously cannot imagine.
Anyway yesterday was NDP preview and I performed! I think my face was on the 2 big screens but I'm not really sure because while I was playing my back was faced towards the screens and the main floating platform.
Anyway the whole thing was very very cool. DJs...blah
right. so I finally touched this blog post after 1 week. how stupid can this get!
Very.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Harry Potter - Spoilers
Just watched harry potter last night at Junction 8, but didn't really enjoy it.
The aircon was so cold that me and Nigel (my ACS cousin) periodically gave each other my jacket.
And the movie itself is so ???.
Ya, gives you a little of that ??? feeling. Some parts are seriously damn funny, but the rest of the show is of mr. potter dreaming and predicting, and of course two wizard fights.
A little Spoilers start here.
One wizarding duel between Voldemort's Army and the Order of the Phoenix, and another one between, of course, Dumbledore and Voldemort. Yum Yum.
But oh mine Sirius Black died just an anti-climax death. No wonder Aveda Kedava is hopeless. The person just turns pale and fade away. Dang...
But I didn't know Black was so good in casting spells and fighting, seriously. I mean, his costume is so cool, and it just makes him a Jack Sparrow wizard, cunningly twisting and turling the wand, pushing and pulling, punching and kicing.
Of course, it isn't real. Anyway I spotted almost the whole class of 3F, and Angela from St Nicks String Ensemble.
THe coolest thing was of course me and my 5 cousins, the youngest being p4 (that's 9 years old) and the oldest being 18. Imagine us wondering around at what, 10pm, and afterwards 1am.
Thanks guys. :)
Oh, Spoilers end here. Or just now.
Yesterday afternoon we had a instrumental workshop from 3.30-6.30. 3 hours of fun and good knowledge, probably for future quartermasters.
During the holidays I might go and be an assistant there, but I might as well be a piano tuner...$50 a day!
The aircon was so cold that me and Nigel (my ACS cousin) periodically gave each other my jacket.
And the movie itself is so ???.
Ya, gives you a little of that ??? feeling. Some parts are seriously damn funny, but the rest of the show is of mr. potter dreaming and predicting, and of course two wizard fights.
A little Spoilers start here.
One wizarding duel between Voldemort's Army and the Order of the Phoenix, and another one between, of course, Dumbledore and Voldemort. Yum Yum.
But oh mine Sirius Black died just an anti-climax death. No wonder Aveda Kedava is hopeless. The person just turns pale and fade away. Dang...
But I didn't know Black was so good in casting spells and fighting, seriously. I mean, his costume is so cool, and it just makes him a Jack Sparrow wizard, cunningly twisting and turling the wand, pushing and pulling, punching and kicing.
Of course, it isn't real. Anyway I spotted almost the whole class of 3F, and Angela from St Nicks String Ensemble.
THe coolest thing was of course me and my 5 cousins, the youngest being p4 (that's 9 years old) and the oldest being 18. Imagine us wondering around at what, 10pm, and afterwards 1am.
Thanks guys. :)
Oh, Spoilers end here. Or just now.
Yesterday afternoon we had a instrumental workshop from 3.30-6.30. 3 hours of fun and good knowledge, probably for future quartermasters.
During the holidays I might go and be an assistant there, but I might as well be a piano tuner...$50 a day!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
why am i staying at HOME?!
And so we did RE for about 2 and half hours.
We managed to complete 3/4 of a new song today, and progress is generally ok, except that there is definitely room for improvement, we don't stop trying!
I visited Nigel's blog and I have reconfirmed my hypothesis - that blog pictures indeed boost your visitor ratings.
Unfortunately I'm not fond of taking photo, neither do I have the skill to operate connecting the camera to my computer quickly. The camera. Not the phone camera.
And considering how unlikely I'll bring my camera to school everyday/at all, the chances of me posting photos are very little.
I don't even know how to connect my phone to the computer! How stupid can things get for me.
Anyway today our first period was Chinese, Chinese was pretty normal - the mood was relaxing and she didn't understand much English. When teachers don't understand English, insulting the teacher with words seem like a huge treat. But we don't do that, because she's a good teacher. Old, but experienced, and like a grandma to us. She's quite caring man!
And then I had a free period, AND Norman's history class was also having a free period, which meant that I stayed for that one whole hour to play volley-balloon.
Volley-balloon isn't really something like a party, it's basically taking a balloon and playing it like how you play tennis/volleyball. Quite tiring, considering everyone was jumping for the ball, blocking, setting, smashing.
Woohoo. After one hour all our uniforms were wet with sweat. Probably should have a youtube.com video to go with it. But some other time.
Perhaps tomorrow ;)
Physics next, then recess, then Maths.
Maths was as per usual, meaning that me and Benyap at the back could have stood up on the chair for 2 seconds plus without her noticing.
Imagine students standing up and sitting down at the back of the class. Childish, but come on, considering my childhood has been lost, it's my only chance of OBTAININg it back man.
Today's my mum's birthday. Happy birthday mum, may you guard your prison better.
And then we had the famous RE period, where we literally composed 5 songs in 3 weeks.
We were slacking for the first half of the entire year. Or the entire first half of the year. So we suddenly found our spark of inspiration, and wrote the songs!
Yeah, we're going to get $6000 man. $5000 goes to the school, $1000 to us. I'll take 100 of 250 and donate it to charity. :)
As per usual!
We managed to complete 3/4 of a new song today, and progress is generally ok, except that there is definitely room for improvement, we don't stop trying!
I visited Nigel's blog and I have reconfirmed my hypothesis - that blog pictures indeed boost your visitor ratings.
Unfortunately I'm not fond of taking photo, neither do I have the skill to operate connecting the camera to my computer quickly. The camera. Not the phone camera.
And considering how unlikely I'll bring my camera to school everyday/at all, the chances of me posting photos are very little.
I don't even know how to connect my phone to the computer! How stupid can things get for me.
Anyway today our first period was Chinese, Chinese was pretty normal - the mood was relaxing and she didn't understand much English. When teachers don't understand English, insulting the teacher with words seem like a huge treat. But we don't do that, because she's a good teacher. Old, but experienced, and like a grandma to us. She's quite caring man!
And then I had a free period, AND Norman's history class was also having a free period, which meant that I stayed for that one whole hour to play volley-balloon.
Volley-balloon isn't really something like a party, it's basically taking a balloon and playing it like how you play tennis/volleyball. Quite tiring, considering everyone was jumping for the ball, blocking, setting, smashing.
Woohoo. After one hour all our uniforms were wet with sweat. Probably should have a youtube.com video to go with it. But some other time.
Perhaps tomorrow ;)
Physics next, then recess, then Maths.
Maths was as per usual, meaning that me and Benyap at the back could have stood up on the chair for 2 seconds plus without her noticing.
Imagine students standing up and sitting down at the back of the class. Childish, but come on, considering my childhood has been lost, it's my only chance of OBTAININg it back man.
Today's my mum's birthday. Happy birthday mum, may you guard your prison better.
And then we had the famous RE period, where we literally composed 5 songs in 3 weeks.
We were slacking for the first half of the entire year. Or the entire first half of the year. So we suddenly found our spark of inspiration, and wrote the songs!
Yeah, we're going to get $6000 man. $5000 goes to the school, $1000 to us. I'll take 100 of 250 and donate it to charity. :)
As per usual!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Girl's Sorrow
My love, my dearest sweetheart,
How you are to me like a flower's bloom,
Beautiful fragrance, nature's art
Yet by your fires my body consumed
You whisper the sweetest nothings into my ears,
I can only surrender with soft reply,
My eyes are wet with happy tears,
Why would our love ever die?
The birds sing of your arrival,
and I can embrace your's.
The light kisses those petals,
My heart opens its doors
Gentle lips upon gentle lips,
Fingers inter-twining fingers
Softly in your arms like in a baby's crib,
It is with you my heart lingers
Sweetheart, my darling
You know I love you,
Sleep tight, my darling,
I'm always with you.
But that day you brought it down
My mind was brought senseless,
My feelings astound
I felt my life was hopeless.
When I ran my fingers through,
Your hair, that golden colour of hay,
When I asked whether you love me,
And you told me you were gay.
How you are to me like a flower's bloom,
Beautiful fragrance, nature's art
Yet by your fires my body consumed
You whisper the sweetest nothings into my ears,
I can only surrender with soft reply,
My eyes are wet with happy tears,
Why would our love ever die?
The birds sing of your arrival,
and I can embrace your's.
The light kisses those petals,
My heart opens its doors
Gentle lips upon gentle lips,
Fingers inter-twining fingers
Softly in your arms like in a baby's crib,
It is with you my heart lingers
Sweetheart, my darling
You know I love you,
Sleep tight, my darling,
I'm always with you.
But that day you brought it down
My mind was brought senseless,
My feelings astound
I felt my life was hopeless.
When I ran my fingers through,
Your hair, that golden colour of hay,
When I asked whether you love me,
And you told me you were gay.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
She is so addicted to Korean dramas, watching them for at least 10 hours a day for the past few weeks. I hope the portable DVD explodes someday. She plays it at such a huge volume that...wth I can't believe it hasn't exploded yet.
Anyway she left the aircon on for 16 hours, hows that. My heart aches like nothing else - it's money wasted! Gosh...
I have been reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay for this entire week, and I seriously find it very good and exciting. Go read up on it on the Internet. You should read it too, imagine a novel on comic book heroes and their writers.
Fun!
Piano Lesson later, nothing to talk about.
For guys go play the Miniclip game 'Rifleman' it's 3D and something like counterstrike but can only move in a space of 3m. Sniper.
Anyway she left the aircon on for 16 hours, hows that. My heart aches like nothing else - it's money wasted! Gosh...
I have been reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay for this entire week, and I seriously find it very good and exciting. Go read up on it on the Internet. You should read it too, imagine a novel on comic book heroes and their writers.
Fun!
Piano Lesson later, nothing to talk about.
For guys go play the Miniclip game 'Rifleman' it's 3D and something like counterstrike but can only move in a space of 3m. Sniper.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
The mind, body and soul
Damn! Studying for Math TA now, and confidence level is 60/100. How many times did Sally(not her real name) mention to use the substitution method in logarithms? How many people have already fallen asleep only in her lessons? How many people, when questioned, understands what she is talking?
And I don't think it applies only to our class.
Ask any other class that Sally teaches. So I don't think it's just our class.
Proposed solution: The school has this system for teachers to check and improve themselves. Probably salary will be affected, but all I'm asking for is a better student rapport and also more movitating teachers please!
I'm not attacking or anything but just a plea for school admin to update teachers on recent student feedbacks.
And then I don't know why but my mum is in her moodswings, not me. She's one minute nice the next moment freaking nasty. Freaking nasty = pull hair, pinch, slap. Not the scoldings. Oh, and of course the scoldings are included. I should think normal conversation being 60 decibels, her shouting should go to about 90. It's louder than you imagine it can be, but that is it.
Anyway the last. Aiyah crap I just hate to hear my mum's voice. I should record and put it online for people to sell to eBay titled "Voice to make you cry"
Anyway the last Lisztomania concert i went to was totally crazy. Second best concert I've ever been in my life - 6 encores and a standing ovation. 6 freaking encores - La Campenalla, Minuet by Chopin, Polanaise by Chopin and still got some more. Imagine 2 hours of playing strong melodies, completely made of octaves, trills, runs, scales, emotions, imagery, strength, both mental and physically. Being pianists, we have to use all - the mind, the body, and the soul.
It all applies - we all start with the body - honing and training the technicalities and skills of our fingers, the usage of our shoulders, the hand to leg coordination, training our ears to listen for every note, its tone, texture, quality and depth.
And then comes the mind - we strengthen it, memorising scores, tons and tons of them, concentrating on the music, coordinating the hands and feet,
Then comes the soul - we develop it from the beginning - we've never experienced the true feeling of losing someone close, neither have we understood the power of anger, of true love, and of the depths of despair.
As pianists we train ourselves for it, the mind, the body and the soul.
So being a pianist isn't that easy after all...
And I don't think it applies only to our class.
Ask any other class that Sally teaches. So I don't think it's just our class.
Proposed solution: The school has this system for teachers to check and improve themselves. Probably salary will be affected, but all I'm asking for is a better student rapport and also more movitating teachers please!
I'm not attacking or anything but just a plea for school admin to update teachers on recent student feedbacks.
And then I don't know why but my mum is in her moodswings, not me. She's one minute nice the next moment freaking nasty. Freaking nasty = pull hair, pinch, slap. Not the scoldings. Oh, and of course the scoldings are included. I should think normal conversation being 60 decibels, her shouting should go to about 90. It's louder than you imagine it can be, but that is it.
Anyway the last. Aiyah crap I just hate to hear my mum's voice. I should record and put it online for people to sell to eBay titled "Voice to make you cry"
Anyway the last Lisztomania concert i went to was totally crazy. Second best concert I've ever been in my life - 6 encores and a standing ovation. 6 freaking encores - La Campenalla, Minuet by Chopin, Polanaise by Chopin and still got some more. Imagine 2 hours of playing strong melodies, completely made of octaves, trills, runs, scales, emotions, imagery, strength, both mental and physically. Being pianists, we have to use all - the mind, the body, and the soul.
It all applies - we all start with the body - honing and training the technicalities and skills of our fingers, the usage of our shoulders, the hand to leg coordination, training our ears to listen for every note, its tone, texture, quality and depth.
And then comes the mind - we strengthen it, memorising scores, tons and tons of them, concentrating on the music, coordinating the hands and feet,
Then comes the soul - we develop it from the beginning - we've never experienced the true feeling of losing someone close, neither have we understood the power of anger, of true love, and of the depths of despair.
As pianists we train ourselves for it, the mind, the body and the soul.
So being a pianist isn't that easy after all...
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Liszt and Mozart
Lisztomania - the Singapore Piano Festival - which has stirred the musical scene in Singapore alive once again.
I've been to all the performances in this year's Piano Festival - as the name suggests the programmes mostly consists of Lizst. Briliant, especially when I'm playing Lizst's Sonetto 104 del Petrarcha currently.
I enjoyed Mr. Katsaris's and Mr. Albert Lin's performances the most - Mr. Katsaris's perfection on the 'transcendental technique' is almost otherworldly. I remember fondly another performer of Liszt's works from the last Piano Festival - that of Mr. Valerie Kuleshov. He got a standing ovation by the way. A very very rare occurence from the audiences of Singapore.
And anyway of course we musn't forget the man behind the scenes - Dr. Chang Tou Liang, and his team for giving us such a dynamic yet smooth Festival!
Today will be last performance of the event - I can't wait to see this rendition of Balakirev's Islamey - yumyum!
And I'm proud to say the RE group has been doing very well and efficient. Our last 2 meetings have given birth to 2 new songs - unfortunately/fortunately without Zhiyi.
Just love the songs by the way, and will love composing the next few songs.
Met a few people yesterday - Miss Koh, my theory teacher whom I've not seen for quite a few months. She's getting married in August! Then I saw Selina at the VCH door but was damn nervous then run off already -.- and then some random guy said he knew me, shaked hands with him, he said he was 16 and he watched me play...and I think Azariah's mum whom I talked to for quite a while, and a woman in her 50s with all her friends watching Mr. Albert's concert giving me some advice - try playing more Mozart.
Which I realised I haven't in 4 years or more, and she told me that there's this special touch to find in Mozart. I probably haven't found it yet, but I will. Probably by next year I can rediscover the magic of Mozart!
I've been to all the performances in this year's Piano Festival - as the name suggests the programmes mostly consists of Lizst. Briliant, especially when I'm playing Lizst's Sonetto 104 del Petrarcha currently.
I enjoyed Mr. Katsaris's and Mr. Albert Lin's performances the most - Mr. Katsaris's perfection on the 'transcendental technique' is almost otherworldly. I remember fondly another performer of Liszt's works from the last Piano Festival - that of Mr. Valerie Kuleshov. He got a standing ovation by the way. A very very rare occurence from the audiences of Singapore.
And anyway of course we musn't forget the man behind the scenes - Dr. Chang Tou Liang, and his team for giving us such a dynamic yet smooth Festival!
Today will be last performance of the event - I can't wait to see this rendition of Balakirev's Islamey - yumyum!
And I'm proud to say the RE group has been doing very well and efficient. Our last 2 meetings have given birth to 2 new songs - unfortunately/fortunately without Zhiyi.
Just love the songs by the way, and will love composing the next few songs.
Met a few people yesterday - Miss Koh, my theory teacher whom I've not seen for quite a few months. She's getting married in August! Then I saw Selina at the VCH door but was damn nervous then run off already -.- and then some random guy said he knew me, shaked hands with him, he said he was 16 and he watched me play...and I think Azariah's mum whom I talked to for quite a while, and a woman in her 50s with all her friends watching Mr. Albert's concert giving me some advice - try playing more Mozart.
Which I realised I haven't in 4 years or more, and she told me that there's this special touch to find in Mozart. I probably haven't found it yet, but I will. Probably by next year I can rediscover the magic of Mozart!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)