Keat Hong Chinese Orchestra 35th Anniversary Concert

This was the first event that I thought I can work with Cher. What a pity that she fell sick.

From the email received, I kind of deduced that some special guest is going to attend this event. Reaching my workplace, my hypothesis was verified. The minister of manpower was the guest-of-honour. I was the VIP usher as usual. What I would like to comment about his bodyguards was that they doesn't seems to be very fierce. Guess one tried to thank me when I helped to shift the sign-post away for the minister while he re-enters the house for the second half of the concert.

Work for the day was generally alright. Not much of uncooperative patrons. I get to put more attention on the performance. There were parts of the music that I find the beats weird though. Hmm. Of all the songs that I have heard that night, I like the erhu piece the best. Nice.

The suona piece was really great too. I just do not really understand the music. The conductor introduced the suona piece before performing. It is a story between a couple and the famous "bao gong' from the Song Dynasty. Cool. There were three suonas, depicting each character with each. Cool.

"Dali Qing Feng" sounded a little different from the one played by the people of MFCO for the first concert. Hmm. The song after this piece reminded me of my last SYF with MFCO as the "shou gu" was used. Yes, I am reminded of the song "tian shan sheng hui".

Work was generally alright just that there is a little lack of manpower. There were times that I have to leace my position but was not able to do so freely. An example would be bringing the wheel-chair patron to the toilet. The reason was that many patrons doesn't bother to read the sign-post placed atthe door. Well, most of them surprisingly read the sign-post on that day.

Well, it was a really tiring day for me as I had to wake up very early in the morning to the East for Chingay training, rushed for many things and endured till the end of work. Guess I broke my record.

NYP Open House 2010 - Wushu Performance

The three-day event finally ended. It was a great experience though I am very tired.

The first day of performance my first performance of the year and also my first solo performance. I felt nervous and excited at the same time. It has been so long since I last performed. I chose the broadsword routine, "jian yi dan dao", as it was what I can perform relatively better and confidence with.

It was my first time wearing the performance costume too. Chose the yellow costume over the white costume as the lining of the latter was black instead of my favoured red. Furthermore, I like bright colours. I felt a little blur though. I am kind of worry whether I wore it correctly. Thanks to Ruiqi for helping me that I am able to look smart on that day.

As it was my first performance, I invited quite a few number of people to watch me perform. I was so glad that Auntie Mui took time to come down to support me. Yey! Lucky she left the house early or she may miss my performance. Due to some issues, the timing was brought forward. Due to the last minute instructions, we have to get everything ready fast. I was so glad that my class ended early so that I have sufficient time to try on the performance costume and wore my guards.

As I was very cold due to the air-con from the clubroom and there was not enough time for me to warm-up, I wore my jacket to the atrium for "speed warm-up". Hopefully my body heat will go up, making stretching easier for me.

Thanks Weichong for helping us to take care of our belongings when we were performing. Thanks for being the cameraman too. Haha.

My heart was beating really fast while I was waiting for my turn. It thumped really fast till I went onto the performing area. Excited yet nervous. I took a few seconds to "stabilise" myself by standing still on the performing area before getting on with the routine. I wanted to build up the "feel" too.

I performed the moves with much confidence, keep reminding myself to be stable. I almost smiled when I managed to create the desired sound with the broadsword; the sound had further boosted my confidence. According to Ruiqi, it was Shuting's broadsword. Till now, I still can't make the desired sound from my broadsword.

Mr Ho came to support me too! He helped me to take pictures! So happy! He came to the "backstage" to take a picture of me acting cute after my solo. Haha. He gave me a thumbs-up as he walked over to me. After acting cute, I ran off for the last minute added mass "wu bu quan" by Wenyi.

Generally, I had a great experience for my first solo. I feel really great! After the performance, I quickly changed and set off to go home together with Auntie Mui and Ruiqi.

The second day of performance was alright. I chose to do "lian bu quan" as I still have some problems memorising it. I want the pressure of the performance to force myself to encode the moves into my brain. Hopefully I can get it well-encoded into my brain before grading.

I was so scared that I may forgot my routine that I kept revising it in my mind. I even went to the extent of using the broadsword routine as a backup just in case I forgot my routine. That showed how bad my "lian bu quan" was.

My uncomfortable stomach further dropped my confidence level. It was definitly not the pain caused by my nervous feeling. It felt like, the diarrhoea type of pain.

My turn to go onto the performing area. Nervous. I managed to finish all my moves. I was laughing after leaving the performing area. Happy me. Shuting helped me to video down my performance as it was her break. I really appreciate that. Watched the video while I was on my way back to the clubroom. My stances were really high. Yes, lots of improvement are needed.

Bro came to watch me perform too. So happy. How great it would be if he had taken some photos of me in action. By the way, I was the only girl performing that day. Ruiqi was not able to turn up as she was sick. Humph.

Slacked at the clubroom for some time till my Dad come to fetch me back to my Grandma house.

The third day of performance did not went on very smoothly for me. Guessed I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Many things seemed to go wrong. I had a rather "emo" time.

For the first session, I performed "lian bu quan". I actually forgot the second half of the routine! I was stucked at the same old part that I always have a problem recalling during training. How great was that? I am not sure whether was it the sight of someone that I do not wish to see that affected me. In any case, I am utterly disappointed with myself. Frankly saying, at that moment, I guess I am more shocked by the fact that I forgot my routine rather than angry.

Thanks Shuyan for trying to make me feel better. The distribution of ice-cream came just in time after the short chat with Shuyan. Yummulicious. It was Wall's Cornetto chocvanilla!

I tried to boost my mood by using the ice-cream, the extrinsic factor. It however did not last very long. I was "emo-ing" again after a while. Thanks Jingyan for ringing my phone to cheer me up.

Second session, I performed the broadsword routine. Thanks Jessen for changing to "hu quan" so that I was able to perform the broadsword. I was not able to do that initially because according to Wenyi, there were too many people performing using the broadsword.

Reaching the atrium, I surprisingly saw the CO people getting prepared. Can't find Bro. Manage to see him after "jing li" to the audience. I quickly pass him my phone so that he can help me to take pictures. He helped me to take a video instead. Nice. I was so happy to be able to hear the sound of the broadsword in the video. That means that it was loud enough.

Anyway, while performing for the second session, I was not really stable though I managed to finish the whole routine. I wonder why. Shadow from the previous session? Or maybe it was due to the presence of another person that I do not wish to see. Great, two sessions with people that I do not wish to see. It's not hatred, just pressure.

After the performance ended, it was a relief. I felt so tired. Guess I somehow overstretched myself today. Each of us got vouchers from McDonalds to exchange for a burger and a can of coca cola. I asked for McChicken as I am not able to take beef. I got a Gloria Jeans voucher too. Not all of us have it as there was only five.

Wanted to give my can of coca cola to Fengwei but he went off before my order was ready. I was so glad that Dad waited for me so that I can have a relaxed ride home. I just felt so tired after the last performance.

Well, thanks for the effort, people. I had a fruitful experience. Hope that mistakes that I made will never be repeated and that I will improve!

On 02.01.2010, I Had A Thought...

In Order to Be A Good Leader,

Be A Good Team Player First.

NYP Wushu December Babies B'day Celebration 2009

This event was relatively more smooth than the previous celebration.

Thanks Dad for making a special trip to drive me so that I can get the cake purchased and reach school on time. Thanks for paying for me too. Thanks Xinxin for being my "loan shark" for the day. Thanks Liping for being the photographer for the day so that me, one of the December babies, can sit infront of the birthday cake with the rest of the December babies.

While getting prepared for the celebration, I searched up and down the clubroom to locate two lighters. Phew. Almost forgot to get the lighters though. During the celebration, there were only a few people who were rather high-spirited. I feel that there is something missing; sportsmanship.

Some of us stayed behind to clear the things and talked things out. I took the leftover cake home again. Here is a picture of the cake, tiramisu.




Wishing a very happy birthday to the December babies!

NYP Wushu Christmas Present Exchange 2009

Spent quite some time planning this event together with Xinxin and Kenny. It was finally done. I would like to thank the people who have helped me and cooperated with me. There is definitely room for improvement.

I am not so tired as I didn't really trained much due to my newly "achieved" injury. Still had a rather clear mind I would say.

Gifts received were of many designs. What I can say is that there are lots of creativity. Some of the presents can be seen that lots of effort has been put in to design it. Liping as usual made a Christmas card and attached it to her present, so sweet.

I spent quite some time to wrap my present too, choosing to wrap it in a different way than usual. I want something simple yet unique, so I some sort of made a bag with the wrapper. Dad taught me how to do it some time ago. I find it nice and decided to apply for this event. The present I chose was something made by Auntie Peng. Asked her to make something so that its rather personalised. Smart Auntie Peng really made something out with a very christmas-colour. Nice!

I asked Eric coach to be the "santa claus" as he was the only coach free on that day. Guangyao coach was busy talking to Shifu. Things went on rather smoothly all thanks to what Shuyan told me earlier. She asked me to lay the things out first so that it would not be so messy. I did not thought of that earlier though. Guess I really have to put in more considerations when I organise things again.

Something really unexpected had happened and it was an additional learning experience I would say. Things were resolved smoothly due to mutual understanding. What I want to say is that they are just great people.

Happy Birthday to Me!!

It seemed to be just another day though it was a special day. Tired I guess.

Spent my morning at my Grandma house and went to meet up with Parvin at AMK Hub. Spent time chatting and browsing through photos and videos she took in India. We proceeded to HDB hub later on as she wanted to buy a thumbdrive. Took some pictures with the christmas decorations at AMK hub before leaving. The gingerbread man is very cute!

Went home after that as I was hungry. I really enjoy dressing up nicely as I don't usually does that. Used my new converse bag finally.

I want to thank Auntie Peng, Auntie Mui, Grandma, Dad, Parvin for the wishes and presents. Thank you Xiuhui, Huiyue, Yaxin, Grace, Yushi and Joshua for the wishes though some were belated. I am just glad that you people remembered and took the effort to send your greetings. =)

Thank you people! =D

Sinfonietta VIII

Went to my workplace straight after taking a walk at Chinatown and bought two breads for my dinner. Tried to sleep a little at the loading bay after finishing my bread. Can't really sleep due to constant disturbances from Uncle Jimmy. Noisy him kept singing hokkien song right in front of me.

Work commences when time was up. House-check. I found lots of chairs with the cilps released in just one block of seats. Great find I guess. I was still checking my block while the others had finished and were resting at one side. Junyu and Sam were practising their "synchronised dance", switching their crossed legs at the same "beat". Haha!

Doors opened and here came a guy with lots of special requests. He bombarded me with tonnes of questions and I was so glad that I managed to settle him. Guess he was one of the teacher-audience. Wanted to help my colleagues with the VIP seats but can't really leave my position as there are people who will just continue to exit from door four though a sign was indicated that no exit is allowed.

The performance was good though there is still room for improvement. Their band looks familiar. Guess I saw them before for their band performance I guess. Their uniform looked like nutcrackers.

After the end of the event, we waited for clearance of ther performers as they had their briefing and photo-taking session in the house. Tried to take a small nap but the others were rather noisy.

As the whole thing ended relatively early, I decided to go home by bus. Since I am still on concession, why not? Had a nice chat with the colleague that took the same bus as me again. The chat kept me awake throughout the ride.

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Mandeville Annual Concert 2009

It was a event that almost all of the ushers were not happy with. Many of the patrons were really not cooperative. Rich people? So? The main thing we had was to stop them from taking pictures.

The hirer did helped us once by asking the emcee to repeat the announcement of no photography and videography. It did help us a lot. How I wish other hirers would do the same too. Anyway, we were just executing instructions from the hirer. I saw some people eating too. The sign, "no food and drinks are allowed into the concert hall", was placed at the entrance. Illerate? Missed it? What about our direct reminders?

Some nasty people just treated us as people who are stupid. Is managing to take a picture while we were not looking or ignoring us an achievement? Wow. Frankly saying, I really need some guidance here, regarding how to deal with these nasty people. It would be easy if it was an SCO event as it was the standard rule of my working venue. The security can be asked to help. Hirer's event, well, I need more knowledge on these.

Well, this event really showcases how nasty people can be. My skills and knowledge definitely needs improvement too.

Musical Variations

It was brother's performance and I am working! I was assigned to be in-charged of door four again. VIPs. I was left to deal with the whole lot of people alone. Asked Jeanie to help me at times but I never got any. The event was rather, a mess. The principal of NYP did not produce a ticket. I felt rather annoyed that he talked to me with a tone depicting that he has the authority to do what he want.

After the VIPs were cleared finally, it was a relief. I found out that the people catering the food for the VIPs were actually from NYp's North Canteen. Initially I was thinking if there would be any leftovers for us. When I realised that it was from North Canteen, two words appeared in my mind - forget it.

From my position, I can see my brother though he was blocked at times by other people. Saw his solo for the "musique de cuisine". Cool. Guess that is the best piece of the day. It was a very lively piece. Zheng Laoshi wore his apron to conduct the orchestra too!

The concert generally was good. I was able to watch much of the show as the audience was rather cooperative. During intermission, I saw Mdm Wong Luan Wah, director for Allied Health. I greeted her. Guess she has forgotton who I am. Quite nice of her tosay 'thank you' to me before leaving.

While bringing my mum to the toilet, Mr Tan Swie Hian talked to me! Basically, he just asked me where is the toilet that's all. Haha. I was hoping that I can take a picture with him. Didn'tdo so in the end as I was too shy to ask. Furthermore, it wouldn't be nice if anyone were saw me doing that during my working hours.

There were some unhappy things that happened on that day. I really feel like scolding people. Planned to take a picture with my brother but did not in the end as there wasn't time. I was glad that I at least managed to take a picture with Cher.