Shit man.

Just got back from ensemble rehearsal and to tell u the truth, I hated that rehearsal. Playing that air drumming piece makes me so angry. Its not the difficulty. Its just that for a piece like that to be nice, it needs a quite a number of practices to get it sychronised and perfect for the vocals and the drumming. And the way we are playing it just now and with the concert just a few days later, i’m still wondering whether we can make it or not.

I just felt so emo after that rehearsal. Are we all really ready for the concert?? Is everyone serious enough to practise their parts for the concert?? Is everyone feeling the pressure of the concert?? Everyday, i keep thinkning to myself that. Whenever I go for rehearsals, I looked at all their faces. Laughter here and there. Chit chatting here and there. I don’t even feel the seriousness that we have a concert in a few days time and all i see is people who look as if “Oh concert still a long way to go la”. I know we have to be fun at times and not be so serious and enjoy ourselves but at the condition we are in right now, I don’t think being fun is an option.

I don’t know about others but I can really feel the full impact of the concert pressure. From the concert details, to dinner preparation, to printing of cards, to logistics and the transmission of information and the concert pieces. Just now during lecture, I had to skip it as I needed to print the cards which was to be handed in before afternoon. I don’t know how many lectures and tutorials i skip just for this bloody concert. My friends were like,”Last time, u never skip class one, den now all of a sudden for this, u skip so many”. I really felt that I had done a lot for our ensemble. I had told myself that at the start of poly life that I wanted a normal poly life. And now, i’m back to my secondary school band life. Always concentrating my time for band.

I really don’t know what to do. Why can’t I be like any other band members or percussion member?? Just play perfectly and don’t care about anything. Just concentrate on playing. And not have all these responsibilities and task to do. Haiz. I’m really at a loss. Sometimes, I just wonder what’s it like to be a follower and just follow what people tell you to do. This sucks…

I wanna play his solo!!!

This guy is just great. Hope to play like him when i’m older!!

MOE Performance

Here are some of the pictures that we took at the National Museum last Thursday for our performance.

           

The vibrant colours of our shirts were really outstanding during the performance and in addition, we had glitter all over us. Booya!

   

Our intricately designed cans.

Performance Time!!

   

Look, a UFO???!!!         

Smile for the camera!!

Why so serious???!!

Percussion Ensemble Concert

Hey friends from all around, Nanyang Polytechnic Percussion Ensemble is going to have their very first concert at the Theatre For The Arts @ Block A 2nd Floor on the 3rd of June at 7pm. Do come and support us for our very first concert and you’ll definitely be entertained!!

Glad..

Our percussion ensemble camp just ended today and I was glad I had planned it and at the end of the day, still get to enjoy the camp.

The camp was great. We played some ice breaking games at the stadium in the middle of the night, which was so freakin’ dark. By the end of that ice breaking games, we were like panting cuz the activities involve running. Phew, tiring. Anyway, the best part of the camp always happen in the bunks when we all mingle around with each other. As the organiser, even though I booked two rooms for our bunks, I decided to use only one room for everyone, guys and gerls, to sleep in as I wanted us to bond really well. Sadly, no “action” happened. Lol. Me, Danial and Robin stayed up all night doing pointless stuff. Lol. I borrowed Jackson’s guitar and sang some stupid songs I instantly made up. That was funny.

Anyway, the second morning was also great. We played dodgeball. A fun, tiring and painful game. I was such a loser, to be beaten by jokhie so many times. Lol. But I know that my ball shot was definitely the fastest. Haha. Ro Zhen was one more crazy player. His shot was very accurate. His shot keep hitting people’s head. And we were like laughing our ass off everytime it happened. And Sze Hao, I will still remember the shot u made that hit my groin so hard. Lol. If i took another 15 of those same shots, definitely no Father’s Day. Haha. We then had our last match as two groups and the losing team would be water-bombed. Apparently, even though I was not part of the losing team, I still kena bombed. But it was fun la. Haha.

At night, we watched Creep, and some of them were like “Eeee, Yucks, Oh My Gawd!”. The movie was quite gory and full of suspense. Some covered their eyes whenever there was a gory scene like Valarie. Lol. By the time, it was past midnight, everyone basically just went to sleep as we were so tired. I also managed to go to sleep. Like finally. But it was so cold. We had like three industrial fans which was switched on to the max. I was basically shivering while sleeping.

The next day, we ordered breakfast from Mac. Apparently, the stupid north canteen vendor couldn’t deliver us our breakfast because of some problems. Shit! After our breakfast, we had ensemble practice. I was so tired i almost fell asleep while playing. And the year 1s was playing some samba groove which was so infectious that I couldn’t even concentrate on my own playing. But the groove was super nice. Good Job, year 1s!

After the practice, we all took a group photo and then departed for home. The camp was just more than what I had expected. Everyone’s energy was just perfect for the camp, especially the year 1s. I’m glad that I’m part of this beautiful percussion section family.

 

Dialogue Session.

Yesterday, I had to go for the dialogue session with the Minister Of Finance, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at NYP block A. I was punctual and came at 240 when we were told to report at 3. I thought i was going to be the earliest. Apparently, I was beaten. Lol. Two other students frm SBM was earlier then me. One was from Media Studies & Management and his name was Isaac but we call him Zac. And the other was Chloe, a banking and finance student. Isaac was a very friendly and presentable looking student. He looks as if he is ready for the workforce already. Chloe was a sweet looking girl who was also very friendly.

As it was nearing 330, more and more students came into the room. Soon, it was packed with students and ater that, we were given instructions by the teacher in charge regarding some shit. Anyway, when Mr Tharman made his entrance, he was welcomed with a warm round of applause. He then started to give a short introduction regarding the whole dialogue session and a general overview of Singapore’s situation. When 10 mins, I was already getting sleepy. Lol. Felt like just dozing off as it was quiet and the air-con was just perfect for a sleeping atmosphere.

Soon after, we had to ask him questions and initially, students were reluctant to ask but as time goes on, more and more questions came. When it was time for one final question, no one raised up their hands to ask the last question. So, i took this opportunity to ask him my question.

“Good afternoon, Minister Sir. I would like to ask which one do you prefer, Prata with egg or prata without egg??”

If you think that that was my question, YOU WISH!!

“Good afternoon, Minister Sir. Do you think that the youths nowadays should be more involved in our nation’s politics and what advice do you have youths who wants to go into politics when they grow up.?

The answer he gave was super long and wordy I practically had to nod to every sentence he said to make sure that I looked like as i ws understading everything he said. But in reality, my brain as already falling asleep. Lol.

When the session ended, I was so glad as it was tea reception time! I “chiong” for the refreshments, especially the kueh lapis as it tastes great. I took this time to mingle with the other students. I found out a lot about the other students and i’m glad to have attended this session. If not, I wouldnt have made the friends that i did.

 From left to right——>

Chloe, Jing Long, Mr Tharman, Mark, Me and Zac

 

Wigs! Wigs! Wigs!

I was supposed to blog about the trip wif Jokhie to the costume shop yesterday, but was too freaking tired to blog. So the blog post is postponed to now.

Yesterday, me and Jokhie went to Bugis to find the No.1 Costume Shop. Apparently, that’s the name of the shop. The shopowner “bhb” la, call his shop. the No. 1 Costume Shop. Hahax. Moving on, we had a hard time finiding the shop as we wanted to search the shop by foot. Boy, was it tiring but at the same time, we got to see areas that can only be accessed by foot. It was such a great experience. But once we saw the shop from afar, we were like “YEAH, MAN!”

There were so many ridiculous costumes sold at the shop. Outrageous clothings and wigs. It was like a haven for weird and halloween costumes. Me and Jokhie was like so excited to try out the wigs.

 

Red Haired Rockers For LIFE!!

We look so gay la. Lol. Surprisingly, i look cool in red long hair!

8 More Practices!!!

Its 1.54 am and i’m still not asleep yet. Dun feel tired at all even after the tiring ensemble practice in the afternoon. Our concert is like so near and i dun think our ensemble is anywhere prepared for it lar. I’m really scared of the ensemble man. its like we have less than 2 weeks of practice left and to make it worse, it’s never a full attendance for the practice. And this makes me really scared. I wonder if the other percussion ensemble members feel the same way. If they dun, then they ought to feel it by the time they read this post.

Lets show the other NYP students that we are a force to be reckon with and lets also do it for Dennis, who has been teaching and sacrificing a lot for us. Lets make him proud by making our very first concert a superb and memorable one. It takes two hands to clap and so remember that if we all work together as one, we will definitely pull this concert off. if we believe we can do it, nothing is impossible. I hope that after reading this post, we will all realise that we are lacking in the number of practices and something has to be done so that we will be fully prepared for the concert.  Please spread this blog post around…

COME ON, PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE! WE CAN DO IT! PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE!

Touched By A……

Today was a very tiring day for me. Even so, I told myself that I must be alive and not look dead as the percussion ensemble had a kind of a small performance to show the MOE members at xin min sec sch in order to be able to be chosen to play for the minister sometime next week. It was awesome la. We also met the Temasek Poly Samba Group and boy, were they amazing. In addition, all of them were Malay, except for one Indian. They also had a cute president whose name was Fasihah or Fasehah, I dunno which one is the right spelling, but who cares?! She’s cute.

Anyway, we played Lids for them to see and they played a piece called Fiesta for us. They were really great. Those samba beats made all of us tap our feet non-stop. After that, we had a break and then proceed to the hall where we waited for our turn to perform in front of the MOE members. We were a bit nervous as we were performing. But all in all, the trip there was a great one. We enjoyed ourselves so much.

After that small performance, we went to dinner with Dennis. At first, we went to Botak Jones and we realized that it was not halal. Sucks. Then we went to this small indian muslim food stall. The food there was great man. We ordered like tons of food and just gorge ourselves until our stomach could not take it. Lol. In the midst of us eating, Dennis went off to somewhere. Then we were thinking, “what if Dennis “cabut” (run away) ah and we had to pay the bills?” Lol. The only we could settle the bill was to wash the plates and bowls. Of course, that was only our imagination.

When he came back, I was shocked to see that he brought a full circle cake, those birthday cakes, and i was like,”My god, is that really for me??”. And then, the birthday song came which was sung by “Dennis and The Percussion Ensemble” (sounds like a band, lol). At that point of time, I was speechless. It was all of a sudden. Everyone at the foodstall was all staring at us. I felt malu at first, but then as time goes by, i was really happy that they did this for me. At that point of time, I really felt like crying as it was a touching moment for me. Those u know me, i’m the really sensitive time and quite emotional and that moment was a very emotional one. But i knew that i could not cry there. I’ll be so embarrased. And that Jokhie was like, “Are u crying?” as he heard me keep blowing my nose. It was because of the spicy tom yam soup la. 

But seriously, I was really touched and on the verge of tears at that point of time. I really appreciate it what they have done for me and from the bottom of my heart, I would like to say thank you very much guys!!

Here are some of the pics that we took while we were there.

   

Who’s That Gerl??

Today, after our percussion ensemble, Me, J.J, Affni, and the lovebirds, Luntat and Jong, went for a late dinner. Super hungry la after ensemble. Moving on, we actually decided on KFC, but Affni joked that we should eat at pizza hut and also saying that she “blanja” us. Initially, i thought that idea was bullcrap, but when we reach amk, she was like,” Eh, Pizza Hut ah.” And we were like, “U serious??”

In the end, we went in Pizza Hut to eat our lunch there. We were served by this waitress, who was super cute and pretty. ZURA!..No, that’s not some weird outer space creature living in the endless galaxy, but it was the name of the cute waitress, Zura. When she was tending us, i juz kept staring at her ****. NO, not t***, but name. What were u thinking??? Anyway, Affni was like, “<pointing at me>Today is his birthday ah. Den u all can sing birthday song for him?” I was like F***.. Crazy or wad??

Moving on, alas, our food arrived! My lasagne came and when Zura placed it on the table, my finger accidentally touched the bottom plate of the lasagne and it was f***ing hot. OWWW! Then when Zura said, “Careful,” i was like “YYEEEEAAAAAAAAHHH!” Lol. No la. Not so overreacting la. But come on man, Zura, cute and pretty, saying “Careful” to me was the defining moment in my entire life eating at pizza hut.

Our lunch was a super silent one. Lol. No one talked. Everyone was so engrossed in eating their lunch. Then, when we finished our lunch, paid the bill and wanted to leave the place. All of a sudden, some random waitress came out of nowhere and told us that we needed to wait as the cooks were preparing our ice cream cause Zura told them that it was my birthday, which clearly isn’t but is coming. I was surprised la, yet happy. Dunno why. Lol. Anyway, when the ice cream arrived, all of us ate it, except for poor JJ who went to the washroom for so damn long and as the saying goes, “Ice cream waits for no man”. And so, we finished up the ice cream which was super nice and then we made our move.

On our way out, I saw Zura and then bid goodbye to her. My gosh. The feeling was great. Saying goodbye to someone u just met like half an hour ago. And then, she said bye too. But it didnt end there. She then said “Happy Birthday”. WOOOOHHHOOOOO!! All the joy in entire body was going to explode! I could feel the light ray of happiness shing upon me. hahax. Of course, i replied, “Thanks”. After that lunch, I really wished that today is really my birthday. And of course, I wouldn’t have experience all this if Affni hadn’t brought and treated us there, so Thanx, Affni!