-First part of Arthur O'Shaughnessy's wonderful poem We Are The Music Makers

***

I call it Old Friends, Old Melodies haha. But it was definitely a new harmony that I wish to see bloom and grow forever (Edelweiss ! haha).

I want to wait for the videos before doing an analysis but what I've found so far after listening to the few ones on youtube is that chorally we are not round enough. Funny how we are too choral for the pop songs and too pop for the choral songs. Our 'a' vowels sound like 'eh'. :/ Our high notes have improved but our low notes aren't light enough and those at the end of phrases aren't too well crafted. (I guess I'm speaking more about the girls.. I still find it difficult to comment on how the guys sound.. But kudos to the basses for remembering the entrances for Ride the Chariot, lols)

What I can say about the boys though is that basses have achieved a blend that's not too bad and that is something the tenors have to work on. I think as individual singers we still need to work on confidence so hopefully more quartet singing ! Also will force us to listen more to the chords and how the different parts fit in. Dynamics wise can definitely be more dramatic but I think in part it's due to us not trying hard enough to memorise the changes or concentrating too hard on actions/words and stuff. I guess that happens when we don't 'drill' songs.

Our soloists were awesome and I loved us as a girl chorus even though the actions did make up for some quality. Mmms.. And it was amazing how we got the actions on the friday itself ! GIRL POWERRR ! I'm kinda sad though that our Cold & Fugue wasn't as impressive as it could've been and that us A2s were barely audible. :( Dodgy indeed. I confess notes were entirely retarded on the 3rd & 2nd last pages cos that was our major movement bit. Sadz, will improve ! Very proud of how us girls worked together and threw out suggestions for both the music and the choreo. :)

Was extremely apprehensive of the repertoire at first (gpt, gw and zk can attest to that) but on hindsight I am pleased with the songs that we dug up from the cupboard. Lols. Maybe not too keen on the Japanese triptych. I find it particularly difficult to show versatility when the pieces are so short. I am looking forward to next year's repertoire and now with early planning (FINGERS CROSSED) I'm sure it'll be a blast. (and an even greater challenge cos we'd probably learn songs from scratch ? haha) Hopefully some of us can come up with exciting arrangements and I'll get to learn how to create something nice.

Another thing about our repertoire and the concert is how over the weeks our stamina improved. Still needs work but considering how we haven't put on a close to 1.5 hour show in EONS, I say well done friends.

It's funny cos as the concert neared, people became increasingly worried. I think for me it was the other way around. With the exception of the girl chorus pieces. I think I attended close to every practice we had and many months ago (march/april maybe ?) I was distraught over issues concerning repertoire, commitment and management. (okay, sounds more dramatic than it was haha) But as the weeks passed I relaxed as more people pledged to stick it out and we had fruitful practices.

It's a pity that not everyone could eventually sing with us (sad face for howard) but I am heartened by the enthusiasm and bravado of Cecilia and Shona, the babies of the alumni. It just feels pretty surreal how so many months of saturday gatherings in the aj choir room amounted to that 2 hours. Of course I miss it already. And anyway, that's the way things are. Old Friends, New Melodies. 3/4 months of planning and practising and One Night Only. The life of a performer. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

***

Too tired already, am shutting down. Vision is blurred and head is aching. Squints. So shall just end off with my thanks.

Firstly to all my friends who've supported me all these years. And I seriously mean all these years. The concerts with aj choir and with amadeus and with LIV and now with alumni. I love my Cedar girlfriends. :D Sk, Slin, Jlow, Ber, Xunny, Mich (who came to look for me after the concert) and Qua (who couldn't turn up last minute). Thanks also to my ex-colleagues and newfound friends who showed up :) Kennie and Huiyun. Thanks also to friends that came (apart from those I sold tickets to) ! Sooks, Zhanny, Xiany, Mavis, Christina, Jeremy, Edna, Yingtong, Joey, Zhizhong, Tan En, Chong ping.. Anyone else ?

The altos definitely. Jiemin, Szemun and Nuan. Cedar SOLID. Ever so reliable and helpful :) And also the juniors Saffie & Aggie for being so willing to learn and improve and helping me as well. Not forgetting the short one Yuk Lum for keeping me entertained everytime we give each other looks whilst we sing.

The usual gang. The people who make things extra exciting. And how we fret about the repertoire and shop for costumes together. The little things outside practice. :) Gwei, Zkai, Gpt, Pyong, Mrong, Saffie.

The girls ! As mentioned above. As SSAA, we got the potential.

The committee + Peiying. For their dedication. Especially Geok's constant reminders, very useful !

Markmark for having ideals, sharing them with us and sticking to them. One of them being open to ideas. I still don't know what a democracy is but I think we're not too bad. And because he disturbs me sometimes. I don't have a lot of guy friends who do that lols. Oh yes and thanks to him also because I've been thinking more about musical direction and technicalities. Has increased my awareness as a performer. :)

Everyone else. Within and without the alumni choir that performed on friday. The small things. Like the pronounciation and history lessons. Having a horfun dinner together before practice. Dancing in front of the block 11 toilet mirror. Gathering in the alley behind YMS. Stupid actions during blue moon and weird sounds during circle of life. :D

I dedicate it all to God. I have neglected Him so but what we went through and the wonderful experience of friendship and music is testimony of how He never fails to amaze. :)

Yes this is one of those times. And so I need beer, friends and good live music.

Tanya En is amusing. I haven't done my post mortem for the SAF and will try to find time soon to do one for Old Friends, New Melodies. Am milking every last hour this week for what it's worth. Trying to make it as action packed as possible. Hope I have time to pack, haha !

Seriously, I am idiotic.

Excited to crushed in 3.5 seconds flat I tell you, haha.

Fishball. Fish fingers. Fillet-O-fish.

In other words, oh fuck.

Sickness seems imminent. Damn. Shizzle. Argh. Noooo.

I also smell like chomp chomp.

I'm about done. Actually, I can't be bothered anymore, too exhausted. Stupid glue. My room looks like a bunch of turkeys was brutally massacred. It smells horrible too. One would not believe the amount of effort it takes to glue feathers. ROAR.

On stage, that afternoon, this simple fact struck me with the unmistakable force of truth. Tracy Flick needed someone to cheer her up. Maybe that's what we look for in the people we love, the spark of unhappiness we think we know how to extinguish...

-Election, Tom Perrotta

As I sat in court, though, and listened to the testimonies of the witnesses and the speeches of the prosecutors and the arguments of the defense attorneys and the statements of the defendants, I became a lot less sure of myself. In other words, I started seeing it like this: that there really was no such thing as a wall separating their world from mine. Or if there was such a wall, it was probably a flimsy one made of papier-mache. The second I leaned on it, I'd probably fall right through and end up on the other side. Or maybe it's that the other side has already managed to sneak its way inside of us, and we just haven't noticed.

-Takahashi on why he wanted to study law properly in After Dark by Haruki Murakami

Let me tell you something, Mari. The ground we stand on looks solid enough, but if something happens it can drop right out from under you. And once that happens, you've had it: things'll never be the same. All you can do is go on living alone down there in the darkness.

-Korogi to Mari in After Dark

Alumni Alto All Blacks. Full throttle ahead for the concert this friday. Still having trouble with Blue Moon but I spent most of today getting the lyrics right for Pasigin. Am mostly worried for the girls' chorus. Have to pull everything together on wednesday ! I CAN'T DANCE ! Boo. I should take classes.. Before the arms get flabbier haha..

***

Argh, damn facebook chat. My message to deme can't get through. Spoke a bit to Danilo and Leandro also.. :) I remember how one of the sweetest parts of R&J was Deme and Bojana giving me their bouquets. :D Tibi just threw his into the crowd, haha.. Man I miss them..

I want to cycle....... Who wants to cycle........

Write 22 things about 22 people. Identification is optional. People are mentioned in no particular order.

1. I can't stand that you don't want more from your life.
2. I love it that even though I don't see him often, I never feel uncomfortable talking to Shawn. He cracks me up.
3. Sometimes I miss you. A lot of the time I can't stand you.
4. I wonder if we're only friends because we were once friends.
5. STOP FLIRTING WITH HIM. I hate it. Thanks.
6. Am thoroughly disappointed with you. Shrugs.
7. Peiyong you are adorable. :D 'The fan looks like chocolate!'
8. A few years back I had an eensy crush on you. Of course, some harmless flirting now and then doesn't hurt HAHA.
9. You really depress me sometimes. Self-esteem issues mmms.
10. Yes I like the potential I see. But you're an idiot also. Hmph.
11. If you think something is important enough, you will make time for it.
12. Lookylikey, we don't talk often but I really love it when we do :)
13. Xunny, you have a billion friends but you still plan pten outings. XOXO
14. Seriously, what kind of friends have you been making ?!
15. Since I wasn't invited to yours, I'm wondering if it's worse to invite or not invite you to my party. LOL.
16. You whine too much. You leave me out. You are annoying. You are also self-absorbed.
17. GPT, I enjoy nua-ing with you !
18. Sooks, I'm sad that I'm not more a part of your life like I was in sec2 (almost nightly phone conversations !) but we're still friends and that's what matters. Also, COLDPLAYYY :DDD
19. I think I regularly run out of things to say to you. It's not a comfortable silence either.
20. Mark, I think you're swell not only because you inspire us to try retarded things but also because you make me feel like I matter. Thanks :)
21. You scare me. An other half isn't everything in life.
22. What I wouldn't do to see you again ah gong.

***

Wow, an almost one week hiatus is very unlike me ! Despite work ending on sunday. Paperwork and shopping with Nessa on tuesday. Swimming before alumni prac on weds at Zkai's bishan condo was awesome :D We have to do it again ! Then a sleepover at Zkai's with Aggie, Saffie, Mrong, Gwei and Pyong. Thursday after the sleepover was spent at Heaven's Loft at Orchard Central with Chok, Grandma's after that and dinner at Raffles City with Xunny and Qua. I like when we talk by the riverside :) On Friday the Arts Council sponsored a buffet lunch for those involved in SAF09 and after that I met Mrong, Pyong and Zkai to shop for the concert. Came back with a pair of leggings, a necklace, a belt and a dress. :x I'm surprised I didn't buy shoes. Had practice today with less than a week to concert. Rather worrying I must say but we'll get by. With faith and the right attitude, we'll put up a good show. Had a good time at Shiying's party even though I couldn't stay long. Thanks to Shiying, Joa and dearest Shawn Low. I need a day of rest and nua-ing. Although I do want to turn up for LIV, my physical state is not in the best shape. I think bearing the trip in mind, I might have to pull out of the Amadeus concert. Shizzle. So many things I want to do, so little time and money. I can't believe that there's only about a month and a half left ! Before school starts. But who am I to complain ? I hardly go to school. :x

SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEN, GOODNIGHT, BAKKA, KTHXBYE !!!

Talk about ending with a pffft instead of a bang. Sigh sigh.

The transport company is PISSING ME OFF TO NO END I TELL YOU. Okay, I hope we don't get crap tomorrow at rehearsal.

Anyway, overdue photos of our softcore nights. Howl at the Moon again ! :D Last thursday..

Minus ber, slin and of course ruz..

I have no idea why we're blue but I think gideon amused the stalkers haha..

SAXYYYYYYYY !!! Omgah so hot hehehehe. :D

I thought of something funny. The best place to look out for cute angmohs would be at a hotel lobby. Then I realised that would make me seem like a hooker. Oh dear.

I am so unmarryable, how sad. HAHA. Pyong calls me Cloudybel because everyone thinks my future is very ambiguous.

You know what warms my heart ? That I still talk to Gaja and Matt randomly once in a blue moon. Even though I met them a year ago at the festival. :) It'd be awesome if I see him in July !

Day zero and ALREADY so much drama. Gahhhhhhd. Never mind, I shall keep my cool by gazing at the cute (and did I mention young ?) brunette. :D

PHOTOS ! Finally, some energy to upload Isango Portobello's The Magic Flute. But in reverse chronological order..


With Busi who didn't manage to get on the same flight as the company the first time round. She's one of the youngest and an awesome drummer and singer :D

Lebu ! Stage manager extraordinaire ! :) I'm probably the closest to him cos we had a good chat when I was with him at the hospital for a cracked bone in his toe..

You know what's so horrible ? (apart from my weird ass smile in this picture) That I never got to know the names of more than a third of them. 36 South Africans and 5 Brits but I didn't learn all their names. :'( For example, I have no idea who those two guys are. :S But I'm touched that they wanted a picture with me :)

With Nonkii ! Or Xolani Momo. (I don't get it either..) On saturday (they flew off on sunday) he thought I was a participant from the percussion workshop ! So crushed I tell you, I was.. But he's really nice, coming up to talk to me on the last two days so yay :)

Sebastian ! The friendliest cast member from the start. I'll always remember him as the tall intellectual one cos he's the only one who wears glasses.. He always chats with us :) And I love how they all use 'my darling' on us hurhur. Oh and he was in the cast of Phantom of the Opera in 2007 ! How awesome is that ?

Lucien the master set builder who has the funkiest hair and Pippa who is by far the best company manager I've worked with. She's super efficient and helpful, simply awesome. :)

Zabrina the siao gi na. For their last performance, we were under the stage singing disney songs and dancing to other random pop songs. The girl is CRAZY. Haha I love her but I don't know whether I want to work with her :x

With the 445pm crew ! Stage management Lebu and Zoleka and wardrobe Malusi and Shauner :D
Shucks, my one picture with Hidy, the awesome wardrobe lady whom I worked with also for H3 and I enjoy chatting with, is not even half decent. PBFT. Pity I won't see her at concert hall with moscow..

:D hehe.

Mark Donford-May ! Otherwise known as Fat Mark. Awfully jolly guy, no airs at all for a director :)

Thin Mark ! Mark Rubinstein, agent and the fellow I had to take to the bank.. I'm doing so many other new things this year.. Like the physiotherapist for some of the Grupo boys, the bank and hospital for magic flute..


Jono ! It's a much cuter nickname for Jonathan than Johnny. Haha, he's, as Joel dubs, my cute white boy :D Pity I didn't get to chat with him much.. The tech boys are always busy !

The company on stage ! I tell you, words cannot describe how awesome they sound. Even whilst warming up. And the energy is AMAZING. I only wish the same kind of technique, quality and spirit for our choirs..

Despite some initial misgivings, I had an awesome time with Impempe Yomlingo and watching them rehearse was fabulous :) A lot of the company weren't as friendly especially the ladies but those I got to know are really great people. :) Can't wait to see what Moscow will bring.. Misgivings abound too. Am most worried for this group. And on the one hand, am thrilled to be returning to the esplanade (although it's not theatre, BOOHOOHOO.. anna karenina looked really fun and everyone is hot & chio please) but on the other hand it's much more complicated. :B We'll see ! And and I need a job for after the 14th.....

***

Have been looping King's Singers' Lonesome Road, The Beatles' Blackbird and Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire. I know. Talk about an odd mix. Heh. YEAHHHHHH YOUR SEX IS ON FIRE !!!!! Haha..

Just in case anyone asks, I want a garden gnome for my birthday. Just like the travelocity/toca riviera one. AHHAHA. For what, I don't know. Hehe. Creepy short adorable little man.

Christabel hath an awesomest day.

By and by I come ! Go to ! Make haste !

After a spot of shopping, we caught Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet in the esplanade library screening room with Jlow & SK. 'Twas hilariously weird. We laughed non stop at the old english and the crazy nurse.

Howl at the Moon where Cherr, Gideon (giddy), Hector (hecty?), Joey (joey -.-), Georgy, Mark Tan and Yuklum joined us. Joey had to give a lap dance and got one too and Mark got a drink consisting of beer, jagermeister, bailey's and something else. I suggested grass but I guess they didn't have that. (maybe only weed?) Music was awesome as usual. :D Tons more people compared to the last time.. Wish you were there Slin and Ber !

You bitch ! You slut ! You whore !

Yes, that's me the SPG.

Had 2 glasses of mushroomy wine and a choya martini, am off to bed. Magic Flute pictures and other random nonsense photos another time !

Do you eat a lot of fast food?

Nope. I try not to. Unless darling pten is in the mood for the old man, haha. But apart from it being deep fried and worse for the throat, I don't exactly believe in supporting huge ass fast food MNCs. Something about upsizing and double quarter pounders and 3 dollar wages get to me.

Besides your mouth, where is your favorite spot to get kissed?

I'm going to do a susan boyle and say I've never been kissed. Haha ! Oh wait, I remember Danny kissed my hand before and that was just w e i r d. :x

Were you happy when you woke up today?

Nope. Cos I couldn't go back to bed and I'd only gotten 5 hours of sleep.

How about now?

Still very much sleep deprived. And a little less happy now that impempe yomlingo (the magic flute) has left..

Have you ever streaked?

No. I believe no one wants to see me bare any part of me.

Are you an understanding person?

I'd like to think that I am. Even when I don't accept many things, I try my best to see where people are coming from.

Do you eat candy on a daily basis?

Nope. Gwei, I haven't had one of your cupcakes in eons !

Does it make you happy to get letters?

Very. I know it makes people happy too so I try to send the second best thing- ecards. I love getting non-forwarded emails too. It's nice to know that in this day and age, words can still mean so much. And darn all you horrible people who don't reply my ecards ! >(

Do raisins belong in cookies?

Hehe, yes as howie says, they should partner oatmeal and have wuvly oatmeal raisin cookie babies. Yum, those born in subway are scrum-diddly-dumptious.

What’s your screen name?

Er hrms crowdkiller, shujun, belle.

Walking into a party, what’s the first thing you notice?

Whether the guys have potential, HAHA. Or if there are helium balloons for me to take home. Or maybe the food, lols.

Kiss on the first date?

No sucking on the person's face thank you.

What’s one thing you’ve learned from a good friendship gone bad?

I cannot keep taking responsibility for everything and I should be more honest with people instead of bottling everything.


Would you ever donate blood?

I want to !!! But I'm mighty scared of the thick needle.

Have you ever felt replaced?

Hrms, yes I think so.

Are there deerheads covering any walls in your house?

No never ! No hunting ever ! Unless it's a drag hunt... Is that what you call it ?

Are you good at telling jokes?

Er, don't think so cos I just end up laughing too hard.

Have you ever driven without a license?

No. Neither have I killed nor thrilled without a license.

Do you wish you had smaller feet?

YES OMGAH DAMMIT LAH I ALWAYS HAVE FEET PROBLEMS. Being between sizes sucks.

Have you ever had a best friend who was of the opposite sex?

Had ? Hahaha. That was sarcastic laughter by the way. But yes I do have a few pretty awesome guy friends :)

When ordering sushi, what do you get?

SPICY SALMON. WHO WANTS TO SUSHI WITH MEEE !!!

Do you write in cursive or in print?

Depends on my mood. If I'm feeling whimsical, then fat cursive. But mostly print.

Who was the last person you sat next to?

Hrms ! Sat next to..... the bus driver of the hotel to airport transfer. Lols. And also Lebu and Zamile.

What were you doing at 10 am?

Rushing to Hotel Rendezvous to bring Lebu to the hospital.

Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?

The top side ? Haha. It's so small and my stuffed animals take up a third of the bed already..

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

Hrms. Less hot tempered I think ?

Do you know how to play poker?

Texas hold-em. But I suck at it. Belle is EPIC FAIL at poker and bluff.

***

Finished murakami's Dance Dance Dance. I liked it. But as per usual, murakami really messes with your mind. Mindfucks you.

Still very much sleep deprived. Impempe Yomlingo have departed, will really miss some of them and the brits. Photos another time.

First time I felt the HORROR of having only two dollars in my savings account. Down from 4000 dollars in 2007. Gahhhd.

I realise I haven't blogged this but B- !??!?!?!?!? FOR HYDRO !??!?!?!?!??!? Wtf. Apart from that am extremely pleased with sustainability, changing landscapes and pleasantly surprised for biophysical environment (considering we had a damn stupid C+ for the group assignment).

Okay need to save money and send out resumes. If if if I'm going, it's going to be bloody brilliant.