Who found out that nothing could capture a heart like a melody can?

Been feeling like time has been drinking extra coffee lately (cause we all know time is a coffee drinker. okay, not really) and is just running by at twice the speed. For example, yesterday was Monday. But before I know it it'll be Friday. The day after would be Saturday. And Sunday comes after. (but I gotta get my bowl everyday. then decide which seat I should take.) okay enough kill-age of brain cells. :P

So anyways, this post is just an attempt to keep this blog alive. Music video time! (hopefully this one won't be removed by youtube)

Wow. O.O Just, wow. All bow down to Arthur Rubinstein. <3

(did you notice how many of these brackets I used?)

oh em double-you pee ayh (OMWPA XD) - Overseas Malaysian Winter Piano Academy

OMWPA was amazing.

During the camp, we were privileged to attend masterclasses with four highly
qualified professors; Mikhail Kazakevich, Andrew Ball, Murray McLachlan
and Bobby Chen himself. We got to sit in to each other's masterclasses
as well as attend composition, chamber, improvisation and piano
mechanics workshops delivered by Dr. Stephen Goss, Dr. Cheryl
Frances-Hoad, Professor Michael Dussek, Douglas Finch and John-Paul
Williams respectively. Most nights there were performances given by
talented musicians including Martin Fogel, Simon Callaghan, Andrew Ball,
Doulgas Finch and Murray McLachlan.

At night we all got together for an activity not listed in our handbooks -
“Common-rooming”. This was a time when we gathered in the common room
to watch TV, chit-chat, play pool, eat the delicious food that Bobby and
ZiWei so kindly bought for us or just relax.

An unforeseen, but much hoped for (at least by me) event was snow!
Snowball fights, snow angels, snowmen, even just waking up to the snow
covered grounds was amazing. Interestingly enough, it seemed that we
Malaysians had brought the snow with us, as when we arrived the school
grounds were still in their late Autumn/early Winter phase. As the days
progressed, the weather got colder and colder and the grass became increasingly frosty, until
midway through the course (on the day that we had London outing), we
returned from a snow-covered London to an even more snow-covered Cobham.

We were ecstatic. Most of us had never seen snow before (“Well, real snow
lah”, we’d say. “I’ve seen snow in Singapore only.”) and suddenly we
more snow then we had ever dreamed of. There is nothing else like being
snowballed in the face or making snowmen, and some of us found out why
that’s probably not a good idea when we got sick. Indeed almost all of
us seemed to have gotten sick, if not there then when we got back home.

Luckily, we had extra healthy food on hand. Yehudi Menuhin was a very healthy
person, and his lifestyle influenced his school cafeteria is nothing
else. Meals were generally salt free, sugar free, fat reduced and
sometimes taste free. The popularity of the food varied day by day, chef
by chef and the people you asked. Maggi Mee was a relief for some,
while for others it was chocolate or bananas.

While the food kept us healthy, we unfortunately had no form of exercise
besides the snowball fights. Though there was an indoor swimming pool,
no one brought their swim suits, so the pool was sadly underused. Next
to the swimming pool was the Menuhin Hall, which was built after its
namesakes death. A warm, cosy and acoustically brilliant hall, we were
excited to perform in it at the end of the course in the gala concert.
What made it even more special, was knowing that Lord Menuhin and his
wife Dianna’s graves were right next door to the hall.

Besides
the masterclasses, workshops etc, the whole atmosphere was the great
learning experience. From as early as 6am in the morning to 11pm at
night, people would be practising on the pianos in their rooms, in the
hallways or in the numerous music studios throughout the school. Walking
through the hallways hearing piano music 24/7 was magical, though near
the end, it was a treat for your ears to hear the sound of a violin,
cello, flute or just silence.

Perhaps it was the atmosphere, or the snow, or the wonderful
non-competitiveness of the course, but by the time it was time to go,
everyone was like one big family. As we sang in the song we composed
especially for Bobby and the OMWPA;

“Some experiences last a lifetime, this one surely will,
We're all together in the Menuhin School,
Some experiences last a lifetime, treasure it all our lives,
We thank you Bobby with all our hearts.”

How is it already December? O_O

5 days 'til we leave.

3 days to the Cello Concert.

1 day to ...well, nothing but somehow every countdown is not complete with out a "1" :D

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333781/UK-snow-blanket-closes-schools-AA-busiest-day-ever.html

Check that out! I hoped there would be snow and then... XD Be careful what you wish for, haha.

:')

If you haven't already (heard) listened: http://bfm.my/young-music-maestros-yehudi-menuhin-school.html

1 hour...

...to my birthday! :D :D :D Or thereabouts. I shall be 15. omg it seems like just yesterday when I was turning 14 and I was like "D: D: D: I'm so old" hahaha. Now I'm even older. D: Though some how this year I don't mind. In fact, I'm embracing it. :D

Okay, so even though I rarely update, I've linked my blog to networked blogs. Go follow it! :D

http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blog/i_should_get_a_blog_shouldnt_i/?ref=mf

wooooooooooOOOOOOO, for the longest time~

In other news... http://www.mmail.com.my/content/52829-ballad-bobby-chen

:D

That's right. Get ready London, I'm coming at'cha! Seriously though, I can't wait. Also, I'm going to be on the radio with Ryan Lum and Chris Syer on Nov 1st. So tune in to BFM 89.9 at 3.00pm (I think)! Which is awesome, but slightly scary. XD I am totally hoping I don't mumble.

*insert compulsory youtube video here*

cause when you're Fifteen, and somebody tells you they love you something something something~

and lastly, since everyone should be aware :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhoY88XIHM4

AWELLA EVERYBODY'S HEARD ABOUT THE WORD~

PAPAPAPAPAPAPA OOM MOW MOW PAPA OOM MOW MOW~

it will get stuck in your head. :D

oh cello...

changed mah layout. now you can actually see the pictures i post. XD

violin audition this sunday. :O and i had a piano audition last monday. the stress/wonderful experiences never ends...

for lack of a proper update...

chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarlieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. must. stop. watching. >.<

why are there so many songs about rainbows?

i want my voice back. D: and i wonder if the insect that bit me in the shower was a spider. then i would become... Spider-Girl! oh yeaaah. but whatever it was it probably wasn't radioactive, cause my sore throat would probably be gone by now and i'd suddenly have upper body strength. and lower body strength. and strength in general.

(click on the poster cause my blog sucks and tends to cut-off pictures)

are YOU going? :D it looks and sounds like an awesome show, and everyone has been working their butts off to the point of getting actual pains in the butt. XD

so, come! seats are FREE but they're running out fast and are at a first come first served basis. so if you want an invitation (or a reserved seat) you can get one by donating only RM30. :D

can-can? can, can

Please allow me to introduce a group of young musicians, the “AM String Ensemble” from Anne Musikschule, who will be performing today together with their teacher Miss Savy.

They will be playing three songs on the violin and cello:

1. You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban

2. Matsuri by Kitaro

3. Can Can – a popular folk song

They would like to dedicate their performance today to Mr Brian Tan, their beloved violin teacher, who is also Resident Conductor of the KLPAC orchestra. Brian, unfortunately, is unable to be with us here this evening as he is overseas undergoing chemotherapy.

The children miss him a lot, especially his music instruction and great sense of humour. They wish him a speedy recovery and want him to stay strong and win his fight with cancer. They are confident that he will emerge the winner.

Here are the children:

1. Andrea

2. Andrew

3. Debra

4. Emma

5. Joshua

6. Joon Wei

7. Shu Wei

8. Suzanne

9. WeiQian

10. Edward

Performing the first song: You Raise Me Up, the children wish to say

“Uncle Brian, this is for you!”

---

About two weeks ago, Josh and I were asked to be a part of the Anne Musikschule Strings Ensemble which would play at the Relay For Life organised by the National Cancer Society of Malaysia.

I was pretty excited about it and I went around wearing the awesome T-Shirt they gave with each registration. When the big day came, I must admit I was nervous, but all nerves went away when we got there because it was stinking HOT. Sound check was at 2pm. Here's a tip, at 2pm, in Malaysia, try to avoid playing a fragile, sensitive-to-the-elements instrument. But unfortunately there are times when it can't be avoided.

As you can see, everyone was feeling the effects of the heat. Fortunately the weather calmed itself down and we managed to perform in comfortable weather. The performance itself exceeded expectations. :) We had an awesome crowd who honoured us by asking for an encore which we had not prepared, so we repeated the Can-Can. I swear at one point during the Can-Can I saw one lady go wild. XD

Living in a tropical country like Malaysia, we have two main type of weather: extremely hot and thunderstorms. The weather gods decided to treat us to both in one day. In a stark contrast to the sound check, by the time we had begun our encore it was drizzling, and by the end it was pouring so hard that we couldn't get off the stage.

The whole experience was a whole load of fun, and it was all the more memorable as it was dedicated to Mr. Brian Tan, who was the conductor of the AMPAC strings ensemble and KLPAC. We all wish for his speedy recovery.

Sooo, this next month or so is scheduled to be crazy. There is the Jamboree on June 26th at the DFP, where Josh and I are performing a duet so come and watch/support/clap loud-loud/all of the above. :D And then I'll be performing the with the Philharmonic Society of Selangor on July 10th and possibly 11th. Again, come and watch/support/clap loud-loud/all of the above. :D Both sound like it's gonna be a good show!

I CAN HEAR AGAIN! DANCE PARTYYY *warning, image heavy*

I CAN'T HEAR YOU, SCARLET FEVER

Yesterday I went swimming (cue round of applause, I actually exercised!) and after that my right ear was annoyingly blocked. I don't think it's water stuck there, but more like the water dislodged something. Ahem. Anyway. I feel sick, though I'm not technically but.

Your ears are very important for your body's balance. And coherence. Like, literally I can sense that everything that comes out of my mouth right now is either mumbled or illogical. Same with my typing. I can see words strung together in a sentence and I know that it's not making sense.

See, that past sentence did not make sense. I think. Also, there is this high pitched shrill thing sound constantly in my right ear. Oh, god, that didn't make sense either. But anyway, it's annoying.

I have to ask people to repeat themselves almost constantly. I feel like that guy from Glee, you know, he was all SCARLET FEVER. At least I remember what it was like having to fully functioning ears, but those poor kids...

ANYWAY IF YOU COULDN'T TELL I AM FEELING JUST DANDY. /SARCASM :D

/and end rant

i'm deaf in one ear

via http://www.learnsomethingeveryday.co.uk/ - click it for more random facts which you could not have lived without.

choir - it's stuck in my head.

Bumi yang tiada rimba seumpama hamba

Ia dicemar manusia yang jahil ketawa

Bumi yang tiada udara bagai tiada nyawa

Pasti hilang suatu hari tanpa disedari

Bumi tanpa lautan akan kehausan

Pasti lambat laun hilang duniaku yang malang

Dewasa ini kita saling merayakan

Kejayaan yang akhirnya membinasakan

Apalah gunanya kematangan fikiran

Bila di jiwa kita masih lagi muda dan mentah

Ku lihat hijau

Oh anok-anok tokleh meghaso mandi laok

Bersaing main ghama-ghama

Aleh lo ni tuo umonyo berjuto

Kito usoho jauh ke daghi malapetako

Ozon lo ni ko hok nipih nak nak aghi

Nok make asak hok bisa weh pasa maknusio

Sehemuo bendo-bendo didunio tok leh tehe

Sampa bilo-bilo

Bumiku yang kian pudar siapa yang melihat

Di kala kita tersedar mungkinkah terlewat

Korupsi…operesi… obsesi diri

Polusi…depresi… di bumi kini 2X

Di bumiku kini 3X

Is it April 14th already?

so...

who thinks i should update this blog?

you know that i could use somebody

So 2010 is here! It seems like just yesterday when 2009 was just starting. Well, it's been a whirlwind year and I'm sure it'll only get... windier. :P

Anyways, here are my resolutions for 2010. I've cello (no, not the violon type. :P) taped it to my cupboard so that I'll see it everyday.

(click for a bigger pic)

But sadly I haven't woken up with a smile yet. More like with a groan. lol Well, here we go. Here's to a great year! <3

BTW check it out: 13 Lessons I Learnt As A Parent :)

numbers having genders

"Each number has its own personality - masculine or feminine, perfect or incomplete, beautiful or ugly."

-Pythagoras

Well, if Pythagoras said it it must be true. :) I personally think that -

1 is a male
2 is a female
3 is a tomboyish female
4 is a female
5 is a female
6 is a female
7 is a male
8 is a male
9 is a female
0 is a male

Hmm, I have a lot of females on there. lol Apparently even though this totally makes sense to me some people think that numbers having genders is crazy. Anyway.

What I'm wondering, is if numbers has its own personalities, then how come 7 ate 9? :P

I just wanna jump. JUMP! :D

WHEEE! I'm really excited! (warning, when I'm excited I tend to use caps. lol)

...because the results for my Gr. 4 Piano Practical exam has come out and I'm so happy because I got a... DISTINCTION (136 marks)!! WOO! :D The fact that it's my first exam makes it all the more wonderful. The only thing that pulled me down was my sight-reading (15/21 marks). I thought I would have gotten better marks but oh well.

However, my Aural was FULL MARKS!! (18/18) So that's awesome. My scales went a lot better than I thought they would on the day so the mark that I got was awesome (18/21).

Luckily the examiner didn't say anything about me not bringing the book. LOL So I got 28/30 for the Bach my 1st piece, 29/30 for the Vaughan Williams, my 2nd, (I'm kinda surprised at that one, actually), and 28/30 for the Bartok, my 3rd.

Went to watch Harry Potter yesterday. :D I really enjoyed it. Liked it a lot more than the 4th and 5th ones, actually, maybe it's because (as people have said) it's a bit more of a chick-flick with all the romance. lol

Anyway, Josh did really well on his exam as well, with 138 (distinction) marks. :D He said that he was just hoping he would pass. lol

Woot!

boom, boom...

It's scary, man.

So on Thursday Mum noticed smoke coming from the kitchen (the kitchen is where all the main switches are). After some experimenting, we discovered that it was the heater.

As we are rather kiasu lol, we decided to not sleep with the a/c on that night, and thank goodness we didn't, because when the electrician came over, he showed us a red wire which had burned and was now black, and he said that if it had touched the wire next to it, we would have gone ka-boom!

Okay, I didn't explain it very well, lol so here's a picture.



Better safe than sorry.

:)