A new journey begins.

Reading back my blogposts help me keep my life in check. So my previous post was about me looking forward to going into NIE, and now I'm graduating (again) in two weeks and starting my journey as a beginning teacher next week.

NIE was truly an amazing experience for me, going back to school, meeting a bunch of awesome friends and music-teachers-to-be. 26 years and I think that marked the end of my time as an official student, while I brave the storms in my new vocation. I'm anxious, I'm nervous, I don't know what to expect come next week, and the rest of the three years or longer. My disinterest for children really doesn't help sometimes and it drags me down. Will I be great, will I be average? At least it is heartening to know I haven't given up since my last post. So with that, I pen down that I will give it my best shot, and see where God leads me to, and hopefully next stage of life catches up soon enough from there.

Who am I?

Seems like the month of July and March are my blogging periods of the year, based on my previous posts hahahaha. But anyway.

I think it's time to pen down a new journey in my life, working full time, that is. I've been officially enrolled as an MOE teacher. For short, for long, I have no idea yet.

It's my third month in the job and I'm still having second thoughts about the contract. To be honest, I've done nothing musically enriching during this three months and I feel crappy about it. Everyone around me tells me that I'm in a great job, ending work before everyone else does (although I start earlier than everyone else too), that since I'm a music teacher I have no marking load unlike the other subject teachers, that I'm getting a stable income, etc. Well, I can say all the above are true for my case now as an untrained teacher, but it somehow doesn't make me happy since I'm constantly feeling empty inside. I have to consistently remind myself that I'm in a great job and trust me that ain't easy, since I'm not that positive to start with hmmmm.

Yet I know, that I'll probably have complaints about any other jobs, because that's how Life is, and we just have to deal with it. I guess the BIGGER question is, what do I want to do in life? What makes me happy? What am I made to do? I think we all face this quarter-life crisis, and just wished we were a kid again.

Now I am looking forward to being in NIE, for I truly miss being a student. Sigh. Let's see where the next blog post will take me.

So we went to Bangkok couple of weeks back for a 6D5N trip, and I decided to do up a vlog on the trip, consolidating everywhere we've been to in fifteen minutes!

Basically, the places of interest include:
1. Luxx Hotel - boutique hotel located in Silom
2. Terminal 21 - themed shopping mall
3. Central World - shopping mall
4. After You cafe - and their popular shibuya honey toast
5. Asiatique - shopping area away from the city
6. Dreamworld Bangkok - theme park
7. True Love Cafe - husky cafe that includes interaction with the dogs
8. JJ Green (Chatuchak Green) - Weekend Night Market
9. Seacon Square - shopping mall 
10. Rod Fai - Night Market

Jon and I spent a total of $1400 inclusive of accommodation, flight via scoot and all expenses! Pretty good deal for the six days.

Anyway, after this trip, I've decided to do more travel vlogs covering different parts of Asia, because editing the videos can be so fun and gives me a new reason to travel and explore more countries.

Till the next post!

-VJ003-

Blogging because today is a day to be remembered:

1. Final class of my three years in Lasalle, though something I'm not graded for hahaha...

2. Made my first drive-in to JB tonight, four years after I got my license. Achievement Unlocked (:

3. The boyf stayed up all night just to help me complete my awesome website. I love it so much and once again you never failed to amaze me (:

And now, full-on for recital preparation!

PUMPED.

-VJ002-

Just back from Bintan and already having withdrawal symptoms.

But because I'm so thankful for this man, so I've decided to journal all these down.

Day by day I'm starting to realize why I love you. Things have not been absolutely smooth sailing, what is anyway? We frequently argue (mostly because of my childish acts), we lose our temper, but we know for sure at the end of it all, we both want the same thing and have the same goal.

Thank you for always calming down and patiently asking me what's wrong whenever I throw a fuss because of my insecurities, spending all the time talking to me just to make sure I'm alright even though it's 12midnight and you have a test tomorrow (I'm incredibly sorry for that), and when I wake in the morning, you'd ask me if I feel better today.

You've also never fail to amaze me with your knowledge which you deem as general knowledge, for telling me stories and things that I've never heard of or knew about. Believe it or not, I'm really quite attracted by that (:

Thank You for entering my life seven years ago and for deciding to stay in it (:

-VJ001-

Wow. Another five months it has been. Time flies.

Too much has happened over the past months, and I finally figured I should be noting this down, just in case my brain goes out of memory capacity.

I've probably had the craziest two months of my Life, everyday seems like a ride on a brand new roller coaster route. I could feel the most amazing, and the worst, possibly all in just a day.

But just let me believe that all these will be worth it. And one day we'll be free from it all. Just please, keep telling me to Hold On.

我鼓起勇氣吶喊
你要聽得見
我不許你在孤單
要你擁抱我
我給的溫暖 

我一直都在你身後等待
等你有一天回過頭看我
我的笑送給你希望你快樂
你的難過都給我
關於你的一切我都好好收藏著

The fact that all of it did happen during that one point of our lives, and that the memories will stay within us, that's already so much to be thankful for.

It's been 3 months. Thank you for the memories, and I'll see you again, someday.

And today was surprisingly meaningful (:

Class in the morning, and that feeling of putting a smile on everyone's faces with the little valentine's day goodie, indescribable (:

Then a meeting with a theatre production student regarding a collaboration happening in April. First time doing music for theatre, sounds exciting already! And then just so happen there was some coffee appreciation thing going on in lowercase and yay to free lesson on coffee! Apparently the right way to taste coffee is to slurp it so hard like a japanese... Hahahaha.

Student rep meeting, aca rehearsal and then 元宵 dinner at my aunt's. The day's over before I even know it. And I can't believe my niece and nephews are growing so quickly. Damn I'm ageing. Zzz.

Hahaha last but not least, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY FOLKS. If there's even anyone reading this hahah.

So I got myself a resolution for the year. It's kinda late for new year resolution, so I shall make it my chinese new year resolution, lol.

Rid of the Reliance,
Gain that Independence.

Well of course, with the exception of the reliance on God.

So, it does seem pretty decent and meaningful if I'm able to spend my summer break in UK for attachment doing youth arts. Three months alone, it does seem scary, but right now what do I have to fear anymore? Let's see if I'm meant to get the spot for this attachment.

Next up, barista in the making! A break from Music, something I really need at this moment. But seriously, 7-8 compositions in the next 2 months, no joke.

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is not possessive
Love is appreciative



I'm only letting go because I love you

No one's born into this world knowing what's the right thing to do and what's not. Sometimes people are made to learn it through life experiences, and to learn things the hard way.

But what's becoming of us is a tougher self, and with reflection it makes us a better person. All is hidden by the veil of Time. Yes, Time will tell.

Moreover, with Faith and Hope, He'll see me through.

Time

那扇門，已經關上了.

Better In Time

It will all get better in time. 

Superbruuuu

Super inspired today. First principle study lesson and composition workshop of the year, I knew it was gonna be good. Well although it means stress is kicking in, but it's also an awesome feeling to be back on track.

1. Belinda's teaching principle study hell yeahhhhh!

2. String Quartet from New York coming down to play our works in October!!

3. Composition Workshop in KL also in October!!!

So looking forward to many other upcoming things. But before all that, I need to crash in bed. So damn tired after a longggg day. Whoop!

In This Moment

So it seems the 3-month break took a totally different turn from what's planned. Points number 1-4 in my previous blog post 2 months ago have failed..

The one thing that I have done and spent my entire break focusing on is A Cappella. Performed so many shows with the mates that I kinda lost count, think it was on average 1-2 shows each week. AND we got silver for aca champs!! Also done few arrangements for the group and some transcriptions. Was a darn good time (: On top of that, am working part time for The A Cappella Society so point 6 has been fulfilled too.

On another note, there is some sort of possibility that my dream of opening a music school may work, in conjunction with a larger project.. Hoping for the best!

Year 2 in Lasalle begins tomorrow, and I'm hoping to be able cope work and school. First lesson of the year is Recording techniques hmmm. God please give me determination and enthusiasm to keep going!!

Till the next post (:

"Make bigger choices, take courageous risks. Live you life, be in This Moment" - Dick Costolo

Back to Reality

So this May was quite a crazy one, totally sank into holiday mood after recital on last day of April haha. It was class chalet, then the week after was my little birthday date in sentosa, then followed by the ultimate hong kong trip once more. It was quite crazy indeed haha I don't even wanna count how much my bank has depleted..

But now it's time to get back on track, and back to reality. I have two months to make a difference, and to determine if this break is a fruitful one or a waste of my time. Now the things I've to do/accomplish: 

1. Practice for vocal exam!!! Too little time bleah.
2. Study for theory grade 8!!
3. Record the songs done last semester properly with sandy, and possibly do some covers hehe
4. Write at least one proper piece
5. Get our aca team to a greater height (aca champs, maybe?), and maybe arrange some stuff to sing
6. Work and earn to save

Damn it sounds like too many things to do. Cannot afford to lose focus sigh. 

Sometimes, on just a few occasions, I do wonder if there is a possibility that I don't do music in future, not as a profession at least. Maybe I can work at the airport and check in people's luggages and deal with their boarding passes, like quite fun hahahah. Then I slap myself awake in my mind and switch on the "reality" mode again. 

Updates!

Still rather stagnant blog here :/ I mean, with twitter today I barely have to even type anything here. But I thought doing this once in a while helps me keep track, especially when I read back my posts months or even years later :p

So yeah, time flies so damn quickly that my first year in lasalle is ending in a month's time. Curriculum time is way too little anyway -.- Oh well. This semester I've written few more pieces: a string trio, a percussion solo, and currently working on 2 more pieces. Sad to say that up till now I have not found any clear direction in my composition route. I have honestly learnt alot of stuff over the year, and to a certain extent even struggling at absorbing the knowledge. I feel enriched at moments that I learn new things, while depressed when my compositions don't turn out the way I wish for them to be..

Oh did I forget to mention? School's booking system is so horrible, with guests that are constantly invited from overseas, we don't even get a proper room to have our performance and recordings. Just looking at the pictures with the guest musicians in that small terribly ugly room is just depressing. Pay so much fucking school fees and don't even get proper facilities. Zzz okay done ranting. 

My life's like a roller coaster ride now, with lots of ups and downs, emotionally and physically. Gradshow 2013 was a few weeks back and I got nostalgic and started to miss everything in dmat again.   Sigh. 



Music, where will you lead me to?

Happy CNY!!

HAPPY SNAKE YEAR FOLKS!

And this year, I have two resolutions:
To Focus in everything I do, and to strike a Balance amongst them. 

May this year be a great one for everyone, stay healthy and happy! (:

New Light

Yippieeeee!! Feeling happy today because I finally acted upon my thoughts of taking up classical vocal training. And singing repertoire from musical theatre! Starting with a piece from My Fair Lady. 

Although idk where this will take me, but I'm quite sure my Voice is gonna be my principle instrument. I love singing the most, anyways (:

Have been inspired by many people these few weeks, people who made me understand the reason for making music. And I saw a whole new light as to what exactly is Music; it's not just about the type of music I like to listen to. At the same time, I'm really put off by some others, who refuse to accept new things and remain narrow-minded about what they think is Music. Well, I would think it's not my concern that it hinders your musical growth in that sense, but don't insult a serious musician, and if you do it pisses me off REAL bad. 

On a brighter note, am currently writing for a string trio! Musicians from YST will be coming down for a workshop whereby they'll be playing our works. Hahah writing for real musicians' really different from just sequencing the sound in Logic and then scoring afterwards. Really interesting to learn about the instrument itself and the techniques! Hoping the piece will turn out great :D

Alright then, till the next post!