Tuesday, September 29th 2009

I'm so glad Monday's over. I hate it when I can't get a seat at the library to study, because then, I can't study. It's a curse, I tell you.

Today was pretty productive. I went to the library at 10am and did Maths and SS. Finally finished going through the thick, thick stack of SOVA notes. I've highlighted all the important stuff, now I just have to go back and write down, for each artist, why they create art and what their style is.
After that, I came home and, while having a really unhealthy lunch of instant noodles and fried honey chicken wings, I watched "V for Vendetta" again. You know, that is my favourite political film because it stands for everything I believe in. Freedom, beauty, truth and love (whoa, Moulin Rouge flashback!).

I think "V for Vendetta" is the most romantic movie after "Love in the time of cholera".
Nobody can resist a mysterious masked man who can fight and cook and has a gorgeous house full of art and a really sexy voice and a way with words. I call it "intelligence with style".

Went jogging today, been eating a lot of junk food over the past few weeks. On my bad days I can actually see myself getting fatter. I'm probably being paranoid but don't want to take any risks. Must be toned and fit, that way I can eat whatever I want, whenever I want. Then, boots would look better on me, too.

I did the first chapter of music theory today, it wasn't bad, except I couldn't remember some of the counts. Sigh. I hope it will get better with time. I have got to get at least a 'pass' on my grade 5 theory, taking into the account the fact that I have never taken a music theory exam, ever. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I failed.

Sunday, September 27th 2009

All right, so I spent the day doing nonsense. I worked hard this week, so I met up with V today and checked out the new shopping malls at Orchard Road. They didn't impress me, Orchard Central was dead. However, I was excited about finally walking into the Dr Martens store, and now I have an idea of how much I need to work for to afford those boots. $300!!!
One month of work should be able to buy me a pair of boots and an iPod.

Also, we went to the score shop at Orchard, but they didn't have the theory workbook I wanted/needed. Then, we walked to Dhoby Ghaut because V had to buy yarn and needles, and try to find that "French for idiots" book. We picked out some yarn (she's making me home-booties!!! The colours of watermelon!) and bought the needle, but couldn't find the language-book. I remembered there is a Yamaha at Plaza Singapura, so we went there, and voila, they had the book I wanted/needed. They had several!
However, I only ended buying one, if only for now. At least the explanations are in English. When I flipped through the other books, I didn't understand half their explanations!

After I said goodbye to V on the way home, I took out the book and flipped through it, mentally trying out some of the exercises, and it seems that Grade 5 theory isn't so bad after all! I'm actually looking forward to it.

It turns out that we're not going to Hong Kong, or even back to Malaysia at the end of this year. We couldn't get any cheap tickets to HK, and we'll be going back to M'sia for Chinese New Year instead which, fortunately and unfortunately, is only several months away. I'll get to work on my theory and slow things down a little and lie with the cute little doggy Ruby every afternoon. The only things I dread about going back to M'sia are the relatives and the 8-hour drive. I may have cool grandparents, but we don't even speak the same language! We don't even speak!! Plus, there are a few really freaky kids there. It's really scary, they don't even act like kids. They don't cry or get dirty or laugh or play stupid games. They just sit there quietly, watching you.

Well, we're going to Bangkok for a short trip after Christmas, and I'm really looking forward to the shopping and the massages and all the other nonsense I can't normally do/get here. I shall leave Dad with Mom this time, no way is Dad going shopping with me again.

Friday, September 29th 2009

Boy, it's been an enlightening day.
Aren't these boots awesome?! I have the great urge to rush out and buy them, but 1) probably can't afford it at the moment and 2) don't have the slightest clue where to buy Dr Martens boots.
I do know of a few small shops that sell some Dr Martens, but nobody really buys them in this country, so they're probably a little (or very) outdated. Plus, they cost a bomb.
These are the "Dr. Martens Velvet 13 Eye Boot (Deep Red Velvet) - Knee-High Casual Boots". I shall hunt for them after my exams. Everything will be done after my exams.

I suddenly got the inspiration and urge to wear boots while watching "Daria" today, after noticing (after watching 2 seasons) that they wear Dr Martens. It's stylish, and it also says "go to hell".
Shoes with attitude, baby!

Anyway, I finally found out how to take screenshots on the computer, and I'm using it to the fullest/greatest advantage. The greatest photos are in the videos. Youtube or wherever. I also spent my afternoon (after slaving away at the library studying for 5 hours) watching more Philippe Jaroussky on Youtube, and I stumbled upon some interviews.
He began as a really soft singer, and only built up his volume over many years of singing. When he started, he was just like anybody else. He first encountered the counter-tenor voice when he heard Fabrice di Falco in concert, and since PJ always sang high as a joke, he knew he could do it, too, so he went straight to Falco's teacher and asked her to teach him voice. Mmm, daring!

It's really comforting to know that my favourite singer was like me once. With all the bloody child-prodigies nowadays, it's becoming more difficult to be truly great, especially in the arts.
I've been practising my singing almost every day, and I sure hope it's going somewhere! My Vaccai "runs and scale-passages" are getting better and faster, but I seriously doubt I'm up to "a sharp Allegro" yet. First, I've gotta find out how fast "a sharp Allegro" is.
I know what my problem is. There's too much tension when I sing, so it doesn't come out the way I want it to. Damn it! I should really invest in regular massage sessions. How does a person relax?

On an entirely unrelated topic, what's the big deal about the whole F1-race thing? I mean, I guess it would appeal to the everyday perverted man who loves to drink and drool over cars and lust after girls in bikinis. The girls aren't even good-looking, but people don't care because they only look at their bodies.
I have to admit that Kimi Raikkonen is still quite cute, but other than that, nothing about F1-racing interests me at all. What's more, the whole "fast-cars and skimpily-dressed girls" is just too sleazy for me. Too much competitive spirit forms tension, too, and there's so much money involved, it's ridiculous that people are starving on the other side of the world, on this side, too.

Wednesday, September 23rd 2009

Been working really hard over the past 2 days, so I spent my afternoon online. I spent my evening doing research on serial killers.
It just occured to me that I will never become a serial-killer.
Maybe a one-time murderer, but not a serial-killer.

I'm just not smart enough. Most serial killers have very high IQs, and they're usually the gifted children who were abused in some way. They become socially awkward and frustrated, and this pushes them over the edge. They know to remove the fingers and toes of their victims so they'd be harder to identify.

Also, I wouldn't know what to do with the body if I killed somebody. My house is so small, I can't even hide a shoe without it being discovered within the week. What about the decaying factor?! Even if flies don't get to the body, it would still be decomposed by bacteria, and the stench would be undenyable. If I had a big house with a backyard, I could hide the body within the hollow walls, or under the floorboards, or in the backyard, or in someone else's backyard.
How about weighing down a corpse in the sea?!

Jeffery Dahmer was smart, he used a big drum of acid to dissolve his victims into a slush that he flushed down the toilet. He also boiled the flesh off his victims and painted their skulls to look like plastic, and displayed them in his apartment.
If I killed somebody, I'd probably be so flustered and leave traces all over the place. It wouldn't be long before they tracked me down, and a lie-detector would destroy me in a minute.

I usually resent the killers who use knives and guns in their sprees. They have it too easy. It's just "bang!" or some stabs, you know? There's no fun, no creativity. The more fascinating killers were (they're dead now) people like Jeffery Dahmer or Ed Gein or Albert Fish, even Andrei Chikatilo! They had imagination. These are a few who ate their victims, but killed with style!

Some of them were really pitiful, though. Jeffrey Dahmer's parents left him, neither one wanted to take responsibility for him in custody. He was insecure and turned to alcohol at an early age.
Eddie Gein was really attached to his mother. When his family members started dying one by one, finally ending with his mother, he was devastated. His world collapsed without her in it, and so he sought new ways to"bring her back". So, he made a "woman suit" out of human skin and wore it around the house, pretending to be female. Female like his mother.

Monday, September 21st 2009

I feel like I've wasted yet another day. Had tuition today, so had to get up on time, at 9am. Been a little ill recently, with a slight sore throat and runny nose, so I went to bed by 10pm last night, and got 11 hours of sleep, which didn't make me feel any better.
I slept well enough, because I spent yesterday running from place to place, trying to find a suitable place to study. I awoke at 8.30am yesterday, wanting to get to the library early so I could get a table, but NOOOO. When I went to the library, I was greeted by a sign saying that all the libraries were closed for the day, dang it!
I almost gave up then, thought of spending the day watching "Daria" or something, but suddenly it hit me that I could still go to Esplanade to study, even though the library wasn't open. I could sit at one of those triangular chairs at the basement. There weren't any tables, but at least there were seats and air-conditioning.
Of course, for some stupid reason, Esplanade always has to programme their air-conditioning at a temperature so bloody low that my jacket couldn't save me. I had to take a break between each subject, and my hands were freezing right off, so after hurridly doing a few SS questions from my TYS, I went off.

I walked around leisurely until half-past three, and then met up with mom so we could take a cab home. She had some free cab-ride thingy, so took advantage of it. I'm not really a fan of cabs, they make me feel sick, but I took it anyway.
I can't believe I spent hours talking to her with my pierced ear in full view and still she didn't notice!

Spent my afternoon watching more Philippe Jaroussky videos, some "Sesame Street" clips and some opera clips online. This is really depressing. I wish people don't go to the library so I can study there. I have got to find somewhere that's always welcome for me to study at, it's getting ridiculous. If the stupid climate wasn't so unbearably hot and humid, I would've just studied outdoors!

Friday, September 18th 2009

Hey everybody!

I had a pretty good day, but I still don't feel like I deserved it. I'm going to erase my guilt by studying for hours on end tomorrow. I have to get up early to get a table at the library's cafe. It's more comfortable there, compared to the awkwardly silent study tables elsewhere in the library.

Anyway, it's been a fruitful day. I went swimming with V, had lunch with V, got my haircut while V went to purchase her French language-learning book, and we met up again to buy tickets to our movie at Cineleisure.
My haircut's pretty cool, pretty cute, but I had to shut my eyes while my hair-stylist cut the front, so when I opened my eyes, I got a bit of a shock. It was a good kind of shock, though, because she cut it the way I wanted it.

I cannot even begin to wonder how someone learns French from scratch. It's a beautiful, romantic, sexy language with a lot of liquidity, and I never could remember a whole phrase of it anyway. I love how Philippe Jaroussky speaks French and all that, but it's really difficult to learn. I hope V has an easier time with it.
I'll stick to Italian for now, I have a little more than 10 years to brush up my Italian, French and German. Call me optimistic, but I hope to be marginally fluent in those languages by the time I'm 30. It would help greatly in my singing, too.

I got my ear re-double-pierced, but it's right where I want it this time. Good! It was a little sore after the piercing but the pain has gone down. I hope I get a good night's sleep tonight despite only being able to sleep on one side. I hardly slept a wink last night. At around 5am, I checked my watch. The sky was still dark but I was awake. I drank some water and tried to get back to sleep, but to no avail.
Gotta run now.
Bonne nuit!

Thursday, September 17th 2009

Sideshow Bob is the sexiest fictional criminal ever! Okay, perhaps after Hannibal Lecter. On "The Simpsons" today, he actually saved Bart and Lisa! Plus, he has the sexiest voice ever. I don't actually want to find out who voices him, I'll just stick to his voice being Sideshow Bob's for now.

Been spending some time painting my sneakers. I bought a white pair of sneakers when I was in China in Dec last year, and they cost me about $2! Bloody cheap, compared to the ones sold here.
Anyway, I got inspired after chancing upon a book called "Custom Kicks" at the library, about customised shoes. I've almost finished the left side, I painted it yellow and black, with a side of bees. For once, my Mom actually likes something I made. I'm going to put cute little worms on the other shoe and paint it orange.


It was quite therapeutic to start painting again. I've been doing a little painting over the past few months, but I never managed to finish anything. It's all half-done. The Charlie Chaplin I started painting is still without a head.

My day wasn't spent entirely doing "relaxing stuff", I had tuition this morning, was was really dull. We went through the topic "graphs" and some other papers. Luckily, I woke up with a bit of a sore throat this morning so I had an excuse not to say very much.
I've just done some Geography, but I'm not too happy about it. I had to refer to my notes on the "enviroment and Man". Even so, I wasn't able to come up with as many points as they require. I have got to brush up on that topic.
Strange, as I type, I hear every word being spoken in my head with a British accent. I've been watching too much of "Prove it!" again.

Well, tomorrow's going to be an exciting day!
I'll be going to V's place to swim first, then we'll have lunch, and then I'll go for my haircut (super-cool bowlcut!) while V goes to buy a language book for a language she wants to learn. I'm not sure yet, but I think it's going to be French. Mmmm.
After that, we'll meet back up and then go re-double-pierce my left ear. I wonder if V can bear to watch! Heh. Finally, we'll go watch "The Time Traveler's Wife", and then head home for dinner like good girls. I don't think I've worked hard enough this week. I've tried, I must say, but I don't think I deserve the day out tomorrow.
It must be why I haven't gotten my CD yet.

Monday, September 14th 2009

I found you in the most unlikely way
But really it was you who found me
And I found myself in the gifts that you gave
You gave me so much and I

I wish you could stay
But I'll, I'll wait for the day

And I'll watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering you
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering you,
I'll be remembering you

From the first moment when I heard your name
Something in my heart came alive
You showed me love that no words could explain
A love with the power to

Open the door
To a world I was made for

The dark night, the hard fight
The long climb up the hill knowing the cost
The brave death, the last breath
The silence whispering all hope was lost
The thunder, the wonder
A power that brings the dead back to life

I wish you could stay
But I'll wait for the day
And though you've gone away
You come back

And I'll watch as the cold winter melts into spring
And I'll be remembering you
Oh and I'll smell the flowers and hear the birds sing
And I'll be remembering you

And I'll watch as the sun fills the sky that was dark
And I'll be remembering you
And I'll think of the way that you fill up my heart
I'll be remembering you

I'll be remembering you

"Remembering You"

Saturday, September 12th 2009

The leaves of the trees at Bishan Park have started turning red and orange, and the flowers are blossoming white and pink. It's quite a pretty sight, I didn't know they'd do that in our country.

Have been listening to "Havanaise" by Pauline Viardot. It's quite catchy, with lovely chords and all that, but I think if I tried to learn it, I would only be able to manage the first half. The other half requires serious coloratura technique, which I obviously cannot do! One day, maybe, but not now. Maybe in 10 years.

Went to lunch at Turf City with Mom and Dad today, to have dim sum at some Chinese restaurant. It wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't that great either. Didn't impress me, and just so you guys know, I'm a serious dim sum-eater okay! I don't really know when I started liking dim sum, but it's been this way for as far back as I can remember.

After lunch, we went to "Giant", but I didn't buy anything. Instead, while Mom and Dad shopped for last-minute stuff, I buzzed around this little honey stall in the middle of the fruit section. I looked at the pretty honey display, the different kinds of honey, the prices of the honey, and the lady at the honey counter chatted me up about honey. I hung around for a while talking about honey and how expensive Manuka honey is, and why I've never tried it. She suggested I buy some, and I told her I can't afford it. (Seriously, Manuka honey is ridiculously pricey!) So, she said she had an open bottle of it and offered me a sample. Dang, I've waited more than 3 years to try that honey, of course I took it!
And yes, it was nice. Soothing, therapeutic somehow. I liked it, but I don't think I can buy any. Maybe someone will get me another bottle of honey soon, like my choir girls did two years ago.

I've discovered a new animated comedy! Pauan told me about it this morning, and it's hilarious! I watched the first episode and loved it. It's called "Daria", and the main character is so sarcastic. She's kinda like Jeremy Duncan, the same kind of sarcastic teenager. Itching to watch more of it, but I think I should put it off for a while. Managed to do some Maths today, but not much. I hate how I seem totally relaxed on weekends and can't get myself to study. Will be going to V's place to play badminton tomorrow, for fun and exercise, so at least I won't feel like I've wasted my entire weekend.
I've got to work for my CD, remember?! They're watching me..

Friday, September 11th 2009

I've bounced over another little obstacle in life! For weeks I've been living in denial about my new piercing. Tonight, in the shower, I impulsively decided that I would take it out. I didn't like it because it was pierced about half a cm too high, way off, and I don't want to live with something I'm not happy with, so yes, I took it out. It didn't bleed or anything, thank goodness. The sodium chloride works pretty well!
Anyway, I'm going to get it pierced again, properly and correctly this time. I just don't know when I'm going to do so, or how soon I should do it, since I just took out the piercing. It's doing quite well, and I'm drinking lots of water to facilitate the healing.
I want it nicely done, beside the other piercing, so that the small hoops would look perfect together, you know? I want Joe Challands' piercings! I'm gonna give it a break for now, to let it rest and close up first before I do anything. I'd probably do it next week or so, since I want to play badminton with V this Sunday.

Should I get my haircut soon, take the opportunity to do so?

V just got her hair cut and her fringe is really nice. I'm fed up with my hair poking my eyes all the time, but I have to use my time to study! Plus, Dad is never happy when I want to get a haircut because I don't visit the $10 haircut shops like he does. The last time I went to my stylist, I didn't bring my (expired) student's ez-link card and they charged me the adult price, over $35! It may have gone past $40, and that's ridiculous for my short hair.
It would be difficult to hide my piercing once I get my haircut, though, so I'm going to think about it for a bit before deciding.
The hair, I mean.

Thursday, September 10th 2009

Good old cartoons.

I spent most of my day productively. I wanted to study in the comfortable air-conditioned library, but when I went there at 11.30am, there was not a single empty seat left. I wish those kids would go back to school, the library is the only place conducive enough for me to study at! I can't even study at home anymore!

When I couldn't find any seats at the library, I walked out and went in search of somewhere with a table and chairs, preferably out of direct sunlight. I almost went to McDonald's across the road, but before I got there, I found a quiet little area with a table and some stone chairs. Flats towered over it, and even though there was some noise, there was a peaceful feeling to it. So, I did my Maths paper 2 there.
It wasn't easy coping with the heat, though. There was the occasional breeze, but it wasn't enough to cool me down, so I just suffered like that and tried to ignore the heat. Once I finished my paper, I packed up lickity split. I heard music coming from the old folks' centre near the place I was seated at. They played old records, and I could see them dancing to the music through the barred windows.
I wonder if old folks are any happier being in centres or homes than being home alone all the time? You know, mad people are the most blissful ones.

I came home after that and forced myself to do a bit of Social Studies. It was so difficult to do, not because of the content, but because I couldn't concentrate. I hate studying at home, I can't get things done in large quantities or productively. Strangely, the library is the only place I can study productively.

Went for another concert tonight, another one of my sister's choirs. Mom, Dad and I went to watch, to support her. I feel a little jealous, not only because my parents never bothered watching me sing in concerts, but also because they called my interests "a waste of time".
I've long given up on them ever watching me perform, and part of me doesn't want them to be there anyway. You should hear what they talk about after the concert, it's nothing related to the music.

Also, I was left with an empty feeling after the concert. I miss being part of a choir, my choir, with Mrs Low screaming and Ms Tham glaring and Mrs Seah trying to be strict, the sectionals, the frustration, the joy, just being able to sing with a big group of people who do the same.
When I was still at school, I used to sing all the time, and people couldn't stand it. They hated it. At choir was when and where everyone sang, each one with her own instrument, to come together to create and explore music.

Having been away from big groups of people for so long, I've lost all touch. I haven't been in a classroom setting for almost a year, I haven't sung in a choir for more than a year. There are so few people I'm keeping in touch with, if only to ask the occasional question, with V as an exception.

I wish I could join a choir, but I don't know anyone in the music circle well enough except my sister. She's in some pretty good choirs, but I can't join her choirs because it would be so awkward, and there would be politics and stuff, you know?
I'll give it more thought, which I have time to do since I've gotta get past my 'O's first. Maybe when I start school next year, I won't feel such an urge to join a choir anymore. Plus, I'll be singing more and more as I get to a higher level, and I've got my Grade 5s next year.

Wednesday, September 9th 2009

Could you possibly hope for a boy prettier than him?! Love his piercing eyes.

Since blogger has been partially down for a while now, I am doing a photo blog entry, using photos I've been wanting to use for quite some time now. A few posts back, I mentioned Jillian Michaels from "The Biggest Loser".

For some strange reason, all the trainers have really white teeth which, I suspect, weren't that white in the first place. Her nose is a little weird, but she's still pretty hot.

I was pretty busy today. Awoke early so I could meet V at Dhoby Ghaut, where she had to buy yarn for a new project. We picked a bright yellow colour, quite lovely, really. Then, we went to "Saybons" where we had our breakfast: A really tasty cup of warm mushroom soup, with warm, crispy pieces of bread for dipping. I had sundried tomato bread, V had garlic bread. Whoa, if French people eat like that all the time, I want to be French!

After breakfast, we took the MRT down to City Hall, to Esplanade for me to study. I promised myself I would, and I did. I managed to finish a Maths paper 1, timed, although it was a bit distracting, what with V laughing at herself and the air-conditioner blasting right at us. Still, it was really nice of V to stay with me while I studied, even though her exams are over now. She crocheted while I did my Maths. After I finished, we went up to the library to borrow videos and stuff.
I went straight to the score section first, hoping to find a book of French Melodies. After a lot of looking, I finally found it, and I went mad. Ha! I've been trying to look for the piece "Nocturne" by Franck, but the internet didn't give me the results I wanted. I also found "Automne" by Faure, and the nice photocopy lady let me photocopy the scores even though I didn't have a cashcard.
As for videos, I borrowed a couple of artistic foreign films such as "Pepe el Toro" and "Les enfants du paradis". I also borrowed "Bedazzled" and "Kindergarten Cop".
I just watched "Bedazzled", and it's quite heart-warming. It casts an entirely different light on good and evil, and I loved the part where Brendan Fraser met God in jail. Lovely, wise words spoken.

When we were satisfied with our videos and stuff, we headed down to Takashimaya where we had a late lunch of cheesy noodles with egg. Mmm. Then, we walked to HMV to check out my Monteverdi CD. The guy said they didn't have any in stock, and if I wanted it, it would have to be a "special order". So, I placed an order, just like I did with "Opium". Am really excited, and I hope they do bring it in for me.
I've been craving new music for a while now, I've been borrowing music from the library @ Esplanade, but it simply isn't enough! All the Mozart is starting to sound the same, and I can't seem to find orchestral music by Handel, and I've heard so much lute music that there's no more for me to borrow. Vivaldi is still refreshing, most of his music don't resemble each other, but it's mostly instrumental, so hours of listening to his music makes me feel sleepy and zaps me of my energy and concentration.

Am feeling quite tired, but I can't go to bed until my videos are completely converted and uploaded to my player. I keep stumbling upon videos of Philippe Jaroussky that I haven't seen before, and it's good, only I would want to put them in my player and that's a troublesome process. I've been having problems getting to sleep at night again. The minute I turn off my bedside light and hit the pillow, my mind starts racing, and my sister's working late and making noise isn't helping. I tried playing my ukelele before bedtime, but it didn't work. In fact, I stayed awake for most of the night! I did, however, manage to come up with some new tunes. When I awake in the morning, I don't feel rested enough, but Dad says I sleep too much and I should wake early and study. Bullshit. I'm barely getting the sleep I need.
I don't know what it is, but I'm eating a kiwi now to help me sleep tonight. It helps, a little. I hope it works tonight, I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in a week.

Tuesday, September 8th 2009

Isn't this little rabbit adorable? Just look at that little twitchy nose, that little pink mouth holding on to that oatmeal cookie. Little cookie-thief!
I miss my Rabbit so much, but I know he's right here beside me.

Feeling a little fed-up with boys now, part of me doesn't really give a damn about them. There is happiness where there aren't boys, and I have found another source for happiness! I've added yet another track to my music player on my blog, so have a listen. I think they jazzed it up a little, but it's quite tastefully-done, so it's not bad at all. Maybe I'm just biased cos Philippe Jaroussky's singing it.

Anyway, I want to buy a new CD. I haven't bought a music CD since "Opium" which was months ago. I still listen to it often, but I want something more, you know? I need more!!! I've been listening to other singers as well, but I always end up listening to PJ again. There's just something seriously sexy about men who don't have to sound like men.
This new CD was released in Feb 2009, and it's a compilation of works by Monteverdi. I wonder if HMV already has it? If not, I sure hope they can order it in for me, like they did with "Opium". I got my last few CDs after resisting temptations and putting in much effort into my studies. All I have to do is work hard and I'll get the CD somehow.
Someone up there knows what I'm doing!!

Monday, September 7th 2009

Ah, how strange to watch someone grow up. I just watched a series of videos of Philippe Jaroussky, recorded at different stages of his singing career. You can hear how his voice has developed from the previous stage, and it's really interesting because had I not taken time to listen to his earlier recordings, I would have assumed that he has/had always been this good.
It is particularly obvious since he sings coloratura, so in the earlier stages, one can hear the "rough sketches" of the skill. It took a lot of skill to sing the pieces from "Carestini", but those were the first few pieces I heard him sing. Now that I think about it, he took many years to get to that level, about 10 years or so, of singing and voice lessons. This is surprisingly motivating!

I've been practising my singing almost every day now. Brushed up on my Vaccai, learnt the "runs and scale-passages" exercise which turned out to be surprisingly easy. Simple tune, too. I've got to get the speed up, so it's going to take lotsa practise to perfect it. Must... perfect... it..

Had tuition this morning. My teacher doesn't seem so weird now that I've known her for a few months. She's been pretty patient with me, but I've been putting in a lot of effort, too. We've arranged to have two sessions per week, starting next week. I feel pretty good about myself because she just gave me my TYS back, marked, and I didn't do badly at all, for the latest papers she marked.

I studied SOVA for an hour, then I treated myself to two hours out of the house. To my surprise, Dad didn't really demand to know the reason for which I was going out. He did ask briefly, but I didn't give a straight answer. I just told him I wanted to get out of the house, so he gave me $10 and asked to buy two Polar chicken pies home. So I skipped to "Cash Converters" and bought some stuff. I bought the French film "Amelie", and a "Mr. Bean" soundtrack. Despite being selfish, Mr. Bean is a pretty smart character, a happy-go-lucky figure.
I also bought another VCD called "Palindromes". I think it would be appropriate to wait until I'm alone at home to watch this, it's M18!

Sunday, September 6th 2009

Yesterday was quite an eventful day.
At lunchtime, Dad and I went to have western food at the hawker centre near our house. The food there is really pretty good. Anyway, we were sitting near this father and his daughter. You know how children are really picky with food and they usually waste it? After they left, her plate was still half-filled. This guy came out from nowhere and slid into the chair, and started helping himself to the leftovers. He practically shoved the food into his mouth without pausing to breathe. When he finished, he table-hopped to polish off another plate of leftovers.
It was a sad sight to see, and I practically stuffed myself silly on the fries I couldn't finish. This is why we are thankful for food.

Wanted to go to Vivocity's rooftop to moon-gaze and write poetry last night, but was reminded about my sister's concert at 8pm, so I met with Salman for dinner. He's a good kid, but I don't think my parents would approve of me being friends with a boy, so we didn't eat at the same place my parents did. We shared our sketchbooks. Mine was mostly filled with source-drawings, but his was really cool! There were some gory ones, and most of them were sketchy, but he got all the body proportions right. Song lyrics, diary entries, drawings, storyboards, poetry. There was a lot of imagination, and I wish I could keep a sketchbook like that! I shall do that after my 'O's.

Then, came the concert! It was sung mostly in German, mostly works of Mendelssohn. I thought they were quite nice, because most of them were happy-sounding. I made sure to follow the poetry in both languages while the choir sang. He put stresses on certain words, and there was accurate imagery of leaves falling and the light penetrating the canopy to reach the leaf-covered forest floor. In short, I liked the concert.

Just minutes ago, my mom passed me my certificate for my Grade 4 exam. With the cert came the comments, and, I must say, they were a great boost to my ego. "O cessate di piagarmi" was my weakest song, at 23/30, and "I feel pretty" was the strongest of the three, at 25/30. English is supposed to be my worst singing language, but what the heck! "Dayung Sampan" was pretty good, too, and I've gotta sing that next grade. The sight-reading portion wasn't that great, 3 marks went to the slips that I made, but I kept going. Got 18/21 for sight-reading, so not too bad. Under "Aural Tests", however, the only remark was "Excellent", with full marks.
AHAH!

I have got to work harder for Grade 5. I'll brush up on my sight-reading so by the time I get to the practical next year, it'll be easy for me and I'll be able to do it fluently. If my teacher does decide to use "l'ho perduta" for next year's exam, I'll be so happy. That song isn't too slow or too fast, and it's very, very emotional. It has an anxious feeling to it, and I think I can do that well.

Friday, September 4th 2009

I'm drained.
Went to V's place to watch a film and play badminton today. We watched "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas", and it was an eye-opener. I've read the book, and it was somewhat painful. I loved it, though. I think people need to see the world through the eyes of a child every once in a while, otherwise they lose touch with their childhood, and continue to miss out on all the beauty that exists.

We had our game of badminton on the roofs of two carparks, and it was really therapeutic to have the place to ourselves, the sky directly above us. It was really hot, though, and I think I got a little sun-burnt. Not a good thing for sensitive skin.


Saw another small racist incident between two people on the bus today, but I'm so tired, I can't be bothered to type about it. People seem to fight over the most petty little things. Came home, took a shower and washed away that sticky feeling, and had dinner. Then, I had an "apple-cheese slice" for dessert, while watching more videos of Philippe Jaroussky. He seems to be the only one who can provide me stress relief nowadays.

One of my favourite things to do is to put on a Philippe Jaroussky CD on my big player in my room, shut (and lock) the door and seat myself right in front of the speakers. I would then turn up the volume, close my eyes and let the music wash all over me. When I close my eyes, it's as if he's singing metres away from where I'm seated. Lovely, and very comforting. Therapeutic.

Thursday, September 3rd 2009

Hey people

It's been a disappointingly unproductive day. I mean, I managed to do a bit of SOVA, but that was it! I couldn't bring myself to touch any Maths, so I re-arranged my file notes and read "Memories of my melancholy whores". It wasn't bad at all, I'm almost halfway through. It's pretty interesting, I must say.

Other than that, nothing interesting happened today. I forgot to return a DVD yesterday, so I took it down to the library to bookdrop it tonight. It was a nice walk after a nice shower. Full moon tonight, so I took my time walking to the library, which, both fortunately and unfortunately, is right beside my house. I took time to look at the moon. Beautiful, serene as ever.
It just occurred to me that I'm quite a romantic. I love the sea, the moon, and I write poetry. Plus, I think suffering and dying for love is incredible. But! No room for hurt feelings, no time for relationships. Gotta study, study, study.

Those things aside, I've been missing my Rabbit a lot lately. His absence is felt. There's no one tearing at any paper, cardboard or wood in sight, no little furry animal chasing me around the house, no little kisses before bedtime. I guess he'll always be here with me, but physical form would be so much better to cuddle, you know?
I miss those lovely deep eyes, his smooth, long ears, that little tuft of fur on his head, the way he sinks and flattens when I pet him, the way he falls asleep with his eyes wide open on lazy afternoons. He's missing from his spot under the ironing-board.

I keep seeing pictures of fluffy bunnies and I think of him. He was quite a finicky rabbit, typical teenage-boy rabbit, but was camera-shy and really sweet. I keep having this urge to get another rabbit, they're such sweet creatures, and they have eyes that can melt people.
Maybe someday, in the future, I shall get another rabbit. A lop-eared sweetie, but not now. I'd feel so guilty if I got another rabbit just like that, as if trying to replace him.

On an entirely different topic, I hope to study in Scotland. If I do manage to get into medicine or psychology, I'll aim to go to medical school there. They're said to have some of the best medical schools, and the climate and architecture are lovely. I hope money won't be too much of an issue, but I'd have to work my ass off to get a scholarship.
People keep telling me to "study smart". What the hell is that?! They tell me to "study smart" but they don't explain further, so I just study. I've been doing all my subjects nowadays, and I feel much better because I don't hate any of the subjects now. Strange how this extra year has helped me learn to like what I couldn't stand before.
I never thought I'd enjoy Maths, but hey, it doesn't seem that bad now. And SS!!! I used to dislike Art and Geog until I was Sec 3, but now they're two of my stronger subjects. Maybe taking SOVA really would be better for me, because I lean more to language and Arts. SOVA is a combination of both, isn't it cool?! Plus, it delves into psychology, philosophy and a whole lot of other stuff as well.

I'm quite sure I'll do much better in those subjects this time, but I'm not sure I can reach my goals. They're set pretty high, since I want to get into such tough courses. I've started to really really work on all my subjects equally, I have a little more than a month until my first paper- SOVA. It's the last stretch, and I truly want to succeed.

Wednesday, September 2nd 2009

Blogger still refuses to let me upload pictures, which is the only reason why my posts have been picture-less lately. I've got so many photos to share with you guys. Fluffy bunnies stealing cookies, a child gazing into the eyes of a beggar, photos of cool hairstyles and children living in the streets.

Anyway, I was just telling Sabby about Jillian Michaels. I caught some of "The Biggest Loser" on television several months ago and caught a glimpse of her, and my first thought was, "whoa, she's hot!"

In all my years since watching the "Chronicles of Narnia", I haven't, to this day, heard someone deny that James McAvoy is hot. Look at him! I liked him in "Becoming Jane" and "Penelope", but he made a pretty cute faun in "Narnia". I haven't watched "Atonement" yet, though I heard it's pretty good. Haven't had the chance to watch it alone.
Any movies above "NC-16" with sexual references or disturbing scenes should be watched alone!

Last night, before I went to sleep, I picked up where I left off reading "Love in the time of cholera". It's the most romantic story anyone could ever hope for, and every so often, I step into the shoes of Florentino Ariza and feel the pain in his heart.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a brilliant author, everything that Florentino Ariza feels or goes through in his story, I am able to relate to. I guess it's true that suffering for love is the best kind of suffering there is. It's desirable.
I just borrowed "Memories of my melancholy whores" from the library, shall start reading it tomorrow. After that, I shall read "Collected stories" by the same author. He writes beautifully, it's almost like poetry.

Tuesday, September 1st 2009

I managed to get through half of "Resident Evil" today. It's strange that I can walk through Hell time and again, but I can't bring myself to watch horror movies. What's more, I admire Hannibal Lecter, so why can't I get through "Resident Evil"?!

Managed to do a Maths Paper 1 and a chapter of Social Studies today. I don't like the chapter on "Sustaining Development in the 21st Century" because it's so long and draggy! Even old people can phrase it better than this! I spent more time picking out important points from the large chunks (that's right, with an S) than I spent writing them in my notebook, all the while listening to "Caro Figlio" on repeat.
V helped me put it into mp3 format so I could play it on repeat on my player. (Thanks, V!) It's my inspiration. I aim to sound like PJ in this recording by the time I'm 21, or better. After all, he started voice lessons at around 18, too. I'm all set to work like hell for my Grade 5s, just gotta get past my 'O's first.

"Her footsteps are like music,
pattering on the smooth wood floor.
When they stop, silence grows,
deafening, like the falling of snow.

Her smile produces no light,
but it is brighter than all sunshine
and if she ever smiles at me,
the rays would make me blind
for there, all beauty is held."

2nd April 2008

Monday, 31st August 2009

Happy Teacher's Day!
I've gotta blog about one of the saddest advertisements I've ever seen. It's more pathetic than sad, actually. It's the one on "Panadol Extend".

"Me, I have to work hard. I know this job is not easy. But most importantly, I can support my family and my kids' education. That's why I take any passenger and handle whatever problem, but driving long hours is bad for my back. Good thing there's Panadol Extend! So now Papa can carry on working! Panadol Extend: It's my choice!"

Last week was pretty tough on me, emotionally. I got mad at a friend, I still don't feel like replying to his smses. I might be able to stick to my "no dating till I'm 24" rule after all! Boys are such weird creatures. I'd probably be better off without any in my life. No room for hurt feelings.
I just saw a photo that brought me back to my past, and suddenly, nothing else matters. Mrs Jacob once told me, "Still being alive today is your greatest battle won."
You know what? I believe her now.