April roundup..

It's the last day of April! Exactly 1/3 of 2010 has already passed.. How time has flown!!

And yes.. I have been so sluggish in updating my blog.. But in order to not let this beloved blog of mine to die a natural death, here're some (more interesting) updates:

1. I `lost' my second Italian teacher but found a new one!

I was so glad to have been introduced to Lina earlier this year after Giovanna left for Rome. Lina was a lovely lady, and I liked the fact that she `pushed' me more.. making me speak Italian all the time in class and even when I sms or called her. What she did was basically revised and strengthened what I needed - basically the conversational part. In just three months, I think I've become a bit more confident in attempting to speak in Italian. Though this forgetful mind of mine means I'm still quite slow..

She was supposed to leave for Italy for 2 1/2 months and back..but since her husband's work contract is ending in August, she won't be coming back. :( She really wanted me to continue learning Italian, which I assure her I would continue! So she found me a new teacher before she left two weeks ago.. (it was quite a sudden sad farewell)

I met up with Beatrice at the Italian Embassy on Wednesday and I'm already excited to start class with her! She believes in interactive teaching style.. and just like Lina and maybe more so, she wants to drill in my conversational Italian, which I fully agreed is what I needed most! She won't be teaching from textbook, but may use music, or even cooking as part of a class (identifying ingredients and following recipes in Italian)! We will be starting 2 weeks later after she's back from her holiday.

2. My First Opportunity into `Christian Journalism'

Having been a journalist and writer all these years.. having written for national papers to many publications, corporate and websites, finally I got the chance to write for Christian publication (church and peer group newsletters notwithstanding). A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the editor of Asian Beacon and I'm glad that not long after that, he actually contacted me to do a story, and then another one! I've just done my first personality interview with an American Christian leader-author this afternoon. Another interview is also in the pipeline.

Writing for Christian publications has always been something at the back of my mind. I believe since God gave me the gift of writing (not that I'm a great writer but it is my vocation) I do want to serve Him and glorify Him in my writing, in a more direct way. And I get paid for it too although the amount is comparably less than other secular publications, but it is something I feel is worthy and meaningful to do. And I'm really glad and excited about it! :)

3. Two Traditional Spa Treatments in One Day

Thanks to my work, I had the opportunity to experience an Ayurvedic massage and the luxurious Hammam spa almost back-to-back in one day last Tuesday! Yes, I have been to spas and have frequent massages quite regularly. But these two types of `treatments' were totally new to me.

I was asked to write for a lifestyle magazine on some `traditional remedies' that are being offered in some more upmarket spas or centers. Actually I only needed to introduce each of them briefly (about 300 words?) and get some photos. But when I approached these places, they were nice enough to offer me to try their treatments. Well, no reason to refuse right? ;)

I was given the Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage) and Patra Pnda Sweda (Herbal leaf poultice therapy) at Samkkya Ayurveda in Bangsar. It was very different from the massages I had experienced - very oily but I like the vigorous stroke. The medicinal smell was quite strong and while it felt rejuvenating, I wasn't that used to the oiliness! Still it was an interesting experience. I also learned more about ayurveda treatments...

The Hammam spa at Bangsar Village 2 was something else! The Moroccan version of the traditional Turkish bath contained the signature `Hammam & Gommage' - a bathing ritual that involves a `black soap' wash, moorish body polish and `enveloppment' (ie body wrap). I was taken to a warm dimly-lit`bathroom' in Moroccan style. I just sat or laid down and did nothing, and a Moroccan `bathing lady' attended to me - soaped, bathed, scrubbed my whole body and also washed my hair etc.. in a way, it felt kinda weird :p And the rigorous body polish really leave your skin feeling clean! The whole process was really relaxing.

After that, I was also given a full-body Moroccan massage which was so good.. and followed by a facial, which was much needed since I hadn't had one for months! The whole `ritual' took more than 3 hours and I must say it was one of the best if not the best spa experience I have ever had.. what bliss!

4. Singing and more singing

Earlier over Easter weekend, Cantus Musicus (yes, the has been revived!) did a presentation of `Thorns & Roses' at St. Andrew's Church. We didn't have much time to practise and in fact my choir director was quite worried and stressed about it. But thank God, everyone put in effort and rose to the occasion.

We didn't sing many songs but they were really lovely such as Agnus Dei, Libera Me and the finale Den wir haben hie keine belbende Statt by Johannes Brahms, which was a tough song to sing but I think we did justice to it! And the audience response said it all too.. it was great to sing for the Glory of God!

Now, we are busy practising for our next concert - a Celtic Concert at the home of the Irish Ambassador next month. The repertoire includes not just Irish but Welsh songs. Welsh must be one of the hardest languages to pronounce! But the music again is lovely, something you don't hear often...

As for my personal vocal class, my teacher is gearing me up for my grade 6 vocal exam end of the year. I've already started learning the exam pieces some time ago (which I didn't know then were the exam pieces!) - an Italian aria, a German lieder and two more..

As you can guess, to me, singing is one of the most enjoyable things I could do :) And it is a great way to destress as well. I just hope I am more diligent and hardworking to improve this art and skill...

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Yes, so April has been an eventful month, even at personal level which I won't share here.. :p

Now, work is picking up too so May looks like another busy month..

and guess what, this blog is turning five next month!

P.E.T.

That stands for `pre-exam tension'.

I can't remember when was the last time I sat for an exam.. could it be my uni final exam almost two decades back?! (oops, there gives away my age again.. :p) Anyway, I'm kinda feeling it now.. because, tomorrow afternoon I will be sitting for my first vocal examination!

I'm taking the London Trinity Guildhall's First Concert Certificate which is considered the basic for vocalist (with some music background). Although the decision to sit for the exam was made less than a year back, my teacher had already been `preparing' me for it by letting me sing some of the exam pieces.

And finally, the four chosen ones are:

1. Se tu M'ami, Se Sospiri by Giovanna Battista Pergolessi
2. Have You Seen But the Whyte Lillie Grow by Anon (17th century)
3. Angels Ever Bright and Fair by Handel
4. I Could Have Danced All Night by Frederick Loewe
   

I've been pracitisign quite exclusively these four pieces in the last few months and also got an accompanist to play for me. My teacher on the other hand, gave some underlying pressure for he has conditioned me to aim high - in fact, he kept mentioning I should aim for a distinction!

Musicality aside, which needed lots of polishing and practising, I remembered having to learned the words by heart was quite a challenge but I finally did it. My teacher, who normally is not very strict, pushed me harder when the time got nearer. I remember just a month or so back after my holiday in China -with lack of practice - he became quite harsh with me and because of that, I vowed to work harder and finally in that few weeks, I made quite a bit of improvement.

I guess I did quite ok for the recital - he said most of the pieces except one was quite good. And then just two days ago, he actually praised me for two pieces..and said overall I am ready..

So i had my final lesson before exam this afternoon. My teacher advised me not to sing anymore but I still did a little just now, especially trying to make sure I'm 110 per cent sure of the words!

My exam is scheduled at 3:40pm tomorrow in a First World Hotel in PJ. The last time I ever went for an exam in a hotel was for my piano exam more than two decades ago..


To think of it, I know I'm quite well prepared by now but still cannot help but feeling some anxiety/tension. I guess it's normal.. Jitters.. ? oh, that's why i need to write this post!

Lord, I just pray and hope I would get a nice and linient examiner (at least not too strict!) On top of that, I must just tell myself to be composed and relax, and just sing it out the best that I could..

Lalalalalala.....

'Tis Singing Week!

It's the week of American Idol's semi-finals where the remaining contestants belted it out to get themselves into the Finale spot!! And of course I was glued to the screen to cheer my darling Adam Lambert on.

But over in this corner of the world.. I'm also experiencing a singing overdose of sort. To think of it, from Monday to Sunday, I would have sung five solid sessions!!

You see, I have extra singing classes because my first recital for my first vocal exam is this Saturday - ie. tomorrow!! And coincidentally I've been rostered to lead church worship this Sunday and we need to practise and rehearse.

Of course in between I also have to practice at home - not so much for worship songs but for my recital!

Normally I won't be so bothered with that much singing but the problem was I had just recovered from quite a terrible cold last weekend which had somehow affected my voice a bit. I had since been nursing my throat with expensive Hanuka honey - about 4-5 times a day!

So on Monday afternoon, after a not well-rested Sunday night, I managed to appease my vocal teacher after last Wed's quite disastrous effort. Thanks to my pianist' guidance and extra class last Friday, I have improved quite a bit since. And on Wed we went through the songs again but had to be accompanied (two songs) by my teacher's wife since my accompanist can't make it for the rehearsal. I think after going through a few times, sounded ok. Meanwhile, the two other songs have been recorded.

Btw, I'll be singing four song for my First Concert Certificate examination by Trinity College, London.

Just for the record, these are the four songs in order which I will be singing

1. Se tu Ma'mi - Italian aria by Perisoti
   
2. Have You Seen but the Whyte Lilie Grow - 16th century English song
   
3. Angels, Ever Bright and Fair - from Theodora by Handle
   
4. I Could have Danced All Night - from `My Fair Lady' musical!

This Saturday's recital is orgnised by my teacher as a `trial exam' of sort for his students taking exams. I have to dress formally and sing it as if it's the real thing. And yes, there is an audience. In fact, I've asked mom and dad (but dad has some important appointment) as well s some friends most of them are interested in singing - i think! It shall be a good practice for myself and I hope to get some comments too even not technical things.

Then there is the singing in church. We had a two-and-a-half-hour practice at church last night - covering nine songs. I tried to save my voice and not sing long but still, maybe I wasn't using enough support but I think mostly to do with my still not stable vocal/throat, by the end of the night I felt my vocal chord very tired.. so much so I didn't want to speak.. but when I woke up today, it's much better.

So ya, after Saturday afternoon, I still have to save my voice for Sunday morning worship - two sessions of it for the two services!!

No, I am not complaining about all the singing.. In fact I love it but just a bit concern that I'm not overdoing it.. oh well, I just have to take care of my voice and talk less!! :p

Borrowing the line from one of my exam songs (and twisting it a bit) , I'm crooning.. :

"I could have sung all night... I could have sung all night... and still have begged for more... la la la la la la.... " :)

Christmas singing series with Cantus Musicus!

The first half of December has been a busy month as far as singing (and feasting) is concerned!

My choir Cantus Musicus had been invited to stage three performances and you guess it, most of the time the singing was followed by feasting!! ;) But of course, the real joy was derived from singing those beautiful and meaningful pieces linked to the birth of Christ.

Being a shutterbug and one who likes to be at the receiving end as well, I did my narcissist thing and had a photo taken before I left home for each performance. ;)

December 1 - Equatorial Hotel
(dresscode - white top and long black bottom - and colourful accessories (mine you could hardly see:p)




It was for some Christmas event at the hotel - where they lit up their Christmas tree. There were some long speeches prior to our singing.. It was quite `sad'.. since we were singing in a corner of the lobby, and most people were not really listening - I think we had like an audience of about five?

Anyways.. we still sang in good spirit and I think those who watched enjoyed themselves. After singing, we were treated to a superb buffet spread!




December 7 - `9 Lessons & Carols' at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church
(Dress code: All black with colourful Christmas accessories - I borrowed a red necklace from mom!)




We rose to the occasion and in my and many others' opinion, sang our best for the performance. It was a meaningful presentation with readings of Scriptures by various diplomats in between carols. I really love the pieces from different eras in various languages..

After the performance, the audience was treated to home-made mince pies and mulled wine - courtesy of some talented ladies from our choir.

I did spam many ppl on emails, Facebook and sms and personally invited many to come but finally only my parents and three friends (one had to miss out the `feast' for a wedding dinner) came.. Well, it's their loss missing out! :p My parents and friends thought we were really good!




December 13th - `Festliches Weihnachtskonzert' by GSSKL at Bukit Nanas Convent Chapel
(Dress code: silver, blue & white)




This to me was the climax of our series of performances! :p

It's my first time entering Bukit Nanas convent, and the chapel of course. It's really quite beautiful! But my friend who studied there said it was even nicer before they painted the facade brown. I forgot to ask some members not singing to take photos of us! So I don't have any photos when we sang.. There was this part when a lady from our choir dressed up as Lucia of `Sankta Lucia' with a crown of light on her head. and there was also candle lighting when we sang `Light a Candle in the Dark'... ah, how I wished there were photos (well, the society's official photographer was there but haven't seen the pix in their website yet..)

And of course, there was the feast and free flowing wine!! Emm.. I think i was unconsciously trying to keep up with the amazing drinker sitting next to me - he already downed four glasses of white wine when we were just about to get our appetizers!! So I ended up having two glasses - one for red and the other for white wine - in front of me the whole night long..

And ya, i got a little bit high I must say but still steady enough to drive home, in a merry mood.








can you believe some of them still hadn't had enough of singing and continued after dinner?! :p



p.s. a big thank you to all my fellow choir members for being so united, singing their hearts out and a even bigger thank you to our choir director who put in so much effort in everything from selecting the music to coaching us and coordinating the presentations and more! Thanks Lisa and all for making this Christmas special and memorable! :)

A Festival of 9 Lessons & Carols

This is Cantus Musicus' Christmas presentation - happening on Sunday!

Our repertoire is a selection of readings (which i haven't heard myself yet!) and a varied and eclectic mix of carols - not your typical shopping mall kind but from different era and countries. So besides old and modern English, we will be singing in Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, Swedish... The music are quite exquisite and pretty `rare' too..

It's not a long program - the whole thing will take not more than 1 1/4 hour and it will be pretty interesting cos we'll be having mulled wine and mince pie too!

Since it's a public and free performance, I've spammed all my friends and contacts in town with email invites, Facebook invite as well as sms (cos some of them i don't have their emails or not on Facebook). As it's the busy Dec month, the response hadn't been all too encouraging - many are away or not free or kinda hesitant in committing..

Well, at least I know dad and mom are coming and very likely a couple of friends..

Or maybe some who i don't know may chance upon this blog and interested...

Am pretty excited about it.. some of these pieces really grow on you..and ya, Christmas is coming soon! :)

Presenting another new look! :)

Yes, I changed the layout again because I needed to!!

I didn't know that people using I.E. browser could not view my blog for the last three weeks after I changed it - to the chihuahua with specs background.. I don't know why. But when more than three or four ppl told me the same thing, I think something must be wrong. So finally I checked using I.E. and yes, the text was all missing!!

Sigh.. so sorry if you were trying to read my blog for the last couple of weeks..

So ya, I needed to even put aside work (well, it's Sat after all) to fix my blog..

Can't believe I spent 3 hours selecting a new template for my blog.. I had trouble with certain downloads - could not open zip file or just having errors with the HTML code.. but finally found this gem of a site that has some of the most lovely templates by this lady called Lena. There were so many very pretty ones so I had to try out quite a few.. Best is, the HTML code work!! Good things meant to shared so go here if you wanna change your template for Blogger!

I really like this template and everything is quite clear - not like the previous one though cute - the doggie was kinda in the way as the text bit was translucent..

Went for karaoke earlier in the evening - my first time to Pavillion's Redbox Plus. I think the last time I went to karaoke was last Dec for my birthday! All in we sang for five hours! I realise how old and out I was when the younger among us could sing all the new songs and I had to sing songs from the 80s and 90s (both Chinese/English) . And though it was easier for me to reach higher notes but still not very happy with my vocal.. especially now that I am gearing for my first vocal examination next May.. a lot of work needed!

But ya, had a good time singing.. its a good stress-reliever. And much thanks Wisun and Christine for their generosity and company! :)

Argh! now I'm faced with those deadlines and I've only 10 days before I leave for China.. :S

p.s. oh, hope u like this new look . I'll likely stick with it for a while..

pop-over at HOT's 100th issue party!

Last Wednesday, HOT Magazine - one of the publications I contribute to - threw a big bash to celebrate their 100th issue!

I wasn't sure whether I could make it at first - since that evening I also had choir practice. But after knowing that they would start at 7pm, I thought I would just pop by for a short while. But I wasn't really dressed for the occasion..

The party took up the whole of Pulse at Grand Millennium Hotel. The only faces I recognised there were the pretty and hot lasses from the Hot Potato (publisher of Hot and Hello!) - look how hot and sexy they looked and how casual and `out' I was!

Then not long after, I saw Kimberlycun the blogger and Shaolin Tiger walking in - have been reading their blogs but first time meeting them! So I made myself know and found the smart `Narcissist' to be a real sweet girl.. and she asked to take photos with me - and even do a plug on her famous blog. ;)

Then all is forgotten about taking more photos as I got distracted by the various interesting cocktails as I bumped into some old friends from the media circle. Busy sipping and munching on the very slow moving finger food, I realised I was already late for my choir practice. So yeah, I missed the more interesting part of the evening!

But after that, I also had a good time singing at Cantus Musicus practice - so much more to learn and our final performance at the German Ambassador's house will be this coming Saturday!

And like our last concert there, that means more alcohol and food!! *hics* ;)

disclaimer: lest you think that I'm an alcoholic, well, just says I enjoy my drinks and I hold them well.. (thanks to my grandfather's genes, i don't get drunk easily!)

`Voices in the Wind' at the residence of the German Ambassador

It was truly an unforgettable experience and I had a fantastic time at the Residence of the German Ambassador on the last night of April!

The occasion? Well, it's in the title of the post.

`Voices' of course represents the choir I'm in – Cantus Musicus; while `wind' denotes the Encounter High Winds ensemble that consists of 11 young and talented musicians.

So yeah, we – the choir, teaming up with the ensemble of winds and brass instrumentalists, presented a concert at HSchubert and Beethoven to name a few.

Being a newbie to the five-year-old choir, it was my first proper concert of sort. Yes, earlier we sang for Easter presentation `Thorns and Roses' at St. Andrew's church but this is something else to me. (Since I had been singing in church all the is Excellency Herbert D. Jess' residence to his guests of about 200.

It was a concert that classical music lovers would love - with selection of such rich and well-loved compositions from maestros such as Wagner, Schumann, Haydn, while but never in an ambassador's house!) :p

But such occasion is not new to Cantus Musicus which had performed at the residences of the German and Austrian ambassadors and the British High Commissioner, and even in front of our Prime Minister as well.

Since it's a concert hosted by the German Ambassador this time, we had an all German repertoire. And for someone like me who didn't know a word of German and had never sung in German (except one piece for Thorns and Roses), it was really tough! It didn't help some of the pieces were extremely challenging musically as well.. But hey, finally I was able to sing through although the pronunciations can do with corrections...

The opening song for the choir is Treulich Gefuhrt (from Wagner's Lohengrin), more familiarly known as the Wedding March. And for this we had to walk in all the way from the back of the audience, with all kinds of accessories and props – flowers for the ladies, funny hats, bows and spears.

Personally I like the very challenging but `Stimmt an die Saiten (from Haydn's Die Schopfung ie. The Creation) and the melodic lieder Da Unten Im Tale by Brahms. Another one is Schumann's tribute to the Gypsies Zigeunerleben that is full of vigour and life. All together, we presented nine pieces, including two featuring small groups.

So how did it go? Well, I would say like `Thorns and Roses' (I won't know about the previous ones of course), singers of Cantus Musicus again rose to the occasion! You see, we had quite a bit of things that needed to be ironed out even till the very last rehearsal. But thankfully, everyone put in their utter best and even our our choral director Lisa Ho (who co-founded the choir), who's normally pretty strict and has high expectation of us, was full of praise for us after our concert!

With no intention to butter her up (i just found out Lisa also reads my blog!) I must say that the success of our performance has a lot to do with her direction and coaching. I believe a good instructor is only able produce good student... so, much credit must be given to Lisa, who not has great musicality but the drive and discipline to spur us on.

Anyway, back to the night. The concert lasted close to two hours – with the first half dedicated to the ensemble, including a very interesting piece with narration called `How the Crocodile Got Its Teeth', which is inspired by the Orang Asli community.

After the last light-hearted piece `Rasa Sayang' followed by photograph posing, it was finally `party' time – well, what else would you call it when there was free-flowing drinks (read alcohol) and finger food.

As some of the choir members have performed at the residence before, they knew where to stand where they could be the first to `ambush' the waiters carrying the tray of yummy Hors d'œuvre walking out from the kitchen through the large dining room.

For me, it was a time to get to know more of my choir mates! Sad to say, although it has been four months already since I joined them, I only knew just a handful of others and they are limited to my fellow first sopranos – reason being we sit close together in the same places.
Being so bad with names, I had to embarrass myself to ask for some of their names again although I had previously been briefly introduced to them. I also got to know a couple of them better - translating from just faces to names (hopefully!) and even their backgrounds!

I also bumped into an old friend - or rather a former college mate's dad - the multi-faceted Antares (who wrote that crocodile poem), and through him, got to meet Saidah Rastam the famed music composer - who turned out to be a sweet and soft-spoken person.

Sipping free drinks and munching on variety of bite-size Hors d'œuvreis were already a pleasure by itself, and little bit of alcohol effect sank in giving a more merry feel!

But I left quite early - 11pm so that I was able to catch American Idol on tv! (yeah, definitely not drunk at all) :p

It was so fun - the singing and the socialising.. I hope we could do something like that again soon!

n.b. A Special thanks to my singer friend Janet who took those concert pix for me! :)