Finally..

It's over!!! Let me tell you what happened throughout the trip.

24th June (Tuesday)

Can't imagine that we're leaving to Teluk Batik today and we still had to go to school. We were allowed to go home at 10 in the morning but i stayed back in school to continue with my physics class (see! I'm so good!). Then, I headed home and had my last packing (scared I forget to bring this or that as I often will). Then, mum fetched me to school and wished me all the best in the competition. Thanks MUM!!! I took a trolley bag and everybody at the school gate was giving me those weird looks. What!? Cannot bring is it? Hehe.. Then, we waited in the Mother Pauline Hall and gathered together to wait for the bus. We departed at around 2.10pm. We reached Teluk Batik Resort at about 3.40pm. We saw many other state representatives. Altogether, there were 16 schools. Yeap! 16! Cool huh? As we were so called the host, we were "asked" to be polite to others and BE like a host - smile wherever we go and behave ourselves. I think it's not that we didn't behave ourselves but rather the teachers. Haha.. just kidding! We had tea time at 4.30pm. We were served with mee jawa (i think that's what it's called or at least it looked like mee jawa). I just took some from Bernice cause I wasn't feeling quite well as I don't like to travel in a bus, especially when it was bumping all the way! So much for that. After checking in, we went to the hall and had our practice. I don't know why. We were given so many privilege, maybe because we're the Perak representatives. We were given to use the P.A. system first, use the stage all the time for the practice and we were well taken care of. During the practice, the teachers were..oh!!! They said this not nice, that not nice (commenting on the P.A. system). Yes, I know it's for our own good. But, can't you speak more politely. I think the P.A. crew also frustrated with you all. Haiz.. Anyway, we sounded real bad that day. And when we were so called resting on the stage, I told my soprano girls that the mood and the feeling of the songs are not there. And when that teacher B heard that, she scolded me and said,"Kar Men ar! I tell you now! Your voice also not good already, what you care about the feelings and mood!? Your voice not good and the effect is not there, who cares about the feelings!!!!" I was like so speechless. Hei! I was talking my girls not you. Why are you interfering? Then, she went down and told teacher A. That teacher A scolded from the floor,"That girl ar! Ever so stubborn wan! Last time, she said this not nice that not nice........!" I was like - why you always wanna go and pijak me in front of other teachers one? You are so childish! Fine then! After the practice, I went back to my room to take something and went to the park where my room mates (Ji Ching- the president, Jo Ann- the secretary and Julia- the asst. secretary) were. When I sat down, tears trickled down my cheeks. Okay! It came out naturally one okay! Not I that I can control it. Ji Ching started giving me motivation talk. She said that as long as I think that I'm right, I don't have to care about what the teachers say. She added that I can't give up easily because the whole soprano look up to me and if I fall, the whole soprano won't be able to sing well. I asked for tissue from her but she refused to give me cause she wanted me to stop crying. Haha.. What a way! She gave me this in my handphone to cheer me up.

When I was like this, she gave me this

Cute huh? Anyway, thanks Ji Ching! After that was dinner, then rest for a while and practice at 10pm. Many were not used to the food. Some were not well cooked and some tasted really weird. And guess what? The mini shop in the resort must be very happy cause many went to buy cup noodles from there. We slept at around 12 midnight.

~My stage~

~Where the judges sit~

~Where we go up the stage~

25th June (Wednesday)

I woke up at about 7 in the morning. Then we got ready and went to had breakfast. Breakfast was noodles and porridge which tasted not bad. Still edible. Then, we had rehearsal till 12 something. We had break in the middle and had morning tea. The trip was full with food - 6 meals per day! After having lunch, we headed to Lumut and had a tour there. We were allowed to move around freely for 1 hour plus. We went to snap some photos and headed to mamak to have some drinks that can enter the stomach. We were stucked with syrup for meals! Then, we went shopping! But didn't get much. Just walk here and there only. Hehe..

~Welcome to Lumut!~

~Me and Ji Ching~

~Seafood anyone?~

~Michelle and me~

~Me and the sea breeze~

~Me and the sea?~

~Me and Jo Ann~

After that, we went to Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM). It was really and eye opening trip for me though it was very hot at that time. It was fun to be there but I don't think so that it would be fun to work there (at least for me). We headed home after the trip and reached at 6 something. Mr Lee was there! Finally! We went to have a quick bath and met in the hall for practice again. He didn't say much (as the teachers were there). He said that he don't know how to give motivational talks so he gave us some reminder. Firstly, we must sing with our brains. Then, only we can control. On the outside, we must look emotional but on the inside, we must be logical. Secondly, we must remember the rhythm and not to rush the beat. Thirdly, always keep our cheeks up (or some where near that part). Then, we went for dinner and went back to our room. We were supposed to do our homework but we somehow ended up chatting. We were "ordered" to sleep early and rest. Besides that, we need to wake up at 5 something the next morning so that our vocal chord can "wake up" as well.

26th June (Thursday)

This is the day!!! We woke up at 5 something and went to the car park to warm up our voice at 6.15am. It was really a good feeling! With the sea breeze and the swaying of the trees, it was so peaceful. The mood came in naturally. We sang rather well. Then, we went for breakfast at 7. We just ate a little and went up to get dressed up. We went back to the car park to have a second round of warm up with Mr Lee. Then, we went to the hall to get ready. As we were the first team, we were rather nervous. We went up there and did our very best! And we did! The other schools were good too. I remember Kelantan, they sounded good. I like the way they came in and and went out. KL which was the champion were not bad too. They were entertaining. But, it wasn't choir style. They had individuals singing and dancing. Choir is not suppose to be like this right? It's about teamwork. Anyway, what to do? We're not the judges' cup of tea. According to Mr Lee, a lot of people said that we were supposed to be the champion if we were judged on choir basis. We had the highest score in most of the instructors score sheet and many people were touched by our singing. Though we lost, I'm very happy because of the affirmations that we got from the audience. That's enough! No point having the title when nobody claps for you when you received the trophy, right? Actually, many were not satisfied with the results. But, who cares right? At least, we have been there! Haha..

Thanks for all the support that everyone gave us. We're truly grateful. Girls, way to go! Teachers, thanks for your support and scoldings. Haha.. Mr Lee, thanks for your guidance! I'm glad that you're coming back next year. But too bad, this is my last year. Haiz.. Anyway, you're right. We can sing anytime as long as we want to. Dad and mum, thanks for your support. Friends, thanks for all your sms-es and support. Lord, thanks for giving me this golden opportunity to be in the national level! AMC CHOIR ROCKS!!!

*the video of the competition and more photos will be posted up soon. stay tune!