Bye Daphne!

Hey Daphne! A special post for you. Though we're not considered very close, but we still have topics to talk about right? Like... you know I know la. haha.. Anyway, I would like to wish you all the best in your studies and continue to grow in the Lord. Have a consistent walk with the Lord! I definitely will miss your presence with us here. Take good care yourself ya! Love you!!! Hugs.. =)

Sayonara my bro!

A big farewell to you my pig brother - Clarence! In the farewell the youth organised yesterday, I was really speechless when I was asked to share. You know me right? Being the emotional creature, I will surely cry one. So I didn't say much. Actually, I really had many things to say. You have really been a brother to me. You treated me like your own sister. Ever since my brother left, I never feel that I lost a brother or what because you sorta replace my brother's place. You take care of me, fetch me here and there, make sure I get the bully that I need (just like you said) and many more. You are one of those who always lend me your ears when I need someone to talk to. You give me advices on how to handle things especially relationships with others. I really want to thank you. Now that you're leaving for your studies, I wanna wish you all the best. I pray that you will endure through all circumstances and the trials that come your way with God's strength. Take good care of yourself and remember to come back as often as possible. I always like my brothers to come back. Cause it really feels good to be sayang by a brother. Hehe.. After all, it's only 2 hours plus drive. For you, I think less than that also you can reach Ipoh already. I'm waiting for people to take me out to "kai kai" wan leh. Must come back okay!? Gonna miss your presence in every youth meeting. Take care bro!

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!

Life is never easy

I've received some stunning news lately. REALLY stunning! But, it's not suitable to share here. And today.. Gosh!!! A BAD BAD DAY!!!
In the previous post, I was writing about how well my choir sang. Today, everythign was just..HORRIBLE! I guess you know why. Yes! He's here AGAIN. He changed everything to a different mood and style and it really sounded eew... We were discussing over there and suddenly this teacher, A heard us. She asked,"YES? ANYTHING?" So, I bravely said that it wasn't nice and it sounded rough la. And I got this LOOK from her as if I said something that was so serious. And she said,"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?" Excuse me! I'm just trying to voice out my opinion here madam! My goodness! Then, the other teacher, B, whom always picked on me in every practice said,"So how, Kar Men? Still wanna sing your style ar?" OI!!! What my style? I'm not trying to sing my style, it's what Mr Lee taught us. The style that made us qualified for the FINALS!!! OKAY!? How can you say that? I'm trying to give out my best and you never appreciate it also nevermind. You picked on me for FIVE YEARS ever since I joined choir. Every single soprano member knows it. Everyone sings that in soprano but you don't say any of them but just me. People talked and I as the leader should prevent them from continuing and I got lectured. What's this? Is this what I get for joining choir in whole of secondary school life? You all always said that we never key in our computer what Mr Lee taught us. Now when we're putting it into practice, you said that we sounded like chicks. What do you expect us to do? I know saying this might be irresponsible - After all it's my last year, I just put up a show that YOU want and leave school! End of choir career!- But, there's really nothing we can do. I've been the leader for almost a year but she never bothered about me. She always judged soprano and said her opinions to other members but not me. Hei!!! I'm still here okay!!! We're leaving tomorrow for the competition already. What do you expect me to do? Sing with a mood like how Mr Lee trained us after all your lectures!!?? I think it won't be THAT EASY anymore. You really kill my passion for choir. I hope it won't affect me.

Poor girl

Today, I followed my dad to go for visitation. First destination was Aunty Honey. She had a cataract surgery few days ago and we went to her house and paid her a visit. She's doing fine. We (my parents, Uncle Oh, Aunty Oh and me) later went to General Hospital to visit Uncle Yeap. He was admitted to the hospital after a heart attack.
My mum was telling me about this girl who had cancer. She was younger than me. I was told about her ever since Chinese New Year. I wanted to pay her a visit but was kinda busy. Besides that, she has a weird sleeping time. She sleeps during the day. So, it's kinda hard to meet her. So today was the chance. I was kinda excited to visit her cause I haven't visit any cancer patients before especially someone who is so young. We went to search for her room for such a long time. We went into almost every ward in the 6th floor. Gosh! She was really hard to find. Finally, after walking aimlessly, we managed to find her room. My mum and I went into her room. We didn't dare to stand in front of her as she was watching television at that time. So, mum tried to call her name. She ignore us (don't know whether she heard it or not). Then, don't know why, mum went to stand in front and she got real mad. She said,"Go away! You go away!" I was like so stunned! "Go!!!I don't want to see you! You get out of here!!!" Her voice was rather coarse and there's a big growth at her neck which was even bigger than her head! I felt sympathy towards her condition. As her emotions were not good, I immediately pulled my mum away and left. Initially, my main intention to visit her was to share with her the Good News. Seeing this condition really scare me. I guess, we really need time. According to my mum, she was diagnosed with cancer at a very young age. She had numerous operations but all was in vain. Her mum and dad were separated and she hardly sees her mum. Even if her mum is here, she communicate with her mum through someone called "pak cik". She was left all alone in the hospital all the time. The nurses said that she doesn't like talking to people. Poor little girl. I heard that she had only 6 months left (but that was like in January or February). So, I really hope that there's something that we can do. But what is it?