Me? I? Myself? Karen?

2006-09-17T12:27:00.000+08:00

Philharmonic Concert, clashes with my 21st birthday this year. Not a good year for me I guess... Very disappointed in my playing. Counted correctly, but the note just can't come out. ARGHZ! more over, it's an open part. Sighz.

Learnt a BIG lesson from this incident. Well, due to playing badly, that might cost me to be my last concert with them already. If I were to leave, I'll definately miss SERA,JKY for sure. Miss the time spent with them together.

I failed to perform well. =(

2006-07-28T21:30:00.000+08:00

Currently working as a temporary admin job for 1 mth at Honeywell Aerospace. Hopefully they would employ me as an assistant engineer. US Company. Benefit not bad, and staff's friendly. They seems to have short handed in staffs. Many of them just join. Work load also quite terrible. But free transport and lunch.

Now having a slight fever and bad cough. Sick due to work? No idea.

Have not gone back to NYP Alumni for a long time. Been skipping pract ever since I step down from my post. Anyway there isn't a need for 2 SLs for 3 pathetic players in a section. I don't see a need to have 2 practs per week. I understand if concert is 1mth away, and they add extra pract. But concert is like in Dec which is still long...moreover is a half concert. Philyouth having concert on Sept and Beautiful Sunday on October, yet we have yet to start practice and is only once a week. Even KSWS concert is in November, and it's also once a week.

2006-07-20T02:25:00.000+08:00

Back to this bloggie. This time round I'll make it less known and low profile, letting only certain people know.

At last, I've graduated from NYP. It's been a month and i'm still searching for job. Send more than 50 resumes, yet still no job. Most engineering jobs require 12hrs shift, else is work in Tuas, Jurong. Else is they want guys. Why is it so difficult to find Engineering job?

Beginning to lose interest in playing band. Main worry is have to find a job. Life moves on. We can't really because of Band, then forgo job. Which is the 1 that eventually brings income to you? Of course it would be better if can find an office hour job. But it seems so difficult.

I'm all confuse over the path which I should go. I like hands on, engineering job. Yet on the other hand, if i do purchasing jobs, I can still continue playing band...

I just feel so disappointed with some people. The person that I once know has become arrogant. Don't even bother looking at you. As though you are transparent. Whatever happens between you and the person is none of my business. I don't see why is there a need to condemn your "once to be a close friend" just because I'm closer to him. You have changed and is no longer the person that I've once know. With your childish attitude and bad temper, don't think you will be able to go far. Anyway, I also couldn't be bothered. I've nothing to gain and also nothing to lose. I'll no longer shed a tears for you like I last time do.

2005-11-11T22:14:00.000+08:00

It has been quite sometime since I last blogged. Quite tired nowadays. Everyday 8.30am to 6pm. Always feel like sleeping...haha!

So far, already end of 6 weeks of project. I left with 10 more weeks before going for attachment. If everything goes well, I will be officially graduate in June! Haha....Then maybe take a short break to somewhere for a holiday before starting to find a full time job.

More and more things to do in project now. Rewiring of circuit, designing of circuit, dimensions of prototype, assembly of prototype, designing of competition booth, end of december LTA competition...ArGh!!! Stress!

Always looking forward to end of Friday because...saturday I can sleep until late late! Need not wake up at 6.15am! haha!! I only got Saturday to enjoy as Sunday morning I still got Kim Seng Band at 10am. Very early!! -_-"

Ok...think I'm going to bed. Good night!!

2005-10-28T11:55:00.000+08:00

So happy. Today 5555 gave birth to 505599. This will bd the 2nd child of 5555! The 1st child does not have any identification. LOLz. 505599 is so small and cute and is gold in colour. For those who don't know, 5555 is my 3yr old Kanstul trumpet, the 1st child is a golden bugle with no serial nos and the latest addition~ 505599... which is a pocket trumpet.

My dad happen saw it, and bought it for me. It's just 22cm from the bell to the shank. So small and cute.

Resistance is lesser on a pocket trumpet than my Kanstul. Tone wise, i still feel the Kanstul trumpet sounds nicer than the pocket trumpet maybe because of the small bore and bell of the pocket trumpet.

But anyway, the price is very reasonable. So, i feel is worth it. =)

2005-10-13T22:22:00.000+08:00

Tired days ahead

Been quite a while since I last blogged. Everyday 8.30am to 6pm in school. I used to be chatting in MSN each night till 3am...but now ever since I start having this Final Year Project (FYP) , I seems to be sleeping earlier and earlier each night. From 3am dpwn to 1am, then 11pm..at times, 10pm!! Think I'm getting back my body clock time after so many years of late night sleeps. haha!

Oh ya! By the way, *ahem* I have pass all my papers! *Grinz* I was expecting that Automation Control I will fail because I done 1 of the questions totally wrong and don't really know how to do another question..there are 4 questions, 25marks each. 25marks And the whole exam weighs 50%, another 50% goes to lab report. Well, but who knows, I got a C for it.

Yeap, it's just a C. No big deal. Thinking about it, I skipped school for 2 whole weeks for competition in Netherlands, followed by 1 week break, then common test. Practically 1 whole mth. Still not including lots of excuse letters for meeting with directors and principal twice, lunch time performances, club crawl, sectionals, tsunami fund raising concert, NTU n NYP pre-WMC concert etc. Been skipping classes to attend all these. It's a miracle that I can manage to clear off all my modules. Really a hectic day last semester,dissappearing half of the time from class...if not, is falling asleep everywhere I go-in lecture,tutorial,lab, eatting halfway... terrible.=) Because of band and lots of projects to clear, been rushing projects till 3am or 4am each night before waking up at 6.30am for school at 8.30am.

Hee~ If everything goes smoothly, I'll be officially graduated in June. Most slightly will be taking a short break before finding jobs. No intention of getting a degree in Engineering. It's not my cup of tea. Will make plans when time come. haha! Maybe hmm...something related to music and management? Take a step at a time. 1stly to earn some cash. heehee! *Grinz*

My bed is calling me right now. Eyelid getting heavy. Good Night!

2005-10-03T20:26:00.000+08:00

Final Year Project Briefing
Today is our 1st day of a new semester after a one week holiday(so short!) We are told to report at 9am for a mass briefing followed by allocating us to different labs and introducing our supervisor. I was being allocated to S109 which is Automation and Mechatronics department. Many is saying that the projects in the lab is very tough. I rather they post me to CAD drawing department..think at least I'll be much more happier there doing drawings instead of programming.

The lab that I've been posted in, is dealing with Industrial Projects. Designing, Fixing, programming the system of what the factory or industry wants. Heard that the previous batch have 20 people in this Industrial Project. This batch only have 11 people. This semester, there will also be more projects to do. So we will be doing more than 1. Haiz!!

Tomorrow we will be split into 2 groups, electronics and mechanics. either dealing with wiring and software, or hardware and setting up.

Monday to Thursday 8.30am-6pm, Friday 8.30am-5.30pm. 9.5hrs everyday!! ArGh!!!! Hope of all thing, I don't get PLC or else I sure to die. Haha...

2005-09-29T20:43:00.000+08:00

Feelings
Ever tried talking to some people till you feel like slamming the door in front of that person face if there's one? Well my blood boils when trying to talk to some guys. Well, no idea why. I just don't seems to like guys that ALWAYS act cute or immature, especially those older than me. (-_-|||)

Scenario 1:
Karen: Need to study which tutorial for exam?
Guy A: Yes
Karen: Which tutorial need to study? (thinking maybe he misread my qns...)
Guy A: Ya
Karen: Which tutorial la???? (blood beginning to boil)
Guy A: Chapter 3-8
Karen: I also know is Chapter 3-8. Chp 3-8 is tutorial what?
Guy A: Yes
Karen: Chapter 3-8 is tutorial what? tutorial 1,2,3,4,5 which 1?? (already boiling)
Guy A: Yes

(end of conversation. I decide to ask others. Think I going to burst soon if i carry on.)

Scenario 2:
(with a group of friends)
Guy B: Want to eat at XXX?
Karen: No.. Don't feel like...
Guy B: Why?? (jumping and giving a act cute face)
Karen: Don't want la...lets go eat Mac instead.
Guy B: Hmph! (cross his arm)

Scenario 3:
Guy C: Why conductor today never come? (give a sad, lips sticking out face)
Karen: He'll be late I think...
Guy C: (give that sad, act cute face)
Guy C: He sure pick on me 1...i so long never play..(give that face again)

Scenario 4:
Guy D: What is your friendster address?
Karen: Why?
Guy D: I want.
Karen: For what? Why want my friendster?
Guy D: Give!
Karen: Tell me why 1st...
Guy D: Just give!
Guy D: Okokokok, I know you very good 1...
Guy D: Give me!

Well...what do you think I am? A pet? hahaha.
"Dog! come!"
(dog come running to u)
I'm not so stupid as to give that guy. "Give!" "Give me!" Not even a "Please" or " Can you please give me your friendster?" Just a word, "Give!" Sounds as if I owe him or that it's a must to give.

2005-09-29T01:49:00.000+08:00

THE COCOON

A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On the day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force its body through that little hole.

Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck. Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was a way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.

Morale of the story: Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we are allowed to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

2005-09-28T00:52:00.000+08:00

In a recent newspaper :
That was the tactic marketing executive Tan, 25, used to distract the cashier at Mustafa Centre as his girlfriend used a stolen card to buy high-end items.

Tan made small talk, asking questions like 'How many employees are there at Mustafa Centre?' as his unemployed girlfriend, signed for $3,920, to buy two watches, a Tag Heuer and a Rado.

They had got away with it so far, so they tried it again. The woman returned 15 minutes later to pay for a $45 Shaeffer pen.

People tend to be controlled by greed. Getting away the 1st time, dosen't means you will get away the 2nd time. By buying many expensive things on a single day and at a single place, sure people will get suspicious.

Ok, back to myself. Recently, got to know a trumpeter, Ka Chun, currently in SAF band with Gideon. He has a very unique trumpet~ A modified Bach that has extra weights all over the lead pipe and slides. The weight is added by professional through analysing the trumpet system. Though it looks wierd, but the sound it produce is very nice. At just the age of 19, he have already composed and transcribe pieces and has a music scholarship awaiting for him. The 1st time he was quite reserve, now after got to know him more, actually, he's someone quite chatty and easy to click with and quite a joker (trying to break my teeth with his mouthpiece shank). =D

2005-09-27T05:02:00.000+08:00

World Music Contest 2005
This is my 2nd trip with NYPSO. The 1st was the International Australian Music Festival in Sydney 2004. Before the trip, we spent 3days a week having band practice and having sectionals during our free time for months. Though some commented that we sounded very nice during the Symphonic Sojourn 2005, but I still feel that we are not really ready. Time past fast and our training get more and more intense. Before we know, it's 2 days before we leaving for Amsterdam. We spent the Saturday bubble wrapping instrument and sealing the case with masking tape before leaving for Amsterdam on Monday 11th July. We will be going from 11th-22nd July, skipping school for 2 whole weeks.

Monday
Jing Si parents came and gave me a lift to Changi Airport. It'll be the 1st oversea trip for some band members. We met up with the group at Airport. Me, being the SL of trumpet section have to distribute the boarding passes to members. Finding and coordinating them together was a headache especially when there's three yr1s in my section. After checking in our instrument, we spent our remaining few hours with family and friends before checking in at 10.30am for a photo taking. We are bound for the direct flight to Amsterdam on SQ324 at 11.45pm. The plane journey was a whole 13.5hrs. Spent most of my time watching movies and playing in flight games.

Tuesday
Reach Amsterdam Schipol Airport at 7am. Went to collect our luggage and doing a head count to check if any of my chickens (section mates) are missing. From there on, we transfer to coaches to Kerkrade. Journey to Kerkrade took 3hrs. Scenery was nice....empty lands of grasses, cows and sheep gazing, peaceful town areas, cloudy blue sky etc.

Finally reach College Rolduc. It'll be where we stay for this 1 week. We are given 4 rooms. 2 for guys and 2 for girls. The beds were double decker beds and we have to fix the bedsheets ourselves. Next we went was the bath room. The 1st thing that we saw was that it has no doors! Practically 5 shower heads, thats all...it's a open concept bath room. Terrible...but we have no choice. We are given half a day to explore and rest before having combine band at 6.30pm-10pm which is Singapore 1.30am-5am. It's very difficult to keep awake especially when come to Russian Christmas Music where trumpets have more than 100 bars rest.

Wednesday
We have intensive training almost the whole day with Band pract in the morning and evening and sectionals in the afternoon. Went to the supermarket to buy some bottled water and snacks. Supermarket was very big. Alcoholic drinks and juices was much cheaper than in Singapore. The only downside is that you must bring your own shopping bag. They don't provide you with free plastic bags.

Thursday
Horror came when 3 new groups of band members came in. Symphonic Band from Spain and Norway and a Thailand Girls Marching Band. It's sure a nice opportunity to make new friends but we have difficulty using the bath room. Initially, we take turns 1 by 1 to shower while another person wait. This time round, we have no choice but to shower together. We feel funny at 1st, but well...

Friday
It's our day off! We are given 1 whole day free but must be back by night for band practice. We left early in the morning and took a train from Kerkrade to Maastricht. Maastricht was a bigger town than Kerkrade. Took lots of photos and manage to explore and enter in Maastricht church. Bought some soveniers and sweets for friends there.

Saturday
Band practice and sectionals as usual the whole day. Competition was tomorrow. Lao Shi praise that trumpet section have make a big jump, was alot better when in Singapore. All thanks to Hui Si for continuously teaching us the past few days in Kerkrade.

Sunday
Our big day~! We are the 1st Singapore band to compete for WMC'05. Everyone was nervous. Some break down and cry just before the competition. Competition is at Theatre Kerkrade. Neverless, we play out the best that we can, remembering the intensive training that we have gone through all these time. Finally, the awaiting of results. We grab each other hands tightly when the results were announce. After hearing we got a Gold, many of us were screaming, shouting and crying. We thanked Lao Shi and he too, cried. Cried cause of over joy, cried cause of all our hard work have finally paid off. Many start taking out handphone to sms/call their love ones and friends that we have finally got a Gold. At night, we pack our luggage and instruments and cleared out half-eaten food and drinks before leaving for Frankfrut, Germany tomorrow morning. Finally end of our 1 week in Kerkrade. The residents there are friendly and mostly are elderly living there after retire. Life was simple and peaceful..watering flowers, walking dogs... For the past 1 week, we have been eatting plain bread with ham and cheese with over concentrated orange for breakfast and lunch everyday. Dinner was rice and dishes with soup that are very salty.

Monday
We leave Kerkrade for Frankfrut, en route stop at Cologne and Bonn, visit Beethoven House. After that, we check in at InterCity Hotel at Frankfrut Mainz. My room mate was Natalie who was also in Philharmonic Youth. Dinner was at a chinese restaurant. After dinner, Mr Wee took us to Frankfrut redlight district. Their red light district is so much different from Singapore. Some went to watch a strip show while I rather spend my money on ice cream~! haha! Ice cream there was great. Just like Singapore Gelare ice cream but with a more variety of flavors. Din't know that we can chat till fall asleep unknowingly. Haha! Wonderful time with her...and I found out she like to sleep alot!

Tuesday
We are scheduled to meet up 9am at hotel lobby. Natalie set the alarm at 7.30am so that we have time for breakfast..but we ended sleeping till 8.30am. Luckily manage to wash ourselves up and meet in time. Visit music instrument factory. Alexander Music Factory...some communications crop up and they only allow us to visit the shop. Many of them bought collar pins and figurine and i bought a bugle which cost $29 euros.

Wednesday
Visit Frankfrut Cultural Area, Alt Opera House. The seating inside was very large... seems like double the size of Esplanade Concert Hall. They open the backstage and makeup rooms. The conductor room was big and cozy. Something like what esplanade is having...but more rooms. It was an eye opener for all. After that we went shopping and took a photo at the top of the shopping centre that have a skyscrapping view of the whole city area. We are scheduled to leave tomorrow. Time flies very fast.

Thursday
Packed our luggage and move it to one holding room before we have our last minute shopping before meeting back in hotel by evening and taking the coach bus to Frankfrut Airport. Return flight on SQ325 at 10.25pm (4.25am S'pore time)

Friday
Arrive back to Singapore at 4.25pm.

2005-09-26T22:35:00.000+08:00

Hi all,
A fresh start to my blog again after a long period of time. Lots of things have been happening during this period of time that I have not been blogging. New friends are made, Some old friends wish to isolated themselves etc. But whatever it is, I have learnt to "be myself"

All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself. ~Ralph Ellison, "Battle Royal"

So it's best to be yourself. Don't be influence by what people do and say. Just do the thing that you feel is right.

A reflect on what I've done during the past few months in band.
Philyouth- Death and Life concert @VCH Conducted by Alan Lourens (March'05)
Beautiful Sunday@Esplanade Conducted by Yeow Ching Shiong (Aug'05)

NYP Orchestra- Sinfonia 2005 (A fund raising for tsunami victims)(Feb'05)
Symphonic Sojourn 2005(A joint concert with NTU before WMC)(June'05)
World Music Contest 2005- Kerkrade,Amsterdam,Netherlands. (July'05)