Labour Amouris

Labour Amouris rocks! I must admit that the SJI guitar ensemble kicks ass after two years. The songs there were beautiful. I love every single bit of it. It was a shame that majority of the sec 3s didn't go. Only me, Paolo and Paolo's friend attended. Jason was the host with some chio bu on stage. Lucky dude... Haha. Anyway I screamed encore until my voice turned sore. The SJI Alumni duo was particularly excellent. This was the song they played. and they played almost exactly like the video, except with classical guitars.



This song is called "Start" by the Japanese Duo called Depapepe. Excellent song. Loved it every single bit. Oh yeah, I also loved the performance by the SJI Senior Ensemble, especially the "El Cumbanchero". And I saw my guitar teacher conducting the IJTP Guitar Ensemble band! Mr Shi the Playmaker! Hahaa!

This will be the last time I will be watching Labour Amouris as it is only held once every two years. However, this concert is one of the most memorable ones I've watched. SJI, CJC and IJTP Guitar Ensemble left a deep impression on me. You all rock!

Stuff That's Been Happening

I'm glad that this week is over. It marks the end of my Mother Tongue O'Levels exam and my ABRSM Grade 3 Guitar Exam too. It's been stressful this week with the physics MYAA and Math Project. Andreas couldn't finish the final part of the project so I had to complete the rest. And there were loads to do, because most of my group member's research were not too user-friendly. I had to tell them to re-submit and I had to summarise everything and complete the project in 90 minutes. I managed to do it, although I'm not too optimistic about the marks as I did it in a rush. Anyway, one major thing cleared off my list.

Second thing was the O'Levels Mother Tongue Oral Examinations. It's a strictly no-play, 100% serious attitude and focus as I only get one chance. One single chance. My heart was beating really fast before the exam, as I thought that I was really unprepared for it. I was the last guy to take the exam, but fortunately and by God's Grace, I did not have really long pauses like the practises I had with Mr Lee and I sounded quite confident. Although I will never know the results of my O'Level Oral Marks, I hope for the best. Another thing off my list.

Thirdly, there was my ABRSM Guitar Exam. London-based music exam which is really important to me as firstly, I paid alot for the exams and furthermore, I won't get a second chance again I think. However, I was freaking nervous and my fingers felt numb. That's why I made some mistakes in the playing part and the scales part. I made some mistakes on the Aural Part too. Oh shoot.... I seriously hope that I can pass my exam. Then I'm one step closer to a new guitar, and I can move on to higher grades. I seriously love my Maestro E-1 and guitar. All I can do is hope for the best for the results.

Well, that was quite a hectic week isn't it? It's not over yet. I still got loads to catch up on my studies. "Light and Heat" topic on Physics, "Ionic And Covalent Bonding" for chemistry, "Trigonometry and Revision of Angle Properties of Circles" for Math as I really stink in Geometry. I feel frustrated by just staring at the circles. Every week is busy for me. Even the next week's busy as well. No wonder Mr Chin said that this is a busy term. How right he was. And I have to host students from Suzhou, China for 4 days as part of my exchange program. They're coming this sunday. Thank goodness that it's 4 days only.

However, life do has its pleasant surprise for me. Firstly, we got a new English teacher whose name I shall not mention since I know that SJI teachers actually DO check blogs related to school and I don't want them to accidentally "bump" into this one. All I can say that I love english now. Insiders should know what I mean. Secondly, this really fierce teacher actually said something good about me in her form class. You know, her voice is really cold, and it sends shivers up my spine. You know, I'm ok with people yelling and shouting at us, but her voice reminds me of a cold-blooded creature. So that was quite encouraging.

In order to relax and enjoy myself, I'm going to replace PC games with exercise and music. Furthermore, I've found a even better source of exercise and entertainment. I'm trying to learn how to Breakdance. I realised that it's a very good form of exercise and you learn really cool stuff as well. I'm going to become a B-Boy in training soon. I learn all my stuff from the internet, but I have to do some personal training as well to execute some of their moves. Hopefully I can be able to do a Nike and Freezes in 2-3 months. Look out for that! Haha.

Crossroads

How many times in life, or how often, do you come face to face with a crossroad in life? A crossroad which forces you to make difficult choices, for you to disappoint some people whom trusted you the most again and again, in order to pull you through personal challenges? How many times are you asked to/ forced to give up on the team just to fufill your personal achievements？ ABRSM Guitar Grade 3 is important, as there won't be a second time. O Level Mother Tongue Oral is important, as there won't be a second time. Match on Wednesday is also important, as I cannot imagine the level of trust between me and the team now since I missed almost every training. If I missed that too, I can't imagine what's going to happen.

At this point of time I guess we all have to choose. It's a very difficult choice to make for me, although some of you may see the answer straight away. Coincidence? Not really, since it happened more than once. Stressed? Completely. God I just want to make it through this week. Try to make me add colours to my own life and paint my canvas of gray with colours brighter than anyone else's. Give me strength for my O Level Mother Tongue Oral, and also for the match tomorrow. I must admit that I've lost loads of my rugby skills and confidence, but I'm going to get it back. Bit by bit. It's a tough road, but I just need Your help in this journey. Amen.

I'll make it through this week. I'm sure I will.

Angel In Disguise

by Corrinne May

album: Safe in a Crazy World (2005)

I woke up this morning feeling kind of blue

and I stumbled out of bed and

dragged my feet across the room

Right outside my front door was a rose

and a note that said 'Somebody Loves You'

Oh~ But out on the street it starts to pour

and before I get soaking wet,

A total stranger runs to give me

the jacket off his back

I turn around to thank him

But he waves me with a smile

And I can hardly believe my eyes

He puts on a halo and starts to fly

Take a look at the ordinary

Don't need to look for Paradise

You could be next to

an angel in disguise

I met a good friend for lunch

and we had a delicious meal

But I forgot to bring my wallet

I felt like an imbecile

But she was sweet, she gave me a treat and

Bought me a chicken sandwich

To take home for tea

Oh~ But out on the street with nothing to eat

A man and his shopping cart go

Travelling to places

Collecting social graces

I give him my sandwich

and we chatter for a while

I see a rainbow wash over his eyes

He gives me his halo and

I start to fly

Take a look at the ordinary

Don't need to look for Paradise

You could be next to

an angel in disguise

Don't try to hide away from me

I know you're by my side

Oooh~~

Take a look at the ordinary

Don't need to look at Paradise

You could be next to

an angel in disguise

Everyday can be legendary

Every minute, an endless surprise

You could be the next angel in disguise

I woke up this morning

Feeling kind of new

Perhaps.... That I've been trying my best to give halos to others and make them fly that I forget that sometimes, I too, need halos when I feel blue. Perhaps.. I should try to notice and be more observant, and spot all these Angels in Disguise around me, waiting for me to reach out to them and for them to reach out to me too.

Promise

I once promised myself:

"Never Hesitate To Reach Out To People in Need, just because you're afraid to be different".

So far I have done that, but there's a burning question inside me.

"When you're in need, who's gonna reach out to you?"

Although the place I go to is considered a third home for me, I just feel so left out inside. I may appear unfriendly and cold towards you, but did you ever think that I stay away because I'm afraid of the fact that I can't fit in? Have you ever thought that I appear anti-social just because I don't know the correct way to communicate, that's why I often say things which don't make sense or don't speak at all.

I may leave early everytime, but everytime I leave early something inside me hurts. I wanna stay, but even if I did, I'll be some spectator. I want to reach out to others, but who's gonna reach out to me when I felt that being me is so tiring?

It's hard that in school some people try to screw around with your life and yet you do not screw up theirs. It's even harder that you have to bear it all alone. Maybe I'm too enthusiatic about everything, but please, do not kill off my enthusiasm because killing that means you're draining away the love and energy inside a person.

Sometimes my intentions are good. It's just the way I present it stinks. I really hope that someone out there can understand that.

Current Affairs

Yes, loads of things has piled up on me since the 1st week of school and it hasn't seemed to stop. I have to study for two topical tests next week, practise Math so that I will not forget what the relieve teacher taught me, which is really alot, do weight training and exercise at least 3 times a week since now my dad has grounded me from training plus the loads of homework the many teachers left for us. Despite the busy, week, it had its own surprises and happiness for me.

Firstly, I'm really glad that the Farewell Party for Ms Goh went well. A big thanks to Ryan Cheng, who ordered and paid for the pizzas and everyone else for writing their personal message for her, although these hugry-ghost incarnates didn't leave a single slice of pie for me. Haha. I also want to thank the class committee members who was a great help in organising the party. It is sad for us to see Ms Goh leave, and I hope that she will get used to her new environment in SCGS, which is... NEXT DOOR! This means that I have a chance to meet many SCGS gals as we would all ask her to introduce some for us. Hahaaha. We know that's not gonna happen but it's all something which she will remember us by. Thank You Ms Goh for really helping us to overcome our problem with Literature and making us develop a passion for the subject. It's sad to see you go, but I'm sure that everyone's happy for you and wish you all the best from the bottom of our hearts. Remember that the "gentlemen" of 3G2-2 will remember you always. Bon Voyage!

Second Thing which went well today was the presentation for the Chinese Dining Etiquette. Even though we had to speak to the Sec 1s, I still felt very nervous when I stepped in front. Thank God that Me and Max managed to attract the attention of the audience and they were not really restless as comapred to the Sec 4s. Hahaha. However, there are still some points which we can improve on and hopefully the presentation next year will be better. It's just a few minor mistakes, we did a pretty good job by making the sec 1s focus. Public speaking isn't that scary after all. It's beginning to be quite fun actually.

However, that's not the end of my task. I still have to work on my PSF project on the 18th july, hosting for the Suzhou Students on 27th July and mug really hard for my exams. Sigh, beginning of the term and I'm already so tired. I need "Redbull For The Soul".

LLTC Finale

That day was a really short day. It started with our run again, but this time it was held in school due to a lightning alert. We were supposed to run five rounds around the school and do 20 push-ups, situps and star jumps after each round. Sadly, most of my group members didn't have the motivation to do so after a night's work and the lack of sleep. I tried to motivate myself and them but in the end I only succeeded in one item. After that was a long series of lecture from Kenny and Brother Michael. I shall not elaborate more on that, except that all of us were yearning to go home and some of us were a little emo as we all don't wanna leave the camp.

I want to mention in particular the closing ceremony. The atmosphere was really solemn and reflective as we read our Personal Mission Statements and the final affirmation by Brother Michael as he pinned the LLTC badge for us in person. I felt really honoured to do that as Bro Mike is one of the best teachers I have ever met and I really respect him. It was then I became a graduate of LLTC. However, this, is just the starting of the journey, a journey which will probably last till the day I die. I want to make sure that when I cross the finish line, I will be proud to say that my journey is one that is filled with dreams and hopes. I hope that I can look back at my life again and compare it with my mission statement and say "I've left a legacy of my own in the world, and it's not about how much zeroes I have in my back account".

The camp ended with Banglarobics and the screams of SJI International people saying "MONDAY NO SCHOOL" and SJI People saying " MONDAY PON SCHOOL!" I had half a mind to pon school myself, as I needed time to catch up on my sleep. So thank you all for those who have survived the extra-long post about my LLTC and I really hope that you enjoyed it. Ciao! I'll end the post off with some songs which I heard during the camp.




Pete Murray: Opportunity



Jordin Sparks: This Is My Now



Jars Of Clay: Waiting For The World To Fall



Lighthouse Family: Free (Turn Up Your Speakers For This One)



Corrinne May: Angel In Disguise (The song is repeated once here)

And finally, some Banglarobics from the movie Kaal Ho Naa Ho. may I present....




MAHIVE! It means "O, My Love" in Tamil. I've been trying to learn this dance though and do some kind of choreography with my friends. I bet the energy of the dance will touch everyone's hearts. Ciao!