~* mY rEmiNiScEncES *~

Life surprises you when you least expect.
It was an unexpected night with my orchestra friends.
The main entrance of the Dewan Filharmonik Orkestra Petronas at KLCC was closed for 25th World Gas Conference Welcome ICG President Dinner.
Therefore, the MPO concert audience need to take another route to get to the hall.
Ah yes, not to forget the MPO players too.

As included in the programme booklet, this is the repertoire for Dances Around the World concert:
Hungarian Dances by Brahms
Dancing Girl in the Orient by Sugata
Dance of the blessed spirits by Gluck
Estancia Dances by Ginastera

Yet, I got exalted when they actually played Dance of the Hours by Ponshielli, Masquerade Suite by Khachaturian and Malambo by Ginastera!!
I have been looking for orchestra scores for Masquerade Suite: Waltz for so long.
And the Malambo that I have been watching over and over again at Youtube conducted by Gustavo Dudamel featuring Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra.
That kind of feeling is undescribable when the songs that you have been listening from Youtube or mp3 in your phone are actually showing LIVE IN FRONT OF YOU!
They actually played 2 encore songs which are new for me (yeah right, I'm not pure classical music student) but awesome ones.
Just realised that there are actually 2 songs are in the list of ATCL exam repertoire: Scherzo-Valse by Charbrier and Malambo by Ginastera.
The concert was inspiring and just in time for those who are playing the piece(s) for the exam.
Wondering when is my luck that they will play my exam repertoire...

Anyway, this is the full list of repertoire (excluding encore pieces):
Hungarian Dances No. 5 & 6 by Brahms
Dance of the Hours by Ponchielli
Suite Pastorale: Rustic Dance & Scherzo-Valse by Chbrier
Sketches of the Desert: Suite in Oriental syle No. 4, Dancing Girl in the Orient by Sugata
Samson and Delilah: Bacchanale by Saint-Saens
Orfeo ed Euridice: Dance of the Furies & Dance of the Blessed  Spirits by Gluck
Slavonic Dances No. 3 & 8 (Op. 46), No. 7 (Op. 72) by Dvorak
Aladdin Suite: Hindu Dance & Chinese Dance by Nielsen
Masquerade Suite: Waltz, Romance & Galop by Khachaturian
Estancia: Wheat Dance & Malambo by Ginastera

They are heading to Spain for next station!


Okay, gonna sign off and immerse myself into the slumber land with smile,and perhaps followed by musical sweet dream? haha

Nitez readers.

Stunned silence when the TCM doctor told me that I need to undergo acupuncture treatment during the consultation.

I wanted to say no but it's either I will continue to suffer or just endure a lil while and recover.

A total of 7 or 8 needles.
2 on my hand and the rest on my head and neck.


Lesson learnt: don't get overloaded again.

I need to get more rest

My Facebook news feed is now flooded with 520 posts.
Well, according to those posts, 520 = I Love You is a confession day to your love one whereby the high time to confess is at 1314, literally translated as forever.
I don't know why but it seems that it's a popular issue this year, perhaps due to the belief of end of the world in 2012?

It's been a while since my previous emo post.
Ah yes, I'm still surviving and now trying to squeeze a lil bit of time to blog.
Thank you to those who have tried to enlighten and help me in getting through that tough period of mine regardless of having such a busy life. 520

It was few years ago when I faced the almost similar level of tension & depression.
There's 1 thing that I find it useful in life upon getting the advice from my friend: Maslow's Hierarchy Theory of Needs.

For more readings, http://www.businessballs.com/maslow.htm

According to Maslow, it states that one must satisfy each need in turn, starting from the first/ bottom level of needs. One cannot be motivated to achieve the target in other level when he/ she is having problems in the lower level of needs.

True enough, but I can hardly comply with this in my life at the moment.
I can't even fulfill the 1st level due to limited time to rest.
Not to mention the other level of needs.
Yet life must go on and I'm trying my best to cut down on unnecessary activities.
Thanks to the support from my friends, I'm now recovering from the depression.
(Yes, I was in the state of experiencing telephonophobia, insomnia, outburst of pimples, fear of checking the emails and whoever calls my name...)
Isolation is another word that explains 
Sounds psycho?
However, the stress is still here.
My upcoming piano exam is my main concern and I'm not prepared yet critically.
(Gosh, I don't even have the time to get a long dress for my recital!)
My timetable in this semester is really screwed up thanks to the new SA system.
Most of the time, I got home very late while my next class starts at 8am on the next day.
Few academic tests being held, even on weekends while having the need to meet the assignments' deadline.
Imagine that...
As a result, my efficiency & productivity level have dropped significantly.
I can't even get to attend the orchestra rehearsal and join in the recent event in my campus.
This made me feel so bad, especially when I'm 1 of the exco.
Notwithstanding, I squeezed out my time to join the Selangor Philharmonic Orchestra that is conducted by my teacher.
Initially I rejected his invitation for quite a few times as I have not much time left for myself.
Considering of few factors, I decided to join the June concert.
This is the most I can do.
In fact, I cannot commit further and now I have to stop my double bass lesson temporary :'(


Today is a special day in which I receive a random phone call from my friend, also a band instructor, asking me to have dinner with a renowned band clinician - Mr Mitsuo Nonami when I am in the midst of rushing for my assignment.
I truly appreciate his help and Nonami-san willingness to secure his schedule ahead for us before he's back to Japan in spite of getting numerous band invitations across the regions.
My schedule is really occupied now and I don't think I am able help out in their concert in August.
It's a critical period for me as my final exam falls in July while the orchestra concert that I am organising is in September.
I understand the problem that the band is facing but I can't play in the band in return, this time.
I am not a good player nor a superwoman.

Obligation is seriously killing.

There are a lot of things that I do not mention over here which requires my attention and commitment.
Posting in Facebook and blog does not mean that I'm free.
Apology for any rejection of whatever kind of invitation that requires my high commitment.
I don't wish and don't like to say this: I can't
But I need to get some space and breath upon being bombarded with all kinds of event & activity besides academic stuff.
I may sound selfish yet I will be in real hot soup if I don't say 'no'
I would appreciate if you don't put high expectation on me......

Seriously I'm having a tough time now..
Immense depressed in these few days even though I don't really show or tell anyone..
Some may think that I just resumed my new semester and it's not really a big deal.
In fact, my busy schedule has never ceased though I was having 3 months + of break.
Responsibility & obligation play the factor.
There's a long list of things that I want or should do but I have to turn down or even disappoint some people due to unavoidable circumstances.
I only have that insufficient but precious 24 hours a day.

The stress level is increasing day by day.
What really matters at the moment is the one that I've been struggling for years.
I shall not procastinate nor prolong it anymore.
Just do it and put an end on it!

I nearly broke down lately. Nonetheless, I know and believe that I still have the strength to hold back my tears (I hardly cry since cry wouldn't help me to solve the problems anyway) and get up!



Surprisingly, the stress level that I'm facing when I'm working is comparatively lesser compared to my uni life.
Indeed, I find that working at the current workplace has the miracle of de-stressing!
My colleagues are always so cheerful & funny which motivate and give a positive impact on me in some way regardless of their pressure in work too .
Some may wonder why am I going back to work though I don't really have much time for myself.
Not to say work, sometimes I'll just get myself involve in other activities no matter how occupied I am.
I don't even mind to sacrifice my opportunities to earn $ (no, I'm definitely not from a well-to-do family) just to divert my mind and myself to different environment.
Some may think that it's a stupid act when you have not enough time to complete your tasks.
Yet, surprises do happen when you least expected!
Serendipity is invaluable.
Just like today, I really laughed out loud like no one during lunch with my colleagues and boss.
Laughter is the best medicine and it does help in relieving the tension that I'm facing.
My another colleague also baked a chocolate marble cake for us as tea time & gave me some fruit tarts to try on after the kitchen class that he was conducting.


It was trully toothsome..
What a bliss of life!

Another inspiring moment that struck my mind was the quick chat with my boss.
True, I've been so busy and never thought of that till he asked me.
I really need to sit back, think and plan for my future as soon as possible.

Yes, mine.




It's not going to be easy but I know I must pull through!!

12.3.4.5 Max + Faith LOVE Day!
Held on 2012, March, 4th, at 5pm - a memorable & blessed day..
It was my club advisor/ friend, Faith Yeo's big day.
Yeap, we've saved the day!
Haha..



 It was such an honour & great pleasure to be invited to play for her.
Also, it was a blessing for her.
It was not only my 1st outdoor wedding performance (my 1st christian wedding), in fact it was 1st ever garden wedding ever held at Taylor's University Lakeside Campus Square!


As for the performances, we actually performed twice: during the reception & wedding dinner.
Here's the repertoire that we've played:
Reception
1. Canon in D (String Ensemble)
2. Por Una Cabeza (String Ensemble)
3. Love Story Meets Viva La Vida (String Ensemble feat. Keyboard & Drum Set)





Wedding Dinner
1. Just The Way You Are (Alto & Tenor Saxophone feat. Drum Set & Keyboard)
2. Everything (Vocalist feat. Keyboard & Drum Set)
3. Forever Love (Vocalist feat. Keyboard & Drum Set)




1st Violinist: Joel W, KHan
2nd Violinist: JJie, Alyssa L
Violist: Nigel A
Cellist: KYee
Drummer: SKiat
Alto Saxophonist: SHong
Tenor Saxophonist: Eric K
Keyboardist & Arranger: Me
Photographer: KShen




Bravo & thank you so much to all the performers who came all the way long from other place, took leave from work and even sacrificed the time to do revision though in exam period to come for the rehearsal and made this performance a success!
Alas, one fall sick on that very day but still manage to perform his best during the event.
You guys are really amazing!
Big thanks to Nigel A for the inspiration and big help for this performance!
Not to be forgotten, thank you Roy, Lionel & Justin for helping us to get and return the music room's key, making our practices possible during public holiday & weekend!
Last but not least, thanks to my boss, Nigel G who allowed me to do the arrangements for the songs during the working hour!
Appreciate all of your help, understanding & consideration :)
Ah ha, thank you Chris C, the Performance Coordinator of the event for keeping us in the loop throughout the preparation stage & the event day!
I was too busy with soundcheck and coordinate my members till forgot to get myself dressed up until he reminded me. lol

Of course, we were not the only performers of the day..
Flashmob performed by Taylor's University Dance Club was really eye-catching!
Feel like dancing with them when the music starts...
Another highlight of the day was the duet by Jess & her partner...
Like the way they interpret the song~


I find that christian wedding is more of sharing...
There are sessions whereby the guests share their memories, thoughts & feelings on the stage which I did not really be all ears all the time.
They all really spontaneous and good in public speaking I must say.
I'd be wordless if I were to be asked to speak on stage. lol





p/s: just realised there were quite a lot of ex-MBS who helped out in this performance: KShen, Joel W, SHong & Nigel A... Go forward! Play up, play up, play up! hahaha...

Anyway, it's a whole new experience for me and thank you Faith & Max for the invitation!
Have a blessed & lovely marriage life ♥

What you did on last X'mas?
Well, I know it was few months ago but I had an extraordinary & memorable one last year which I decided to blog about it after procastinating for so long.
25.12.2011 is my old friend's big day - wedding day!

Yes, he is my ex-primary school classmate.


Due to seat limitation, he only invited some of the classmates out of 53.
Yeah, I was one of the lucky ones.


Getting married at such an early age is not very common yet, the reason why he's getting married is definitely NOT what one'd think of.
LOVE is the reason.
We are really glad that he found his Mrs. Right.

He's a lucky guy seriously.
Having such a pretty & capable wifey, graduated with Distinctions in his Business Degree recently.
How awesome!









she hardly put on dress...
must grab the chance to take photo with her!
Thanks SFoon for the days :)



It was a really unforgettable X'mas that was full of laughters & happiness..
It's been so long all of us last gathered and chatted for so long...
Thank you PYee for inviting us, witnessing your big day and giving us the chance to unite again ;)