~* mY rEmiNiScEncES *~

It has always been my dream to play in the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) since young.
Yes, it's one of the top youth orchestras in the country, coached by professional musicians that a lot of music enthusiasts fall head over heels for it.
However, I started to play non-orchestral music instrument when I was a kid and it's very competitive to secure a spot in MPYO, especially for that non-orchestral instrument which almost everyone knows how to play.
Therefore, I finally picked up an orchestral instrument - flute, during my final year of high school.
That did not able to get me into the MPYO yet I was very fortunate enough to play in a symphonic band that eventually leads me to opportunities to play in orchestras.



Few years ago, I picked up the double bass in the university when I was very active and spearheaded the orchestra.
There was no music faculty in my university.
As an orchestra fanatic, I was kinda devoted to the symphony orchestra club in my university.



Many people has been asking me why double bass? (Why did I ditch my flute?)
Well, it started with a very simple reason, or rather circumstance: I was organising an orchestra concert and it was very difficult to get enough double bass players to play for the concert. So I decided to fork out my own pocket money and look for private teacher in order to pick up the double bass in short period of time, so that I can help out on the balancing of the orchestra.
3 years ago, I was very lucky to get through the audition and played in the YMGC orchestra under the baton of Mr. Kevin Field.
Mr Kevin Field was the first resident conductor for the MPYO since its inception for more than 7 years.
I was congratulated by my friend, who was the MPYO concertmaster at that time when I was listed in the MPYO's player list.
Surprised yet unbelievable - I was recommended by Mr Field.
Yet, I wasn't able to make it as it clashed with my university's final exam and I was in the midst of competition that I couldn't commit for the MPYO camp - it was too late for me to make arrangement when the MPYO management officially contacted me.
I heard no news from the MPYO management since then and I thought I'd never able to play in the MPYO anymore.



Miracle happened! (thanks to my former YMGC orchestra mate)
I received an invitation to play in the MPYO!
The offer came just right in time as I just resigned from work and able to commit to the intensive orchestra camp.
Yeah, it was an intensive sectional + tutti rehearsal where we spent almost 10 hours per day during the camp.

view from the suite that we're staying in the city centre

Double bass section

Margaret, from SNYO

my double bass tutor, Wolfgang Steike

And here are some photos taken after our Merdeka Award night event...

Xinyi, the percussionist (fellow SPO) haha

Where's Aishah........

Conductor of the nights, Julie Debordes

So grateful and privileged to learn and play with the inspiring and aspiring musicians; well-spent December!

MPO & MPYO side by side concert (last MPO concert of the year)

this is not a real photo of Mr Anonymous

It was a chilly night at a foreign land.
I was trying to figure out the way to operate a washing machine at a self-laundry shop with my parent.
There was a guy staring forlornly at the corner of the shop.
Self-laundry shop is not common in Malaysia.
This guy who dressed in ripped clothes walked towards us from the corner and taught us how to use it.
He even gave us some tips to get to know the machines prior to utilising it.
He's a beggar, he told.
Yet he is a regular visitor at this shop.
Despite general perception of beggars are dirty, he do take care of his personal hygiene.
"Where are you from?", he asked.
We began to chit chat while we were waiting for our clothes to be washed and dried.
"Did you see the bento over there? I use to eat at here and throw it over there," he pointed at the dumpsite.
He began to share his story of daily (working) life.
There was laughter during the conversation.
"I was convicted and sentenced to jail - framed by my friend", he uttered.
Friends. With a tinge of disappointment and sadness, he continued "I was not liked by the employers. Do you know why? I don't have my identity card anymore."
The employers didn't want (and some dare not) to employ him.
He shared that he had a short stint after jail yet he was discriminated and being accused for wrongdoings that he did not commit.
Employment is more difficult when he's not in the city.
"I had no choice but to beg for money."
"I like to clean up myself daily but I cannot look decent when I'm at work - others will not bother to donate to me".
He then showed us how he will groom himself when he needed a place to sleep during winter; he sleeps at pavement when the weather is bearable.
"The rental cost over here is too expensive, I can't afford it".
He then showed us a bag of coins - his only treasure.
The drying machine stopped and he took his clothes.
"It has been raining these few days and it is really very cold, I only had this to keep myself warm," he smiled while telling us and wore the jacket.
As soon as he folded and packed his clothes in a small bag, he left.

I like to listen to stories. Never thought that I'd be able to learn and listen such sad sharing from an anonymous who is being despised and rejected by most of the people. Beggars are human too - they ought to be treated by respect.

Thank you Mr. Anonymous. May you have better new year ahead.

2014 has been a relatively special year for me with different exposure.
Yup, no longer about music but sports.
Here are a few accomplished people who are active in sports arena whom I've met:
(What's more, they are about my age - such inspiring!)

1. Low Wee Wern
Malaysia's second seeded female squash player, World No. 5! She bagged the silver medal in singles event, gold medal in team event during the 17th Asian Games!

2. Nicholas Bedard
Editor-in-chief of basketballbuddha.com from Canada who often flying across the continents and work closely with the sports media in Asia. Also, my colleague during the 17th Asian Games who covered for basketball events.

3. Tan Wee Kiong & Goh V Shem
Malaysia's up-and-coming men's doubles ace. They just clenched the bronze medal in the badminton men's double event during the 17th Asian Games, losing to World No. 1 Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong from Republic of Korea when this photo was taken.

4. Oh Seieun
My Korean manager during my tenure as the Incheon Asian Games crew. It was not easy to manage all of the crew from different countries both virtually and in-person while having to take charge of the online public relations of the games and yet, she did it!

5. Ivan Yuen Chee Wern
Malaysia's rising squash player, watch out!

6. Tsui Ka Lok
Hong Kong sports media who's an ardent fan of football and squash.

I am grateful to meet these young and accomplished people in sports field.
They are inspiring!

postcard from Milan, Italy

"...you've got a postcard from Milan, Italy.." my mum uttered as soon as I got home today.

Seriously, this came unexpected although I have been receiving updates from my friends that they have received my postcard that I sent during my trip at overseas.
To recall, I was struck with this random thought and posted this as my Facebook status earlier:


I was doing it merely for fun and not once did I think of the reciprocity.
It was truly delighting and thank you my dear Crystal!

Today was supposed to be a tiring day as I only had around 4-hour sleep in the morning due to the band practice at night.
However, I was glad that I manage to get up on time from my bed and headed to my university.
It was a 1.5 hour journey, only for a 10-minute matter.

settled my graduate convocation fee

Up next, meeting my buddies whom I didn't meet for real long.
So yeah, we've jumped on the bandwagon of having meal at the hyped restaurant: Boat Noodle.

usie (with half of my face shadowed by my phone.. lol)

the same is lame.. haha

fruit salad (a tad spicy though)

iced thai coffee.. (opps, once in a blue moon)

there were only 4 types of noodles in the menu

Thai dessert which taste like kuih talam!

Checked on our last message, our last hangout was about 1 year ago before Teng Hooi was back to the United States.
Oh yeah, we had Thai food in last year too.
How time flies!

postcard from Japan!

After that, we headed to Mid Valley as I have another meeting with my siblings...
I am not a fan of Jay Chou but it happened that he was at Mid Valley too.
So we waited for some while before he appeared after his meal at Amarin Thai Restaurant.
Actually we have some tasks to do during this hangout - to visit the IT fair and register for the Burst Asia 2014.

I don't really like pink - I'm having it to match with my favourite colour

I got these 2 power banks at really low price!
20,000 mAh x 2 units + one sports mp3 at only RM100.
The lowest price that I've seen in the market by now.
This promo came with a RM30 cash voucher which I then redeemed it for a yellow-coloured mp3 player.
They are national brand, manufactured in local with 2 years warranty (ah I feel a lot of safer to utilise it upon hearing cases of power bank explosion or fire case due to poorly-manufactured goods which often labeled as "Made in China").

got our tickets for the Burst Asia 2014 at the Rock Corner!

we were lucky to have this early bird rate!

At night, I had this homemade cheesecake prepared by my lil sister..
Although there are rooms for improvement in refining its texture but every bite is a taste of happiness :)

homemade cheesecake

One of the best things in life come at the most unexpected moments.
And, one the best moments in life is spending time with your favourite people.

Thank you to all of you who made my day!

Lots of ❤

Celebrate birthday in my dream land - and yes my dream came true!
Thanks Seonyoung for the cake.
It was from the Paris Baguette, a famous bakery in South Korea that you can spot it everywhere!
(the raved Tour Les Jours in Malaysia was not that commonly seen over there though)

everyone was so tired after one whole day of activities

 Thanks for the celebration and arrangement guys ;)

 selfie at the traditional guesthouse (hanok 한옥) that we stayed. hehe

Gyeongbokgung 경복궁

heart melts when you see these heavenly scenes are right in front of you!

busy adjusting the angle of group photo

smile :)

oppss... cant fit all the heads

such a beautiful street view ❤

way back to guesthouse

looks pro wey

yipee.. photo with the amiable landlady, Seonyoung :)

the thinker

best spot for photography xD

we're leaving soon!

there we off to Busan!

yup, KTX it is!

octopus feast - a very spicy meal!!!

3D Rider (something similar to Genting's Motion Master)

Busan's most famous beach: Haeundae Beach 해운대해수욕장

 Busan Aquarium 부산아쿠아리움 was just located by the beach.

looks familiar eh?

the Goldfish Ang

Patrick?!!

let's jelly-fishing without Spongebob!

underwater music staves

what's that beside me D:

makes me thought of Sandy

photo with the shark!

hey, Nigel's clan xD

"Dai Lo Yau" at the first sight. Cantonese, if you know what I meant xD

I don't really fond of ice-cream...

..but I can't help getting one! it's a double-sided fruit ice-cream

Last but not least.. what else that you can do at night when outside was freezing?

super NUT mask to pamper ourselves

:D

what I did on my birthday in 2013:
- spent my time at oversea, to be specific: my dream land (oh my, I love the cake!)
- first try on soju (felt dizzy but I was still sober-minded)
- oh yes, celebrated in the Korean traditional house 한옥
- experienced one of the coldest night ever: downpour + gale! felt like below 0 degree celcius
- tasted spiciest meal of my life (yeah you can imagine how do I look like when my tears and mucous are all coming out)
- got myself an ice-cream (am not a big fan of it but froyo!); tempted by its flavour and special look lol

such a bliss to spend my big day at this wonderful place with wonderful people... seriously, I'm one of the blessed people in the world. Ailee, Karen, Nigel & William thank you so much :)