HaRpoLoGiCaTiON

Home sweet home

2007-01-12T03:59:00.000-05:00

Wow... it has been a long time since I last added new postings to this blog of mine. Well, I finally found time to revamp my blog - since it's a new year.

Many major things happened in December 2006 - things that I'm not ready to broadcast for the whole world to read. But well, I found time to go to Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, apart from my original plan of going 'home' to Singapore and Batu Pahat.

This was/is my itenerary from Dec 18 2006 to Jan 16 2007:
Boston - JFK - Frankfurt - Singapore - Batu Pahat - Singapore - Ipoh - KL - Ipoh - KL - Singapore - Batu Pahat - Singapore - Frankfurt - JFK - Boston

Anywayz... I didn't take any photos in Singapore. On the day I arrive, Singapore has been raining countinuously for 2 days 2 nights - no kidding - literally. By the 3rd day of my stay, floods were reported in different parts of Singapore and Johor (South of Peninsula Malaysia).

Here are the photos I've taken so far....

and a video of my Mr. Roti Canai in action!

Next in line... my Mr. Ramly burger in action! But we'll see... cos it started to rain again in Batu Pahat.... since yesterday... so hopefully Ramly burger is still available for me! Keep you posted...

Thanks, giving time is over...

2006-11-26T22:49:00.000-05:00

Back to reality. It was a good break in NYC though. I've to admit - I miss the hustle and bustle of the city life. Unlike Singapore though, there are places out of NYC that I could escape to. In fact, the best time I had throughout my trip was my trip to the Brooklyn Museum. The sun was shining brightly... space - new - the two words that came to my mind upon stepping out of the subway exit. It's definitely a treat in this part of USA. As if that was not enough, I was greeted by the sculptures of Auguste Rodin (yup, the thinker guy) the moment I turn towards the glass walls of the Museum. I saw 2 of its special exhibition - Ron Mueck's (a modern realist sculptor) and Annie Leibovitz's (portrait photographer). For $4 (student price) it was really a rare treat for my eyes.

I went to the museum with only the intention of scrutinizing Annie's personal collection of photographs. But Ron Mueck's exhibits was on the same level as Annie's - and it's too difficult to be missed. It's hard not to recognize his work and his name after seeing these sculptures. Not in any form of metal, Ron has incorporated the use of modern technology to realize the realism or reality. No photography was allowed and even though there are photos in the Brooklyn Museum's website, they don't justify the extent of the details the sculptor has put in. One must be there to be empowered by his work. Unexplainable emotions just brought tears to my eyes. His originality, his detailed observation and his enormous effort to plant each sculpture's hair - head, facial and body, the veins running through their body, the texture of their skin - with follicles and goose bumps to the little speck of dirt on the fingernails of his oversized sculptures - they just overpower you.

The exhibition of Annie Leibovitz's personal collection from 1988 - 2005 was obviously not a happy one. But you can tell she found joy in the midst of mourning for her 2 beloved - Susan Sontag and Samuel Leibovitz, her father. Out of the hundreds of photos in the collection (which included many familiar faces like the Bush Administration, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Demi Moore, Nicole Kidman, Jim Carrey...) it was the photos of her children, Susan and her family that captured my heart. One particular photo stood out - the silhouette of Susan standing in the middle of rock corridor of Petra, with the temple's facade as the silhouette's background. Yet again, another hard-to-describe-unless-you-are-there type of scenario. Simply breathtaking.

I've been lazy putting up photos/videos that I took in my camera. 3 more weeks... 3 more weeks and the semester will be done and I'll be back in Singapore for a month, well at least 2 weeks.

The future of WWW

2006-11-02T10:43:00.000-05:00

There's an article by the BBC today that reported the concerns of the future of the internet expressed by the brain behind the world-wide-web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee.

As usual, the ungovernable 'www' brings about both pros and cons to the world at large. Unlike TV or radio broadcasting stations, the internet is made up of millions of nodes or computers that act as servers to the virtual community. Simply, any computer connected to the internet is potentially a broadcasting station. Unless governments are ready to ban the use of computers, or restrict the use of internet, there's no way to stop the exponential growth of information that floods the public domain of the virtual world. Truth or fiction? There are just not enough or no watchdogs to control the authenticity of what's being 'published' on the internet pages every second...

Based on statistics given by http://www.domaintools.com/internet-statistics, in the last 24-hour period, 707,358 domains are registered; 1,223,620 deleted and 228,630 transfered. Domains refer to web addresses that ends with your usual '.com', '.net', '.org', '.info', '.biz', '.us', etc. This doesn't include individuals who borrow the domain names of businesses they subscribed to, say, for example accountname.blogspot.com or accountname.myspace.com.

Governments are getting more and more concerned (for obvious reasons), because the growth of the virtual world is getting out of their control. Scientists and politicians always have this love-hate relationship. When scientists make new discoveries, politicians will try to take over and 'mis'use the new technology. In this case, it looks like scientists have the upperhand, or not. Civilians seem to have the remote control.

Another recent article from BBC reported that google's advertisement revenue is about to surpass that of US TV networks. What does this mean? It means that the future of TV stations is bleak, if they don't change their strategy. They are losing grip. It's not difficult to see that they are making changes to survive - providing free broadcasts of episodes online with limited advertisements. But no matter how they change, they will never return to their 'former glory' of having 'veto control' they once have over a country anymore, even when they implore internet to their list of medium - just because anyone in the world can do what they do - with a computer. Governments, who are notoriously known to exploit the media is becoming more 'vulnerable' due to this very fact. They can no longer control certain information from its citizens anymore.

This is bad news to governments of many countries in Asia. Banning of books, movies, news, music are getting less effective.

So what is really the power of the Internet?

In 1897 Gramophone Company (HMV) began selling records in UK. In 1960, Tower Records started selling its first records in San Francisco. In 1971, Virgin Megastore began its business in Oxford St, London. In 1985 internet became commercialized (though the technology was used as early as in the 1950s by US government intelligence). In 1991, mp3 was invented. What happened after that is a series of what the music business people called 'disaster'. Given more time, musicians began to realize that it's is to their benefit.

Recording companies once rule the world of music. Many musicians' dream was to secure a recording contract with a major record label. Who knew that in just a short period of 15 years after the invention of mp3, big music distributors with long history background like Tower Records, Virgin, HMV would collapse - losing its popularity to cheap virtual names like myspace and youtube?

Everything is becoming more and more abstract, virtualistic. The major changes in the music industry is just the appetizer of the power of internet. I say we should keep the internet free. Speaking of true capitalism. Internet is presently the truest form of capitalism.

changes changes changes

2006-10-31T21:19:00.000-05:00

Dad's coronary bypass surgery went well. Thanks y'all for your prayers and support.

Due to the series of events and drama the past month, I was so stressed that I decided to move my furniture in my room - in the midst of project deadlines, calling home in the middle of the night and lack of rest. Guess what, it helped. I'm so pleased with the result.

2006-10-19T11:22:00.000-04:00

7am, somewhere in Boston:

"Sigh... another cold morning in Boston, and I've to stand in Starbucks for 3 hours. Gosh, then I've to run for my classes." She got herself ready for work.

7:45am, In Starbucks:

"Routine, routine, routine." It is another busy morning where the earlybirds started queueing for their morning dose of caffeine. The queue never seem to get shorter even though the staff have been serving their customers for the past 45 minutes, since the start of the day.
"I can't wait for 11 am to quickly come... whaat... what's the next customer's order again?"

5am: In Apt 11 of Burbank St.:

*Flip and turn* "I've searched everywhere. It's not at home, it's not in Berklee. Is the one in Starbucks going to be mine? Did I bring it to the bank the other day? Maybe I should drop by the bank, if the one in Starbucks doesn't belong to me. F***. I don't wanna put too high hopes on getting it back. Yesterday morning the Security Office said the same thing, red passport in the safe. But it turned out to be a Japanese passport... I don't wanna make that stupid trip to the Consulate in New York on a WEEKDAY. Man, I can imagine the type of treatment they're gonna give me. Then when I'm back in Singapore, how to go back to JB? Make passport, going to the US Embassy to re-apply for the student visa, getting back to Singapore for the re-entry permit, the bus-ride, the queues, oh my gawd. The haze. Argh... my dad's operation... Damn, I can't even go back if I can't get my student visa done in a week. It's impossible. Not in a week, not during Deepavali and Raya holidays. I can't afford to withdraw from this semester. I can't stand staying for another semester here! And it's freezing cold here. When on earth are they going to turn the heat on? Why must I do everything myself!!!???"

8am:

She got ready. Anxious. "What if the passport in Starbucks is not mine? Then I'll be doomed."

8:30am, in Starbucks:

Me: Hi excuse me, I was told yesterday to come by this morning to have someone open the safe for me to see if my passport is here.
Staff: A passport? Can you please wait for like 5-10 minutes?
Me: Yeah, sure.
(After 20 minutes)
Staff: I'm sorry, we've checked the safe, but it was empty.
Me: Empty? How could that be? I should have got here name, but she told me that she picked up a passport sometime ago and left it in the safe. *lost*
Staff 2: Passport?
Me: Yeah.
Staff 2: Which country is it?
Me: It's a Malaysian passport.
Staff 2: It sounds familiar... I remember that. That was sometime ago, wasn't it?
Me: Yeah, I guess. Oh good, good... that it's familiar to you.
Staff 2: Why don't you leave your name and contact number with us. I'll check for you again and get back to you before this evening.
Me: Alright, hopefully you can find it, cos I need it urgently. My dad is having a major surgery and I need to get home by the end of the week.
Staff 2: I'm sorry. I'll see what I can do.
Me: Thank you. What's your name?
Staff 2: You're welcome, I'm Bridgette.
Me: Bridgette?
Staff 2: Yes.
Me: Thank you very much, Bridgette, for helping me find.
Staff 2: You're welcome.

I left for Mike Brigida's class at 9am.

10:57am, in Mike's class:
*Bzzzz, bzzzz* (Phone vibrating) "Argh, can't pick up the phone. It must be Starbucks."

11am, outside the classroom:
(New voicemail)
"(Voicemail recording) Hi Lisa, I found your passport. But I'll be off work after 11am. So,........"
"They found my passort!!" I screamed to Brigida. "(Eyes and mouth wide open) Wow! Praise the Lord!" Brigida shot back. "Yeah! I gotta go." I ran across the street to Starbucks and looked for Bridgette.

Waited for another 5 minutes before they had some free time to 'entertain' me. Then Bridgette appeared from the office with a red passport in her right hand. "I found it behind the office desk". "Behind the office desk??! Wow! Thank you, thank you, thank you. You saved my life!" I replied. I briefly flipped through my passport. My convict face is intact, student visa, no missing pages... Purrfect!

************************************************************************

It's amazing how every second, somebody, somewhere in the world - is put in a life or death situation, while on the another point somewhere in the world, someone else is just idling and trying to kill time. Better still, you'd never know when you'd literally save someone else's life - just by doing a simple favor, something you might not even remember 2 days later. If you find yourself stuck in life, or in a routine, break it! Do something that you don't usually do for a moment. Speak to a stranger, give someone a call, skip a class?!, visit somewhere, lose a passport?! It makes life much more interesting. Don't forget to share the love...

************************************************************************

For now, I'll not go back to Singapore/Malaysia as I've cancelled my plane ticket and dad's surgery date is not fixed. I'll just play by ear. More projects have just been assigned to us. Back to my normal routine of a student's life.

"No one owes you a living"

2006-10-14T00:22:00.000-04:00

was an advice my first boss gave me before he was retrenched. That was 6 years ago. How we feel and behave depends solely on us - not on God, on your family, on your lover or even your best friend. It's all up to me, myself and I.

It's a simple advice and yet it takes a lifetime to master it - simply because no one will ever stop complaining, even the kindest soul on earth complains once in a while. I've to constantly remind myself of this fact, so as not to fall into the temptation of indulging in self-pity.

If you find it hard to be happy at times, do what I do - take time to think of what makes you unhappy, what frustrated you - then find a solution to it. Bear in mind though, that the best solution is, of course, to change yourself rather than changing others - because it's you who's unhappy, not the others. You created your own state-of-mind, so only you can undo your own doing.

To end today's blog, I'd like to share the lyrics from Bon Jovi's "It's my life" - a song that I've been repeating the past week.

This ain't a song for the broken-hearted
No silent prayer for the faith-departed
I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd
You're gonna hear my voice
When I shout it out loud

Chorus:
It's my life
It's now or never
I ain't gonna live forever
I just want to live while I'm alive
(It's my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just wanna live while I'm alive
It's my life

This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow's getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain't even lucky
Got to make your own breaks

Repeat Chorus:

Better stand tall when they're calling you out
Don't bend, don't break, baby, don't back down

Numbed

2006-10-09T01:37:00.000-04:00

Homesick.
Coursework.
Missing you.
Cold weather.
Dad's angioplasties.
Money always not enough.
'nuff said.

To the crazy ones

2006-10-06T19:25:00.000-04:00

The IT office of Berklee very recently moved to the new premises. Finally the entire, well almost, IT related departments are located in the same building. They are definitely expanding, as there are still many empty cubes - which coincidently reminds me of Digicom, my old workplace.

Anyway, someone delivered a poster to the office and it was striking. It was a poem entitled "To the Crazy Ones". But of course, it's a poster by Apple - cos the whole Berklee uses Macintosh. Few days ago, I saw a series of amazing posters of striking personalities - again, part of the "Think Different" ad campaign by Apple sometime ago. My favourites are Gandhi, John Lennon and the most distinct poster of Jane Goodall, whom I took a few hours to identify on the internet.

I hope you'll be inspired by the poem as much as I was, and still am... let's all be Crazy...

It's Grace's 21st birthday today. We spent the midnight at the Belanie's to give her a surprise cake...

Back to my harpist roots

2006-10-02T19:25:00.000-04:00

It's the first time I attended a harp recital in Boston - nope, I think in my life. And I'm honored and privileged to be in the same room as 3 top harpists in their own rights, right here in Boston's very own New England Conservatory (NEC).

I was at Ina Zdorovetchi's recital. She is a student of Ann Hobson Pilot, who is the harp faculty at Boston University and NEC. Not forgetting my teacher, Felice Pomeranz, who the harp faculty of Berklee College of Music who attended Ina's recital too. Ina is the 1st runner-up of the Cité des Arts de Paris International Harp Competition 2005, the most coveted prize in the world of Harp. She currently plays with most of the orchestras here in Boston, including BSO, Boston Pops, Boston Ballet. My teacher graduated from NEC 25 years ago, under the tutelage of Ann Hobson Pilot too. She recently just released a Intorduction to Jazz Harp instruction DVD. Ann Hobson Pilot is the Principal harpist of the BSO.

All I can say is - Wow...

From L-R: Felice Pomeranz, Ann Hobson Pilot, Ina Zdorovetchi and I

Watch TV programs online!

2006-09-25T12:26:00.000-04:00

Great news! No need to have TV or cable subscription anymore! Not like I ever own a tv in Boston anyway...

Anyway, I can watch the controversial Survivor: Cook Islands online now. I can also watch Lost, CSI and The Amazing Race... haha.... no wonder the number of people using P2P softwares are dropping, even in the Windows environment.

The TV networks finally understood the main cause of 'illegal' file-sharing. They got it right this time. People from all over the world just wanna have easier access to tv shows, other than through local broadcasts - where they have to wait for local companies to broadcast certain shows at certain time. By then, many of the online forums were already discussing about outcome of the episode, while on the other side of the world, people are still dying to watch the episode.

Synchronize, synchronize, synchronize... welcome to the 21st century - where internet rulez... yeah!

Here comes Fall 2006 - a 10-year tribute to TIGS's chinese of 1996

2006-09-24T12:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday marked the official beginning of Fall 2006. It also meant that I've been here for 1 year 2 weeks.

Many things have changed and many things remained the same over this past year, I don't even know where to begin.

I am in fact pretty excited now, at this very moment, cos I just caught up with a childhood friend - whom I've not spoken to in 2 years?? or more? - over the phone. She just had her Chinese Wedding ceremony back in my hometown, Batu Pahat. There was so much to say, so much time too, but not enough money... hahaha... but it was very good conversation...

It's good to learn the updates of my childhood classmates through this friend, Ee Yi. In fact, I should backtrack a little bit to thank Su Peng, my FIRST childhood friend from school, for updating me about Ee Yi.

Moving on, I was told more friends are getting married in the near future (yup, it's that time in our lives...) and of one who'll be moving back to setup a pharmacy in my hometown. Ee Yi and her husband will begin their lives together in Shanghai next month...

Who would know the group of us - wacky chinese of TIGS, Temenggong Ibrahim Girls' School - would be where we are today? This feeling is overwhelming... I'm still savouring this emotion.

We have come a long way, my friends. Hopefully we'll have that opportunity to meet up as a group again very soon.

By the way, I strongly believe that I'm the only wacky one left. Don't believe me? Check out my latest photo below... Please also be reminded that I'm 27!!

This is the class photo taken 10 years ago - a few days before our secondary school public exam. Ee Yi is our brightest student in the school. However, in the photo, you can only see her eyes - right behind.

Last attempt of hummingbirds photo taking in Houston

2006-09-12T14:21:00.000-04:00

On the day I leave Houston, I took a final attempt to photograph the hummingbirds. Prior to that, I waited for 2 hours - sitting in the backyard, waiting patiently for the hummingbirds to feed at Jill's hummingbird feeder. When the opportunity finally came, my camera died on me. Unlucky for me, it was also the same time I realized I lost my battery charger.

So in the next few days, I just see these hummingbirds flying everywhere. Anyway, here are the shots that I managed to take with Jill's camera... the best shots were in the last 2 slides, where there were 3 birds fighting over the feeders. Can you spot them? I bet you will, since my camera skills are so 'great'...

These are some of the photos I took at the beach in Galveston. Look at the lifeguards - they make me drown instantly...

These are some artsy-fartsy photos on the colors of Galveston:

The past one month...

2006-09-02T20:40:00.000-04:00

It has almost been a month since I last pen down my thoughts on my blog. Living at my friend's home in a gated community outside the city of Houston for almost a month - with a Labrador and 3 cats - a beautiful view of the lake and a national park; just sitting out at the backyard - a recent addition to the beautiful view; the hummingbird migration season - has definitely distracted my mind from my usual routine of surfing the internet, practice my piano/harp, doing homework, drinking, meeting up with friends.

In the midst of my 'solitory confinement', I found time and interest in reading Confucius's Analects and Lao Tzu's Dao De Jing, thanks to Jill's resourceful library of philosophical books. For the first time in my life, I realized how my personal life has been influenced by these 2 great Chinese philosophers even without my notice. Despite growing up in a Christian environment since birth, Confuciunism and Daoism has definitely been part of my life, now that I've read a little about their philosophy.

Back to music, I did learn how to use Logic Express, Kontakt, Peak, Battery and Finale. On top of that, I've also gathered quite a number of sound samples, thanks to my purchase of the M-Audio Microtrack - it's quality is simply amazing. I also traded music with Jill, who deepened my knowledge in Rock and Country music a little more. Oh yes, I also took time to listen to Richard Devine's music collection.

There, this is what I've been doing the past month. I've a better idea of myself, my music, my technology. This should lead me to a better understanding of what I want to do with my life - eventually.

Oh yeah, before I forget, I finally found a solution to Jerry's food intake problem. He's Jill's 15 year-old cat. He has been vomitting his cat food almost immediately after eating it everytime. Just now, I saw him vomitting nothing, just stomach juice. We tried feeding him with fish and whipped cream, but he didn't like it. Today I fed him with my lactose free milk - whalla, he licked the plate dry. I'll continue to monitor if he still likes it in the next meal...

Getting ready to start school again... Can someone remind me the available tensions of all the major and minor chords???

Oh by the way, Happy belated National day to you Malaysians out there.

Quote of the day

2006-08-09T13:26:00.000-04:00

Life is a constant struggle - he who knows how to smile struggles less

Harpo Marx - the harp genius

2006-07-29T19:41:00.000-04:00

Introducing my hero... I've heard so much about him these years. Thanks to YouTube, I finally get to watch him! if only all harpists in the world behave as honest as him....
i love him, i love him, i love him!!

He's playing - with and on - a Lyon & Healy's Style 23 Gold - price: $50K now. Ok, I lied, it costs ONLY $45K (w/o shipping). =P

AMAZING harp playing

want to to know where the piano originated from? - of course this is exaggeration. and it's not THE real harp. but you sorta get the picture...

What is Enlightenment? (an excerpt from Immanuel Kant, 1724-1804)

2006-07-26T13:38:00.000-04:00

Enlightenment is man's release from his self-incurred tutelage. Tutelage s man's inability to make use of his understanding without direction from another. Self-incurred is this tutelage when its cause lies not in lack of reason but in lack of resolution and courage to use it without direction from another. Sapere aude! "Have courage to use your own reason!"- that is the motto of enlightenment.

Laziness and cowardice are the reasons why so great a portion of mankind, after nature has long since discharged them from external direction (naturaliter maiorennes), nevertheless remains under lifelong tutelage, and why it is so easy for others to set themselves up as their guardians. It is so easy not to be of age. If I have a book which understands for me, a pastor who has a conscience for me, a physician who decides my diet, and so forth, I need not trouble myself. I need not think, if I can only pay - others will easily undertake the irksome work for me.

**Thanks, Dr. Kiros**

Sepet: A Malaysian movie

2006-07-24T20:37:00.000-04:00

'Sepet' is a Malay word usually used to refer the shape of Chinese boys' eyes. Flat, small...

This is a Malaysian production; written, directed and produced by Yasmin Ahmad - a well known female Malay movie director who uses the media to promote moderate Muslim behaviors and cultural understanding.

This movie is another great attempt to fuse the two major races in Malaysia - Malay and Chinese.

Some Malay vocabulary for you:
Kapsul Tongkat Ali - local traditional herbal capsule = viagra (hehe...)
Orked - The name of the female lead, also refers to the flower "Orchid"
Sayang - sweetheart

(1) Scene 1 - the parents of the Malay girl dancing to a classic Thai pop tune, until their housekeeper surprised them:

(2) Scene 2 - the couple's date with a classic Cantonese pop tune playing in the background (with a glimpse of a typical chinese family scene):

Obviously after watching these clips, you should see that Malaysia isn't really that conservative or strict.

Mamak: A Malaysian Culture

2006-07-21T15:46:00.000-04:00

did you guys know about the existence of this video?!?! I miss hOME!!!

I PASSED my freakin' World History 1 !!

2006-07-10T14:41:00.000-04:00

Phew!! what a month. If you followed my blog recently, I was rambling about the tough History teacher I got in Summer 1. I was keeping my fingers crossed the whohle weekend. By this morning, I was ready to fork out another $411 and another month to retake the paper.

6:30am - Alarm clock rang
6:35am - Flip and turn
6:40am - Still flipping and turning... heheh
6:45am - Shower
7:00am - worry, while playing Sudoku
7:15am - breakfast
7:45am - Waiting for clock's minute hand to touch '00'
8:00am - Walk to Mass Ave T stop
8:15am - Got into the World History II class
8:40am - Class dimissed cos there were only 4 of us
8:45am - Registrar - Q-ing to get result
8:47am - My turn
8:48am - Printer printing my result
8:49am - Receive my result slip...
8:49:35am - Holding the result slip - almost trembling

8:50am - Jump with joy!

I got a 'C+'. The worst grade in my entire schooling history. But it's also one of the happiest moment in my entire schooling history.

As I mentioned in my previous post, 1/2 of the students dropped out the class after the 2nd week. There were 3 tests altogether. 3 long essay questions in each test. In the first test, 3/4 of the class got a 'D'. I got a 'C-', not good enough to be transfered into Berklee.

All I can say is - I miraculously survived the ordeal. What a nightmare - in Roxbury.

Now I can relax, enjoy the sun, and World History 2.

Windy's soundalike session in Studio E

2006-07-06T10:47:00.000-04:00

It was fun. One of the best sessions I've played for. Well organized, prompt, good players...

Glad to see a couple of familiar faces that I worked with before too - Ulf, Chris Vuk, Willy... Oh, we were playing Frank Sinatra's 'In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning'. As usual, I've requested for a copy of the final mix. Hopefully I'll be able to get it this time, then I can upload it here.

live room

Windy telling us what to do from the control room

Ulf conducting

rehearsing

a job well done!

World History Pt 1 finally done... but...

2006-07-03T12:33:00.000-04:00

Phew... *stretching arms, neck, back and legs* From the hominids to the discovery of the Americas - in 3 weeks... A-M-A-Z-I-N-G....

I'm impressed with my accomplishment - if I pass this course. Squeezing 15 topics into 3 weeks and writing essays for these topics is really almost an impossible task, unless one had had some background with it, and has a good understanding of English. I had to refer to the dictionary for some terms used, and sometimes have to even repeat a paragraph a couple of times just to understand a point.

I don't deny one really must have the willpower and determination to just complete Acevedo's class - not pass, complete. Within 2 weeks, half of the class dropped out. By the end of the last paper, i think only a third of the class is left - those who doesn't give up easily without fighting back.

I just hope those of us to persevered will pass the paper so as not to waste the $400+ we paid for.

Results only will be out next week. *fingers crossed*

ps: note to Berklee students: if you are taking World History in Roxbury, avoid "Acevedo" at all cost, unless you really want to learn history

Look what I found on this week's dig...

2006-06-29T15:54:00.000-04:00

We were discussing about the Middle Ages in our World History class this week, and one of the highlights was of course the crusades.

That was yesterday's lesson.

Today, our teacher brought in a weekly local entertainment paper...

Guess what the guy in the armor say not very long ago...

Psychology class in Roxbury

2006-06-29T14:42:00.000-04:00

Another interesting and memorable experience with the Gen. Psychology class in Roxbury Community College, here in Boston.
Most of the students were adults and married, we had so much discussion about all kinds of topics.

Though it's just a month long, I've gained much from these group of amazing people...

and of course, thank you, Dr. Farideh for making this class so lively and interesting.

I wish you all the best in everything that you so desire to do...

ps: oh and yes, i bought a new camera... to continue documenting my life processes. as the saying goes, a picture speaks a thousand words.

Today's mood forecast...

2006-06-28T18:53:00.000-04:00

sunny...

There's a time for everything...

2006-06-24T12:38:00.000-04:00

It has been sometime since I touched the bible. almost a year ago.

my favorite books in the bible are proverbs, ecclesiastes and song of songs. There has been continuous dispute on whether did Solomon actually write these books. To me, it doesn't matter - these are good books to me, regardless of who wrote them. In fact, one doesn't need to be christian to read these books.

Reading the book of Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs after a period of 'rest' and reading them from an open mind was refreshing indeed. No pressure, no obligation, no fear, no shame.

Be happy when you have happiness, embrace sadness when you are down, enjoy the anger when you are angry - enjoy whatever moment you are in, for there's a time for everything.

Do not arouse love until it so desires - again, there'a a time for everything.

Like a stalk of wheat in the field - if one pulls it out of the soil a little to make it appear taller, the plant will die. If one leaves it on its own and doesn't take care of it, it too, will die.

Therefore, while indulging in whatever mood or situation you are in, be cautious. Be aware of time, for there'll be times when opportunities just slips through your fingers.

As controversial as it may sound, I think life itself is hard to fathom.

****ok, procrastinating time is over, back to my books. 4 assignments and 2 tests this coming week!****

lost some personal documents...

2006-06-22T18:31:00.000-04:00

managed to find time checking what documents i've lost, that i had only in my dell laptop.

a load of music, a load of photos, a load of old compositions, a load of personal documents and poems.

maybe it's time to bid farewell to my precious moments which i took for granted all these years. these information had served me well over the years, made me the person i am today.

it's time to let go.

but u'll always stay in my memories.

Visiting Burma (Myanmar)

2006-06-21T19:13:00.000-04:00

Burma is known for it's tempting, beautiful, untouched virgin landscape - exotic, many people would call it. However, the cries of the Burmese are getting stronger and louder. They are finding means and ways to get their voice heard. Many real life encounters were unfolded, told by the very people who escaped from the clutches of the junta.

Despite working in a foreign country, Burmese are required to pay 10% of their salary to the government every month, if they want to retain their citizenship.

These are the lucky ones, who have a choice.

They are many others who are still stuck in the country, waiting for their 'fate'.

So if you are thinking of visit Burma, have plans to, are planning, whatever - please don't.

“Burma will be here for many years, so tell your friends to visit us later. Visiting now is tantamount to condoning the regime.”
-Aung San Suu Kyi

experiment time...

2006-06-20T21:14:00.000-04:00

had some time to spare today, so i decided to revamp my site a little bit.

weather here is hoooot... hotter than back home. at least it rained a little today. so i thought of experimenting with some clothes. put on my cotton fisherman shirt, and my fisherman baggy pants, and flip-flops, with my black bag filled with laptop and books, rolled up my sleeves and walked out of my apartment looking like a fisherwoman from thailand. hahah...

you should see the confused looks on people's faces... love it!

oh, met guc in school today, he's looking good, and he shaved. met jake yesterday and perla had a concert yesterday too, but i was working. sigh, good times...

inSomNia - and tracing my roots...

2006-06-20T06:11:00.000-04:00

have been waking up at 5-6am lately... dunno why, could it be due to the weather? maybe it's due to the chirping of the birds... it's hard not to get up when u hear the sound of birds chirping so happily, like as if they found elixir to life every morning. i mean, i've never hear sweet birds chirping in the mornings like this back in Malaysia or Singapore. It was worse in Singapore, I hear crows... =(

Last night was especially bad... I not only flipped and turned, I've been rolling and changing position every now and then. It must be the warm weather, and my body heat warmed the bed too soon. How good can my sleep be if I even know what's going on right?

Anyway, World History 1 is getting more and more interesting, too bad the semester is ending soon, and there's not enough time to sit and ponder, and absorb all the facts I've learnt so far. I'm taking a crash summer courses in Roxbury CC. Each summer semester lasts for 1.5 months.

*******************************************************************
Being a southeast asian chinese, brought up a christian; i find my heritage pretty unique. I was 'involved' one way or another as civilization started at different parts of the world. Think along with me...

Asia - Middle East
- Cradle of Civilization and Ancient China - that's where our ancestors invented language and a way of life.

Hebrews - Greek
- influenced the modern world (which includes me) with the Abrahamaic religions (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) and Philosophy (that's right, we were given a brain to think....)

Ancient Romans and Chinese Empire
- the Christianity that I was brought up with - the birth of the bible and concept of 'Trinity' under the rule of Constantine of Rome.
- Chinese Empire - uhm... I'm Han chinese, I don't think i need further explanation

Southeast Asian Empires (India and Indochina)
- uhm... I'm born and bred a Malaysian and studied about the region's history in mid-high school...

Islam
- Malaysia's national religion is Islam. I grew up listening to Azan (call to prayer). There's a mosque about a hundred feet away from my home in Malaysia. That's my alarm clock... 90% of my classmates were Muslims from age 7-17.

Western (European) civilization
- well, Malaysia is a commonwealth country, which means we were once colonized by the British (and a few other european countries before the Japanese took over). What i'm trying to say here is we study O-level, A-level - British education system. Not to mention I studied classical music....

Western Hemisphere before european contact
- I guess this is the only part of the world that I don't have link with, and Africa, probably.
- but hey, but since coming to Berklee, I've learnt about the drumming patterns of South America and Africa!

My background is so diversified... no wonder I don't have strong feelings towards any political conflict that's brewing internationally.

Conclusion: If you are South east asian Indian, Chinese or Caucasian; brought up a Muslim or Christian, you'd share my sentiments - that refers to about half the population of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Typically for Malaysians and Singaporeans, where our main ethnicity is Malay, Chinese and Indians; we feel more strongly towards this identity/heritage crisis. Instead, I think we should be proud of our background!

Aung San Suu Kyi celebrates her 61st birthday under house arrest

2006-06-19T20:55:00.001-04:00

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi marked her 61st birthday under house arrest on Monday while pro-democracy activists around the world staged protests against the military junta.

At Yangon's Town Hall, a lone male protester shouted "Long Live Daw Aung San Suu Kyi" for several minutes in a rare public protest before police bundled him away, witnesses said.

Rallies were to be held in more than 25 countries to demand the freedom of the Nobel Peace Laureate, who has spent 10 of the past 17 years in some form of detention.

In London, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said her detention was "utterly unacceptable," while Southeast Asian lawmakers meeting in Jakarta urged Myanmar's suspension from the 10-nation ASEAN regional group.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack called on Myanmar to free Suu Kyi and 1,100 other political prisoners, saying: "It is long past time to redress these and other injustices."

But their protests are likely to fall on deaf ears in Yangon, where the military, which has ruled the former Burma since 1962, clamped tight security on the road outside Suu Kyi's home.

Armed security men manned barricades and stopped traffic from passing in what appeared to be a move to prevent supporters of "The Lady" from gathering near the lakeside villa where she is under house arrest.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) hosted a gathering of 200 supporters at its ramshackle headquarters where nine doves were released amid prayers for her freedom.

"Let us pray for her good health and for her immediate release and the release of all other political prisoners," said Aung Shwe, chairman of NLD which won an election landslide in 1990 only to be denied power by the military.

Suu Kyi's house arrest was extended for another year on May 27 despite a direct appeal from U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to junta leader Than Shwe to "do the right thing."

CALL FOR ACTION

The United States has since called for the U.N. Security Council to put pressure on Yangon, saying the "regime's activities and repression of political rights now poses a threat to stability, peace and security in the region."

But the U.S. initiative is likely to be strongly opposed by veto-wielding council members China and Russia, as well as by Japan, an elected member that lacks veto power.

South African Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu and former Czech President Vaclav Havel said "we are aware that Burma is not today's only hot issue," but the lack of international action gives regimes like Yangon "a sense of impunity."

Suu Kyi's latest stretch of detention began on May 30, 2003 after clashes between her supporters and pro-junta demonstrators.

Since then, she has been held virtually incommunicado, with her telephone line cut, her mail intercepted and visitors restricted to her house maid and doctor.

"Aung San Suu Kyi could spend the rest of her life in detention if the Security Council continues to avoid its responsibility to tackle the situation in Burma," Yvette Mahon, director of the Burma Campaign UK, said in a statement.

But whatever the gestures, and whatever their volume, Monday's protests are unlikely to make any difference to a government that appears immune to international pressure and insists her detention is a "domestic issue."

The generals say they are moving toward democracy under a seven-step roadmap, but the process is still only midway through the first step of drafting a new constitution.

In Bangkok, the base for many Myanmar refugees and activists, 30 people held prayers and issued a statement urging tougher action from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations against its most troublesome member.

"She is our hope and our victory," said San San, an exiled NLD MP who fled Myanmar after the 1990 election.

There you go... my new look

2006-06-19T19:17:00.000-04:00

In Singapore, most likely i'll be called 'ah-lian' (local bimbo). but hey, i'm not in singapore, so who cares?! I l-o-v-e... it!

FINALLY... i had my proper haircut in USA.

2006-06-18T16:27:00.000-04:00

I love.... it!! Shooorrrt! Geez, didn't realize that having a good haircut can really liven up my mood. Hah... too bad I don't have a camera. I need to get one soon. BTW, I dyed my bangs red. BRIGHT RED. muahaahaha...

well, this is a preview of how i look like before coming to the States.

i'll upload my new pic as soon as i get hold of a camera.

random thought of the day

2006-06-17T23:42:00.000-04:00

what good is there to life if there's no one to share the ups and downs with? no good...

never say 'never'

2006-06-17T10:04:00.000-04:00

yup...

Kontemplasi tentang perangai orang tempatan (A.Syarikat)

2006-06-16T12:47:00.001-04:00

Aiseh, aiseh, kadang-kala bila aku fikir tentang orang tempatan aje, aku pening. Dah hampir setahun sejak aku 'semai' kakiku kat sini. dah hampir setengah tahun aku kerja kat pejabat Informasi Teknoloji di sekolah. Dalam masa yang, kata pendek, pun tak pendek, panjang pun tak panjang ni, sebanyak sedikit pun kenal-lah dengan orang yang aku kerja bersama dalam bilik ni.

Dua orang tua yang duduk dalam bilik tu, hmm... kadang-kadang mengelirukan ku naluri ku (ooo... suka tak ku pakai perkataan canggih). mula-mula bila aku kerja kat sini, 'kepala' pejabat ni suka banyak bercerita. dan bila aku ada masalah kerjarumah ke, kat sekolah, aku boleh tanya dia sesuka hatiku.

Tapi semakin lama ku kerja kat sini, semakin beza ku dapat resa perangai dia lain. ego. aku tak salahkan dia. tak kira apapun, dia kan lebih tua kan... mungkin ni bukan masalah dia seorang. mungkin ni masalah orang yang semakin tua, ego semakin besar. ataupun pendidikan/pangkat seseorang semakin tinggi, semakin diaorang tak dapat mengakui kesalahan mereka terhadap kakitangan mereka.

susah aku nak cerita apa yang telah terjadi. kesimpulannya, bila seseorang tempatan dapat cari penyelesaian (yang orang lain pun pandai buat, tapi kita 'belum' sampai pangkat 'setinggi' mereka tu...), mereka suka heboh-hebohkan penyelesaian yang mereka cadangkan, walaupun penyelesaian tu sangat senang. dan orang yang berpangkat setinggi ni pun rupanya dapat ditipu.

entahlah, mungkin ni bukan saja masalah orang tempatan. mungkin ni memang masalah sedunia. walau bagaimanapun, aku rasa aku tak dapat duduk kat tempat ni lama sangat. terpendam idea ku. hilang perangai sebenarku.

ok, kan dah kata bahasa aku belum berkarat lagi... cun, bukan?

Spring semester is officially over!

2006-06-16T12:06:00.000-04:00

Phew... what a relief. didn't realize that the weight of the 2 papers were so heavy - Modular functions and signal flow and Studio techonologies. started taking the written tests at 4pm yesterday and finally completed the practical at 9pm. Dragged myself to Crazy doughs to get a pizza and crashed at 9:30pm.

I think it was sort of my 'best' nights since I came back to Boston. and I also got to realize that I've developed the 'bad' habit of not being able to oversleep. I woke up at 4:30am.

argh...

Boston Public Library

2006-06-15T14:41:00.000-04:00

I love the library. Everytime I come I discover new places. The serenity calms my spirit. It's a good barter trade, exchanging my time with the sound of water flowing from the fountain just outside the Fine arts' dept and the sound of spaciousness in the library itself.

Went to see the Joan of Arc exhibit that the library is holding these 2 months - nothing much. Instead, i uncovered more new grounds and frescoes. Beautiful. beautiful.

Hope to go to another museum around here soon.

Thought: Should i shave my head?

Double F***

2006-06-15T14:30:00.000-04:00

I can't believe this. Like as if it's not enough having to deal with a break-in, as I called home last night, I was told that dad had a heart attack. He's alright, just a mild one.

I guess there's nothing much i can say now. Just tired.

Just submitted 3 assignments today, now in the library. in 2 hours time, i'll be taking 2 tests and i'll be done for the week. Next test will be on Monday - World History. ha....

updates - management of my apartment finally agreed to put up grills on all my room's windows. Thanks Asaf! *hugz*. Better late than never, cos these thieves will never know when they'll be my victims, if they attempt to jump into my 'cave' the next time.

btw, i just realized another item is missing from my room - my fan/heater.

peace out.

F*** - My apartment was broken into today

2006-06-14T19:11:00.000-04:00

Not the worst phone call to receive, but well, it's bad enough...

I was on the way home after class, walking towards the T. Then... Asaf called. When he told me they went through all his stuff, his mac was gone - i just kept quiet. didn't even dare to ask him about my room.

When he sounded more settled, i asked whether could he see any laptop in my room. Obviously, the reply was "NO".

When i finally arrived home, the first thing i saw was my harp was still there. first glance into my room, my dell inspiron was gone. so were my speakers. went to his room. Was in a pretty bad shape, cos he had everything laid out in the room, whereas i haven't really unpacked since i came back.

Went to my room. I don't even know what was missing, except for the 2 obvious ones, and since my room was pretty 'clean' (empty).

Couldn't get hold of my supervisor, as i was supposed to start work at 2pm. Went to office to inform Wendy, my supervisor that i can't make it for work. Missed 2 hours of work. Wendy helped us call student affairs to ask what should we do. Aileen, another office staff tried calling the police.

Went home. Police came after an hour or so. Later on only i realized i had more stuff missing. My cellphone charger - my goodness, why my charger when you don't even have my phone!?! My mp3 players - 2 of them, my bag of quarters (i guess they need to do laundry too).

Even later on while having a conversation with another friend, i realized i lost my camera, tuner and metronome too. wtf.

The best part was - cos i brought my laptop and speakers from singapore, they were using the Singapore/Malaysia 3-pin plugs. And their solution - they decided to take my converter and power strip.

One funny point though, despite all the negativity, I left 2 $20 vouchers for Applebee's and TGIFridays on my desk. The TGIFriday's voucher was left there. I guess they figured that TGIFriday's can't be found in Boston anymore! haha...

Well, there are other things to be thankful for... our wireless was untouched, and so were our external HDD. Mine was still in the box in the closet. Asaf's - we figured either they didn't know what it was, or they were just being 'gracious' to us. Afterall, it's our work in the computers that we are more concerned with, rather than the physical computer itself.

So at the end of the day, Asaf's mac is insured and so he'll eventually get a replacement. Mine.... what's gone is gone. No point brooding over it.

Actually I forsee this would happen, cos my room windows don't have grills. And one of the windows' lock was broken. Management doesn't want to do anything about it. So what can i do? I don't have the freaking time to pester them to fix these stuff...

Well, since now all my valuables are gone, except for my mac (I decided to bring it with my to school today) - all the more i don't need 'security' anymore.

F*** it.

Changes

2006-06-12T18:48:00.000-04:00

Last month, a group of my dear colleagues in San Jose, CA were gone. Broadxent is no longer active.

Yesterday, I received another phone call from another colleague in Singapore who informed me of his changes too.

These were colleagues that I worked with since the first day of work in the company, 6 years ago. They are experienced professional employees who have families; wife and children and have been with the company for more than 10 years.

Loyalty.

I sure hope they receive a good deal. Having said that, Creative has been a very gracious company. We all know this day would come eventually, and were somehow 'prepared' for it. I got 'lucky'.

Complacency is a very controversial attitude to possess in life, I find. On one hand, you can be sure that people who are complacent won't endanger or cause trouble in your life. They are the 'peaceful' people. On the other hand, the same group of people is not able to advance, generally. They need a leader to motivate and direct them.

I suddenly just thought about complacency, not because that's how I felt my colleagues are. Believe me, we've transferred several times within departments in the company to stay so long.

It's just that the human nature tends to be lazy. People get used to something, comfortable with it, grow onto it and finally stick to it. Many times, before they can 'stick' to something, it's time to move on again. Then they have to re-adjust to the adaptation, assimilation... and the cycle goes on.

So be prepared for changes, whether as an individual, as a couple or as a unit in a community. Changes are good. What's food without some sprinkles of wonderful spices?

Maybe I should use the term "metamorphosis" instead of "change", as "metamorphosis" gives a more positive perspective than "changes".

Summer school in Roxbury

2006-06-12T14:16:00.000-04:00

Life is good.

Last Thursday's classes were so stressful cos I had to explain myself to the teachers and find out what are the syllabus, books and homework.

Spent the whole weekend, literally, in the library studying about civilization, confucious, lao tsu, egyptians, mesopotamians, hebrews, persians, greeks.... hampir pengsan. not to mention i had to study some psychology stuff and art history too.. thankfully the psychology and art history part were easier to handle.

i handed up my legacy homework today and took the world history test. i'm both amazed and amused when i saw the essays i've to write. just 3 days before, i wouldn't have understand what on earth the questions mean. not that i understand fully what the questions were today, but at least i had something concrete to write - that's the amusing part.

at the same time, i made a couple more new friends, both from the college and from berklee (students who study in roxbury for summer). hiro and i somehow made time to study together. it must be so freaking difficult for them to study world history in english (cos they are japanese)!

since hiro and i take the same T home everytime after class, i decided to explain to him what the teacher taught today. it's a win-win situation, as i needed someone to practice what i've just learnt on and he needed a simplified version of what the teacher had taught. so we decided that we'll do this everytime after class! sweet deal...

what amazed me most was when we were revising in the library last weekend, i told him i'll pass him the assignments i've done for my art history classes so that he can use them for reference the next time he take it. He was surprised that i even offered to share information with him. I asked why would he think that, he was dumbfounded. I added that it wouldn't kill me to hand him what i've learnt... he just smiled and thanked me..

i'm glad i made another new friend...

Quote of the day

2006-06-10T15:27:00.000-04:00

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. - Confucious

Just another day in Boston

2006-06-09T02:51:00.000-04:00

Just when I thought that I finally got my color back, thanks to the plentiful sunshine in Houston and LA, the minute we arrived Boston, it has been raining. According to forecast, it'll continue to rain for the next few days till the end of the week. *Sigh*

Temperature here is in the 50s (13 d.Celsius). It's summer!!! gimme a break.... gosh...

Burning midnight oil. Since I missed 4 classes for my World History classes, I've to finish 5 chapters for the first of 3 tests coming Monday. Then I have to finish 2 assignments for my Gen. Psychology class, also by Monday!! Woohoo... Congratulations, Lisa!

I've to take my incomplete papers on Wednesday in Berklee, then another test due for my Art History class on Thursday. How fun! time will definitely pass in no time at all. Bravissimo, bravissima....

The Gospel of Judas and lessons learnt so far in Summer courses

2006-06-08T22:01:00.000-04:00

I bought the National Geographic's publication of The Gospel of Judas Iscariot. Commentaries aside, I find the fundamental facts about the gospel amazing. It does make a normal Christian question about the usual doctrines that has been taught by pastors and church ministers over the centuries.

War won by the Romans to promote 'orthodox' Christianity. Burning of scrolls and documents that's not of the 'Christian' faith. Whatever happened to the freedom of thoughts? Shouldn't people be given the choice to believe what they understand about God? Religion and politics should never be put together, but yet it seems all these years, they have never been separated. How ironic.

Today in my Genereal Psychology class, we had a Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran who shared about his experiences. He is 22 years old. When asked "Where's Bin Laden?" His replied was, "Maybe he's driving a cab somewhere in USA". Then another student asked, "Didn't the government promised to take care of the welfare of the veterans?" His reply was, "It's all a lie. All the billions that was dumped into the war goes to the war, not to the soldiers." By the way, he's a Marine Corp. According to him, the Marines are trained to eliminate. The soldiers are trained to play the diplomacy role. Since the Marines were trained to kill, their mission when going to war is to kill. So when the media published about Marines killing people, whose fault is it really? The Marines, or the person who deployed the Marines? He made a very deep impact to those who were in class today. He said, "Veterans used to be a term for soldiers who survived the Vietnam war. But that's history. A war is going on in our generation, and veterans now age from 19 years-old."

Ironically, my professor is an Iranian lady who survived a massacre back at home a few decades ago. She survived and have been living in the USA for the past 30 years. When asked about the current Iranian president, she replied, "He's just a dumb politian who exchanged blood for money (oil)".

Education is still the key to bring about peace. But then again, many choose to be ignorant about the whole political scene. I used to think that by being ignorant and not vote, I won't be held responsible for whatever the government decides. I was wrong.

Is ignorance really bliss? Not when you finally know that your decision of not doing anything does affect someone else directly - when someone decides to go to war.

By the way, my classmate who's a veteran is still waiting for the approval of the educational financial aid that the government had promised in the Marine Corp recruitment exercise. Go figure yourself.

Conclusion of the Roads To You Tour 2006

2006-06-08T16:38:00.000-04:00

A month of touring with a group of wonderful musicians has ended. The experience has been amazing and definitely memorable. Relationships and lifelong friends has been made. Lessons learnt. Cultural and religious misunderstanding had been improved - slowly but surely.

Personally I realized that Islam among Middle Easterners is very different from the Islam I knew back in Malaysia. Malaysia is slowly taking the extreme approach on the religion and socially moving backwards because of that. In a country where the average temperature is 90 oF, I remember growing up with my Malay friends who were all covered up from head to toe in cotton shirts and pants - even during sports. No wonder these girls always faint.

During the tour, I learnt that most middle-easterners Muslim are really open minded and moderate (Syrians are the most open minded Muslims), unlike what was potrayed back at home. It's amazing how governments use religion as a tool/excuse to win over and control the right of its citizens. It's so easy to manipulate the innocent minds of its citizens - especially people who don't travel out of their countries. Textbooks and audio/visual media were government controlled. I think it's high time Malaysians start to travel and open our eyes to view the world, rather than simply taking in words of 'government', 'scholars' and 'textbooks' within the country.

I also learnt that Mormons are the best represented Christians. I personally made 2 very good Mormon friends who patiently explain many common misconceptions about their beliefs. I also know that our friendship will last a lifetime. Many Asians mistook that Mormons are Amish, that they are not allowed to use technology - no TV, no phones, no electricity. In fact, they do. However, parents selectively allow children to watch TV programs or videos.

Of course, living with 28 other musicians for a month was not a bed of roses, not to mention that we are leaders in our own rights. Each musican had our own view of perfectionism, our own method to make things work and our own perspective of how things should be done. Bringing us together in a group and making us live harmoniously itself is an art. Therefore, I salute the organizers for putting up with what we call the various "musicians' artistic behaviour".

If anything at all, I learnt that LISTENING and to have an OPEN MIND are keys to understanding different cultures and religions. Also, I learnt that we are but ordinary men and women who happen to be born in different locations, which men one day decided to categorize into different colours, "Countries" and "Religions". We are citizens of the world.

This is my favourite song in the tour.

youtube.com upgraded, new findings - Engineers without borders

2006-06-02T22:02:00.000-04:00

Recently did a search on the humanitarian work engineers do around the world. Since there's "Doctors without borders", I bet there is "Engineers without Borders" too.
- Bringing clean water to villages who don't have access to clean water
- Educating farmers to use technology to improve their farming efficiency
- Bringing computers to the illiterate
- Bringing electricity to those who doesn't have access to the most basic modern need
- Bringing internet to the more developed countries, to bridge the technological gap between countries

youtube.com is down

2006-06-02T02:09:00.000-04:00

apparently the whole site is down. Looks like it was being hacked into. Anyway, this caused the videos in my blog to disappear. Sorry for the inconvenience.

1st gig in Redlands

2006-05-30T17:46:00.000-04:00

The celtic group went to Redlands East Valley High School for our first gig in LA today. The response was great and the students were asking us all sortsa questions about our tour and our instruments.

Last stop - Los Angeles (#1)

2006-05-29T23:06:00.000-04:00

After the amazing time we had in Houston, it was time to move on. We arrived Los Angeles at about 3pm and were picked up by Mohannad Malas - with a 40 seater bus.

After about an hour's journey, we arrived at Bana Hilal's lovely home @ Orange County for lunch, thereafter to our individual temp host families over the weekends. Some of the tour members decided to go back to LA for the weekend instead.

Sofia, Elizabeth, Lily and I lived 5 minutes away from Bana's home over the weekend and were hosted by Dr. Lina Kreidie. The next day, Sofia, Lily and I had brunch at Dana Point, a small pier near home while Elizabeth went to church with Anthony. In the afternoon, Sofia and I joined Lana, Lina's daughter, to Del Mar (45 min away from O.C, in San Diego). We walked around and visited the beach briefly while Lina celebrated her friend's birthday over lunch. Then we went back home.

This morning we gathered at Bana's home again, picked up our instruments and left for our respective host families for the rest of our stay in LA.

Upon arriving Redlands, the folk, celtic and tango group gathered to have lunch at Joan's home. Sofia, Xiaodan, Pearla and I are staying here for the rest of the week.

Tomorrow we'll start performing at different locations until Friday. We'll have another weekend off and thereafter a rehearsal on Monday and the concert at Royce Hall on Tuesday.

*********************************************************************************************************************
Our host Joan, is a single caucasian mom who adopted 2 asian children, Marian and Ellen. Guess what, their nanny, Hetty is from Indonesia! As I explored their home, I came across this framed poetry entitled "Legacy of an Adopted child". I thought it was beautiful and decided to add it on to my blog. Here's pic of Ellen and I and the other one with Marian...

Legacy of an adopted child

2006-05-29T23:05:00.000-04:00

Once there were two women, who never knew each other.
One you do not remember, the other you call Mother.
Two different lives, shaped to make you one.
One became your guiding star, the other became your sun.
The first one gave you life, and the second taught you to live it.
The first gave you a need for love, the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality, the other gave you a name.
One gave you a talent, the other gave you aim.
One gave you emotions, the other calmed your fears
One saw your first sweet smile, the other dried your tears.
One sought for you a home that she could not provide,
The other prayed for a child, and her hope was not denied.
And now you ask me, through your tears,
The age old question, unanswered through the years.
Heredity or environment, which are you a product of?
Neither my darling, neither.
Just two different kinds of love.

-author unknown-

Memorial day thoughts

2006-05-29T09:53:00.000-04:00

Another earthquake hit Indonesia. This time in Bantul, east of Jakarta. As usual, heaps of bodies were buried in mass graves. A small girl lost her father, a mother lost her entire family, a family lost their homes. One can only hope that stories like this never come true, but once again, Indonesia has proven that stories like this does exist - pretty often.

Situated along the ring of fire, Indonesia has always been a victim to volcano eruptions and earthquakes. I remember celebrating dad's birthday with the rest of the family back in our Batu Pahat home when the news reported about the tsunami. I remember telling Dave that an earthquake had hit Sumatera. We thought nothing of it that night until daybreak, when reports of casualties started to pour in - from different countries. We all know what happened after that. 250,000 lives were lost across Asia. This is just as an estimation. Cities, towns, families and even entire village populations were wiped out in that single night.

Malaysians and Singaporeans knew very well they had Indonesia to thank. If not for Sumatera, Dec 26 2004 would have marked the dooms day of Malaysia and Singapore.

As a matter of fact, Malaysia and Singapore will still have Indonesia to thank for many years to come, looking at the map below.

While the USA remembers its fallen soldiers, I'd like to remember the innocent victims of the act of God.

While nations fight against nations be it for political, economical or religious reasons, let's not forget those who has to fight against nature, or some people would call "The acts of God". Life is full of choices. Make the right one.

More quotes

2006-05-27T06:24:00.000-04:00

It seemed to me certain, and I still think so today, that one can never wrestle enough with God if one does so out of pure regard for the truth. Christ likes us to prefer truth to him because, before being Christ, he is truth. If one turns aside from him to go toward the truth, one will not go far before falling into his arms. - Simone Weil.

*Thanks, Jill.*

Wednesday, May 24 - last small group workshop and rehearsal

2006-05-26T10:39:00.000-04:00

This is the last workshop for the Brazilian/Latin group @ Houston. You can find the video of the gig in my previous post. The kids at the Childrens Cottage School were amazing! They were so responsive excited about the music we played.

After the workshop, we had lunch at Dina's home. More music from the Tango group... they really did a good job.

We proceeded to the Stude Hall @ Rice University for rehearsal. This is the best concert hall I've experienced so far in the USA. Good acoustics and architecture. One can even hear a pin drop in this hall. We had our rehearsal on Wed, May 24 - almost the whole day.

Workshops and mini concerts in Houston, TX

2006-05-26T08:09:00.000-04:00

Out of the many groups who performed in various churches, schools and homes, I managed to take a few snippets of videos for your viewing pleasure.

The following video presents the Tango group at the Farnsworth Pavillion at Rice University.

And the next video shows the Brazilian/Latin group playing at a montessori.

Enjoy...

Quote of the month

2006-05-26T07:51:00.000-04:00

"Great people are those who make others feel that they, too, can become great". -Mark Twain

Leaving Washington D.C

2006-05-25T12:07:00.000-04:00

Photo 1: Sami, me, Turfa - my host family in Washington D.C

Photo 2: Marmi (my host family's nanny from Indonesia!) and I

Photo 3: Elizabeth Wiley (cellist), Anthony Wiley (Acoustic Bassist), Karolin (Liz n Anthony's host mum) and I.

Took a couple of pictures with our host families on the last day in Washington D.C.

Roads to you Tour 2nd Stop - Houston, Texas

2006-05-22T00:53:00.000-04:00

After a series of workshops and concerts in Washington D.C for the past 2 weeks, we finally moved on to Houston, Texas. Weather was the first observation made upon touch down. The warmth and humidity of this state greeted us, along with this stop's organizer, Dr Jill Carroll from the Rice University. Time of arrival: 5:30pm, I think.

Organization here was fabulous. The Rice University campus became our meeting point for any event or meeting. Then from the campus, 3 vans, driven by Jill, Cal, and Teb are allocated to fetch us to respective locations. Those who doesn't have any activities on that day can walk to the nearest Metro or just shop round the area, cos the university itself is walking distance from downtown.

Here, the Brazilian/Latin group finally found time to practice, 3 hours before our actual performance at one house concert. It was not great, but presentable. This group consist of Evan, Guc, Sofia, Charlotte and myself. Didn't really had time to take pictures the first 3 days in Houston, no mood... the weather is just too good, and kinda makes my drowsy too...

I'm now living with a single hispanic lady, Francisca Leal, with Charlotte as my roommate this stop. So far things have gone very well. Francis and I just clicked so quickly that we started talking about almost anything under the sun. On the very next day in Houston, the Brazilian group had our first performance at 7pm.

No matter how perfect a plan may be, there's always hiccups and obstacles that tests our patience everywhere we go. We were supposed to return home after the house concert. But when we arrive home, the lock of our home couldn't be opened with our newly made keys. Francis was at a wedding about 1.5 hours away from home, and the Celtic group was supposed to be at our performance location by 7am the following morning. The time then was about 10pm. So we hopped back into Jill's van and picked up the rest of the Celtic group. By 11:30pm, Francis was still not home, and so we had to put up a night at Jill's place. By the time I touched the bed, the time was 1:30am. We woke up at 4:30am cos we had to pick up the rest of the group who are living about 30 minutes from Jill's place.

The next day, we played for the Trinity Episcopal Church for the homeless. The gig was alright. Though there weren't really any cultural exchange, we did find time to help serve breakfast for the homeless after service. It was a refreshing experience.
Then we spent some time at the park, relaxing, 'sun-bathing' while listening to Lily and Cal take turns to read Queen Noor's article to us. hehe...

All went well and came home at about 1pm. We rested for a while and went out to catch the Da Vinci Code movie. I find that the storyline was pretty interesting, not in a way that waivers my faith in Christianity, but in motivating me to learn more about the Christian and Catholic history and faith.

As I normally like to say "The more I know, the more I don't know".

It's 12:30am now. I've another performance Texas Children's Hospital with the Brazilian group tomorrow. Looking forward to it and hope to take a few pictures there...

Talk to you soon...

Interview with the Voice of America International Broadcast station

2006-05-17T01:12:00.000-04:00

I was honoured to be one of the interviewee for the VOA radio broadcast. It's also my first ride on the Metro in Washington D.C! It was pretty fun, since this day was supposed to be out free day.

The interview went well. Ms Faiza elMasry asked us about the tour and how we enjoyed the tour so far. She also asked questions like what have we learnt so far and the personal experiences that we've gained so far. I touched on the topic of cultural discrimination. Many people, sorry to say, especially Americans, are really ignorant about the difference among cultures of the world. Any other people who look and speaks different from a typical american is often regarded as an outsider. Basically, these outsiders are categorized into 3 main groups, I think. We are either Chings, Arabs or Indians. To make matters worse, some people would just differentiate us by our skin and hair color.

I'm glad that I joined this tour and have the opportunity to explain more about my country and culture.

Well, after the interview, I met up with Anthony and Elizabeth and we went to Pentagon City to shop for a few good hours. I bought some toiletries and a SD card reader. and all of us bought a pair of sunglasses each for $8 each. =)

Workshops in Elementary schools

2006-05-17T00:39:00.000-04:00

Other than giving big concerts in each city, the orchestra is separated into different small groups according to the genre of music we play. I'm in the celtic group. Ironically, none of us in the group (there are 6 of us) played celtic music before this except for Lily, the violinist (sitting on the right side of the picture in the school).

From the day we arrive in Washington D.C, we only had 2 proper practices. She had to teach us everything, from the tune to what each instrument should play to sound 'authentic' and good. We have 2 violinists, a bass, a cello and floutist, and of course, a harp.

We started our day at 7am today. We had to be in 2 elementary schools (for students from 8-11 years-old) at 9am and another at 2pm for an hour's workshop. We had rehearse on the night before at Caroline (Anthony and Elizabeth's host) home from 9-10pm.

We managed to rest a little while in the evening before going to Caroline's home for another house concert. She'd invited her friends to her home for dinner and to listen to us after she heard us rehearsing the night before. So we ended the day with another informal concert with Caroline and guests and of course, with my host family, Samy, Fufu and Samy Jr.

After a whole list of songs played, we had a wonderful conversation on ignorance of people about different cultures, countries and beliefs. Uncle Sam is such a knowledgeable guy. We all learnt alot from him. Not forgetting Fufu, who is so witty with her jokes and bubbly personality. Caroline was like the mother of all of us, who was kind enough to avail her home for us. We had the most fruitful day today.

Tomorrow, we'll have 2 more concerts/workshop to give. One in a school and another a home for single mums...

Rehearsal at Ramzi Rihani's home

2006-05-17T00:18:00.000-04:00

After chilling a little while after our concert at the ISA, we went to Ramzi's home for the next rehearsal for our main concert in Washington D.C stop. It was so fun (on top of being tired) because the orchestra had to be splitted into 2 levels as we were running out of space in the main living area in his house. So the percussion and tabla and harp went to the 2nd level, since we could still see the conductor from up here. This is a short video of the rehearsal that night, from my view.

Concert at the Lisner Auditorium, George Washington Uni

2006-05-16T19:43:00.000-04:00

We are having our big concert at the Lisner Auditorium at the George Washington University on May 13, Saturday night. The turn-out was great and many people were applauding and cheering for us. We were very honoured to have the Queen of Jordan, Queen Noor, and her family was in the concert too. Many of our host families were there too!

We started our day at noon and started to rehearse for the concert till 4pm. Went for a short dinner together at TGIFridays and got ourselves prepared, and ready for the concert.

At 7pm, Queen Noor, came by to visit us on stage right before the concert started. We each briefly introduced ourselves and had a group photo taken. Then the concert started.

btw, this time we have an additional choir of 60 people performing with us in the auditorium.

This is one of our favourite pieces in the concert.

Roads to you Tour 1st stop - Washington D.C (#2)

2006-05-13T02:42:00.000-04:00

After we performed for the Mosaic Foundation on the second day of arrival, we proceeded to perform for the Islamic Saudi Academy in Washington D.C.

As it was our goal to bring down barriers culturally through music, this was a very good example of our mission in the tour. This school has known to be a pretty conservative school over the years. Music has never been part of the curriculum. Students have never watched any performances in the auditorium in school or anywhere else in school before. Oh yeah, and if you notice in the photos, girls are seated on one side, and the guys on the other side. Sounds familiar to some of you Malaysians out there? hehe...

Here's the coverage by Reuters about the concert. The photos in this blog today were taken by the reporter from Reuters, Kevin Lamarque. The bandage on my harp made it to the news too! Nice...

Anyway, we were told to dressed appropriately and be prepared even if the response is not going to be good. Many of our group members went to the school with some level of uncomfort, not knowing what to expect. When we stepped into the school, we saw that most girls were wearing headscarfs with long sleeves and long skirts. The school is separated into the girls' school and the boys' school. They range from age 4-18. While this is not new to me, I was pretty surprised to find that there are indeed schools that are conservative in the USA.

After we played our first piece as an orchestra (only half of us were there), the students clapped thunderously! It was indeed a very touching moment. I can't explain that feeling or why I felt that way, but I think it was a sort of freedom. I felt a form of revolution in the school.

Side track: In the tour, we were divided into smaller playing groups (according to music genre) other than the main orchestra. These groups are to visit homes or schools to perform during our non-concert days.

Back on track, the groups who went to the ISA were the Jazz band, the Middle-Eastern group and the Celtic group. I am in the Celtic group. That's why only half of the orchestra was there. By the end of our performance, students and teachers were cheering and calling for encore. It was a surprise and a very memorable moment.

Tomorrow, we will be playing at the Lisner Auditorium with the Queen of Jordan as one of our guest-of-honour. It's 3am now. I better get to bed. We have a long day tomorrow...

Roads to you Tour 1st stop - Washington D.C (#1)

2006-05-13T01:30:00.000-04:00

I ended my semester a week earlier to join the group as planned. We left Boston for Washington D.C early on May 09. On the first day of arrival, we chilled at one of the hosts' home. (As we are a non-profitable organization, we were allocated to live with hosts during our stay in different locations.) Then we proceeded to the venue of our first performance for rehearsal: The National Museum Building on 'F' Street.

To cut the story short (cos I've not much time to update my blog), following is a video which I took (while on stage performing). So, please bear with me for the poor shot, cos I'm suppose to be playing! Anyway, it's Elmo singing a song together with another Sesame St character, Khokha. Be patient to watch it till the end, cos you'll get a glimpse of Elmo towards the end of the video. Hope you enjoy it, somehow. Click here for more information about the event that we were playing for.

This is a photo I managed to take with another friend's camera during the rehearsal. Yup, that guy is the official voice of Elmo. His name is Kevin Clash

Richard Devine in Berklee

2006-04-22T10:48:00.000-04:00

Richard is a pretty popular guy amongst the IDM (Intelligent Dance Music) scene around the world. He started tweaking with modules, consoles, Csound, MAX/MSP since 15 and released his first electronic music album at 18. By then, he was studying Computer Science in Georgia and made a name for himself in the IDM scene. He didn't complete his undergrad studies and continued to pursue music. Speaking of passion. Then again, he was interested in visual arts. His music is inspired by drawing different shapes of waveforms in which he perceives as art. Then he goes to the computer and tries to emulate his drawing.

Too bad I can't let you listen to his music here, but u can listen to some of his samples at his website. He is primarily a self-taught sound designer who made it to be Native Instruments' 'music tester'. NI is produced Reason, Guitar Rig, FM7 and many other software synthesizers. They were one of the first companies who transformed the hardware synthesizers into software modules.

Anyway, his week of presentation really opened me up to another world of music. another realm of music. We hungout at a restaurant nearby and we talked alot about life and experiences. surround sound, music and design. I'm inspired.

Patriots Day = Boston Marathon Day

2006-04-22T10:25:00.000-04:00

Last Monday was a public holiday. It was supposed to be a well-deserved break, but instead, I ended up having Dim Sum in the morning and watched the marathon for 2 hours. By the time I came home, it was about 5pm.

Nevertheless, the day was well spent. The weather was too good to be missed. A rare treat in Boston. After Dim sum, we went for a walk at the Commons and saw a very cute hybrid puppy. Sakuras in full bloom, green grass sprouting, ppl strolling and walking, cycling, enjoying the wonderful holiday and sun. It has been some time since many ppl left home to enjoy the sun here.

Later, we strolled back along Newbury St/Boylston St and watched the marathon. It was kind of fun. All sorts of ppl from all over the world participated in the run. Young, old, frail, atheletic, male, female, serious, fun ppl were in the run. Spectators roared and cheered for the runners especially when some looked very tired or when someone came running with someone in wheelchair. There are also families who participated. Son running with dad holding a sign that reads "Cheer for my dad!" with an arrow pointing to his dad... it was a memorable sight.

Dah lama sejak saya tulis dalam Bahasa

2006-04-03T23:26:00.000-04:00

Pada suatu hari, Ali dan Abu pergi ke sekolah. Dalam perjalanan, mereka terserempak dengan seekor anjing. "Haram!" jerit Ali. "Macam mana? Lari? Lembing batu? Macam mana?" Abu tertanya-tanya. Lalu Ali jerit, "Lisa! Bangun dari tidur kau, bodoh!"

So, macam mana? cerita saya bagus, kan? Nasib baik saya masih boleh ingat tatabahasa saya. Sebenarnya, banyak perkataan yang saya dah tak boleh ingat lagi. Lagi teruk, sekarang bahasa saya dah campur sikit dengan bahasa Indonesia disebabkan abang ipar saya. Kadang-kadang saya hampir nak guna "bisa" dan bukan "boleh", ataupun "unggak". alamak... bahasa pasar, bahasa pasar.

Semakin banayak saya tulis, semakin buntu fikiran ku... cewah, bahasa bunga deh... sampai sini sahajalah. Nak taip pun susah, asyik tekan butang salah.

Tak boleh, saya akan cuba lagi lain kali. Kalau kau macam gua, dah lupa banyak bahasa Malaysia, klik halaman ini - kamus (tak bergambar), tapi masih banyak perkataan baru untuk saya....

Selamat mencuba!

Medical charity pulls French staff from Myanmar

2006-04-03T23:00:00.000-04:00

The international medical charity Doctors without Borders (MSF) says it has closed its French office in Myanmar after four years because government restrictions had made it impossible to work there.

The aid agency said the head of its French mission had left Myanmar on March 26, because unacceptable conditions imposed by the authorities on working with people who live in a war zone.

MSF said its Swiss and Dutch sections would continue to operate in the country, formerly known as Burma, which has been ruled by the military for four decades. But it said they were also "questioning the future" of their projects in Myanmar.

The Paris-based charity has since 2001 been working in the Thai border regions of Mon and Karen, which are caught in the armed conflict between Myanmar's military regime and armed rebel groups.

"The Myanmar regime wants to get rid of all humanitarian workers in these politically sensitive regions," said Herve Isambert, head of MSF's French programme in Myanmar.

"The restrictions imposed on us reduced us to the role of specialist contractors subjected to the political will of the military junta. In reality, the Myanmar authorities do not want anyone to witness the acts of violence they are committing against their own people," he added.

********************************************************************************
Sadly, Myanmar (Burma) is still so controlled that there aren't even photos that we can show. They only have local channels on TVs. All media (visual and audio) are controlled by the government.

This is Myanmar we are talking about now. At least there are more people who've heard of Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia. I have not even touched on Laos...

********************************************************************************
Just finished another CWO (Contemporary Wind Orchestra) rehearsal in school. It was pretty fun. I like Mimi Rabson's work. Original.

2 more upcoming concerts and I'll be facing with finals. Ooh, enrolment for summer courses has begun. I need to act soon.

Jill Carroll in Boston

2006-04-02T13:53:00.000-04:00

Jill Carroll is in town. About 200 metres away from my apartment, to be precise. If given an opportunity, I'd love to hear her story and just have a friendly chat with her on how the experience had change her life, and even impact her career.

But well, I guess that won't happen anytime soon. For those who are criticizing her remarks on the last video, get a life and do something more meaningful, like talk less and do more.

***********************************************************************************
So tired from this morning's session, done with housework, but I still have homework to finish.

Spring break and I'm proud to say that I completed making a celtic harp!

2006-03-26T22:47:00.000-05:00

Since receiving my levers from Geoff (Australia) on Feb 11 2006, I've been struggling to finish putting up my harp's levers - all 31 of them. And I finally completed putting them up today.

With the limited tools, handwritten instructions and unsuitable workspace, I'm really proud of my achievement. I actually gave up by the time I was done with 10 levers. It was tough job. Not only my hand was sore, I had to ensure that the semitone produced had to be precise - by using a low cost korg tuner/metronome.

L-R: package of levers frm Geoff and my "workshop"

L-R: pliers, tuner markers, screwdriver, hammer, file, glove and handwritten instructions

Then I came to a point where I needed to use a drill and file (where the strings get thicker). Boy, I literally flipped. That's when I decided to prcrastinate until Spring break. I finally plucked enough courage, borrowed a file from my teacher, put on my winter glove to lessen the pain... but still procrastinated. hahah...

The final straw came when I tried to hire a professional Lyon & Healy technician @ Harp Connection. She told me she might not be able to help without the manufacturer's pre-drilled holes (I wonder what are these technicians trained in) and that her rates are $65/hour.

That means I was really left on my own, unless I go back to Geoff's workshop in OZ! God knows when will that happen...

After giving some time for Angel Lisa n Devil Lisa to debate over the matter, I forced myself to do the job. It was really a hard call, especially venturing into the world of unknown. I dread making mistakes, but yet I know I'll - eventually, cos I don't know how much the pitch will change as each string is bent differently. It's all try and error - at least Geoff instructed me to try it on a piece of wood first... haha... where to find the wood except on my harp?! So I made a couple of boo-boos on my harp. Here is the first mistake and also the worst one. I got stuck on this string due to the pitching and buzzing problem for a whole hour. Then I went to sleep without solving the problem.

The next day I woke up, took the screwdriver and decided to make more new holes, despite having already made 3 holes before that - 2 for the lever and one for the support-pin. Success. Then I had 15 more to go...

I used up my whole weekend putting on about 15 levers and 'gave birth' to a callous, a blister and a bruise on my right hand.

Then from Monday through Friday, I went to work in the IT office from 9-5 and finished my homework. As He rested, so did I - on the Saturday. Cooked fish-head curry (bought red-snapper from Haymarket with Lionel) for dinner and used the A1 paste Pat brought from home. Played some violent driving game on his Xbox.

Today, Sunday, nothing much to do, I offered to cook some beancurd barley (fu zhok yi mai) with quail eggs and finish up the remain 5 levers.

Voila, mission accomplished!

Made in Jan 2004

*really really* Completed in Mar 2006, with levers

now waiting for my cover to arrive... that'll be really, really, seriously completed then, which means... i can start to gig!

ps: btw, my fu zhok yi mai ended up tasting like quaker oats... muaahhaha..

The reason

2006-03-06T19:47:00.000-05:00

Nope, today's blog is not about the song Hoobastank sang. I don't think till this point in life, I've any regrets in my life (though I thought I used to have in my younger days).

Today's blog is about the major events in my life that has brought me to where I am - so far. Patience is one important value that I'm still very lacking. Luckily, life is not totally in my own control. God's speed is the term to use.

Like a rolling snowball, I started dreaming of helping the less fortunate at the age of 15. That was my first exposure to the world of the less fortunate (in church). In church, the term was 'evangelism', where groups of Christians would travel to different places in the world to spread Christianity. By 20, I had gone for my first 'mission trip' to Japan with Campus Crusade for Christ of Singapore Polytechnic. My religion has influenced me to think of the unfortunate - at that point, people who have not heard of Christianity were considered unfortunate to me. At the same time (1997), I was exposed to the culture and happenings of countries like Mongolia (which I couldn't get permission from mum to go to), Kazakhstan, Tajikistan (again, I was underage), Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia. My horizons were expanded. I wanted to reach out to these people. I wanted to help them, but I was just a poor student who needed to complete my course of study.

In the years to come, I learnt a lot about life from people from all sorts of position, status and background. Office politics, relationships, family feuds, growing pains, governmental issues. I felt I was swimming in a rich pool of information with no idea of what to do with it.

Coming to the USA, my identity (politically and socially) was further scrutinized. I felt I had a lack of identity, like I did not belong to somewhere specific. I felt I don't have a story to tell. I don't even know how to answer when someone asks me where I am from.

Without Malaysia, I wouldn't even have been born. I wouldn't have received my first 15 years of basic education. I wouldn't have understood what racial harmony and tolerance was. Without Singapore, I wouldn't have been able to afford the next 3 years of education. I wouldn't have been exposed to the world. I wouldn't have been able to afford my education in Berklee. I wouldn't have known my Myanmar, Chinese, and Cambodia friends in my company.

Last year, I lost 3 friends. James, 21, Myanmar - student, committed suicide due to political and family reasons. Luda, 27, Singapore - System Analyst, married for 1 month, died of heart failure. Christopher, 27, Singapore - missionary, lost the battle of leukemia. Life is too short to be wasted.

The reason I studied Electronics, Computer and Communications Engineering is allow every corner of the world an opportunity to communicate with one another. The reason I kept music so close to my heart all these years is because it's the only language that can be understood universally without translation.

I'm very glad that I'm part of the Roads To You Tour 2006. No strict mum - no willpower. No Malaysia - no safe growing up environment, education, childhood. No Singapore - no college education, confidence, exposure to society, prejudice; Philipino, Cambodia, Myanmar, Chinese friends, no chance to study in Berklee. No Berklee - no American, Israeli, Jordan, British, Scottish, Swedish, French, Canadian, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Peru, Argentinian, Dominican Republican, Uruguaian, Mexican, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indonesian, Indian, African, Nigerian, Malaysian, Singaporean friends, no chance to find out how others perceive me, no Maeve. No Maeve - no Roads to You Tour audition. No audition - no chance to tell others about my background and what's happening in my region.

Pure coincidence? No way. It's my life, it's my journey. It's my reason for being in this world. Unfolding my life's plan - every minute. I wasn't really lost these past 6 years, I just couldn't see the big picture. I'm more certain of my future pathway now - and it's coming true, finally. I'm thankful that I grew up in the safe parts of the region. But someone has to speak for those who are still suffering in silence. I'm sorry I can't wait for you.

Jammin sessions with the gals of Berklee

2006-03-05T00:19:00.000-05:00

I recently joined a group of gals in their jamming session (it made my weekends more meaningful now). Well, I was supposed to join them since last semester, but I guess my motivation gathered momentum only this semester. It was awesome! Though I still feel like I'm sorta invading the original 4 members, namely Jenna, Keiko, Mi Ho and Miduri; I really enjoy the sessions and their company.

It's just so amazing to see what music can do - overcoming all other form communication barriers. Jenna (vibraphone) is from South Dakota, Keiko (piano) and Midori (drums) from Japan, and Mi Ho (Acoustic Bass) from Korea. Other than myself, another new girl joined the group - Florencia (tenor sax), from Uruguay. You should hear us communicate. I believe you can hear a mosquito flying past you, cos there're always pauses between phrases and sentences. The most often heard word is "Huh?" and "Oh!". Fortunately, this happens only at the beginning and ending of each tune. Communication DURING playing was good. Of course there were times where we got lost, mis-intepreted some hand signs and signals, but we still manage to complete each tune - somehow.

Ahh... the beauty of practising the art of music - a life with minimal words.

Pic 1, L-R: Florencia, Keiko, Miho, Midori, me.

The 2 smallest sized members playing the world's biggest instruments...
Jenna was too shy to take pics with us... hahah...

Fa sheng le shen me shi qing?

2006-02-24T01:09:00.000-05:00

Zui jing wo jue de wo ren sheng de mu di you dian bian hua. Bu zhi dao fa sheng le shen me shi, zhong jue de you dian bu dui jing. Ke neng shi ying wei tai jiu mei he yi ge ren hao hao de mian dui mian tan hua, ke neng shi zai zhe li zhao bu dao tan de lai de peng you. Mei tian ren ren dou mang zhe gang gong ke, mei shi jian ting xia lai ting zi ji de sheng ying, bie shuo dao yao ting qi ta ren de xin sheng.

Lai dao zhe li you liu ge yue le... man man kai shi xiang jia le. Bu guo xiang dao de 'jia', bu shi wo zhen zheng de jia, nai shi wo gong si li deng tong shi he peng you. Shuo qi lai, wo zhe ge ren hao xiang bu tai duo peng you. Ke neng shi wo pao qi le ta men ba, ke neng shi ta men fang qi le wo. Wo ye bu zhi dao. Xian zai hai zai bao chi lian luo de peng you, jiu suan shi jing li le yi fan kao yan ba.

Wo ye kai shi jue de zi ji hen bu nai fan. hen wu nai. hen wu liao. hen xian fang dang. hen xiang pan ni, luan lai. Zhe cai shi zhen zheng de wo ma? Zong jue de zi ji hen mei yong, ren sheng mei mu biao, hen bei guan. Zhi dao you yi tian zai she ge shi jie xiao shi le ye mei ren hui zhi dao.

Dao di fa sheng le shen me shi qing?

Snowstorm on Feb 12

2006-02-17T13:51:00.000-05:00

It was the first snowstorm of the year - long overdue for Winter 2005. So there I was, stockpiling food, just in case... hehee. I was so excited about it that I couldn't sleep until about 2am and woke up at 8am the next morning, though it was a Sunday. Took photos of the progress of the storm almost every hour. I finally took pics after every 2 hours when I couldn't really tell the difference with the one hour gap... look at the snow accumulating at the back of the black car @ 8am, 9am, 11am, 2pm and 4pm (2 pictures).

It was white, nice and cold... and I'm glad our apartment's heater was working well. Spent time at home installing my new software bundles of Peak LE, Protools LE, Waves, NI Komplete II and my MBOX2. Managed to do some homework and fix some levers on my harp (well, i'll include the progress of my levers installation in another blog)!

Finally at night, we found time to play snow in one of the nearby park. It was awesome, especially walking in the 3 inch snow - some parts of the streets (where the wind blew towards) had untouched virgin snow up to my hip! Now I see the benefit of not being tall...

The snow was powdery but nevertheless soft and smooth... the temperature that night was pretty cold, about -14oC. But with proper clothing (well wrapped), it was ok. I took out my hand once off my glove, and it became numb in 2 minutes... that was how cold it was. We had snowball fights, snow angels, and random 'games' for about 2 hours outside.

The best game we had that night was "Finding the Canon Ixus camera". It was like a treasure hunt game, organized by Rozhan - accidentally. He lost it while playing in the snow and realized it was lost only when we were about to head home. It was really a funny sight. We started by looking for it randomly, each in our own isolated spots, until Rozhan decided to make a human chain - to plough the snow with our feet. After dunno how long (when we were at the verge of giving up), he asked us to help him one last time to search the place thoroughly - even in untouched areas. and guess wat... we found the camera.

It was the best winter exercise i ever had, and to quote Rozhan, I felt that my butt became firmer after the 'exercise'. Thank goodness it was a fruitful event, though tiring. Otherwise we would have gone home disappointed, especially Rozhan.

My Nieces (more random thots, instead of doin' homework...argh)

2006-02-12T02:25:00.000-05:00

ok.... can't take it anymore... i miss my nieces...

Their recent family photo:

Photos of 'last day @ office' (random thots)

2006-02-12T01:57:00.000-05:00

I was just flipping through my folder and browsed through the postcards Hui Yee made as my farewell momento.

It was pretty cool, so I decided to share it with my readers...

These are pix taken with the CAD/CAM dept staff in Creative. Location: Outside Creative Resource (aka Creative Technology Ltd. Singapore) @ the fountain of International Business Park, Jurong.

ok, ok, that's me with a huge employee pass hanging round my neck the past 5 years.

L-R: Pat, Sandy, Me, Suzanne, Amy, Hui Yee, Jennifer, Tarzin, Mei Lian, Karen (n baby), Lee Cheng (behind us - Creative Resource)

Harp Extravaganza III Feb 08 2006

2006-02-12T00:12:00.000-05:00

picture (L-R): Felice, David, Stina, Ryan, Marimikel, Mike, Michelle, Margaux, me

With just 2 official rehearsals, loads of disagreements with the dept chair and 2 unofficial practices, we pulled of this year's event. It was a good experience, i have to say - not really from the performance point of view, but from the communication point of view. The event has brought the harpists another knit tighter.
I'm glad that I took part in this year's event, cos my ears are beginning to open more and my mind is beginning to understand more of the theories of harmony.

Our repertoire is pretty well balanced. Each one of us had to play at least one classical piece (there were 6 pcs), 2 standard jazz tunes, with a concluding 5-part jazz tune, St. Thomas (right pix).

David (bass) and Ryan (drummer) were great. All of us made a couple of mistakes here and there for our classical pieces, but hey... this is Berklee! heehee... our jazz tunes were rock... well... more solid than our classical pieces.

Stina (Sweden) teamed with Michelle (N.Carolina) to play 'Solar' (Miles Davis) and 'Sweet Lorraine' (Cliff Burwell), I teamed with Margaux (Monaco) to play 'Stop it!' (Matt Marvuglio, dad of the bassist, who is also a dean of Berklee) and 'Softly, as in a morning sunrise' (Sigmund Romberg).

For my solo piece, I played Handel's Harp Concerto in Bb (1st movement).

All in all, i don't deny that the concert was boring, as compared to the other concerts you attend in Berklee. However, the beauty of the sound projection from the harp happen to be its disadvantage too. We are but students who are here to learn how to play jazz harp. So the arrangements were kept to minimal and simple.

Having said that, we did modulate 'Stop it!' twice! And it was pretty satisfying, especially on the harp. We started the piece with A min (120bpm) -> Bb min (5 pedals up) -> B min (5 pedals back, 2 pedals down). I'd love to do that again!

Duet with Margaux and the boys

As mentioned earlier, relationships among harpists improved, partly due to the unity found in preparing for this concert. Relationship between Felice (my harp teacher) and me has improved tremendously too. I dunno whether has this got to do with me not taking the harp lab. But well, at least now she's teaching me more stuff during private lessons. She is now more open to discuss more jazz techniques and ideas with me, something which I was trying to fight for the whole of last semester.

Looking back, maybe I was a little too impatient. I dunno. Everyone deserves the benefit of doubt. Anyway, I'm more prepared this semester, as I have better understanding of what's going on - theoratically/melodically/harmonically. Probably that's why she offered to incorporate some jazz materials into my private instruction. Great! And on top of that, I can sit in the harp lab for no credits and no pressure!

Well, back to the concert, after putting the harps back into the room upstairs (all 4 of them), we proceeded to Woody's. Sounds like we love Woody's. It's our 2nd time meeting, and both times we met here. They have good wood baked pizzas and you can smell the burning wood from afar...

Yu Sang @ Burbank Mansion! (aka Yu Sang faraway frm home)

2006-02-07T20:12:00.000-05:00

Bel was in NYC last weekend. On Sunday night, she IM-ed me to ask me whether can i 'open house' for the Yu Sang gathering! Yu Sang?!?! Anything for that man - even though it's a Monday nite after my 8pm classes and the fact that I've to work at 10am the following morning. Who cares!? It's YU SANG!! hahah...

well, so i did, and got Asaf (my roommie) to join too. It was so candid and spontaneous cos no one expected to find Yu Sang here. We asked around before, but most Chinese restaurants here don't practice this culture, other than Singapore/Malaysian restaurants - and there weren't selling.

On the faithful day, people started gathering at my place at about 815pm. Shelly and Az were the first. I wonder is it because of food, or are they just plain punctual creatures. Oh well... then Rozhan appeared with the Yu Sang... oh that fishy smell...

When I tried explaining what Yu Sang is to Asaf, he decided to stop me and just eat.. haha.. new stuff. I'm glad the experience was good for him though.

We bought 3 large pizzas and 3 bottles of soda to feed... Az, Shelley, Rozhan, Simon, Mel, Simon, Nish, Pearly, SK, Grace, Isabel, Asaf and myself. Sekali, the Yu Sang arrived before the pizzas. So I had to give everyone tissue paper to wipe off their drool... kidding.

The first pizza was gone in 5 minutes. (That's how hungry people were...) By then, it was close to 9pm. We were at lost at how to lou the Yu Sang... hehee.. cos there are no furniture in my living room!

So Asaf offered his office chair as a table, and we got the empty pizza box to 'alas' the plate of Yu Sang... When the girls were done 'decorating' and preparing the salad, we were taken aback by one IMPORTANT, but MISSING tool. CHOPSTICKS!!! Rozhan left them at home! hahaha.. thankfully Grace was at Cappy's (a pizza place). We asked her to 'kapuk' some forks over. That's how we survived lou-ing the Yu Sang without using hands!!

After all's done, Pearly, SK, Az, Shelley, Simon, Mel and Rozhan had to go. The rest of us who stayed played card games (Napoleon). Rozhan and Simon joined us after their 'business' and the 'party' continued till 1am.

guess what happened the next morning...

Shifting gears

2006-02-05T10:42:00.000-05:00

I'm finding myself continuously changing from the day I set foot in Boston. The whole of last semester I found myself searching for my own identity in a new city, a new country, a new culture. I was learning how the system works, both in school and in the society as a whole. Bumped into a couple of miscommunication, in which I had to pay the price for, literally. I was holding back, observing how things are done.

This semester I could feel the change. I find myself gaining more control over my life. Is it because of my ability to earn again? Is it because I've finally own a cellphone? Is it because I've made more friends? Is it because I've made enough mistakes to learn from them? Well, I guess all of these did impact who I am now, as a whole. I am more confident with myself. I know where I stand as of today in this what used to be a foreign place to me.

Last week, the HOD of the String department told us that we were not allowed to practice before 5pm on weekdays. In addition, we will have to have a faculty supervising us whenever we want to practice after 5pm. In other words, he was trying to tell us "Don't practice in school. Do it at home." wtf. That was the very first time I talked back at someone of a higher authority. The system of the school is bloody flawed.... in which all students are aware of.

I've finally caught a glimpse of what 'freedom' means in this society. Selfishness. Each man for himself. I've already lost count of the number of times people telling me "There is no such thing as a free lunch" since last September. This, is a very harsh society. Freedom here really means you have to fight for every single thing you need/want in your life, by yourself - rebates, free gifts, incorrect bills. Every small little detail you need to look into, you need to fight for. There is no such thing as 'politeness' in this society unless you plead or look pitiful. Despicable, should I say, especially towards the weak?

I posted an advertisement online to sell the cellphone that I got for free with my mobile subscription. Had a couple of replies. One guy appeared very interested (he sent me the same e-mail 5x) so I called him. He agreed to come to meet me near my apartment. When we met, I gave him the phone to be inspected. What can he complained about, since it's brand new? That's when 'trouble' came. Come to think of it, I think he made a fool out of himself. Either that or I've gained enough experiences here to protect myself. This is a 'very simplified version' of the conversation with the buyer, who may be in his mid or late 30s' (the real conversation with his cock 'n bull story lasted for about 15 minutes or more) :

Him: What is this 'prepaid phone' printed on the phone's package?
Me: Well, I guess this is a phone that could be used with a prepaid plan.
Him: Why are you selling this phone?
Me: Cos I have my own, and this was given to me free when I signed up for the new subscription. Furthermore, I'm too used to the interface of Nokia phones.
Him: Yeah, yeah... that's a good phone you have there.
Me: Nah, this phone is 2 years old.
Him: No. no.... this is a good phone.. it's a 3230? (he looked at the batt compartment of my phone and read '6610')... it's a good phone...
Me: (doh... can we get on with this?) Well, yeah, it has served me well the past 2 years. That's why I'm keeping it.
Him: You see, on the package of this samsung phone you are selling, it says that there's a free $15 talktime on your prepaid SIM.
Me: Well, yeah, but I didn't subscribe to a prepaid plan. So even if I'm entitled for it, but I don't have it. Maybe they were just trying to get rid of these phones.
Him: If that's the case, then shouldn't you make up for the missing $15 talktime here, cos then I'll have to buy the SIM card on my own.
Me: I'm sorry, I don't think I'm willing to make any changes to the price that I've offered. There were other replies who offered me a lower price, which I totally ignored.
Him: But then it'll be unfair to me that you're selling me at $50 without the SIM card...
Me: Well, that's y I posted on the ad that I'm selling A SAMSUNG x495 PHONE at $50, not a prepaid plan...
Him: But you should have stated it in the ad about all this details... have you sold anything online before?
Me: (niabeh) Yes I have and I'm sorry I didn't post the details there. Since you've not paid for the phone, there's no obligation to buy it if you are not happy with it. I mean, it's better that you bring it up now than later.
Him: No, you don't understand what I mean... Do you know how much is this phone selling outside?
Me: I have no idea...
Him: Then you should go find out...
Me: (walao, isn't that suppose to be your homework)... Well, since I'm selling it at $50 and people are interested, they must have done their homework...
Him: No, no, you still don't understand... Look, if you can sell the phone at $40, then it's fine.
Me: I'm sorry then, $40 is too low for me. I've other potential buyers who are interested. I'm sorry that you have to come all the way here for nothing.
Him: I'm not negotiating or bargaining here... (ya rite.), but it's just fair that the $15 should be taken care of. Anyway, $10 is nothing. (kaoz... US$10 = S$16 leh). You can't even buy a coffee with $5, you know.
Me: I'm sorry that you think that way, I'm not selling the phone anymore, cos I don't want for you to have potential problems with me in the future. $10 may mean nothing to you, but it means a lot to me. I'm a poor student. You are right, I can't even afford a cup of coffee. That's why I cook my own meals.
Him: Where do you study?
Me: (i was wearing a Berklee cap - lee bat jiu tak stamp ha).. Berklee.
Him: Oh it's an expensive school to go to...
Me: Yah, if not for the scholarship, I wouldn't be here. I'm living off my own savings now.
Him: Can't you find a job?
Me: I applied for a job on campus, it's illegal for foreign students to work out of campus.
Him: But well, you know... there are jobs which ppl don't really bother about the work permit thing, you know?
Me: Well maybe, but for now I'm waiting for the campus' reply (even if i'm working, y on earth do i need to tell you...).
Him: OK, so you are not selling the phone anymore?
Me: Nope, thanks for coming. Sorry for the inconvenience caused.
Him: But you got it for free you know (walking away...) I don't think you've sold anything online before.
Me: (holding building entrance door with raised voice) Yah.. that's why I'm selling it as much as possible so that I can earn some extra pocket money, and I'm not as young as you think I am.
Him: (Walks back) Ok, ok, if $10 really mean so much to you, then I'll buy it from you at $50.
Me: I'm sorry, but I'm not interested to sell it anymore.
Him: No, no, no... you still don't understand. You should go question the guy who gave you this phone.. maybe he used the $15 for his own you know. You paid for the $35 activation fee? You can actually get a $15 rebate from him for not using the prepaid SIM. You are a smart girl, you should know that...
Me: Yeah, maybe, but I've enough of fighting with the system since I came here 6 months ago. This is nothing, as long as I get my subscription and my free phone... hmm.. *shrugs* Well, if I do get a rebate for my activation fee, I'll keep you posted!
Him: Actually I'm a teacher in Quincy College you know, in life science, teaching nutrition n (dunno wat sai). Since you need the money so badly, I'll buy it from you... actually this is for my kid...
Me: Oh you are a teacher from Quincy College? I'm planning to do my summer there to clear my GE. (change topic, give him face a bit)
****************************
In the end he didn't have $50, just $44, so I sold him the phone at $44. NiABEH... KNS... talk so much cock and still wanna buy the phone. He never had the intention to pay me $50 in the first place, otherwise he would have the $ ready.

Anyway, it was a good mouth-sparring experience and I'm glad that I spoke up. All the personal attacks, all the trying to belittle me... omg. whatever happened to civil ethics? and he still have the cheek to tell me he's a teacher in a college.

Hey, maybe i should start posting such conversations here to remind myself of incidents that has happened while studying here...

hope you enjoy today's posting as much as i did real life!

CNY 2006 @ Peach Farm, Boston

2006-01-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

My first CNY in Boston. It was a great group, except for a few missing faces. However, I met Wen, from Singapore who's doing his first semester in Berklee. And Chai-chai, for the very first time. I've heard so much about him from the variouse Malaysians. Food was good. I love the calamaries (better with beer). The oyster was so-so, steamed in black beans, the crab n beef were not bad, the brocolli w some seafood... ok, i dunno how to appreciate that. The fish shouldn't have been deep fried. But all in all, the atmosphere was happy, nice n warm. The group was so big that we had to book 2 tables!

That morning, I called mum n dad to 'Bai Nin'. It was their New Year's eve and they had just finished their reunion dinner at my uncle's place. Coincidently, they were hooked up to webcams, video conferencing with my cousin in Liverpool, UK. And so, I too had a chance to see my family and relatives 'face-to-face'. Gosh.. I couldn't think of what to wish them (the chinese new year wishes)... and I had to go round like 5 times wishing my parents, uncle n 2 aunts, pouring out the slightest New year wishes I could think of, to the point, they had to teach me what to tell them.. it was funny... the best part was that I asked them to wire the ang pows to my account! To that, my mum answered that she'll save all the red packets till I return. How touching...

Then I had another video conferencing with my cuz in UK. Well, unexpectedly, I ended up providing them with personal tech support at the same time, cos their mic (audio) wasn't working. What nightmare, but well, it's a test of my tech knowledge (if I could still remember how to troubleshoot).

That was basically how I spent my Chinese New Year in Boston, year 2006.

random thoughts

2006-01-29T22:54:00.000-05:00

would i rather lose my hearing, my fingers or my eyes?

1. my eyes - music is the world to me. i can still do music without eyes
2. my ears - i still can do music without ears
3. i'd rather lose my life than my fingers. would i? yes, i would.

Back to school...Spring 2006

2006-01-27T00:46:00.000-05:00

Finally, school has begun. Though I'm pretty exhausted by the preparation and stuff, I'm glad I'm back to school. No more empty thoughts. No more wondering mind. I was in some sort of financial crisis for awhile. Thank goodness it is settled - though not the best solution. Had to sacrifice about US$800. But well, it's just money. I'd be able to earn it back with the part-time job in school.

Oh, got my SSN. Got a new cellphone. Paid the damn $500 deposit for a year's contract.

Preparing for 2 upcoming concerts this semester. Harp Extravaganza in Feb 08 and Women Musicians Network Concert in March 09. For the HE, will be playing Handel's "Harp Concerto in B-flat" (First Movement) as my solo piece. and 2 duet jazz piece, "Stop it!" and "Softly as in a morning sunrise" with Margaux. Then "St Thomas" for the quintet in the Finale. For WMN, will be playing "Nineteen" on the piano for Nat. Nice slow, indie, Vanessa Carlton type of piece. More rehearsals and practices!

I'm also taking a freakingly good class with Jamey Haddad. As a percussionist (the harp is a percussion, mind you), I'm very excited to expand my rhythmic horizons. I'm now beating myself, why didn't I learn more Indian music from my Indian friends in pri/sec school? dang. Now I've to learn everything from scratch. "Ta-ki-de-mi-ta-ki-ta" was the first 'word' I learnt in the class. It's a 7-beat/syllabus word. Yeah, we started by learning the 7/4, 7/8, 7/16, 7-triplets beat rhythms. And that's supposed to be the basic. Where have I been the past 27 years?!

But all's good. I enjoyed it a great deal, despite having to buy a tar drum (hand drum) for $140. Good long-term investment, I hope.

Oh yeah, my class for Studio Technologies course was also the first to step into the newly-built recording facilities in the 150 building. Cool! The studios were built specially for the Music Synthesis students! Yippee! and we were the first batch of students who will be given priority and access to the studios! Giddy-up! I'm starting to think what sort of thing/instrument am I going to record and hehee... demo? Can't wait...

Sigh.. this semester is also sucking alot of $ from me. Textbooks - about $200, drum - $140, Software bundle with the Mbox2 - $1000+... arghh... *heartache*

Anywayz, this semester is going to be fun, tough, busy, exciting, exhilarating, daring, tiring - crazy. And it's really just the beginning... All the best to me.

Got to go. It's 1:10am n I've to work from 9am-3pm tomorrow. hee haa...

Apple, Creative, Microsoft? (some random thoughts)

2006-01-13T14:45:00.000-05:00

With all the technology hype going around these 2 weeks, I cannot help but to pen down some of my thoughts.

Why doesn't Creative products support the Macintosh platform?

To answer the first question, you have to read what is happening behind the 'scenes'. Then you will understand that it takes both hands to clap. If one party is trying to protect itself and thus try to isolate itself, too bad.

Creative is only a fragment of the size of Apple - in terms of capital. It's a case of David and Goliath - then Goliath decided not to fight - and so all assumed that Goliath will win even if there's a fight, cos Goliath is bigger than Dave.

Now that Apple has no choice but to switch to Intel chips, consumers can potentially install Windows OS in their 'macs' instead of using OSX. So the good news is that PC users can finally experience the coolness of carrying an Apple hardware, with "Intel and Windows inside". Don't have to learn new OS to be 'cool' anymore .

Fact: About 90% of the world uses PCs.

So would Apple decide to just drop the MacOS and concentrate on its hardware sales? No one knows for sure. Apple always like to surprise, and the public loves surprises. Not bad ones though. and Apple has its fair share of 'abandoning its ships and crewmen'.

Fact: Bill Gates and Sim Wong Hoo have more philanhropic traits than Steve Jobs.

Bill and Melinda Gates were named "Persons of the Year" alongside U2's Bono by Times magazine. (link)
Sim Wong Hoo was named "China Charitarian" by China Children and Teenagers' Fund (CCTF) (link - u gotta scroll down a little) and set up a "Hardship Assistance Scheme" for retrenched staff in 2001 (link)
Steve Jobs made a phone call to the parents of the kid who got killed because of an iPod. (link)

My point is: are we 'inward-looking' or 'outward-looking'? While some people may argue that these people did it to get tax relief or free advertising or whatever reason, but I'd rather give them the benefit of doubt. Cos I know while I may buy a product that may be more inferior-looking than its rival, I somehow know that the company I support believes in realistic values. I mean, the only winning-edge that Apple has is it's cool design = artistic depth. What about overall performance? What about practicality? What about down-to-earth?

So isn't it time for the consumers, who don't have to think of "Where do I sleep tomorrow?" or "Will I get water to drink later?", to take few days of the new year to ponder on our own lives, and check our lives to see if we've been led astray by Steve's skillful speeches?

Wake up, O superficial creatures, and look deeper into the meaning of life, than trying to be a copy of U2, Carrie Bradshaw or Steve Jobs. Cool ain't cool anymore when EVERYbody carries the same white mp3 player. Life is define by yourself, not by others.

Fall 2005 results!

2006-01-08T17:38:00.000-05:00

I got my results!!! GPA 3.9344! whee! I strongly encourage whoever who plans to study in this school to check the background and history of the teacher before registering for their classes. Ask you coursemates or friends for advise!

Anyway, I'm glad that I didn't get any Bs. heheh... I'm now in the midst of preparing to test out Counterpoint 1 and Traditional Harmony 1. Two weeks to prepare. And I got a job on campus! Finally. I'll be working as an Office Assistant at the IT dept. in which I hope I'll be able to get a better pay by contributing more to the dept... my starting pay now is $7.85/hr.

Tomorrow I'll head down to the SSN office to apply for my social security number! yay! Sounds like I have a busy schedule ahead.

Right after the multi-museum visits, I've garnered quite alot of ideas for next semester's compositions. I hope I won't forget these ideas anytime soon.

Thanks, Gogh, and Pic!

Winter 2005 holidays and welcome 2006...

2006-01-07T16:09:00.000-05:00

Spent a couple of days in Boston shopping, and watching plays. It is so much better to have a companion. I brought Pat to Newbury, where she bought a couple of G-star pants, Lechmere, Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston Opera House to watch the Nutcracker Suite, Symphony Hall to watch Christmas Boston Pops with the Von Trapp family... and of course, to eat the famous Maine Lobsters and clam-chowder.

Missed this year's Christmas celebration in BP. Dad's birthday. And it's special this year cos Thomas, Chris and the kids are going back! Sigh... Managed to extract a family photo from the photoalbum, though... without me! Can you believe it, how dare they take family photo without me?? Then we followed a tour to NYC - Philadelphia - Washington DC - Niagara, USA - Boston - NYC. In NYC, we visited the site of Twin Towers, the Intrepid, the UN Secretariat, Empire State Building, Wall Street, the Metropolitan Meseum (we saw the original Van Gogh's Straw Hat self portrait and the Sunflowers!!) and not forgetting... Times Square. In Philadelphia, we went to see the Liberty Bell Centre and the Independance Hall. In Washington DC, we went to the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial (where Forrest Gump received his star, and where a white marble Abraham Lincoln sits proudly in the middle of the hall), the White House, the US Senate and Capitol Building (the famous white dome near the white house) and the Natural Art Museum.

Niagara in the US side has nothing to offer. Nada. Too bad we spent our New Year's eve in the 'hotel' switching channels between Times Square's countdown and Alexandra. We spent the New Year in the bus, a 7-hour journey to Boston. Back in Boston, we went to Cambridge's Harvard U, and MIT, Fanueil Hall and the Harbour Cruise.

On the last day of tour, we went back to NYC, where we spent an additional 4 days on our own. We went shopping at Times Square, went up the Empire State building, visited the American Natural Art Museum, the Guggenheim Museum (where I fell in love with Van Gogh's mountain at Saint Remy) , took the Circle Line Cruise to see the Statue of Liberty and ended the whole holiday at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Boy, did we 'over-visited' the East coast in 2 weeks. Nevertheless, I'm glad we went to MoMA last. It was very colourful and inspiring. (Apple's Apple IIe, iMac and iPod were among its exhibits). Saw more van Gogh and Picasso's work. I was especially fascinated by Picasso's concept of Metamorphosis, changing the same drawing from a natural state to an abstract state. Simply love it!

Blur in NYC

2006-01-06T16:00:00.000-05:00

On the day I went to NYC, it was the last day of strike. Without a map, I walked aimlessly to the main road in Chinatown after alighting the Fung Wah bus. US$15 from Boston - NYC! What a bargain...

Just when I wanted to admit that I lost my way, I saw ppl flagging down cabs. It was a 'no-government' situation. Thank God the cabby was a nice Indian guy and I even managed to share the cab with another girl going mid-town Manhattan. It was $20, and so we split.

You see ppl cycling, walking, and the roads were jammed with all sorts of vehicles. The gal whom I share cab with told me she left home (Brooklyn) and walked all the way to Chinatown early in the morning. She was obviously a student, as she said she was on her way to work in midtown at 4pm.

The cabby advised me to take an express bus from Grand Central to Newark Airport. Thank God for these guys. I finally arrived the airport at 6pm. Pat arrived with my HARP at about 7:30pm!!

We then took a shuttle back to Chinatown and continued our journey by Fung Wah bus from NYC - Boston.

Arrived Boston at about 1am and took another cab back home! what a journey...

The war is over...

2005-12-20T15:20:00.000-05:00

I've finally finished my last paper! and of course my MIDI project. It didn't turn out too bad, just average, I'd say. I was surprised that the tracks mix were pretty uneven. It didn't sound like this when I was editing it on the workstation. Whatever it is, it's over. period. I shall not think so much anymore. Will just make sure I bounce the track to audio in the future before completing the whole project.

It has been a great semester thus far. I'm getting used to the jargons and terms used here and getting the hook on harmony terms. haha... secondary dominants, sub V, minor 7 flat 5, augmented, diminshed, scale modes, tritone...

going to NYC in two days time and the public system there just started a strike!! how could they?! *sigh* just hope things will improve/resume in 2 days time. Otherwise, I'll have to spend more time and money on queues and cabs!

Now I'm up for 2 more missions, Traditional Harmony and Counterpoint 1 test out. I've gotta study for those.

Other than that, the weather here is getting warmer, and chances of snow are low... i miss the snow. It was so fun... Well, it's either the weather is getting warmer, or I'm getting more used to the coldness. Whatever it is, just hope that by the time I return to Singapore/Malaysia, I won't be afraid of the heat. I miss the SUN!! and my TAN!

ok, time to sleep - finally...

Exams finished, but still have projects!!!

2005-12-18T09:58:00.000-05:00

It has been a long week... it was finals week.

For the first time in my life, I actually enjoyed taking exams. Well, not because I'm proud of my achievement, rather because I do want to see where I am in terms of my understanding in the subjects. Also, it's because of exams that I have to push myself to the limit, sometimes, beyond what I thought my limits were.

I've arrived my final hurdle of the semester. MIDI systems project and written test. I've spent 10 full hours, no kidding, in the lab yesterday - with just a toilet break. Sometimes I really think I'm a freak. Such extremist. Well, I had my breakfast that lasted me till 10 pm. Isn't breakfast the most important meal in the entire day?

I worked with DP and Reason. It was the first time I really worked with these two softwares. So in a sense, I'm enhancing my learning experience while doing my project. So... I do enjoy my finals, you see?

I've roughly completed the tune, I just need to fine tune it today. Yup, that means back to the lab today. Hopefully, I don't have to spend as much time as yesterday in the lab today. I need to eat. and buy toilet rolls. hahaha....

First 2005 Snowstorm in Boston! YAY!!

2005-12-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

School's closed today!! Due to snow storm!! Cool... cos I woke up and walked to school at 9am. The whole place was white with minimal footprints. Too bad I didn't bring my camera. Well, luckily I came back on time. Later in the morning, the lovely snow turned into a nasty storm with mixed rain... yuck...

I managed to take pics from my room window though... the one on the left was taken when the storm sorta just started. The one on the right shows of a pic taken 15 min later... the same window, same angle (well, almost).

At least this morning when I walked to school (without knowing that the school's closed) I felt good. Everywhere was white, cooling temperature, quiet. The snow did brighten up my day, I thought. So despite making a mistake, my spirits were definitely up. So I decided to to enroute and take Newbury street path home. It was a longer route, but you could see shopkeepers shoving snow, laid back...

I arrived home with a new feeling... and continued with my assignments!! haha...

World Percussion Ensemble Audition...

2005-12-08T15:44:00.000-05:00

Feel very disappointed today... I just had an audition for the World Percussion class. I think it went bad. They were playing a piece in 5/4, and with all the key changes... from E to Eb to B... I got lost. When asked, I said the piece was very hard for the harp. I figured I said the wrong thing. There were 2 teachers, and they said that, well, that's for me to figure out. The piece was not written specifically for the harp, and if I wanted to be in the group, I should be able to function in the group. It made sense.
Well, I fucked up.

I think I should all the more be in the group to be humbled. But, my guess is, I won't be able to make it. If I didn't, I'll still take it as a lesson well learnt. If I wanna be in a group, I should function in a group. I didn't know making that statement would have another implicit meaning like that. Well, I'm just dumb, I guess. Ignorant.

With that, I'm going to work harder this coming semester. I think I'll really have to figure out a lot of things on my own and not depend on the teachers to teach me. Like - changing chords.

On a more happy note, I'm done with comping. I don't know what lies in the next semester, but at least, I'd want to be in the dean's list for this semester. Things can be much easier, depending on what I want to achieve at the end of the day. I can take easy subjects and pass with flying colors, or take difficult subjects - struggle and improve. I dunno man...

Thanksgiving dinner at Lionel's

2005-11-29T11:13:00.000-05:00

The Thanksgiving dinner went very well... All of us brought some nice stuff. Attendees were - Lionel, Livia, Melanie (Mel), Shelley, Az, Pearly, SK, Nisha, Isabel, Ashley and me. Felix joined a while later on. In fact, the food was much better than having dinner at a restaurant! Nish and Isabel were late, very late... by about 1.5 hours. Nish prepared spaghetti bolognese, which was supposed to be a main course, and Isabel brought Oreo cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory - just in time for dessert.

In the end, some of us did try Nish's spaghetti, and tapau home for breakfast! For the record, the spaghetti was good. Why do you think we tapau-ed? The cheesecake was heavenly...

And that roasted chicken wings on the left of the pic was prepared by me! Comments were good, but as they said, the cook usually can't taste the food they cook...

After food (which didn't take too long), we had a session of Triopoly... I was supposed to be Mel's partner, in the end, I took charge of the property cards! haha...

We parted ways at about 1-2am... and because it was Black Friday, few of us actually stayed up to take a trip to Downtown Crossing. I shall not go into details. In a nutshell, it was one of the coldest days this month (-12oC). At 5:45am, we set out and found ourselves back to the 80's. It was definitely memorable, but not in a good way...

Just another page of complaints

2005-11-24T16:01:00.000-05:00

Just had a very happy IM session with my sisters...

Today is Thanksgiving. It's a 2 day break from school, and school is closed. So we are forced to play!

Yesterday, I had a conducting class with Louis Stewart. No comments. I had to come back and work harder that's all. Thank goodness I can practice on my Ravel's Petite Poucet.mp3 and had sequenced a MIDI for the mixed meter piece for Finals. Made sure I can grasp the idea behind it before going to sleep.

The group of us Malaysians are going to have potluck tonight at Lionel's place. It's gonna be fun. I'm preparing chicken wings. Have marinated it since last night. It better be good.

Gotta check out the oven now!

I got into Music Synthesis and cut my hair short to celebrate!

2005-11-20T20:42:00.000-05:00

I got into Music Synthesis in my first semester!! That means I can start taking the new subjects offered by the dept starting next term n make use of the new recording studios and facilities!!!!!! This shouldn't come as a surprise to me, but after hearing the level of failure rate and the lack of GPA, I have to admit that I was a little worried not being able to get into the major.

My plans for this semester is to be in the Dean's list (GPA 3.8 and above - A averages) - which shouldn't be difficult. Also for the next semester, and the next semester...

BTW, I cut my hair short again... just couldn't stand having to tie n untie my hair with and without my winter cap... it's so inconvenient. In fact, I plan to shave my head... for fun... well, if I look good in it, I may even contemplate keeping it! VEry tempted to shave now, but the weather is getting severely cold now. I can forsee my folicles sneezing and having running noses (if they have). Maybe I'll do it at a later time. Next semester. If I really can't stand it, well, I'll just shave. It's just hair. It'll grow - eventually.

I've also memorized Handel's Harp Concerto and able to play at 75 beats per minute rate. It's really satisfying. But I still have alot alot to work on. Articulation, dynamics, even-ness of notes... but still, I enjoy practising.

Unpredictable as the weather...

2005-11-17T21:40:00.000-05:00

I now comprehend 80% of the volatility of the weather here in Boston. Literally, the weather is seasonal in a daily basis. 2 days ago, the temperature was about 0oC. Then yesterday, it shot up to 17-20oC and raining - like in a tropical climate. Today, the weather went back to 0-5oC... no wonder more and more ppl are getting sick...

Oh yeah, the recording session went well! I just had 2 takes and was done. But cos the trumpet player went first, so we had to wait for our turn... by then, it was 430am liao. By the time we finished our parts (piano and harp), it was 5am. So I decided to stay back to listen to the rest of the recording... so by the time I head home to sleep, it was 630am!! haha... took an hour's nap and started the day at 9am! whee!!

Next week is Thanksgiving break. A week after thanksgiving, it's FINALS! Looking back, I've really learnt a great deal in every way - Musically, technically, culturally. My harp skills has definitely improved, though I won't say it's a big step ahead. The harmony classes made me finally go "Orrr.... Aha...." after years of playing various chord progressions but not knowing the theory behind it. I've more understanding on MIDI and acoustics in Music, and the players in the music industries, whether is it performance or manufacturers. All in a semester. And this is when I've not get into my major yet...

I just attended a meeting initiated by the Chair of the Music Synthesis major today. There's gonna be a major revamp in the syllabus of the Music Technology Department. MP&E and Music Synthesis are splitting up! 4 new recording studios are expected to be ready by the next semester and most of the courses have been changed. As Kurt (the Chair) described, despite having some overlapping in the tools used by both MP&E and Music Synth majors, the way the tools are being used by both majors are quite different. MP&E majors use tools to enhance other ppl's recording and production, whereas Music Synth majors use the same tools to create new sounds for their own performance and application! Apparently, the department have been trying to make these changes for the past 15 years, but it finally got realized next semester! and Yippee!! I'm gonna be the first batch experiencing that change. Pros and cons, but what the heck, I've been through many first times and I LOVE being FIRST! =) Things seem to be more and more exciting in Berklee! And boy am I glad to major in Music Synthesis.

The result of the application into the major will be out tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to get in. Seems that every semester there are hundreds of applicants but only 40 are accepted. That's about 75% of failure rate!

I initially wanted to do a dual major, in Music Synthesis and Performance. But as I build my schedule, the more I find that I should dive deep into what I want to do. Focus. Concentrate. Furthermore, I'm dying to wanna get back into the society and showcase my capabilities. 6 months may sound short, but it's good enough to come up with something great, especially in such a fast-paced world. I just hope I'll be able to work out what I wanna do and at the same time build my portfolio while I'm still in Berklee.

And Berklee is indeed a fantastic place to be in to do just that. The reason for the high dropout rates is not because the school sucks, but it's because the school provides such practicality that most students could figure out what to do even before they complete the education there. They just wanna get out of school life, dive into the society and show what they have under their belts... Kudos to Berklee.

2005-11-09T01:30:00.000-05:00

It has been almost a month since I penned down my thoughts here. Well, mid-terms have passed and in less than a month's time, finals are here.

Time really flies. All the more when you are enjoying the ride. I've got new ratings for my ensemble. A level-3 standard out of 8 levels. hehe.. (cos a typical student will have to finish 8 semesters of education here). This means that I can join higher rating ensembles and courses, like jazz improvisation courses, etc.

I'm planning to go crazy during my stay in Berklee. There are just too much things to learn here, but there's not enough time to learn them all.

I'm now in the library - studying for Application for acoustics class tomorrow morning. It's 10:30pm now. From 2-6am later, I'll be helping out a friend's friend to play for her recording session. I guess she's gonna re-master Carpenter's "Close to you". There's a harp part in it. Guess what? I've a 9am class tomorrow! Yay! Well, all's cool. I only have 2 classes tomorrow - from 9am - 1pm. Then I've 2 appointments - 1 interview for a job, the other an appointment to work out my schedule with an advisor. What the heck, I've had a couple hours of sleep this evening. Anyway, the sun sets here at 4pm. So what difference does it make? haha..

I think I'm gonna enjoy the night and tomorrow!

Ok, gotta head back to my books. Needa finish the rest of the chapter, so that I can understand what Tony's gonna talk about in class tomorrow.

*** listening to Diana Krall***

2005-10-19T11:50:00.000-04:00

Things that I've learnt so far are beginning to sink in. There has been some changes in the location of the harp practice room. ***Sigh***

Our original practice room was a newly renovated 2-in-1 practice room in the 150 building. However, a burst pipe in the 1140 building caused a sewage flood in the the percussion dept located in the basement of the building. because of that, we had to give in to the bigger dept. so our room was confiscated. now to have our practice, we literally have to move the harp from the storage rooms into the practice rooms. sigh... so mafan..

anyways, this is not stopping me from practising. i hurt my fourth finger a month ago while moving the harp. now it still swelss whenever i practice for more than 2 hours, with or without break. it's quite frustrating for me, because it made me less effective.

hmm.. got ta go for harmony lessons now.

2005-10-08T14:06:00.000-04:00

It's been more than a month now. In line with my cooking habits, my roommate, a neighbour and I have gone to the Haymarket twice. Today is the second time... we were quite lazy to go at first, cos it was raining outside. According to the forecast, the rain won't stop until end of next week. So 'forced' ourselves to move our asses to the market, otherwise we'll have to 'die' of hunger the coming week...

Boy am I glad we did. I bought 4 pounds of salmon, which cost only $10! Gonna savor that chunk of meat for the next one or 2 weeks.

Last Thurday, I joined 2 members of the Acoustic Society of Berklee to support our teacher's gig in Cambridge. It was really an experience. Tony, our acoustic teacher, was the president of the National Council of Acoustical Consultants (NCAA), Acoustic Society of America (ASA) and the Chairman of the Technical Committee on Architectural Acoustics in US. As his affiliation implies, he sounds like a nerd. To our surprise, he plays electric guitar in a '70s rock band and was dancing and 'singing' on stage during his gig. We were introduced to one of his supporter friend, who is another consultant in Acoustics. He bought us a couple of drinks and later for dinner. We discussed about many things under the sun and plan to write another paper to be presented in one of the ASA meetings.

Conducting class has also been fun. It's pressurizing having to stand in front of your classmates to conduct. As if it's not bad enough, you've to be commented by the teacher and classmates on your strength and weakness. If you do something wrong while conducting, the teacher won't hesitate to stop you immediately to correct your mistake. Yup, in front of the whole class. But it is not all that bad, cos everyone is given the same treatment! =)

We are now learning to conduct a short piece of Ravel's 'Mother Goose Suite' - The Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty. I received quite nice comments about my conducting in last Friday's class. I'm pleased for now. But I still have a lot to work on in que-ing, dynamics, etc...

Mid term test is end of the month. So fast. But I've enjoyed my classes so far. The conscious thought of my age is going to be a hindrance if I want to learn - because I have to make mistakes in order to learn. I've to put down my pride and carry humility.

Things have been going on pretty well thus far... heading back to my books and practice.

2005-09-27T14:41:00.000-04:00

I'm in my 3rd week of lessons. I've been cooking many meals, all of which tastes different. But definitely with improvements. You know what's the best part in being a student? You get to make mistakes! Yippie!

In the first week of lessons I've been running around to get my schedule up. Add/Drop, Population waiver... all sorts of paperwork to do a scheduling alignment to observe. getting good teachers is another requirement to meet. But all's well now! I've officially gained 24 credits. That means I'll have to get another 116 credit points to graduate from college!

Making friends seem to be harder. I wonder is it due to my age, or is it because of my lack of social skills... At least I went to church last Sunday. It was ok. Good message. Near chinatown n boston common n Cheers!

Other than my harpists friends and a few teachers during lessons, I'm pretty much by myself. Which doesn't seem to bother me. Is this a sign that age is catching up?

For now, I don't care. I'm a student. Of course I wouldn't want to make unnecessary mistakes. But there were still quite a number of mistakes I made here so far. it's a totally different country and culture after all. I just hope such mistakes will reduce linearly with my length of stay.

Well, living environment here may not be as comfortable as back home. But, I still prefer the lifestyle here. It's really free and easy. People acknowledge your presence by greeting you, even if you are a stranger, and hold on to the door when you come right from behind.

There's even a blind student attending the school like anyone of us! She's has a guide dog. People in wheelchair are everywhere, and their chair has a remote control. So their free to roam around, yes, even on the streets. It's not difficult to see one. Every day you'll see at least one. Drunkards and addicts roaming on the streets, begging for money. It's all so common here. Police, ambulance, fire-engines' sirens sound all the time. Good practice for ear training. =)

Students of my school dressed up -- coolly. Many good-looking people, with many 'wannabies' too. Students come with different purposes, dressing, hairstyles. But all are friendly and gracious.

The coolest part of them all, 4 seasons. Fall is here. The autumn leaves of red and gold are falling from its branches, making the streets gold, sparkled by the ray of late summer sun. Wind is getting colder, but the lifestyles of people remain the same - friendly, gracious and enjoyable.

It's so weird that this phenomenon is totally opposite from Singapore. There's only 1 season, but lifestyles of the people changes together with the advancement of technology...

I wonder, which is better?

2005-09-11T11:32:00.000-04:00

I've been here for almost a week. Things are going on great. It's a big change alright, climate to lifestyle to time. My life now is like the time difference between Singapore and Boston. 180 degree out of phase.

School's 5 min walk from home. Managed to visit the Prudential Tower, apparently the 'landmark' of Boston. Interesting, but not as posh and as busy as orchard road. Just passing thru', getting myself oriented to my surroundings. Maybe because they have much bigger piece of land here...

To realize I'm such a rebel back at home, I think I've found haven in Berklee. There are plenty of people like me - refusal to conform. I've been so busy testing out stuff and attending orientation. One thing I like about American education is the freedom to choose your own schedule - from the scratch. The course offerings - it's so cool... all that I ever wanted to learn. People here are so friendly, ever ready to help. Then again, it may be because we have paid so much.

I like meeting people of different culture and learn from them. This week, I've met 6. One, my roommate (housemate) - a contemporary Jewish guy who is intrigued with Buddhisim and a cab driver - a disheartened Iranian man in his 50's with an MBA. My coursemates from Sweden, France, Indonesia, Ireland, Mexico and of course, the States were cool too. We all came in to this school because we all have the same background and goal - we do not fit in the traditonal music education system, and each individual here have a strong passion, equipped with our own style.

To be honest, the admin system of the school sucks, it's the faculty - all practising and successful musicians, some are author if popular book titles - all ready to teach you whatever they know, and to help you achieve your goal - if you know what you want in life.

I can't wait for school to start tomorrow...

2005-08-31T05:38:00.000-04:00

in a couple of days, i'll be heading towards my new destination. it's kinda mixed feelings. leaving family, friends and colleagues behind to a new, wild territory. my emotions are playing tricks on me...

dang, USD went up... so high. sigh... and i haven't changed a single dollar. hopefully the US government will kick in its reserves and Arab will output more oil these few days to lower the USD. Then i can change more.

have been meeting up with many family and friends. i'm sorry to have to turn some down and skip some. my schedule is too tight. so are my pants. my spare tyre is showing, due to too-good local delicacies.

i hope i'd be able to adapt to the culture and weather there. well, it's what i've always hoped for.

2005-08-05T02:14:00.000-04:00

have started to pack some necessities in this 29" luggage i bought in the recent "Big Singapore Sale'. It's orange in color... just the color to get rid of my boredom while waiting at the bag claiming area.

Let me see what I've packed so far... my God, am I really that 'bo liao'? But maybe it's really high time that I prepare the list of barang-barang to bring. One luggage and a hand-carry enough or not?

I just re-organized my documents yesterday. Looking back at some of those primary and secondary school certificates really brought back many sweet memories... Can you imagine that I actually joined a drawing competition in Primary 1? Haha.... at least I received a certificate of participation, lah.

I still remembered I drew a swan. My mum taught me to draw that. Umpteen times before the competition. Very typical. Draw a line dividing the art block into 2 even halves. Top is for the sky, bottom is for the water and trees. The sun by one corner, with a few clouds and birds, of course. To cover the dividing line, draw jaggered lines to represent grass. I didn't forget the 5-round-petal flower with the 2 leaves on its stem. Where's the swan? Right in the middle of the picture. White in color. So don't need to color!

That was the only drawing competition I participated my whole life. What a wonderful world...

Hey! Remember Scissors, paper, stone? Do you knwo there's actually a official website for it? http://www.worldrps.com