Our taiko performance from last friday is on YOUTUBE!!... I play this song
go see it! :)
I talk about Taiko (pseudo-American accent) hee hee.
and the song I really want to play in the future :)
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
very very happy now.
a close friend I have from back home, who is thousands of miles away now... just called, and this time, even more than any other time, I'm so happy to hear his voice. :)
Thanks for calling. :)
Reminds self: count your blessings!
Thanks for calling. :)
Reminds self: count your blessings!
ra ra riot @ stubb's live music bar
went to a concert yesterday. A local band ( I think) called ra ra riot. It was pretty awesome :)
Basically there were 6 people, 1 guy lead vocal, 1 guy drums, 1 guy guitar, 1 guy bass, 1 girl electric cello (YES, ELECTRIC), and 1 girl electric violin. Alternative rock, I would say... vocally something along the lines of... I don't know actually haha. Go check out their page on myspace yourself.
It was lots of fun being in the front row. I was just glad that there wasn't any... moshing, going on, there seemed to be a more mature audience.
Basically there were 6 people, 1 guy lead vocal, 1 guy drums, 1 guy guitar, 1 guy bass, 1 girl electric cello (YES, ELECTRIC), and 1 girl electric violin. Alternative rock, I would say... vocally something along the lines of... I don't know actually haha. Go check out their page on myspace yourself.
It was lots of fun being in the front row. I was just glad that there wasn't any... moshing, going on, there seemed to be a more mature audience.
girl with electric cello on the left :) within 5 seconds of the show I told zach, "maaan, she's hot". He said that she was probably high (I can't tell but she was probably just really into playing the electric cello), but she was so hot playing the electric cello. like, WOW. i wants to play da eletric cello too.
It was a great night overall :)
Saturday, April 12, 2008
my dream come true, possibly.
John Mayer 2008 Summer Tour is here!
Specifically, John Mayer @ Woodlands Pavillion, Spring (Houston), Texas - Aug 2, 2008.
It's his Continuum tour, continued, I think. Which is, my favorite album, of ALL TIME. haha.Anyone else interested? :D
Friday, April 11, 2008
snap back to reality.
all this busy-ness in life.
things to do, deadlines to meet, goals to achieve.
just got a snap back to reality this morning.
why does it all matter? what are we working towards? what really matters in life?
In this case, conventional wisdom is right. The people in your life really do matter the most.
People in the past, in the present, in your lives - the ones you ignore because you have a paper due, the ones whom calls you don't pick up because you had a hard day and wanna sleep for another 15 minutes, the ones whom emails you keep in your inbox and eventually forget to reply, the ones whom you were once so close with but now you don't understand anymore.
time to get snap back. get your mind straight. don't take life for granted.
have a great day :)
things to do, deadlines to meet, goals to achieve.
just got a snap back to reality this morning.
why does it all matter? what are we working towards? what really matters in life?
In this case, conventional wisdom is right. The people in your life really do matter the most.
People in the past, in the present, in your lives - the ones you ignore because you have a paper due, the ones whom calls you don't pick up because you had a hard day and wanna sleep for another 15 minutes, the ones whom emails you keep in your inbox and eventually forget to reply, the ones whom you were once so close with but now you don't understand anymore.
time to get snap back. get your mind straight. don't take life for granted.
have a great day :)
Thursday, April 10, 2008
ergh
ergh. Stupid speech. The very one that counts the most for my grade in this darn class.
I could've done so much better.
Note to self: sleep and eat before speech.
a;sldkfj.;darn.
I could've done so much better.
Note to self: sleep and eat before speech.
a;sldkfj.;darn.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
taking it week by week.
busy busy busy... when has life not been busy for me? haha. Well for a few months it wasn't, but honestly, deep down inside I don't feel alright unless I'm swamped with stuff to do every day of the week.
Have a speech to give in class tomorrow. This one counts the most for my grade in this public speaking class. And I had to choose the hardest topic.... affirmative action in Malaysia. I'm proud of it I mean, love the end result, but it just took me like 3 days to do that stupid speech, way too much time. Hopefully everything will go well tomorrow. The thing about classes here is that it's very lonely, for me at least, this semester. I don't have study buddies from my classes like I did last semester. But I guess, I've learnt to study independently :)
Listening to pandora radio, who knew they had a station for Hillsong too! Haha, very very honestly, I haven't heard Christan music in the longest time. Listening to Hosannah now, feeling very very nostalgic...
Have a speech to give in class tomorrow. This one counts the most for my grade in this public speaking class. And I had to choose the hardest topic.... affirmative action in Malaysia. I'm proud of it I mean, love the end result, but it just took me like 3 days to do that stupid speech, way too much time. Hopefully everything will go well tomorrow. The thing about classes here is that it's very lonely, for me at least, this semester. I don't have study buddies from my classes like I did last semester. But I guess, I've learnt to study independently :)
Listening to pandora radio, who knew they had a station for Hillsong too! Haha, very very honestly, I haven't heard Christan music in the longest time. Listening to Hosannah now, feeling very very nostalgic...
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Taiko goodness :)
My first Taiko (japanese drums) performance yesterday!
Me and 4 other UT Gindaiko members (Adryon, Megan, Robyn, Laura and Saurabh) went over to Allen Elementary School. When we reached there the kids opened the door for us as we carried the drums in.
I must say, this being first Taiko performance still made a me a little nervous. I remembered (out loud) that I threw one of my drumstick during my first Chinese Drum performance back in high school.
Throughout the performance I had a few memory mistakes, as did everyone else, but the energy was so there! Everyone was so into it. Especially when you see the kids faces. They were pretty much fixated and in awe of our big drums haha.
And Adryon threw her drumstick (bachi)during our performance. Haha, I prolly shouldn't have told her about my first drum performance experience.
During the Q&A session, a little boy that sat next to one of the teachers raised his hand and asked a question. He seemed shy at first, "can I have your autograph?", and giggled to himself later on. Haha.... we couldn't help but laugh.
One thing about American kids, nearly EVERYONE asked a question. They're much more outspoken and expressive. Little hands flew up in the air EVERYWHERE during Q&A.
We had very good questions, "How did you make your drums?, how did you all meet? what other talents do you have? where are all of you from?". And absolutely ADOBRABLE questions, one of the little girls asked, "are ya'll gonna tour the world and perform, like in Europe and Asia?". She was really serious about that question haha and you could tell she thought she had asked a really important question, as did the other kids. The teachers giggled a bit. And we explained that we would love to but didn't have the money yet haha.
Another little boy also asked, "Are there gonna be more boys? Cos' there's only one now!", and pointed at Saurabh. And then another kid pointed at me and asked, "Are you Chinese?", and then asked me to read the words on our t-shirt, since I was the only Asian person in the group. Haha, the words on the t-shirt was actually Japanese but good thing I could read it though :)
And at the end of the Q&A, ALL of the kids ran to the stage with their little notebooks and pieces of paper and even pokemon cards. They brought their colorful markers and asked for our autograph. Some girls even brought several pieces of paper, "this one is for my aunt", "this one for my sister".... Haha. And I signed like a million autographs. IT WAS AWESOME. No one's ever asked me for my autograph and likely not every again so it was freaking awesome and i admit i was basking in the glory w rather easily impressed little kids :)
We signed autographs for half an hour at least hahahaaa. And since I sat on the stage while signing, my feet were dangling out and some kid kept playing with my shoe, (tabi), the ones that look like the ones the teenage mutant ninja turtles wear. and they asked me if I had made the shoes hahaha.
And when it was all over and time to leave they asked us when we would come back again! :)
Me and 4 other UT Gindaiko members (Adryon, Megan, Robyn, Laura and Saurabh) went over to Allen Elementary School. When we reached there the kids opened the door for us as we carried the drums in.
I must say, this being first Taiko performance still made a me a little nervous. I remembered (out loud) that I threw one of my drumstick during my first Chinese Drum performance back in high school.
Throughout the performance I had a few memory mistakes, as did everyone else, but the energy was so there! Everyone was so into it. Especially when you see the kids faces. They were pretty much fixated and in awe of our big drums haha.
And Adryon threw her drumstick (bachi)during our performance. Haha, I prolly shouldn't have told her about my first drum performance experience.
During the Q&A session, a little boy that sat next to one of the teachers raised his hand and asked a question. He seemed shy at first, "can I have your autograph?", and giggled to himself later on. Haha.... we couldn't help but laugh.
One thing about American kids, nearly EVERYONE asked a question. They're much more outspoken and expressive. Little hands flew up in the air EVERYWHERE during Q&A.
We had very good questions, "How did you make your drums?, how did you all meet? what other talents do you have? where are all of you from?". And absolutely ADOBRABLE questions, one of the little girls asked, "are ya'll gonna tour the world and perform, like in Europe and Asia?". She was really serious about that question haha and you could tell she thought she had asked a really important question, as did the other kids. The teachers giggled a bit. And we explained that we would love to but didn't have the money yet haha.
Another little boy also asked, "Are there gonna be more boys? Cos' there's only one now!", and pointed at Saurabh. And then another kid pointed at me and asked, "Are you Chinese?", and then asked me to read the words on our t-shirt, since I was the only Asian person in the group. Haha, the words on the t-shirt was actually Japanese but good thing I could read it though :)
And at the end of the Q&A, ALL of the kids ran to the stage with their little notebooks and pieces of paper and even pokemon cards. They brought their colorful markers and asked for our autograph. Some girls even brought several pieces of paper, "this one is for my aunt", "this one for my sister".... Haha. And I signed like a million autographs. IT WAS AWESOME. No one's ever asked me for my autograph and likely not every again so it was freaking awesome and i admit i was basking in the glory w rather easily impressed little kids :)
We signed autographs for half an hour at least hahahaaa. And since I sat on the stage while signing, my feet were dangling out and some kid kept playing with my shoe, (tabi), the ones that look like the ones the teenage mutant ninja turtles wear. and they asked me if I had made the shoes hahaha.
And when it was all over and time to leave they asked us when we would come back again! :)
Friday, February 29, 2008
Reflections.
I've been here for almost 7 months now.
For those of you who have been keeping up with facebook, you'll know that it's been quite an adventure. Whole new setting, whole new place, starting life from scratch.
Looking back now, so much has happened and changed, so much so that I don't think I'll be able to report it all, not even in 239,485 blogposts. Okay maybe I can. But that's not the point.
Ever since I left Singapore at the end of 2006 til now, I've been living life by the day. There's been a profound change in my beliefs which I won't go into detail now. Life's been good but I must admit, looking back now, at that point onwards, life hasn't been spectacular, or seemingly as fulfilling as it has been before. I know, however, that it is not due to the change in beliefs, rather it is a sort of wishful complacency that the grass is greener on the other side.
Well, honestly, in most aspects, the grass really is greener on this side. But life is no better. I remembered spending the first half of 2007 dreaming, anticipating a totally different life when I would board that plane myself and venture to a seemingly better place. At first, I admit, I was really caught up in the newness of it all. The apparent warmth and hospitality from strangers, the excitement of quintensential american college life, all the different cultures. I made it a point to be adventurous. And I did a pretty good job during the last semester in Fall 2007, I must say.
And then in the midst of all the activities I put myself in I realized there was a lack of something. Having had a new perspective on things I knew what it was. i lacked the enthusiasm I used to have in facing each new day, the optimism, and admittedly some of the happiness I was known to possess. I lacked compassion for people I used to be proud to have. And mostly that strive for (or at the least, attempt at) excellence.
Two things I just realized happened as a result. One: I've been living in mediocrity for a long time now. Comfortable and complacent. (Being here doesn't make things any easier since studies here are a breeze compared to singapore stuff) Failure has made me avoidant instead of stronger. Small successes gave me a false sense of security and kept me there. Two: I ruined many of the important relationships, friendships etc that I once held dear. And this I realized at the same point that I realized that that's the stuff life is really about. Been out of touch for too long now, drifted apart. For some of these relationships it's already too late, things won't be quite the same anymore. And it doesn't help being here alone. It's true what they say, "it's easy to make friends with and American, but it's difficult to find an American friend". Actually, it applies to almost everyone you meet here. Reality never does live up to your imagination, does it.
Tonight I realized that in many aspects, I've been alone for a long time now. So its time to act.
Time to ask and answer myself honestly what I want with this life, and go for it with all the enthusiasm and energy I used to have. I need to keep learning about the world. Stop missing who I used to be, accept the changed me and move on. Go all out to save important friendships and relationships. Maintain and deepen those precious, valuable ones I have now. Appreciate people more.
That's what I'm gonna do, that's what I have to do.
For those of you who have been keeping up with facebook, you'll know that it's been quite an adventure. Whole new setting, whole new place, starting life from scratch.
Looking back now, so much has happened and changed, so much so that I don't think I'll be able to report it all, not even in 239,485 blogposts. Okay maybe I can. But that's not the point.
Ever since I left Singapore at the end of 2006 til now, I've been living life by the day. There's been a profound change in my beliefs which I won't go into detail now. Life's been good but I must admit, looking back now, at that point onwards, life hasn't been spectacular, or seemingly as fulfilling as it has been before. I know, however, that it is not due to the change in beliefs, rather it is a sort of wishful complacency that the grass is greener on the other side.
Well, honestly, in most aspects, the grass really is greener on this side. But life is no better. I remembered spending the first half of 2007 dreaming, anticipating a totally different life when I would board that plane myself and venture to a seemingly better place. At first, I admit, I was really caught up in the newness of it all. The apparent warmth and hospitality from strangers, the excitement of quintensential american college life, all the different cultures. I made it a point to be adventurous. And I did a pretty good job during the last semester in Fall 2007, I must say.
And then in the midst of all the activities I put myself in I realized there was a lack of something. Having had a new perspective on things I knew what it was. i lacked the enthusiasm I used to have in facing each new day, the optimism, and admittedly some of the happiness I was known to possess. I lacked compassion for people I used to be proud to have. And mostly that strive for (or at the least, attempt at) excellence.
Two things I just realized happened as a result. One: I've been living in mediocrity for a long time now. Comfortable and complacent. (Being here doesn't make things any easier since studies here are a breeze compared to singapore stuff) Failure has made me avoidant instead of stronger. Small successes gave me a false sense of security and kept me there. Two: I ruined many of the important relationships, friendships etc that I once held dear. And this I realized at the same point that I realized that that's the stuff life is really about. Been out of touch for too long now, drifted apart. For some of these relationships it's already too late, things won't be quite the same anymore. And it doesn't help being here alone. It's true what they say, "it's easy to make friends with and American, but it's difficult to find an American friend". Actually, it applies to almost everyone you meet here. Reality never does live up to your imagination, does it.
Tonight I realized that in many aspects, I've been alone for a long time now. So its time to act.
Time to ask and answer myself honestly what I want with this life, and go for it with all the enthusiasm and energy I used to have. I need to keep learning about the world. Stop missing who I used to be, accept the changed me and move on. Go all out to save important friendships and relationships. Maintain and deepen those precious, valuable ones I have now. Appreciate people more.
That's what I'm gonna do, that's what I have to do.
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