2 more weeks to go..

back from 7 days field camp. i must say this is really an outdoor adventure. sleeping in the wild with wild boars within close proximity and you have to be on alert for them. first few days was wet and muddy, with water flowing through the tent. haha... for that moment, you feel like you are in a swimming pool. except that its brown mud. haha!

hidding away from the rain with your buddy for a few hours is fun. 2 men, cramp in a small tent, and all we can do is to talk, share and learn about each life experience. what better way to know your buddy.

treakking up and down hill with section mates was fun, navigating from point to point. easy job. but its a total different story at night. well, you will learn to treasure any light source that is available at night coz you practically can't see anything at all.

while moving off to a different campsite, route march over tekong reservoir, i must say, its the most beautiful sight i have ever seen in Singapore (well.. not really in Singapore!). another beautiful sight was during the last night of field camp, looking up at the sky filled with stars. where can u get such a beauitful sight in mainland?

well well.... 2 more weeks to go.. 12 km, 16km, 24 km route march then then... POP! pass out! Weeeeeee.....

Auf Wiedersehen!

Convince, Confuse and Con

7 Weeks on... and i really learn and realize a lot on human behaviour. What does it takes to be a good commander? my opinion is a good commander is the first man to rise and the last man to fall. Ever heard this phrase "the captain goes down with the ship"? the higher your status in society, the lesser personal time you will have. because most of the time you spend is on someone you lead.

A Commander must be someone that is able to give clear instructions and stand firm on orders. He must be able to make sure everyone execute things at the right place and right time. But how you draw the line between informing and annoying people? Sad to say, i have come across officers to be who whines at just being a In-Charge. How would the officer be able to lead in the future?

Anyway, took my Grade 8 Theory Exam today. I think there is a slim chance of passing the paper because in the first place, i don't know what i am writing. haha.. Oh well... Pray for the Best! I will just go ahead with my diploma no matter what the results is because its not a pre-requsite.

Learnt this over the week. "If I can't convince you, I will confuse you. If I can't convince and confuse you, I will con you!" Pretty cool eh... The 3 C's.

Till then...

Auf Wiedersehen!

Half way thru

Yes! mid way thru BMT. next 6 weeks will be an uphill battle. field camp coming soon.... everything is going well so far, that includes my leg. Well, jus need to do lots of stretching exercise. and physio therapy sort of helps.. 4 rounds of rehab gym before a final review then discharged!

YES YES! Broke the Zero fighter! (a.k.a can't do chin ups). I am up to 2 now reps.. 4 more reps to go before can pass.. MIND OVER MATTERS! but then, my biceps will be getting bigger. Eeeewwww.. lolz..

if u notice, tag board has change a new provider. the old one is giving problems. and the last thing i want is to have problems around my blog. hehehe.. basically, i am just too lazy n tired to solve any problems.

So many thoughts running through my mind. haiz.. I must get it sorted out before it sorts me out! U think, i thought, who confirm? Baahh..

Want to share this with u guys---> Click here Admire the beautiful works overseas bridal shoot of this Singaporean photographer. Droool...

Till then..

Auf Wiedersehen!

5 Weeks flew by... Mind over matters

ok ok.. my birthday was last week rite? haha! celebrated my birthday in camp la. Birthday song n paper card from the commanders. old le... grr... officially an adult. great responsiblities and challenges ahead.

so by now, i have started on my BMT phase of training. lots of technical stuffs to learn and remember.

for the 2nd time round, was on medical status the past 3 days. so have to sit out of training because of leg injury. Eh.. this time round was asked to go see the medical officer by my platoon commander. me being stubborn la.. didn't recover the first time round yet continue my training. so was limping round and always the slowest guy around. oh anyway, had to go for physio therapy. i think it was good. learn how to stretch myself properly. i must learn how to walk properly! recovering recovering... but the tekong cough still there la. damn irritating, coz a lot of people got it. so during lecture, people will keep on coughing when there is lesson! grr..

events occurred the past week has made me realise what it takes to be a good leader. besides having good orgainzational n management skills. another important skill needed is interpersonal skill. perfectionist. is it important in life? just can't tolerate a leader that pick on tiny little mistakes anything, anywhere and anytime.

have lots of questions in my mind left unanswered..

oh oh...! i passed my piano practical!! news kinda old la. hehe..! planning to take my diploma next. perhaps diploma in instrumental teaching.

Mind over Matters! Till then..

Auf Wiedersehen!

3 weeks flew by

Hey Guys! I have gone missing for 3 weeks. Well, was suppose to update last weekend, but to shag out to do anything. Confinement weeks is over. Training.. tough but fun. But have been missing out training for the past few days due to knee n lower back injury.

So this is my 2nd book out from camp, and its a LONG weekend! wee..! haha.. got to nurse my injury. Endure 7 days of pain before i decide to see the medical officer. Ya, this post is written on a THURSDAY! haha.

think i am gonna freak my parents out later. haha!

Shall not say much here. Till then.. LEOPARD COY!

Auf Wiedersehen!

here we go..! next chapter

well... less than 24 hours of civilian life. hehe. enlisting tomorrow morning 8a.m. been busy shopping for all my army stuffs or rather my survivial kit in army. hope my bunkmates are friendly forces. pray. platoon sergents are nice. pray hard. BMT slack all the way. pray super hard. everything wonderful. pray super duper hard n sincerely. hehe. see you guys in 2 weeks time.

anyway, just want to a big thanks to friends that came to my super advance b-day party. cake smashing was really "fun". haha! i smell of cream and cake all the way home. and also thanks to my family n relatives also la. but friends really make my day. it didn't start off well... but ended wonderful!

as for the charity project. got to put on hold. shit. lots of things not done. argh! oh never mind. whole week in army mood/mode liao. buying n packing n enjoying the remaining freedom. haha!

all the horn ppl! check out the Engelbert Schmid link k! love the horn n the mouthpiece there. well at least watch the video on their horn production. cool! jus a word of caution, the video is in deutsch. envy Phil Meyers (Principal horn for New York Philharmonic orchestral) for owning 3 of this horn. Grr.. in fact the whole section uses this horn lo. haha. wonderful tonal production from the horn.

i think its a challenge for me from now on. juggle army, charity work, band, music theory exam, family! where the latter 5 are done on weekends? let's see how things go. Just pray to God for strength n energy to pull through. if i could survive BMT, i think the remainding army life should be pretty much okay for me?

okay, jus in case anything. just tag. if urgent or important, jus call or sms me lo. i am still connected to this world n not isolated on a tiny island.

as promised. unprocessed fireworks from NDP. sorry took quite a long time to get it. still got quite a few more. but for now. 2 shots k?

that's all for now! k k... see ya later!

Auf Wiedersehen!

are you that charitable?

Quote "its not my style to contribute to charity this way, I will usually contribute money instead"

will money really settle the problems of the needy? yes, no doubt it will be used to buy equipment and necessities for them. but will you prefer to stretch out a helping hand to them get past the day, week, month, year better?

Some may think charity work is shit work with no returns, but in actual fact, the satisfaction of making someone's life better.

Okay, Why I decide to take up Candle of the Soul project? Quite simple reason, I am part of a bunch of people that hurries through the pace of life. Sometimes ignoring the needy that goes along the street begging for that few cents in our pockets to get by the day. But how much dollar and cents can we give to ensure that all have a full stomach at the end of the day and a warm, cozy night ahead.

Been to Korea twice, korea is a country known for its harsh winter. At the peak of it is -20 degC (or worst). I was there at the begining of winter, about 5 degC, was crossing an overhead bridge, saw this old granny sitting in the middle, what is she doing? begging of course. I can't help to think, how much can 10,000 won (about USD 10) help her in this cold weather. The experience strikes me hard till this day...

Won't it be nice if we could just slow down our pace to do something to improve their lifes? So i pray for an opportunity, and it was answered! So i am heading the Campfire project hopefully will bring joy and warmth to these disabled kids! =) the other is a CD project, expected to launch in December.

Candle of the Soul CD - Soft launch begining of December
Campfire @ Sentosa - 31 March 2007

Well.. if you do read this post, and do want to help out. Tag or call me! I am constantly open to volunteers!

End of the day.. are you that charitable? and in what ways?

Auf Wiedersehn!

pre-enlistment update

well, just thought of sharing what's going on so far.

NS enlistment is round the corner, in about 3 weeks time. so ya, there goes all my freedom. anyway, been looking forward to it. just the thought of my freedom..... all the time that i bump around. Grr... hehe! so.. its 3 months in Tekong. Weekend book outs, road march, field camp, physical training. Wow...

Heading 2 charity projects under the name Candle of the Soul. 1 is CD album, songs by physically n mentally challange ppl the other is a Campfire. Things have been going... even though the ride so far is bumpy.. it will smoothen out by itself eventually. i hope. hehe! if there are volunteers out there interested to help out, especially the Campfire. pls let me know. I need all the hands in the world i can get! Will be a fun, exciting event.. nxt yr.. haha!

will be dropping into Surabaya, Indonesia to visit the disable kids end of the year. hmm... having a photo exhibition in mind. will it materialize?

So with the recent NBC n alumni performance @ CVSS concert, i guess that's about it for me being active in band tis year. wonder if i could join SWO for end-yr concert? hmm... Well, got to work the timings out again. life will be a total change with NS coming into play.

yesterday's SWO prac was a blast! all the exciting pieces like Samurai by Nigel Clarke, Passion of Christ... Wee..! enjoy, thou was tough! they are proposing Sydney trip nxt year somewhere in june, well... we shall see how it goes. i am skeptical. haha. coz of personal experience. nothing to do with SWO.

Well.. that's all for now!

Auf Wiedersehen!

SFF - Team France

my humble shots.. Zoom out of VCH after my performance.

NDP fireworks another day k? coz not taken with my cam. Till then...

Auf Wiedersehen!

SFF Round 1

Failed attempt at Team Italy @ Singapore Fireworks Fest. But manage to capture this.

All pics taken so far are from Canon Digital Ixus 400 if ya wondering.

Auf Wiedersehen!

fresh from the cam

this is what i get from a restless Saturday morning, a pile of music scores, a conductor's baton and a digital camera. haha.. Fresh from post processing..

till then again...

Auf Wiedersehen!

1 Macro, 3 B&W

bored at home.. again, i was browsing through my hdd, looks like time for me to shoot more images.. haha!

a rose for you? give me some food...? Once again, my favourite in black and white
Product shot of my computer's mouse
Till then..

Auf Wiedersehen!

National Band Competition

Yeah! comp finally over... so the Shuqun/Compassvale/Zhenghua Combined Alumni Band (freaking long name!) got GOLD!!!!!

A Breakdown of 6 Bands participated in the Open Division:
1. Mus' Art Wind Orchestra - Gold
2. Temasek JC - Gold (Top Band)
3. Ngee Ann Polytechnic Concert Band - Silver
4. Shuqun/Compassvale/Zhenghua Combined Alumni Band - Gold
5. Singapore Management University Symphonia - Gold
6. Raffles JC - Gold

3 Bands including us played the same choice piece - Machu Picchu
3 Bands excluding us played the same set piece - Second Suite in F for Bands

Happy and many congrats to the following 2 bands:
From the 2nd Division: Sembawang Symphonic Winds - Gold (Top Band)
From 3rd Divison: Riverside Secondary School Symphonic Winds - Gold

Other details of the comp - http://sgbandfusion.com/nbc2006_results.htm

No pics yet.. Will upload if any becomes available to me. I will post my thoughts and comments next time la, brain very tired now.. haha! Once again, Congrats to all.. Every effort put in is paid off!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Concertstück for four horns

Great recommendation for all horn players!

Concertstück for four horns in F major, Op. 68
12 January 2007
7.30 pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Haha.. I know the concert is next year, but just mark it down on your calendar k? Concertstück (a.k.a "Concert Piece") a piece unusually scored for 4 solo horns with the orchestra. Very unique piece and I highly recommend hornist to go! Of course if there is a horn concerto concert, haha, that definately must go also..

Auf Wiedersehen!

Landscape & Travel

backing up some of my folders. just thought of sharing some images.

A Walk down Memory Lane?

First 5 are from Ayuthaya, Ancient Capital of Thailand. Showing the ruins and country side of Thailand.

Well, the last one is quite familiar to all i believe..

Auf Wiedersehen!

15 years of music making

Wheee..! its over finally. the horns have pulled through Mahler. parts which is written for 7 horns and done with 4 horns.. wonder how we do it. anyway, i think i sound pretty alright jus for minor hiccups during encore. mmm.. the concert is 3 hours long. one of the longest concert i have done. phew! candid moment- shake Kenneth's hand while standing up in full view of the audience just before Mahler. haha! Overall the concert was quite good!

Guys that made it happen
(Left to right) Tze Jun, Kenneth, Me, Alvin
Singapore River la..Another perspective

that's all la.. till then!

Auf Wiedersehen!

a little update

Guten Tag! Wie hist du? World cup is here! oh whatever.. haha..! nothing to much to write also...

okies, my violin is finally fixed. so happy! can start screaching away at home and irritate everyone. hahaha!! kidding, i will properly learn and master the instrument and upgrade the size till i hit the string bass. haha!!

yah, currently mahler fever.. Symphony No.1 every weekend. concert is this coming Saturday. biggest work i ever undertaken. my lips are practically red every weekend. and i love the horn parts.. Woooo...! well, still no match to the German orchestras like Berlin, Wiener or the Austrians like the Vienna phil .. for what i know, LSO (London Symphony Orchestra) horns are... *speechless*

oh yah, was on my way home from work crossing the junction at my house mrt there. Guess what.. all traffic came to a standstill to allow the motorcade of the Japanese Emperor n Empress drive by.. Awesome sight!!!! haha! don't get to see such things everyday.

anyway, that's all la, will update post SWO concert. till then..

Auf Wiedersehen!

don't slam the phone

i realise i have no tolerance for people who slam the phone on me. still a little pissed.

what happened? okay i received a phone call which i assume its from a MLM company la, claiming i won some fantastic prize from a lucky draw which i participated in. Which is totally not true la, coz i never participated it. Funny thing is, they claim the lucky draw that i have participated is within the past one year. But i response, saying i never participate it within the past one year, and quickly they change their claim that it (the draw) happen more than a year ago. Again i told them is not possible, coz i am a student. and immediately they hang/slam the phone on me.

okay, i am totally fine with answering such nonsense calls, and i handle such calls by rejecting them nicely lo. but i think it went too much as to suddenly hang up my phone. i think its basic courtesy that they end the call nicely even though they don't get a lead for their sales or whatever stuff they are involve it.

do note that the person answering the phone is also paying for airtime, and they don't wish to receive such treatment from an unwanted phone call.

so what am i trying to say, slamming the phone on people will jus add fuel to fire or start a fire.

my 2 cent's worth.

Auf Wiedersehen!

ticket updates

seriously, other than tracking the sales status of a concert. i don't really understand the need for frequent (every 2-3 days) of ticket updates. seriously, if a ticket is sold, it is sold and it will added into the sales figure right?

i think ticket updates has become a platform to irritate people for no particular reasons. seriously (for the 3rd time) ticket holders itself are very concerned about the sales status of their tickets too.. and trying very hard to push the sales. stressing day in day out so what's the point of reminding them to sell, asking them to improve the sales.

for me, i am neither a good salesman nor good in selling. and i truly believe in selling when people are willing to buy. what's the point of spitting out liters of saliva, persuading them to attend the concert and end of the day they getting nothing out of it?

my point is, why do update every 2-3 days? isn't weekly updates going to get the same figure? i don't think its ______ (what's the word?) to answer phone calls at a high frequency, and the caller to make the phone call out of his/her own expense.

i know i will get into serious trouble if this post has been read by certain group of people, but its my blog, and i am just giving my 2 cents worth. if you have read this and disagree and getting furious over what i have written, my thousand apologies. and don't worry, still pushing to improve the sales.

once again,
Ladies and Gentlemen presenting SWO concert:

17 June 2006

Victoria Concert Hall

6.00 pm

Performing:

G. Mahler - Symphony No. 1 "Titans"

Concerto fo Bass Clarinet and Band

Concerto for Trumpet

Pantomine - featuring Euphonium

Highlights from Chess

Les Miserables

Tickets @ $12.00

*Pls Kindly contact me for tickets!

Thank you for you support!

this post is written without the intention to harm anyone, anything, anywhere, anytime.

Auf Wiedersehen!

*i can be contacted by email, msn, hp or tag board

Enlistment

Title speaks for itself!

8 Sep 2006
BMTC School 2
8.00 a.m

5 more months to bump around. Next 6 yrs already planned out. Woosh!

Auf Wiedersehen!