UPCOMING EVENTS

Piano - Tue 7.30pm to 9.30pm; Viola - Tues 9pm; Violin - Fri 8.15pm
PSO - Fri 8pm; PPO - Sun 5pm

03 Feb : An Evening of Arias
25 Feb : Cinematic Great & Jazz Works

May 2012 : LTCL

Contemporary Dancing

9pm - what a time to start off my first contemporary dance class at The CAT Studio. Cost : RM25 per hour lesson. Then again, i love contemporary dance after watching the show 'So you think you can dance'. The years of classical ballet are behind me now ... for the time being, ha ha.

I like the manner dance courses were described in their website :

Walk… Move around.. Shake.. Your bodies urges some attention more than just bending over, we’re imbued with rhythm in our minds, and to Dance we should!

So, shall we dance?

Awesome Locks

Did you see my hair this morning? :) Awesome locks after a night of 'headband-ing'. So mum, could i have my hair looking like this more permanently? :))

An Evening of Arias

Date of Concert : 03 Feb 2012 (Friday)
Time : 8.15 pm at DSP

Extract from nst.com.my
Kay Pahk will be backed by a 60-member strong Penang Philharmonic under maestro Woon Wen Kin. One of the highlights of the performance will be Kay Pahk singing the classic One Fine Day from Madam Butterfly composed by G. Puccini from the tragic tale of waiting for a loved one who never came back.

Personal observation at tonight's rehearsal : the singing was note perfect.

Read more :
http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/penang-philharmonic-debuts-with-arias-1.40573

Pool Time at King's Academy

Yahoo! At last, we were given access to the swimming pool. Though it wasn't a big pool, yet the thought of dipping into our very own academy's swimming pool after our classes today has everyone so excited.

The teachers arrange some water games and it was certainly good fun and therapy for all of us. Looking forward to the next time in the water!

FD-700 Groovy Guitar

Top : Solid Sitka Spruce
Side/Back : Mahogany
Neck : NATO
Fingerboard/Bridge : Rosewood
String : D'addario
Scale Length : 650 mm

Source : http://www.musicworld.com.my. New price at RM560 but store owner discounted to RM468 with Dixon guitar stand at RM69 less 5% discount.


Freddie Chin with the FD-700
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7bFYAXQ-VU

Flute - Yamaha YFL 211

Useful comment by Victoria :
Good makes are Yamaha, Pearl, Altus, Muramatsu, Miyazawa, gemeinhardt (not my favourite but popular in the US if that is where you are), Brannen Brothers, Nagahara, Powel, Sonare, Haynes and Trevor James.

Yamaha YFL 211 retail price at RM2500 and it comes with the Split E Mechanism. Special price for 2 flutes plus a music stand for my good friend. And he got hold of his new flute today, yahoo

My own YFL 211 will be shipped from KL within the week :)

UPDATE : Just collected the long silver instrument yesterday night! (02 Feb 2012)

Town Steamboat & Barbeque

Buffet style steamboat and barbeque located at Macalister Road

Gig at EQ

Received phone call from SC on 03Jan regarding a gig at EQ on 17Jan. We had 2 practices on the night of Sat & Mon prior the gig and included in the quartet was LWK (2nd violin) & LWY (viola). The playing time was abt 15-20 mins and the paying was good at RM200, which worked out to be RM10 per minute (about 17 cts per sec)

Giving a Face to a City

Penang Monthly January 2012 Issue 1.12,
Penang Philharmonic 'Giving a Face to the City'








Interviews were also conducted with 5 members of the orchestra and i was picked as one of them. Nervous but excited, being the first time i was interviewed.

The online version can be found at :
http://penangmonthly.com/penang-philharmonic-giving-a-face-to-the-city/

and Electricity is Connected

and in jubilation, i sms-ed dad 'We have electricity in school already'. Praise God !

Apples and Durians

Apples and durians are fruits which are completely different from each other in shape, smell, fruit texture and size. Durians are fruits which have a pungent odor and thorny husks. On the other hand, apples are small fruits that have no distinct smell with a smooth surface. Now, these fruits can be used as examples of the two distinct types of lives that one can possibly live.

The thorns of a durian can be compared to a life of dedication and challenges to improve oneself. This life of zeal is a rare type of life because many do not want to risk their comfortable lives for self-improvement. At the end of such a life is complete satisfaction, which is compared to the flesh of the durian. A botanist once described the durian's flesh as, "...a creamy custard, flavored with almonds." Such life is appreciated more because one can look back and see that he has crossed many hurdles and lived an exceedingly fruitful life.

However, the life compared to that of an apple is a life that is smooth sailing, luxurious, and easy-going. It is the life that everyone desires for. One is happy with what he currently has, but will he be happy for long? No, because he doesn't value what he has and he will keep wanting more. He would want more money, more land, and more of everything; however, there is no limit to more. There is no definition of the word "rich". Sadly, it is a life that is nice to look from the outside, but a rat race on the inside.

So is your life like that of a durian or that of an apple?

Semester 2

Is it already time for Sem 2 - how the holidays just whisked by so quickly. But for today, only 2 hours of lectures and then, mum will send me home, yahoo. Mum will also be having her first 2 classes today. It shall be a short semester - 8 weeks. Exams will be held in week 10.

King's Academy started their classes at the new premises too. There was the singing of Negaraku and the pledge : reminded me so much of the time in school. We were transported over to EPCC for the rest of the day and hope that the electricity can be connected today.

Fee : special rebate at Inti and increased fee at King's.

BRGH Annual Dinner

Most of us arrived before 6pm with uncle BSY leading the singing and games. After a short message of encouragement by uncle KS, food was served. Everyone enjoyed the dinner and the fellowship around the tables with lots of canned fruits being given out as prizes.

King's Academy

There was an open house at King's Academy on Sat, 07 Jan but we could not make it because of M&J's wedding at BRGH. We found out that there were a lot of people at the open house and food was served (and they had a generator to power up the place).

Alternative arrangement for another group of parents/students were made for Sun 08 Jan. We arrived at about 2pm - King's Academy was prominently displayed on the wall of the building. On entering, we could see that the whole place was beautifully renovated and done up. Originally, the building was specially built for educational purpose by the owners with lots of space - all 3 floors complete with kindy, classrooms, music room, computer room, cafetaria, swimming pool and soon to be set up, a science lab. We were all anxious about the new place, new teachers, new friends and we hope to enjoy our time here.

Mark & Joyce's Wedding

Arriving at 9am gave us a bit more time to get organised - piano, cello, microphone, CD and seating. Wayne came a little late, so was unable to practice but he sang well when the bride walked in. Almost everyone thought it was the CD being played. The 2 musical item went well too - a tad too fast for Arioso and Great is Thy Faithfulness could be played a little differently for the first part. Uncle BS shared some thoughts from Ephesians. And before we knew, it was all over - there was plenty of food, pictures of the bride and groom and almost with everyone else were taken and then, getting ready for the luncheon at maple palace.

Heard that M&J spend some time with friends at Pg Hill for dinner and then rushed off to the airport, headed for NZ.

Wedding Rehearsal at BRGH

Mark & Joyce's wedding rehearsal at BRGH. We arrived just before 7pm and there was already a huge crowd of people there to practice the wedding party and bridal walk in. All the excitement !

Staff Discount & KPP course

Message this afternoon : Approved staff discount for yearly contract staff. Plus extra RM500 reduction for Sem 1. Thank you ! Registering for Sem 2 tmrw.

And what a day : Was tired after spending almost the entire day for the KPP course. The course was ok ... the instructor was quite animated, so it was difficult to fall asleep. Hope i can pass the colour blind test, he he.

Viola Today

Yes, today was my first viola class with t MY - so how long ago was that since i first started my violin class with AF? 29Aug 2009 - It has been an incredible 2 years 4 mths. And it was also during these 2 years or so, i completed a number of exams as well - ABRSM G8 & ATCL, Theory G6, Ballet G7 & G8 and Yamaha G5. Quite a feat eh!

Viola class started at 9pm with a Grade 3 assessment, thus the fee of RM150 plus RM20 for photostats. We had subway for dinner/supper - Italian BMT and Subway Melt. Yum, yum

The First Day at INTI

After 30 days in the government schools, here she goes - ready, anxious and to a lesser extend fearful of the prospects of a new job. It is going to exciting and it will probably take some time before she settles in with the teaching. First meeting of the day was with the admin guy, followed by the academic staff. So much to take in and to take home !

Meeting at Penang Club

Dad & I were invited to meet up with DS at Penang Club to help update PPO's website and FB with recommendations from Ms P of CG. It was a benficial discussion dwelling on the propects of increasing web readership and ticket sales plus matters relating to overcoming certain problems facing the orchestra members. Lunch was served before we made our exit.

WHITE cello case

Purchased a carbon fibre white cello case at RM2500 after a discount of about 10%. We were shown a fibre glass case which was sold at about Euro800 and together with insurance and freight, it cost almost RM6000 (heavier and not as good as the carbon fibre unit)

End of Year meeting

It was that time of the year again when we had our End of Year meeting. Chaired by CT, the youths presented a song item and Dr O wrapped the evening with a challenging message to each one of us. Toast, eggs and coffee were served before the the youths gather together for games and a time of prayer, singing and with an encouraging word from KW, we ended the year and enter into Year 2012. A simple but such a meaningful way into Year 2012.

Tchaikovsky 1812 Overture

The last week of 2011 was crazy because the practices were intensive - everyday. Beginning Tuesday, it was 2 practices per day : either morning or afternoon plus night of Tchaikovsky. And so tonight is the night ... the grand concert.

Russian Night featured the orchestral works of Peter Illyich Tchaikovsky
Capriccio Italien Overture
Violin Concerto in D major
Marche Slave Overture
1812 overture

An amazing performance by members of the orchestra and the young violin soloist for the concerto. And we did good, CLC brought up with him a group of musicians from KL and together with some students of YST, the music couldn't be better.

Madam K will be leaving PPO end of this week/year (and that's tmrw) and we wished her all the best. Bought a nice choc cake for her.

Dinner at Bayview

Afternoon practice for PPO ended at about 5pm. Dad decided on having dinner at Kopitiam, Bayview Penang : 2 chicken chops, 1 pepper chick & and 1 steak. The evening practice recommenced at 7pm

Bought a cake from EQ for Mdm K who will be leaving for a new job starting early next year. All the best.

KPP course

Registered for a KPP course which will be held next Wed 04 Jan (5 hrs) at a cost of RM150. An online test will follow soon after and then the driving lessons shall commence in March 2012. Time to get ready for the pick up to Bkt Minyak is at 7.30am

Semester 1 results

Dad collected the Sem 1 results for me. Yahoo -- i made the Dean List and along with it, it's an A for BM. Next week will be registration week for Sem 2 - will it be for 16 credit hrs or another 12 credit hrs since Sem 2 is going to be a short semester.

Alvin And The Chipmunks 3

Was a very last minute thingy - Went with some friends for the show, Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 at Queensbay. Have not seen the earlier Chipmunk on screen, good animations though. We had a fun time together since we last met in Taiping ... mmm, how long ago was that?

Christmas at CCC

After the LS, we headed for CCC for our christmas song service. The hall was packed, thanks to a large group of friends from the Batu Ferringhi area. DL took us through the program of singing, 2 songs items (Mixed Group, Youth and SS Children) together with sharing by 5 pax. After the end of the meeting, a baptism for 2 believers was held in the sea - Aaron & aunty LH's friend. A sumptuous lunch soon followed and everyone ate to their hearts' contents. Ice cream anyone?

Carolling

This year, we went to a few places - including aunty M as well as at the Penang Home. It was a wonderful of time of sharing God's special gift to us. We congregated at uncle J & aunty LH's home for dinner and we were spoilt for choice of food. After our fill, we proceeded to Batu Ferringhi for a couple of homes before ending at CCC for the night. It was certainly an enjoyable evening with our friends, felt almost like a bible camp reunion. Next morning - LS at GLGC