white lies

sometimes you might know people for a long long time and still never get impressed by them...but sometimes there are a few who would have etched inside one's memory even if they knew each other for just a few days before everything puts them far apart yet again


If this was true,friendship would have been a white lie that held little ground.yet the enduring beauty of being friends is that we'll never forget each other's presence,even when our memories fail us and we end up like strangers yet again


In case we've forgotten each other,I just hope that you'll ever still remember my name or how I ever looked,and say just a word to me


To Geri


do me a favour this last time


put your right hand on your left shoulder and your left hand on your right shoulder...


guess what?


I just gave you a hug! (':


(and hereby return you the favour I gave you 20 months back)


adieu

Josef

more news to what's up at concert season.unfortunately this time round there's another back-to-back fixture coming up

29/4:AJ Dance.Sabrina would have been appreciative...as is Andie
11/5:AJ Choir.as promised I'll go.$15
12/5:AJ CO.this is the super tough one.understandably public holiday or not we don't recommend you to splurge.$10
16/5:VJ Choir.I'm brazen enough for $42.any takers?

man...and with 20/5 being put aside as NJ's funfair,I'll be broke by then...aaahhhhh any work for me?

Copyright: www.youth.sg


A conversation with the Minister for Community Development,Youth and Sports during the reception after Youth Avenue's opening on 24/03/2006.The only AJCian there.too bad there's family day on 22/04/06 so couldn't make it to Youth Avenue.But that was a rare shot with a minister.Youths,get the cue...be more proactive in politics.and what else to start with than be concerned with matters pertaining youths

Youth Avenue and the minister

Youths in Singapore are damn fortunate,and I don't mean only having material needs fulfilled to a large extent.They also have a government who's willing to listen to them.actually Youth Avenue is something that would be an example for further bridging of gap between JC,Poly and ITE ppl


background check 1:JC:there are 2 worlds.top 5,AC,AJ and SA have a world unto themselves.er actually it's the latter 3 circling as comets.the rest are in another orbit
Poly:5 'continents' in a single 'world'
ITE:another world.this time round it's distant to the JC orbit


background check 2:Youth Avenue are concieved by some RJC Pre-U-Sem participants(fyi,PUS is some super prestigious thingy that normal mortals in JC don't get a grand chance,not even if your dad is some minister.entry's by nomination only).Poly and ITE do have their own forum.but having these 3 coming together for some groundbreaking thingy is something unpredecented in our stratified society


well...if you want to do such a thing,do it well.hands on,minds on,hearts on.even if you crash the opening ceremony at RJC(this is becuz dear old AJC didn't send anyone.they all had Delta shite).In fact I used to be as narrow-minded as most JC students,but the presentation of the ITE councillor just made me rethink how important is the cohesion.the segregation is such that some JC students think that poly and ITE students are inferior.but that's based on how you define success.luckily someone had the initative to start the ball rolling(although it should be done long ago),it's better late than never.in fact that's another segment of our war against terrorism.because unhappy youths are actually responsible for all the hardship in the world,be it thru ethnic cleansing(Rwanda and Slobo),riots(Paris) or bombs(London and Madrid).the first thing to help youths is to polish and ensure coherence between different type of talents.


looks like the ability to be able to interact well with different groups are key to being an MP.even if you're an IP student or a straight A king from Raffles.but let's not forget the bottom strata who would be the most frustrated and forgotten.as always the government would do well to assist in student initiated projects promoting cohesion,as is expected of youths(i mean the latter)


actually the q&a session's quite a nice one to watch,especially with a minister.particularly about gaps to bridge with SAP students,madrasahs and all the mission schools...offers an insight other than JC,Poly,ITE...and more importantly,between students of differing streams(i.e:start early).that's because in most schools(those with normal stream) express stream students tacitly tolerate normal stream people(from a few ITE people they said they were disadvantaged when they wanna stand for council) and SAP schools,and the brand names all are in another world...and hardly interacts with neighbourhood school students,let alone show any empathy


finally,to end this off...i didn't expect to see germ 2 and geri.in fact geri was the one i remembered more from rmun...good to see them and holla


at the end RJC and ITE students got to talk to Vivian Balakrishnan,Minister for Community,Youth and Sports during the reception,and I got into the act too.even got to take a photo with him.I shall post it in here later,to let all shellshocked AJCians see.My sis allegedly calls him the most handsome Cabinet Minister right now.and who would wanna pass up a rare chance of getting a signature of a Cabinet Minister


to all JC students:mugging is no excuse for not taking time out to show concern to people of different education background

Muse by ACJC and AJC 0 Innova 0(IJC 6-5 pens)

how not to start your new concert season


1)forget about your ticket,or your date for that matter.passed this test
2)be late.or nearly late.forced to take a taxi
3)giggle.you can piss a few atas idiots off


morning:sianz
afternoon:wad the hell is the CCA carnival for when you have all the J1s looking bemused and still dunno wad to decide
evening:football.our AJ heroes fell on penalties,haiz =(
night:AC Band concert.back at it again,for this concert season


somehow they have a penchant for grande complications this time round.that means stuff with more than 2 movements(you weren't supposed to clap when they pause),highly sophisticated arrangements that demand absolute concentration(and a bit of humour as well just to prevent one from going insane from all the intensity) and they are much more assured given that they are going to Sydney for their big night in June .This is my art magazine editor take on Muse 2006, traditionally the first event of the Concert Season and one of the most prestigious ones


Chinese Spring Overture by Lee Huan Chi-brings me back memories of the long past chinese new year.kinda the sort which you'd play during CNY concerts in school


Second Suite for Band by Alfred Reed-this one was surprisingly confusing,not because of the complicated arrangement,but the part where there were 4 separate pieces that might actually seem unrelated.but that's your contrasting subject if you so wish to say,because it alternates between the delicate and the heavy handed,and this actually served as the bridge for all the even more weighty stuff ahead,as would be outlined later


Fantasy Variations by (NOT James Barnes)-okok,Matt the MC kinda told me the supposedly correct composer(an Italian violinist) but apart from that it's a very light-heavy weight because of it's light airy feeling when you listen to such feel good tunes.beautifully balanced and ends with a flourish


Turandot by Giacomo Puccini-I missed the opera some years back,but it kinda paid back by this dramatic opera piece.tells the fairy tale story of the princess who beheads suitors unworthy of her riddles before some brave soul shows up and clinches it.I particularly like the harp(what a rare appearance =)) and the dramatic celebratory finale.this is what music is for in the first place


Make A Joyful Noise by James Swearingen as interpreted by ACSBR SB-okok that's just about the only piece this band was going to play before the break.we kinda need a breather after the beautiful Turandot,and we got it with something vibrant.not so much a concert piece,but at least it was also allows one to break out into a smile in the atas atmo of esplanade


(the following in blue is what the ACSI SB played)


National Emblem by E.E. Baglui-your typical millitary band march,as interpreted by a concert band


Lawrence of Arabia by Maurice Jarre-I love the rousing start with the heavy percussion that reminds one of a desert atmosphere.other than that,if there were anything a tad disappointing,this is it.it didn't take long to realise that they didn't factor T.E Lawrence's extraordinary life in the desert during WWI until towards the end.if I should say anything,that would have done with more gusto


English Folk Song Suite/Sea Songs by Vaughan Williams-the navy has a richer song tradition than the Army.where the land troops can play mostly marches but nothing much in the olden times,it's the sailors that actually entertain more with all their rousing(and sometimes rowdy) songs.and they are more imaginative.hence the part where they have the 1st 2 movements 2 folk songs in their own right,and 3 of them squeezed into the third.oh too bad the Royal Navy don't really play that anymore,but with such good renditions by the AC Band,they still live on on the land


Emperata Overture by Claude Smith-before their seniors return,the ACSI Band decide to give this parting gift.actually it seemed like a corruption of imperator,so it was quite surprising that it was another majestic piece in its own right


First Suite in EB for Millitary Band(s) by Gustav Holst-no holds barred.actually that sounded as if it was more for a concert piece than for any SYF millitary band central judging thingy.but who cares given that it was quite a well orchestrated piece that delicately fuses into a pretty symphony


1812 Overture by Pete Tchaikovsky-this is the showpiece of the night.the solemn start is a bit understated,but towards the middle,things start to perk up,not least a rendition of L'Marseillaise(the French anthem).to end the night on a high,the cannons by the big bass drums give way to a grand cacophony of song,joy and church bells.the bells finale is a the best way to end the night off with a great bang!


updates on the konzerthaus kalender


RJ Band:heard it's tomorrow(and today).I might have to give it a miss
VJ Band:I might miss that too
RJ CO:Sunday 7/5.lovely Sunday evening out,apart from that it'd be an eyeopener having not seen them play previously
VJ Choir:I'll need Rachie's confirmation before buying.but from their trend,they traditionally have Choir Tuesday in May(2nd week)..haha interesting but the only problem is the $42 ticket yet again.looks like I'd be teased again by PooH ;)
AJ Choir:11/5.a public holiday eve to be exact.I shall oblige by promoting that around
AJ Band:they're flying solo this time on 30/5.let's crash the party folks
AC Choir:confirm muz go one.but the Monday date may prove to ba an obstacle yet again
HC Band/Choir:EH JOCE!!!where's the updates?
TJ Band:Shortie will take care of that.hope she didn't forget me yet
NJ Band/Choir/malarkey:okok I'm not quite impressed by their performing arts.maybe I shall plant money for their 20/5 funfair instead
SA Dance/whatever:I need a bit of help here

Lian Po.Pride of CCHSM and A Level Blues

A level results are out.like what Mr Yue used to say,Today I'm proud of CCHSM,tomorrow CCHSM is proud of me.I wasn't joking,but he sure had the last laugh,where my senior in VJ is concerned.9 A1s 2 years ago,9 As right now and we weren't joking

HOW TO GET A 'PERFECT SCORE'--THE 4-3-2-1 FORMULA(Do not try in anywhere other than RJC,VJC,ACJC and HCI)

4 A Level subjects distinctions-I mean,quite well done.7X/100 just doesn't cut it.and you will need consistency.you don't fail more than once,and striking As for most of your tests and most importantly your prelims is kinda obligatory for such wannabes

3 S Papers-apparently you need to get permission from MOE.Most people does 2,but 3 is never allowed unless some form of endorsement is given by the Principal,and it's a next to nothing chance that your principal is willing to risk you become a guinea pig

2 AO A1s-I mean GP and MT-AO.MT is easy to do,but GP is a tough balancing act to follow.and I'm not kidding!Many do stumble at GP and in AJC this has been a bane.no wait...on second thought i shoulda extend it to the rest of the JCs

1 highly focused,exemplary individual who can juggle skilfully in and out of their notes and tutorials,and also be a boon to society and to school.bringing glory to school notwithstanding,punching more than your weight is a must

Disclaimer:we'll not be responsible for any insanity or mental cockouts if anywhere dares to try this sort of stunt even though such an advice applys to all the JC cohort right out there.you might take a leaf out of theirs and try your darndest best to emulate them

Ms Leong is happy with everything but GP and Geog.Geog because that's her pet subject,and GP because it's the main fodder to university.Really,I find that more and more of most youths are struggling with their GP.I'd have guaranteed you that many a time a 6 in GP have marred otherwise perfect sceneries.at least being from a good school is better as you are marginally better prep for GP.most neighbourhood schools prefer their charges to go poly,so they are stretched thin

Whatever those J1s are getting their postings soon.I hope my sis goes to TJC LEP and regain some pride.maybe she wants to go MJC,but I think she should have been better than me.

Sat:I kinda love town restaurant at the fullerton.kinda odd that there's no beef.but seafood are an abundance,and I love their oysters...too bad I can't eat their chocolate buffet at the courtyard!hehe I hope to end up in the Line next.