Happy 18th Birthday, Charm! :)

I am making an exception. This is due to certain interesting events that had happened over the last two days, compelling me to write about these certain events.

Today is Char’s 18th birthday. The very same “Distant Cousin” that I wrote about the last time. Unfortunatly, she is not my cousin, in a sense of the word. She is actually my niece. Shocking, is it not? You see, since her late Grandaunt is my aunt’s sister-in-law, I am her aunt. Amazing… It is not because I did not think about this earlier on, but it was because I forgot all about this little piece of thought that was stuck at the back of my mind until a few hours ago, when my father pointed it out to me, after I told him about it. However, I have yet to tell her this piece of “good news”. Hahaha!!! I wonder what will she, my Extremely Distant Niece, will say when I tell her, or even better, when she reads this? Muahahahaha!!! I will send her an SMS. Now.

As I was saying, she bought us, four girls, including herself, and three other guys, lunch yesterday, 23rd February, at Pepper Lunch, Takashimaya. It was quite an interesting affair. Seven teenagers who spread themselves out at a table which was meant for ten. The person who left early, due to Principal Study, was ZQ, followed shortly by Enx and myself, because of me wanting to go to Spotlight to get some acrylic paints, leaving “The Birthday Girl” with the two other guys, WX and LH, and of course, Julia, but she too had to leave soon as she wanted to go to the Esplanade library to do some researching. After some attempts of trying to get their attention, the two of us decided to just walk out. Which we did. That was when they finally realise that we were leaving, so we told them that we were going to buy some things. Haha! Poor Char… Left with those two “clowns”.

Anyway, we took the bus straight down to the other side of Orchard Road. Unfortunatly, we “caught up” with the rain clouds. It was hard picking the colours I wanted, and also the stencils, causing me to spend close to half-hour there. Thankfully, Enx was not complaining about the long wait. Haha! After that, at about 1.30pm, we walked back to school for History tutorial. By then, Char and her two “bodyguards” were already back.

The entire idea of me buying acrylic paints, and stencils, was to make cards. The thing about acrylic paint is that when it is finally dried, it is hard to dissolve in water. Making it perfect for painting on hard paper. And that was what I did when I got home after Hist. tutorial. Fold drawing-block paper into quarters. Cutting out the quarters. Folding the quarters. Sat and stare at the blank paper and stencils , thinking of the design. Finally, took out my brush and started painting. So fun! (No P.S for Julia and me yesterday. Yay! ) When I got home after dinner, went to deliver food to Mummy and had dinner there, I started on wrapping the presents. Ha ha ha! I finally finished with the wrapping at around 9pm before played Tradewinds 2 for a short while before falling asleep at the laptop. I woke up at approaching midnight, went to brush my teeth before doing that horrid Aural homework. Finally went to sleep at 1am.

However, something most unfortunate happened last night while I was packing my bag and putting out my clothes for today. I realised that I lost my ring; the ring that Ching bought for me when she went to New Zealand for Guides’ camp 2 years back. Wahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :’( I love that ring… It is a silver band inlaid with greenish-blue shells that were cut into small squares. *sob… I am now feeling sad. I still cannot believe that I lost it. I was so sure that it was in the little drawer with my other rings and accessories. Sigh… Well, I have to move on. Like what my cousin Mos said when I told him about it last night on MSN Messenger, “There are more important things that are being lost.” Typical male… MCP!!! Bahh! :p

24th February, 2006, Friday. Char’s birthday. I saw Ms Yohanna, our aural teacher, and requested her to play “Happy Birthday” for Char later. Most unfortunatly, the plan was aborted as she thought that I wanted to play it for Char. Damn… Anyway, Char’s presents started “rolling” in after aural class and then during our excursion to the ACM in the afternoon. She was happy. Definitely. One thing was for sure; guys do have good taste when it comes to certain things, in this case, bracelets or beads. I was shocked when ZQ, and YR who was not present, gave her this magnetic do-as-you-please string of beads in the library. And I said it out loud, “I’m surprise.” Believe me, I truly was, even though I admit that I sounded quite sarcastic. Anyway, LH and WX gave her a t-shirt that they bought for her yesterday while she was in the Ladies. Sly. Very sly… You go, guys! Hahaha!!! Sadly, they bought a size smaller. So, the t-shirt is back with WX who will be going back to the shop to get it exchange, or maybe, he already did. By the way, we sang the Birthday Song to her on the bus going to the ACM (Empress Place), causing her embarressment. Ha ha! Too bad. Enx, Julia and I bought for her accessories; a set of ear danglies and a necklace, a pair of mdium-size ear-rings that was returned as the recipient did not “like” it, and a mismatched set of ear danglies, bracelet and pendant, respectively. What a day.

And so, my Darling Extremely Distant Niece, I hope that you had a good birthday and had, undoubtedly, received many presents. Please remember that your Dear Extremely Distant Aunt’s birthday is less than a week away. Smile always.

The ACM trip was interesting. Looking at all of those pieces of bronze, silver and gold jewellery pieces, I could not help wondering that those people were really advance in terms of technology even though it was at least a thousand years ago. Amazing… Sadly, our group did not have time to even take a peek at the gamelan set. Time really flies when one is enjoying oneself.

That is about all for now. The next time I update will most probably be on my birthday. Which I assure you, my good readers, will be quite soon.

Au revoir et bon nuit, ma cherie!

"Your playing is charming." Nani des’ka???

Today is the day where all of us in the Teaching course have to perform a piece during Piano Performance Class. Why Piano Performance Class you may ask. Because all of us had, since day one, listed down Piano as our Major instrument for practical. And so, for the past few weeks leading up to today, all of us, well, mostly all of us, have been practising like crazy. Actually, I am not too sure about the others, whether they did practise like crazy, but I am sure that I did, to a point that I am going to take a break from that piece; Beethoven’s “Light Sonata” Opus 49. No. 2, and focus on Mendelssohn’s “Songs Without Words” Opus 19. No. 4. Ha ha ha!

All of us who were performing today had spent at least an hour in our practise room. And there I was, in my little practise room, going through so many rounds of the same old song that I got bored and restless, and sleepy. So, away I went, walking around, peeking at what the others were doing through the windows before finding the pink lecture room empty. In I went to practise on the Yamaha grand piano. Then in came two of my seniors who are also from the Teaching course. They wanted to find a place to sit down to do their work and asked me whether I mind them being there. Of course I told them that I did not mind as I wanted some people to pay attention to my playing so that I would feel some sort of nervousness. And along came this guy, unfortuntely I did not know his name but only by sight, and he gave me a “crash-course” on some technicalities for the piece I was to perform. Well, I was rather in a dilemma, wondering how to incorporate both his and Ms Lim’s (my teacher) styles together.

I was still wondering how to go about doing it while waiting for my turn. Thus, I decided to throw all caution to the winds and perform what I felt was right. My heart was beating quite quickly minutes before I sat there but it was rather calm while I was playing. (By the way, I was the second from the Year 1 Teaching Course to play. The first one from the Teaching Course was Enx. The first two and the one who played before me were from the Year 2 Teaching Course, also known as the Seniors.) Yes, I did play with expressions. Nearly banged the piano down. Haha! Unfortunately, I made a few slips here and there and even had to stop for a second to correct my mistake before moving on. *Horrers!!! When I finished, my nerves were acting on their on accord, to the extent of making my two index fingers shake, vertically, for about a minute. I guess it is something very natural with me as this has ever happen before, with practical examinations and the likes.

The moment of truth had finally arrived. Mrs Phua, who is the Head of Keyboard Studies, commented on each of our playing. While she was commenting on those people who performed before I did, I was telling Enx that she would probably pick on my playing of the scalic movements. When she got to me, she said,” Your playing is charming. I like it.” And I assure you, my good readers, that I was equally shocked as you are right now. The only words I could say was, “What the hell…”. Not very appropriate. Nonetheless, I said it while Mrs Phua was still looking at me. I was totally shocked, and there I was being very sure that she would “pick on” me. I wonder how am I going to explain to Ms Lim what “charming” is all about. That will be difficult. All of us played well today. It is a good sign.

So, I must remember the way I performed that piece and improve on it so that I will get good grades for the practical exam which will be in another 2-3 months later.

On Sunday, 19th Feb., I had a surprise. It was neither pleasant nor horrid. It was about my relationship with Char. She called me at home in the afternoon and said that my aunt wanted to speak with me. Naturally, I was wondering how on earth did she know my aunt, which aunt was it and was she pulling my leg. Unfortunately, she was not. When my aunt was put on the phone, I could hardly believe my ears. It was my mother’s eldest sister! How in the whole wide world did they know each other??? Char told me. However, I did not quite catch what she said, so I sent her an SMS to get more details. Turned out that the event they were attending was the third death anniversary of Char’s “father’s aunt”. The relationship status my aunt holds in the family is that of “father’s aunt’s husband’s brother’s wife”. Basically, it means that my aunt is Char’s Grandaunt’s brother-in-law’s wife. Complicating? To the uninitiated, it is. Not that I am blaming you. Anyway, we are now calling each other Distant Cousin, even though I like to add in the two extra words “By Marriage”, which causes her to be a little irritated. Muahahaha!!! What a small world indeed.

Alright then. Nothing else of interest to add in here. Good night!

Howl’s Moving Castle … Kawaii!!!

The wait is finally over. It is finally here. I finally got my hands on it yesterday and I finally watched it a few minutes ago. I was dancing to the waltz and I am now wondering where to get the soundtrack. What am I talking about? Hahaha…! Read the title above. Apparently, I am not talking about the film but the DVD/VCD. It is out! It is out! It is out!!!

You may be asking what the fuss is all about. You see, I did not watch it in the cinema when it showed last year because I did not have any one to watch it with. So, I have been a very good girl, patiently waiting for it to be out in DVD/VCD format.

Howl is so cute!!! Kawaiiiiiiiiiiiii!!! He looks cuter with his blond hair instead of his natural colour, which happens to be black.

Anyway, I feel that, like any other film-adaption of any book, this film is no different, except that it is in animation form. The general story line is there, except for the little bits and pieces that are lying on the side. For example, the villiant in the original i.e Diana Wynn Jones’ story is suppose to be The Witch of the Waste and her Fire Demon, not Madam Sullivan, a character that the producers had definitely whipped up even though there is a character called Wizard Sullivan in the original. I wonder why do they want to make such changes. Sure. Their version will definitely be more “exciting”.

I really like the songs. A pity that there are only two. One is with lyrics and the other is an instrumental. Completely different melodies. So sad yet so romantic. Sigh… If you like Spirited Away, then all the more you should really consider buying this animation.

Anway, I found out on Sunday that an ex-schoolmate of mine is actuall my cousin!!! What a small world… It is like this. Her father, my “newly-realised” uncle was given away to my paternal grandmother’s sister, who married a Tan. Thus, my “newly-realised” uncle’s children all bear the surname Tan, instead of Chia, which is my surname. Confusing? I do not think so. Of course, I myself understand what I had just typed otherwise how could I have typed it?

What an interesting life. Sigh… Well, it is Valentine’s Day today. So, to all couples out there, I have nothing to say because I am not in any relationship. However, I am attached. Attached to my work/studies. Hahaha…!!! To all singles out there, gambatte!!! Jia you!!! Add oil!!! With a little bit of patience, You will find Mr. Right or Ms. Right.

Au revoir!

Happy Lunar New Year!!!

So, is everyone happy with the New Year’s festivities and goodies? I am not too sure about you people but I definitely am happy, especially about a little something in red and gold paper. *hint-hint… Hahaha!

It has been quite a hectic Lunar New Year for all who have to help prepare the food at home for reunion dinners and gatherings. Tiredness sweeps over us all… However, it was great meeting my relatives again since Christmas, not forgetting those little (and big) red packets that needed to be collected by the singles. *Grins mischeviously… Hahaha! It was also great to meet my friends again after so many months. However, we met at a friend’s house for dinner on the fourth day.

On a sadder note, I am worried for an aunt, who is my father’s older cousin whom we visited on the second day of the Lunar New Year. You see, she normally gives me $20 every year. However, she gave $120 (!) to not only me, but to my parents as well! That is a total of $360! Good gracious… I believe her condition is due to her feeling old and lonely (her husband passed away two years ago). I hope my father will visit her more often.

A group of friends from school and I went travelling around Singapore on friday, the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, visiting each other’s home. Thankfully, we have a week break from school, otherwise we would no be going all over the ountry. We travelled from Jalan Jurong Kechil, the first stop, which is near Bukit Timah Road to Sin Ming Walk in Bishan, before taking the bus all the way down to home-sweet-home Joo Chiat, which is near Marine Parade. We then took the MRT all the way east to Pasir Ris to meet another friend before taking a bus together to Hougang for dinner. We wrapped up the trip in Serangoon Avenue 4 at 10:15p.m. Thus, we very nearly covered the entire island in a day. What an interesting trip. Nearly spent $10 on public transport. How wondrous… and tiring. Fortunately for us, the next day was a saturday. Will I want to do this again? Definitely. Till next year! Haha!!!

I am now listening to a Taiwanese band called Mayday and I am also singing along to their songs. Hahaha! Karaoke time!!! I find their songs very “cheerful”, uplifting and their lyrics meaningful. And of course, the melodies are catchy and the drumming infectious. I am so not joking. At this point in time, my head is bobbing in time with the music. This CD is the second chinese album that I have, after Jay Chou’s “November’s Chopin”. Serious! Anyway, I had a surprise when they , Mayday, sang the last two tracks in Hokkien. Thankfully, I have the lyrics by my side otherwise I would not know what they were singing. That goes to say how bad my dialect is.

OK, I admit it. I am a Hokkien, but I am not good with the language as I prefer to learn my mother’s dialect, which is Teochew as I find that there few people, excluding the old folks, who speaks it. Even non-Hokkiens speak Hokkien better than I do. Sigh…

So, I shall sign off here as I am in serious need of sleep. I still have to go to school in the morning. Dark circles are forming under my eyes right now. Yawnnnnn… Good night, sleep tight! Don’t let the bedbugs bite!