Today has been one awesome day. :) Orchestra practice. FOUR clarinets. One 1st clarinet. Two 2nd clarinets. One bass clarinet.

Well it wasn't easy to get everyone together so this is the first time the clarinet section's all filled up since I've returned. :) And I was worrying that my reeds were wearing thin but apparently my senior's selling his old (but somehow still new) reeds that produce great sound. And if that wasn't enough, I got my dear Zekee back! PLUS, I get to play on a 6C MOUTHPIECE. SIX-CEE PEO.PLE.

So naturally it was much tougher than usual, but I enjoy the heightened difficulty. :) Presents a healthy challenge. Today Pak Lim played me bro's bass clarinet! haha. So cool.

Check out this vid peepz. Pretty lame, but it does crack people up. :)




Courtesy of Mr. Yong who so graciously introduced me to his brand of humour.

And welcome, Emily, to the clarinet family!

It's interesting how I see so much of myself in her--the fear of playing in front of better players, not asking questions. I pledge to make her period in GCO the best yet!

Off to Renaissance Choir audition tomorrow. Am down with a sorethroat today. Hopefully it goes away by tmr.


EL

Merry X'mas!

Merry Christmas!

And, happy birthday D'Hann! =)

It is never good to bring someone acrophobic to a theme park high up above the clouds.

Ac-ro-pho-bi-a :–noun . an abnormal or pathological fear of heights.

First, there's the Skyway to First World Plaza.

The only compensation for my willingness to rise up more than a hundred feet into the air and suspended only from a cable with no parachutes in the gondola was the cool air.

It must've been at least 17 degrees Celsius.

Drops to about 15 degrees Celsius in the morning? Brr.

brr.

We went to first world hotel and braved the loooong wait. It was 0996, and we were 1145. So that meant we had at least a hundred and fourty five more people to go. We had anticipated it, so we took out our charkwayteow from Petaling jaya and ate them. Cold charkwayteow, ugh. Better than paying RM8.10 for a piece of roti canai, though.

The room isn't very nice, the average 3-star hotel.

Main attractions are the roller coasters in the theme park-lah.

Even if I'm acrophobic, and severely so, I still rode them. So kudos to me, thank u thank u.

Highlight of the day--the Flying Coaster.

Come on, I'm sure you've heard of this stomach-churning ride, no?

This ride's different cos' they'd strap you VERTICALLY and tilt you up so that you lie flat on your stomach, like Superman.

Unfortunately I never knew that fact. Also I've never taken a better look at the route it takes. If I had I wouldn't have gone on it.

It was five seconds into the ride before I realised that it was a bad idea. At that time we hadn't even gained any height yet. And that was the time I exclaimed, "Oh CRAP. I need to tie MY HAIR." So people, tie your hair before going onto a roller coaster.

Here's how it's like. And no, that's not me screaming. I would've screamed a hell lot louder, and an octave higher. I'd kill the bats within a mile radius.

At some point, some inverted phase, I stopped screaming, because you tend to forget to scream when you experience true fear. I'm not saying I'm a chicken. I'm just chronically, deathly afraid of heights.

I can't look out of the third storey corridor back at SMKDJ without feeling an uneasy squirm in the stomach.

Now that's a confession.

Back to the Flying Coaster, I'd say it's worth the ride. I came down with wobbly feet. Stupid camera shot was terrible. My hair covered three quarters of my face. damn. we still bought it anyway, cos' daniel had no hair covering his face.

Other than that we went on very few rides, cos' mummy and daddy couldn't ride most of them =( and we felt bad making them wait. So we'll go again without the adults next time. :) Partially also because we spent most our time QUEUEING and WAITING and LOOKING FOR RELATIVELY CHEAPER FOOD.

Ripley's was really cool. And Dinosaurland was nice, don't think of it as a kiddy ride. You have to check out the sorta live T-Rex in the exhibit.

We didn't manage to go onto the Spinner, Space Shot or Corkscrew. I sorta chickened out of the Space Shot by just looking at the sheer height it achieves. Na-uh. no thanks.

I'll upload the pics some other time.

Okay enough about Genting.

Who's that hunk??

He's hot. :)

Can't wait to watch Australia.

EL

TAG. Put your playlist on shuffle mode and click next each time you answer a question.

This tag isn't going to work well for me since my current playlist is full of soundtracks from LOTR, Jurrasic Park, and, um, Treasure Planet. Oh medearie.

1. IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY" YOU SAY?
The Shadow of the Past -.- - Howard Shore

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
The Prophecy. (AHAHAHA) -Howard Shore

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Foundations of stone. OMG. -Howard Shore again.

(at this point the author realises that her player is not on shuffle.)

4. HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Valley of the wind. -Joe Hisaishi

5. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Thunder and lightning - Strauss. Hahahahahaha

6. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
The Happy Working Song. -Enchanted OST. right. haha.

7. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
The Launch. -James Newton Howard, Treasure Planet OST. =)

8. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR PARENTS?
Death and All His Friends. - Coldplay. LOL. It's a nice song okay. This is seriously random.

10. WHAT IS 2+2?
Jurrasic Park. -John Williams. rawr.

11. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
(waits until Jurrasic Park theme is over) Do You Hear the People Sing? -Les Miserables.


12. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Many Meetings - LOTR again. ~.~ "many meetings, chap!"

13. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
The Escapist - Coldplay. HAHAHA. Yeah you got that right. xD

14. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Entry of the Gladiators - Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. Hahahahahaha really waltzy song.

15. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Clarinet Polka - Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. LMAO

16. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Lovers in Japan - Reign of Love - Coldplay :)

17. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Wonder - LOTR the Musical Laura Michelle Kelly (yeah I wonder too!)

18. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
The Battle Drums - Princess Mononoke

19. WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Defying Gravity - Wicked the Musical ((whoa hahaha))

20. HOW WILL YOU DIE?
The Rings goes South - Howard Shore. (Right.)

21. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
Touch me. -Armin Van Buuren (what the?)

22. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
The Bridge of Khazad-dum - Howard Shore (yeah it's too narrow. And we need handles, too. =.=)

23. WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
The Breaking of the Fellowship - Howard Shore (OMG. Like, wow.)

24. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Mononoke Hime - Joe Hisaishi. -.- (not a very brilliant title.)

Do the tag if wou want.

***

I went for the LOTR Symphony again. Wonders of wonders. They had the usherers dressed up ala Lord of the Rings. But they don't resemble anything CLOSE to LOTR except the hoods. -.- I mean, who holds scythes in LOTR?

Saturday was so much better than the rehearsal.

And best of all, thank you Yoong Wai for forcing me to take a picture with the awesome conductor, Maestro Markus Huber, for I myself would not have the guts to approach him for even a handshake. He was really nice and all. :) I blabbered a lot when he asked me how was it. Nervous breakdown, you know. Went somewhere along the lines of "That was spectacular, maestro. I;ve been waiting for the symphony to come here for so long and it was so hard to get a ticket and I'm glad I got an opportunity to watch it live OMGthisisawesomethankyouverymuch." Should've added, "if you see Howard Shore, tell him that he is a total genius and that he MUST compose for the Hobbit."

Will upload the pic when I get it. Again, thank you my friend!

Going to Genting today. Whoot whoot.

And check out Inkheart people. Read the first two chapters. Sounds promising.

EL

I went for the Lord of the Rings Symphony open rehearsal in Dewan Filharmonik Petronas today. An open rehearsal is just like the real performance, but with only some people not wearing their full outfits and with instrument cases littering the stage floor. But basically it's the entire symphony with no pauses.





I've been chanting so hard for the opportunity to witness Howard Shore's magic live after finding out that all the tickets for all three nights were sold out.





In return, I have been offered TWICE to watch the LOTR Symphony come to life. See how earnest prayer can work wonders?





So today was the first time. I went with Su Jane. But first a huge THANK YOU to Mr. Sow Yoong Wai for offering the tickets to us. I am forever in your debt. :)



There's a white screen above the orchestra and choir showing illustrations of the movie by John Howe and Alan Lee to tell the epical tale. Unfortunately cameras and camcorders aren't allowed into the DFP so I would just show you that the scene is like this (exactly like this),





See, that's the Witch-king himself.


We are fortunate enough to have the original conductor, not Howard Shore himself, but maestro Markus Huber; and Ann De Renais the original soprano soloist. The other soloists are Andrew the boy soprano, and an alto singer (for Lothlorien) and a bass singer (for the Return of the King). Sorry, don't know yer names.


And I tell you, I have nothing but high praises for the performance by MalaysianPhilharmonicOrchestra and YoungKLSingers and KLChildren'sChoir as well as the MIAChoir.


The concert was STUNNING. Maybe it is only so because I am a crazy fan of LOTR music. For the entire two hours I was just clutching to my seat, every muscle in my body trembling with excitement and wonder, mouth gaping, mesmerized. The choir was amazing, although Yoong Wai (one of the singers) claimed that they weren't fulfilling the conductor's expectations. Their dynamics were very clear, and I especially loved it when they roared during those battle scene themes. MPO was naturally awesome, too. Flawless.


Brass section, you were all absolutely stunning. Blasting the trumpet like that! OMG. And the trombones! I swear my seat vibrated.


Dear timpanist, I see you constantly hard at work throughout the entire symphony. This is the first time I see a timpanist so fully utilised. You're cool. :)


The performance consists of 6 movements--2 movements for each movie instalment. My personal favorites were the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and the last movements. I broke down in tears during 'The Grey Havens' and 'Into the West'. It is amazing to see how beautiful music can touch people's hearts.

Anne de Renais made all the solos look effortless. She was simply fantastic.


I especially liked the men's choir during the Bridge of Khazad-dum section in the 2nd movement, something that the tenors were, as I was impressed upon, struggling with. But you guys did great! Don't worry! Just don't gan jiong can already. Here's a piece of it.

The Bridge of Khazad-dum

Overall, awesome performance. :)

***

Okay, about yesterday's orchestra practice...My seniors in the MPYO have returned! At long last. They're done with touring East M'sia. Hurray~ Played 007, as usual. I'm worried about the orchestra as most of the string players are new. Tuning--totally off-key. String instruments were never easy to play. (That's why you should learn woodwind instruments la)

***

I have yet to apply for college. Shit.

***

Was away from Tuesday to Thursday because my robust Yeye had a mild stroke. He finally submitted to being hospitalised. It is frightening to see my strong and healthy 81-year old grandfather, who can still stride across the hall without a cane or breaking a sweat, bedridden and hooked onto an IV drip. Must be all the dim sum he's been eating.

My family and my relatives from Singapore gathered in Melaka for the week. I'm sure that must have frightened Yeye out of his skin. Anyway, so we took shifts taking care of him in the hospital. I took the midnight shift with mama, from 10pm to 8am. It was tougher to stay awake than I thought.

Now his condition is much more stable. Johan's gone back to see him. Yeye was so happy and announced to everyone that he is a doctor. Haha, poor kor.

***

Went to meet my old Yuk Chai pals after the LOTR concert in the morning. :) Walk walk walk. Eat eat eat. Walk somemore.

***

Oh yeah, I'm done with Wicked. It is simply a beautiful book. Check out the musical too.

Alright off to nurse a terrible headache.

Hi.

Prom was great.

And no, I didn't bring a camera.

And yes, we danced, though I've never truly danced in my life. More of like, jiggle.

I'll get some pics soon. Bro's been hogging the computer I hadn't the chance.

But here's just one.

I look terrible in this one, and my ubersome hair isn't visible here. I loved my hair that night. =) But getting it out of its knots and pins was killer.

And En Kane and Audrey were Prom Royalties. Awesome. :D

Am in my ma's school now, in her office, looking up our trip to Genting tomorrow. A roti canai in First World Hotel costs a whopping RM8.10. OMG. Ma's behind me discussing a sex education camp for first-formers with her counsellors. Double OMG.

EL

Blaa.

Aaah sorry for the delay. Tis' been an uneventful week, I'm afraid. Let's see...went back to orchestra on Thursday feeling uncertain about the reception. But reception was good! :) Meglad. AND I got to play songyeu's ubersome Yamaha custom 6C dontknow-what-series clarinet because mine wasn't around and there wasn't any spare. OMG there is a significant difference between the standard instrument and a custom made one. I faced no difficulties whatsoever (except a fast-tiring embouchure) in playing it after almost a year of abstinence from the orchestra. Cool. ^^ We're playing Themes from 007 (lol) for the New Year event.

Saturday was okay (since the seniors were absent because of the LOTR Symphony rehearsals) and the songs were harder--Hungarian Dances, The Barber of Seville, and (gasps) Bizet's L'Arlesienne. And I thought we were past the transposing days. Mr. Ota is conductor again. Poor Jacq had a slightly traumatizing experience, but she blended in well, so good for you girl!

Spent half the week away from home, followed kor to Batu Pahat. BP is a very peaceful and pollution-free town, but nothing more. Lots of monkeys, too. Then went to Melaka--it's all improved and modernised, yet the essence of Melaka remains untainted. Amazing, eh? They have great night lightings, too. Also there's the new 45 mins river cruise, and the new Eye on Malaysia as well as Menara Taming Sari. Plus, they have altogether a whopping 6 malls!So Melaka isn't just a boring historical site after all.

Now going for orchestra practice again. *hums the tune to Goldfinger*

EL

lord of the cincin

I was chatting with a friend of mine from the orchestra who would be performing in the Lord of the Rings Symphony this month (sold out already, unfortunately if you're hearing about it for the first time), and he laments that they might not meet up to expectations (or sth like that) and that the choir sounds different.


Me: "It's okay you'll add a local flavour to LOTR. =)"


And he produces this...

...and this.

Haha. =) Typical cina kajang-boy lameness. but cute.

Am still deciding if I would go for the Young KL Singers audition. Very daunting.

EL