Post-SPM Activity #4:
Learn how to play a traditional Chinese musical instrument.
-Erhu Music, ©Geishaninja.-

I'm very proud of my Chinese roots. Yes, I am highly aware that I'm only able to speak simple Chinese and I only know how to read and write simple Chinese words. By the way, I intend to learn the language properly after SPM. This will be further elaborated in a separate post.

Honestly, if I could, I would love to learn to play as many musical instruments as possible. I believe that life is a continuous journey of learning, so I really want to learn as many things as possible till the day I depart to another world.

Of course, I shall not be too greedy. I will start off slow.

The first Chinese musical instrument I would like to pick up is the erhu. It's very hard to describe in words, really - but I had always been fascinated by the sounds an erhu makes. It's beautiful, in a way that isn't physical, but it just enchants me somehow. It made me appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese music.

The late Yasmin Ahmad's film Talentime also played a major part in me wanting to take up this instrument. It's the scene when Hafiz played his guitar and sang to Pete Teo's I Go, accompanied by Kahoe playing his erhu. I cried in the cinema watching that scene. I really love this song, both the English and Malay versions. The guitar and the erhu music blended harmoniously. To hear music like this is really..amazing.


If I could, I would love to learn how to play the guzheng and the dizi as well. I wonder if classes are available in this area.

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

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Post-SPM Activity #3:
Complete Grade 7 and 8 for piano.
-Piano, ©Moona.-
I'm not sure about now, but there was this period of time when some parents were forcing their child/children to learn how to play an instrument, common examples include the piano, violin and even the organ.

I'm lucky, really. I myself decided that I wanted to learn how to play the piano, decipher music notes and coordinate both my hands to play proper tunes. I learnt to appreciate classical music, which is actually quite a joy to listen to. A lot of people I know think that classical music is terribly boring, and the instant they hear the start of a classical piece, they'll start yawning very loudly.

My first lesson was when I was still studying in Primary 5. My first teacher taught me the basics. She stopped working as a piano teacher when she got married.

So I was assigned to another piano teacher, who was just terrifying to me. I can't even remember her name now, but I still remember the way she taught me during our very first lesson together. She was super strict and fierce. She snapped at me every time, even if I made just the slightest mistake. I think if she could, she would be holding a cane in her hand while conducting her class with me. The moment the lesson ended and I got into the car, my mum was shocked to see me burst into tears and sob continuously. I actually wanted to quit learning the piano because of this teacher. And that was the last time I saw her. Thank goodness.

My third piano teacher was fairly nice. She will be strict only when she had to, and that rarely happened when she taught me. She even allowed me to skip both the theory and practical exams for Grade 1 and 2. I went straight on to Grade 3, and I didn't do too bad.

Finally, my fourth and the best piano teacher I ever had so far. If you had been a reader of my blog since the start of my secondary school days, the name Miss Ng wouldn't be unfamiliar to you. She was only older than me by a few years, so she was like an elder sister to me, and still is. We could talk about anything and everything together. It's really comfortable for me to confide in her my secrets and problems, and she trusts me enough to tell me her personal issues as well.

I honestly appreciate the way she taught me how to play the piano. She didn't just made me play scales and learn new songs, she made me discover the importance of playing the piano expressively and to feel the music while pressing those black and white keys. Before, I merely played the piano according to whatever note that was printed on the sheet music given to me. Sincerely, I'm grateful to have met her.

When I entered Form 4, I temporarily stopped my piano lessons to concentrate on my SPM subjects and my very hectic school and tuition schedules. I promised myself that I would finish up Grade 7 and 8 when I'm done with high school and SPM. All the more now, since a good friend of mine, Anna who has been very supportive of me to actively pick up the piano again. I admit, I have been lazy since I didn't have the pressure of piano exams to make me practise.

I contacted Miss Ng recently, and I'm glad she's doing okay. We already made plans to meet up when I don't have to be self-quarantined anymore. It's been two years since I last saw her, and I really can't wait to catch up with her again. Her, and my very patient friends. (:

Cheers!

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

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Post-SPM Activity #2:
Learn a form of dance.
-Dance, ©NaturalBornCreative.-
I remember when I was a young kid, the first form of dance that I wanted to pick up was ballet. In my primary school days, I knew a lot of my friends who took up ballet. I guess that's where the influence came from.

Back then, my parents couldn't afford for me to learn ballet. I have to admit, it isn't cheap at all. Besides, my parents made it up to me by letting me learn the piano instead. No regrets, really!

I find ballet a very graceful form of dance. Till this very moment, I still appreciate seeing ballet at its best. I don't find it boring at all, seriously.

But for me to learn ballet after SPM, I personally don't think so. Obviously I would fail miserably in body flexibility. And I might risk breaking a bone or two. You should see the point by now.

I'm considering hip-hop. Maybe street dancing. I might even go contemporary. And there is always pole dancing! If you happen to be narrow-minded and think that pole dancing is something raunchy and naughty, get out and explore the world for goodness' sake.

It's a good way to keep fit. And besides modelling and photography, dance is another beautiful form of art which is capable of expressing emotions and creative thoughts.

I'm really into the arts, in case you don't already know by now.

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

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Post-SPM Activity #1:
A day out at the beach with some awesome company.
©Michael's Tumblr.
Seeing the picture above somehow reminded me of how I got ambushed by Jeffrey and Picasso two years ago during RYLA '08. After failed attempts to free myself from their strong grips on my wrists and ankles, the next thing I knew was that I was swallowing sea water in the South China Sea. I miss those good old times a lot.

I have been studying today, only to receive a cruel wake-up call on how little I know in the subjects I'm taking for SPM. Honestly, the only subject which I'm confident on scoring at least an A is English. I don't even want to think of the other nine subjects I'm sitting for. Gosh.

I have to learn how to write long essays again. After two months from taking a break getting used to chemotherapy and all, I found my wrist and hand aching terribly after writing a few mere sentences. In 48 days, I need to learn how to write again. Hurrah. If my handwriting doesn't improve in 48 days, the examiners are most probably going to get furious marking my papers and they're going to give me low marks because they can't bear to read my bad handwriting any further.

Studying isn't that bad after all. I find myself actually wanting to work on sums. I can't say the same for the sciences and History though.

Thanks to Anna, I finally found a site which allows me to generate a signature which I can include at the end of my blog entries. I always wanted a classy way to end my posts. It looks more..complete, somehow. To me, anyway.

A lot of people I know believe that I can do very well for SPM. Well, I'm not sure if I can achieve much in 48 days, but I'll try my best. Hopefully, my next two chemo sessions won't burden my body too much. I really need to buck up, and get SPM over and done with. That applies to my having cancer too.

I think I'll attempt to study Chemistry now.

Till the next entry, cheers!

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

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It’s not an English name I came up with for myself. My mother is indeed a genius in coming up with such a splendid name for me. Although my name has been unfortunately mutilated (nicknames are excluded) over the past years, full credits to my mum for my current identity.

I’m certainly looking forward to changing the word ‘patient’ to ‘survivor’! If you’re interested to read about my journey in battling lymphoma, you can click here to proceed to my cancer blog.

Ironic, I know; this blog is mainly pink instead. I like all colours actually, but I find myself having an affinity to the colour green. In fact, I can safely say that green is my soul colour.

Languages, music, fashion, photography, cultures, dance, literature, writing; just about anything, really. The arts truly intrigue me, especially thought-provoking pieces. Of course, the arts play a major role in inspiring me in my everyday life.

I don’t have a favourite genre – I read any book that interests me!

I am a trained right-hander from young, since apparently being left-handed is considered ‘wrong’. Basically, I’m ambidextrous! No wonder I find it easier to air guitar using my left hand than my right; I simply relate to the arts than subjects that deal with logical thinking better, too.

A stubborn Bull I am, too. I abhor being rushed. I prefer doing matters at my own reasonable pace. I don’t particularly like changes in my routine, but I can adapt quite easily. I’m a very practical person as well. I enjoy the beautiful things in life, but that doesn’t make me shun ugliness at all. Besides, it all depends on how one perceives beauty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

Still am, but I’m slowly learning to accept imperfection into my life. Also, I’m doing my best to erase the many expectations I have so I could one day master the art of letting go and freeing myself to simple happiness and joy.

Compared to before, I’m less dramatic nowadays. Language-wise, I attempt to blog flawlessly in English and speak proper English online with my peers. Call me a Grammar Nazi all you want, but that’s how I roll. I only converse in perfect English in formal situations and during my dramatic outbursts. Otherwise, I’m absolutely capable of communicating like the average Malaysian!

It’s a different issue altogether when you’re forced to learn for the sake of getting good grades, though. Other than that, I’m open to new information and knowledge anytime! I especially would like to learn more languages and pick up new musical instruments.

…are just some of the things I would love to do in the near future, hopefully!

the basic rules apply. If you respect me, I’ll respect you. If you happen to be someone who has low EQ skills, I’ll try to be tolerant but my patience is definitely limited. I’m observant when it comes to human behaviour. I’m a person of many opinions, but I don’t voice them out unless I trust you enough; I’m very honest and candid when it comes to the people I can trust. Even though I trust very easily, not everybody can prove that they’re all that nice. Hurt me, and I’ll only defend myself if necessary. Hurt my family or my friends – you won’t find me holding back.

Is there anything else you would like to know about me?
Throw me your questions and/or doubts here! I honestly have nothing to hide, so you’ll expect the truth and nothing but the truth.

It’s only how I phrase my answers that you’ll have to be aware of.
Or…you can click hereto go back to reading!

Post-SPM Activity #4:
Learn how to play a traditional Chinese musical instrument.
-Erhu Music, ©Geishaninja.-

I'm very proud of my Chinese roots. Yes, I am highly aware that I'm only able to speak simple Chinese and I only know how to read and write simple Chinese words. By the way, I intend to learn the language properly after SPM. This will be further elaborated in a separate post.

Honestly, if I could, I would love to learn to play as many musical instruments as possible. I believe that life is a continuous journey of learning, so I really want to learn as many things as possible till the day I depart to another world.

Of course, I shall not be too greedy. I will start off slow.

The first Chinese musical instrument I would like to pick up is the erhu. It's very hard to describe in words, really - but I had always been fascinated by the sounds an erhu makes. It's beautiful, in a way that isn't physical, but it just enchants me somehow. It made me appreciate the beauty of traditional Chinese music.

The late Yasmin Ahmad's film Talentime also played a major part in me wanting to take up this instrument. It's the scene when Hafiz played his guitar and sang to Pete Teo's I Go, accompanied by Kahoe playing his erhu. I cried in the cinema watching that scene. I really love this song, both the English and Malay versions. The guitar and the erhu music blended harmoniously. To hear music like this is really..amazing.


If I could, I would love to learn how to play the guzheng and the dizi as well. I wonder if classes are available in this area.

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

0 comment(s):

Post a Comment

Post-SPM Activity #3:
Complete Grade 7 and 8 for piano.
-Piano, ©Moona.-
I'm not sure about now, but there was this period of time when some parents were forcing their child/children to learn how to play an instrument, common examples include the piano, violin and even the organ.

I'm lucky, really. I myself decided that I wanted to learn how to play the piano, decipher music notes and coordinate both my hands to play proper tunes. I learnt to appreciate classical music, which is actually quite a joy to listen to. A lot of people I know think that classical music is terribly boring, and the instant they hear the start of a classical piece, they'll start yawning very loudly.

My first lesson was when I was still studying in Primary 5. My first teacher taught me the basics. She stopped working as a piano teacher when she got married.

So I was assigned to another piano teacher, who was just terrifying to me. I can't even remember her name now, but I still remember the way she taught me during our very first lesson together. She was super strict and fierce. She snapped at me every time, even if I made just the slightest mistake. I think if she could, she would be holding a cane in her hand while conducting her class with me. The moment the lesson ended and I got into the car, my mum was shocked to see me burst into tears and sob continuously. I actually wanted to quit learning the piano because of this teacher. And that was the last time I saw her. Thank goodness.

My third piano teacher was fairly nice. She will be strict only when she had to, and that rarely happened when she taught me. She even allowed me to skip both the theory and practical exams for Grade 1 and 2. I went straight on to Grade 3, and I didn't do too bad.

Finally, my fourth and the best piano teacher I ever had so far. If you had been a reader of my blog since the start of my secondary school days, the name Miss Ng wouldn't be unfamiliar to you. She was only older than me by a few years, so she was like an elder sister to me, and still is. We could talk about anything and everything together. It's really comfortable for me to confide in her my secrets and problems, and she trusts me enough to tell me her personal issues as well.

I honestly appreciate the way she taught me how to play the piano. She didn't just made me play scales and learn new songs, she made me discover the importance of playing the piano expressively and to feel the music while pressing those black and white keys. Before, I merely played the piano according to whatever note that was printed on the sheet music given to me. Sincerely, I'm grateful to have met her.

When I entered Form 4, I temporarily stopped my piano lessons to concentrate on my SPM subjects and my very hectic school and tuition schedules. I promised myself that I would finish up Grade 7 and 8 when I'm done with high school and SPM. All the more now, since a good friend of mine, Anna who has been very supportive of me to actively pick up the piano again. I admit, I have been lazy since I didn't have the pressure of piano exams to make me practise.

I contacted Miss Ng recently, and I'm glad she's doing okay. We already made plans to meet up when I don't have to be self-quarantined anymore. It's been two years since I last saw her, and I really can't wait to catch up with her again. Her, and my very patient friends. (:

Cheers!

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

0 comment(s):

Post a Comment

Post-SPM Activity #2:
Learn a form of dance.
-Dance, ©NaturalBornCreative.-
I remember when I was a young kid, the first form of dance that I wanted to pick up was ballet. In my primary school days, I knew a lot of my friends who took up ballet. I guess that's where the influence came from.

Back then, my parents couldn't afford for me to learn ballet. I have to admit, it isn't cheap at all. Besides, my parents made it up to me by letting me learn the piano instead. No regrets, really!

I find ballet a very graceful form of dance. Till this very moment, I still appreciate seeing ballet at its best. I don't find it boring at all, seriously.

But for me to learn ballet after SPM, I personally don't think so. Obviously I would fail miserably in body flexibility. And I might risk breaking a bone or two. You should see the point by now.

I'm considering hip-hop. Maybe street dancing. I might even go contemporary. And there is always pole dancing! If you happen to be narrow-minded and think that pole dancing is something raunchy and naughty, get out and explore the world for goodness' sake.

It's a good way to keep fit. And besides modelling and photography, dance is another beautiful form of art which is capable of expressing emotions and creative thoughts.

I'm really into the arts, in case you don't already know by now.

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

4 comment(s):

Post a Comment

Post-SPM Activity #1:
A day out at the beach with some awesome company.
©Michael's Tumblr.
Seeing the picture above somehow reminded me of how I got ambushed by Jeffrey and Picasso two years ago during RYLA '08. After failed attempts to free myself from their strong grips on my wrists and ankles, the next thing I knew was that I was swallowing sea water in the South China Sea. I miss those good old times a lot.

I have been studying today, only to receive a cruel wake-up call on how little I know in the subjects I'm taking for SPM. Honestly, the only subject which I'm confident on scoring at least an A is English. I don't even want to think of the other nine subjects I'm sitting for. Gosh.

I have to learn how to write long essays again. After two months from taking a break getting used to chemotherapy and all, I found my wrist and hand aching terribly after writing a few mere sentences. In 48 days, I need to learn how to write again. Hurrah. If my handwriting doesn't improve in 48 days, the examiners are most probably going to get furious marking my papers and they're going to give me low marks because they can't bear to read my bad handwriting any further.

Studying isn't that bad after all. I find myself actually wanting to work on sums. I can't say the same for the sciences and History though.

Thanks to Anna, I finally found a site which allows me to generate a signature which I can include at the end of my blog entries. I always wanted a classy way to end my posts. It looks more..complete, somehow. To me, anyway.

A lot of people I know believe that I can do very well for SPM. Well, I'm not sure if I can achieve much in 48 days, but I'll try my best. Hopefully, my next two chemo sessions won't burden my body too much. I really need to buck up, and get SPM over and done with. That applies to my having cancer too.

I think I'll attempt to study Chemistry now.

Till the next entry, cheers!

Labels: Post-SPM 2010 To-Do List

0 comment(s):

Post a Comment