Last post of 2005

Its been a nice time back home. So wonderful to see friends and family altho everyone keeps trying to get me to sing...sigh... feel like a performing monkey.Getting geared up for the new term and the Threepenny. Quite a lot to do this term.

The recital at the esplanade recital studio has been confirmed for the 18th Aug 2006 and both Mel and Yan are on board. Hoping to meet up with the production people at the espl next week before I fly off. Looks like it will be a english song recital with the theme around children. Looking for interesting art songs. Songs to the Moon seems a definate thing but will have to pay Cosmos. Must put up a cost sheet for a rough costing for the concert to give NAC. Hope the grant comes through. Also must look into getting a tote board listing. Sigh so many things to do. Wish I had a manager....any volunteers out there?

Home to Singapore

Will be heading home to singapore. I'm already halfway through the holidays! Got tons to do before going back. Hmmm heres my todo list as I remember it so far...
1. Apply for a certificate from the singapore police for the UK gov to certify that I have no criminal convictions so I can work with kiddies in the UK.
2. Book the esplanade recital studio for mid Aug
3. Book my return flight in aug back to Singapore and book ticket back to to the UK.
4. Check with NAC for concert funding and reapply for bursay support for 2006
5. See my tailor about getting some things mended..
6. Memorise threepenny score
Phew.....its a working holiday and somehow have to manage to see friends and family in the midst of all that. Wish me luck folks!

Its christmas eve!

Yes, its the most wonderful time of the year:) I'm in kl with the whole family and we're getting ready for christmas day. Going out soon to pickup the christmas turkey and have lunch in the city. Might even brave the crowds and do a bit of shopping in the city. Its so nice to be home. Looking forward to catching up with friends and all when I get back to singapore. A little odd to be away from college and am missing the folks there a bit. They must be feeling the same cos am getting the odd mushy emails from them. Will be good to have a bit of a break before the new term. Am trying to be a good girl and get some daily practise done.
Well merry christmas all and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. See you all soon.

End of Term

Its officially the end of term now. Most of the folk have gone home for the holidays and am now packing to go back to Singapore myself. The few of us left are going for movie tomorrow and then I'll be off on wed morning. Will be nice to catch up with friends and family. Well, its been quite a wonderful few months. Have more confidence in my voice now and the progress I'm making. Spent way too much money and need to budget more next year.2005 was a good year all in all and am looking forward to a nice year end at home. Looking forward to a great 2006.

Photos

Bits and pieces... This is one of our practise rooms where I try and spend at least an hour a day















Pictures of the christmas food market




















The chocolates and sweets were esp yummy as you can see :)
Our yum char session one sat















Rondine pics...the costumes are quite ugly tho...sigh except for our 4 flowers girls we all are in shades of carpet brown and greys. Ugh!

Working hard for a living

Doing my first few hours of actual paid non bursary work as an usher at college tomorrow. Will be the cloak room cloak collection type person. Yes... all important mink and cashmere coats will be passing through my capable hands.About 5 hours work. Its a free day tomorrow so will be a good way to pass the day. We are going for a Christmas party at the salsa place tomorrow night. Quite a few of us are going so it should be fun.
Hmm got a ton of laundry to do. That is the top of my pet hates about living in the halls...running up and down to do my laundry in the common laundry. Its a two hour affair. Am thinking about moving out next year with friends. But not sure if it'll be a such a great idea for a whole bunch of singers to be living together. Also think I might be a little too set in my ways to be sharing a flat with folk. Will see if they hike up the rental at the halls next year and then decide.Also gotten way too used to living a hop skip and jump away from college.

highs and lows

Was a good day today although I missed a sps lesson on thurs morning cos I simply forgot after the opera the night before. Unbelievable...I had to track down the lecturer and apologize. Had a friend over for dinner tonight and we made mee siam...ok ..it was from a packet but it came out lovely and we had a nice dinner and chat.
One thing I have to say about these few weeks is that emotions really can go on a rollercoaster. Somedays you feel on top of the world and others you can feel really depressed. Maybe its got to do with the excitement of the opera or the stress of a new course. I also find myself far more hyper than I usually am. Folk keep telling me that I had a super happy nature and never seem to be down. Hmm...I'm bouncing off the walls if I have a minute of free time. I just need to be constantly doing something. Weekend are the worst as most people are away and I have too much time on my hands. Really need to find someway of just calming down and relaxing. Am thinking of some kind of a teaching job to give me some teaching experience and also some balance so that my whole life does not revolve around college.

2006 recital

Was chatting to Melvin on the phone and we have decided to do a recital in Aug 2006 together. Will have to find out more about NAC funding and if the dates are available at the esp recital when I get home. Looking at the 17-19th Aug for a date. Thinking of songs about children as a theme. Hmm...excited.
I am not doing my postgrad dip recital till 2007. Hope to graduate with a masters so have to look into a dissertation topic. No idea what to submit as a proposal. Sigh...been ages since I've had to write an essay let alone a whole paper.

Last teaching week

Where has the last few weeks gone? Its the last week of teaching this week. Its been 3 months already. Can hardly believe it. Been feeling worried about my progress thus far. You never seem to think you've gotten anywhere with your voice. But have had good reports from my teachers so hopefully I'm on the right track.Its been a really fantastic experience so far and now I have a better idea what goals to set for myself. Some goals seem much harder than others at the moment. Frustrated esp on days like today when I'm PMSed to boot. Its the singaporean trait of wanting things to work out yesterday!
Looking forward to Christmas with my family and the 2 weeks of R&R before the TP rehearsals begin with the start of term in Jan. Really thank God for good friends here who have been really supportive. We all have our quirks but so far we seem to have bonded nicely.
On another note am getting worried about the number of people who have started reading this blog. Hmmm...all I can say is... take my ramblings for what they are...ramblings...