Sometimes you can't make it on your own
Trust me, i'd like to blog about something happy. I could, too, because interspersed amongst my woes are happy memories with friends and family (thanks for the emails and SMSes Ma and Dad). But I dunno, even if I want to talk about bunnies and flowers and chocolate cream puffs, I'm sorry, I'm just, on the whole, a sad person right now.
It's mostly academics, really. I basically screwed up the killer midterm tests I had to sit for the past week. By "screwed up" I mean, messed up in a MAJOR way. I'm disgusted with myself really, and something has to be done regarding my study habits. Seriously, we can never ever mug hard enough. I know I haven't been studying as intensively as I would like, although from the stress level visibls to others, people think I'm doing a pretty good job mugging. Oh nothing could be further from the truth.
The essay for my film and cultural texts module also didn't go so well, and that was a blow to the ego, because if I do bad in my other modules like Statistics, I can say it was never in my list of fortes anyway, and it's really an insane body of knowledge too, so that's that. But for English, no sir, I take things very seriously. And maybe also it's the fact that my hardcore Stats and Maths modules are rather in the danger zone right now, and this film module was one of the few bright lights left, so I'm working my ass off to make sure it doesn't get put out.
Hmm.. what else. Maybe I just should trust God more. I haven't been exactly prayerful and faithful lately, and I think in these very dark days, I should learn to make my way back.
* * *
OK, time to take a break from the depressing stuff a bit. Thanks to Hayati, Aaron, Adyll, and Iris and Joanne for being my constant mugging-mate for the past weeks. Those afternoons and late-nights at the Central Forum, at CFA and YIH one time, at KR, at Bizad faculty both inside and outside Hon Sui Sen Library, yep those were fun. I dunno if we should change strategy now that I didn't really quite do well in my tests, but thanks for the company and keeping me sane.
Ferron, Arthur, Ivy come let's do our all-nighters again like last sem! Haha I think it's high time to get mugging for the exams! Taking six modules a semester is really a pain, I fully realize now.
* * *
I went with some of the NUS Choir folks to watch the Vocal Consort's concert at the Victoria Concert Hall on March 17th. NUS Choir is connected to the Vocal Consort since we have the same conductor, Nelson Kwei, and our key singers Student Conductor Weiwei, incoming Asst. Student Conductor Adyll, outgoing Secretary Hui Yin, and incoming Alto SL Winnie are Consort singers too.
It was enjoyable, being an audience in a choir concert, so I could better understand how people feel when they go for NUS Choir concerts and performances. I liked the Consort's Latin motets, this song the Seekers, and some of their folklore tunes. The Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) Choir was their guest choir, and I was impressed about their performance of "Magtanim Ay Di Biro", a Filipino folk song about rice-planting, and it being no joke. The diction was surprisingly very good, and my Laotian friend Vi even commented that the other Thai song they did was also spot-on with the pronunciation (Laotian language is close to Thai).
We crashed the Consort's post-concert snacks afterwards, and then went for a stroll by the Esplanade and Merlion, before heading for a posh coffee shop for some chitchat. This was just the night after, too, btw, of the Jason Mraz concert at the Esplanade that I couldn't go for initially because of no companion, and later, even if I was willing to go alone or even sponsor a buddy, I couldn't go because the show was sold-out! Anyway, my Ridge Big Boss Nurul got the most expensive tickets and was blown away by the performance. Haha I'm gonna get you Mr. A-Z sometime. I do need some cheering up.
Anyway anyway, I took a lot of photos before we took the night rider bus to Clementi, and a cab back to NUS.
* * *
The NUS Choir also performed for the Hatters' charity gala dinner at the Kent Ridge Guild House the night before (yes this is the Friday night of both the Jason Mraz concert at the Esplanade and the Rivermaya free show outside). It was fun. Free buffet food and great company! It was nice to get together with the choir folks before we all become muggerfied in preparation for the exams. The prawn with chilli was to die for, because it tasted like it was barbecued or something.. awesome. The fish fillet too.. heaven! It was tender and had this yummy sauce that seemed a combination of butter with a hint of cheese. Woohoo.. Yummy and expensive charity dinner! Funny thing was, four of the 10 or so tables were reserved for the performers! And guess what, the choir occupied three! Haha. I didn't mind giving a small "token of appreciation" because that was a sumptuous meal anyway! Yum yum.
Afterwards, a few of us crashed this cool and happening super senior Huai Zhi's room at Eusoff hall. Joanne, Aaron, Xuefang and I played this PC game Dynasty Warriors in his room, but as it turned out, we all sucked except for HZ and Aaron. Hehe. I just read the X-men comics instead. We hit Fong Seng for supper afterwards, before heading for KR to hang out in Christina's room where some of the KR A cappella folks hung out. We had some chitchat before turning in for the night finally at around 4AM.
* * *
And oh yeah, the past two days were random days. Haha. I felt so bad after learning of my screwed-up effed-up Actuarial Stats test, that I decided to indulge myself. It was the Ridge Writer's Night on Friday, and it was fun! Had a good chitchat with fellow writers, and they're such fun people to talk to! I'm gonna miss Nurul and Kok Weng and immediate boss Asraf! And I should've talked to Selene and Alice more! Too bad they're graduating this sem!
Afterwards, I went with new Lifestyle Editor Yvonne to the Stardust Finals. KR rocks la! Out of 6 vying for top honors in the Group category, 3 of them were from KR A cappella! Two of them made it to the top 3. The runaway soloist winner was Surath from KR too! Cool cool.
Karen SMSed later to invite me to Blooie's, this sort of pub near PGP, to have a drink with some of the Pinoys. Why not? Yep yep treated myself to a BIG glass of Hoegaarden and was a bit tipsy afterwards. Good stuff though. Although a sip doesn't have much of a kick like Tiger, the quantity (500 mL in that glass) was enough to compensate. Oh and I learned something new too that night.
Yesterday, Saturday was another random day. Haha. I was out at Clementi to settle my ATM and debit cards, and then was suddenly off to Orchard looking around for shirts and bags and stuff (but bought nothing), and then decided to have a haircut, and later was off to faraway East Coast Park to go rollerblading. Haha didn't plan it at all. Was back at NUS in time for dinner. I needed the break too, so yep that was okay.
* * *
Hmm.. what else to say ah? Haha nothing much, I guess. My mind's a blur. Yeah, I should think of happy memories when life gives me sucky experiences.
EDIT@28/3/06, 4:03AM:
Apparently the record-lows I recently hit aren't rock-bottom enough. My lousy results and the truckload of proejcts to do are threatening to break my spirit, but nope, I shall grit my teeth and hang on until this is all over and I can go home and rest.
Thank you to all those who comprise my life-support system. I hope you know who you are. Hehe.
P.S.
Ahh I love long blog entries. Yes I've said it before, but I must say it again! They drive the indifferent blog lurker away, and leave only those genuinely concerned and interested to finish reading (because really, going through it all is a chore). If nobody bothers to read, then all the personal this blog gets. Brilliant, these long blog entries.
All in a day's work
All in a day's work
Woohoo. This has got to be the worst day of my life. And yes sir, I know full well that the last thing I should do is blog, but nah, I give myself permission to write this short short post.
Welcome to the pits, I tell myself. And seriously, it's true! I realized that it's been about one and a half months now that I've been constantly caught in high-pressure situations. And nope, the stress level hasn't peaked yet. Haha if March had one extra day secretly tucked in there somewhere that wouldn't count at all among the 31 days, I'd absolutely sleep. all. day. Or someone please invent some magic pill that will instantly feed my longing for a good 8 hours of glorious sleep.
Anyway, tomorrow's the deadline of the Operations Management term paper I've been typing and researching for for the longest time, and on Thursday is the killer Actuarial test. Oh, if it matters, I think I may have just lost some valuables yet again (which I just learned are hopefully found again haha), and I failed my Regression Analysis test! Sigh. What's wrong with you Joseph?
I want my "me" time too. And apparently that's harder to accomplish than it sounds.
But hey I'm giddy and hyper right now, and that's supposed to be a good thing, considering I've just had the worst day of my life. Nah, I'll spare you the details (partly because the specifics aren't too exciting anyway) but yep yep, I'm all pumped up right now to finish this term paper and get mugging for the Actuarial Stats test.
Oooh take me away people. Take me somewhere nice and warm and give me a great big hug.
Woohoo. This has got to be the worst day of my life. And yes sir, I know full well that the last thing I should do is blog, but nah, I give myself permission to write this short short post.
Welcome to the pits, I tell myself. And seriously, it's true! I realized that it's been about one and a half months now that I've been constantly caught in high-pressure situations. And nope, the stress level hasn't peaked yet. Haha if March had one extra day secretly tucked in there somewhere that wouldn't count at all among the 31 days, I'd absolutely sleep. all. day. Or someone please invent some magic pill that will instantly feed my longing for a good 8 hours of glorious sleep.
Anyway, tomorrow's the deadline of the Operations Management term paper I've been typing and researching for for the longest time, and on Thursday is the killer Actuarial test. Oh, if it matters, I think I may have just lost some valuables yet again (which I just learned are hopefully found again haha), and I failed my Regression Analysis test! Sigh. What's wrong with you Joseph?
I want my "me" time too. And apparently that's harder to accomplish than it sounds.
But hey I'm giddy and hyper right now, and that's supposed to be a good thing, considering I've just had the worst day of my life. Nah, I'll spare you the details (partly because the specifics aren't too exciting anyway) but yep yep, I'm all pumped up right now to finish this term paper and get mugging for the Actuarial Stats test.
Oooh take me away people. Take me somewhere nice and warm and give me a great big hug.
Busy Busy
Busy Busy
Yeah, can't you tell? If the absence of a blog entry here means something, it's that.
After the choir concert last Saturday, I've been taking the plunge into the deep dark world of academics, of deadlines and essays and midterm tests.
There was a Hall Bulletin Board article I rushed because I was gonna be too busy this week. Turned out, well, early, so no problem with that. Essay One for my EN2113 Reading Film and Cultural Texts module due on Tuesday. One week earlier I had written a draft that was checked by my choirmate and class seatmate Irene, but lo and behold it needed major reconstruction and fixing. I did an analysis on this stunning Honda Civic ad, whose strategy was to humanized the car by mimicking the sounds of the car's adventures by means of a 60-member choir. Superb ad I must say. Anyway, my brain was able to churn out four pages of ideas, so that should be okay. Although on Monday night as I was doing the paper I was a bit distracted by the (almost) final meet-up of the NUS Choir/post-VV party/election of new comm. But nah, it's all good, and I still love NUS Choir baby.
Thankfully my editor Asraf granted my request for an extension of the deadline for my article for the April issue of the Ridge. I would've gone berserk if I had to do it this week too.
And then It's been mad after that. Three midterm tests in four days. One on Multivariable Calculus on Friday, one on Financial Accounting today, and another one on Regression Analysis on Monday. So yep, I've been mugging like crazy the past few days at the Central Forum, at PGP, at HSS Library basement, till late night even, hoping to score well in these killer tests. Calculus was relatively okay since it was open-book and I flagged my notes and book well. The just-finished Accounting test was, I dunno. I just wanted it over with because what I'm really freaked out about is the Regression test on Monday. Although from my post-midterm discussion with Arthur on a few questions about the accounting test, I think I didn't do quite as well as I had hoped.
But no, we mustn't get disheartened Jose! We just have to hang on a little bit longer, and ace this coming regression test. Yeah yeah I've already mentioned how my sanity's now questionable and my sleeping pattern has gone haywire, so I won't say them anymore. Although yeah... let's just say after Monday's test and my submission of the Ridge article, I'm gonna get myself a good night's rest.
I'm not as gloomy as you think, though. It just comes out that way. Sigh. You're gonna do well Joseph, don't worry.
Yeah, can't you tell? If the absence of a blog entry here means something, it's that.
After the choir concert last Saturday, I've been taking the plunge into the deep dark world of academics, of deadlines and essays and midterm tests.
There was a Hall Bulletin Board article I rushed because I was gonna be too busy this week. Turned out, well, early, so no problem with that. Essay One for my EN2113 Reading Film and Cultural Texts module due on Tuesday. One week earlier I had written a draft that was checked by my choirmate and class seatmate Irene, but lo and behold it needed major reconstruction and fixing. I did an analysis on this stunning Honda Civic ad, whose strategy was to humanized the car by mimicking the sounds of the car's adventures by means of a 60-member choir. Superb ad I must say. Anyway, my brain was able to churn out four pages of ideas, so that should be okay. Although on Monday night as I was doing the paper I was a bit distracted by the (almost) final meet-up of the NUS Choir/post-VV party/election of new comm. But nah, it's all good, and I still love NUS Choir baby.
Thankfully my editor Asraf granted my request for an extension of the deadline for my article for the April issue of the Ridge. I would've gone berserk if I had to do it this week too.
And then It's been mad after that. Three midterm tests in four days. One on Multivariable Calculus on Friday, one on Financial Accounting today, and another one on Regression Analysis on Monday. So yep, I've been mugging like crazy the past few days at the Central Forum, at PGP, at HSS Library basement, till late night even, hoping to score well in these killer tests. Calculus was relatively okay since it was open-book and I flagged my notes and book well. The just-finished Accounting test was, I dunno. I just wanted it over with because what I'm really freaked out about is the Regression test on Monday. Although from my post-midterm discussion with Arthur on a few questions about the accounting test, I think I didn't do quite as well as I had hoped.
But no, we mustn't get disheartened Jose! We just have to hang on a little bit longer, and ace this coming regression test. Yeah yeah I've already mentioned how my sanity's now questionable and my sleeping pattern has gone haywire, so I won't say them anymore. Although yeah... let's just say after Monday's test and my submission of the Ridge article, I'm gonna get myself a good night's rest.
I'm not as gloomy as you think, though. It just comes out that way. Sigh. You're gonna do well Joseph, don't worry.
Varsity Voices 2006
Varsity Voices 2006
The NUS Choir concert deserves more than this brief post I'm gonna publish, but let it suffice to say that the concert was a personal whirlwind of emotions for me personally. I must say the choir in general thoroughly enjoyed ourselves singing for the crowd, and from the response of the audience to the Beatles medley and the shouts for an encore, I daresay the audience enjoyed the show too.
And so I must say for the nth time, I love NUS Choir. We rock.
Here is a recording of a song we performed. It's this lovely song called Roads. Right click here and save it to your computer to listen to it.
* * *
I am incredibly touched too by the presence of the Filipino community in the concert. Thank you for coming; it meant a lot to me. And of course to Regina's friend who went with her, haha whatever his nationality is haha, and to Minli a.k.a. Tatatee. I'm sorry I didn't catch you there, but I hope you got your tickets at the front-of-house and enjoyed the show with your friends or family! :)
I hope you all were by no means forced to come, because I tried to make sure that only those who are interested would come. No nagging or anything from me, because I would hate for someone to be not enjoying the show because attending it was against his will. Besides, choral music is something you like or you don't sometimes as a simple matter of preference, so if you strayed to the free Hip Hop Nite show at the UCC Courtyard right outside the Hall, I wouldn't blame you hehe.
After the choir concert, I helped my fellow comm member Kurien backstage to clear up the rooms and lock them, so basically I had to wait for most everyone to pack their bags and leave before I could go. There was some complications with the security, so that delayed me further. Bottom line: thanks to the Pinoys again for waiting for me. Haha I hope it wasn't mean of me to not go leave with you after the waiting. Haha work stuff again for choir, what can I say. I'm stepping down as Records Secretary soon anyway, so hopefully I'd be less busy.
* * *
When I was about to go back to KR by my lonesome because everyone else left already, and upon calling Karen, the Pinoys were headed home too anyway, I caught fellow bass Aaron at the bus, and told me he'd be dropping by KR too to meet his friend Christina, who I also know from KR Choir. After dropping my stuff in my room, I decided to say hi to Christina too, and when we got there, her room had James and Lishi and Sunny too, with Grace fixing up her stuff in a nearby room. Anyway, in the end, I ended up playing around with them, watching Christina's collection of videos from Amplitude, the hall choirs' concert, and engaging in chitchat. Later, after James and Grace went home to their real cribs in Singapore, we went for supper at Fong Seng, this time with this interesting exchange student Austin and a surprisingly Singaporean Justin (he doesn't look nor speak the part). We went back almost 1AM, chatted and then played this cool version of Tai Ti called, Asshole Tai Ti. Haha fun fun. My point in all this rambling? I may have to reconsider my plan of moving out of KR to Tower Block next semester. Haha James of my block and my KR Choir boss was telling me to stay, and Christina was urging me to do the same. And I dunno, when you have a good time with friends (actually, this was the first time I got to really just play play with Lishi and Christina and Navin, and I only just met Justin and Austin that night), it's a bit funny to think of leaving this kind of company.
OK. Killer week begins today. Three essays/articles to submit, one of which comprises 15% of the grade. Three midterms at the end of the week, and I am confident in none of them. My energy resources are at their lowest levels, my room's still a mess, and I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in God-knows-when.
Maybe I should pray more eh?
The NUS Choir concert deserves more than this brief post I'm gonna publish, but let it suffice to say that the concert was a personal whirlwind of emotions for me personally. I must say the choir in general thoroughly enjoyed ourselves singing for the crowd, and from the response of the audience to the Beatles medley and the shouts for an encore, I daresay the audience enjoyed the show too.
And so I must say for the nth time, I love NUS Choir. We rock.
Here is a recording of a song we performed. It's this lovely song called Roads. Right click here and save it to your computer to listen to it.
* * *
I am incredibly touched too by the presence of the Filipino community in the concert. Thank you for coming; it meant a lot to me. And of course to Regina's friend who went with her, haha whatever his nationality is haha, and to Minli a.k.a. Tatatee. I'm sorry I didn't catch you there, but I hope you got your tickets at the front-of-house and enjoyed the show with your friends or family! :)
I hope you all were by no means forced to come, because I tried to make sure that only those who are interested would come. No nagging or anything from me, because I would hate for someone to be not enjoying the show because attending it was against his will. Besides, choral music is something you like or you don't sometimes as a simple matter of preference, so if you strayed to the free Hip Hop Nite show at the UCC Courtyard right outside the Hall, I wouldn't blame you hehe.
After the choir concert, I helped my fellow comm member Kurien backstage to clear up the rooms and lock them, so basically I had to wait for most everyone to pack their bags and leave before I could go. There was some complications with the security, so that delayed me further. Bottom line: thanks to the Pinoys again for waiting for me. Haha I hope it wasn't mean of me to not go leave with you after the waiting. Haha work stuff again for choir, what can I say. I'm stepping down as Records Secretary soon anyway, so hopefully I'd be less busy.
* * *
When I was about to go back to KR by my lonesome because everyone else left already, and upon calling Karen, the Pinoys were headed home too anyway, I caught fellow bass Aaron at the bus, and told me he'd be dropping by KR too to meet his friend Christina, who I also know from KR Choir. After dropping my stuff in my room, I decided to say hi to Christina too, and when we got there, her room had James and Lishi and Sunny too, with Grace fixing up her stuff in a nearby room. Anyway, in the end, I ended up playing around with them, watching Christina's collection of videos from Amplitude, the hall choirs' concert, and engaging in chitchat. Later, after James and Grace went home to their real cribs in Singapore, we went for supper at Fong Seng, this time with this interesting exchange student Austin and a surprisingly Singaporean Justin (he doesn't look nor speak the part). We went back almost 1AM, chatted and then played this cool version of Tai Ti called, Asshole Tai Ti. Haha fun fun. My point in all this rambling? I may have to reconsider my plan of moving out of KR to Tower Block next semester. Haha James of my block and my KR Choir boss was telling me to stay, and Christina was urging me to do the same. And I dunno, when you have a good time with friends (actually, this was the first time I got to really just play play with Lishi and Christina and Navin, and I only just met Justin and Austin that night), it's a bit funny to think of leaving this kind of company.
OK. Killer week begins today. Three essays/articles to submit, one of which comprises 15% of the grade. Three midterms at the end of the week, and I am confident in none of them. My energy resources are at their lowest levels, my room's still a mess, and I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in God-knows-when.
Maybe I should pray more eh?
'Outspokened'
'Outspokened'
Okay, so lately there haven't been happy things going on and I seem to ramble on and on about how sucky life is. Not really lah, but yeah, I think I've been putting on my sad/stressed/sky-is-falling face for way too long (I'm not removing it completely anytime soon.. wait till killer week comes next week), and it's about time I cheer up, at least for a while.
And there is good reason to. Because, well, say hello to the new Outspoken Desk Editor of The Ridge!
Hehe. I'm so thankful and pleased and happy and did I say thankful yet? Hehe. The elections were tonight at 6PM, and so I skipped a few hours of choir sound check/tech run for concert tomorrow to pop by LT15 for the elections, and I sure am glad I did.
The election of the editorial team was a bit of a tense affair, and for a while I was just sitting there waiting for the higher-ups' slots to be filled (or not filled.. interesting case for this one particular position), and then it was time for the desk editors, and I began to feel a bit fidgety. The temperature in the LT was frrrrrrreezing cold too, so I didn't know if I was just nervous or what. Anyway, no soul (at least from those in the Ridge) had learned I was remotely thinking of running for desk editor up until then, so I was just keeping it to myself. The other positions before the Outspoken Editor had only one nominee each, so basically it was a for/against vote, and it was usually for votes anyway, unless one had a complicated case.
So Chief Ed Nurul announced that the Outspoken desk editor position was up for grabs, and I looked around and hesitated. To my left, a sincere-looking pretty girl from the existing Outspoken desk stepped up (or down to the front area), and to my right, a Indian-looking Singaporean girl moved forward as well. They had reached the front seats where the nominees were supposed to sit, and, mustering enough courage and murmuring "what the heck" to myself, I stood up and made my way down too.
I didn't look behind me, but I could tell that my editor Asraf was surprised I presented myself as a nominee at all. Haha. I received what I thought was some peculiar applause marked by surprise and incredulity perhaps? Haha.. or maybe it was just because the just-elected editors were mostly girls? Dunno le. Haha, I didn't dare look back and read their faces.
I've been silent about this thing, and although Nurul invited members who were interested to run for some position to join the outgoing editorial team's meetings for some exposure, I didn't have the balls to volunteer myself. Frankly, I wasn't confident my writing was good enough for them because I've been published only once this year so far, but then I took comfort in that many others, including my fellow nominees, also had one article published too. Haha. And I've been in the Outspoken desk for two years anyway, so that should give me a slight edge.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, after a round of self-intro and some grilling, votes were cast through slips of paper. After a few moments was a shocker: there was a tie between me and the Indian-looking girl Kamala. Gasp. Haha a tie seemed unlikely in a crowd of 30-40 people, so I was caught off-guard. We needed 60% of total votes cast, too, to be elected.
A more intensive grilling ensued, and lookee the girl beside me turned out to be a Year 3 Sociology major.. Oooh and you know Soci majors, they're sharp and witty and essay-loving and always have some smart critique or insight about society or what. Haha stereotypes again, my favorite topic. Hehe, so yeah I was a bit intimidated and I would not have been surprised if I didn't get elected, and knew she would be a good editor anyway. Final vote came and I breathed a sigh of relief when it was my name that was called.
I was so thankful to those who voted, although I didn't want to seem as if I was desperate for the job. Haha. So yep, all my good vibes to all of you, I really really appreciate it. And to Nurul, too, for calling me up after the choir rehearsal to say that she was very happy for me, THANKS LOADS. I've secretly admired Nurul for the longest time 'cos she's cool and funky and witty and writes kick-ass well and perennially cheerful and artsy/poetic/bimbotic but still professional and smart and respectable. Means a lot. I was worried the editors thought I pulled a fast one on them by giving them a shocker on election night, but yep thanks a lot for believing in me.
The Outspoken Desk is one of the more popular among the desks, if not the most popular, based on the manpower of the desk and the number of applicants it receives. Haha the lure of it perhaps is that writers have the freedom to write and rant and rave about most anything, but of course standards are kept so the pieces are controversial and substantial and argumentative and of course sensible. Asraf did a mighty good job with Outspoken this year, in terms of article quality and deadlines, and filling in his shoes will be no small feat. (Haha FEAT and SHOES.. haha get it? Get it?! Haha cheap thrill sorry)
Anyway, NUS Choir's Varsity Voices is tomorrow (or later) already! Haha I'm not absolutely ready just yet, but it's gonna be great! I'm a bit sad there wouldn't be choir sessions soon after tomorrow except for the election and maybe some choir outing, but yeah, it's time to get mugging for the exams! I have a good feeling about tomorrow's Varsity Voices concert, let's just see what happens. Good night! :)
Okay, so lately there haven't been happy things going on and I seem to ramble on and on about how sucky life is. Not really lah, but yeah, I think I've been putting on my sad/stressed/sky-is-falling face for way too long (I'm not removing it completely anytime soon.. wait till killer week comes next week), and it's about time I cheer up, at least for a while.
And there is good reason to. Because, well, say hello to the new Outspoken Desk Editor of The Ridge!
Hehe. I'm so thankful and pleased and happy and did I say thankful yet? Hehe. The elections were tonight at 6PM, and so I skipped a few hours of choir sound check/tech run for concert tomorrow to pop by LT15 for the elections, and I sure am glad I did.
The election of the editorial team was a bit of a tense affair, and for a while I was just sitting there waiting for the higher-ups' slots to be filled (or not filled.. interesting case for this one particular position), and then it was time for the desk editors, and I began to feel a bit fidgety. The temperature in the LT was frrrrrrreezing cold too, so I didn't know if I was just nervous or what. Anyway, no soul (at least from those in the Ridge) had learned I was remotely thinking of running for desk editor up until then, so I was just keeping it to myself. The other positions before the Outspoken Editor had only one nominee each, so basically it was a for/against vote, and it was usually for votes anyway, unless one had a complicated case.
So Chief Ed Nurul announced that the Outspoken desk editor position was up for grabs, and I looked around and hesitated. To my left, a sincere-looking pretty girl from the existing Outspoken desk stepped up (or down to the front area), and to my right, a Indian-looking Singaporean girl moved forward as well. They had reached the front seats where the nominees were supposed to sit, and, mustering enough courage and murmuring "what the heck" to myself, I stood up and made my way down too.
I didn't look behind me, but I could tell that my editor Asraf was surprised I presented myself as a nominee at all. Haha. I received what I thought was some peculiar applause marked by surprise and incredulity perhaps? Haha.. or maybe it was just because the just-elected editors were mostly girls? Dunno le. Haha, I didn't dare look back and read their faces.
I've been silent about this thing, and although Nurul invited members who were interested to run for some position to join the outgoing editorial team's meetings for some exposure, I didn't have the balls to volunteer myself. Frankly, I wasn't confident my writing was good enough for them because I've been published only once this year so far, but then I took comfort in that many others, including my fellow nominees, also had one article published too. Haha. And I've been in the Outspoken desk for two years anyway, so that should give me a slight edge.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, after a round of self-intro and some grilling, votes were cast through slips of paper. After a few moments was a shocker: there was a tie between me and the Indian-looking girl Kamala. Gasp. Haha a tie seemed unlikely in a crowd of 30-40 people, so I was caught off-guard. We needed 60% of total votes cast, too, to be elected.
A more intensive grilling ensued, and lookee the girl beside me turned out to be a Year 3 Sociology major.. Oooh and you know Soci majors, they're sharp and witty and essay-loving and always have some smart critique or insight about society or what. Haha stereotypes again, my favorite topic. Hehe, so yeah I was a bit intimidated and I would not have been surprised if I didn't get elected, and knew she would be a good editor anyway. Final vote came and I breathed a sigh of relief when it was my name that was called.
I was so thankful to those who voted, although I didn't want to seem as if I was desperate for the job. Haha. So yep, all my good vibes to all of you, I really really appreciate it. And to Nurul, too, for calling me up after the choir rehearsal to say that she was very happy for me, THANKS LOADS. I've secretly admired Nurul for the longest time 'cos she's cool and funky and witty and writes kick-ass well and perennially cheerful and artsy/poetic/bimbotic but still professional and smart and respectable. Means a lot. I was worried the editors thought I pulled a fast one on them by giving them a shocker on election night, but yep thanks a lot for believing in me.
The Outspoken Desk is one of the more popular among the desks, if not the most popular, based on the manpower of the desk and the number of applicants it receives. Haha the lure of it perhaps is that writers have the freedom to write and rant and rave about most anything, but of course standards are kept so the pieces are controversial and substantial and argumentative and of course sensible. Asraf did a mighty good job with Outspoken this year, in terms of article quality and deadlines, and filling in his shoes will be no small feat. (Haha FEAT and SHOES.. haha get it? Get it?! Haha cheap thrill sorry)
Anyway, NUS Choir's Varsity Voices is tomorrow (or later) already! Haha I'm not absolutely ready just yet, but it's gonna be great! I'm a bit sad there wouldn't be choir sessions soon after tomorrow except for the election and maybe some choir outing, but yeah, it's time to get mugging for the exams! I have a good feeling about tomorrow's Varsity Voices concert, let's just see what happens. Good night! :)
Plug
Plug
Been emailing some of my yahoogroups the message below regarding the NUS Choir Concert on Saturday. I haven't memorized the songs yet! Talk about stress man! But then, haha what's new? Anyway, I'm plugging the concert here on my blog as well, as hmm.. maybe Katlyn might chance upon my blog soon and be interested? And I dunno who else might come, really.. but hooray Tatatee a.k.a. Minli is gonna come with 4 other friends.. Haha I'm finally gonna meet you! :)
Ash Wednesday tomorrow (later).. I hope that Lent will make me more prayerful and more in touch with my spirit. And nope, I'm not gonna breakdown anytime soon. Jesus help me please.
And oh yeah I love NUS Choir. Good night!
_____
Hey hello there everyone,
Sorry I have to plug this.. but it's gonna be fun!
* * * * * *
Varsity Voices 2006: An Evening of Flower Songs
by the NUS Choir
The choir will showcase flower songs from the Renaissance to the contemporary period in their repertoire, including award-winning pieces performed at the second Voyage of Songs International Choral Competition in December 2005.
Saturday, 4th March 2006, 7:30 PM
University Cultural Centre Hall, NUS
Tickets at $12
For ticket enquiries, please contact
Li Yi (91121256)
Iris (98355665)
http://www.nuschoir.org
* * * * * *
And the repertoire isn't exactly flower flower songs as one would tend to imagine. We'll have some Baroque pieces, Missa Brevis, award-winning pieces in Advanced Open Mixed and Folklore categories from our competition in Malaysia in December 2005, Japanese songs, and some contemporary English tunes including Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel songs and a Beatles medley.
Sounds good right? Haha, you can contact me at 90745231 or at joseph@nus.edu.sg for tickets. Get them early so I can chope whatever good seats left.
Thanks!
Warm regards
Joseph
P.S. Here's the repertoire:
Baroque Pieces
Been emailing some of my yahoogroups the message below regarding the NUS Choir Concert on Saturday. I haven't memorized the songs yet! Talk about stress man! But then, haha what's new? Anyway, I'm plugging the concert here on my blog as well, as hmm.. maybe Katlyn might chance upon my blog soon and be interested? And I dunno who else might come, really.. but hooray Tatatee a.k.a. Minli is gonna come with 4 other friends.. Haha I'm finally gonna meet you! :)
Ash Wednesday tomorrow (later).. I hope that Lent will make me more prayerful and more in touch with my spirit. And nope, I'm not gonna breakdown anytime soon. Jesus help me please.
And oh yeah I love NUS Choir. Good night!
_____
Hey hello there everyone,
Sorry I have to plug this.. but it's gonna be fun!
* * * * * *
Varsity Voices 2006: An Evening of Flower Songs
by the NUS Choir
The choir will showcase flower songs from the Renaissance to the contemporary period in their repertoire, including award-winning pieces performed at the second Voyage of Songs International Choral Competition in December 2005.
Saturday, 4th March 2006, 7:30 PM
University Cultural Centre Hall, NUS
Tickets at $12
For ticket enquiries, please contact
Li Yi (91121256)
Iris (98355665)
http://www.nuschoir.org
* * * * * *
And the repertoire isn't exactly flower flower songs as one would tend to imagine. We'll have some Baroque pieces, Missa Brevis, award-winning pieces in Advanced Open Mixed and Folklore categories from our competition in Malaysia in December 2005, Japanese songs, and some contemporary English tunes including Stevie Wonder and Billy Joel songs and a Beatles medley.
Sounds good right? Haha, you can contact me at 90745231 or at joseph@nus.edu.sg for tickets. Get them early so I can chope whatever good seats left.
Thanks!
Warm regards
Joseph
P.S. Here's the repertoire:
Baroque Pieces
- Blessing, Glory and Wisdom (JS Bach)
Salve Regina (Antonio Lotti)
Ascendo ad Patrem meum (Jacob Handl)
- Kyrie
Gloria
Sanctus
Agnus Dei
- Sweet Honey-Sucking Bees (John Wilbye)
With a Lily in Your Hand (Eric Whitacre)
Do-kin-do-kin (Akira Miyoshi)
- Wayang Kulit Medley (Traditional)
Dong Dong Kui (Traditional)
- Sakura (Traditional, arr Toshinato Sato)
Tinsagu No Hana (Traditional, arr Jin Okamoto)
Funauta (Hideki Chihara)
- Love's in Need of Love Today (Stevie Wonder)
Lullabye (Billy Joel)
Roads (Steve Dobrogosz)
Beatles Medley (arr Ed Lojeski)
