Gala Concert of Fobissea Music Festival 2009 in Manilla, Philippines

Ran into Chin Lin about two weeks ago and she told me that the DVD of our concert for FOBISSEA Music Festival 2009 in Manila, Philippines has arrived. Rushed over to Mr Carter after school to grab hold of them, I've been waiting too long for these things to arrive.

The recording quality was really good, too good in fact that it makes certain mistakes rather obvious lol. But I think its a brilliant effort just after one week of practice. The orchestra had it the hardest because 1 week is definitely not a long time to practice a barrage of songs. They had to play the choir pieces AND their own instrumental pieces. So, they had twice the workload cut out for them.

Mr Carter in action during the actual night. He conducted the Harry Potter piece.

It took me some time but here are some of the songs the choir sang that night.

1. Steal Away

2. Ain't Misbehavin



3. We Are the World



4. The Heavens Are Telling



5. Dry Your Tears Afrika



6. Hallelujah Chorus



Being a part of this huge choir was such an amazing experience. Standing in the middle of all that harmony is incredible! I'll definitely do it again if I get the chance. Thank you British School Manila for being such an excellent host. Thank you for feeding us so well, I really appreciate the fact that you guys fed us REALLY good food. Give me good food any day and I'll be a happy man =)

Join BRATs

Applications for the Star BRATs is now open! If you visit here often enough, you would know how much I talk about it. BRATs has open up a whole new world of possibilities in my life. The friends you make and the cool people that run the workshops are just priceless.

Thousands of teenagers had had their first journalistic experience through The Star's BRATs (Young Journalist) programme, which started in 1993.

This year, the BRATs programme will be held in three different cities:

Penang: March 13-16
Kuching: June 5-8
Kuantan Sept 4-7

These are the details on how to join the BRATs (Bright, Roving, Annoying Teens).

Tell us about yourself in either (choose one):

Words - In an English eassy of not more than 1,000 words

Images - Photo essay or graphic work (in JPEG format)

Video - No longer than one minute.

To join BRATs:

a. You must be a Malaysian between 16 and 19 years old.
b. Include your biodata, with your contact details.
c. The participation fee is RM120, inclusive of accomodation, meals and travelling during the workshop. Note that travelling expenses to the workshop venue will be borne by the participant. Do not send payment with application (only selected applicats are eligible to attend the workshop).
d. Be sure to indicate which workshop you'd like to attend - choose one.

For further enquiries, please e-mail brats@thestar.com.my

Send your essay (in words or images or video) and biodata to:

BRATs, StarYouth
Menara Star
15, Jalan 16/11
46350 Petaling Jaya
Selangor

or email to brats@thestar.com.my

Siam Paragon Cineplex in Bangkok. Thailand

I have heard so much about Siam Paragon prior from my trip to Bangkok, Thailand. Awesome thing about this mall is the food court, its huge! Had such a good time walking all over the place sampling little things here and there. Bought these Tom Yam sausages which were really good as they had that spicy kick to it.

Then that night I went to watch a movie with my dad, G.I Joe. Tickets were so easy to get despite it being the opening night. And the lounge area is very wide, obviously built so that people could wait with ease. How come WE never thought about that? lol

Interesting thing about my cinematic experience in Bangkok is this special ritual before the movie starts. I was sitting down with my dad eating my bucket of cheese popcorn, then suddenly everyone stood up and music started playing. It was a tribute to the king! Both of us quickly stood up. The whole video montage was really well done, as it has the whole feel good vibe to it. These people really love their king.

Cheese popcorn! I was so excited to buy this. Thought it was such a brilliant idea till' to ate it. It was rather salty and soft, perhaps salty and crunchy would have been a better combination.

Arghhhh!!!!

I woke up feeling like crap today. Its just one of those day I guess, when you wake up and somehow you're in a bad mood. Work and frustration is piling up. Still hanging in there though. Thank God for giving me friends that keep me sane. Its just week two though, and it is only going to get busier.

More Jalan-jalan Ipoh

We're back after a long time, to the quaint little town of Ipoh or iPoh as I like to call it. Its a memorable place for me as I had my first BRATs workshop there and went back to senior the following year.

This reminds me that I am in dire need of good food! Its been too long since I've had a GOOD food. Not to be mistaken for expensive pretentious food, I just want good food. The family was supposed to go somewhere today but it got cancelled. Looking forward to the Chinese New Year reunion dinner next Sunday. Good food and cash, what's more to ask for?

Thinking about Bali

I feel at peace already looking at this picture...

Light (TOD Youth Alive Christmas Presentation)

Last Christmas was interesting. Somehow it did not feel like Christmas but I had fun nonetheless with family and friends. Most of my time was spent in church helping out with practices for our presentation for Christmas night-tiring but fun.

The whole concept revolved around the idea where they used black lights which lights up the white gloves they used. With this they use it to make shapes to interpret the song. A brilliant concept! Photography is not allowed during the actual day due to the nature of the performance, but I took pictures during the practice sessions.

The kids worked really hard to get the choreography worked out. It was done over the span of 3 months, every Saturday from what I heard. Fun fact: You know they're not allowed to smile? Your teeth will actually give off quite a visible glow. lol

We had a buffet dinner before the presentation. Then after the presentation, we kept eating the leftover food hhahah. Now what's an event without the group pictures?

Johnson "working" that fedora =D

One for the album...

I'm not ready to go back

2009

I just finished watching "The Bucket List" and I'm feeling very nostalgic right now. Great movie by the way. So simple yet so profound. Made me think about my life thus far. And I've realised that I've have not updated this site in a while! So here I am recapping the awesome year that is 2009.

2009 have been the most memorable year I've had so far, a year to relish the labour of one's fruits and the fulfillment of dreams. (I feel that this is gonna be a very long one, you have been warned) I have so much to thank God for.

After such a rocky year in 2008 (oh boy) with all the exam pressure and future-on-the-line melodramatics, 2009 was such a relief. Lets go through this year's highlights chronologically.

1. The teaching job
Thanks Gillian for directing me to this place. In the 2 months+ I was teaching at this corner-lot house, the home to about 20 wonderful kids I have learned lessons every other day I go there. Going there (Rumah Sayangan) 3 times a week was fun.......initially.

In the next month or so there were days where I just wanted to stay asleep in bed and not get out, grumbling that I don't have to do this since I'm on holiday. To get there on time I would need to get up at the same time as my sister for school. Ughhh.....people who know me would know that I HATE waking up in the morning. Then I would need to take the long boring KTM train ride down to Cheras.

But wake up I did, and each time when I ride the KTM train back home I would feel that it was worth all the trouble. I had happy moments and some pretty intense ones as a teacher. But all in all I feel satisfied with what I've accomplished. Those were 2 good months.

2. SPM results
I blame the whole 2008 on this national examination. With such horrendous trial results, the end-results was such a wonderful surprise. I thank God for being with me throughout the whole process and mom for all her prayers and dad for providing the motivation (1k per A would get anyone going).

Thank goodness that those I-wanna-bang-my-head-on-the-wall-cause-I-cant-get-additional-maths-days are gone. My dad literally laughed when I told him that I got A1 for Add Maths and Sejarah, two subjects where at occasions I failed to even pass.

3. National Service
What I decided to do in National Service was to keep a journal. Every single detail of my days in camp is written in that book, bitter and sweet. The only day I missed out is the last day I think because I was too happy about going home.

The 3 months spent in that camp was rather interesting and educational in a weird way. First of all, National Service or Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) was this huge deterrent to my plans for 2009. Initially I wanted to jet off someplace to do some social work or work onboard the floating bookshop, Doulos.

However, I got selected to this program and it so happened to be right in the middle of my holidays. Nevertheless, I went in with an open mind despite all the horror stories that I have heard.

I wouldn't say that I agree with their methodology of discipline, which is more of a you-do-this-because-i-tell-you-so rather than understanding why you have to do it in the first place. But further down the line I realised that not everybody is able to comprehend logic.

Being in National Service opened my eyes to understand why things are they way it is in our country. Mindsets are so backwards, with the order of things rules by ego and position. I laugh when I realised that National Service is sort of like a spoof of our current political situation.

Personal opinions aside I have benefited a lot from attending National Service. I've made close friends, some that I'm still in contact with till today. Its also been a privilege to meet teachers dedicated to their work. Their advices borderline on cheesiness but I understand their intentions and I respect them for that.

With my dorm mates at the shooting range

National Service introduced to me a healthier lifestyle. Man, all those days waking up at 6 in the morning to sing our national anthem and exercise. I lost more than 10kg in National Service and continued to do so even after. (Hhahah....this sounds so much like the Biggest Loser)

I got to shoot a gun. Now I get to cross that out of my bucket list =D

A big shout out to Grace Family Sanctuay (GFS), Banting! Thank you so much for hosting us every Sunday and feeding us so well. Pastor Victor, your passion us such an inspiration and all the way from the Philippines! This is the picture on the final day. We started with about 8 people attending.

4. Appearing on National Television
It was RTM1 but its something alright. By the way, this happened during National Service. I had a blast experiencing the whole production thing going on. My camp did a traditional dance medley.

Group pictures with fellow camp mates. This is just a small portion though, out of the whole team.

We put so much practice into it. Practice was held throughout the whole day-morning, afternoon, and evening and occasionally even after supper. I enjoyed it because we got special privileges and what nots, like exemption from certain activities xP

I'm definitely not a dancer but I'm always up for new experiences. Because of that I ended up dancing on national television in tights lol. I was doing the Sarawakian dance so that pretty much explains everything.

With the Sawarak dance team. AHhaha, the girl is blocking my tights. Close one......I'll post the video when I'm really free to dig the DVD up and convert it and upload it to youtube and publicly humiliate myself.

5. Bali!
Such an awesome trip with loads of wonderful memories. First of all it was my first time traveling overseas without my parents. Went along with the gang from TOD's Young Adult College Group (YACG)- Avis and her cousin Candy, Andrew, Sue Jan, Ken Jon, Ah Kit, and not to forget out hosts Ovira and Grace (her mom who owns a tour agency was so kind to arrange the whole thing).

Beautiful sunset at Jimbaran Beach

The trip was so laid back which is why I really enjoyed it and there was good company too. We visited places, eat, visit more places, eat more, shop a little, and eat more. Food was so good, today I still have cravings for the seafood dinner we had at Jimbaran Beach.

Jimbaran Beach

Uluwatu Temple

6. Bangkok, Thailand!
Dad offered to take me on a trip, I suggested Bangkok and he said yes! He let me plan everything from where to go, where to eat and where to stay. Had such a great time with my dad.

We were there for about a week so we got to tour Bangkok at a very nice pace. Its very accessible and I was surprised by how cheap the taxis are. Getting around was no problem at all. You can find food everywhere! Most memorable dining experience has to be at Khao San Road. Oh my, I had so much fun sampling all kinds of food there. But more on that later as I have yet to finish blogging about Bangkok.

The floating market is probably the highlight of the trip. Too bad we did not have much time to actually shop there. I talked a little about the situation with the tour arrangement in a previous post. But short as it was, I had a good visit.

Khao San Road is awesome! Its a place where backpackers and tourists go to, so it makes a good place for people watching and street photography. I really liked the vibe of the place.

We reached Khao San Road during sunset and I remembered that everything was just covered in golden light. Probably the best lighting I've seen in my years of photography (not that its very extensive hahaha).

7. I'm no longer a KLPAC virgin!
Finally saw my fist musical at KLPAC. The title is Kaki Blue, a tale about National Service which caught my attention. Plus a fellow BRAT was starring in it too. He helped my buy the tickets but due to some mishap (the counter couldn't find the tickets) I had to buy new tickets. Means that both of us purchased tickets. Nicholas, I'll make it up to you one day! =D

The show itself was really enjoyable. I had a good time, the family had a good time- so we all came out very happy.

8. Kolej Tuanku Jaafar
My very first term in this boarding school was really awesome (I just realised that I've used this word an awful lot in this post) . Life in KTJ is really hectic with all the projects and work and et cetera but its alright when you enjoy doing it. Met tons of awesome people, some whom I've grown close to. I could not have asked for a better bunch of friends.

9. Sabah and Sarawak!
More travelling =D This time with the whole family to Sabah and Sarawak. I did not take many pictures this trip since I was in a really chilled out mood. We did some tourist-ing in Sabah but in Sawarak we stayed in the hotel mostly. My grandparents were there so we spend the time with them.

I went crazy for Kolo Mee in Sarawak. There was this really good coffee shop opposite the hotel so we ate/tapau every day. Good stuff!

10. Philippines (FOBISSEA Music Festival 2009)
This trip was just WOW. I have to give props to the organisers for making this such a memorable event. The trip cost about Rm 3000 and we were treated like royalty. We had police escorts on the road which allows us to drive in the opposite lane when needed and its the job of the other drivers to avoid us (lol).

They put us in a 5-Star hotel, Intercontinental Hotel Makati which was a real swanky hotel. Food was absolutely top class, even during out lunch and tea breaks in school. I was really spoilt by the quality of food served to us there. We even had a mariachi band to entertain us while we eat.

Oh, and pork is EVERYWHERE! I found this hotdog kiosk at the mall and guess what. They serve hotdogs, with the sausage wrapped in bacon.

The Las Pinas Boys Choir, World Choir Games champion. Those boys can hit notes I can only dream of hitting. Such a privilege to have the opportunity to catch them live.

Then the opportunity to sing in such a huge choir was just amazing. Sound system was top class! I thought that my church has a really awesome sound system but the equipment they brought in was just WOW. My teacher probably got the dvd already during the holidays. I'll post up the video of our performance when I get it.

Mr Carter, conducting the orchestra during one of the rehearsals. I think they did a piece from one of the Harry Potter films.

I also got the chance to visit the Tondo dumpsite in the outskirts of Manila. We see these things in documentaries, films and pictures but actually being there is so surreal. Believe me what you see in the media is no exaggeration. Its a relief to know that there are people who are making a difference in places like this.

11. In the news
Had a few articles up in the Star this year.
a. Portraits of Bali (link)

b. Mid Autumn Festival
c. Helping out in Tondo, Manilla (link)

Seeing your name on print never gets old. Makes me appreciate the opportunity to be a part of BRATs. Get to meet the cool editors and journalists from the Star some more xP So thank you Ivy, Niki, Sharmila, Ian, and the-mother-of-all-BRATs, Ju-Eng. I still remembered the day when they introduced themselves during the workshop. They were like "Don't you dare call us Aunties and Uncles!". Good times, good times =D

12. Senioring BRATs
This year I had the chance to senior a BRATs workshop. This is where past participants like me help the newbies with their assignments and such, something like peer teaching. Had fun with the other two seniors, Suraya and Sandra. Got to meet famous blogger Jason Mumbles (link). He's a really nice down to earth guy, famous for his food reviews.

12. Photographer of the Year 2009 (Shortlisted)
Well, I didn't win but its such an honour to be shortlisted under Editor's Choice. You've probably seen picture a dozen times hahaha. (link)

13. Singapore (THIMUN Singapore 2009)
Right after Philippines I flew to Singapore for the Model United Nations conference hosted by the Hwa Chong Institute (which is massive, and I thought KTJ was big). We had over 1000 participants from countries all over Asia.

MUN is this thing where we have this meeting like what the United Nations does, to come up with solutions to problems through proposing resolutions and debating over them. Now I know why nothing ever gets done in the UN. There's just too many conflicting opinions.

Debating in this format is so fun. We are teenagers, so the tone is not too serious. Will blog more about this soon.

I think our school has the most awesome chaperon teacher. She just tells us to be smart and think before doing something, and just lets us do what we want during our free time. Hahhaha other schools had their teachers lock them up in the hotels to work on their resolution.

It was a fun trip. Singapore malls have really good variety of shops unlike Malaysia where every shopping mall is about the same. The food court is very refreshing, with different variety compared to what you'll normally find in Malaysia. I discovered this shop that sells fried mars bars served with vanilla ice-cream. So good!

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So that's its. The most awesome year of my life so far. Cheers to 2010! I don't know what this year beholds so we'll just have to wait and see. All things changes but God never will. I really thank God for making 2009 such an awesome year. I never even considered the possibility of traveling to 4 different destinations in a year!