~ PerCusSo ~

SINGAPORE : Thousands of homes and businesses around Singapore were plunged into darkness after a widespread blackout on Tuesday night (29 June). The 2-hour blackout hit many areas in the central, north-eastern and western parts of the island, including Bishan, Choa Chua Kang, Paya Lebar, Clementi, Woodlands, Bukit Batok, Crawford, Jurong, Mandai, Sengkang, and Aljunied.

Yes, I was alittle affected by this massive blackout. When this blackout occurred, I was still teaching sign language, being unalert of it. After my class ended at ten, I somehow noticed that most of the street lights went off. I didn’t know what actually happened.. Until I alighted from the train at Lakeside MRT station, I realised this. When I arrived at my flat, there was no lights at all. The lifts were not moving. So, I had to take stairs in dark. I could hardly see the steps and I didn’t know how many levels I was at. I kept on climbing up and up, I had to stretch my eyes at the correct door of my home, with the help of my handphone light. I couldn’t imagine… What if I met a flasher, molester or maybe a robber while I kept on climbing up alone in dark? It was indeed scary!!

Upon reaching my destination, I heaved a sigh of relief.. I was safe! I didn’t know that the blackout lasted for almost 1 or 2 hours.. When I was at home, I waited for only 30 minutes to have our electricity restored. If not for sign language class, I would have suffered an 1 or 2-hour of darkness, I might stare at the ceiling, waiting for electricity to be back again.

Well, this was not my first time here.. I have somehow experienced total darkness. That was during my OBS camp. Another one was some years ago, I think, 1992.

I only come to remember that whenever a blackout occurs and I’m still out, I may have someone familiar who climbs up together with me to my home. It will be more safe this way.

Announcement!! XTOMIC has an upcoming performance at Toa Payoh HDB Hub at 3pm on 4th July, Sunday.

We all will be performing 3 items: “Black Eyed Peas – Where Is The Love”, “Gareth Gates – Say It Isn’t So” and “Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day”…

Mark this date “4th July” and come down to support us!! We hope to see most of you…

Since I do not have a scanner at home, I copied from Vivian’s blogspot. I guess she has scanned those photos..

Last Friday, Vivian and I went to town to watch the movie, ‘Troy’. Both of us dozed off at the beginning of the movie, I suppose that we both are tired. After that movie, we went for the fun photo-taking. It’s really fun! As for that 3rd photo, I wanted to put a bow on my neck. But time ran out of time, I had no chance to put it there..

Hmmm, Vivian, thanks for the birthday present.. I love it! Oh yes, do let me know when you will be staying overnight at my place..

My mummy made some dumplings and they are very delicious! Vivian, come and have them at my place!!

While shopping with Elaine at Far East Plaza, I spotted a group of Disney toys playing their instruments.. I was so happy that I bought all of them. These toys are similar to those bears which I bought some years ago. Really wonderful to have them…

Look at these Disney characters. They have their part to play..

I like those 2 squirrels playing xylophone. And, as for beary toys, it got a bear that plays xylophone..

Hmm, those percussion things like toys, instruments, display are quite rare gems. They are hard to get by. I tell myself, I must have them no matter how expensive or cheap they are.

Over 500 Singapore Idol hopefuls are flocking to Suntec Convention Centre for Round 2 of auditions.

They were handpicked by MediaCorp staff during the first round from an initial pool of over 3,000 applicants.

Now the contestants will be crooning to the four celebrity judges for the very first time.

Nine in the morning and the judges were already raring to go.

Dick Lee, Singapore Idol judge, said: “I have always been a firm believer in Singapore talent and I think this is a great opportunity to see a whole lot of them and I’m sure I will not be disappointed.”

Douglas Oliveiro, Singapore Idol Judge, said: “I have no idea what’s gonna happen in there but I hope somebody can sing in there.”

Here at the dreaded waiting room auditionees are all nerves, and they probably have good reason to be because at the end of this second Round only about a lucky 100 will be chosen to go on to Round 3 which will be held at MediaCorp’s Caldecott Studios.

With only a 1 in 5 chance of making it through this round, some Idol hopefuls were given the boot.

But what did they think of the judges?

“The last judge, dunno his name, his face is so serious, so it’s very hard to sing with a face like that you feel he’s not interested,” said one contestant.

“Another one said that when you sing it’s like the whole room was shaking then Florence Lian was like, it’s not for me,” said another.

“They’re not harsh, they’re very very humble as compared to the ones in the US.”

But there were the lucky few.

“I got through and I’m really happy!” said one Singapore Idol hopeful.

“I’m from the Philippines and I made it and here’s the proof. Right now I’m excited to go home as I wanna sleep cos I don’t have sleep last night,” said another.

But the odds are stacked up against them as odds are 1 in 5 chance of getting in to Round 3. – CNA

Hmm, my audition is postponed to 3 July, Saturday. 3pm. And, I will have a long time to prepare 3 songs which I need to sing at the next audition. Wanna know what songs I’ll sing? Ok, they are ‘Eternal Flame’, ‘Never Had A Dream Come True’ and ‘My Heart Will Go On’.

Besides this, I’m asked to wear the same clothes which I wore at the 1st round of the audition. This made me wonder… Well, I haven’t thought of anything..

Actually, my parents didn’t know that I joined Singapore Idol. I didn’t tell them since I know that I’ll be out for sure.. Now, they know about it from the call which MediaCorps told them that the audition is postponed. Moreover, they didn’t tell me earlier and at the same time, I was out with Cecilia and Huishan, staying overnight at Cecilia’s place. Three of us went to Suntec and waited for nothing.. I felt bad. But still, I was thankful to them for accompanying me throughout the day.

Hmmm, I do not know whether it’s Heaven’s arrangement.. In fact, I was feeling not well. I got a cough the day before the audition. How should I sing well while I got a cough? I was prepared for the worst, I would be out for sure. I didn’t expect this postponement.. Heaven seems to see me recovering from my cough, I need to go through the auditions. Well, I’ll do my best for the sake of myself and others..

On 10 June, I went to watch my dear cousin’s performance at Victoria Concert Hall. It’s really splendid!! Quite fast songs!!

I like the last 3 songs, ‘ Star Wars Saga’, ‘Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves’ and ‘The Lion King’ very much because Dr. Lee, the conductor, is quite amusing. He wore different items, for example when ‘Star Wars Saga’ is about to be performed, he would bring a Jedi power sword.

Oh, my cousin plays flute..

At first, I didn’t find her at all and she’s in 3rd row. Then, she moved to the 2nd row after the 15-minute interlude. Can see her in the photo? (Well, it’s quite blur..)

Hmm, I could recall those times which I spent at St. Anthony Canossian Secondary School Concert Band.. I still remember that we practised hard on ‘The Lion King’ and the music part for percussion is really difficult to master those rhythms..

I suddenly turned to recall those times at the CSHI Percussion Band. They’re really wonderful. This makes me feel like doing a VCD on those photos which are in the bandroom now.

How nice it will be when my CSHI bandmates and I perform together again…! *dreaming…*

Perhaps, we can set up an alumni band one day.. :p

Ha, my friend, Peder (a guy with his brown hair, standing at the right side), sent me a surprise email. This made me in awe of him because he still remembers me as his friend.

I thought he has forgotten me after he flew to Sweden, his hometown.. I didn’t expect to receive his email.. It’s really nice of him to keep in touch.. I’m touched!

Hmm, I still remember that Eileen made friends with him at her Mandarin class. She introduced him to my friends and me. That’s how we became friends..

Congrats to Karen & Kenichi..!! I’m happy for them that they are getting married after keeping their 3-year long distance relationship. I do not know their love story until I went into their website (http://www.geocities.com/kenkar0862). I suppose that their story must be wonderful. It’s not easy for her to maintain this relationship while the other party is in another country.

I only know that Karen is my senior primary school-mate and she kept on pinching my cheeks when I was very young. I do not know why she loved to pinch my cheeks. Ouch!!

Alright, may this beautiful couple be blessed with everlasting marriage full of love and fun!