~ PerCusSo ~

The Stroj’s performance was really SHIOK!! Got alot of dangerous, shocking skits like fire-splitting, glass-walking and fireworks.. It was so DRAMATIC that the audience liked it very much. And it’s no wonder that the Stroj’s CDs sold very fast like hot cakes! Ha, I got Huishan who bought the CD and she will burn me another copy. That’s GREAT!

This reminded me of the STOMP one. It’s almost the same.. I have the STOMP DVD with me and I can watch it anytime. I feel through the performances, gimmicks, unique ideas or styles all matter in them. From the Stroj and the STOMP, this has inspired me to have a kinda of unique percussion in XTOMIC that I founded with one of the aims – showcasing Deaf Music in Singapore..

Who knows that Deaf Music may be expanding in Singapore one day? *winks*

I have been trying to get sponsorship to support my studies. I got a quite number of rejections and I’m almost devastated. NAC, Singapore Pools, Singapore Turf Club, so on.. Still waiting for the replies from LEE Foundation, Shaw Foundation and other corporate companies.. I will continue to send letters!

But somehow, I’m myself a very determined person!
If I miss the chance to study this degree in UK (by August/September), it does not mean I cannot go the next time. There are always open doors out there. I’m now having other options: going for cheaper overseas degrees, joining the other bands, conducting workshops, so on..

I have been contacting many persons for any advices and/or assistances. Kelvin Kew’s really a great friend to me, he emailed his advice to me. Meanwhile, I’m trying to have a wide network of music, percussion and community of its special needs. One day, I’ll be able to find work in this area although this is Singapore. POSSIBLE for me to find music teaching/performing work to support myself!! *screams*

I MUST KEEP GOING ON!!!

After tonight’s practice, Richmond asked me about the clubbing activity. I was blur.. He realized that no one asked me out after knowing that Huishan was being asked to go out.

Hmmm, come to think about it, no one asked me out since then… It has been more than 8 years that I haven’t gone out with my friends. I often go meet Huishan when I’m free. Sometimes, Eileen.. Sometimes, XTOMIC-ers for playing sequence or chat…
I guess that my social life has been not very good and it’s little wonder that I do not have any boyfriend since then. Perhaps, I may not find a true love relationship this time.

Recalling those days when I was in St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School… Even, I had no chance to go out with friends when I was in Concert Band and Percussion Band. I spent so much time on these percussion practices. And, maybe my first love failed because of this. Another reason is that my first ex-boyfriend is Deaf and he does not enjoy music as much as I do. We couldn’t communicate much although our first love was really memorable, innocent and fun!

My second Deaf ex-boyfriend is now happily married with a pretty, Deaf lady. He and I are now good friends. Our relationship was full of twists and hurts although it lasted 2 to 3 months. Glad to forget and forgive everything and that’s why we are both good friends for so long.

After that, I had my secret admirations for some guys. In the end, they are taken! And, at the same time, they treat me as their good friend or other acquaintance. Perhaps, I’m scared of going into another relationship again and of being hurt in the end. Nevermind, it does not matter whether I’m lonely or not. I have many friends out there who care for me, love me and play & talk with me.. And, I have placed my love in percussion music. That’s forever true love and I won’t feel lonely this way..

Happy to see that XTOMIC has its new beginning under Huishan’s leadership.. Meanwhile, I’m happy for her that she’s learning to lead XTOMIC. And, I’m always there for everyone in XTOMIC!

After teaching my sign language class from 2pm to 5pm, I rushed down to the Boon Lay MRT. I was so excited that I had a quick bite and grabbed the best, front seat at the open field next to the MRT.

Watched all the performances played by Australia’s Circle of Rhythm, Singapore’s Percussion Assembly, India’s Tribal Tide and Malaysia’s Hands Percussion. They were really GREAT and SHIOK!! I bought the audio CD of the Circle of Rhythm and while getting their autographs, I found out that the trio had their experiences with the Deaf percussionists in Sydney and Melbourne. Even, they told Huishan and me that there are Deaf choir over there in Sydney. WOW!! That made me wanting to go over there to join them and perform together..

So, there is a closing celebration: The Stroj will be performing at the same venue on this coming weekend (24 June to 26 June). This group from Slovia is really SHIOK!! They will perform percussion with industrial things. It sounds like the STOMP.. Besides this loud noise, there will be fireworks… My friends, do come down and watch them.. You will be overwhelmed!! You will like it the best.. 100% guarantee!!

Finally, the Community Drumming Festival was over! Huishan, Nora, Lydia, Jinhe, Carlo, Handoko, Geeta and I had our three days of intensive rehearsals and throughout these days, we got ourselves screwed up! To some of us, it was really a training where we can sweat our fats out. Danced and played all the way…

Over there, we made friends with some of people – Jurami, Jenny and others. They were helpful to us.. Again, I met Mr. Syed. Kelvin Kew was there, too!!
Hmm, the event was wonderful! It was our learning experience and one day, we may play together again.

After all, we really ENJOYED it. The sounds of beating were still playing in our heads for some time.. Hahaa!

Huishan, Anthony and I went for Broadcast Asia 2005 as trade visitors just now.. Heehee, this was Huishan’s first time. Me, too… WOW, it was really an eye-opener!! Everything was interesting!! And this made me wonder… “Why don’t we establish our very first Deaf TV station in Singapore?” Other countries got their own television stations showing Deaf’s shows, interviews and almost everything the hearing ones have now.

I didn’t manage to go through every booth at Broadcast Asia because I got a sign language to teach. So, I went to CommunicAsia 2005 quickly to see new mobiles and other products.. Over there, I saw many models and they look quite handsome/pretty.. But they do not “thrill” me. It’s quite common to have them at these events..!

Walking TV!!?? Can’t imagine if there will be walking TVs one day.. It sounds so funny! And, there are most of the strange products.. But they were SHIOK!

Knowing that Elaine is working over there, I sms her to say HI.. Even, the first day of these events – Broadcast Asia, CommunicAsia, EnterpriseAsia, so on – was her birthday! Oh my goodness, she must be very exhausted..! So, I wished her a Happy Birthday and at the same time, I hoped that she would enjoy her special day with her friends…

After the percussion clinic at Plaza Singapura, Jason and I met a weird thing.. I shouldn’t say that it’s “WEIRD”. Interestingly, it’s a way of promoting the services by a big company (I forgot its company name). The lady was to distribute leaflets in her “bed”. Poor her, she couldn’t “get out of her bed” while distributing leaflets.

Attended the Percussion Clinic that was conducted by Kelvin Kew at the Plaza Singapura’s YAMAHA Combo Store. This clinic was about the hand drumming. Quite interesting and educational…!

Although I didn’t understand much what Kelvin said, I can say, at least I can have my learning experience over there. Perhaps, I can find out more details on this hand drumming and other topics/instruments by myself..

Hmm, Kelvin looks so cute with his pigtail and he looks like the young Anakin in the Star Wars – Phantom Menace (Episode 1).
Heard from my friend that Kelvin was once from the Heartbeat Percussion led by Mr. Syed. I somehow realised that the percussion circle in Singapore is quite small and we could know one another sooner or later.
And now, Kelvin owns his business where he can educate the public on percussion and others. Quite meaningful to teach like this.. That’s highly admirable..! One day, I will have my own business like them – Mr. Syed, Mr. Teow and Kelvin Kew!!

Haha, after reading Huishan’s blog, I realised that it was really a coincidence that we both rented the DVD movie, “The Phantom of Opera (2004)” on the same day..

Hmm, it somehow disappointed me. Its storyline was not strong enough to be shown. However, the songs are nice to listen, especially the Masquerade. Perhaps, I will buy the original soundtrack and book..

Hahaa.. Huishan mentioned that it somehow reminded her of the Moulin Rouge. Why not letting XTOMIC do the musical on the Phantom of the Opera? *winks*