MY NEW FOUND FREEDOM.
I was reading through the previous posts and realised how they were all dominated by studies, CCA, school 'life' in general. Reflecting back, I should compensate with one that fairly depicts the two years I have been through. Albeit full of catching up with lectures, tutorials, tight exam revision schedueles, these 2 years have taught me many things far beyond the textbooks from which I emerge as a stronger, mature person.
BAND first.
It all began with ETUDE XXXIII in 2008. Awed by the main band repertoire, the entertaining stage band performance and how the concert culminated with the college anthem proudly sang along by fellow njcians, I told myself that if I were to go nj, this band experience is something that I wouldn't want to miss. So after Os, I went for their tune-in but that was when I finally realised how poor my playing was and kind of decided not to join band anymore, forgetting the feeling of how badly I wanted to play like the seniors did for ETUDE XXXIII.
Soon I was admitted into nj, struggling among the possible CCA choices. Given the circumstances and other considerations then, I ended up back in band. It was the SYF period and my playing was not up to standard. The stress of getting basic air and articulation techniques right, of hitting the tuning and higher range notes, of being in tune with the section and band compounded with every sectionals, combined and everytime the seniors tried to help but I still couldn't improve. It became overwhelming and I broke down. Some seniors and Ms Feng comforted and encouraged me.
THANKS LYNNA, CHERYL, EDWARD!
AND CHRISTINA!
It was their words of encouragement that gave the belief that I can do it and the strength to move on not only during SYF, but also during another unexpectedly tougher period in band - preparation for Etude XXXIV.
The last few practices before Etude night were tormenting (those whom I went out with the day before Etude would know!) to the extent that I realise how unhealthy the band culture was then. My bro psychoed me into turning away from the negative side and thinking positive the night before. It worked. Garnering the support from other batchmates, I overcome the mental barrier and played the solo with no mistakes, at least.
My two main sources of motivation: JESSICA AND LAYTENG! THANKS!
Thanks to this band experience I learnt how to go along with difficult people and appreciate the nice ones more, I gained more musical knowledge and playing skills that enabled me to play confidently in nanhua alumni, and I decided that I will not join band anymore in uni!
Next, STAR PROGRAMME.
THANKS EVELYN (my right) for all the help in the experiments, my understanding of research work, the written report and poster presentation! On the left is a proud father of mine hehehs.
And surprisingly, my project was selected for SSEF and unexpectedly, I got a silver! There was nothing more I could could ask for. (my poster in the background!)
Though I wasn't put through the entire process of research cos evelyn helped me alot, I gained deeper insights into her field of work and valuable experiences if I were to do research in uni :)
Lastly, my dear friends who have been through thick and thin with me and of course the teachers who have been so committed and loving! And thanks to GP, I learnt how rewarding can reading newspapers be (hopefully not too late), and some thinking skills.
Yes that should be about it, a reasonable account of my non-academic life in nj huh.
Now that I'm almost free from academic commitment for the time being, I'm starting to ponder over post-a level plans. And so far, these are the things that I MUST DO:
1. Get A JOB either as a teaching intern/relief teacher/part-time helper at pharmacies
2. Nanhua band camp and annual concert
3. Catch up with ex-bandmates
4. Outing with tuition friends
5. Learn the flute
6. Family tour to Taiwan
7. Go to Universal Studios Singapore
8. Exercise more
9. Catch up with fellow pigs!
Haha that's all for now. Time to get on with a new day with my new found freedom!
