Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Voices of Joy

Note: Sorry, as this is a belated post of an event I attended on 20th July 2006.


20th July 2006, Thursday



Hurray, finally the hermit has headed out to town for the night, after long time hiding in her own shell, hibernating. Yesterday night, I went to a charity choral performance (Voices of Joy – Choral Performances by Juvenalia, Viva and Operafest Choirs) at Jalan Imbi. The concert was held at the Auditorium 3rd floor, Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, No. 243 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur (see pic below).




A bit about The Journey

Rushed home straight from work to get ready as a friend will pick me up at 6.30pm sharp. As we are civic minded, we decided to car pool with several other acquaintances. Luckily, I am working very close to my home and it’s just a few minutes drive away - if not, I would not be able to make it in time as I can only pack my bags to go home after 5.30pm everyday. There, this is the luxury of working close to home (flaunting counting my blessing gratefully).

The journey itself was yawn inducing to the extreme, as my friend actually slotted me into a car jam-packed with Aunties. Sigh… I guess that’s the price of accepting freebies (I was only included into this outing when someone pulled-out last minutely with a paid-for ticket).


The yawn inducing conversations throughout the trip:

Aunty A to another Aunty B: Aiyah! You know this daughter of so-and-so-friend ah? She ah very good at dancing one.

Aunty B to Aunty A: Yalah! That’s
why she got such a beautiful body with big boobs to boot.

Aunty C: Her body ah, is that type people called, *bee-waist and **cockroach belly lor! (Chinese idioms: *small waist like a bee. **flat tummy like a cockroach).

Aunty B: Hahaha. Too bad her skin is a tad bit on the dark side if not, then very pretty hor?

Me: -Yawns- (Eyes watering after the countless yawns produced since I came into the car)

Aunty D (the driver): Where are we now hor? Are we supposed to turn into this junction kah? You people please let me know ah! (driving very slowly and anxiously looking for the turning).

Aunty A: Aiyoh! Don’t worry lah! I know the way there one. Lagipun, so many people here in the car to help. –continues with the jabbering with the other Aunties-

Me: -Sigh- Yawwn….. zzzzzzz


And this sort of conversations carries on with a variety of other mundane topics.


The Venue

The lobby was still quite empty when we reached there an hour too early. The show only starts at 8.00pm and we can only be seated by 7.45pm. So, we just stood around at the lobby area waiting for the time to pass. -Yawn-

As I came with the Aunties, I was basically left alone by them as they continued with another round of jabbering with me trying to look not-so-lonely and out-of-place.



And most importantly, about the Choral Recitals





JUVENALIA YOUTH CHOIR

The choral recital was kicked-off by the awesome Juvenalia Youth Choir from Finland of which in my humble opinion, was the best group in this show. Pardon me for my limited knowledge on Choral Music as this was my first experience of one.

I was pleasantly surprised to note that this choral assemblage didn’t have any - or in their case, even need any instrumental accompaniment to sound so otherworldly enchanting. I was enthralled throughout their performance – mesmerized by their perfect blending of voices which filled the auditorium with beautifully pleasing vocal resonance.

Maestro Matti Järvinen’s expression of tempo, dynamics, blending and style of the repertoires was very precise and masterfully delivered.

I am happy to declare that their performance has really made it worth my while -Thumbs Up-


Bits of Intro on the Juvenalia Youth Choir:
(as plucked out straight from the Programme Sheet itself)

The JUVENALIA Youth Choir consists of 32 singers aged between 16 and 26. The choir rehearses at Juvenalia’s premises in the Sello-complex in Leppävaara, Finland. The choir’s artistic director is Matti Järvinen and Anitta Ranta acts as the choir’s voice trainer.

The youth choir’s repertoire consists of medieval and renaissance songs as well as the new music, rune songs and modern music from Finland, Estonia and Hungary. The choir has also collaborated the Eero Koivistoinen, who has composed the works Kökkelö and Suomalainen Sarja specifically to the choir’s order. The choir performs a cappella, without accompaniment.

Juvenalia has successfully taken part in many choir events and competitions both in Finland and abroad, bringing home gold and silver diplomas and category wins as results. The choir has published several records, including Puer Natus in Betlehem and Discantemus.


Ahem, just in case you wondered about the visual part of the show - the members of this choir assemblage was also very much ogle-worthy *wink* (and I did stared ceaselessly to my heart’s content - especially at those cute looking choir boys – forgive me, for I am only human. Ok *grins*. Plus, they all did look like models for an Armani ad in their smart two-piece suit!). Oh! And did I mention anywhere that this was a mixed choir group? Although, it mainly consist more of female than males – there were only like about 10 or so males in this group.

Footnote
Cappella : Singing without accompaniment



VIVA YOUTH CHOIR

Okay moving on, up next was the group, Viva Youth Choir from Norway. This group’s performance was more on a joie de vi vre note. It was accompanied by the piano, two cellos and an accordion. This choral was largely made up of young junior school kids. Yet again, it was also dominated by females as I have only managed to spot up to like, two prancing little boys perhaps?? Then again, I am not so sure, as this was a large group of about 40-50 singers and I might have be a little visually distracted by all their dancing and formation routines. Yet, I guess we can still call this a mixed group, agreed?

Overall, I felt that this choral did put up a very good show - considering their age. But, I must say that it did sound and feels more like a Broadway kind of show. Alright, maybe some of the fellow spectators actually felt relieved to be entertained by a livelier group after the first choral group – which some may deem a little too rigid and unexciting as their recitals were mostly of their local classical songs (sung in their own tongue too – nope, not in English. I believed it is all in Finnish).

Footnote:
joie de vi·vre (zhwä d v vr )
n. Hearty or carefree enjoyment of life.


Bits of Intro on the Viva Youth Choir:
(as plucked out straight from the Programme Sheet itself)

VIVA is a youth choir with 45 girls and boys aged between 11 and 19 years old. Established in 1968, the choir belongs to Sandnes School of Culture, which is one of the oldest and biggest music schools in Norway. It is recognized both nationally and internationally as an outstanding choir, having won the first prize in Randers International Music Festival in Denmark and awarded the Sandness Community Achievement Award 2005 for outstanding national and international cultural achievements. Viva also won 1st prize in a national choir-competition for youth/adult choirs in Bergen this year.

The choir has performed in various key events, including the opening ceremony of the Stavanger University in the presence of King Harald of Norway, fund-raising concert for the Asian Tsunami victims with top-selling Norwegian artists and as demonstration choir in a choir conductors’ congress in Vasterås, Sweden.

Viva’s conductor, Liv Hugstmyr Særheim, was voted Youth Choir Conductor of 2005 by Norwegian Association of Child and Youth Choirs.



OPERAFEST CHILDREN’S CHOIR

Last but not least, is our home-grown award-winning choir group, Operafest Children’s Choir. This choir group was very spirited and dynamic. It was lead by Maestro Kam Sun-Yoke, the founder and artistic director of this commendable choir group.

This was the smallest group of all, as it only consist of about 20-25 young girls and boys - two of them as young as, let’s say, 5 – 6 years old? And the rest is about 9 – 13 years old. Their repertoire pieces has a mixed of international flavors – from Filipino Folk and Hungarian Dance song to the Chinese Folk songs e.g. ‘Jasmine Flower’ or ‘Muo Li Hua’ in Mandarin.

On the whole, this last group put up a very entertaining show with touches of humor in its midst - even though, it did lack the brilliance of strong vocal and tempo control as witnessed from the first group. But heck, this group did manage to grab the attention of most of the audiences and even managed to get the crowd to join in clapping and singing a few tunes towards the end of the show. All this was quite refreshing after being cooped up in the auditorium for about three long hours - trying hard to sit very still.


Bits of Intro on the Operafest Children’s Choir:
(as plucked out straight from the Programme Sheet itself)

The OPERAFEST Children’s Choir was formed in 1986 to promote the arts and to provide a sound education through music. Little was expected as to what it could achieve. Nonetheless, the vision to acquire artistic excellence never waned, because of the strong bond shared among the children, their parents, and the artistic director, Kam Sun-Yoke. Sun-Yoke drew inspiration from the late, world-renowned opera conductor, Dr. Jan Popper of UCLA, USA, and the then director of the Vienna Boy’s Choir, Dr. Tautschnig, who both convinced her that any project tempered with patience, love and dedication, must succeed.

In 1991, through hard work, unstinting persistence, grit and grind, The Operafest Children’s Choir became the first Malaysian Choir to have won second place in their presentation of Purcell’s ‘Sound the Trumpet’ in the famous Llangollen, International Eisteddfod, Wales, and third place in the Koorfestival of Arnheim, Holland, a choir Olympics held once in every four years.

To date, The Operafest Children’s Choir has performed in Holland, Wales, Spain, Argentina, India, Greece, Macedonia, Australia, Singapore, Indiana, New York and Montana (USA).



Discoveries - Of The Pleasant & The Unpleasant Kind

I really came into this performance not knowing what to expect and was frankly a little skeptical if I would actually enjoy it – and enjoy it I did, with much gusto too (enough to even blog about it – in a long winded way too).

Even though, I did enjoy the show very much but, sadly it was partially marred by two inconsiderate buffoons sitting in front of me who fidgets non-stop and was merrily chattering away throughout the whole show. To make the matter worst, they even have got the galls to sing along a few songs when not being prompted to - I mean it is okay if, we audience are prompted by the performer to sing-along, like in the last act by The Operafest Children’s Choir to get the audience to join in their act to work the crowd. But, singing along when other paying audiences are trying to enjoy the show, was way over the line *shakes fist*. It is just plain RUDE and UNCIVILIZED – there, I’ve said it and I feel so much better now.



Kleio muses “So, let’s let music touch your heart as it did mine, for music is the universal language of peace, love and joy”.



Some Wonderful Quotations on Music:

Nothing exists without music,
for the universe itself is said to have been framed
by a kind of harmony of sounds,
and the heaven itself revolves
under the tones of that harmony.
- Isodore of Seville

The discovery of song and the creation of musical instruments both owed their origin to a human impulse which lies much deeper than conscious intention: the need for rhythm in life... the need is a deep one, transcending thought,and disregarded at our peril.
- Richard Baker

In art, and in the higher ranges of science,
there is a feeling of harmonywhich underlies all endeavor.
There is no true greatness in art or sciencewithout that sense of harmony.
- Albert Einstein

Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.
- Confucius

Song is the pen of the soul.
- Rabbi Chaim Drizin

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.
- Berthold Auerbach

The essence of all art is having pleasure giving pleasure.
- Mikhail Baryshinikov

When words leave off, music begins.
- Heinrich Heine

Music is the universal language of mankind.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Without music, life would be a mistake.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

I despise a world which does not feel that music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.
- Ludwig van Beethoven

Nothing on earth is so well suited to make the sad merry, the merry sad, to give courage to the despairing, to make the proud humble, to lessen envy and hate, as music.
- Martin Luther

Music is the medicine of the mind.
- John Logan

It is music's lofty mission toshed light on the depthsof the human heart.
- Robert Schumann

A poet must write, an artistmust paint, and musiciansmust make music if they areto be at peace within themselves.What we can be, we must be.
- Howard Swan

"Opera is when a guy gets stabbed in the back and, instead of bleeding, he sings."
- Ed Gardner

I must study politics and warthat my sons may have libertyto study mathematics and philosophy...in order to give their children a rightto study painting, poetry and music
- John Adams

Music will save the world
- Pablo Casals

On stage, I make love to 25,000 different people, then I go home alone.- Janis Joplin Music, when soft voices dieVibrates in the memory.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley

Monday, July 24, 2006

Knock, knock. Who's There?

Woken up by an indistinct sound of someone trying to turn the doorknob of my locked bedroom. My heart races. Swallowed hard. Trying to clear my blurry head to listen more closely - heart thumping against my chest. After several seconds… nope, still no sound. Mind started racing through unwanted images of unwelcome guests of any kind (shuddered).

Checked the time - it’s just 6.00am. Looking at my peacefully sleeping hubby on my right, contemplating hard if I should alarm him to take a look-see for me. Except, my brain keeps telling me that it is just a fiction of my imagination, if not just a residual of my dream. I do hate waking him up especially in the early mornings when he is basically best known as His-Royal-Crankiness. *sigh*

Swallowed hard again. Stared intensely at the bottom of the door for some sign of any intruder lurking at the other end. Satisfied there is none, then braced self and step out of the bed. Opened the door latch. Takes deep breath, and swings the door open……. Whew! Nothing – nope, not a single soul anywhere. Thinking to self, "Can he be lurking somewhere downstairs perhaps??" Oh no! Here we go again.

With renewed apprehension, I got down the creaky stairs slowly and switched on the living room light. Getting much more confidence by this time that it was all just the work of my over active imagination, I checked every room in the house steadily. Well, ahem… the conclusion was just like what I thought i.e. it all being a mind trick only.

You know what; the only worst part of it all was… I actually did all this stupid bravery act together with my 4-year-old boy following closely behind me! *cowering quickly to avoid being pelted with sticks and stones by other level-headed parents out there*

But, but, but, I did thought it was all just in my head. Plus, I was still blurry headed from my sleep to start with *looking innocent*. Anyway, god bless it was all just a hoax, for I shuddered now to think if it is otherwise.

Nevertheless, to appeased those indignant parents out there – my hubby did admonished me this morning for my foolish act of bravery :P

Now, I will end this with a note to everyone to serve as a friendly reminder “It is Better to be Safe than to be Sorry”. And from now onwards, I vowed to live by it.


P/S: Luckily it’s not yet the Month-of-the-Ghost *shakes head* - on second thought, maybe, it wasn’t a bad thing at all if it is, cos’ then I would not be so damn foolishly brave.

Friday, July 21, 2006

The Moon-Face Theory

Example

Was in the car with my hubby yesterday evening when he made a very enlightening but, too straightforward remark about how my hairstyle affects the look of my face.

This is our conversation as per summarized by me:

Hubby: -greets me with a quizzical look- Hey, what happened to your hair today?

Me: Hair? What about it?? –thinking to self “Oh oh! What is he suspicious of now? It’s always like this. Why can’t he just greets me with a welcoming smile once a while”- *sigh*

Hubby: Eh!? I thought I saw you tied up your hair this morning? How come now it’s loose and it looks so messy?

Me: Duh!?? You’ve must have been dreaming. My hair was let loose the whole day since this morning *smiling sweetly maintaining my cool*. –thinking to self “Humph! This shows that you never really took any notice of me”.

Hubby: Oh is it? *giving me that “I-don’t-think-so” look* Btw, your face looked sooo… round with your hair down.

Me: *&$@#@* -grinding teeth- Is it? But, why? –still trying to maintain my cool-

Hubby: It’s just that when you had your hair down, it gives an illusion of you standing in front of a blackboard and all I can see is just your white round face. And you look plump like this –states matter-of-factly-

Me: *chuckled* -trying to hide hurt-

Hubby: You know, I think you should tie your hair up – I like it more that way.

Me: *sigh*

Me: -trying to retaliate- But, my grandma always said I looked like an old lady with my hair all up.

Hubby: Aiyah! Next time just tell her “My hubby likes it” then, full stop. Ok.

Me: *sigh* Ok.

That’s the curse of being born with a puffy-round-face or a moon-face (what I was constantly and unmercifully being reminded of by my loved ones and so-called-friends).

-Sigh-


Note to self: Must go for face slimming when I got the dough one fine day. Meanwhile, just starve self in hope of a speedy miracle *stuffing face with 'Quaker Oats' while posting this. Sigh*

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Know-Thyself-Test

Example

Was sorta blog surfing yesterday when I found a post on a personality test titled ‘Advance Global Personality Test’ of which I’ve then apprehensively albeit excitingly decided to take a spin at it since, I’ve been cracking my head lately as to how best to descript myself for a post on self introduction for this blog of mine. And woila! I was wonderfully surprised at the results which came out to be about 80-90% correct, in my opinion that is.

Although there are some areas in the results which I don’t exactly agree with whole heartedly but overall, it does really reflect my personality quite well. However, I AM surprised at some of the somewhat-quite-true-findings though i.e. being fragile, frequently second guessing self, likes-to-fit-in etc… I mean, *frowns disbelievingly* I didn’t know myself to be a fragile or sensitive kinda person, flicker minded and a crowd-pleaser too??? Blah!!! – okay, I do have to admit that I do exhibit a certain degree of the said unsavory traits but, I’ve often thought of myself to be a level-headed and a fairly resilient person –held head high with dignity-

Taking this test was in a way a real eye opener to me. It makes me understands myself even more as it allows me to identify my strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully, I am able to take this opportunity to re-adjust myself accordingly to reflect a more desirable disposition in the future *smile* –in deep profound thoughts-

After all… life is really all about creating value of life wherein, achieving human revolution is the main component to a brighter future – Ahh… to be a better person.
This is the results generated for my test:
Traits Snapshots:
neat freak, organized, worrying, phobic, fears the unknown, irritable, pessimistic, emotionally sensitive, fears chaos, risk averse, fragile, unadventurous, depressed, frequently second guesses self, likes to fit in, does not like to stand out, perfectionist, hard working, does not like to be alone, clingy, dependent, practical, ordinary, cautious, takes precautions, good at saving money, suspicious, heart over mind, busy, altruistic


First of all, I am going to rebuke some of the traits I found to be not-so-true in my POV, that is –serious look-

My NEGATIVE point-of-views on the Traits Snapshots:
(see those words in Red and Italicized)

Neat freak: Must be kidding me. I can be a total mess if time does not agree with me. Duh? I AM human too remember.

Emotionally Sensitive: Nah! I refused to nod to this. Humph! –sulk-

Unadventurous: Yakah?? I can be very adventurous if I wanna be. Plghhhttt!! – I’ve always wanted to backpack and travel around the world alone (Now, how’s that for being adventurous huh?).

Likes to fit in: NO! Since when am I a labeled Crowd-Pleaser?? *mumbling incoherent abuse*

Does not like to be alone: This is absolutely WRONG!!! Oh so wrong… - The fact is that, I-So-Desperately-Loved-to-be-Freaking-ALONE!! Get it! And please take that as most of the time too –folding arms across body for emphasis- I really do enjoy my own lonely moments if you must know – not that I’ve got the luxury of it most of the time *sigh*. It’s in a way a romantic moment to me. After all I am a hermit remember? - Although only a semi-hermit.

Clingy: Huh? In what sense? *raised eyebrows questioningly* I am really baffled by this you know cos’ I personally abhorred anyone with this trait.


Next, comes my approval on some of the traits I found to be oh-so-very-true in my POV of course *smile*

My POSITIVE point-of-views on the Traits Snapshots:
(see those words in Blue and Bolded)

Organized: Most of the time - Yes. I am a true Virgoans wat.

Fears chaos: Yep! I do have utmost abhorrence towards conflicts – avoid at all cost. Might even shrink to a Yes-person just to appease the state of affairs. *sigh*

Depressed: In a sense, yeah... I am depressed most of the times but, I will survive - I mean, who’s not depressed nowadays when the cost of living is so harsh *frowns*.

Does not like to stand out: True, true, true – that’s the shy side of me acting up (reminder – I am a semi-recluse wat. What do you expect?)

Perfectionist: Aha! This proves that somehow the Star Sign Characteristic Analysis does have its basis - Me being a Virgo can’t escape this trait in whatever personality test taken *grins thoughtfully*

Hard working: This is yet another trait of a true Virgoans too cos’ we really can’t help it most of the but, to put in our best effort each time – Damn, there goes my vow to ‘Work-Smart and Not-Work-Hard’ *roll eyes*

Practical: U-huh! This I had to agree too – hates idle chit-chats on the phone *nods head agreeably*

Heart over mind: Does this mean I am rash? - I do tend to act first before my brain even has the time to digest the suggestions popped-up in my head :P

Altruistic: Happily agree to this *grinning eye-to-eye*


Summary of Test Result:
(as per generated online by the test page)

Stability results were moderately low which suggests you are worrying, insecure, emotional, and anxious.
Orderliness results were moderately high which suggests you are, at times, overly organized, reliable, neat, and hard working at the expense of flexibility, efficiency, spontaneity, and fun.
Extraversion results were medium which suggests you are moderately talkative, outgoing, sociable and interacting.

Note: See all those words I've formated in purple and italicized? I derived from here that I do own a healthy mind after all, as moderation is a good sign in almost everything right? :P

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Blog? Me Blogging?? You must be crazy!

Writing for a blog is sure no easy task. More so if you are not a seasoned writer or worst of all never even dabbled with it before in your entire life! Sad to say, I fall into the latter category here. I don’t have experience whatsoever in casual writing. Don’t even have a pen pal before (which was a real cool thing to have during my school days. Many of my peers has one or more pen pals to comfort their raging teenage hormones) or ever written anything to anyone before *sighing*. Yeah, and that includes love letters too! Not that I really received any of it before –pouting-.

I guess one of the reasons behind this is the fact that, I am more of a reserved type – but hey, don’t get me wrong here okay. I might be a wee bit of an old school somewhat but, am certainly not an anti-social character.

There is this one more obstacle which I believed was the main cause of my aversion to dabble with this form of communication – my appallingly hopeless spelling ability -puts down dictionary. tight lump forming in throat- *sob* and this sulks I tell you -voice cracking- Already not adept at verbal communications but not being able to express myself well through written communication too! *shakes head solemnly* – sigh… oh well, maybe I am doomed to live my life as a recluse *more sobs* -shakily picking up pieces of what’s left of self-esteem-

Even my pathetic effort to keep a diary during my schooldays does not own up yeessh…*roll eyes* - gave it up after just a few tries upon realising I AM beyond help in expressing myself - be it in written or spoken form. *raises eyebrows thoughtfully* I mean a person just gotta know when to call it quits sometimes right? -takes deep breath- sigh….

So, what has spurred me into starting a blog you asked? Why…. glad that you actually asked *grin* -bites lower lip sheepishly- Ermm… would you have believed me if I said “Well, I too craves for attention you know” *batting eyelashes innocently* Okay, it’s a yes and a no on the attention seeking bit.

The main draw of it all is the chance to let myself HEARD for a change cos’ usually I am the one listening -uncomfortable silence-............ *starts fidgeting*….. Okay-okay! I am ALWAYS the one listening alright! Humph! *sulk*. Besides, I believed that too much of bottled up emotions might one day leads to mental breakdowns –imagining a pot of boiling water with sealed outlet- It would have been disastrous don’t you agree?

The truth is I am absolutely thrilled with the idea that I can say what I want and write what I want just the way I wanted it. It’s my blog wat hor? Best thing is, nobody knows who I am *sly grin* (well, almost nobody except one of my closest buddy anyway - come on you know who you are *winking at her*). To be able to remain anonymous when you blog is certainly very appealing if you must know and I just loved the mysterious air it creates.

Hence, I’ve decided to do my bit of experimenting in the wide world of blogging. Let’s just hope I am not too old to join in for a bit of fun here *snigger*.

Hopefully, I would be able to discover more about myself through blogging. And this time, I am keeping my fingers crossed hoping against hope that this wouldn’t have the same pathetic ending like my earlier quest of keeping a diary *grimaces*.


(incessant mumbling to self “practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect …………………….)