The Acoustic Neck
Monday, October 18, 2010 @ 8:37 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
It's decided: Sungha Jung is my favourite finger-style guitarist, and he is only 14 years old.
I've been listening to (or more like getting awestruck by) his songs on Youtube. This is just one of the many songs he covered: Twilight by Kotaro Oshio. I don't know what I should feel: envy or admiration?
His skills are incredible! He takes only three days on average to learn a new piece. That's what I call raw talent.
Should I get fingerpicks?
Labels: guitar
Going Crazy
Sunday, October 10, 2010 @ 7:35 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
I don't know what to think anymore.
A Blast from the Past
Friday, October 08, 2010 @ 9:33 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
Hey G1 (please read to the end)
As you all know, my voice can only come out as a croak today and that I was sick so I didn’t attend school the day before. I was thinking of making a small speech to thank you guys but I didn’t have the voice or the time to with all the shuttling about for the Graduation thing.
For the past four years, I’ve been in the class committee and enjoyed taking care of the classes I was in. When I first came to G1, I was struck by how different it was compared to my lower secondary class. There was a group of really smart students, and a group of people who love to play so much.
There were cliques since the start, and I was so worried initially about the class being too “detached” or “un-bonded”. Even the class outing was a total flop, with only seven out of forty turning up at the Zoo. I was at a loss. Previously, I’d thought that class outings are a sure way to have everyone play together and get to know each other better. It’s no surprise that we had no class outings since the first failure. No one was interested, or they just didn’t bother to remember it.
Then there was the problem of classroom cleanliness. I used fines to make people do their duties previously. But it just didn’t work for G1. The thing was, no one bothered to pay the fines anyway (I will get to the issue of CLASS FUNDS later). Even if my voice turns hoarse from shouting, no one listens. In fact, I eventually concede defeat as with the class outings matter. I learnt to freak out with the class each time the councilors come to check instead of the initial “I told you so” thought in my head at the start.
Each time we collect cash for our class fund, it’s really exactly like taking on the role of the loanshark to hunt people down for money. Yes, hunt. I realize that without a good amount of pestering and resilient persistence, the money will never materialize in Charmaine Chong’s hand, accompanied by the usual sheepish look by the person who owes the moolah.
I’ve also lost the number of times I lost my voice thanks to all the shouting and screaming I have to do just to speak over all forty voices. In fact, I often go for choir practices with a hoarse voice, apologizing for not being able to sing my best because I shouted too much in the morning. I’d nearly wanted to give up because it really is a herculean task to control all of you, the all-too-chatty bunch of girls, in class. I fervently prayed, wished, hoped and even pleaded for a day of peace, when the largest class in the level will actually listen to me and not get scolded by the teachers for being too rowdy for once.
However, now that we’ve graduated, I feel like I’ve just lost forty children (although the thought of being a mother of forty is just horrifying and scandalous). Throughout these two years, we’ve been scolded together, punished together, laughed together, cried together, and screamed together. I found out that hey, class outings don't matter if the class is able to bond over unfinished homework, approaching deadlines, canteen food and Gotchas. The Class of the Year award doesn't matter to us, since our class is already so bonded and close.
I won’t lie and say that being the chairperson is easy and awesome. In reality, a chairperson is indeed a great responsibility and the job is difficult. Yet, I will never regret being the chairperson of G1. I may be stern sometimes, and I know I’ve reprimanded the class many times, but I love each and every one of you because all of you are what made me keep going as your chairperson. You all have encouraged me and pushed me on in completing my duties. Especially so when I was also a Vice President for choir at the same time.
I know I have not been a great role model. I have my own cranky moodswings in the morning when I’m not fully awake yet. I fell asleep in classes. I come into school in the morning at 6 plus all bleary-eyed and blur. Sometimes, I rush through the admin work for the class because I was dealing with choir instead. In fact, all these could just make me the worst candidate for a leader.
But nonetheless, I hope I’ve helped you all and was a nice chairperson. I love you all. I really do.
Labels: 6906, School Days
Tomorrow's Graduation Day
Thursday, October 07, 2010 @ 8:10 pm leave a comment? | 0 shed some light
I've been having dreams of people I know from the past recently.
Among them, the one who stood out the most was a person whom I used to like very much; a person who knew me really well. Or maybe it's just the strong sense of nostalgia that's hitting me so suddenly. Could it be that the flu I'm having is affecting my sleep?
When I graduated from my previous school, there wasn't much fuss about it. There was no 'Graduation Night' nor a celebration. The last day of school just quietly came and went just like that. Perhaps I could have done much more and forge stronger friendships if not for my painfully shy attitude towards my peers. But even then, friends drift apart no matter what. That I realize just a year ago. It hurts I suppose, when you realize someone whom you used to talk to over the phone about the most trivial and mundane matters at the end of each day has grown distant. It hurts even more when you finally know that your status has changed from someone who matters to that of just a mere acquaintance. Perhaps the least painful way out is to ignore the irrational feeling of somehow being betrayed and just move on in life. In time to come, new friends replace the old and life's good once more. Sometimes though, it's hard. Especially when the person used to be someone special to you. It's just too hard to forget, and too difficult to ignore.
Sometimes, I can't help but wonder if I'd ever been a truly great friend to those I've drifted apart from. Maybe, just maybe, if I'd been much more persistent, if only I'd not been so passive, could I still have sustained those lost friendships or bonds which have been shriveled up to nothingness?
Labels: 6906, School Days
