往事只能回味

From when I was a little kid, my mum would make us sing. I think she always liked music, but cause she has...how shall I describe this...a tone-issue, so she doesn't sing when there are others around.

She used to make us sing ALL kinds of songs, especially those she can't sing. Like Mandarin oldies, and Japanese songs. She can't read Chinese characters. So she'd tell us which songs she like and want us to learn. Then she would write down the hanyu pinyin of the Japanese words (cos at one point, she could read Jap) and make us learn the songs. After that, she'll make us sing the songs over, and over, and over again!

往事只能回味 was one of the songs she made me learn. And learn I did. I learnt the song so well that I knew every 转音, pitch and tone. My mum also knew exactly how to make me sing it over and over again; she'd say things like "Wah! You sound exactly like the singer!" and it'll boost my ego that I didn't mind singing it so many times over.

Recently heard the song on TV, and felt so tempted to sing it. No chance to, so I can only blog about it. One of these days, I should record myself singing all the old songs I used to sing. LOL.

Countdown!

So school has re-started and I'm still feeling the lag from the 2-week break. I just have to keep reminding myself that each time I come to work, it's $_$!

Actually, the work isn't that bad. I generally still have a lot of time for myself. That's good, considering the countdown has begun! I have things to sort out and settle, but they are coming together. *happy*

Yesterday, I met the 2 angels for lunch. They had tons to update me, which I always enjoy, regardless whether I am there or not. I do miss interacting with them sometimes, and we had so much fun as a team. And now that it's almost NDP peak season, I miss singing National Day songs with them in the office while we slog our guts out. Now, when I sing National Day songs at home or with friends, it's just not the same. Everyone thinks I'm nuts. Not them. haha

Well, this Friday would also be a fun one. Meeting Kite, my ex-student from MC/MS days, and Chriz, my our-chemisty-is-always-soooo-good singing partner for late lunch and KARAOKE!!! Wow, it seems like forever since I last sang. I don't know if I can sing now. Honestly. Baaaah...

I wanna sing all the Glee songs!!!

On other note, in preparation for my *ahem* destination of countdown, I have borrowed Lim Chong Yah's book Southeast Asia The Long Road Ahead. How's THAT for heavy bedtime reading?

Not the best blog in the world

i'd been reading the blogs of the news presenters at CNA and came across Ali Smith's one on "The Best Blog In The World".

And after reading a few others, I got real guilty for not writing more on my blog. And not often enough.

So though my blog may not be the best in the world, it's enough for me to keep friends updated, and to jot down memories that I could use to write a memoir if I ever get famous in future.

Of course, it's all just pretty talk and daydreaming...about the memoir. You see, I'm reading LKY's memoirs. But it got me thinking that if someone did compiled all the blog postings I've ever written, plus all the journals I have, you'd get quite a decent idea of who I am, what I like, dislike, and what I think about certain things.

But I digress, Nothing unusual here. I always digress.

So what have I been up to?

I've been planning, packing and preparing.

To do what?

To get away from it all, once and for all!













Nah, I'm just kidding. About the getting away from it all.

Keeping you in suspense, whoever YOU are.

Yeah, even if you are one of those people who are trying to find out more about me, or trying to figure what I'm doing, or think you have an idea of what I'm doing. Whatever rocks your boat, man.

Oh, for those who already know, YES, I am THAT (over-)excited! :D

But otherwise, I've been obsessed with the songs in Glee. And Carrie Underwood. I would like to go for a KTV session where all we do is sing songs from Glee.

Hey, Glee creators, an idea here! Why don't you make a Glee Karaoke DVD. I betcha, it will sell like hotcakes.

I'll buy it in a heartbeat!

Nana, out!

who rocked AI?

let me tell you...

janet jackson rocked!!!! (*pant pant*)

carrie underwood rocked!

bret michaels rocked!

alanis morrisette rocked!

the bee gees rocked!

and of course...

simon cowell rocked for the last time on AI.

i love you, janet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My 'Endless Love'

I've recently got my hands on the Glee soundtrack and I've been listening to all my favourite songs on Glee. And this "little" ditty has been playing in my songlist, and now, it's stuck in my head.

THAT brings back some memories of how I learnt to sing Endless Love, and sorry, but I haven't actually found someone who can sing this song with me. Oh wait, there is one: Peter laoshi...but other than him (since he can sing ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING), nope, there is no one to duet this song with.

Like I said, it brings me back to the time I learnt this song. I'll try to be objective about it because err...well, the person whom I sang this with...well, you'll see. I'll TRY okay?

So, that was a few years back I think, when I was still in MS. We had a gig at a wedding, I don't remember where but some posh hotel in Singapore. So the couple wanted 4 couples to sing duets and love songs for their wedding dinner. We had gowns and suits sponsored, and it seemed like a fun thing. So you probably know where I'm getting to now...after a few rounds of going through songs, we chose to sing Endless Love. I sang it with somebody I shall politely refer to as X, and we thought it would not be too tough. (Kidding ourselves, as I see now, in retrospect.)

So, first, we had to learn the song. I'd heard the song a few times before, so I wasn't totally unfamiliar. However, I'd never sung it before, so, I started listening to the version by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross a few times, over and over again. I think I catch on to melodies and harmonies pretty quickly. After the 4th or 5th time, I kinda get the drift. Not Mr X though. He could get the melody, but couldn't get the counter-melodies or harmonies. I had to learn them, and try to "teach" it to him, and still be all nice about it since he had a HUGE ego. Can't TEACH him, no, no...or else it would seem as if I'm trying to be Miss Know-it-all. Fine. I'm not Miss Know-it-all. I'm Miss Know-it-more-than-you. Honestly.

It was SUCH a chore! I couldn't show that I was exasperated cos he was SUPPOSED to be IN the industry and was SUPPOSED to be good in it. Obviously it was all a farce, which most people eventually found out. Some...probably to this day, never will find out. Still under the veil, or under some 'magic potion'. Thank God I've got the antidote. Ah...but I'm drifting off point.

So anyway, eventually we (I) managed to simplify it such that X didn't have to do a lot of counter-melodies or harmonies. We also had to transpose the song by 2 keys cos...err...somebody couldn't reach the notes. Oh by the way, at that time, I said that WE needed to down the key. Well...let's just say...I've tried it a couple of time in original key and it was okay.

So we performed during the wedding, and boy was I relieved to get it out of the way. I think that was probably my most nervous duet performance ever.

And here you go...

Bobbing along to MJ

I think I'm on a roll these days. I'm coming back to my musical roots.

And it's been MJ.

After watching "This Is It" and seeing what a perfectionist he is, I've been so inspired. I went out right after the movie and bought a 2-disc album that contained his string of hits. And I've been listening to it every other day.

And I've had the luxury of having the songs loaded into my phone so I can listen to it. It's been a real adventure: breaking down the beats, bass, guitar riffs, the strings, and all the other sfx. This man was a GENIUS!

I'm actually contemplating doing some kind of a thesis on the movement and impact of MJ's music on pop. I've been hearing stuff I've never heard before, partly cos I haven't been paying so much attention to detail. Sometimes, I hear little beats or bass lines and think, "Hey...that sounds familiar." Before you know it, you hear an extended version of that beat or bass line, or something that evolved from the original, simpler version on another song much later. The feeling is like... "Wow!"

So I'm definitely intrigued. But if I'm really serious about it, I will need to do A LOT of research on MJ and his music. I will need to boost my musical knowledge and learn all about the history and his roots and how they evolved.

Okay, this may start to sound boring as it becomes a bit more academic rather than fun trivia. I am really excited though. I wonder if this has been done before. It probably has. I don't think I'm the first to be in awe of MJ, neither will I be the last.

Wow.

i wanna sing song.

i have this habit when it comes to music. songs, in particular.

recently heard these 2 songs: 掉了 and 我不是你想象那么勇敢. and i just felt in my heart that i need to learn how to sing these 2 songs. they sound like something fun to do.

in case you haven't noticed, i have a bit of a sadistic nature.

anyway, so i've been looping these 2 songs on my comp at work today. over and over and over again.

now THIS is my habit. i tend to listen to songs over, and over, and over again if i decide a song is nice enough, difficult enough and challenging enough, and i wanna master it. not learn. MASTER.

this is the process:

the first few times, listen, mostly just the melody.

next few times, start humming to the melody, pick up a few words.

then, think: why don't i just find the lyrics and learn the song properly? so, find lyrics, and for the next few times, sing along.

then, just loop the song a few more time (more like the next few hours) and try to get the melody, phrasing, ad libs, turns, techniques right.

and almost the last few times, but not least, listen to the song carefully. no need to sing it. just listen very carefully. listen for the breathing, the intonations, feel, movement.

i don't think there is a right or wrong way to learn to sing a song properly, but my way oughta come pretty close. i mean, by the time you start to take up the mic and sing the song, u would have at least heard the song 100 times!

i wanna go karaoke so i can practice the 2 songs!!!