Pomp and circumstance Op.2

The pomp and circumstance for me….finally arrived in a subtle way then the usual one. It was my time to receive my scroll from our highness the chancellor of USM. To avoid being given the wrong size for the academic attire, I came on the first day to collect the robe. It was on a quiet Sunday, Yaya was with me to collect the robe. I then went on to see what was going on at the hall room. There was the alumni booth, the custom frame booth so that you could put up your photos, a booth for DVD and souvenirs.

The next day we went to batu feringgi to chill out near the beach. I soo miss the beach. It’s a nice way to cool off after the whole month of searching on what to wear during my convo. It was terrible my god, it was like ransacking the whole Shah Alam, Jalan TAR, Subang Parade and Alor Setar. It was ridiculous. Everything I tried out was either too expensive, have fitting problems, the material was too thin, looks too cheep, in conclusion, It was juz not up to the standard of my mum. I did not know that a simple chiffon baju kurung would cost RM500!!! That’s absurd. It doesn’t have any beads or studs at all. Songket baju with scarf could cost up to RM1000. I wanna die during hunting for what to wear. In the end I told my dad that I was going to wear a shirt and coat. RM50 I can get a nice brown coat that fit perfectly and that I can reuse it during my interviews and stuff.

Yaya enjoying the waves crashing at her feet

Something I wanted to do but...not dressed to go up, so...next time la



A boat to go around the island i guess

Me and my wet pants

I feel quite sad because I really wanted to wear national clothing, It looks more Malaysian, but sometimes Its best to think on other options. Besides, the sash is made for clothing’s with buttons because it has a hook. When you hook it on your button, it looks neater.

At batu feringgi, I bought myself a nice pair of blue slippers and few DVD’s. My mum doesn’t like browsing and that she said to walk up first then come back to buy. However when I came back the shop had packed up and left…sigh, I really wanted to browse on the DVD’s, you never know what you’ll find. *regrets* Before that, in the evening me and my parents and Yaya, went to have dinner at the coffee house while watching the sunset after a nice walk along the beach. Yes I wet my pants…It would look weird if I were to wear my scarf and wear shorts…mum will disown me…

On the 24th I went for the rehearsal. It was telling all the dos and don’ts for the occasion. What not to wear, what should you say when you received your scroll and stuff. They told us to come as early as 7.30am the next day and be at the halls for inspection. Then, each graduate will receive a bar code to make sure that you name appears on the screen when you walk on the stage. So on the day itself, I came about 7.45am. I was getting ready, my mum was helping me pin up my sash to the robe, putting up my hat and pinning down so it doesn’t fall. It was chaotic but in a fun way, this is the time when my mum gets really grumpy and talks in a very “you know” way. Parents you may say…haha. So, pin here, pin there, borrowing pins from here, someone asking some other place and stuff…it was interesting.

Demo on how to put on the robe, sash and hat...then how to walk on stage....

the people exited for the next day...like me..heehee

Then I marched in the hall after attire inspection. I was seated at the last seat. Scary, but anticipated…and so we waited, and waited, and soon the hall begins to fill up. The alarm went off and soon the important people came marching in. I was beginning to feel nervous till the lecturers came out…haha, I saw Dr Linda, Dr. Marlina, Andrew Mr. Mickey Mouse bow tie, hehe, and last but not least Dr. Tye. Then, the awards starts…the Honorary doctorate was given to the Cuban doctor, the same one that talked yesterday during the official launching of the world TB day exhibition at arts school.

When it came to our turn to receive our scrolls, they actually called upon many students from the arts so it was quite long and not confined to arts school only. So there were the BFA students, some literature and many more been called together to receive our scrolls. Unlike the normal way, where they call upon the students according to course and not merging with other courses.

Me receiving my scroll by the Sultan of Perlis....he recently had a knee operation so he had to come with crutches...I pray that the knee heals quickly.

Then when its all done, I went to say hi to my dearie music friends. They to leave soon, so, I didn’t have time to chat with them. I then went out to look for my mum. No sign of mum so, I saw dad coming down the VIP room and frantically waving my hands to him. When I saw mum she was with a bouquet of flowers…heehee, I thought I would not get flowers. (the reason is because I don’t have a boyfriend…didn’t expect flowers from mum..XD) I was really happy..and now camera please!!!! Pictures babeh…yeah haha.

Jess loi, me, Kris and Peggy....like the flowers kris???

me and my cousin and her mum can cook the best gulai ikan, curry, and all the goood kampung food...nyum-nyum...

Me and erin

Me and erin and erin's friend from translation...haha... I like the pink sash...

Btw, my sash is dark blue....and all music students will use the dark blue for undergraduates

The view from my balcony...sometimes you can even see the canselori building

Inside the house

I can hear the light speeking to me....heehee ....so lame

Do I look like an owl??? Or juz stoopid...haha...this happens when tak cukup take pictures and later need to send back the robe to get the scroll

what are you looking at??!!! haha...this is beginning to look embarrassing....XD

And so the day ended and that the next day I had to return my robe to get my “real” scroll at DUP along with the hall pictures. Most students went to studios to take the book case photos. Dad just kept reminding me that “you’ll do that during your masters…” true though…not a big deal anyway…the important one is the receiving pictures rite?? Sigh, time was short in penang. I would love to spend time with all of youuuu in Penang. I sooo need live music, and good friends, perhaps some lame jokes but then it’ll have to wait…I hope not that long.

Baby Snail...du du du du du du...Baby Snail...XD

Hehe, from the baby shark song. Well I know I was away for some time since my thesis issues but now since my exam's are over, I thought I should post some events. On the 8th of November, I went for my first ever Mak Yong live performance. Yes, its in Kelantanese dialect, and it took some time to actually understand the jokes and everything. The performance was held at USM's Dewan Budaya and to my surprise the performance had a mix variety of audience. I guess since its been given UNESCO heritage title, a lot of people interested to watch the show and I must admit it was a great performance.

If you remembered a few post before this, I wrote that the story was about the queen giving birth to a snail. The king actually got mad and threw her out of the court. She then lived with an old man in the Forest where here the prince in the snail came out and played with the naughty children nearby. After an incident where one of the kings wise men was brutally bullied by the children. The wise man went to the king and ordered the boy (which was the prince, being the head of the naughty children) to be killed. When the prince was captured, the king's heart could not kill the boy so he felling lonely took the boy which was actually his son to be his adopted son. So, the actual story of "Anak Raja Gondang" starts after this.

Something to think about, Mak Yong is a symbolist performance so that some items like the two male jesters or "pengasuh" had daggers that could be used as other things like ruler, ore, a fan something like No theater in Japan. In the No theater a fan is used as a knife, and many other stuff, when the actors act, you should know what the fan is really is. This performance used other paraphernalia such as a toy chicken, shoes, a cloth and some other stuff that i cant remember of. Perhaps nowadays its ok to incorporate these Mak Yong which in the old days shouldn't have been. Like in theater class we were told that a troupe used an umbrella and got some feedback from saying that they shouldn't have done that.

Another thing is most of the actors are not even from Kelantan itself. Nothing wrong, its just they were very good that I thought they were actually Kelantanese. (which because i had a hard time listening). Perhaps if since if the performance would like to cater for non-Kelantanese speakers like me and my friends hopefully they put subtitles like when I watch P.Ramlee the Musical in Istana Budaya. At least others have some clue what they are talking about. Some more they should also write the program in English so that the "ang moh" or non-Malay speakers could at least understand the story before hand.

Overall I think its a good performance. I don't really mind the changing of the usual conventions because I'm not a Mak Yong expert. I support all kinds of performing arts and I hope in the future, USM students get more exposure to these arts which some are soon to be gone. The next day, there was a talk which I didn't attend but you could browse Dr. Kipli's blog to know all about it. I'm glad that all my exams are over and I hope I can pass my Macroeconomics paper...till more events come again...adios!

In The Name of Love

Alright, been busy with assignments and all but just a short filleriee for you guys. On the 28 of August Masa Kini productions came to perform for the second time in USM on a monologue "In the name of love". I had no idea of this theater so I decided to come for the "in the name of love" talk at school in the morning. Dr. Hardy came to greet me at the entrance and asked to sit in front. Mind you that my voice was very "smokey" that day and I thought that any questions that I wanted to voice out was only possible to be heard If I seat in front.

Nevertheless, I also was worried that I might get others sick too since that fasting month was coming soon and it will be a complete disaster to get sick when you are fasting. So I took my chances bringing a clean cloth if I cough or sneeze. The speakers were sitting quite a distance. So, I thought It was OK.

Opening Credits by Dr. Hardy

So the first person to introduce after Dr. Hardy gave the opening speech was Guna. He teaches classical Indian dance and a well known choreographer for the star in the theater, Sabeera Shaik. For the past, he was the one giving ideas for the dance moves Sabeera is going to do. Besides that, he is also the person behind the costume making. This time the costume was simple for a reason which will be explained later. Guna could not attend that night's performance because he was performing at Dewan Sri Pinang for a night of oddisi.

Sabeera on the Left and Guna beside her

The next is the main actor of "in the name of love" Sabeera Shaik who was previously studied in Universiti Malaya. She had done "In the name of love" with Faridah Merican from The Actors Studio and was performed in Panggung Sasaran in USM. Lately, she brought "In the name of Love" to two places in India can't remember where. That's where keeping all props and costumes simple was been thought of. Sabeera also directs and the interesting part is where the difference of "concepts" come in place.

Christopher on the left, Sabeera and Guna

The Director for this theater is Christopher Jacobs. He had been in the industry for more than 20 years now. Through out the years he had experimented a lot such as getting involved with the Circus, Opera company, Ballet Company, event launching and all sorts of interesting stuff that you can possibly think of. One of the things that I find interesting was the fact that he said theater now is very boring. Why did he said so, is because that the more technology has advanced, the less innovations and creativity is produced. He gave an example of his early times in the UK, he was involved with a production called Ghost Train. At one part he said a group of 20 over people were orchestrated backstage to produce the sound of a train. There were wheelbarrows, tin cans, noise makers, all within a few seconds. Sounds exciting right? Nowadays we just click the mouse on a laptop to make the noise. "How boring". He said. I must admit that the advances of technology has limited the creativity in the arts however It does help smaller productions by cutting cost.

Christopher and Sabeera

The other interesting part was the fact that this time, "In the name of Love" was stripped all of the elaborate costumes and had simple props that can be changed through out the performance. Anyhow, sometimes people like me who have problems imagining have problems digesting the parts that require imagination. It improves through out the performance though. According to Chris too, that the reason is to project the intimacy of the character as if you were in a room that no one could see you doing things that you might be humiliated if people saw what you were doing alone. Is the intimacy and the core of the story was portrayed to show how three characters adept to Loss.

The Happy Audiences.....

The main story starts out with Deena, an Eurasian who lost her husband during the communist. Then there was Mak Su, a Mak Yong singer who feels that people could not appreciate Mak Yong anymore and the last is Sarasa. A mother wishing that her daughter will become a film star but eventually leaves her to be with her love.

I did enjoyed the performance though the performance kinda needs attention listening to really understand it. Hope that there will be more from Masa Kini productions performances here in USM so we don't have to travel far for great performances.

Dr. Mumtaz talking with Guna

According to Dr. Hardy, there will be a Mak Yong performance somewhere in November in USM and another yet to confirm the Petronas Performing Arts coming to perform something too. I'll check the details again and post it soon when I have the full info.

Reflections of Hiroshima

After the long convo week, well not that long anyway. The fact that there were no classes conducted during the week because theater can't be conducted due to our venue were taken for the convo purposes and my Makro lecturer has to attend the convo and could not teach so that much says no class for the week. Weeee. Not much enjoyment, assignments and reviews to do made my week fly fast that you could not realize it.

So at the end of the week on a Sunday where everybody else were evacuating the campus to enjoy the holiday and study for mid terms, some theater students were given the task to watch a theater on the true life of the Dato' Razak our VC's dad. The theater was scheduled at 8.15 on the posters and banners but everybody knows that in Malaysia that doesn't happen. It eventually started at 9.05pm so I was cursing the night because this is an assignment that is for my theater class, If not by 8.30pm I would run to the door and leave. You never let your audience wait and not be given the notice that it will start late. It took a lot to pull out all my patients that night. So by 8.50 there was an announcement that the TYT is coming and that it might start a bit late.

So waiting at my seating place bout the third last row mid section I waited and then when the TYT arrived, the announcement came. The TYT was scheduled to give a speach, the trouble of lack of planning went. So embarrasing, the TYT was on stage and the crew didn't prepare another platform for him to speak. So there he was waiting for all the adjustments to be done. His speach didn't last as long as the wait for him on stage though.

The major planning problem

So the play started to begin and it was a good and funny way to start the evening because I was cursing before that, and luckily that kinda made it worth the wait. I was very happy to see our lecturer Dr. Sam performing. I had never seen him perform on stage before. Well, I did catch him on the early episodes of Mahligai Gading but his scenes didn't last long so I thought that this was a good opportunity for me to catch the talented Dr. Sam in action.

Dr Samad in Action...very funny...hehe

The village people that heard about the japanese occupation in Kelantan

The character Razak was played by En Norhelmi, one of the Dewan Budaya Artiste. His role was more narrated and there were a lot of soliloquy's that he was talking on his own. These seem a bit dragging at some points but I think It was too much to been acted out and that there were a lot more scenes that should be brought out more. Ratna Played the mother and that she too played as like a shadow or a reflection and some parts she talked alone. It was interesting to watch my friends on stage again too.

The Solemn Hiroshima Scene

Razak talking to himself, wondering and reflecting of his past

Razak's mother worried about him leaving to Japan but eventually agrees to let him study there. Ratna as Razak's mother

Razak getting brother's advice

Another funny soldiers scene....the guy cant actually ride the bike so the others need to push the bike.....hehe

The part when he went to Hiroshima to learn was a great scenery and the lighting made the mood of the place more sad and emotional for me. Watching a lot of people suffering during the bombing, students being trapped in caves, well I think it was a cave since there were parts where they were speaking Japanese and I couldn't understand. The part where pangeran wanted to save sensei was too emotional and I would feel the same way If I had to leave some one behind that I cared so much. So as Razak and two of his friends who were still alive went on a train to Tokyo and on the way one of his friends Syed Omar had to stop at Kyoto because he had showed signs of radiation.

Syed Omar seeking treatment in Kyoto by the doctor who donated his blood to save him

An article that shows the downside of radiation due to the bomb. Innocent children suffered badly and many died horribly due to the radiation

This too for me was a sad moment and then, the doctors tried to save him and one doctor donated his own blood to save Syed omar but it was fated that Syed omar didn't make it long enough to see his home land. Those who made it to Tokyo heard about Nagasaki and were all deported back to Malaya. The actual theater ends here but I heard that when he arrived in KL his mother thought he was dead and his mother was really broke in to tears that his son actually survived the devastating bomb that hit his university and mentally affecting Razak.

The bombing

The interesting part of the theater is the fact that the theater incorporates the usage of space in the auditorium. Before the Razak went to Japan, he was thinking what Japan would be like and he automatically imagined the samurai worriers and the sumo wrestlers. So in the Dewan Budaya auditorium there was two places above the stages where they placed speakers and there was the place where the sumo guy went up and the sexy Sylvester the samurai too was acting. Goodness, luckily he wore bicycle shorts underneath. Too bad for me that I didn't get a picture of him on the stage. I was able to get the sumo guy though. Hehehehehe.....

This guy was flashing on stage.....made us laugh like hell

Sumo Guy.....Wished I had Sylvester's picture...haiz..

The director and writer of the play Senibayan had used multimedia shots of the war and that the bomb pictures were also shown on the celling to show that the bomb was flying above the skies in Hiroshima. I did enjoyed the theater and really liked the way the theater was put together. By the way the end there was a dove where Razak let it flew through the hall. We all wondered how the bird went out in the end. I honestly liked the theater, minus the wait before that.

The japanese actors who died on stage

The classes conducted and while it was on sirens were warning to go for shelter. Sometimes false alarms.

The play is in conjunction with independence week, and today is our independence day. I does make you think that will you die for your country or run instead. Well I leave that for everybody to decide. I myself have my doubts but and hope I keep remembering that having independence is only part of our freedom. It is how we portray our country how we preserve its peace, work towards having children that will continue this practice and develop our country to a first world country. Having to think and bring our country to become an example to the rest of the world and be able to compete but think on the effects of the environment will sure be the best birthday gift the country would ever ask for. Happy Birthday my country fellows and hope the fasting month brings more then you can wish for.

Pomp and Circumstance March of the Graduating Music Students

The day had come for my friends to be officially out of usm (for those who are not doing masters of course) and I did plan to crash the hall again since we have been in the hall for two times before so I thought that the authorities wouldn't mind....hehe. I hope. So dressed properly I went in the hall supposed to camouflage with the rest of the performers but tak jadi. Anyhow this session is for the Pharmacy, Social Sciences, Fine Arts and Music.

When I came in the seats were filling in. The last row just two lines after the performers stage is the music students. They just occupied that row. How nice, anyway. As the seats started to fill, the announcer started to explain the procedures of the ceremony. For the three years in a row my observation was when the guy starts speaking in mandarin, it excites all the audience. Minus us perhaps. Anyway, the alert signal was sounded and the jazz band starts to play the grand march.

Ceremony went well. Boring as usual, but a good way to hear the jazz band play for free, and a good chance for students to do their work in between. Last time when we had Mr. Razif class, we did his work and he could mark it right a way. Convenient huh? Well that was the old days. Now its our future graduates turn.

In the end our music students received a roaring cheer from the jazz band and walk down the stage. After that we all went to school and picture taking time. Plus I had to run back to get Becky's cow that she left with me.

To all my course mates, hope that you guys be successful in the future. I'll miss all the good things that we've done together and go on into the world and make an impact on society. Hope that you will learn to adept to the new environment and get rich soon so that you could throw a party for me on my graduation....hehe. This is for you guys.

To Suhan, you might not grow any taller but in performance you have the tendency to leap further to improve yourself. Your small fingers shows that size does not matter and we'll adapt to all circumstance that might come our way. You are very certain and assertive, the powerful quality of Miss Suhan. You go get em' gal!

Jie Ru, Jie Jie, you are so expressive and everybody likes to hear when you tell a story because its sooo convincing. This great trait of you might pay off one day when you go for an interview so that all the people interviewing will be convinced that you got what it takes to be successful. I'll see you around and to learn from your experience.

Amy, da jie, since I don't have a sister to ask for advice, you are my big sister that is concern of my Chinese language and tutor me from time to time. You show that failure is not an excuse to go further, opportunities come and its your call to grab it or leave it. I hope you find peace and laughter in your future life.

To my fashion guru Yuen Mun, you are good in improvising on what you have and do not complain much out in the open. I shall be looking forward to see you improve your "softer skills". More Mozart-ish, less Beethoven-ish. I hope to learn from each other since I lack Beethoven-ish playing. Together we'll see who will make it to the top first. Chayo beauty queen!

To Yan Xuan, you are unique and rocks on the drums. Sexy and mysterious. Hehe. Thanks for all your help in times of need. Miss you so much.

To the Dude Pin Xuan jazzin' in da house, you are the star of all that jazz. Hope you make a good teacher and try new genres too. I hope you'll perform again so I can go see you play again. Free tickets ok for me. I also hope you'll write music and be famous one day. Keep in touch!

Sweet "Spring moon" Choon Yet, the thinnest of our batch. You prove that you are more than just a pretty face. You rock in theory when others have a hard time. Make sure you stay "healthy" like me...hehe, a bit too "healthy". I wish that you make a good teacher and make the best of it.

To Huey Lin the weight looser, will be bumping into you for quite sometime since you are still here doing masters (and because I didn't take my Tupperware yet) you are so bright then all of us in terms exams and writing. Need to learn your study tips and to learn how to keep fit too hehe. Hope you get what you want in life.

Amira the clubbing queen, you are outgoing, adventures are your forte, you dare to accept a challenge and very honest to me. I do appreciate that your help when times get tough. I sure hope that you make the most of your masters now. Gambate!

Ee Kim, my second sister, since you make the most of my terrible Chinese and never laugh when I make mistakes I then have more courage to speak. I respect you for this and your independence shows that you are most likely to succeed no matter what comes your way.

Cwee Yin, my dear. The quiet one in the group, I do hope you make it in the world and show us that you can be successful. *Woot*

Sharil, the senior. Since you are teaching a bunch of jumpin' beans of kids now you'd better learn to control all of your students or else they will be all over you. Hehe. Imagine that!! Always keep in touch ok? So dude, you left the pop star yang entah kemana now. Which still owe me 20 bucks for keyboard class book.

My dear roomie Rebecca the rabbit jumpin' here and there scouting for the best in herself I wish you luck. Thanks for letting me move in so that I could use the clavinova that has taken all the space in between our beds. You taught me that getting good sleep is essential for good health and beauty. So more the better. Hehehe.

To the saint in the class Jo, you show that silence is golden. You work hard and all that work pays off in your exams. I'll miss you but we'll keep in touch since I might need some help to get things in Singapore perhaps. We'll see. Well, since you are working there I sure think that you'll get richer than the rest here at the mean time. Hehe, don't forget to belanja me next time...hehe. Just Kidding.

Lastly, Annie from Ipoh, although I'll be seeing you a lot. I hope that in your masters study you find what good things that you take for granted during your undergraduate days. That way you'll appreciate more on what you have. Good luck in your studies.

To all of my acting friends, although you all might not be actors on stage, you sure made a change on how I look on theater people now. For how much annoying people say that music is easy, theater people might feel the same way. Arts is definitely abstract and like a director said that, there is no right or wrong there is only good or bad that is which too is in the eyes and ears of the audience. So, I believe that you guys are really amazing people that i met and truly grateful that we have been together for the past three years.

Ini budak yang masuk muzik keluar jadi pelakon
Kak Ayu, talking to fiance?
Michelle and Me,

Prisca with the suave Dr. Hardy,
Kak Mil and Sofia, see, you graduate and thinking of doing masters. Last time sofia was telling me that she wanted to quit when she found out that she got into acting.

who is going to get married soon, this guy is the person to call to. The dude is a wedding planner.

Vern Jin, great to hear that you got a job teaching performing arts in school. Hope you'll be successful.

To the rest of my BA and BFA friends from various backgrounds, I hope for the best and that you do well in what you do. I sooo will miss you guys

First year roommate, Zhaf and Mr Goh

My translator and designer As, already working as a designer for a company. So proud of you.

So to all I wish the best while I crap my way out of here till the end of the year. May all good things come around and See you guys soon!

I sooo love this picture, look at yuen mun's and jo's face... like freaking out. hehehe...

To all I apologize that I have been away for so long, due to this bad cough and flu, been hanging on to the bottle feeling that I might just drink the whole bottle to kill the cough. Its making my sleep not continuous and to add to the the misery is my monthly thingy so I might build a tent in my room since both of us are in different sick stages. Need to be quarantined. Still more to come. *Cough3*