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*

Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum visits the Clinique

Well its not just Dr Gradus who went to the Clinique talk, a bunch of music students were at dk u at 11am on the 28 July for the workshop. I kinda thought it started at 12 till Annie started to text me telling me that I got the wrong time and requested me to come down immediately to dk u. My dearie roommate too had to rush from the exam hall to take the previous semester results. Poor girl.

Well, since I made my way to Dk 2 through the library, I missed the registration at the counter at the upper floor. Luckily I didn't miss much and the talk started by a guy named Alex. Jie Ru and Valerie was there already and not long after that Angeline too came. The other masters students came shortly after class.

We first got acquainted the basic three step Clinique skincare line. This is the plan for me. Go to the talk, ask whats wrong with my skin, then go for a trial then if it gets any worse, go see a dermatologist. I thought the first part was interesting because they explain the proper way to use the products. These are some of the things that I found out:

1. Clinique liquid soap doesn't have bubbles. No wonder I used yaya's wash was quite different. I'm used to the bar, although I didn't actually like the concept because you need to let it dry properly before you could keep it in its casing.




2. Always wipe in an upward direction. The pores kinda have a flap downward and that wiping upward would maximize pore cleaning. I always just wipe in any direction, didn't know there was a direction.




3. The third one is you must heat up any liquid before applying on your skin by rubbing an amount to your fingers. This is to prevent too much concentration on one spot before rubbing on the entire face. This is a bit debate able. Because some does request you to apply on the cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead before rubbing entirely. But the guy has a point though. Liquids include, moisturizer, foundation, sunblocks and all creams.

Next is the make up. Not really a priority for me since my huge problem is clearing my problem face, however here are some interesting facts that I didn't thought about of:

1. Eyeliner has always been a problem for me. The best was is to stretch the top part of your eyelids and put it on. It then makes a straight and quick line in no time.



2. Never make goldfish lips to wear blush. its best to smile.

After a nice quick tour of the whole skin care line, time for some free stuff. We all got the rm100 makeover voucher to use whenever (before 31 august though), depending on your skin preference, get sunscreen or moisture surge cream and the 3 step tester. Val on the other hand went to volunteer to go for the make-up demonstration got a lot of other stuff. (soooo envy her).

At the end of the talk, I got a chance to talk to Alex. He mentioned about whether I have change of diet, environment, or anything. Like a month or so I did get a chance to go to Clinique @ Pavilion and it is a must that we check every six months if you are using the product so that they could recommend different products or just to check whether your skin has upgraded or down graded. Honestly, I also feel that me and my mum have not been able to make time for any consultation and get the best opinion as mummy and yaya.

But anyway, its done annually so if you are interested wait for next year and probably can get more great free stuff. I am now under anti-blemish solutions skin care line. See whether it works or dad starts making appointments with the real Dr. Gradus the dermatologist, hopefully it leads to heaven.

Shopping at The Little Penang Market, in conjunction of Penang UNESCO world Heritage Site.

The Little Penang Market

Planning for a great weekend getaway due to the all rehearsals, and freakin’ tiring reading week, I decided to head off to the last of the three day celebration at Upper Penang road where previously we had the French Music Festival like two years ago. So due to my "independence", I had to drag along some to keep me company since I had never took the bus alone before. Good thing there was Jie Ru to accompany me there.

Yesterday, I heard that she will be coming back to Penang to work so I dragged her down to the concert that night. I’ve told her about the morning celebrations and then she was interested to watch the Hokkien puppet theater somewhere. Half way through the performance she realized that she couldn’t understand much so she ended up at the t-shirt printing site also by the Anak-anak Kota and made herself a t-shirt with a red lantern with Chinese characters that wrote Penang. It was a good thing that she met a church friend Maria (which is currently working with Janet’s project on cultural mapping) and they managed to get to church before the performance that night. Well according to her, that if she didn’t make it on time she couldn’t make it to the market the next day. Thank god for that. I was desperate to go to the events since due to loads of time consumed on practices we couldn’t make even a single event before the show that night.

So about nine plus I crawled out from my tortoise shell and walked down my block to the Sungai Dua USM gate where I met Jie Ru. We asked the bus driver whether the bus would stop at Upper Penang Road but he said that it’s only a short distance walk from KOMTAR so we took the bus to KOMTAR then. There is where I saw the newly made t-shirt that she made yesterday. I wished that I could make the t-shirt too.*sigh*

So, since both our bearings are cannot be trusted so we kinda made a decision to go green and take a trishaw to Upper Penang Road. Bus fare from Sungai Dua RM1 per head. Trishaw fare: KOMTAR to Upper Penang Road RM10. So RM 5 each. Soooooo expensive!!! But we know that it was meant for tourist but we decided to give it a go anyway because it was Jie Ru’s first encounter on a trishaw. So off we went to the so what Nadia called “Pasar Kutu” or flea market there.

Trishaw experience... quite airy

The view from the trishaw

Upon arriving at The Little Penang Street market we heard music coming from the side of the road, the stalls were all put up and that few of the stalls were selling antiques. In the middle were foods. All the ang moh people bought ketupats which I do not wish to try now since it will be Ramadhan soon and there will be tons of ketupat being fed to me on eid day. So there were interestingly a lot of the Anak-anak Kota people, the dancers, Yoke Pin, I even saw Marie Helen our French teacher at the Alliance Française. Not so long there was Janet and Prof. Tan. We were talking about my project which was music and trance healing because there was a Kuda Kepang performance and they were in trance and the bomoh or shaman was trying to bring them out of the trances. It was interesting though, well, as Main Puteri also could be acted out, as so for this performance. It’s a matter of what you think, as I was telling Prof Tan.

Kuda Kepang Performance from Johor

Strolling along the stalls we manage to look at a lot of Nyonya crafts like bead work(Some could reach RM 400), kebayas, (RM600 per piece, I cannot afford to buy… huhu), preserved fruits or Nyonya acar limau and lots more. There was also a Nyonya heritage exhibition going on in one of the shops showing what its like to be a nyonya in Penang. (Actually, honestly, I thougt there were only Nyonya’s in Melacca. I didn’t know there’s a number of population in Penang as well) since I didn’t have the money, those gorgeous art work needed to take a rain check. I’ll surely come back once I’m rich.

Nyonya doing inventory of items....Making sure that there aren't been mysteriously disappearing

The acar limau or preserved lime fruits. It yellow, Ialways taste the red ones. Wonder what does it taste like

The beads for your shoes, you buy them, then you get your cobblar to fix it on for you. They are so lovely.

Nyonya beading at work, even the Nyonya themselves are very lovely.

The already fixed bead work

Nyonya greeting with a basket.

The sia, where you place your food

This is an Ang Ku mould. Looks like a tortoise shell

The lovely Nyonya's dancing

So besides antiques, Nyonya items, there were also charity items for sale like some weaving products by mentally challenged people, some quilt also for charity and many more. Both of us even got a chance to weave. That was fun. I almost had right and left wrong coordination, but good for a first timer though.

The teacher

Pupil one, did very well. Didn't have too much coordination problem.

Pupil two, can't remember which one's the right or left leg. Did pass though once you get the hang of it.

Ladies who did a good job making the quilt. So please, If you could donate ,help these people help others make a difference.

The others that were interesting were a retired teacher selling his wood work. Among what I admire is the durian opener. It’s made of good quality if not mistaken local Meranti wood. According to him, it’s the best selling item. I wanted to buy one but my parents rarely buy durian (actually they don’t. I will go buy eat alone and go back). So I said whenever I need one I know where to find one.

Others are books, paintings; there was a charity selling soap for women who are challenged and t-shirs which are one of a kind. That company was selling the UNESCO t-shirts for RM15 so I bought for me and my dad. It was like sketches of old Penang, and so after a tired long day, we went outside of the happening area and went to get cheaper near the mamak stall nearby. This is to prevent from over spending, which we didn’t do actually.

Clay or dough art

These are really cute

And these too. Mini wooden clogs

This is a form of printing though I do not know much about it.

Grasshoppers, which don't hop, they are moved by a stick

Around 2.50, we went to the Chong Fatt-Tze Mansion, it was a long but not so interesting tour. We didn’t get to see most of the house but according to my dearie roommate that there is a film by a Singaporean production called the Funeral Party and my roommate knows the people in the production. So I intend to explore more of the house soon. I hope, and meet the cast of course!!

We went for a final round at the market and decided to head home. By the way, at the middle of the market was an open air space where there are dances like the last night Dondang Sayang ladies, Kuda Kepang, Nyonya fan and handkerchief dance and also Indian Karnatak dances were performed during the whole thingy. We asked Maria who was “working” there on how to get back to USM.

The Fan Dance

The Karnatik Dancers. I admire their precise rhythm that they have because, if they make a mistake, their anklet bells would sound awful. They did a very good job.

We wanted to head back to KOMTAR so I could take the bus straight to my residential complex so we waited for the bus along the road. After few attempts, we decided to walk to and see whether we could take the bus some where else. In the mean time, its the time so see the old penang sites.

So we walked, and walked, and walked, enjoying the nice beautiful Penang city and before we knew it we reached KOMTAR. It was like a 20 minute walk and the whether was not so bad so you couldn’t feel the heat. When we reached the bus station we realized that we should have walked to upper Penang Road instead of taking the trishaw. Felt like we got cheated but it was the first time so no biggie. We then took separate busses back and headed home. It was a nice time to just enjoy the show for once the occasion was going on we couldn’t make to any of it but I hope occasions like this come around in the future so more and more of us will understand the importance of our heritage and take a step forward in preserving them for our future generation.

Goodbye Susy

T’was the first time we met,
we had been great friends,
shared a lot of laughter,
exchange experiences,
as well as culture change.

We share certain similarities,
the passion for great music so it could be shared with others,
trying very hard to become more independent,
absorb as much as possible on what a country could offer us
and asked nothing in return.

So to my dear friend,
I wish you all the best in what you do
When times get rough and hard for you
There are always friends that you can turn to
Hope to see and hear from you soon!!

p/s: The Gamelan CD I gave to you is a court music which was used for palace functions as entertainment in the old days. It was brought from Java through royal marriage and cannot be used by the public in those days. The music has evolved after the Japanese occupation though most of the repertoire was lost but it has been revived and used for public functions such as graduations, wedding ceremony, and many more. Hope you could appreciate the music. Yi lu ping an!!

Our LCP is very rajin doing chores at McD.....hehe