young&wild&free.

“…This by no means make you lesser musicians than those who got GWH. The high calibre of ACS IB musicians is proven by the commendable way you kept the suicidal challenging Star Wars score afloat. Also, it takes a solid musician to hold one part independently with no support. Personally, I’d rather be a superior musician with COP than a mediocre musician with GWH…

…Finally, never forget that we are ACS. Our tradition is too great to be defined by any transient & summary verdict. Today, you inspired me again with your courage and musicianship…”

- Dr Kelly Tang

I guess I really ought to account for my absence from this space for the past 2 months or so. Now, allow me to attempt summarizing 2 months’ of events into less than 5 sentences.

 In essence, the past 2 months, were filled with numerous assignments and deadlines. On a lighter note, there were many birthday celebrations, which included mine, Jenn’s, Yam’s and Saxy Shaun’s. And then there was SAJC’s concert.

With that, let me get to the happenings in the past few days. Firstly, it’s unbelievably hard to believe that I survived 1 term of year 6.YES! TERM 1 IS OVER! As glad and as excited I may sound to you, the pressure inside me just increases slowly and steadily as the major examinations draw closer and closer. Nevertheless, it’s really a relief that the March Holidays are here.

Band Camp marked the beginning of my March Holidays. Logistically speaking, Band Camp was a nightmare, but I’m glad that it ended not with a whimper but a big bang!

The highly-anticipated return of the King, the highlight of my last Band Camp, came as a slight surprise. It felt like eternity since the last time we saw him. Nonetheless, there was no lack of familiarity and I believe everyone would agree with me. As I was watching him conduct from where I was today, I could, not only sense, but also feel his immense passion for music, something which I haven’t seen for a long while and something which I’m – sadly – lacking in. I dare say that almost all of us could feel his passion for music as he was conducting today, which hit us like a tsunami. The King is akin to a magician when he’s in front of his men, infusing his passion for music into us. It’s been a long while ever since I’ve felt such passion, which is indeed very motivating. And I really hope that this motivates the others too. After having a taste of Mr Potato the past 2 months or so, I would say that I’ve enjoyed myself today more than the past few days with Mr Potato. The King has the power to compel all of us to fix our eyes on his baton, to focus and concentrate, and most importantly, to make music. With that, I conclude that The King is in a league above Mr Potato, way way above. Clearly, The King trumps Mr Potato!

Long live The King!

Since young, my mum had always taught me how to remove stains on my shirt, and that would be to dab it gently with water simply because any additional force applied would just dirty the garment even more.

With that said and all that’s been done, can we please move on?

It’s a great feeling knowing that I’ve my first 7 points cast in stone in my IB Diploma. I guess the numerous past year papers I’ve done religiously in the TYS during the holidays have benefited me in one way or another. And that means I can bid Chinese adieu. The Year Sixes of 2008 received their results today as well, and the familiar faces that were called on stage will definitely be a source of motivation for me to persevere and press on. Once again, congrats to the people who’ve done well! Now the pressure’s on the third batch of students to do the school proud.

38 more points to go!!

崖上的波兒 Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea