Alumni Band BBQ

It was a good day for me today. Lessons were ok and 2T8 were finally beginning to co-operate after such an exhausting time with them. Most of the staff had left and while I was printing the survey results, Jamie was asking me if I could go with her to have a drink. I told her sure and I was pretty glad that she asked me. I was kinda bored in the office just waiting for the things to be printed. So while printing the last batch of surveys, I went with her to the coffeeshop near the school. Apparently, she was so happy that she even forgot lunch!

While we were at the coffeeshop, we talked about stuff like what kind of music we both liked, life in Australia etc etc. By the time we finished, it was around 1700 hours. We chatted for a while longer before I left for home to get ready to go for the Alumni Band BBQ @ Sentosa.

While I was @ Sentosa, I was amazed as to how the place had changed so very much! It was like a culture shock to me, in that sense of the word. Now, Sentosa had some internal bus system for us to go where we want to go. I finally reached the tram stop where I met Kenny, Jerold and Jason. Reached Costa Sands Sentosa and enjoyed the BBQ. I only managed to take 2 pictures as I was afraid that my phone might run flat.

The Food!!!

Why are the flames purple when they are supposed to be orange??

I'm in Awe

I just got back from library @ esplanade and borrowed 2 saxophone instructional DVDs and 2 movies - 13 Days and Absolute Power.

Im currently listening to the 1st saxophone instructional DVD and Im just sitting in awe about how great this jazz player, Steve Wilkerson is! The way he plays makes me wanna learn more about playing my sax better.

Compliments of the Day

Wow! I didn't know that wearing a long-sleeved shirt had such an effect on some of the teachers today...I think they were observant as well :) Some teachers were poking fun at me saying that I'm going on a hot date (which Im not), some said I looked smart and even Yaoting was saying, "Cher, how come you so formal today??" but the best compliment of the day came from a teacher who said, "You dress very well today." That comment really made my day :)

It was a hectic day today, no doubt about it. I had to organise and schedule the classes when the students had to come to the labs to do the survey. It was busy to say the least but at last it was over!

Bad Day

Today has arguably been the worst day of my life...I've had better days...Hope that tomorrow will brighten my day! Band practice is on the agenda!

Library @ Esplanade

It has been a while since I last visited the library @ esplanade and so today I went to pay the library a visit. Took the train to Dhoby Ghaut and dozed off as well due to the effects of the busy week that I had before me. Train reached the NEL Dhoby Ghaut and I had to switch to the North-South Dhoby Ghaut to get to City Hall. Upon exiting the City Hall station, there were heaps of people and a few policemen as well, scattered all along the area surrounding Suntec.

Walked into the underground passage where teens were practising their dance moves. It took another 10 mins before I reached the library. As I went in, there was a mini performance going on...I took a short video clip as well. I went around the library taking pictures as the place seemed just so nice to take!!! Browsed around for DVDs to be brought back home to watch and chose The Scorpions with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, U-571 and The 3 Musketeers.

Once I borrowed the 4 DVDs, it was home sweet home!!!

The Esplanade Lift

Singapore Art Cafe

The Sign

Sonata for 2 Clarinets

Shelves of Music

Artwork from the Back

Artwork from the Front

Dark Clouds Arising

Forbidden City - The Musical

The IMF Notice

Its The Weekend Again!

Today has been an average day...but Im pretty happy :) Things have at last come to a slow after 4 days...I have been explaining to the teachers about the workbin, something which is new in the ePortal...throat quite tired already...hahaha..It was also raining in the afternoon, wish I could sleep there and then! Got somemore new photos taken after the concert...Here they are:

The Sax Boys

The North Vista Main and Alumni Band

The Daringness of Students

Students these days a quite a terrible lot....Ok ok....Only some...The nerve they have these days to call a teacher by name.

I was having lunch with Des, Pris and Jia Yi. Jia Yi and Pris were doing their maths homework while Des was having fried rice. Then Peijie came along and then she said , "Hi Shaun!!". So bloody rude...The problem with me is that I dont do things when it happen and then I brood over it...Damn...I must tell myself not to give face to these students next time...

Later, I will be going for the Choice Committee Meeting and apparently, Archie will be coming over..Must take a pic with him laters :)

Blast From The Past

Here are a few photos of my time when I was @ Thomson...Should have taken more photos!!!

Steven & I

Band Boys

Eric, Myself and Romi

The Thomson Band Committee

Viva La Vista

The concert is finally over!! Whew...I was slightly nervous as I was playing for my students for the first time.... I really hoped that they liked it :) Was really glad that they came as well... Thanks once again to Zoe, Aline, Janet, Desmond, Priscilla and Fitri for making the trip down... I really appreciate you guys coming down..

Yesterday was a busy day. Reached North Vista @ 11 am, went down to the Hall for a bit of warm-ups, first technical run and Michelle forgot to leave the baritone sax for me!!!! I was about to look for her when she appeared. Worked on Queens Park and One Moment In Time, after that, we had a quick lunch, followed by going through the actual concert and by 1615 hours, we had to get dressed up for the actual.

The Thomson Yearbook - 50 Years In The Making

The Main & Alumni Band

From The Other Side

Desmond, Myself and Priscilla

The Lovely SKY Band Members and I

Priscilla, Zoe, Aline, Myself, Janet and Desmond

The Same People with Fitri

Thomson Band Members Reunited

(L - R) : Huiqing, Angeline, Jerry (@ the back), David, Ruiling, Jeffrey (who is also our conductor) and I

The Sax Boys

Myself, Jackson, Jason and Chee Wei

An Appreciation For The People Who Made The Alumni Band Possible

Trombone Fall-In

People In Black

Gala Dinner

Just got back from the Gala Dinner...It was relatively ok until it started to rain! I cant believe that the organisers didnt have a plan B...Overall, I would give the organisers, on a scale of 1 (best) - 10 (worst), a 9... But it was good to see the large turnout from the different generations of Thomson Sec including the current students who are from North Vista. Tomorrow is the concert already!!!

My Table No

Mr Teo Chee Hean giving his speech (Why did the audio technicians put the speaker where I cant see the screen???)

The Vistarian Rainbow of Values

Gala Dinner and Concert

Yay! Tomorrow is Friday! The day of the Gala Dinner... It has been 50 years since Thomson now known as North Vista was first founded. Will be going there with my fellow Thomson Band members who are now in the North Vista Alumni Band :) Things have changed so much for us after we have left Thomson. I scanned in some photos and will upload them soon.

Will be going for a haircut later and will DEFINITELY shave tomorrow!!! I havent shaved in 5 days already and the facial hair can be seen quite clearly (dont mean to be disgusting, I hope). Will need to practice on my sax later as the Band will be playing Blue Ridge Saga, a piece which i have not been playing before.

Pieces that we will play are : Queens Park Melody, Blue Ridge Saga, One Moment In Time and Under One Roof.

Buying Tickets Anyone??

The North Vista Alumni Band Concert is coming up and I've yet to sell the tickets!!! Argh.... I'm trying to ask people to see if they want to come and the first people that I asked were the Sengkang Band members. All cannot make it leh, jia lat man..Now, thinking of asking SOME teachers if they want to go...But the funny thing is that I don't have the tickets yet! A bit kiasu some might say but at least you know who wants to go before you get the tickets!

I have been having students on both friendster and MSN and I think its a good way to communicate with them, although they might see some of my personal stuff but then I guess thats how the way it should be. Priscilla wanted my blog address but I think better not give as there will be times when I will be talking about school affairs which students aren't supposed to see.. Will be adding their blog links soon...

P.S. Cant sleep because the bloody monkey turned on the light!!!!

What A Weekend!!

It has been busy for me this whole week! Besides normal work, I had band practice yesterday from 10 am till 4 pm and later had to go to Jurong to attend the Choice BBQ...I dunno why I have been waking up so early even though I do not have the need to....