I seriously can't believe 2010's finally here... I'd get this strong rush of excitement whenever I think about what's to come in the first half of the year, with crazy Match Supports, IHC Aesthetics, Band Concert etc... It's really an understatement that my life's gonna be really eventful, not to mention stressful.
Anyway, i shall take some time to reflect on the past year. 2009 may have been a catastrophic year to the world, but for me... it's been one of change and spontaneous decisions. I must say, the single most important and defining moment of 2009 was handing in my self-nomination form to join council. I mean, i walked into 2009 without ever thinking of joining council... but I can't draw out a single event that led me to change my mind, i guess it's a combination of people's advice and my yearn to give something new a shot.
"Sometimes, they say life boils down to one insane move" (from 'Avatar')... I guess me joining council somewhat has a connection to this line. It's not insane, but... it's one of those milestones in your life that you'll never ever regret doing. Then again, it's one of the more controversial things i've done in my life thus far. It's controverisal because i tend to answer people differently when they ask me "do you regret joining council?". In the previous sentence i mentioned i'll never ever regret joining council because of the amazing people i've gotten to know, the amazing things we get to plan and the amazing lessons i've learnt. But sometimes, I can't help but tell people i do regret joining council, this is because when you're in an exclusive group, submerged in continuous work, you run the risk of being self-absorbed.
I guess through this, I may have drifted apart from people I once had a close relationship with... in particularly the people in band. But then some strange self-defending mechanism of yours will activate and tell you that perhaps it's not you who closed out on the world, but them who closed out on you. Then you go into this dimension which is severely lacking in trust and security, (then again, maybe it's just me). Or perhaps it's this common, occasional emotional/mental disarray that binds us councillors together. Being in council, it's a given that you are under constant scrutiny and the best conduct is expected out of you, any breaches in your conduct and there will be consequences to pay. You also have to juggle your school work well, because getting offloaded means your fellow function/department mates will get 'loaded' with your work, and if you're responsible enough you'll know that's a bad thing. That's just the inevitable pressure we're willing to and know we have to withstand.
Then there's social pressure, from the people around you. when you wear that badge, you seem to be accountable for every single thing that happens in school, council and non-council related. then you're left with this sore feeling when you realise you don't have an answer. you're also expected to be answerable to any and every slip-up that happens in council events. that's understandable, after all... the school didn't vote us in for nothing. but on the flip side, any thing spectacularly well done will only earn temporary and limited credit, it's just how things work... it's not that i'm complaining, this is probably something understood amongst ourselves. rather, these are just some of the things i learnt along the way, and that's what this reflective blog post is for right? =)
but still, i never can imagine life in RJ without being in council, no latenights, no crazy cheering, no operationally-ready work chionging. so when i look back on 2009, it's a year well spent.
But of course the year wouldn't be complete without my first love... Band. SYF 2009 was so memorable, playing a french impressionist piece and a whacked set piece, making new friends both from my batch and the senior batch... the whole experience was definitely one to remember. Limelight, was an interesting experience too... playing for a reasonably new crowd, with many of my council friends watching me for the first time, it was kinda pressurizing but still it was a really enjoyable experience with 3 samba pieces. i hope 2010 has alot more in stall too.
so that's 2009 in short, my life basically revolved around band and council and will continue to do so because that's my place i've found here in RJ.
2010 here i come.
Monday, December 28, 2009
alright going on council retreat tomorrow, having high hopes on it to be a blast.
to my band batchies: sorry i can't join you all for CODA 5, i wish i could... but, yeah council calls >.< hope you all have an awesome time, and good luck =)
anyway, this past week was smashing awesome... first band fest then outings after outings, i finally got down to enjoy the holidays, wonder how easy it'll be to re-adapt to the homework pile staring right at me.
but... for now, COUNCILRETREATBABEH.
mom says: ask you to pack your table, you never pack. tomorrow you don't go! stay at home!
LOL, my mom's funny.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
IT'S TIME FOR CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY!
First up, Mariah Carey's famous "All I Want For Christmas is You". An enduring christmas classic.
My favourite classic. Jingle Bell Rock! Woohoo.
and another one i grew to love this year... FELIZNAVIDAD!
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
these holidays are terribly short. Christmas is finally here and i'm finally getting into the mood, been going out almost everyday to soak up some of the atmosphere.
So basically my life has been rather exciting. First there was JC/Poly Band Fest... When it first started out, i really hated it and it was a real drag for me. But after Mr. Ramu's crazy and innovative sectionals, I grew more and more optimistic towards band fest and everything eventually escalated into an awesome concert with a reasonable audience. I really enjoyed mixing around with fellow teen bandsmen from all schools and polytechnics. They have been super awesome and everyone's so friendly.
As for the Polish people, i wasn't too crazy about them because they aren't outgoing and friendly by nature. The language barrier didn't help either, so... we ended up isolating ourselves from them. Oh well, at least hanging out with Singaporeans was fulfilling enough. Thanks Honour Band for the memories! and thanks batchmates who accompanied me to JCP Band Fest 09 =D. Can't believe i learnt so much, and the Mr. Oura bonding session was really fun haha.
Amazing stuff.
Then I went to watch ChildAid concert yesterday. I must say i'm amazingly impressed by the sheer amount of talent that was presented on the stage, seems like they weren't lying when they said "bursting at the seams with talent"... Every act was so high in quality that it felt really professional. My favourite parts were the combined items like the opening, fame segment and finale. I liked it when the curtains opened and the orchestra played this awesome opening theme. YO's awesome lol. Exdee really sounded good also, alot cleaner than usual... maybe it's the acoustics of the hall.
I remember leaving the theater feeling very happy and optimistic =). Can't believe there are so many talented young Singaporeans who really have the potential to be world class artistes. So happy for them, hopefully they'll grow to become successful people and spread the Singaporean identity.
These holidays, though shortlived are starting to get really exciting. I got into the christmas mood by wearing a santa hat around today, everyone on the train was looking at me but i was prepared for the attention anyway. And i think it's really sad to see people mugging their guts out and not taking a break... Maybe it's just my cluelessness and lack of preparations for the future, but seriously, all we have is a super short holiday, and all you're gonna do is mug and mug?
and it's really getting on my nerves when all some people talk about is how their mugging progress's been and how they screwed up by not getting big enough digits and whatever. I'm not just talking about one person... but more of a sadder bunch. Pity... they are missing out on better things like christmas.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
LOL DAMN FRIGGIN CUTE! and he's actually quite good :O
Thursday, December 10, 2009
i am now a functionless councillor =(
but i'm glad gradnite was a success. i actually thought i'd be quite free on the day itself doing mindless stuff like counting votes since i was pubs and decor and my hardcore period's over. but i ended up doing logs again (IHC deja vu) which made me super busy, even shijia said i'm not my usual noisy waking jukebox self. anyway, i totally enjoyed it, the whole process was really fruitful and enriching.
kudos to the fiercest comm ever! =)
I/Cs: Aly, Ernest Secretary: Charmian Manpower: Nicole Programmes: Ellyn, Joho, Ruolin Publicity and Decor: Jerald and Joseph =DDDD Sponsorship: Wai Teng Ticketing and Reception: Yong En
<3 Grad Nite Comm 2009!
anyway, just found out about Quest Crew (America's Best Dance Crew Season 3 Champions). they are damn kickass.
