Friday, May 25, 2007
UPDATE
Check out the right sidebar below for Photos of the two field trips that I took for both my Nationalism and Biodiversity modules respectively. Enjoy!
Second Field Trip to Tiong Bahru and Macritchie Treetop Walk coming this Friday and Saturday respectively, so it's going to more pictures rollin' in......
And wish me luck for my upcoming projects... haizzz..
And lastly, WELCOME HOME, SU HUI!!!
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01:43
Sunday, May 20, 2007
An Aesthetical Weekend
Starting your undergraduate life early as a "Year Zero" is considered unorthodox from a NSMen's point of view.
Starting your undergraduate life after two years of hiatus from the academic world is considered a daunting task.
Starting your undergraduate life to realise that your female junior is now your university senior is humiliating.
Starting your undergraduate life in NUS's University Scholars Programme means that you begin your university studies in the path that no other NSmen would dare trek, exercising your brain in the manner inexplicable to other.
And this explains my recent blog hiatus, for your brain gets drained everyday by the endless and intellectual debates that denotes the typical USP seminar-style lesson, and where the Year Zeros's quality of participation would be perceived as relatively abysmal.
Well my long weekend was indulged in two field trips and one band concert. My fellow USP-mates and I went on field trips to the Singapore River last Friday to analyse the nationalistic value of various artforms. On the following day (Saturday) we went to Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve to explore the biodiversity of the mangrove ecosystem. I took lots of pictures but given time constraints I shall upload them at a later date for your indulgence.
Last Saturday evening I attended Temasek JC's Symphonic Band Concert (Prelude 27) at Victoria Concert Hall. Went there to support my juniors in the main band (Guo Hong, Yao Zong, Caryn and Ling Ting) as well as the alumni band. I got the chance to catch up with a few long-lost peers from TJ as well as to listen to the band's SYF Choice Piece, "Hymn to the Sun" by Satoshi Yagisawa.
A few pics that I took:
Derrick Lim! One of TJ's most talented drummers of our batch. He'll be commencing his university studies at NUS's Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music. Who knows he might even bug me to attend his frequent recitals once he enters university! Let's hope he rocks Kent Ridge just as he has rocked up TJ during his performances.
Front (L-R): Fah Jin, Cui Yin, Yao Zong, Guo Hong and myself
Back (L-R): Kang Rong, Henry, and (sorry, pls help to fill in his name)
Absent: Caryn, Ling Ting
I remarked about Cui Yin's choice of black for her flower but she didn't really bother about it. Future anthropologist (Yes, at LSE) and still as bubbly as ever. Yao Zong's conducting was very well-controlled (chose not to use his baton) and of course, with emotion as well. Guo Hong is as suave and adorable (as usual), and I decided to support his concert considering that his sister (and the other junior percussionists in Chung Cheng) could not attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
The TJ band - Passionate about Music.
And finally, a brief review of their performance:
(1) Around the World (Vanbeselaere) - Started in a very shaky and tense manner, where balance proved a serious problem for them. The Brasses (and sometimes, percussion) drowned the woodwinds; and nearly caused me to get into a fit. Credit nevertheless should be given to the flute solo (including his flutter tongue) given the short preparatory period following the SYF.
(2) Hymn to the Sun (Yagisawa) - I loved this piece the most. Yagisawa has done it again just like Machu Picchu. Absolutely brillant where tonal control was good symbolising the gradual shifts of the "Sun". Great musical balance. Credit should be given for the effort put in the choral singing considering that bandsmen rarely double as choir members. Perhaps, the only reason why they missed out on the Honours Award in the recent SYF was due to their set piece (Sunrise). (And the Set piece was the downfall of several bands, including Chung Cheng)
(3) Saga Candida (Appermont) - First piece by alumni band. Also included some vocal elements, though I felt would be better if the accompanying parts played a little bit softer.
(4) Galaxy Express 999 (Taruya) - Second piece by alumni band. Kudos for great balance and style. Excellent solos (including Loo Kit), as well as the english horn. The piece would not be perfect without Derrick's ability to control the band with his outstanding drumming skills.
[Afternote: They didn't tune before the performance and Lianwei asked me about their intonation. Unfortunately my ear wasn't sharp enough and I couldn't give him an answer despite his pestering. Noone complained anyway, though Cuiyin felt they themselves could've performed better.]
(5) Cinderella Musical - Cool, unorthodox choice of infusing the retro 70s dance era with the Cinderella servant concept. The Fairy "Godfather" and the moves by the "Prince" attracted the loudest laughter though.
(6) Tuba Solo / Euphonium Ensemble - Introduced the audience that you can "beat-box" with a Tuba. Very difficult technique and perhaps, the best Tuba player I've ever seen for a 18-year old. Enjoyed the Euphonium Ensemble that preceded.
(7) Three Extraordinary Journeys (Sparke)- Brilliant, balance and style was well-sustained throughout the performance. Mesmerized by the graceful hand movements of the student conductor who reflected his ability to absorb himself fully in the music, resulting in a fully expressive band.
(8) Les Miserables - Conducted by Yao Zong. Well-controlled and very pleasant.
(9) Can't take my Eyes Off You - Beautiful Flute Solo. The band tried very hard to sustain their dynamics properly as well as to maintain a smooth contrast between the soft and loud sections especially during the sections with the solo flute. Good music, and room for improvement though.
(10) Drum Duet Encore - Cannot be expressed by words. You must listen and watch it to understand the 'dialogue' of the two drummers, which certainly was the best way to end this memorable and entertaining concert.
Thanks for the Entertainment, TJ Band!
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23:58
Monday, May 07, 2007
The first lesson
I'm now blogging from NUS Central Library's Computer Centre. (Yes. I didn't want to bog myself down with a heavy notebook yeh.) So the first day has been quite a slow but good start to undergraduate life right here. I got to know six other RNSmen as well as the scholars' club committee and senior management. This included a very nice reunion with Lynnette, my fellow TJ-mate who is now the Welfare Director of the Scholars' Club. The very first lesson was a basic introduction to Biological concepts, where my professor declared that we humans are responsible for destroying nature's balance and that we'll get extinct just one day. I was able to understand his basic explanation (very entertaining) about how different the study of biology was as compared to physics and chemistry, making me feel that biology is really more fun than other stuff like say, the "dry" physics and "theoretical" economics.
Things are going to get more challenging for myself considering I've never studied Biology at all. (Unless you counted in the first three months in JC.) Well, this is why I'm a university scholar, right? The director mentioned that we're considered the noisiest bunch of students on campus where other professors can "smell a USP student a mile away", cos' we simply just cant stop talking. However the first lesson proved different for the mood was rather silent and petrifying even though there were seniors attending the lesson as well.
It's going to be rather steep re-adapting to the academic lifestyle here on campus especially when you start it with a USP module rather than a normal module. It'll be fun indeed, (yes, the Literature lesson starts tomorrow) and I'd need alot of mental strength and tenacity to get the momentum going' on. Studying Nationalism from a literary viewpoint will be very different from a historical viewpoint. Reading the readings reminds me of my days in the History S Paper.
Anyway, my lifestyle is gonna going to be more of consolidating my thoughts and reflections to embrace the things I'm learning right now. This means more independent reading of biology stuff(I had a bit of a problem understanding DNA replication) and more deep thinking. I really need to thaw my brain to "add value" to subsequent lessons, strong to the spirit of scholars being as "noisy" and "active". So stay tuned for more!!
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14:51
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Matriculation
Amidst the heavy shower came many ants scurrying towards Yusof Ishak House. These ants were fresh soldier ants ready on a new mission. They were going there to be commissioned as "mugger ants", emblazoned with an orange beret and a set of "scholarly" clothes in exchange for their worn-out green camouflage uniforms. They received an orange-white ID card... they were now university students...
Yes.... went to Yusof Ishak House to formally report for registration, where I submitted the necessary paperwork and received my NUS student card. Another ID card in my wallet now, making us identified as a student of NUS. Things went smoothly considering that only 500 out of perhaps, 9000 NSmen chose to matriculate early in the Special Term. There was hardly a wait, except at the Student Service Centre where I had to take a queue number to submit my Interbank Giro form.
Met up with Jeremy Lee, a close army colleague of mine. We registered together before we parted off for separate directions later on. Bumped into Yazid who was visiting to undergo the medical examination at the Health and Wellness Centre. Our favourite council president will be matriculating in August where he'll majoring in Architecture.
I took a walk down to the USP building where I checked out the place to find out the exact location of my tutorials. I do not wish to become a lost sheep first thing on Monday morning when the first Special Term kicks off with my two USP modules. I also managed to check out Chatterbox, the official USP mess. Met Ruhan (my debate senior) who had to step aside from his club meeting to say hello to me. The Chatterbox claims to be the "best" students' lounge in the whole of NUS. I cannot comment about this cos' I've yet to visit the lounge at the Science Faculty (if there is one) nor chill out at the Students' Union lounge at Yusof Ishak house.
Some pictures of the Chatterbox for everyone to see, in which access to exclusive to USP students only.
The furniture was only installed in January this year according to Ruhan. The creative choice of furniture, blending well with the blinds behind makes the mess look more "unique" as compared to other lounges in NUS. The Scholars Club should look into acquiring tatami mats when they're considering the next makeover...
The discussion table. (Or Coffee corner). See the bed at the background? Well according to Lynnette it is rare for people to stay overnight at the Chatterbox (even though it operates 24 hours) so I wonder who dares to use the bed.
"Many men munch mush, many women munch mush, many men and women munch much mush."
New tongue twister! I wonder who invented this.
"where is the king?" - the theme for this year's USP Freshmen Orientation Camp (FOC). I understand that it's held from 17 - 20 Jul at the Hometeam NS Resort at Pasir Ris Resort. It clashes with my 21st birthday so I'm at a loss as to how I should plan my own party, let alone setting the date and venue . Any ideas please?
And the "mugger ants" shall begin toiling their way at the nest called Kent Ridge, a place they'll call home for four years. And my journey shall start on Monday.
P/S: Zelig's Workplan for Special Term Part I (7 May - 16 June)
ULS2204 - Biodiversity and Conservation Biology - Mon / Wed - 1000-1200hrs, 1400-1600hrs
ULT2298B - Topics in Literature: Literary Nationalisms - Tues / Thurs - 1000-1200hrs, 1400-1600hrs
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18:11
