Dear Levin,
I do not know you personally, still, you were one of us, freshmen like me who were at Convocation and sadly you won't get to see the next one. This tragedy has hit so close to home, and I'm shocked too.
People say, things happen for a reason. But to have the life of a young man brimming with so much vigor snuffed out abruptly is nothing more fathomable than an absurdity of fate. Wasn't it supposed to be just a harmless fall? It's as if when you fell into the sea, death's grip waited beneath the currents.
Wherever you are, may God bless your soul.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
"dancers don't fall, they bounce"
The LA Salsa Congress was a big and star-studded eye opener. For the duration of the event (4 days), we stayed in the same hotel with some of the top latin dancers in the world, and at times got to interact with them as well. For 4 consecutive nights we social danced till the early morning and waking up near noon the next day. The dance floor was huge - a ballroom filled with people grooving to latin beats. I was initially intimidated, but the guys weren't difficult to dance with after all, albeit a touchy lot. I think it was there that my social dancing reached a peak. I realised many people weren't a level up there, but were just like us - out to learn, to improve, to appreciate and enjoy dancing.
It's not hard to see how much Singapore's artistic talent pool pales in comparison to the international acts. The performances were mind-blowing. The dancers executed perfect moves and spins, and most of the were freaking flexible, as if their limbs could bend and stretch without breaking. I felt honoured to be in the presence of so many great dancers, and deeply inspired by their passion for dancing, how they're so driven to promote it, and how they help each other out within the dance community.
Our item was to be performed on the afternoon of the 3rd day of the Congress. Training in a different environment turned out to be a small setback. We were breathless when we first rehearsed in LA due to the cold and dry air, but we did better the following day.
31st May was the day we've trained hard for. Being backstage and waiting for our turn was surreal. Our moment finally came, we were given the last slot of the afternoon show - apparently our rehearsal earlier in the morning was entertaining enough for the producer to give us that slot.
No matter how many times one has been on stage, each performance is still a first for that event and that moment, and the anxiety is fresh each time. This time, it was compunded by the presence of an unfamiliar crowd. We were in a foriegn land and didn't have the comfort of family and friends to encourage and cheer us on. We had come a long way, and we wanted to dance our best, like everyone else.
I hurt my ankle earlier in the morning, and was struggling to get used to the pain before we went on stage. It's strange that during the performance I felt no pain at all, probably because I was overwhelmed and too focused during those moments. So, several weeks after Bailamos En La Calle, we were on the Congress stage, dancing and cheering our hearts out. I felt it was our best dance yet.
We earned ourselves a standing ovation.
Shortly after, when we gathered backstage, we were asked to perform for the night show. Apparently, the better performers are given the night slots, damn were we elated to hear that!
I wasn't extremely surprised that we wow-ed the crowd, because I knew everyone really wanted to dance well, and I thought we would. But being asked to perform again was unbelievable. We're students who wanted to take their passion a little further by heading to LA, we may not have been strong or technically superb dancers, but we were sincere about putting up a good show, and I'm glad that our efforts were appreciated.
Up till the last night of the Congress, I still received compliments for our item. I'm really proud of the dancers!
So, going overseas to dance was something I never thought I would get to do, I only hope that we'll have something of this scale again in the next few years!
It's not hard to see how much Singapore's artistic talent pool pales in comparison to the international acts. The performances were mind-blowing. The dancers executed perfect moves and spins, and most of the were freaking flexible, as if their limbs could bend and stretch without breaking. I felt honoured to be in the presence of so many great dancers, and deeply inspired by their passion for dancing, how they're so driven to promote it, and how they help each other out within the dance community.
Our item was to be performed on the afternoon of the 3rd day of the Congress. Training in a different environment turned out to be a small setback. We were breathless when we first rehearsed in LA due to the cold and dry air, but we did better the following day.
31st May was the day we've trained hard for. Being backstage and waiting for our turn was surreal. Our moment finally came, we were given the last slot of the afternoon show - apparently our rehearsal earlier in the morning was entertaining enough for the producer to give us that slot.
No matter how many times one has been on stage, each performance is still a first for that event and that moment, and the anxiety is fresh each time. This time, it was compunded by the presence of an unfamiliar crowd. We were in a foriegn land and didn't have the comfort of family and friends to encourage and cheer us on. We had come a long way, and we wanted to dance our best, like everyone else.
I hurt my ankle earlier in the morning, and was struggling to get used to the pain before we went on stage. It's strange that during the performance I felt no pain at all, probably because I was overwhelmed and too focused during those moments. So, several weeks after Bailamos En La Calle, we were on the Congress stage, dancing and cheering our hearts out. I felt it was our best dance yet.
We earned ourselves a standing ovation.
Shortly after, when we gathered backstage, we were asked to perform for the night show. Apparently, the better performers are given the night slots, damn were we elated to hear that!
I wasn't extremely surprised that we wow-ed the crowd, because I knew everyone really wanted to dance well, and I thought we would. But being asked to perform again was unbelievable. We're students who wanted to take their passion a little further by heading to LA, we may not have been strong or technically superb dancers, but we were sincere about putting up a good show, and I'm glad that our efforts were appreciated.
Up till the last night of the Congress, I still received compliments for our item. I'm really proud of the dancers!
So, going overseas to dance was something I never thought I would get to do, I only hope that we'll have something of this scale again in the next few years!
Hello world!
I'm back from lovely LA and am obviously jet lagged as I'm awake at such an hour.
LA was a great getaway from everything back in Singapore - work, school, the weather. It felt good to be truly carefree for those 10 days or so.
Knowing that after several weeks of toiling, you're finally on your way to do your stuff, and you see the endless stretch of city lights twinkling beneath your feet as you descend into LA, that's quite unbelievable you know? And even more so now that's it over.
I didn't have serious jet lag issues thankfully. But I've got a major sleep debt to clear because I haven't had a good 8 hours of sleep a night since a few days before LA.
Shopping there was cool, there were many dirt cheap bargains, relative to the prices of the same stuff found in Singapore. You'll see how much of a rip off Singapore's prices are. I regret not buying more. The groceries are cheaper too, and a wider variety, so much so that I brought back a hell lot of candies & junk food. Food wise, having standard western food everyday got me sick of it, with the exception of the occasional good restaurant food. The weather was always sunny, but chilly 'cause of the winds. Still, it was a refreshing change from Singapore's insane one.
I loved the themed parks too. Universal Studios was like a journey back into one's childhood, while Six Flags was literally a crazy roller coaster ride where we got excited queuing for the rides, only to regret doing so & think we were on the brink of death when we were finally sitted for the ride.
One thing I miss most is the lifestyle and culture there. It seemed slow paced and laid back. For once, I could stroll through the shopping malls and supermarkets, and not jostle my way through. Also, it's somehow so easy for the people there to be warm and friendly. They're easy going, helpful and cheerful. I experienced the best service there.
I don't wish to write anymore because it's hard to express in words - I'll post pictures instead when I've got them. LA Salsa Congress in the next entry because merging it here would prove too long an entry to read.
And I shall head back to bed now to try and sleep more.
I'm back from lovely LA and am obviously jet lagged as I'm awake at such an hour.
LA was a great getaway from everything back in Singapore - work, school, the weather. It felt good to be truly carefree for those 10 days or so.
Knowing that after several weeks of toiling, you're finally on your way to do your stuff, and you see the endless stretch of city lights twinkling beneath your feet as you descend into LA, that's quite unbelievable you know? And even more so now that's it over.
I didn't have serious jet lag issues thankfully. But I've got a major sleep debt to clear because I haven't had a good 8 hours of sleep a night since a few days before LA.
Shopping there was cool, there were many dirt cheap bargains, relative to the prices of the same stuff found in Singapore. You'll see how much of a rip off Singapore's prices are. I regret not buying more. The groceries are cheaper too, and a wider variety, so much so that I brought back a hell lot of candies & junk food. Food wise, having standard western food everyday got me sick of it, with the exception of the occasional good restaurant food. The weather was always sunny, but chilly 'cause of the winds. Still, it was a refreshing change from Singapore's insane one.
I loved the themed parks too. Universal Studios was like a journey back into one's childhood, while Six Flags was literally a crazy roller coaster ride where we got excited queuing for the rides, only to regret doing so & think we were on the brink of death when we were finally sitted for the ride.
One thing I miss most is the lifestyle and culture there. It seemed slow paced and laid back. For once, I could stroll through the shopping malls and supermarkets, and not jostle my way through. Also, it's somehow so easy for the people there to be warm and friendly. They're easy going, helpful and cheerful. I experienced the best service there.
I don't wish to write anymore because it's hard to express in words - I'll post pictures instead when I've got them. LA Salsa Congress in the next entry because merging it here would prove too long an entry to read.
And I shall head back to bed now to try and sleep more.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
those were the days my friend
Today made me wish I was a kid again.
I passed by TJC on bus 12 on my way to Parkway Parade. There facing the main gate hung a banner, announcing the occurence of Mardi Gras, on the 23rd May, next Friday evening. Mardi Gras is held once every 2 years, the last time it happened was back when I was in JC2. I remember how the dancers were reluctant to put an up item for Mardi Gras, because it was just one month before our concert and we were still rushing to work on that. Nevertheless, we still had fun that night. We pulled off a good performance, and we dressed up for the night after that. Besides our dance item, we had fire eaters brought in, our tutors doing an indian dance number, and a carnival. Then we were amused when we saw more tutors dressed as greek gods & egyptian princesses.
Things like that, and Chinese New Year carnival, and Teachers' Day, that I miss. Not forgetting our dance concert too, how we toiled tirelessly in those few months, and crying tears of bittersweet relief at the end of it all.
How I would love to don that dirty green uniform and collar badge again.
And I would sing the TJ anthem and shout the TJ cheer, and other orientation cheers proudly.
How I would love to sit in lectures or tutorials and scrawl on other people's notes, and skip over to the hawker centre opposite for char kway tiao or fish soap for lunch.
How I would love to jog along Bedok South road and Lucky Estate during PE, and sprint to the canteen for mango orange juice and breakfast set (with fries and LOTS of mushroom sauce!) after that.
How I would love to poke fun at the basketball / soccer / volleyball guys with the classmates.
How I would love to stroll into the hall or dance studio, and see other dancers sprawled on the floor catching a nap.
I get to dye my hair and dress in my own choice of clothes. That means I don't get a kick out of spraying my hair black and unbuckling and pulling down my skirt to avoid getting caught during spot checks anymore. 'A' Levels were stressful, but we didn't have to worry about class participation or irresponsible project mates every single semester, just the practice papers and final exams.
I guess you wouldn't truly appreciate what you had until it's over.
Moving on to after TJC was dinner with the girls at Aston's. That was one of the rare times I laughed hard. It's impossible not to when you see very retarded antics.
And you girls caused me to draw weird glances, as I grinned to myself when I recalled the heartwarming evening on the train ride home.
I passed by TJC on bus 12 on my way to Parkway Parade. There facing the main gate hung a banner, announcing the occurence of Mardi Gras, on the 23rd May, next Friday evening. Mardi Gras is held once every 2 years, the last time it happened was back when I was in JC2. I remember how the dancers were reluctant to put an up item for Mardi Gras, because it was just one month before our concert and we were still rushing to work on that. Nevertheless, we still had fun that night. We pulled off a good performance, and we dressed up for the night after that. Besides our dance item, we had fire eaters brought in, our tutors doing an indian dance number, and a carnival. Then we were amused when we saw more tutors dressed as greek gods & egyptian princesses.
Things like that, and Chinese New Year carnival, and Teachers' Day, that I miss. Not forgetting our dance concert too, how we toiled tirelessly in those few months, and crying tears of bittersweet relief at the end of it all.
How I would love to don that dirty green uniform and collar badge again.
And I would sing the TJ anthem and shout the TJ cheer, and other orientation cheers proudly.
How I would love to sit in lectures or tutorials and scrawl on other people's notes, and skip over to the hawker centre opposite for char kway tiao or fish soap for lunch.
How I would love to jog along Bedok South road and Lucky Estate during PE, and sprint to the canteen for mango orange juice and breakfast set (with fries and LOTS of mushroom sauce!) after that.
How I would love to poke fun at the basketball / soccer / volleyball guys with the classmates.
How I would love to stroll into the hall or dance studio, and see other dancers sprawled on the floor catching a nap.
I get to dye my hair and dress in my own choice of clothes. That means I don't get a kick out of spraying my hair black and unbuckling and pulling down my skirt to avoid getting caught during spot checks anymore. 'A' Levels were stressful, but we didn't have to worry about class participation or irresponsible project mates every single semester, just the practice papers and final exams.
I guess you wouldn't truly appreciate what you had until it's over.
Moving on to after TJC was dinner with the girls at Aston's. That was one of the rare times I laughed hard. It's impossible not to when you see very retarded antics.
And you girls caused me to draw weird glances, as I grinned to myself when I recalled the heartwarming evening on the train ride home.
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