Recording @ Myx

Did recording for my band's singles, which are to be released next month, last evening at Myx. Fandy, our drummer, recorded his drum section first while Sweetie and I looked on. Recording yesterday was just shite.. I wonder if it was the keys of my new Microkorg or I wasn't at what I was doing. I was either slower or too fast, in my beats, and I wasn't insync with the band's already recorded sections. I felt I was such a waste of time, trying to fill in my keyboard sections, with just that few chords I am to play. My recording for "Class A Love Affair" was great. Did it in just one take but I couldn't perform as well for the other song, "Captain Funky Curls", which is ironically our original song for the PowerJam competition.

Blessed with a patient team of members, they counted along to the clicker as I tried to sync with the beats. I just couldn't.. I was very disappointed with myself. Such simple beats but still... Ragu got impatient and said some very hurting stuff, indirectly or directly, whichever way it was.. My morale and confidence went straight for the drain. Was so wanting to walk out of that bloody studio but remembering Sweetie's wise words "Walking out is never a solution to any problem".. I kept my cool and swallowed my pride. I stayed put, wherever I was. Recording is really such a bitch..

I was at the verge of giving up. Sweetie and I had a good talk about it.. yeah.. a real good talk, which lasted till 2am in the morning, about how I should take constructive criticism. Whatever Ragu said in the studio to me wasn't constructive at all. Yes, Ragu. Maybe it is not about the equipment. Maybe it is just the keyboardist.. Thanks for the "right in your face" comments or should I say, constructive criticism.... I know it is his job of being anal about the sounds and the timing. Sigh.. What I wasn't expecting was the right in my face personal attack..

For Mummy's birthday this year, we took a road trip to JB. The trip there was pretty smooth... We had way too much food for dinner... Ryan snored in the car, on the way back.. Probably tired from looking after his Mummy, who is pregnant with his playmate, whom will be due in March. Heheh.. Amidst his snoring, while in the car with Mummy, Kevin and Pauline, it just feels good to do this eating spree as a family again. Mummy hasn't really travelled or get out of the country after Daddy's gone. It is probably because Daddy was her only travel companion.

Christmas @ Bedok North

Sweetie brought me to his old neighbour's place at Bedok North for Christmas gathering. Auntie Carole and Uncle Alex are very nice folks and we had a feast at their place. We arrived at 10. Sweetie's folks were there early and they left at 11 as Sweetie's Dad has to wake up early for work, the next day. It was a nice and cozy Christmas gathering, with excellent spread of food. The house was so nicely decorated that one can really feel the joy and love of Christmas. There was merry-making at every corner of the house. I had an enjoyable time. Uncle Alex's birthday falls on Christmas Day so it is a double celebration for them. After the gathering, we met up with Mike, Leigh and Herman at Villa Bali, for second round of drinks.

My date at The Balcony

dinner n drinks @ the balcony

Sweetie looked gorgeous today. He wore his new shirt, new shoes and new watch. Met up at Far East to go for dinner. It was a planned date for the both of us to celebrate our attainment of honours and a closure with Uni-life though the plan for Masters is in my our pipeline.

Town was madness, jam-packed with the Christmas crowd. We made our way to our new-found favourite joint, The Balcony. Sweetie had the night's events planned, without my knowledge, with the table reservations and all. We had our dinner. The food selection at the diner's was pretty limited. Sweetie gave me a mobile phone cuff, which was the exact same one he has for his phone. Now.. it will be tough differentiating our K700i mobile phones apart. Heheh..

We were supposed to meet up with our lecturer for drinks and so we wanted to adjourn to upstairs. I went up to check but it was packed. When I came down and got back to our table, the server gave me a gold box, tied with red ribbons. I was lost for words. Sweetie gave me a cheeky look and asked me to open the box. Inside the box was more presents, a olive green folli follie bag and a pair of CK rings. Sweetie gave the most beautiful speech while I was opening the presents. It was not about the presents. It was about his sincerity and love that came through from his chain of words that moved me. I cried.

It is my most loved Christmas ever.. And thank you, Sweetie, for everything. Thank you for making me feel like a queen..

winner of a bottle of barcadi breezer (pattaya) 

killing time in the midst of traffic jam (bangkok) 

first night in thailand (khao san road) 

noble house restaurant (pattaya) 

live show on walking street of pattaya 

crazy night scene in pattaya (7-12-05) 

chlling out at D&D Inn, Khao San Rd (bangkok) 

the jump @ the poolside (pattaya) 

poolside (pattaya) 

pratunam glam sluts (bangkok) 

poolside indulgence (miss pineapple and mr coconut) 

beautiful sunset (pattaya) 

view from the hotel room (Pattaya) 

Thailand (Bangkok)

The King's birthday celebration light-up (bangkok)

DAY ONE
Arrived in Thailand (Bangkok) in the evening. Headed down to the hotel and the first thing on our minds is DINNER! Yes.. Yes.. It sure feels good to be back here again. It has been a good 3 years since the last time I was here. We set off for Khao San Road. The traffic jam was a killer. They are in preparation for The King's birthday. The streets were lined with pots of fresh flowers and lights galore.

Sweetie recommended a good place for dinner so we walked Khao San Road, hunting for it. I had my favourite Thai Iced Tea. We had the usual local delights like the Tom Yum Soup. Had a great dinner.. It poured all of a sudden and shops were starting to close as it was almost 11pm. We recce for tour packages to Koh Phagnan or Koh Samui. It would cost both of us about $700 to fly to Koh Samui by Bangkok Airways, excluding the ferry and accommodation in Koh Phagnan. So we headed back to hotel to plan.

The first night out, I got to know this local guy, Ning, who sells vintage clothing. His eccentric and enthusiastic ways were just so communicable. Initially, he thought I was Japanese cos he gets a lot of Japanese girls coming to his store to buy his vintage stuff. It was amusing, buying stuff from him. When he found out I am from Singapore, he animatedly expressed his deep interest to visit our small island… “I hear.. people.. say.. water.. man…out.. mouth.. I want to go.. I like see..” Okay, dude..… What in god’s name was that all about? About all that charade, I figured he was talking about the Merlion.. Geezz.. Hehehe…

DAY TWO

We woke up early and had our breakfast at the poolside. The selection of their buffet was limited, consisting of porky stuff like ham, bacon and pork sausages. Sweetie and I were left with only so little to choose from. This is something I realised; the street stalls sell a lot of pork too. The only food available that we could eat was actually pretty much the seafood. I have no complaints. It just that I miss chicken, which is sort of like a staple meat selection at home for me cos my maid cooks basically chicken, fish and vegetables all the time.

After going to the different shopping areas like MBK, Siam Square, Patpong, Pratunam Market, we realised the shopping here is just madness. The local designers kick ass.. We eventually booked a package to Pattaya for three days and two nights, as recommended by the tour agent. We both have never been there so we decided to heck it and go.. It is a two hour bus ride there from Bangkok. Yes…Yes.. The beach and the sun!!! We leave at 11.30am the next day..

Till we meet again

Im writing this while waiting for the gate to open, at the airport. Was at Phuture last night for Mash'd. Tony Tay is the man. Had excellent fun, trying to get the good old "MTV Bar" days going. Thanks YC, Dino, Rachel, Daryl and everyone who make the night out an awesome one. Was smashed by 2am but the party continued for the rest till 6am in the morning. Dino, we shall have our "Long Island Tea" challenge when we party again..This blog will be silent for 9 days till my return.. So long and goodbye, my friends.. And Koh Phagnan, here I come...

An evening @ Furniture's Singapore Tour, Substation

The event was held at Substation Guinness Theatre and was supposed to start at 6pm. Yes.. I have my reasons to say that they were supposed to start at 6pm. Everyone waited till almost 7pm, before the doors to the theatre were open, with the glimpse of cheesy effects from the smoke machine, near the door. Sheesh.. Came to check out the band that people were raving about. As for myself, I was there for KLPHQ.

Ess and Fuzz were also playing that night. Their band, Life without dreams, is the headliner for the event. Love their last song which Fuzz sang. There were also other bands like the Subway Stars. Very mogwai-ish but sounds were not as sleek though. There were too many abrupt transistions. The dreamy.. surreal feel was just so disturbed. Can take no "journey" with their music. But the band was really tight. KLPHQ rocks!! Though their cute keyboardist wasn't there, they still rock. Yes Sweetie... I'm not just there for the keyboardist. The lead guitarist gave a speech about how music is art and the reasons behind why they will never record or sell their merchandise, like t-shirts or posters. He went on and added that they feel each of their gigs is a form of performance art. *Clap Clap*...

Furniture only started playing at 10, with a cheesy opening. We think the band was kinda over-rated. I don't exactly dig the vocalist's singing, too "Muppet-ish" for my liking. But I do like some songs of theirs, like "Postcards" and "Who is Adam King?". They played only about 5 songs. Left the stage and waited for encore. Omigod!! Rudy, the MC, guy from Void Deck, have to get responses from the quiet crowd a couple of times for their encore. The band came out nevertheless, despite the poor responses from the crowd.. It was so planned!! I really felt they should have just played on instead.

The whole event ended at 11pm. I think I just had an overdose of post-rock tonight.. Should have heed the advice: Everything must be consumed in moderation..

Let me be your guardian angel Baby..

Let me be your angel Baby.. I don't know how much time the Big Guy up there is giving me.. But I will always watch over you and make sure everything will be alright, no matter where I am..

Snow Patrol - Run
I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done.

And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here

Light up, Light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder, louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak
I understand

Why you can't raise your voice to say
To think I might not see those eyes
It makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbyes
I nearly do.

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder, louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

Slower, slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess.

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear.

hair appointment at shunji matsuo (khai) 

dinner with my family @ far east (ryan) 

Dinner @ Ramen-Ten

tempura anyone? (ryan)

A day out with my family started with meeting Grandma at American Club. We were just hanging out at the jackpot room, waiting for my aunts to arrive. Ryan got busy at the children's corner. It was an informal gathering cos everyone is concerned about my condition. I was like an alien specimen; everyone wanted a piece of me. Unanimously, everyone agreed that I shouldn’t have gone for surgery but to take the all natural Chinese healing. And yes.. I did not go for my scheduled surgery cos Mummy thinks there are too much underlying risks involved. My only concern is that I am leaving for Bangkok and Koh Phagnan on Sunday and if I were to go ahead with the surgery, will I be able to remove my stitches on time to leave Singapore by then? Aunt Brenda has strong doubts that the surgeon will even permit my departure.

Everyone freaked me out with their versions of pain management after surgery and the after-effects of chemotherapy. Thanks people. I think I really needed that when my morale is at the lowest and I am currently really trying my best to stay high.. Please be a kind supporter of the "Keep Magdelene alive" campaign.. All I want to do right now, at this moment of time, is just to get out of the country with Sweetie on Sunday.

With full attendance, we headed down to Far East for dinner. Mummy bought 3 pairs of shoes while we made our way to the restaurant. Talk about like mother, like daughter. We bought a couple of maternity dresses for my sister-in-law, Pauline, who is expecting her second baby. Ryan is already one big baby. I hope Ryan will be nice to his baby brother, who is due in March. He will be our third March baby in the family.

recording the keyboard section @ myx 

recording @ myx 

recording at myx studios (khai n saiful)

Our first recording was at Myx Studios. Recording started at 6, with Fandy's drums section. Sweetie and I turned up at about 7 to do our individual sections. I had school meetings from 8am till about 6. It has been a tiring day. After the drums sections, we did the bass and guitar parts, followed by my keyboard section. While we were all doing our individual parts, Fandy's sweetheart, Wendy, was patiently waiting by the side.. Very sweet of her... Fandy is one lucky guy.. Our sound engineer, Ragu, was pretty anal about the sounds, which is a good thing. We tried to squeeze in the vocals section but time was up cos it was already 10 and we were all so tired. We had fun with Fandy showing off his "SBC" dance skills.. Heheh.... As for me, all I can say about the recording at Myx, which is at Tong Lee Building is that building gives me the creeps... Going to the toilet, located at a stretch of dark long corridors is a torture.

Seaside Sandwich

seaside sandwich (my version of koh phagnan)

The seaside sandwich I made for Sweetie consists of the following ingredients:

• peanut butter
• jam
• cereals
• teddy biscuits

middle class wanker