UK trip Day 2-4 - Edinburgh city centre (1-3 Jul)

Most of day 2 was spent travelling to Edinburgh. Unfortunately, the train stopped a couple of times due to some damage caused by thunderstorms further down the line, which resulted in a 2-3 hr delay in reaching Edinburgh, like 5 plus 6pm. Weather was fine there, but most of the shops were closed by then. We checked into our hotel and went out for dinner. Well, had a sudden craving for pasta, so we ate at an Italian restaurant called Bar Roma. It felt rather authentic and I had to occasionally remind myself I was in UK, not Italy when I heard people speaking English. Our room was pretty cozy, though it lacked certain amenities, but was generally satisfactory.

Day 3 was a really warm summer day! We were literally getting baked in the scorching 30 degree sun. This day saw us venturing to Edinburgh Castle. That took the whole morning, with a look at the crown jewels. some history, the 1 o'clock gun and a panoramic view of Edinburgh city. After that, we took the Royal Mile walk which took the whole afternoon. Along the way, we stopped by the Museum of Edinburgh. We ended at the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the end but there was a royal visit, so it was closed. But we did visit the Scottish Parliament, which was rather modern. After that, we proceeded to Grassmarket with the intention to sign up for the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour but we just grabbed a quick meal in the end and went back to the hotel becoz of the heat and leg fatigue. That saw the end of day 3.

What a contrast day 4 was! It rained and was rather cold. Didn't do much today. We went to the National Museum of Scotland which took the whole morning. We dashed down to Princes Street as the rain got heavier and ate lunch. The rest of the afternoon saw us popping in and out of shops trying to avoid the rain and do some shopping. The shops here close really early, so we eventually had to make our way back to the hotel in the drizzle.

That's Edinburgh city centre for me. Regretted not being able to explore the New Town side due to the weather and short opening hours. Also, I started taking less photos halfway through these 2 days as the sights were getting too similar.

Well, tomorrow it's off to the castle and then to Glasgow and then back to London. Think I probably won't get free wifi for the rest of the trip, so further updates would have to wait.

my UK trip so far - Day 1 in London (30 June)

The 1st day saw me touching down in London at about 7am in the morning. Lugging our luggage, we took the tube to our hotel at Lancaster Gate. We were too early to check in, so we went walking around. It was so sunny! It seems London isn't that big on aircon, so we went back to the hotel about 1 plus. To our dismay, we discovered there was a problem with the aircon that day, so we had to ask for a fan.

Anyway, we went to catch "Wicked" that night. Now I understand why a friend of mine didn't really like it. The songs weren't that great and v and I agreed that it was like a high school musical. The sets were quite impressive though.

So that was pretty much our 1st day in UK. Somehow, we haven't got in the holiday mood yet though.

16th Singapore Int'l Piano Fest 2009 - 26th, 27th & 28th June

It was Piano Fest again and this year, I had 2 rather different experiences on 2 separate nights.

26 June
Unfortunately, as I was still recovering from flu, I had to miss this concert. Was pretty disappointed. But well, as I was preparing for my trip, I should get more rest. Good thing my friend managed to help me find a buyer for my ticket.

27 June
It was a rather French experience this night with a French pianist Pascal Rogé playing French music (plus a Polish). As my friend put it, it was probably a French style, where the tempo was rather "light" and lyrical. Well, I guess it's the "impressionist" way.
The 1st half of night began with an uninterrupted flow of mainly Chopin & Debussy pieces. There were a few familiar pieces like the Nocturnes and also "Raindrop", Chopin's Prélude in D-flat major, Op. 28 No.15. My friend introduced me to an interesting Chopin piece Étude in A-flat major, Op. 25 No.1, also named the "Aeolian Harp" (An aeolian harp is a wind harp, named after the ancient Greek god of the wind, Aeolus). The interesting part was the "delicate melody centred on the right little finger". Ok, if the programme notes didn't point it out, I might have been less focused on that. Hmm...how shall I put it...it was "sweet", a little dreamy maybe, a melody out of the "myriad" of arpeggios going on.
And being always one for a bit of "pomp" in my classical selection, the first part of the night ended nicely with the "slavic" Revolutionary Étude in C minor (Op.10 No.12).
Strangely, I had an impression that 1 of the pieces reminded me of Oasis's "Sally Can Wait". Well, you can go guess which one. Just those few notes...

The 2nd half of the concert was mainly a duet with his wife, where they performed 4-hands. They also did 2 encores together, with a suite by Fauré and a French waltz, which I liked.

On a side note, we were talking about the make-up of the audience before the concert and I suddenly thought of my piano teacher. Well, I've not seen her for a no. of years and she must be about 80 or older by now, and I was thinking I should drop by her house to pay her a visit 1 day. After all, she stays quite near me. I just heard she's on holiday now in Spain. She's still very fit and active, which is good.

28 June
A great contrast from the mellow tones from last night, tonight's performance was more "passionate" than last night. Well, why wouldn't it be when we have a young Russian pianist (Yevgeny Sudbin)?
It opened nicely with Scarlatti's Sonata in F minor, K.466 and Sonata in G major, K. 455. The pieces played tonight were pretty short, but I would say I rather enjoyed them. Maybe it's the Russian interpretation or the pieces are so, with the many sonatas. He did 2 encores and both were great, ending rather dramatically with a rather familiar piece (forgot the name). haha...me & my Russian pomp. Interestingly, Yevgeny actually wrote his own programme notes.

Well, after listening to the night's programme, I think I'm actually one for sonatas. The way they move me... It's obvious too with how much I like "Moonlight Sonata".

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman

Having been down with flu for the past week, I stayed home for the most part and did some reading (I was hoping it could help me get some sleep...which didn't really work).

Anyway, was reading the above-mentioned book and I'm still not very sure what my primary love language is (I think it's either quality time or acts of service). Well, here are the 5 love languages as stated in the book:

1) Words of Affirmation
2) Gifts
3) Acts of Service
4) Quality Time
5) Physical Touch

These are applicable for all kinds of relationships, whether it's your friends, family or significant other, and it's supposed to be helpful in improving relationships.
You need to figure out which is the other party's primary love language and speak it, then as time goes on, you can add in the rest like as I quote "icing to the cake".

Mid-Year Review - 2009 resolutions

It's time for the mid-year review! of my 2009 resolutions.
Let's see what I had in January first:

1) Person: to be nice to people and learn to put aside some differences.
2) Ministry: volunteering in church
3) Music: more time & inspiration to write more songs; write more Christian songs; make more use of my GarageBand functionalities; brush up on my music skills
4) Sport: fencing skills - speed, accuracy and tactic
5) Work: better manage my time
6) Rest!

Let's start with item 1. Hmm...I think I'm working on that. Taking things easy and less defensive now. Hopefully, I can learn to be more open too.

I haven't really gotten down to deciding on what to volunteer for. Choral or kids?

Music. Hmm...think this year, I've only written 1 new song so far. Well, got to work on it. Anyway, I have some potential lyrics for a Christian song. Hopefully I can get some tune into it. And no, haven't got down to exploring Garageband much. But I think in terms of keyboard, think I'm slightly getting the hang of it, though practice would be something I should resolve to do more often. :P

As for my fencing, hmm...i think I've sort of reached some bottleneck. Can't seem to be improving much and accuracy is something I've really got to work on, along with strategy.

Work. Hmm...have been rather restless, but hopefully after the holiday I'm taking, I'll be rejuvenated. Have been looking out for opportunities too in other divisions.

And finally! Something that I can finally say that I'm achieving. Rest! Haha...went for a holiday in Hokkaido on Feb and now, rather suddenly, am going to UK in July! I'm indeed taking more breaks. I usually go for overseas holiday only once a year, but this time it's twice! The upcoming KL trip in Aug is not counted as it's just a short getaway. Still wondering if I can go to US now with all this flu thing around, but that's for work, so also not counted. I guess after all these, I won't be going for any more trips this year. No time & no money. I mean, this UK trip is probably going to cost me at least S$5K!

In addition to all these resolutions, recently, I suddenly thought of a few more. Firstly, I think I should compile a directory of my CDs. Well, I don't expect it to be completed by this year, but I do hope to at least cover my English CDs.
Secondly, I've decided to sign up for vocal lessons at Believer Music. To train up my voice, learn techniques and to take worship to a higher level. Who knows, maybe after this, I would really be drawn to serve in the choral team.
Lastly, I've been thinking of doing something new in sports. Suddenly had the idea of go-karting, although I think this might be a 1-time thing. Just for the fun of it. Also, a friend suggested cycling on weekends. Maybe I should go for some of those.

Well, guess that's all for now.

Trying something new

Hmm...the day before, I was suddenly contemplating trying g0-karting. Never done it before, but it seems fun. Wonder if any of my friends got lobang and/or interested too?

I'm also planning to sign up for vocal classes at Believer Music. Not sure if it'll be useful, but maybe it can improve my singing, especially in finding my key/range.

Li Yundi in concert?

Looks like I'm not fated to catch Li Yundi live in concert. A couple of years ago (was it 2004?), he was slated to perform here. However, the concert was cancelled.

This year, I just found out he's performing on 24 Jul, but alas! I've already bought tickets for SING Dollar, which is happening next door. So near but yet so far.

停留的博客

某年某月某日。一个不会前进的日子。如果有明天，他将写什么？如果有明天。。。

。

。

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我停留在某年某月某日。

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

I had this stream of thought/inspiration while on the bus home a few days ago. Was thinking this could be material for a short story, lyrics to a new song or even a narrative script for drama. hmm...maybe good for MTV or a narrative before & after a song. :P

Wisdom & Testimony

"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus."

~Acts 4:13

random thoughts

I can't remember if I mentioned this before, but I like to imagine myself lying on a hill in the meadows, where the grass is soft and green, like carpet all round, with wild flowers swaying in the breeze. I'll be looking up into the blue sky and watching the clouds, all nice and tranquil, just me, the wind, nature and peace, appreciating God's creation.