别松开手

25th of June some of the star program students were involved in a charity performance. It was a fund-raising for the Sichuan earthquake. We were very honoured to be invited by Jiu Jian 老师 and to be able to sing his composition for the Sichuan incident, 别松开手. It was a touching moment on stage and off stage I saw some audience who teared. Neo also had "the moment" where is had an individual part, singing along-side Ric of DreamzFM. :) Ric and Joanna Dong was at the performance :)


The singers for the day... :)


I finally told Joanna Dong that I think she sings really well! And I got a picture with her :)


Do we look like brothers? (PS: I hate my camera... Its a green camera)

After the performance, some of us headed down to Miss Clarity Cafe near Seah Street. It was a nice place and the food was good!

Foodie Pics below...

WangDaJie's Pork Chop... Mushroomy Pork Chop...


My beef stew :)


Chicken Chop! Nicely taken?


And the supposedly chicken burger that became beef burger... Ha!
(I think I've rather good photography skills man...)


At Miss Clarity Cafe... Photographer: WangDaJie

-LeB-

My Music Schedule

Wed - Charity Performance at Singapore Conference Hall (5pm onwards)

Thurs - Jazz Lesson with Simon (5pm-6pm)

Fri - Piano Lesson with Ai Cheng (1pm-2pm)
- Cello Lesson at Tanglewood (7pm-7.30pm)

Saturday - Teaching at Echomusic (12pm-2pm)
- Worship Practice for Solid Rock (3pm-5pm)
- Performance at White Tangerine Cafe (8.30pm-10.30pm)

Sunday - Teaching at Echomusic (1.30pm-2.30pm)
- Performance at Arts Festival, Hougang (3.30pm-4pm)

In addition to that, I need practice time on my instruments.

-LeB-

Meet up!!!

I finally got to meet up with my army friends. Its been another 6months since the last time we met up. It was a great time catching up and laughing about the past. The army times! I never liked the time in army and felt that it was a total waste of time. However, I have made a bunch of very good friends and there are memories left of our time as a "construction worker". I am glad that our lives after army is still going good and we are striving towards our individual aspirations. It is also nice to know that nothing changes everytime we meet up. :) Its been some time since I went out with my friends and it was a great time today. I am feeling a little more normal?


A concluding photo for the day. @ TCC

-LeB-

making a difference...

Once again I caught an episode of 稀游记2 and it was the final episode. This time round it was on Singaporeans who went abroad with the goal of helping orphans, the poor and people with needs. It gets me thinking and makes me realise once again how blessed and fortunate Singaporeans are. At the same time, I wish to be like these people; people who make a difference in other people's lives.

Just as the Bible says that Christians are to be salt and light of the world, I believe that we are meant to be channels of blessings to the people around us. While the saying goes, "money makes the world go round", I would like to think that "love makes the world go round". With a little compassion, thought and act of love, we can make the world a better place.

While watching the show, I thought of how would I be able to help and in what capacity would I be able to do so. I suppose and probably, everyone's calling, purpose is different in their lives. But I am sure that in whatever aspect God calls us into, we can make a difference and still bless the people around us. I want to strive in the area that God has prepared for me, and to make that difference.

*note: Diya, if you happen to know Belinda or see her at Mediacorp, please help me tell her I think her show rocks man! And she rocks too! Wahahha... *

-LeB-

Wahahhah~!~!

Its verbally agreed. Somehow, God seemed to have pathed the way. Totally! All my concerns were cleared, not needing to compromise on anything. Just awaiting now. Meanwhile, I think I am on my way to practicing 5hrs on the piano each day. its a want and a need. Thankful :)

-LeB-

Aims and Goals...

Years back, I told myself that my goal was to do something that is music related. And at the age of 19yrs old, I had reached my goal; I began teaching music. I am still very grateful to this person called Simon who gave me the opportunity. Almost 3 yrs down the road, this Brother-in-Christ has now become FAMILY, mentor, teacher, boss... I am also sure that God is watching over us and this path in music. Besides Simon, many others came into the picture and I am equally grateful to everyone of them, for even the simplest thing of believing in me. WE ARE FAMILY! Come on' sing with me... Whats the next line? From teaching, I started doing small performances outside, I improved along the way, and I did some gigs. It has been a fun and exciting journey thus far... Yet at times, it has been tiring and stressful? Still, until now I hope to take up any opportunity that comes my way. Be it small scale, paid, unpaid... etc. I certainly hope my passion for music, teaching and performing would remain this way... That the fire would not die down. Music is something to be enjoyed, to be shared, to be loved. I would also want to use my skills and talents that God has given to serve Him and His Kingdom.

Recently another opportunity came by. Nothing has been confirmed and I might not be given the offer. It is just so amazing how such an offer came by... unexpectedly. I am striving my best and leaving the rest to God. All in the Hands of God.

Suddenly there are quite a lot of things on my mind. Lets have Faith! and put our trust in God. :)

Dear God, thanks for everything and all glory to You...

-LeB-

A surprise??

Today I was out with the Monday Gang... I haven't seen them since the exams ended. Had a lazy badminton session and makan session. I need to exercise more! We were talking about insurance agents and financial advisors, when Chee Siang mentioned that he had a friend who didn't contact him for months but called him up to "meet up for coffee". His friend went into the insurance line. Does that occur to you? *For your info, my brother is a financial advisor* Haha... I would never want to go into that line but I am sure my brother is trustworthy :) :)

Anyways, I was caught by surprised today when I received a message from a friend I made months ago. And I have only met him once. Today he dropped me a message regarding some stuff. It came as a total surprise... It really did. Whatever the outcome, whatever the cause of asking me, I am thankful for this opportunity. For the next 2 days, I shall prepare all that I can and do my utmost for this chance. Entrusting everything into the Hands of God :)

Time to hit the keys...

-LeB-

The End of the Concert...

JiuJian's concert has finally come to an end. I think all of us have put in our best efforts and we're tired out from the reheasals and 2 days of concert. I think it was a great experience for everyone of us. As Neo said, he enjoyed the "camadarie". Through the concert I've also got to know people better... People from the "Star Program", He Fang who I've seen for maybe 2yrs plus but I don't really talk to and others... :) Not everyone would get the chance to see how it is like to stage a concert. This might just be my only chance... Everyone had their fun and of course, we got our "scoldings" too... Haha... The choir only did 4-5 songs in the entire concert, so we had a lot of spare time to ourselves. We ended up taking endless photos and eating! Below are the pics...


Echo's "He Yin Tian Shi(s)"... Fabulous job done!


A pic in our holding room. Neo was sharing his "mua chi" joke... WHAT A JOKE...


This is evidence that I am no longer young... Guess the age difference...


Thanks to Sky who came down both nights to support and accompany us :)


Mother and Son??


The "cool" pic...


I knew I am so cool... I think Minhui did a good job with the photography. :) :)


Err... Maybe not... BEING OURSELVES... Our crazy selves... HAhaha...


Minhui said this pic looks like we're going for ROM... Thanks huh... She's my keyboard student! And now, fellow "star program" mate and friends :)


Pics with celebrities... Together with Meixin


A guest singer for the concert... Wendy's favourite... I think his name is Ivan :)


With Ric... Poor him, he took 5-6 photos consecutively with us. But that shows his popularity and how people likes him :)


The Echo Family with Ruth Ling, the music director for the concert...


Yeah... "Quan Jia Fu"... You know who is boss? So obvious right? The MAN in Red... who else could look like a boss except him?? Mr Simon... Lee Yi Feng :)

Yeah... And Monday is over as well... I can finally sigh a relief and do what I have to do and want to do :)

-LeB-

Embarking on my Cello Journey!!!

Immediately after a day I got my cello, I went booked a trial lesson and started my first cello lesson! I am starting to play 4 notes! C, G, D, A (the 4 open notes of the cello). Simple yet, it isn't all that easy. I've always felt that string instruments are difficult to play... The control of the bow, finger placement, expression... etc. So today's lesson was mainly on the introduction and how to bow.

The "structure" of my fingers are not complementing the way I am supposed to hold the bow. For those who do not know, I have an exceptionally flexible thumb. Even my cello teacher commented on it. I just hope that that would not be a hindrance to my progress.

I totally love the sound of the cello. And, I am beginning to love my cello! Although it is a little reddish but the more I look at it, the more beautiful it appears to me. Apart from the outlook, the sound is also good! Warm and low, not piercing to the ears. It is fun playing the cello! It feels great feeling the vibration onto my body :) So interesting!

Today a friend, David called me up to do a gig. It'll be at some pub and we'll be doing english numbers. Sounds like a good experience and fun. I hope I would enjoy it! Looking forward to it... With so many things at hand, I feel "filled to the brim"... Music is surrounding my life... Will music ever depart from my life?

-LeB-

booming with excitement!!!

you won't believe this... I got my CELLO today~!~! yes... today! 050608 woohoo~!~! I am booming with excitement man! A new instrument in my house and one that I've longed for, for months! I can't wait to have my first cello lesson and start bowing some notes on the cello! I went down to Synwin today to get the cello and got it at a discounted price thanks to the name "Minhui"... Haha... Thanks! Its a red looking cello that is within my budget and has a rather low and warm sound, not so piercing :) I am suddenly feeling so excited!

These past few days have been busy, busy, busy... packed to the brim. I did invigilation on Monday from 9am-6pm and Wednesday in the afternoon. Other stuff that keeps me busy is my usual teaching schedule. Right now, I've got 10 classes assigned to me, that keeps me rather busy! I haven't done some of the stuff that I wish to... I should manage my time better! Besides all those mentioned, there is still rehearsals for JiuJian's concert coming this weekend. I am in the choir with the "star" program students... Went down for the full-band rehearsal on Wednesday night, after the rehearsal, I feel so sad... 'Cause Ruth is really impressive on the keyboard. I feel that I would never reach a stage like hers :( But Simon and AiCheng, my music teachers tell me that it's possible. Is it really true? But of course, I should examine myself first... How many hours do I really put in to practice? How much effort do I put in? I want to do more and to really improve, improve, improve... It is easy saying it and I've said it so many times. I just hope that it would come to pass...


At the Band Rehearsal... We went to a real big studio with good equipment. I heard each hour it is $100 and more, big names have their rehearsals there. (Ruth and Simon in the picture)... Ruth is the music director and first keyboardist of the concert. She is a big name... and indeed, she is good! Very good!


The strings section! They are all so young and talented!


Simin with the band... You rock girl!


The choir boys! Wahahah... Neo! Wake up!!!


Back view of JiuJian and the studio...


This shot looks like a "secretive" shot...

Thurs... Lunch with my elder bro, piano lesson, heading to synwin to get my cello, teaching and I joined Simon's church friends at their jamming session... While they were jamming, Minhui and I went out... We went to... ... ... ...


Eat! Our favourite past-time...


Just that you didn't know... We were squatting beside the road eating Satay! Wahhahah... Experiencing the life of a coolie...


Food on the floor, squatting by the roadside and enjoying the Satay!

Tomorrow is Friday and it is my free day! I've only got Zone 3 at night... Looking forward to the session... Exams are over but life is still so busy! But, I'm loving it! Sometimes tired out...

-LeB-

My Musical Influences...

Way before my first "favourite singer" of all time, Eric Moo, I had major English music influences. And they came mainly from boybands. These days, it seems that boybands are no longer the trend in the scene. One of my favourite was Boyzone. If I didn't recall wrongly, their records were the first few that I bought from the record store. Of course there was Backstreet Boys as well. The music was still mainstream pop and it was very listenable at a young tender age of... ... 12? I remember talking about forming a "group" with some of my classmates at that age. Eventually, one of them did form a "group" and had some acheivements, which is MiLuBing. Maybe my interest in music was apparent since young.

My younger brother was listening to the song "Love Me For A Reaon" and it brought back some memories. Music has always been magical and to me, it is like a "time box" or perhaps, "time capsule". Listening to different songs at different times in life speak a different story everytime. And they often help me recall the past. How amazing. After many years, I am listening the the song "Love Me For A Reason" in a different perspective. My ears are now more sensitive to certain aspects of the music and certain things make more sense. Still, it is a nice song :)

May everyone out there enjoy the song as I do. :) A simple chirpy song...

-LeB-

Echomusic's "Star Program" Photoshoot...

A few weeks back we had a photoshoot for Echomusic's "Star Program" students. Whether I am in the "Star Program", I am still clueless. Nevertheless, I went for the photoshoot and mingled with them :) Below is one of the pics we ATTEMPTED... I think the result was a failure. The photographer probably wants a cool pic...


What expression is this?

-LeB-