Special Thanks to XH's Sis - YZ

Yep, you see it right ... ^^;; recently, we both (XH & me) often hang out at her place whenever free XD

Why - simple! ... We need urgent tutoring help for our Accounting Subject (Financial Accounting 1) ... cause' the teachers' teaching style was really so "special" that neither of us can understand. So what we did - (exams coming up soon ... last minute went to grab hold of whomever/whichever kami-sama that we can get hold of ...) Her sis just happened to be one of them ...

While her sis was unable to help us with anything too challenging, she at least, managed to "teach" us the foundation chapters - such as Trial balance, Profit & Loss (With Trading) & 50% of the Bank Reconciliation Statements.

Although, we learnt these topics way back in our secondary school years but as too many years had gone by without us using those skills. WE had literally forgot everything about them ... thus, had to be constantly supervised and reminded by YZ as we tried to do the questions in the past years revision papers.

This upcoming friday, we had another session with a relative of XH ... on the topics that YZ had no idea of ... ^^;;

Right, that will come later ... anyway, I predicted that we might meet up at XH place again soon enough ... ^^;; Well, tomorrow had to concentrate solely on Econs - else we will both die horribly at the exams on monday.

As I am working tomorrow, I'll be bringing the book over to study during free time. Intend to rush through the paperwork on hand tomorrow ... and complete whichever paperwork/duties that I had to do ...

P.S. I promise to give XH sister a treat to Subway if I managed to get through the Accounting paper on 1 December 2008. Either way, thanks in advance ... ^__^

X'mas Shopping for Eve

XD

As Eve gave me the flute & flute book earlier on for my birthday, her X'mas gift had to be 'bigger' ... Since both XH and I had no idea what to give her, we took a look at her wish list and eventually decided to take a look at the sewing machines. So we went to Toa Payoh, shop for 'Singer' sewing machine ... XD

XH mom paid the 100 bucks deposit, and I shall pay the remaining 99 bucks when they delivered the machine to SH home on X'mas Eve ... At first, that was what we decided ... so afterwards - we went to Orchard, XH msg SH to call her once available. We were in Kino when the call came through, so XH started informing SH on the plan.

SH reaction was: Oh ... at first haven't fix the day for celebration, but since you guys had already told the guy to deliver on X'mas eve, we shall made the celebration on the eve itself. How much is the sewing machine?

XH told her if she had yet to purchase Eve gift, then maybe she can chip in on the machine too ... :P As SH had yet to buy the gifts, she agreed ... so now 1 person $66.30 (rounded figure) ... After a while, she ask if we got photo of the machine ... can send her via mms?

XH and I shared a look, and go @@ ... Where on earth are we going to take a picture of it, especially when we already leave the Toa Payoh district ... Somemore, that time - the idea of taking picture had never occured to us ...

SH response was @@ ok ...

Wonder what we are going to do - this X'mas :P And also Eve's reaction when she sees the gift that we bought for her XD

To take or not to take Grades Test/Exams?

Recently, I'm debating whether or not to take grades test/exams when the time comes around for it. XH says, I probably should - since I spend that much already on lessons ... and my mom was like: no need to go for exams lah, just know how to play a few songs can already ...

personally, I hope to attain a cert eventually ... but I am not so confident of myself. Last night, I was comparing between Trinity and ABRSM Exam syllabus again ... Eventually, I come to the conclusion that if I were to attain a cert - I might go for ABRSM.

Why? - Simple, first of all ... their directions/instructions are simple enough. Trinity seems more complicated ... Second, you can get information and stuff (such as exam pieces) more easily - as compared to the specified pieces for exams from Trinity.

Right, anyway - its' still too early to be thinking about the exams - since I'm only at the stage of the beginner. Well, I'll blame it on XH - since she was always talking about the grades exams and all... :P

X'mas Gifts settled & I'm broke ...

Yep, went out again with XH today ... This time, for the x'mas gift hunt for the rest of them. Seeing as I had already bought XH's gift, XH - on the other hand hunted for Eve and my gift (rather idea of what to give me ) ...

Can't reveal very much on the gifts stuff, else there's no surprise in store for them liao :P

Anyway, kinda spend the first part of the trip with her mother and her mom's friends. Apparently, one of them was celebrating her birthday, so me & XH joined in the fun :P Instead of birthday cake, they had birthday fruits tart instead. :P

The tart was damn nice lor XD ... After which, we went to Orchard - forget to mention, was at Toa Payoh earlier on. Right, XH booked a room at Cash Studio Family Karaoke at 4.30pm. We kinda still have time, when we arrived at Orchard ... So we went to Takashimaya Kinokuniya to do some window shopping around.

At first, I wanna buy Jamie's birthday gift too ... but can't find the pen that I would like to give. So have to go popular bookstore and @@ around when I have the time ... Thus, an hour in the Kinokuniya store - only come out with a paid purchase of Scrotch Tape - mine was used up when wrapping XH X'mas gift this morning.

Right, took a sum of money out from the ATM machine & updated my passbook today ... The money left inside the account was so pathetic, ... (No worry, still above the minimum balance)

Deducted the 150 bucks that was to be set aside for my next mth music class, and the $$ to be used on X'mas gifts ... I'm down to 50 bucks to support me for the next two weeks, at least until my next pay comes in. Then early next month, have to pay the PUB and M1 phone bills too ... after deducting the amt from bank again ... I'm down to 1.2K

T.T Boss, please pay me on time - next month ... Else, I'm gonna be real broke ... T.T My expenses for the mth of Nov/Dec had already eaten into my pay for Sep/Oct ...

Right, feels like sleeping now ... but have to wait until PC is done with the scanning ... Right, and to finish watching episode 7 of Index first before I can go to bed ... Tomorrow have to practice flute in the morning too ...

Afternoon go work, then meet up with XH at Tiong Bahru Plaza before heading off to school for revision class ...

That's all for now, Cya! Right, and the X'mas official gathering is being fixed on the eve of X'mas ^__^

Passport Collection, Flute Practice & X'mas Shopping ...

Went to collect passport this morning, XH went with me XD We meet up at Clementi MRT then took train down to Lavender ... So now, the passport holder that Shuhua gave me have some use XD

Took my lunch at one of the hawker centre there, while XH waited until she reaches home. After which, we took bus 175 back to Clementi - as its' raining. At first I didn't realized the fact that bus 175 passes by my ex-work place (office work) ... until the bus arrived at Jalan Bukit Merah ... then I started to find the buildings getting more and more familiar looking ...

Then suddenly, found myself staring at the HP building and the blue and white building of the JTC ... I was like 'WTF?!' Isn't this the bus-stop thats' outside 'Sanmina-SCI' - the company that I was working for, prior to switching jobs.

@@ then the bus took the route leading up to Habourfront - before traveling up to west coast then, finally to Clementi. After which, we switch to bus 184 and went back to XH house. The whole journey took us abt 2&1/2 hours?

Anyway, when XH went back home - the first thing she did was to 'cook' noodles for herself ... and then switch on her PC. I need to transfer some songs to my mp3 player, and remove some of the songs from my mp3. Then, we proceeded on to her room - where her pink music stand is situated.

Took her score book down and place my flute book up there, and I started practising. Had no idea, how long ... all I know is my hands are entirely tired when I finally gave up on the idea of practising. Up until now, it still feel strained to me ...

Anyway, had to continue practising ... since I still made the 'mistake' of changing breath as I tongue each note ... Also, being out of breath as I attempted to slur the notes. Eventually, we changed over and she ended up being the one to practise while I simply laze around XD

After some time, we both stopped and talk a little about the grade tests and all. I think I might want to attempt the grade test as well ... if I really do ... then I'll have to get XH friend to help me with the piano companionship ... hopefully, her friend would gave me a discount ^^;;

Our conversation eventually progressed on to our future work, and the expected salary ... also the kind/type of work that we wanted to do in future. We kind of do some estimation about the salary range of $1200 onwards ... and how much we intended to give our parents' and all ... also taking into consideration of our music lessons fees then ...

Then again, its' all spectaculations for now ... have to see how it goes eventually. Went home, when her younger sister and her went over to her grandmother's place for dinner. Walk to the bus interchange to board the bus 180, but dropped by Bukit Panjang Plaza for a while - taking a look around the place.

Last but not least, I finally bought one out of the three X'mas gifts that I am supposed to be buying for. The X'mas gift that I bought is meant for XH, and now I had to think about what to buy for Eve and Shuhua ... ^^;; also for Jamie too ...

Right, thats' all for now ... Cya!

First Flute & Theory Class ^_^

Alright, today's my first day at Do-Re-Mi music school ... XD Reach there about 9.25am ... actually, was much earlier but I loiter downstairs ... eat breakfast XD Journey from home to the school took only 10 mins ... XD

When I went upstairs, the teacher is still having breakfast with someone else. Probably her partner ... ^^;; btw, her co-worker/colleague/partner (?) is a guy XD

Anyway, paid the balance of 85 dollars today ... and I bought the theory book as well. It cost me another 8.80 dollars XD Am so nervous the first 5 minutes, took a long time to get the sound out XD

Ended up learning the slur, when it should have been the tongueing first XD Like the slur better XD finally managed to hold the note for 4 beats, but anyway, have to go back home and practice more ... (e.g. look myself in the mirror when practising ... so I know if my positioning of the mouthpiece is off ... )

Finally, know the correct way to hold the flute and support it while letting go of some of the notes button. She also taught me the correct way to maintain and clean the insides of my flute - with the use of the cleaning rod and cloth. In another few months time, she's gonna teach me how to change the 'cleaning' paper thats' situated behind every notes button - that helps to absorb the water as we blow into the flute XD ...

If the paper's not change, its' gonna be quite sticky as time goes by ... Well, it turns out the teacher is using the same flute model as mine too XD We are both using flute model YFL-221 from Yamaha XD

The school's quite small actually, only have about 3-4 rooms for use. The room that I'm using for my flute class is just like the size of my bedroom - except it now held abt 4 organ/keyboard? Not so sure of what's the name of the instrument ...

Later on, we move on to the room next door for the theory lesson - I suspect the same room is use for grp session for theory as well ... since there's white board and long tables with several chairs around it. ^^;;

As the teacher and the guy is having breakfast earlier on in that same theory room that we are using, when I went in - theres' still the smell of chicken in it XD

Didn't get the chance to see the other student whom turned up at 10.30 XD kinda overshot a little, so the teacher went out to attend the other student whom arrived, and I was kinda packing up my stuff in the theory room XD

>.< so far so good, nothing too complex or complicated. Just need to practise more, especially the breathing techniques ... but my arm ... T.T getting numb after holding the flute in the same position for 30 mins ... T.T maybe slightly more, since the theory kind of took only 15 mins then the time is up :P

Right, have to work now ... shall update another time when I'm free.

P.S: passport ready for collection, so the application went through alright ... and I was worrying about whether the photo is alright for them ^^;;

Shall collect it in the upcoming week ... still deciding whether I wanna go on my free day or on the days whereby I'm working ^^;;

Flute and Theory Lessons Confirmed!

I had finally decided on a school for my music classes ... after much consideration, I had decided to go for the Do-Re-Mi Music School that's situated just a street down from my home. Its' located at Blk 342, level 3 ... XD

Am taking both flute and theory lesson on the same day, back to back. The lesson's on sunday morning, 9.30 am to 10.30 am ... Thus, went to the school with Xinhui earlier on in the day, after my work to settle the admin stuff.

Paid a total of 100 dollars today, and shall paid the remaining 85 dollars on sunday when I go for the first lesson. The total of 185 dollars, included a 20 dollars enrollment fee, 90 dollars deposit for the course, and 45 dollars and 30 dollars for the remaining two lessons in the month of November at pro-rate.

The pricing for the course I'm taking on a monthly basis are as follow:

Theory (Beginner/Grade 1) - 60 dollars/mth, 30 mins per session.

Flute (Beginner/Grade 1) - 90 dollars/mth, 30 mins per session.

I'm supposed to pay the fees on the first lesson of each month, so from next mth onwards - had to set aside 150 dollars every mth for the flute/theory classes ... So have to be more thrifty now ... :P

My solution is - buy lesser comics ... which means, no more ordering of many titles at promotion period. I still had quite a few series left on stock, unpaid XD

*wonder how much does the theory practice bk cost* ... am buying it on sunday morning, when I go for lesson as well ...

As for the flute textbook, I'll just use what Eve gave me for my birthday ^^;; *Save $$, since that one is two grades in one book* XD

Am still waiting for the mail that relates to my passport to come in ... hopefully, soon ... Since the lesson is on sunday morning, it does not affects my work-time XD

Have to work tomorrow as well ... *Sians ...* But for the sake of $$, I'll persevere. After all, I do need more $$$ for X'mas Gifts that I had yet to purchase for you guys xD

Actually, am kind of irritated right now ... cause' my stupid lil' bro is still not home yet ... and he took my 50 dollars to go see doctor ... I wanna know how much he spend then can claim the remaining amt from my mother ... T.T

How I wish I can get my 50 dollars back in one piece ... >.<

Trip to ICA ...

Yesterday morning, went to the ICA building and fill up an application form that came with the application of the passport. Paid the $70 by nets, and drop the form together with the attached passport size photo into the deposit box (with nets 1st receipt stapled on the form ) ...

Now, all I need to do is wait and see if the application is approved ... once approved the ICA ppl will mail me the details - when to collect the passport.

Later on, went on to work place ... but since there's still time I decided to drop by the jurong point for a while (actually, I need the toilet there :P)

Went to Comic Connection to take a look about ... later took breakfast at KFC ... Ack! Their breakfast really taste 'yucky' ... not nice at all ... but since macdonalds is so full ... no choice, have to go KFC ...

Anyway, went to work until 3pm plus ... then left for Orchard to meet up with XinHui. Together, we went to the Yamaha at Plaza Singapura. Bought a music stand (me) for $20 ... XD it came with a carrier bag, again that irritated XH to no end. Since, she got her music stand from her school at a higher rate of pricing but with no carrier bag ... only got the box, made her so inconvenient when heading out with the stand XD

Right, check out certain stuff with the Contempo Music School of the Yamaha. ... Knew the pricing for the course now, but they had no available time slots/teachers right now ... *Sigh* No choice, have to go and check out other music schools ... email Symphony Music School and Music Concerto on their pricing and timings - already. Am now waiting for their response patiently ...

Had to try for monday time-slots, as I am only free on that day ... most of the other days, I either have work or have school ... =_=();;

Anyway for Yamaha, the pricing for Beginner costs $96 ++ ... and except for the first payment, the rest shall be paid through Giro ... =_=();; that means, borrowing from mom again if I am going for Yamaha ...

Pictures of my gifts Received :P

Alright, below are the pictures of the gifts received by me - for this year's birthday. Even got one today at work XD.

These are from Xinhui to me ^__^
Gifts Received on 8 Nov - minus the Flute ... that will come later on in time XD
Again, the same picture from another angle XD

The Internal Yamaha Instrument Box that contains my Flute within ...
The carrying bag that comes along with the flute package ... :P
Eve's other gift to me, the flute scorebook with two cd within ... XD (Had not listen to them yet ... no time XD)

The Mp3 player given to me by Shuhua ... ^__^ Love it a lot XD Am using it already XD Since its' only 1GB ... must select the songs to put in, carefully ... and regularly remove unwanted songs and add new songs into it XD

This is what I get from Jamie, a colleague of mine at work today. Apparently, this is supposed to be a frame for the pc monitor ... for a slim one of course. However, mine was the old fashioned bulky version so can't really make use of it - now ... but its' okay, I can use it when I change my desktop monitor screen XD After all, my current desktop monitor screen is getting yellow already, actually already it is yellow. However, mom says' still can use ... when no images come out then change XD.
Top view of it ... :p
The front view ... so now you see, its' the cow version XD and its' pink in colour XD
Now the flute ... :P Of course, not the joined together version ... that one, you guys already see it in the last post whereby Xinhui plays with it XD
Okay, so it sparkles XD .... This is how shiny it is ... When it lays quietly in the box :P

Alright, I'll be heading over to the ICA building on Wed Morning, (12 November) to apply for a passport ... then head over to PS Yamaha to check out the music stands with Xinhui after work, on that day ... Since they had yet to email me back on my enquiries ... I might ask them on the spot about the flute classes thing too ... XD

Birthday Entry 2 - With photos XD

WELCOME to XinHui and My 21st Birthday Celebration !!!! The Party Commences Now!!!! Special thanks to Shuhua for the contribution of the below pictures ... she emailed them to both xinhui and myself. As there were too many to select, I only picked a few that I like :P

Xinhui playing with the flute that Eve gave me XD ... Try very long time (abt at least half an hour to get the sound out ... XD Hold the flute until hand went numb, and went out of breath too while blowing into the flute mouthpiece XD ...
The lotus roots soup that I made for all of us, left enough for Shuhua's family members too xD.
Brownies made by Xinhui ... even though, it looks kinda 'yucky' ... its' actually 'yummy'! :P

Smoothie drink (Mango, Banana and Yoghurt) and the Sweet & Sour pork is by Shuhua. The Jiaozi (shape like curry puff) was made by Eve-chan ^_^ ... Wonderful dinner right? XD

The Birthday Cake (Green Tea, with Red Bean) flavour from 'Bread Talk' - supplied by Shuhua ... but I wonder if its' actually shared between Eve and Her XD ... See ... even had our names written on the 'sugar-plate' :P
Group Photo 1: Featuring Xinhui, me and Shuhua XD ... Me holding the flute and the scorebook which Eve gave me was on my lap XD
Group Photo 2: This time, with Eve in it - too XD Set her HP camera function on timer and she joined us by the side XD Shall Find Time to take photos of my gifts ... especially my flute, sometime later. After I get the music stand - too XD Preferably, then can take the pics of the whole set of music equipments with the maintainence products too ... all at once XD

Alright, that's all for today. Thanks Everyone, for the prezzies and wonderful memories ^_^ Now, its' time to start planning and thinking about the upcoming X'mas Celebration and gifts for everyone too XD

21st birthday celebration >.<

I had a really big surprise yesterday, over at Shuhua House when the four of us, celebrated Xinhui's and my birthday. Shuhua and Eve gives me a really big, big present - I love it, you gals!

We cooked for ourselves, Xinhui made brownies ... Shuhua, sweet and sour pork, I made lotus roots soup and Eve made us jiaozi. On top of it, Shuhua made us drinks too ... mango and banana smoothie drink ... I think, and we had a cake from breadtalk. Green tea with red bean flavour ... wonder if it's bought together between eve and her or not ... Chances are, very high and likely. Anyway, will have cake again later today ... a customer brought us cakes on friday, but when she arrived, I'd left. Jamie save a portion of it for me - in the fridge XD

Although, I had to say ... am kind of ashamed that I only give xinhui a recipe book ... but no choice lah, no $$$ that day when I go shopping for her gift. Shall give her a better one, in the coming year or during X'mas.

Anyway, first - I shall talk about Shuhua's gift. Two gifts & a card this year ... First gift was a passport holder ... >.< I get the point, no need to rush me ... need to see my schedule first. Would go and apply for the passport within this month ...
Either way, the passport holder is nice.

Second gift was a Sony Mp3 player ... I'd been yearning for it for quite some time. Now, no need to buy seeing as she had given it to me :P

Evelyn's present was a real big surprise for me, first she gave me a music scorebook for flutes -_-();; very expensive kind ... see pricing go @@ type ... At first, i was like ... 'wtf' I had to go learn flute and buy flute liao ...

Then suddenly, she came down with the second gift ... and when I tear open the wrapper ... I felt like fainting ... cause' her second gift is the flute itself!!!! Oh my God, really felt like crying and fainting at the same time. Flute is very the expensive ... Ever check the pricing before, cheapest is also at least 200-300 plus plus, and that was like several years ago ... Goodness, must repay it ... X'mas give her and Shuhua better gifts. ..

Don't worry, I check out yamaha websites liao ... won't run away one ... had submitted my enquiry on the courses for flutes and theory to them. Hopefully, they will reply me soon ^^;; Depending on my budget, and schedule ... may either go for classes first then make passport or vice versa.

Right, my gifts aside. Xinhui gave me two Soul Eater chibi figurines, maaka and shinigami-sama ... a Zebra collection ball point pen ... and a bag. Thanks a lot, gals! Love you ppl to death ...

Can't remember what Eve give Xinhui ... but I remember what Shuhua give her ... Shuhua gave her a Mp4 player ... Cool Right?!

Eve gave Shuhua an electric piano 3 weeks ago ... and me, a flute with scorebook 3 weeks later. Man, Eve ... You are really an awesome friend. May all our friendship last forever!

Oh yeah, had ask Xinhui to check the price of the music stand at the music school that she's attending for me :P Had a feeling, shall be broke soon T.T