Gabriel's video

Watch and be enthralled. This is when he was younger.

Gabriel Ng

"It's very meaningful for the proceeds to go to children like me because they have a chance with the money to fulfill their own potential, to do what they do best." Gabriel Ng

Well said. Last night, we went to watched Gabriel Ng in his home debut concert @ Esplanade. It was amazing. I sat at the edge of my chair for the whole concert. It is captivating to watch a 12 year old play with such maturity and sensitivity to music. Such prodigies come only once in a lifetime. Some months back, I did a study on Abigail Sin, who is a piano prodigy for my dissertation. The kind of support and training that goes into fulfilling one's potential is admirable. These children spend hours on their instrument, and their determination level, is unmatchable.

Many people asked, "What makes giftedness?" It is a phenomenon. It is something that is both nature and nurture. That means, even if you push your child to think he or she will be successful in a certain field, it will not be so if there is no innate ability to start off with.

I cannot describe fully how Gabriel Ng played, but what a master takes 20 years to learn, he has internalised it in 5 years. That's what I call a true prodigy.
Research have shown that successful musicians reach eminence at the average age of 35. Gabriel has a long way to go. The road ahead is long and gruelling for a child prodigy. Gabriel will be a highly successful musician because he has both musicianship and a charisma that will charm audience wholewide. I hope and wish that Gabriel stays grounded and prepared for the professional world, which often see a short life span for eminent musicians.

Well done, Gabriel!

Ryan Doolittle??

This scene was really cute...just when Ryan started picking water, the little dogs naturally ran to him. He was quite shocked, with the dogs nipping his butt and pants. Goodness. Everything happened so fast, they all seem to converge towards him in all directions.

Like what Ryan has always joked, "I can understand animal language, you know?", I am starting to think he has this karma for animals???

We are sunshine babes!

We had a whole day in the sun some weekends ago with another family friend. Charmaine was really looking forward to seeing Ryan. She took a whole evening packing her bag for the day and spent hours deciding which outfit to wear. Ryan was a real gentleman, getting bucket after bucket of water for Charmaine so that she won't get sunburnt. It is great to have sunshine for a day after days spent in the office from dawn to dusk.

NDP 2007 Theme Song - There's No Place I'd Rather Be

I have just discovered a new trait of Ryan. He loves to sing and he sings rather well. He likes to sing the NDP songs. I think he grew up hearing these songs on the car player when Mummy had to internalise these songs for conducting. As they grow up, you will start to notice the little quirks and fancies evolving.

These days, he is singing NDP 2007 theme song, 'There Is No Place I'd Rather Be'. I am neither pro-nation nor anti-nation. But these songs do have the capacity to draw heartstrings. Somehow, it makes you think back those memories of your childhood, experiences in Singapore and your life journey as a Singaporean. You cannot choose your nationality, right? Just like how you cannot choose your parents or the kind of upbringing you want. It is kind of fated, destined. It is something that is a part of me, whether I like it or not, wherever I go.

On a musical note, this song is er, no different from the other years...melancholic and sentimental. After a few years, you cannot really distinguish between them! This year, there is another NDP song, "I Will", which is funkier and upbeat. But I am not putting up here, cos it is, in my opinion, quite a unlikeable composition. It features one of my ex-schoolmate, Emma Yang and some other singers. But like some say, it reminds them of a group of people getting together for a gang fight.

A Day With Ryan

I spent the whole friday with Ryan last friday, yes, a whole day! He had his violin exams and I had to accompany him on the piano. So both of us, missed school and work. It went okay, except for some hiccups in the Minuet in G. Anyway, I told myself, this is the last time I am going to enrol him in an exam. I don't see the point. After the exams, we went to the Esplanade and Marina Bay area for a some shopping and eating. You would be surprised how much you can learn from and about Ryan in just one trip. He spent the whole journey talking and singing (the NDP 2007 song). I had the whole story of Spiderman 3 narrated to me during the car trip back home.

By the way, the half face shot was his idea because he wants to have a split personality as in Spidermen 3.

The Artist in him

The other day, I was quite angry with Ryan for drawing and not finishing his homework. In fact, I raised my voice at him. But right at that instant, I picked up three pieces of artwork from the floor. I asked, 'Whose are these?' Not surprisingly, it was Ryan. Immediately, I felt a sense of guilt. This boy loves to draw. Ryan can spend the whole day drawing non-stop and digs into my handbag for paper and pencil all the time. He would be happy even with a discarded receipt or a used parking coupon on hand. Just as long, he can have 3cm of space to draw on.

Well, that's Ryan for you. And each time I see his drawings, I am pretty amazed cos he can beat his mother hands down on art. He draws from photographic memory of what he sees, be it from pictures, brochures or even from movies. TS and I thinks he can be a cartoonist.

I do feel guilty about being one of those mothers who want their children to pursue their 'unfulfilled dreams'...if you know what I mean. I have since repented. I bought Ryan a scrap book and a box of magic pens the other day, and he was so happy that he started straight to work.

Confessions of a Birthday Self-Planner

I have a confession to make. I am one of those few individuals who would plan their own birthdays every year. This year is no exception.

Momo: "Guess what? I have made plans for my birthday!"
TS: "What?"
Momo: "We are going to Ritz Carlton for a weekend!"
TS: "VERY Good! I had also wanted, but you did it before me. Okay, I will plan the rest of the day."
Momo: "Er, excuse me, what else is there to plan???"

That's the problem. Not that I dislike surprises but people like me will probably not have surprises, because I plan to much, in life, including my own birthday, one and a half months in advance.

Time to reflect

I have been thinking about how Singapore is advancing so rapidly as a globalised nation, becoming one of the region's fastest growing and is on the world map for many many reasons. But 'people' as one of its reasons, I am not too sure.
Read in the news yesterday about a case in which a mom-to-be (of twins, in fact, dragon+phoenix twins, which in chinese means a boy and a girl) died because of some blood clot. The only way to save her was blood tranfusions. But the doctor needed to seek higher authorities before they could allow to use the blood. The husband also gathered all his relatives to be at the Blood Bank Singapore to donate blood. It was 10 mins before they were officially open for the day, but none of the staff is willing to speak to him. They said, "It is not time yet, 10 more minutes." But the husband was very desperate at the door.

In the end, the woman could not be saved.

How could this kind of mentality and mindset still exist in this first world nation? Isn't saving a life important? Surely there should be some compassion and understanding in such situations. People worked till they have forgotten what is compassion. It is sad. I believe the person who refused to entertained any queries 'because it is not time to work' will be guilty conscious for the rest of his or her life. Where is the big picture, people? Do we only have the hardware but no software? What we need desperately now is not the infrastructure, but matters of the heart and mind.

Have been inactive for a long while...internet connection at my temp place not set up, and I am hopeless in connecting wires to the right place, and knowing which wire goes where. Been busy settling into new job...it is strange how I feel like a student again with this job. I shouldn't be calling it a job cos it is more like studying than working. Like what my friend says, it is like being paid to conduct literature reviews. But along the way, the amount of new things you learn from gurus' writings is tremendous. The road ahead is long, but I guz there is no turning back!

Work aside, I am really looking forward to the new place. At the moment, it is the only property in the West Coast with sea view. And on the 17th floor, we can see the private yachts go by. Been also busy meeting the designer and settling the renovation, furniture and lighting. Spent a cool $2k on lights. Found a really nice place that sells affordable, beautiful accessories like mirrors, candeliers, photoframes, settees, etc...at 'Recaptured' @ Kaki Bukit. Vow to go back there once the house is ready to be accessorised!

Isn't he adorable?

I don't need to say much...this is Lucas Fong, Ryan's lil cousin, my lil nephew. Isn't he just adorable? It's kind of a deja vu feeling for me, time flies...

The City of Shopping, Shopping & More Shopping

Central Business District skyline from Marina Square Foodcourt

The Singapore Flyer (all tickets for its premiere on Valentine's Day 2008 has been snapped up).
Road from ECP (East Coast Parkway Highway) into the Marina centre (where great shopping is!)

The shopping begins. And we are in a frenzy to buy most of our stuff before the Great Singapore Sale ends, and of course, like most Singaporeans, to avoid the GST hike. TS is right, the increase is small, but not to a kiasu Singaporean like me. While moving around town, we soaked in the Singapore skyline. We make a conclusion yesterday.

Singapore is fast becoming a globalised city but are the people ready for it? Are we ready to be gracious and socially aware, are we ready to be civic-conscious?

If Singapore were to succeed as a globolised nation, we need to work on that. And this time, no more national campaigns please, Education is the key.

The Bourgie

Shopping begins for the new place! Here is the Bourgie lamp, 'the Baroque lamp'. It marries the classic with the modern. The revolutionary invention of this lamp is that it is made entirely in transparent polycarbonate. The quality of the material and its extremely high quality processing makes it look like a precious, crystal lamp. Think it will be a real conversational piece, an art on its own.

Designed by Feruccio Laviani, 2004 for Kartell, it comes in smoke black, crystal clear, tinted gold or chrome. Cannot resist the gold and chrome ones but the price is also very 'attractive'.

The Bourgie Lamp (Kartell)
Winner of 2005 Design and Decoration Awards for Light Product Design
Lamp can be assembled as a table, desk, or floor lamp
Features a touch sensitive dimmer

Ebony & Ivory

Introducing the new addition to the family! Sad that my Yamaha has gone to another pair of hands but elated to welcome the new baby. Have waited the longest time for a grand. I kept thinking that my Yamaha could hold out a few more years.

Bought the GM 10 Kawai 2 months ago. Now, I am still in the waiting game for it to arrive right before my eyes. It is now sitting in the warehouse but because I am only moving to my new place in August, it has to put up at the 'temporary home' first. Would really love one with ivorite keys but couldn't bear to pay so much more. So have to settle for the smallest of grands. But it is okay, nothing beats a grand piano, the immensity of sound and power!

Statistics of Kawai GM 10 length in cm 150
weight in kg 287
pedals: 3
surfaces: black polished

Dawn: This dearie is arriving in mid August at my new place. You will get to meet him when you are back.

In Memory of My Piano

Today, I dedicate my blog to the memory of my dearest piano, who have been with me by my side for the past 25 years of my life.

Dad bought me the Yamaha U1 25 years ago and since then, it has seen all the ups and downs, happiness and sorrows in the family. It has seen me through countless hours of practices from the frst day I tinker on the piano keys. It is everything to me and it stayed with me in good times and bad.

One of my teachers used to say, "Treat the piano like your lover, treat every note and phrase ever so thoughtfully." Indeed, it has a soul. It is able to express my innermost feelings and emotions whenever I felt words cannot fully describe. It has endured my frustrations and manics moments on the piano keys.

The feeling of losing a piano is strange. It is your lover, but not in the true sense. But it sure feels the same. I am getting a new piano, a brand new one. But I guess it will never be the same. It needs time to understand and know your piano. And it will have to begin all over again.

You can say, I have outperformed my piano. But if not for my dearest piano, I would not have been who I am today. It has, in part, shaped my life.

My next holiday destination

Yesterday, SK, D and I met up for a dinner at Miss Clarity at Purvis Street. Soon, we realised we are the oldest in the restuarant, the crowd are mainly youngsters! And the dimmed lights, noise chattering and undesirable acoustics of the place gave me a headache. The food was quite good and value for money. I had the Chicken Ballotine, not bad. But the calamari side we had was a total letdown. It was obviously those frozen ones that you can buy from the markets.

In our discussion, we decided we would go on a road trip together like those good old days, yes, those good ooooooold days. The Avillion Group seems like the place to be for this long awaited vacation. Looking at those pictures makes me want to just get away this very weekend!

Music+Logical Reasoning = Insanity

When the same tune plays over and over again in your head, you will get a really pissed Momo. Ever since one of my colleagues in the office sings the Elmo's trademark song, it keeps recurring in my mind.

la la la la, la la la la, elmo's world (2X)

My mind operates in music mode most of the time, if Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences applys here.

This reminds me of a meeting in my previous office. The boss wanted to multi task by listening to a compiled CD while having a meeting (and a really fire-fighting style kind of meeting, mind you). Not only could I not concentrate, I was $%^& darn frustrated. There you are talking about some non-music theory about 'The Seven Habits', and there you have music (some classical music for an event) right next to your ears. What do you want to hear? The affective or the logic?

I looked around, the others were not facing the same frustration as me. Whoever says classical music puts you at ease also doesn't apply here. The meeting was quite an opinated exchange between many people. Please tell me that there are people like me out there.

Dama

This is a game called 'Dama', think it originated from Kuwait. But got to watch this!

Call Me 'Mister Dramatic'

Ryan has been looking at too many violin concert pamphlets...it was quite amazing how he posed with his violin after a practice at home. I didn't tell him how to pose but in seconds, he picked up his violin and bow and created the 'can-you-see-I-am-cool-with-the-violin?' look.

Fish Out of Water

I feel like exactly like a fish out of water now. First days at work are never fun. I never like this kind of scenario; meeting shaking hands, saying 'hi, I am Pauline, you are?" 20 times over, remembering new faces and names, sitting at an unfamiliar place in unfamiliar surroundings...and the boredom of creating your own work on first days. Gosh, I hope I survive 'today'!

By the way, time passes extra slower on first days.