Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!
Was singing The First Noel during one of our carolling sessions:
"The First Noël" (sometimes "The First Nowell") is a traditional English Christmas carol, most likely from the 16th or 17th century, but possibly dating from as early as the 13th century. The word Nowell comes from the French word Noël for "Christmas", from the Latin word natalis ("birth").
Also sang others, like A Festive Madrigal (simplier version, and not the proper madrigal), Carol of the Bells (hence the Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!, Silver Bells, Whtie Christmas, as well as more traditional four-parters for Angels We Have Heard on High, O Come All Ye Faithfull, We Three Kings, Silent Night, Joy to the World, Away in a Manger, and many others.
The session at GE Mall yesterday was quite ok. There were absolutely brilliant moments, but of course, there were some not so great parts when some within the group didn't get their act together.
Also saw Narnia in the morning. Quite good actually, liked it better than Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, but thought that the beginning was a bit slow. The pace subsequently moves though, so it was better after that. The witch was particularly brilliant! She's the same actress who played one of the "angels" in Constantine. Definitely has a chilly demeanour, but the role suited her to perfection.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Year end 2005
End of the year is coming. Thought that would be winding down at work, but seems to be the opposite. Have some new proposals to do up before end year for January's BoD meeting. Luckily, targets have been met. The fund I am managing has also achieved the year end target, but anything can happen before the end of the month. So, have turned defensive in my portfolio to maintain current position.
Socially, have some carolling gigs lined up. Will be singing in Great Eastern Mall on 10Dec, 11Dec and 18Dec. 1 hour slot each. Just had a call earlier on, and I think the group managed to confirm another gig. Not sure of details yet, but these paying gigs will help provide some extra pocket money for Christmas shopping! Will also be singing in an old folks home somewhere in PJ on 13Dec, but this will be for charity. Heard the group mentioned that we will also be bringing some essential items as gifts (i.e. rice, detergent, soap, etc) for the residents of the old folks home. There was also talks of carolling in one orphanage, but no details confirmed yet. It's been a while since I went carolling to orphanages and old folks home. Think the last time I went was with the local chuch choir a few years back. Needs organising, and that's the hard bit, as well as rehearsals to learn up the hymns properly. Still, I guess someone just needs to volunteer. In the current case, one of the group members suggested the idea, and took the initiative to call up the place to check and liase with the group for confirmation. Good for her! Tis the season to be merry, and always good to spread some cheer.
Socially, have some carolling gigs lined up. Will be singing in Great Eastern Mall on 10Dec, 11Dec and 18Dec. 1 hour slot each. Just had a call earlier on, and I think the group managed to confirm another gig. Not sure of details yet, but these paying gigs will help provide some extra pocket money for Christmas shopping! Will also be singing in an old folks home somewhere in PJ on 13Dec, but this will be for charity. Heard the group mentioned that we will also be bringing some essential items as gifts (i.e. rice, detergent, soap, etc) for the residents of the old folks home. There was also talks of carolling in one orphanage, but no details confirmed yet. It's been a while since I went carolling to orphanages and old folks home. Think the last time I went was with the local chuch choir a few years back. Needs organising, and that's the hard bit, as well as rehearsals to learn up the hymns properly. Still, I guess someone just needs to volunteer. In the current case, one of the group members suggested the idea, and took the initiative to call up the place to check and liase with the group for confirmation. Good for her! Tis the season to be merry, and always good to spread some cheer.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Happenings
Wow, been a while since I last updated. Quite a bit has happened, but has been too late to update, and sometimes not really up to it.
Just came back from Singapore today. Drove down (in a friend's car) on Friday night, after work (3 in the car). Quite rushed actually, and it was raining quite heavily in certain stretches. Got into Spore after midnight, and only checked into the RELC International Hotel at about 2am. Hotel room was quite basic (3 star), but comfortable. Quite reasonable at S$60 per room per night. However, location was not as strategic as Phoenix Hotel, in that had to walk a bit to the MRT or otherwise catch a cab.
Went down for an a capella camp held in the Republic Polytechnic, organised by the Acappella Society of Singapore. "The Idea of North" (Trish, Naomi, Nick, and Andrew) was there, to conduct certain sessions, as well as holding a charity concert in the National University of Singapore. Learnt quite a few new things about Acappella, experimented with different forms of singing the music. Also had a masterclass session with The Idea of North, where they critiqued The Wicked Pitches group, giving pointers here and there on how we can improve. The concert in the evening was quite good. Brought acappella singing to a whole new standard.
Was also in Spore two to three week's back for a holiday with some friends. Previous time I went down was for work, so had no real time to look around. This time, purposely went as "a tourist", and did the touristsy thing. Visited Sentosa, the Zoo, as well as the Night Safari. Sentosa was quite nice. Liked the orchid garden. Went on the Luge ride, and found out that the Msia Tourism thingy had a special package for Malaysian passport holders - show your passport, fill in a form, and get another 2 rides for Free!! So, there we went again for 2 more rides. Liked the zoo quite a bit, but didn't fancy the night safary. Over hyped I think.
Other than that, quite busy at work. Was analysing and proposing to buy some new bonds, as well as doing bits and pieces of reporting, and other internal stuff. Should be quiter in December (I hope!).
Now gearing for up for some carolling sessions, but not many gigs this year, so pocket money lesser. :(
What else has been happening? Oh, saw previews of "Memoirs of a Geisha", and sort of remembered my sister has the book. Finished reading it already. Quite ok, and interesting to read about the life of "Sayuri". Not sure if the movie will be good. Hopefully watchable.
Just came back from Singapore today. Drove down (in a friend's car) on Friday night, after work (3 in the car). Quite rushed actually, and it was raining quite heavily in certain stretches. Got into Spore after midnight, and only checked into the RELC International Hotel at about 2am. Hotel room was quite basic (3 star), but comfortable. Quite reasonable at S$60 per room per night. However, location was not as strategic as Phoenix Hotel, in that had to walk a bit to the MRT or otherwise catch a cab.
Went down for an a capella camp held in the Republic Polytechnic, organised by the Acappella Society of Singapore. "The Idea of North" (Trish, Naomi, Nick, and Andrew) was there, to conduct certain sessions, as well as holding a charity concert in the National University of Singapore. Learnt quite a few new things about Acappella, experimented with different forms of singing the music. Also had a masterclass session with The Idea of North, where they critiqued The Wicked Pitches group, giving pointers here and there on how we can improve. The concert in the evening was quite good. Brought acappella singing to a whole new standard.
Was also in Spore two to three week's back for a holiday with some friends. Previous time I went down was for work, so had no real time to look around. This time, purposely went as "a tourist", and did the touristsy thing. Visited Sentosa, the Zoo, as well as the Night Safari. Sentosa was quite nice. Liked the orchid garden. Went on the Luge ride, and found out that the Msia Tourism thingy had a special package for Malaysian passport holders - show your passport, fill in a form, and get another 2 rides for Free!! So, there we went again for 2 more rides. Liked the zoo quite a bit, but didn't fancy the night safary. Over hyped I think.
Other than that, quite busy at work. Was analysing and proposing to buy some new bonds, as well as doing bits and pieces of reporting, and other internal stuff. Should be quiter in December (I hope!).
Now gearing for up for some carolling sessions, but not many gigs this year, so pocket money lesser. :(
What else has been happening? Oh, saw previews of "Memoirs of a Geisha", and sort of remembered my sister has the book. Finished reading it already. Quite ok, and interesting to read about the life of "Sayuri". Not sure if the movie will be good. Hopefully watchable.
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