Life at Down Under

GoodBye

2008-12-09T05:03:00.000-08:00

Just want to say a farewell to Melbourne, where I called home for the past 5 months. Will be in Singapore in 24 h time. It's kinda mix feelings for me to go back Singapore... :S

I will temporary abandon this blog till I am back in Melbourne.

Miss me till March! :D

With this...

2008-12-06T23:21:00.000-08:00

With St Francis Choir Bass Section. There are only 5 of us usually. Really fun people to be with. Going to miss them for the next 3 months.
Another quickshot. Taken from my N95 8GB phone. Sorry for the hand there. Shane has a funny expression. Yes, I am the youngest in the bass section and in the choir.

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.... marks the end of the official full week in Melbourne for the year 2008. Although I have only been here for 5 months, it has been an enriching experience for me. For those who are thinking of overseas studies, I would suggest that you go for it as you can get to see a different aspect of life, a different side other than those rigidity of Singapore.

What I will miss in melbourne during the summer holidays (not in order of importance):

1) My friends in my music course and of course those in COSDU.

2) The weekly (almost) Saturday morning jog at Princes Park with Philip and the rest (though they didnt join us faithfully in every week.)

3) St Francis Choir and the Choristers. Without them, I wont be able to fully understand the Aussie Culture here. Anyway, I miss singing the mass with them, we don't get to hear chorale mass anywhere in Singapore, do we?

4) My mobile phone internet which allows me to go to facebook at anytime, anywhere.

The above are the events that really settles and sumarise my time here in Melbourne for the first semester. I didnt really get to go travelling about that much due to financial constrains, but nevertheless, have been to Geelong, Williamstown, Albert Park and Royal Botanical Gardens.

Living away from home can be a good thing and bad thing. You learn to manage your budget, learn to do things independently, learn to take care of yourself and more about yourself.

Of course, there are some moments during my stay here which I find it rather intimidating. What if I sleep in my room here and never wake up again? Will anyone know? =)

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The remaining three days here in Melbourne will just be purely dedicated to shopping, practising, cleaning and packing.

I would expect a busy summer holidays with all the catching ups with friends, meeting people, concerts and others.

Anyway, for those who is interested to welcome me back home to Singapore, you can let me know asap via msn or facebook. I will let you know the details. (Not as if anyone will bother or care? )

To all my friends in Singapore, see ya! =)

First Semester Reflection

2008-11-29T04:23:00.000-08:00

And so, finally 1 semester of school has just officially ended on Friday. Got a real taste of university life in 1 semester.

Exams had been manageable for me, though I realised that if you keep yourself up with the pace of the lectures, prepare for lectures and tutorials, it will definitely help in your revision. It's always good to start revising early. I thought I started the semester well, with regular revision and read up on lectures, but somehow loses steam towards the end of the semester, when the assignments come in. Fortunately for me, I had one week break between the 2 'big' papers (and therefore able to catch up on the 2nd 'big' paper- psychology.

Practical exam went well I guess. I was quite happy with the technical exam although made some slips, but i think it doesnt affect the entire performance. This exam, I would say is one of my best performance after many years under exam situation. For the first time, I could play a piece labelled "Presto" in an etude continuously without breaking down and major slips. Caroline gives good advice indeed.

There are some important lessons learnt while preparing for this technical exams (prior to the exam itself):

1) if you have wobbly fingers (during the warm up before exam), dont panic. Do a slow practice, accenting each notes accurately. Warm up isnt the time to get panicky. For fast repertoire, do ultra slow practice. I would like to highlight the word 'ultra', as our heartbeats will beat faster during exams. Psychologically, we might think we are playing at the normal speed we usually practice during exams, but in fact, we usually speed up. Hence, the necessity to practice slowly before the exams.

2) Exam warm ups should be meant to get your heart beats in place, keep calm, curb any wobbly fingers caused by nervousness (not due to technical problems).

3) Doing it with accents is good because, it helps to regain the strength needed to play the actual exam piano (some piano keys are harder than the one you do warm up on) and so by accenting on the warm up piano, we will ensure that our fingers are also accustomed to the exam piano (if the exam piano is a hard one)

Celebrate the end of exams with an emotional farewell dinner for Siew Li and Miranda with the rest of my BMus course mates. Although I just got to know them for half a year, but I guess, friendships will always stay, especially in university. THe more you need to treasure the people around you. Both of them are discontinuing their course next year.

And of course, celebrated the end of Semester with COSDU's graduation mass, celebrated by Fr Robin and went to a pub for dinner. It's sad that many people are graduating and many ppl are flying back to their respective home country so soon, compared to mine. :(

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So what are my plans this week:

Main thing to do: Clean up my apartment and do some packing, and daily practising of piano, will aim to complete learning the notes of 3rd movement of Mozart's Sonata in A minor and shaping up of Ginastera 1st Dance from Danzas Argentinas.

Monday: Lunch with Richard Liman

Tues: Watch the year 4 recitals. I think it's a good way to kill time.

Wed: Nothing planned at the moment

Thurs: Mass in School, choir practice

Friday: Nothing planned at the moment, May go for St Francis for novena and mass and do some shopping at Vic market.

Sat: Nothing planned.

Sunday: Mass at St Francis.

Help! I am so bored!

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Anyway, the Holy Trinity Children's Choir have been invited to sing with the Seraphim Choir on 13 and 14 December. Tickets are sold at $2, and all proceeds will be used to raise funds for Church of Divine Mercy.

I am asked to conduct the children's choir for this concert for their 2 individual items as Denise will be away, so in a way, it will be my first agenda when I arrived in Singapore.

The complexity of Human Mind...

2008-11-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

I am just revealing the facebook message that is going on between a friend's friend (who added me on facebook) and myself. My friend will be represented as M (a girl) and her friend will be represented as JS (a guy) here.

Me: Hello, do I know you?

JS: Nope, but does it matter?I just want to be friend with you.

(Me looks at JS profile and mutual friends list and accepted his request)

Me: ok.. i see, u are a friend of M too... so what's up?

JS: Ah, U realize that. I'm interested to know this guy who always reply [to M's] shout-out on her wall.. :)U like her, don't u? hehe

Me: no, sorry, i always comment on friend's status including hers. Why are you so interested? You like her, arent you? I somehow knew that you add me because of her. If you do, you can go for her. I have better taste. :)

Me: (after a while) is there anything else you want to know? :)

JS: O.o Of coz I care for her! She is like my best friend forever.. lolBut the phase "I have better taste" sounds pretty bad.Oh well, that is what u feel, I have nothing much to say. See you, buddy.

Me: just to add that i dislike people who add me just to find out something with a hidden agenda. I know you liked her before. Yeah, as you can see, i am neither a nice nor friendly guy. So if i say i like her, what will you do? Advise her to stay away from me? Gossip about me? She is just an ordinary girl_friend. Thanks.

JS: @@ Ok..

(Me deletes him off facebook)

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I know I must have sound very hostile and nasty to this guy, JS. My thoughts on this person is already imprinted on my last message to him and why I am so upset with him.

Maybe it will be better if the conversation started like this:

Me: Hello, do I know you?

JS: No, but I am a friend of M. I find your comments on her wall and status interesting. You have a nice and handsome looking profile pic there. You look like a Mr. Nice guy and a professional musician-in-a-making.
My name is JS. How about you, Alphonsus? Nice and unique name! Also studying in Melbourne Uni? What course? Hope to be friends with you. :)

Does the edited script of mine sound better and much more sincere than "No, but does it matter? I just want to be friends with you."?

Firstly, I would say, IT DOES MATTER if you are a guy, because the last thing you want to have is a gay who is interested in you.

Secondly, "I just want to be friends with you". Sounds a bit forceful there. Friendship takes time to develop and need both parties to click. If one is skeptical, one is forceful, it will never work. It will make friendships so fake and unsincere and I dislike people like this.

Nothing disrespectful to M. M is a nice girl, but she is not my type of girl that I would go for. She is informed of this incident. :)

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Going back to books. Having gastric problems again. Sigh.

A Cold and Wet Saturday

2008-11-21T16:35:00.000-08:00

Woke up with the skies pouring heavily for the first time in my time here in Melbourne. Guess it's an epitome of how I am feeling now.

Many of my school mates are flying back to their respective home country, while I still have 3 more papers to go, I guess by the end of next weekend, it will be lots worse as it marks the end of the exam period and I have to stay till 10 December.

On a brighter side, there is a chance for me to get a glimpse of Melbourne's Christmas decorations if there is any.

Well, I believe there will be rainbow after the rain. =D

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Philip intelligently cancelled the morning run today, yesterday, predicting that it will be a heavy downpour with the help of weather forecast.

Guess I staying home all day today as the weather is cold (about 9 degrees C) and it's wet, but may try to get some practising done for my practical exam on Monday. I also do need motivation to start studying for my music technology paper on Monday. But I am looking forward to the practical exam than the music technology paper.

On a second note, looking forward to singing for mass tomorrow as it will be the last 'big' performance for the year 2008 with the St Francis Choir. We will be singing Haydn's St Tereise (sorry for the spelling error) Mass, though I still prefer Haydn's Creation mass sung during the feast of St Francis of Assisi. The remaining two masses with St Francis (30 Nov, and 7 Dec) wont be as high profile as this.

(Thinking of Christmas now).

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Performed 3 times yesterday for 4 people yesterday. I guess there is a difference if you want to perform for others and you are asked to perform with the former having more confidence than the latter.
I think it's all psychological. So next time if I am asked to perform a concert, I will have to convince my mind that I want to perform for others. =D

M18 Blog- Things you need to know about F.

2008-11-20T16:22:00.000-08:00

Warning: Contains Vulgar language.

Just need to get this off my mind.

I wonder why people loves to use the F word so loosely. It's worse if you use the F word on the facebook status. Of course, you can put anything you want in your facebook status, but by using the F word:

1) You are degrading yourself, especially worse if you are a girl.
2) It doesnt look good on your friends facebook page, especially if someone else sees that you have a friend who is so vulgar, one will start questioning on your social network.

One such good example is this:

"Evelyn Siyun Tan
fucking hates herself. Fuck, fuck fuck FUCK." (Name is not censored).
P.S: I am not censoring the person's name as she has deleted me off her facebook.

"Jolin... is ..sigh. fuck the exams. off to bed." (Name here is censored).

I can better express it in the above 2 examples without using the F word but showing the same intensity and emotions above.:

"Evelyn Siyun Tan hates herself VERY MUCH. RAWR!!!" --> Short and sweet, and people will start showing concern instead of asking you to stop using the F word.

"Jolin... is .. GIVING UP on the exams. Sigh. Off to bed."

There are so many ways to express your frustrations and anger better without making you look bad. I guess these girls have limited vocabulary that they can only think of the F word whenever they are very angry.

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I have the perception that using the F word is a guy thing, but after these two examples, I realised that it is also a girl's thing too. Maybe the girls that I used to know are more cultured and refined and they would show their utter disgust whenever someone uses the F word.

I admit that I am no angel too, having using the F word frequently in my NS days. But I always ensured that the F word is being kept confined to the camp purpose and within my platoon mates.

"Alphonsus is EXTREMELY pissed with how childish some people can be. STUPID, CHILDISH people." (replace the words in caps with the F word and it will sound lots worst and unrefined).

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What if I start using F word and vulgarities throughout my entire blog? What will you think of me as a person? Will I look cool? Will I gain more friends? Will I be popular?

I think using the F word is like smoking a cigarette, once you start using, you will get addicted to it. :)

Of course, in the end, you can type anything you want in your blog or facebook.

2008-11-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

Performed for 2 different ppl today.

I think the good thing about performing in front of others regularly is that it builds your confidence each time you perform.

Had my last lesson with Caroline today, a short 15 minute mock technical exam. She suggests that I have to perform in front of others more often. Yeah. I guess...

Unofficial exam over

2008-11-16T19:57:00.000-08:00

The two big exams are officially over. Now I can concentrate on my piano again and to prepare for the practical exam next week... cant wait for next Wednesday...

30 second posts

2008-11-16T01:51:00.000-08:00

I am so dead for my psychology exams tmr.. sigh...

Short and sweet update that takes 30 sec to upload and type....

Random Post

2008-11-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

Just feeling a little sad when I heard that 2 of my course mates are not continuing the degree here due to financial difficulty. :( What if the person is me???

Anyway, I am looking forward to hearing my children's choir sing again when I go home. Denise told me that they have been very enthusatic in learning new hymns and even make their first step in going into part singing. I guess I can only say that I am proud of their attitute and their efforts in doing in parts. It's not easy training children to sing in parts, Denise must have been putting in a lot of effort in doing so....

Extra Macho Order (EMO)

2008-11-12T15:30:00.000-08:00

I am feeling rather emo-tional lately. Because of some other things...? Because of the fact that I will be back in Singapore in 4 weeks time. There are many things I wish to do when I am back home in Singapore... (well, whether I can accomplished it or not is another story) before flying back to Melbourne on 25 February 2009.

Just one word. SIGH.

I don't think I will be planning a trip back to Singapore during the winter break, unless I have a strong reason for it, and so the next return after 25 February will most probably be in Dec 2009. (Yeah, I always plan ahead because Dec 2009 just comes before you know it).

2 Weeks more before I am free of studies... anyway, here is a bible passage about work (taken from someone's blog) during my blog hopping spree...

Ecclesiastes 3 : 9-12
What do we gain from all our work? I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us. He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. So I realise that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive.

This is so true about our lives here on earth. We often complain about our work, some of us dont really know why they are doing the work or course they are doing, some of us are at crossroads, some are lost. But I guess we have to take courage and trust that whatever we are doing now is according to His Plan for us...

Ecclesiastes has some interesting quotes about life and it's an eye-opener too. I think I shall read the book when I am free.

Ways to Procrastinate

2008-11-11T06:40:00.000-08:00

Exams just started, so that explains the lack of updates. But exams also mean a good reason to procrastinate. Here are some effective ways to procrastinate your revision:

1) Tell yourself that you need a break from study before you go crazy
2) Play PSP with the intention of playing for 1 hour or a game.
3) The game is too addictive, continue playing PSP for another hour.
4) Check email.
5) Email takes a long time to load, do other things on computer.
6)Go Facebook! Check people's status updates and give comments...
7) Go Blog hopping everyday, hoping that the person will update their blog. *hint*

Maybe I should write a book of 100 Effective ways to procrastinate. I am sure it will be a bestseller. :D

More reformations

2008-11-06T23:02:00.000-08:00

I was studying for Medieval Music History about the reformation of Church music when I realised that there are some similarities between our Catholic church and the other Protestant churches.

I guess I should one day pay a visit to any one of the Christian church service and keep an open mind.

But I am always a Catholic at heart, because I believe that Mary is our heavenly Mother, who will always pray and intercede for us to her Son, Jesus. I think this is one of the things that really, as we Catholics, make us unique from other christian denomination. I guess, many christians have the wrong concept that we, Catholics worship Mary. But that's not true, we asked Mary to pray for us just as we ask our friends to continue to keep us in their prayers.

To all catholics, be proud to be one, because we have a complete heavenly family in heaven. With God as our heavenly Father, Mary as our Mother and Jesus as our brother. :D

The dumb-est thing

2008-11-06T04:21:00.000-08:00

I guess I am really a technology noob. Here the story goes:

Spent and wasted 2 hours just to figure out how to save a file in from logic express file to mp3 format. In the end, after 2 hours of time figuring out what to do, the solution is just to click on the 'record' button.

Gosh, why did I take up music technology in the first place? Sigh...

1st Day of SWOT Vac

2008-11-03T03:45:00.000-08:00

I had my last piano lesson (or maybe 2nd last lesson depending on whether there is an additional lesson before my practical). Well, seriously, I have come thus far in piano, improved tremendously under the guidance of Caroline Almonte. She agreed that I have improved A LOT ever since I started lesson with her. She is a great teacher after all, one of the best piano teachers I ever had.

There are only 4 teachers in my entire music life that has impact on my piano study. She is really one of the few piano teachers that I have improved tremendously under and the most in terms of techincal work.

1) Ms Kelly Tay (whom I had my basic 8 grades of ABRSM under... though I think towards the end of my last two grades, I dropped ...), but nevertheless, I managed to get 3 distinctions for ABRSM for grade 3, 5 and 6 (skipped 2 and 4, and grade 1 isnt under her but I only got a merit then) under her guidance.
2) Mr Timothy Ku- Although I admit that I have not really gone well during my one year with him, I guess his iron fist and disciplined methodology did change me alot in the way I practised the piano and the use of metronome as a companion.
3) Ms Sylvia Ng- A VERY encouraging piano teacher who brought back my confidence in playing the piano. A good opposite end of Mr Ku.
4) Ms Caroline Almonte- A mother and a teacher in piano. She can be quite impatient at times, but she pushes me alot technically and corrected my fingers movements and believes in making a student feels better about him or herself (not by nice words) but by their own playing where she is the key figure to it.

Had a small Caroline's students piano class today, to play through our exam pieces. Well, I guess Caroline was being encouraging when she said 'Bravo' after my performance for performing first time infront of the rest, though I know I was nervous, and my etude is in a total mess. Hopefully, through this exposure, I wont get so nervous when examined by two intimidating professors and teachers, Ian Holtham and Mark McGee.

Well, my first resolution for year 2009 is- to perform more in piano class and concert class!

Back to books now! =)

Death...

2008-11-02T05:19:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking of death today.

Where would we go when we leave this world?
What will happen to us?
What will it be like up in heaven? Will there be angels singing, welcoming us?

Faure's Requiem op. 48 is just heavenly....

Coda to the Essay Saga...

2008-10-30T04:44:00.000-07:00

Just received another email today:

Dear Alphonsus,

In light of your advice this morning and, given that you have not had the benefit of the "Writing about Music" subject in Semester 1, your mark has been adjusted to 68. We both think this is fair: it is still in our view an H3 level essay, so this modification maintains fairness across the whole class while recognising your own particular circumstances.

John Griffiths

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What happened prior to this: (continuation of the email from the previous entry)

Dear Professor John,

Thank you for your reply and looking into my essay seriously. After reading the detailed comments given by Shelley and your input in this email, I am satisfied with the outcome and am also assured that my essay is carefully reexamined. I am also particularly pleased with the helpful pointers given in the detailed comments by Shelley. Meanwhile, I just need to add that I am a mid-semester entry student and have yet to do 'Writing about Music' from Semester 1.

Thank you for taking time off your busy schedule to look into this matter. I apologise for any inconvenience caused during the process and also would like to thank Shelley for her detailed comments.

Kind Regards,
Alphonsus

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Really dramatic. If I were to summarise the entire story, this is the brief outline below:

Student got back essay result.
Student not happy with the result he got and question his results, putting in strong words in the process.
Professor replies, saying the result still stand, but given a list of comments talking about the good points and bad points, and some referal to some notes which student have not done it before.
Student acknowledges his fate and accepted his marks.
Professor replied again, increasing the marks slightly in acknowledgement of the fact that student didnt take a subject about essay writing in Semester 1.
Student lives happily ever after (though slightly).

What a dramatic end to the last day and week of school. =)

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Our Heavenly Father is great after all, isn't he? He is the fairest of all... =)

Resolution of problems

2008-10-29T05:05:00.000-07:00

For those who keeps up with my blog, here is the final outcome of the essay issue:

Dear Alphonsus,

Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to you. I have simply been snowed under.

Your essay has been re-examined. After very careful consideration, it has been decided that the original mark should stand. Shelley has written detailed further comments for you explaining the mark and has also included another document prepared by the School of Historical Studies in the Faculty of Arts that will explain the broader rationale about grading.

You are obviously a very articulate student and your command of English is admirable. I hope you take these additional comments in the spirit in which they are offered, not from a defensive position, but rather as the kind of feedback that will help you to achieve your potentials and that will help you sharpen your research and writing skills more finely. While your mark in this assignment is (only a few marks) below the average, it would seem to me that you have considerably more potential. Shelley's detailed review looks at both the mechanics of essay writing and scholarly presentation as well as content. I think her principal reasoning lies in the difficulty that you appear to have had in integrating analytical observations of Haydn's style with the broader argument of the essay.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to respond.

John Griffiths

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The above email is just one of the many concerns solved today. Today, I just feel much lighter not only because the above issue, but also another issue which shows that my worries are unfounded. Well, I am not a demanding person after all. Shelley have just sent me a detailed 2 1/2 pages long of the strength, weakness and points to improve in the future -- at least I feel my marks are justified and I can let the matter rest.

This situation just reminds me of a verse from the bible:

Matthew 7: 7
"Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you".

I have asked for answers, which I received in the above example. Although I am currently seeking for something (something which I have been seeking for very long time), I believe one day I will find in His time.

Well, if you want to know what am I seeking, you just got to knock the door of my heart, and it will be opened to you.. 8)

From someone's blog tagboard:

2008-10-27T04:33:00.000-07:00

(names are altered to protect the identity of the people involved)

David: I think im gonna be down with flu and cough. Started coughing yesterday and this morning it got worse...

Alyssa: what?! TAKE CARE you can't fall sick now! GET WELL SOON!

Weiling: GET WELL SOON MAN

Yvonne: HELLO AGAIN!!! AND GET WELL LUH:D:D:D

David: hey thanks so much girls =))

Disclaimer: Any resemblance of any person or whatsoever is just purely coincidental. The blogger shall not claim any responsibility for any damage or loss in producing part or whole of the above entry.

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Seriously, these guy is really fortunate or has the charm to make girls show some concern for him. I am sure the above three girls arent the only ones who are showing their concern. Some girls just kept their concern in their hearts.

When Alphonsus falls sick, no one gives a damn. :D

Martin Luther

2008-10-25T07:11:00.000-07:00

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 – February 18, 1546) was a German monk,[1] theologian, university professor, Father of Protestantism,[2][3][4][5] and church reformer whose ideas influenced the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of Western civilization.[6]
Luther's theology challenged the authority of the papacy by holding that the Bible is the only infallible source of religious authority[7] and that all baptized Christians under Jesus are a universal priesthood.[8] According to Luther, salvation is a free gift of God, received only by true repentance and faith in Jesus as the Messiah, a faith given by God and unmediated by the church.
At the Diet of Worms assembly over freedom of conscience in 1521, Luther's confrontation with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his refusal to submit to the authority of the Emperor resulted in his being excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church and being declared an outlaw of the state as a consequence.
His translation of the Bible into the vernacular of the people made the Scriptures more accessible to them, and had a tremendous political impact on the church and on German culture. It furthered the development of a standard version of the German language, added several principles to the art of translation,[9] and influenced the translation of the English King James Bible.[10] His hymns inspired the development of congregational singing within Christianity.[11] His marriage to Katharina von Bora set a model for the practice of clerical marriage within Protestantism.[12]

Taken from http://www.wikipedia.com/

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Recently, I have been learning about Martin Luther's reformation in church music. I can only say that he is a great man despite the fact that he left the catholic church. Basically, I respected Luther for being able to stand firmly for what he believed in. I would say (maybe the catholic church will disagree), without Martin Luther's insistence, the catholic church wouldnt be what it is today. Unfortuantely, the catholic church takes 400 years later to be what it is today, after the Vatican Council II in 1962.

On a serious note, I think it's true that the church is full of crap and contradictions, and even full of crap people after serving in a music ministry for my church for a long time. I just dislike it when people often use the name of the church as their protective cover or telling people what to do. Some e.g. "As a christian, we must be christ-like", "Doing this and this is not being Christ-like", "being a Christian, we must be forgive and forget" etc. and there are some behavioural expectations of you more if you are working or serving in a church ministry. Sometimes serving in a ministry just make me feel as if I am a hypocrite, sometimes I am just saying things in a christian way and not from the bottom of my heart.

I guess the challenge for us is to put the church context as any secular context. Working in a ministry as if you are working for any secular organisation. If you behave the same way you behave in church in outside world, then probably you are not a hypocrite. I have a friend who once told me that she is unsure of whether to continue serving in her university catholic students society as a vice president as she is unsure whether she can live up to what the society expects of a vice president in a catholic community, for e.g. must be more caring, show more concern to her group as a leader. Well, of course, I just told her these stresses and concern are unnecessary and just have to be yourself as if you are working in any place other than catholic context. Since the bible says we are created in the image of God, so why must we be so concern about being too Christ-like?

I just recently heard from another of my church friend whom I respected alot that he left the catholic church to attend Protestant church, though it's just temporarily for a break. I guess if you understand his situation, you can empathize how he is feeling- after serving faithfully in a church ministry, giving every single time of his to lead a ministry and what he receives back from the group is not a word of appreciation but crap and more crap, you would really feel more than just upset and disappointment.

It is sad, isnt it? Where is the concern we are suppose to show to our brothers and sisters in Christ that we often talk about in church? Or are we using that for our own selfish reasons? I leave you with this for those who are serving in a ministry or thinking of serving in a ministry...

Reply from

2008-10-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Alphonsus,

Thank you for your enquiry. Firstly, let me reassure you that there is no prejudice or favoritism shown to any student or group of students in this subject. This would be totally repugnant to my sense of ethics and justice. There are inevitable difficulties, however, in judging fairly the work of native speaking students and those writing in a second language. I try to find the balance between expression and ideas and to mark accordingly. And when students question their results, I will ensure that any queries are handled fairly.

I had a meeting with Shelley yesterday to discuss the questions you raised about your own work and those of your peers. Your own essay is being reexamined and I will get back to you as soon as this has been done.

Good wishes,
John Griffiths

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And so, here is the reply from the professor if anyone is interested in the outcome. Michelle just got her marks increased from 54% to 61% after appeal although it's in the same P region. I guess my marks will probably just increase from 65% to 69% the most, or maybe not even approved. And the best part is that it is being reexamined by the same marker.

Speechless...

With this...

2008-10-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

Dear Professor John,

I am Alphonsus, a first year international student, currently doing Medieval And Early Modern Music. I am writing in response to the gradedessay which I got back from Shelley last Tuesday.

I would like to ask if there is a marking rubrics/ guidelines which themarkers follow and grade our essays accordingly? I have generally observedthat Shelley has been stricter with her marks to the non-Aussie studentsthan Aussie students which raises my concern alittle. Could she havemisunderstand our essay or maybe she has a strong expectation of what anessay should be?

Another question would be whether we will be marked down a grade if weunintentionally or intentionally miss out the following: a cover page or abibiliography page (but with footnotes) and whether musical examples areessential and must be present in a music essay?

I certainly understand the subjectivity of essay marks and definitely trust the professionalism of the tutors and yourself. I have also attachedmy graded essay to this email for your advice. I would appreciate if youcould relook into some of our essays and provide us the marking rubrics/guidelines for the essay (if there is any), so that we will know what toexpect for each individual band of marks for our future essays.

Can I also arrange a consultation time with you to discuss on how to improve my essay in the future?

On a closing note, it would be depressing for us to get a low mark with all our weeks of research, filtering of information, planning of essays and typing our essays out. Some of us definitely put in a lot of effort and time into our essays.

Thank you.

Kind Regards,
Alphonsus Tan

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have written out what I truly feel about the music essay and what some of us, the international students felt.

A quote from Augustus:

"Writing an assignment can be a bitch when you have too much info in your head and and a low word limit "

and I have added to the quote

"it's more bitchy if you put in alot of effort in your essay and not awarded the marks for your effort".

I just hope that those who put in lots of effort in this essay will get back their marks they truly deserve. I write in hope of being able to do some justice to my marks or if this fails, get a justified answer for this low marks and that others who put in more effort but lower marks than me will get the marks for their effort.

"Heavenly Father, only you are the fairest judge of all. You know everything, You see everything. I trust that you will reward accordingly those who put in their effort in their work. Amen."

Reflections

2008-10-16T19:07:00.000-07:00

After praying and doing some bible reflection, I got 'hit' by this verse from the bible:

Galatians 3:2-5

"Tell me this one thing: did you receive God's Spirit by doing what the Law requires or by hearing the gospel and believing it? How can you be so foolish! You began by God's spirit; do you want to finish by your own power? Did all your experience mean nothing at all? Surely it meant something! Does God give you the Spirit and work miracles among you because you do what the Law requires or because you hear the gospel and believe it?"

I believe in this verse, St Paul is trying to 'tell me off' (to put it in humanistic sense).

I remembered after attending Youth in Spirit Seminar by amplify in December 2005 (that's like so long ago), I feel so spiritually recharged, being so active as an organist in my music minstry in church. I remembered I could play consecutively for 3 masses, 6.45am, 9.30 am and 11am and even 2 consecutive penitential service (even when I am sick), play for all the weekday masses. But after a moment, playing for mass is just like an obligation, the thing that keeps me going is my interest in music, and probably the fellowship of the choir members, and things began working by my own strength, and sometimes if i play for more than 2 masses, it's out of friendship. And of course, things really get bad for me before I left, got upset with some people in the ministry till I needed a break. But then, we are still humans after all.

How I wish I could return to that moment of 2005 again, the day which I really felt the presence of God telling me how I am a special child, and always special from the day I was born onto this world. It's really sweet.

"O heavenly Father, I am sorry for all the times which I have done something with my own strength. Father, I am weak, but you are strong. Be with me always, and let me never forget that we can always rely on you and that you are our source of strength for all the work that we do. Amen"

Melo-drama week

2008-10-16T05:21:00.000-07:00

I just got so dramatic yesterday. Thanks to the feelingunfairundeservedstupidhaydnessay marks I got.

This is what happened:

I happened to read 2 other music students essay in one of the music conservatory basement computer, one is an aussie and one is an asian.

Aussie student wrote the same music essay question as me. His essay is only 4 1/10 page long, no bibiliography and no cover page, no musical examples, just plain narration of Haydn symphonies from books, got 72 %

I wrote 10 page long worth of essay, with no bibliography page, but with flitered analysis and music examples, much more organised than his, more research done than the aussie student, got 65%.

And i feel sorry for this asian student, wrote 15 pages worth of essay, (different question but marked by the same marker), got bibliography page, got lots of research done, got alot of music examples, got 62%.

Conclusion:
1) The marker is just plain racist!
2) The marker is too lazy to read long essays, and therefore, the longer essay you wrote, the lower marks you get, and mind you, none of my points are contradicting, I am sure i got better points than that aussie student.
3) Aussies are plain lazy and Asian students are generally more hardworking than aussie students.

Seriously, i dont think my essay is not that bad as the aussie's essay. If the aussie didnt even produce a cover page, musical examples and lack bibliography page, my essay with music examples, more research done, few or no expression problems, i dont see why my essay is marked lower than that aussie's essay. If that slack aussie essay can get 72%, i think my essay is worth either the same or even better. Maybe that aussie marker is stupid enough to understand an asian essay.

Ok, i better stop this ramblings, before anyone wants to beat me up for being too direct/ criticising aussies or mistook me for a TYPE A personality.

----------------- Putting all anger and frustrations aside ---------------------------------------

Yesterday's ramblings lead me to a series of deep thoughts about why this has happened.

A common overused quote from the bible or in fact, from last Sunday 2nd reading: St Paul's letter to the Philippians " I can do all things in him who strengthens me".

Maybe I havent been praying for the past few weeks. My spiritual reservoir is now empty, or rather supported by going to church, singing for choir every sunday. Maybe because I don't have the spiritual support I used to have. Maybe I am just too tired to be on this myself...

What does this tell you?

2008-10-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

And so, had a pretty short psychology tutorials, which I am going to spend this extra time blogging about the result of my pscyhology essay which I just got back.

Before releasing the result here (as usual, many teachers don't release the result until they say a few words to get us excited), I am rather pleased with my psychology essay marks, considering that I have just put in last minute effort in it (ok, not as last minute as some, I didnt just rush it before deadline like some people. but i did spent the last 3 days before the deadline to do my research and typing it out).

Here is the result:
Psychology essay: H2B
Music Essay: H3

Seriously, after getting back my psychology essay results, I feel I deserved better for my music essay, because I spent the 1 week or more researching and planning out the essay,language wise, my music essay is better expressed than my psychology essay, (as proven in my essay, little comment made about my grammar and expression in music compared to psychology). Content wise, the marker commented that I provided a substantial survey for my music essay, where there isnt any much comment on the psychology essay. The only difference is that I missed out on the reference page for the music essay, which I believed caused the downfall of my marks. Why can't they just standardise the referencing styles across all faculties?

So some lessons learnt here:
1) Don't bother putting your heart and soul doing an essay. It's not worth the results you get, as sweat and blood in essay cruelly does not equate to good marks.
2) The higher your expectation, the higher your disappointments. This applies to some people VERY well, and for this instance, me.
3) Referencing is the tool in which markers can easily fail you or drop your marks a band down.

Now I just have to study hard for my final music history exam to make up for the most grieved essay result I got, and show I am wrongly marked!

Feeling: Very determined!

A bad day

2008-10-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

Just got back my very first essay results. I am very disappointed and upset with it, because I got penalised heavily for missing out a bibliography page and the referencing style.

But nevertheless, this provides a good wake up call....

Busy weekend

2008-10-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Just return from singing for 11am mass as usual, which signals the end of my not so busy weekend.

The entire weekend starts off with a morning run of about 8km, with Philip and his church friend. It is a good run considering I have not run for that distance for quite a while. I guess going jogging with a group of friends make a difference. You wont feel the tiredness of the jog as you will be motivated and encouraged constantly by your friends. Guess we are going to keep this saturday morning jog regularly for body and health. Hopefully, I can find someone to jog with back in Singapore.

In the afternoon, I went for Donna's and Janan's birthday party at the Royal Botanical Gardens. I guess what impresses me the most in this party is not the fun part (of having games.. please dont get the wrong idea, I had fun), but rather the thought that comes in organising this event. I must say that Don has a great sister in Amanda and I believed that Amanda had put in lots of effort, time (in planning out the games for us and making sure everyone in COSDU had fun) and a huge amount of money on this birthday celebration.

If I had such a sister or brother or even a friend, I would be touched and speechless. But unfortunately, I am the only child and I am just an insignificant and unimportant person in other people's life and who would give a bloody damn about my birthday? The only birthday celebration I had was my 21st birthday, when I had to do my own invitation and plans. And I believe it is really sweet to organise or plan a birthday party for someone else. The one and only time I had actually planned a birthday 'surprise' was for Audrey, 2 years ago, and that time I am probably a romantic shit, chasing after a girl who probably has no time for your nonsense, and talking to her now is like an intrusion of a person's life even until now I feel that way. (Apologies if you have read this but just revealing my feelings). But anyway, that was the naive 'I' 2 years back, and if I ever plan any birthday party for you (refering to anybody), it doesnt necessary mean that I have an interest in you. But my point is that it takes 'love' to plan any event for someone especially you are running the entire plan mostly.

On the evening, attended an interesting musical by University College "Charades" and I am going to leave you with this quote from the musical:

"Success comes from meeting the right people at the right place and at the right time."

Final 4 weeks

2008-10-09T05:42:00.000-07:00

The first of the final 4 weeks of school has just ended, (although it's Thursday) and the final 3 weeks of school are left before we start getting stressed over exams!!! I guess it's really good to be back to having exams, after 2 years of national service.

Exam schedule is out:

10 November - kicks off with the most interesting subject of ALL.. *drumrolls*: medieval and early modern music HISTORY! (better to get done with it first instead of getting bored to death revising it)
17 November- Mind, Brain and Behaviour 2... it's a MCQ paper, so nothing really stressful about I guess, just have to do more practice.
24 Novemeber- Piano practical exam.. (got to get stressed for this one... examiners: Prof Ian Holtham and Mark Mcgee)
Music technology written paper- better read my notes and remember the techincal terms.
26 November- the non-studiable AURAL paper ( identifying pitch, intervals, melodic and rhythmic dictation).. it's whether you have it or don't but it's TRAINABLE.

Ganbatte!

The heavens are telling...

2008-10-06T00:29:00.000-07:00

... the glory of God, and the wonders of his works display the firmamen.. (Chorus from Haydn's 'Creation' Mass)

Indeed a great mass yesterday. I didnt realise that Haydn compose such wonderful piece of work. I used to dislike Haydn's music, not as interesting as Beethoven, but I guess come to think of it, Haydn is really one of the greatest composer ever lived. Going to miss singing the entire Haydn's Mass.

Talking about music, just had two minor misunderstandings with my piano teacher today. Just why do good piano teachers have wierd temperament? *sigh*

Singapore Day and the rest

2008-10-04T06:42:00.000-07:00

For once, I felt like a Singaporean in Melbourne. Thanks to the Singapore Day held at Sidney Myer Music Bowl. There is nothing really interesting about the Singapore Day, except for the food. I guess the government is trying to lure all singaporeans in Melbourne back to Singapore, (duh) and at least the government isnt that money minded to ask us to pay to eat the food from Singapore. I remembered saying if the food isnt free, I wont go back to Singapore. :D

The event basically contains all the latest development in Singapore, to keep overseas Singaporean in touch with what is going on at home. Food is good. They invited Food Republic, Singapore Food Industries etc. to provide a taste of Singapore food. Char kuay Teow is good, but the hokkien mee is a little horrible, because they couldnt find the appropriate mee here. Of course, not forgetting SFI, spagetti, taste the same like the ones I ate in Nee Soon Camp. LOL!

Other than that, the week is pretty normal. Oh yes, looking forward to singing Haydn's Creation Mass in Bb tomorrow with the choir. :D

Steamboat

2008-09-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful steamboat dinner with some friends from my music faculty. It's really a fruitful and fun dinner. I just learnt that time passes very fast if we have mates who can click well. We didnt realise that we have just sat down and eat for 3 hours continuously when we actually felt that time passes only for 1 hour.

Should have more of this music faculty gathering soon. :D

Williamstown Beach

2008-09-28T02:10:00.000-07:00

Everything is pretty normal today, except for the trip down to Williamstown beach. It's kind of a last minute trip. I was thinking of going down to St Kilda's Beach or Boxhill just to explore Melbourne alone, but fortunately, met Michelle at Swaston Street, and she is going to Williamstown Beach with Stanley and Aaron. So since there are companions to go with you, why not go to Williamstown?

It is also my first experience taking a train down to the suburbs. The train reminds me of those London-ish trains that brings you from one station to the other. Williamstown is just a small town (or at least the beach), peaceful and quiet. The buildings are more of the Victorian style, low ground, not as busy as the city. It's really nice residing in there if given a chance, but the fear of Tsunami is there. Met Aaron and his school mate there, there were already flying kite. I took a walk at the beach, it is actually full of dead jelly fishes. Poor Jellyfishes, I thought. Otherwise, nothing much really to see, unless you have plans to play beach volleyball or someone who loves the sea, sun and wind. Oh yes, there isnt any hot babes tanning under the sun either. But you have the HOT SoN!

After the trip, we went to Newmarket for Laksa. Though it doesnt really taste like Katong Laksa, it has the basics ingredients there, but I am still craving for Katong Laksa! :(

1st week of Spring...

2008-09-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

break has come to an end. Still got another week of break to go. THe highlight of this week programme is the visit to the Royal Melbourne Show yesterday.

Supposed to go with the first year music faculty mates, but in the end, many people say they dont want to go, or they are already going with their own group of friends, so I am kinda late in asking. :( But nevertheless, still got Michelle ( a fellow cosdu friend of mine) who is interested to go, and end up going with her.

The royal melbourne show is really fun. There are animals, carnivals, displays, exhibitions, competitions all at the entrance fee of $17. The first thing we are caught is the amount of farm animals on display. One could really smell the stench of the animals dunk at the entrance (there are many entrances, but from where I come from). The animals on display belong to the farmers. There are many farmers that display their livestock, from horses, cows, pigs, sheeps, goats, chickens, and I must say, they are really tamed... (duh, they are domestic animals), and one thing, they cant be bothered with humans. Just stroke them but they have no reaction or response to you. Took some pictures with the animals though. THey are lovely.

Next, we walked to the carnival section of the show. Played the bumper car, and some luck games, though I guessed I have overspent my allowance and eating into my reserve allowance now. SIgh, time to save up again. But anyway, I won a huge siberian husky, a small seal and a tiny mouse (of a size of keychain). The games are really creative, and also encourages more participants to join. For example, there is this game, using the concept of poker, but using balls of pool table, the winner with the biggest show hand wins the big prize. Unfortunately, I dont have any luck with that. My biggest show hand was 2 Aces, 1 King ang 1 Queen. (missed a ball) :(

But nevertheless, it was a day of pure fun, although I need to monitor my wallet now. :(

2008-09-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

My entire body is just aching all over now, after the cosdu sports day yesterday. We had lots of fun yesterday, though it's quite sad for some people, who cant participate the entire event due to injury. Our team captain actually injured her knee halfway through, that is probably why our team got last in the overall results although our team got first in captain's ball. But never mind, the aim of the game is to have fun right?

On the other hand, it's good to see a wide variety of talents in cosdu. It's just for yesterday I get to notice the importance of having a physio-in-a-making and -doctor-in-a-making in cosdu. And they are really applying their skills well and of a great help. I remembered streching my muscle during a frisby match and remembered the physio coming to help.

Ah well, as Desiree says, I should stop giving myself excuses not to work out anymore and start exercising regularly. :D

Finally...

2008-09-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

I can take a breather for a short while after studying intensively for 8 weeks. Completed all my assignments. The final music technology essay wasnt that hard as I thought it would be, just find a suitable recording. I manage to find one that uses the cello harmonics and digitalised cello harmonics to create a work and it's 22 min long of minimalistic music and managed to produce a decent assignment. Officially done with my work at 11.30am when the deadline is like 5pm. Note that I didnt burn any midnight oil or have any sleepless nights just to complete my assignment. I think this teaches me a good lesson on time management, and the importance of doing bit by bit each day. It's very useful, because it gives you time to edit carefully, and check out the essay details if it's any inaccurate statement. Plus, it's not really effective to complete an essay with one shot, you cant think properly, at least for me. I couldnt think of anything else to write for my psychology essay due on Wednesday, but thankfully I started typing my essay last Saturday although it's still very last minute and I am quite worried I couldnt produce a decent essay. Seriously, I just give a crap on my psychology essay on conformity, which is quite bad, but I think I still manage to write something substantial to pass.

So my 2 weeks of mid sem break is here. What are my plans? I am planning to do a P.E.S.T.

P= Practise Piano doubly or triply hard literally. (Not that I havent done so, with a committed 2 hour of daily practising, but I am going to do more, like double of 2 hours each day, with the current scales/ Scarlatti and Etude with my repertoire pieces for next semester. Got to do more this semester so that i can have time to learn more repertoire for next semester.

E= explore the suburbs of Australia, maybe weribee zoo etc.

S= study to do a catch up on readings and lectures.. havent been preparing for lectures for the past 2 weeks, so a little lost in lectures.. especially for psychology.

T= Talk to my dear church friends in singapore, by email or in msn or skype.

Anyway, looking forward to COSDU sports Day tmr. May the blue team (Ocean Nine) win!!!

And so...

2008-09-17T06:04:00.000-07:00

completed 2 out of 3 essays, submitted one today. It kinda remove the stone in my heart metaphorically. The last one left is an essay of 750 word, a kind of review of a recording that makes good use of music technology which is due this Friday. Thanks with the help of Debbie, I manage to find some techno music for a review.

It is indeed my first time dealing with essays in university. Unlike the essays in JC, you are required to do your own research in university. And the next thing to note that, you have to start your research very early, because you arent the only one doing the essay. If you drag your research, all the materials in the library would have been taken up. I remember all the books on Haydn symphonies are entirely borrowed and 2 of my books are actually on reserve, but I am going to take my time to return, the due date is on 22/9/08, i.e. next monday. Well, to the person who reserve it, TOO BAD!, though the book is with Angela now. I cannot return the book now, as it will be kept for the person who reserve it. For these 2 major essays, I guess I probably manage the time badly, but not as bad as some who have to burn midnight oil just to meet deadlines. I started my Haydn essay earlier, and it took me about 2 hours just to type a paragraph of 300 words. Got to think and type. Psychology essay is worse... that's because I dont have much materials, relied heavily on online materials... so I am keeping my fingers crossed for my psychology essay.

Putting essays aside, we did an interesting lab class for psychology in the morning. The senario is this: Suppose there is someone staring at the sky in the corner of a street, would you stare at the sky too? Would you stop? What if there are 3 ppl? What if there are 5? 10? We conducted the same experiment. We initially send 1 person to stare at the sky for 3 minutes and observe the passer by response. Not many people did react to the 1 person. But as the number increase, more people gave a glance to what we are staring. I guess the interesting part to this is that, what are the passer by thoughts when they saw we are just staring at the crest of University of Melbourne outside Sidney Myer Asia- Centre. It's really interesting to watch people's facial expression to it. I guess that's why I like psychology, the part of infering and interpreting people's minds. It helps me understand people better and react to others in a more appropriate way.

Next to.. music. I have the list of repertoires to be worked for the next semester:
JS Bach
Italian Concerto for Harpsichord in F
Partita No. 2 in C minor

Mozart
Sonata in A minor, K310

Kalebevsky
Sonata in F major, op. 46

Ginastera
3 Danzas Argentina

I still didnt get to do a work from Beethoven again. :(

Generally, I have improved in my piano technique within these 6 weeks of piano lessons. I am fortunate to have a very good piano teacher, one of the best piano teachers I have so far.

Alright, need to get some sleep. :D

Concert at Geelong

2008-09-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update:

Concert at Geelong went pretty well, in fact better than expected. I remembered the orchestra that accompanied us really CMI on Thursday. They were out of tune and so forth, and the choir couldnt really put a decent performance. But today, I think that's what a concert will do miracles, we performed well. There is a decent number of audience. Will update the pictures taken in my facebook.

On a side note, Geelong is a beautiful suburb. Went to the seaside for lunch although it's very expensive, but the food is good. Basilica of St Mary of the Angels is beautiful as well, it looks like a mini version of St Patrick's Cathedral...

Essays

2008-09-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

are a chore. Really troublesome with those referencing and stuffs. How I wish I can do the style of junior college, no referencing and stuffs, but then well, I am in University now.

For the cost of 3 essays, I have made some sacrifices. Skipped COSDU yesterday, skipped choir practice last Sunday...

Nearly being confronted by this idiotic Aussie guy. Thanks to his MP3. I was on the tram, waiting to alight at Colins Street to go for mass at St Patrick's Cathderal and Minor Basilica. He is hogging the whole passage way of the tram with his headphone on his ears. I didnt know he is planning to alight as well. I asked to be excused, softly at first, but obviously, this guy with his dumb headphone on his ears couldnt hear me, so probably ignored or didnt respond. I raised my volume a little, this time there is some response from him, though his attitude really pisses me off.

When we got down the tram, this shitass guy went to confront me saying that he can hear, got upset by the raised volume. Come on! You shitass aussie, you didnt respond to my first excuse me and how can I be so sure that you heard me... Well, I just apologised and walked off. Didnt want to get shot or beaten up, especially when people gets wild on Fridays and Saturday Evenings. I have witnessed many fights last week. One of those was just last Saturday, when I witness 2 incidents, firstly, 2 caucasian f***ing one another in the middle of the road, but thankfully there is a mediator. Moments later, I heard a gun shot, and apparently, Aaron told me that someone got shot in Chinatown, which is just 2 streets away from where I was. Ah well, how I wished I am in Singapore now... haha...

But in general, Aussies are nice people with a few exception, just like in every country, there would be some shitass. But ah well, that is just one off incident.

On a side note, met 2 friends, a guy and a girl from cosdu in St Patrick's Cathedral. Why do people form relationships so fast? Maybe that's why I couldnt fit into any groups. The 'older' members have formed their own cliques and the newer members (excluding me) have successfully found their cliques and partners. To join the cliques, I have to conform to them to fit into the group. (Sorry, I am doing a psychology essay on Conformity). So that's why I often feel left out. But it's okay, it has always been a case for me. As what Frankie's MSN nick says, "I am destined to be alone", but he is refering to himself la...

Ah well, looking forward to the performance at Geelong later...

Taking a Break...

2008-09-09T23:40:00.000-07:00

... from essays, from everything. I am in serious need of one now...

Just got back my first ever mid sem test. Actually, it's just a simple listening test where you got to identify 10 extracts, the genre, year and place of composition, composer and title of work and worth a good 10 percent of the entire module. Many people did well, or at least whom I know, although our lecturer says that the result range is very huge... from the lowest 9 marks to highest 49 marks/ 50. I think it's depends if you studied for it or not. I must say I am quite appalled when I unintentionally see the first paper on the script. I don't wish to comment further in case some highly moral person says it's wrong to see people's marks and very sensitive when it comes to race issue. :) Maybe those people who didnt do well, when it's possible to do so, thinks it's just a pathetic 10 percent of the module marks.

I guess I have to be skeptical about some people here. I guess I have been trying too hard to be sociable that I have failed to understand the minds of the other. Social psychology lessons today told me the reason: because I am new to this foreign place, someone trying to fit and conform to society. I am new to cosdu, I am new to the choir, I am new to environment, so I guess I shall take a break...

I am still considering which repertoire I should study for next semester.
Below are some examples:
Ginastera: 3 Danzas Argentina
Beethoven: Rondo Capprioso op. 129 'Rage over a lost penny'.
Sonata in C major, op. 53
Sonata in D minor, op. 31 no.2
Op. 81a in Eb
or any other beethoven works.
Mozart K310 in A minor or K311 in D major
I should note this down...

Ok.. getting back to my essay!

Mid Sems

2008-09-07T08:06:00.000-07:00

Wow, mid sems appear very fast, and the stress of deadlines are coming near.

The last few days of the week has been quite hectic for me. Have been reaching home at 3am in the morning.

It was Father's Day (in Australia) yesterday, and so COSDU has organised a celebration for Fr Mckenna, our chaplain, and of course, a good chance to socialise with the others although I am not a good socialiser and so, socialising functions usually end up late with nice souls giving us a lift back home. Thanks Denning for the trip.

Indeed, there are really many nice people in St Francis Choir. The thread on the bottom of my choir gown has came off. There is nothing I can do, since I am alone in this foreign place. Fortunately, Wendy came up and volunteered in helping me to sew back the thread, and offered to wash the gown for me, knowing that I am a foreign student in Melbourne with no kins in this land so that I can have a 'fresh new gown' for the performance at in Geelong next Sunday. Well, I guess these small but big gesture (decipher what I am trying to say) really makes me feel at home in the choir, although I am the youngest member in the choir. And not forgetting Marilyn and Teresa who offered to give me a lift from the city to the Suburbs (Geelong) this thursday and Sunday respectively. I am really thankful for them. I am really looking forward to the performance of Gounod's Messe Solennelle at St Mary's in Geelong. It is going to be my first big performance as a choir member of St Francis and as a choral member of the church and in my whole life (remember i was a violist)!

After mass, I was supposed to attend the combined rehearsal at 2pm for the performance, but decided to give a skip to compensate for the loss time due to over socialising for the past 2 days(though I feel bad about it) to start typing my essay due on 19 september. However, Felix called and asked me out for lunch although I suspected his intentions for asking me out for lunch. Seriously, no one would be nice to ask this boring guy who lacks social skills for lunch unless there is a motive for it. Haha. Please dont get me wrong, I am not upset by him. But rather, I would prefer him to tell me his real intentions of asking me out for lunch (to help him choose a keyboard for his own use after lunch) than just merely asking someone out for lunch. Unfortunately, I had my lunch before he called, but I still voluntarily and willingly went to Allan's Music store to try out the keyboards.

Late nights often put me in a depressive state of mind. I wonder if there is any studies done in it?

There is so much I wish to tell you, but I just couldnt.

Ok, going back to sleep. It's almost 2am. I have just completed 2 pages, 500 words of the Haydn essay. YAY!!!

A conversation

2008-09-03T06:16:00.000-07:00

I was talking to a friend in MSN regarding this relatively 'high profile' person whom we know. High profile because of his/ her success in life and what he has achieved. It all began because I found something interesting in the person's blog, the similar topic on the feeling of emptiness in my previous blog. Please note: I wont disclose the person's name or attempt to give any clues about the person we are talking about.

It struck me that even a person with all his/ her acheivements and successes in life would feel empty. Why? I shall give the person whom I am describing as X. I do not know X really well enough, except for some casual exchanges, but I do hear lots about X because of his popularity in the group which I am in, both positive and negative things.

X has lots of friends, an extremely charming figure who impresseses one with his/her wealth of talents. X is loved by his/ her organisation he/ she leads. X has everything, doing very well in his/ her field of studies, and yet the feeling of emptiness. What struck me the most is the suggestion which my friend gives " X needs to take [his/her] friend more seriously... forever floating around... and having too many friends is not a good thing..."

For me personally, I am the total opposite of this person X. I do not have the charisma, talents and the profile of this person. I am more of an introvert though I am now opening up myself to others more compared to who I am 5 years ago. A quiet person who wont be able to catch the attention of anyone in a group. Of course, a person like me wont be able to attract more friends than X. As what my friend suggested ' having too many friends is not a good thing', maybe it's really a blessing in disguise. Please dont get me wrong, I do admit that we should have as much friends as possible, but sometimes, we have so many friends that we do not know which group to 'entertain', or have to give our bit of self to each social group.

For me, though my social circle is small compared to X, I must say I do treasure my friends though I might not be able to express it or show it. So to all my dear friends (you know who you are), you will always be treasured by me!!! :D

2008-08-29T19:35:00.000-07:00

I had attended a rather interesting session yesterday in cosdu. Interesting- because of the speaker, Fr Robbins with his cute gestures (but his tone of speech can put people off sometimes, as he can end up mumbling to himself), the topic and the questions we asked. Nevertheless, his session is informative and enriching.

The session is about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Why do we need to go for confession? Why must we confess to a priest and not confess directly to God?

I remembered his first response to the question on why do we need to go to a priest for confession is why do we need to go to church to be baptised if we can actually 'join the church' just by saying to God 'I want to join the faith'. He quoted the scripture John 20 where Jesus told his disciples 'if you forgive people sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven'. So Jesus has given the power to his apostles to forgive sins, and since the priest are the 'descendants' of the apostle, we should confess our sins to the priest.

Someone asked the defination of 'grave sin'. Well, for a sin to be considered grave, it must be a grave sin (duh), there must be self consent and knowledge (that the sin is wrong). Some questions asked 'Are priests allowed to disclose other people's sin under ALL circumstances?' Someone actually gave an example of what if someone confesses that he killed the priest's mother... *shocked*...

After the session, we went for our dinner as usual and went to a pub for drinks. I ordered a non alcoholic drink as usual and actually learned to play pool. Well, dinner session and the drinking session is indeed an eye opener as I start to learn some secrets, e.g. the couples in cosdu etc.

Oh well, going to get back to my essay question.

Another ramblings...

2008-08-28T06:21:00.000-07:00

about life. Haha. Many things have happened in the past few days. Ok, I shall rephrase it, many unimportant things have happened emotionally. Alphonsus is just one guy who likes to think and reflect alot about life issues. In reality, Alphonsus got to cope with 3 essays that is due in 3 weeks time. 2 2000-word essay and 1 750-word essay.

I really miss those days in JC when we are being spoon feed like babies, with notes for essays. I am doing a essay question on Haydn's development of the symphony. Really reminds me of the Haydn's development of String Quartet that we did, and our MEP teachers will provide us with the notes. Now, no more spoonfeeding, got to thrive on our own. And it's really competitive here, the books in the school library has limited books and there are about 108 students doing the same question, (though I don't think all will do the question on Haydn Symphonies). Fortunately, I borrowed the book early for my essay.

The COSDU band has decided to have a jammin session yesterday for the first time at Amanda's place. It's rather funny, because it's kind of last minute decision. We didnt prepare any songs, just randomly pick up 'old' P n W songs and later, Amanda and Bernice printed some songs from the internet. We decided to have this warm up song, which we have selected 'One Way' by HillSongs in the COSDU style. Of course, the girls had chosen some oldies or contemporary music, one of which I kept playing on the keyboard, 'That Thing you do', and JAnan was like wondering why I love that song. Haha.

After jamm'in, we went to search for food. Apparently, most people had not had their dinner and were famished by 11pm. Thankfully, we found a Kebab stall at Lygon/ Queensbury Street, and another bonus is that it's 24 hour stall. I must say it's very rare to find a stall that is 24 hour in a westernised country. After dinner, we stayed to chat about random things, from water bottles, to movies, to church stuffs. One of which I find it an eye opener is the grey area of the church practices, attitudes to homosexuals, divorce, abortion etc. I guess we might have been to absorbed in chatting that we overlooked the time till someone said it's 10 minutes to 2 AM. I was really thinking it's only 1am at most. How time flies.

Have you ever feel that your life lacks something although you know you are not in need of anything? I leave you with this...

Facebook Photo Tag Saga

2008-08-26T05:45:00.000-07:00

Just need to put my comments down on the facebook group photo saga that is happening now. It's hilarious and interesting.

Well, I believe it all started when someone nice who tried tagging everyone he/ she see in the photo. Very unfortunately, facebook only allow us to tag 30 ppl maximum at once, so some people are inevitably left out. Then someone made a casual comment that he/ she is left out and the person who tagged 30 people is rather apologetic about it and nice people started trying to tag everything they see in the picture but in vain.

The saga is started by nice people who is trying to fit everyone in the group, trying to help. Some people looked rather serious about being tagged or not, and some just argued in the name of fun. So simple social theory tells you that if there 3 conflicting types of people in a group, there will be bound to be an argument.

It's hard to be nice these days... ;)

2008-08-24T04:41:00.000-07:00

I wonder why I have been thinking a lot and getting too emotional these few days. Maybe it's due to insufficient, late night sleep but reasonable wake up time. Some are really depressing. So the morale of the story is, dont sleep late too often, it will set your mind thinking and make myself whiney.

Woke up early for choir this morning. Sang the mass by Palestrina. Just in case you dont know who is Palestrina, he is a composer in the 16th century. So of course, a capella is quite common in those time. Singing a capella is always a challenge, but the choir is relatively strong. (Duh, one of the requirements to join the choir is the ability to sight sing). Not that I am good in sight sing, but I can do basic intervals. Having a musical background is certainly an advantage in singing in this strong choir.

I just had a little conversation with my piano student on Yahoo Messenger, the girl who got a distinction for her grade 1 exam. She is really intelligent for a 11 year old. I guess because she reads alot and yesterday she gave me some riddles for me to guess. Here are some examples:

What grows down when it grows up?
A goose (why? Cause according to what she read, down is something which keeps the goose warm or something like that?) I was like... wah, so impressed...

And of course some not so informative ones like:
What does a yellow umbrella become when it is put into a red sea?
It becomes wet.

Oh well, she is chosen for the school concert this November, due to her distinction score of 133. But unfortunately, I will only be back on December.

For myself, I will not be having piano lesson tomorrow as my piano teacher is sick. Musically, I guess I have improved this week. Manage to play Moszkowski etude once through at a relatively fast speed, though I think not up to standard yet. I guess her insistence of having curved fingers works. My ambitious self tells me that I should start doing another etude, anyway, got the kick of playing fast notes, really, something which I have not successfully done as my piano teacher says that I couldnt play fast with my old technique.

Oh yes, I got a free 1kg of rice today. (eh, though it's only 1 kg, it means a lot, u know, no worries for a week?) How does the story go? It all happened when I went to Cole's supermarket to get rice for my daily use. Strangely though, I will usually buy the packet of 2Kg rice, but today, I decided to get the 1 Kg which cost $2.09 as stated. I didnt want to get the 4 kg of rice (which cost $4.09) because I do not have much petty cash with me ( left with 4 bucks and I refuse to draw money and cant pay by EFTPOS as it's less than 10 bucks). What happened was when I went to pay for my packet of rice, the counter stated $2.49. I was shocked and initially thought I had seen wrongly, but the cashier read my body languauge and asked 'Do you want me to check the price out?' She went and found out that it's an error on their part. She told me that it's indeed a mistake and I can have the 1kg of rice for free. Well, come to think of it, how strange sometimes things can turn out. :D

Arsenal lost! :(

Random

2008-08-23T01:04:00.000-07:00

Just to add on to the previous post...

One of my piano student from Singapore had emailed me on Wednesday to inform me that she scored a distinction ( 133/ 150) for her grade 1 piano exam. She is one of my very first student, my first student of my teaching career. Of course, I am proud of her and felt a sense of acheivement in teaching piano. Hopefully, she will continue to progress under the guidance of another teacher.

I miss my piano students. :(

Ok, going to cook...

Long day

2008-08-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

Just came back home at slightly past midnight. Thankfully, the trams here operates till 1am on Fridays.

Oh gosh, I had an experience of just walking aimlessly before a session with COSDU. I had actually walked down Swanston Street, without realising I missed the crucial turn to the chaplaincy. It's like a nightmare I used to have in the past, walking down a street, where everything building changes so fast although you have just travelled there 1 week ago and now you could not recognise your way. BUt nevertheless, I manage to wake up and find my way there.

I had a enriching session with COSDU just now. Angela introduced us to i-bible. If you do not know what i-bible is, it's just reading scriptures on the internet. It's good to know that technology is so advanced now that we can even download the scripture to our MP3 player, or probably I am just a noob in technology who dont know such things exist.

After being introduced to i-bible, we had our own mini- bible sharing and of course being introduced to keeping a prayer journal.

Personally, I had unsuccessfully kept a prayer journal for a few days (during my NS days in camp), where I just write out my thoughts and prayer to God. Most of my prayers are actually my 'cries' to God, talking about the pain of being rejected, problems in camp etc. Well, eventually I didnt faithfully continue this practice because I will get more depressed, I will overthink and over worry, think too much when writing about it. The problem with me is that I read things too much and over analyse certain issues in life in the PAST. Though I am putting all these behind me, sometimes I do get to the habit of over-thinking. But nevertheless, it's a controlled now. If any people want to know what's the secret, it's just putting your 'perception of big things' into small things and let things go. As what Frankie has always advised me, life is not about holding on, and there are many better things in life waiting for us to experience. Well, this advice has helped me alot.

After the session, we had dinner at Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant in Chinatown. Boy, it's packed but thankfully, Hilary has booked the seats for us. After which, we went to a bar to have a few cup of drinks, (Nah, didnt take any alcohol today). The highlight of this drinking session of course is that, someone in our group found a unopened packet of condom on the floor. I will stop here for now before my blog is being censored for adult content! Oh, please dont read too much into this! Nothing is lost, just had fun! :P

Generally, I had a spiritually-fulfilling day today, attended mass at St Francis, followed by Novena at 12.30pm and made my first confession in Australia.

Till next time...

P/S JAnan: apologies for spelling your name wrongly in my earlier post! :P

1st blog with pictures

2008-08-20T01:57:00.000-07:00

It has been the 4th week of semester, which means I am in Australia for 1 month already, away from my parents for 2 weeks. Many people have asked me if I missed Singapore during my time here. Well, I would say not really (sorry to disappoint you guys). But please don't take me for some heartless creature on earth who don't have feelings for my fatherland. I do miss you guys back in Singapore, I miss the children's choir which I have raised for the past 6 months, am glad to know that the choir sang well even when I am not around and of course, and also thanks to Denise who ensure the choir kept their standards of singing.

Staying away from parents and ALONE in a foreign country helps me to learn new things. I pretty treasure my new freedom/ independence/ life very much. No worries, I won't go wild or become unrecognisable when I return to Singapore. It's a chance for me to discover the real 'me' and having and developing my own self identity. So in another words, you can put it that instead of missing home each day, I will make full use of my time here in Australia to gain new insights and perspective of life. It's also a matter of the chinese saying 'Chuan2 dao4 qiao1 tou2 zi4 ran2 zhi3' (the numbers represent the strength of the accent). In another words, the path will eventually be straight as the boat approaches the bank.

Some lifeskills I have learnt:

1) To Cook small dishes for myself. I am very fortunate to have a mum who can cook very well and here are the recipes which I have learnt from her. (Here are some pictures of the food which I have personally made for myself)

Homemade Wanton

Wanton Mee

Blackpepper pork

Hungry now? Lol! I can cook better than I thought I could. ;)
Academic wise, I am enjoying what I am doing now. MUSIC. How has music been? Well, just lots of self practising on the piano, at least 2 hours each day. Music lectures has been pretty interesting. Aural lectures and tutorials are about clapping and singing. Medieval and Early modern music--> same old boring stuffs but still interesting to know. Music technology, learning how to use logic express to create music. Cool! And of course, not forgetting my breadth subject- PSYCHOLOGY: interesting to know some studies done and what has been infered. Learnt how human mind develops and also the developmental process of a child. Good application for my children's choir back home. Below are some pictures taken during orientation week. It shows you how small an intake for faculty of music in July. Note: There are more 1st year students who entered in February this year.

Julie, Ngon Lung (Angela), Me and our student host, Lucy

Angela, Me, Lucy and Julie

P/s: Angela was my secondary school junior back in Dunman High School. See how NS slows boys education by 2 years. ;)

Of course, not forgetting my dear friends from COSDU. They are friends which I can say I have made during the 4 weeks here besides the small intake of friends from music faculty. Will post pictures with some people of COSDU if I have the pictures! As some people who had entered University will say, you wont make much friends just by attending lectures and tutorials. This is true, because people you see in tutorials usually come and go, and you only get to see them like merely 1 hour each week, and people attending lectures are just there for lectures.

OK. THat's about it. Will try to post more pictures soon, but it will take ages to upload pictures here! :P

A busy but meaningful day

2008-08-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Yup, finally the day is here.

I woke up at 8am to prepare myself for this long day ahead of me. I was like dragging my feet out initially at first, because of how tired I was since Friday night, not because of the reluctancy to go but because of the tiredness. Reached the Sacred Heart church at 9.30am by foot, about 20 min walk from my apartment. Just in case, Sacred Heart Church is abandoned in a way as there is no regular masses being celebrated there but it's often used for special events like weddings etc.

I helped out in polishing the brass candle stands in church in preparation for the mass. After that, we had our music practise for mass till 2pm. By then, I was famished. Went back home to cook instant noodles as I am too tired and hungry to cook a proper meal. After lunch, went to Berkerly Street to practise my piano repertoire and went back to church of Sacred Heart for the mass.

The turn out for today's event was pretty good, about estimated 150 ppl. There are also many new 'first timers'. Amanda played the drum for mass for the first time, and she plays very well today. Angela cantors the responsorial psalm for the first time too, and she did well for the first time too. :D Of course, I got to meet 2 new 'old experienced' birds, Jean is good at leading praise and worship and of course, Nelson, the regular keyboardist before me plays really well in the praise and worship song. In general, music today is good. There is a girl, apparently also doing music (piano) as well in my school, came up to me excitedly and asked me if I am from Melbourne University as well doing music. She is rather surprised as she had not seen me around in piano class. Neither have I met her, but oh well, got to know another person. ;)

Before the mass, there are 2 students who gave a testimony on the event. There is one who shared about how God planned his trip to Sydney and truly, our God is marvellous. After mass, we went to Fr Michael's Mckenna's place for a pizza party. Wines and pizza and a group of wonderful friends, had a good time there after which Janan would give me a ride back home.

Sigh, time passes really fast. Now got to get back to work, and the start of week 4 of semester, oh yes, I will be singing with St Francis Choir for 11am mass tomorrow, pretty looking forward to it as well! :D Loving it!

Week 3

2008-08-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

I have been rather busy and excited about things happening. It's just when things start going.

1 main event this week:
1) University Students Post WYD Reunion Mass

Although I didnt attend WYD, I am pretty looking forward to it. :D

Week 2 End

2008-08-08T05:55:00.000-07:00

So, the end of week 2 of 1st semester has come to an end. I have more or less settled down, although my parents are not in Australia with me anymore.

School has been pretty fine for me. Had my first tutorials and lectures. Not much complains so far, probably because I am studying what I love. Made many new friends from COSDU (Catholic Overseas Student Down Under). I guess I made a right choice in joining cosdu. It's always good to make friends of the same religion, same faith. We had a mass today, which I played the keyboard in. Mass went very smoothly, received many good compliments about the music. Jenan (the guitarist) was telling me how happy he was today because the music in general went very well. Yay! After mass, we went to korean/ japanese restaurant in the corner of La Trobe St. and Elizabeth St. for dinner. There is a large population of Malaysians and Singaporeans in Cosdu, strangely most of us are Asians, except for 1 or 2 from France. I am very excited about the events coming up next organised by COSDU, for e.g. a Postlude to WYD mass which cosdu is in charge of music and liturgy. I always missed playing for mass.

Yesterday, attended an audition for St Francis Choir. I did sucessfully got in, joining the Bass section. The choir is really good. It's a challenge for me to sing in latin, especially in the diction of latin words. I love the Rachmaninov's Ave Maria, it's splendid. For now, I wont be joining them on Sunday till when the music director says I am ready.

I manage to successfully cook meals for myself, from potato rice, wanton mee etc. Yay! I guess it's good to stay alone sometimes. You get to learn to be independent!

Oh yes, I was assigned to a piano teacher, Ms Caroline Almonte. She is a renown Australian pianist who has done many recordings for ABC (Australian Broadcasting Company).

Ok. Got to get back to work! Loving it! :D

THIS CALLS FOR CELEBRATION!!!

2008-08-04T03:08:00.001-07:00

Oh gosh, I couldnt believe it, I am dreaming. Dreaming by the email I received from the school in my school portal account:

Dear Student,Congratulations! You have been awarded a $5000 New Generation InternationalUndergraduate Scholarship. Please see your attached offer pack for further details. Kind regardsLucinda

Though the amount doesnt cover the entire school fees, but it is a form of allowance for me, and it can offload my dad's expense a little. But I never expected I would be the recipient of this small bursary.

That means... got to work hard and pass all my exams! Will blog about my first week in school when I have the time. But, I just need to get this off my mind! :D

Shorties

2008-07-27T05:14:00.000-07:00

Erm, just a quick update on what's happening...

I just got the message that I have to check my timetable allocation for my psychology module, Mind, Brain and Behaviour online. At first, the time allocated for my practical lessons is horrible- from 6PM TO 8PM on Tuesdays. But fortunately, after coming back online, I think someone got to transfer their lesson on Wednesday, so I did manage to change my practical time to 8am on Wednesday so that I wont have late nights.

Attended 11am mass in St Francis as wished. The choir is awesome. It changes my perception of mass a little. I guess I come from a country where people got nothing to do but to crticise this, criticise everything, and some people even think they can do better. Who says congregation needs to participate verbally during mass? I guess if the congregation can get into the mood of the mass, it's a form of spiritual participation, isnt it? I also believe that the priest who is celebrating the 11am mass did practise with the choir to work on the mass setting for the eucharastic prayer. The choir really fitted well into the background. I think you wont get to see this even for the most HIGH masses in Singapore. Why? To put in good words, Singapore priests claim to be very busy to bother about practising with the choir for different mass setting or should I say they are just plain lazy? When asked to practise the intonation for a new setting, they will just simply say ' use the norm'. Well, well, see the cultural difference? ;)

O's Week

2008-07-24T04:56:00.000-07:00

I have been busy with the enrolment and orientation stuffs these few days. I can now say I am officially a University of Melbourne Student. I have already sort of planned my timetable. What can I say about my timetable? Well, Full days on Monday, Tuesday and longer days on Thursday, half day on Wednesday and free days on Friday, so which means longer weekends for me to do work.

The Melbourne University is really huge, just that the music conservatory is a little bit out of place in the whole campus. I did manage to practise the grand boston piano. Some of the strings was out of tune and the pianos are usually full. So many good piano players in the conservatory. Got to work more!

I will only get to know my individual piano mentor next week, so hopefully I will get a mentor who is encouraging, motivating and dedicated!

Pre- School Activities

2008-07-20T00:03:00.001-07:00

Before I am starting to visit the University of Melbourne for enrolment and orientation, I will blog about my first experience with mass in this place. I attended the 10am mass instead of the 11am mass, as my dad planned to travel to more places after mass.

Well, the mass in melbourne is just like any other masses. I guess mass is all the same. It's a cycle of Stand-sit-kneel-sequence, except that it follows the old school of Catholic practices. But I did manage to take a peek at the St Francis Choir during the 11am mass. They have about 20 strong. Attending the 11am mass here reminds me of the mass in the 16th century. THe congregation actually sits down during Kyrie and Gloria to watch the choir perform the movements of the mass they are singing. Note: when I say movements of the mass, I mean the classical mass with 5 movements: Kyrie, Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Credo, THe Lord's Prayer (I forgot the Latin name) and Agnus Dei. So if you are a person who loves to watch a chorale performance or a choir concert and loves attending mass as well or you are looking to do a performance or concert in any mass in Singapore, you are indeed killing more than 2 birds. What's more, you dont have to pay to watch the 'concert'. I really admire the people before the Vatican I. I will attend the full 11am mass in the future.

After 10am mass, we went to the Melbourne Central Station shopping centre for some shopping. After which, my mum and I proceed to Victoria Market again (the 4th time in 4 days) to see the Sunday atmosphere on Sunday afternoon while my dad went to sight see on his own.

Looking forward to school tomorrow!

Day 3 at Down Under

2008-07-19T05:19:00.000-07:00

We went for more sight seeing today. I have just found out that there is actually a Catholic church which is a few direct tram stops away from my apartment. It's called Saint Francis Church. Melbourne has lots of churches, you might be surprised that there are 10 St. Francis Church in Australia (of course I am exaggerating here), but what I really mean is that there are many other christian denomination sharing the same saint's name, so you gotta double check if you are entering the right church.

Before we went to St Francis Catholic Church, I actually did my homework as usual to find out about the history of the church. I am quite pleased to know that St Francis is one of the oldest catholic church in Melbourne. What's more, it has a very strong music ministry. It is a home to one of the finest Catholic church choir in melbourne, (I think should be of the same calibre or better than Peter Low's Choir from Singapore, considering that the choir has a very long history of 150 years). The St. Francis Choir usually sings for Sunday 11am mass and when I looked at the programme, they will be singing those traditional 5 movement mass, by composers such as Mozart, Haydn, etc. Wow. Guess, if there is a chance, I would join the St Francis Choir instead of the Melbourne University Choir. But you see, there is an audition required, and we are required to sing at sight. After that, we went to the catholic bookshop at St Francis. Got 2 hymn books called Spirit of Song 1 and Spirit of Song 2, to start my own collection of church liturgical music.

After that, we took a tram down to Collins Street and transfer to another tram to St Patrick's Cathedral. If you like old European Churches with stain glass and beautiful architecture, you will love St Patrick's Cathedral. I was really impressed by the structure of the church, not like those you see in Singapore. You will feel that you are entering a church if you visit those old European Church. Really loving it. It's the same for St Francis Church, filled with stain glass and beautiful traditional church architecture, with pipe organ. I am loving the church in Melbourne.

Having some problems uploading the picture friends, as my internet speed is no longer the usual 512Kpps but it's only 384 and it gets slower till 64 Kpps as the month passes by. Will try to look for ways to upload the pictures as much as possible.

On a side note, my body is adapting to the cold 10 degree celcius in average by being down with a flu. But no worries, it will get better. Off to St Francis's and maybe St Kilda's Beach tomorrow. Looking forward to it.

Take care, friends! :D

2008-07-18T05:04:00.000-07:00

Greetings From Down Under...

Before I started complaining about my flight to Melbourne, just want to say that I am safe and sound here. I just got the internet connected to my apartment, a single studio apartment, with a bed, a mini kitchen, a study desk and own toilet. It's a cosy environment here, just think of single bed hotel room with a small kitchen and you'll get the picture.

Arrived Melbourne safety at 5am (Singapore Time), 7 am here yesterday. First thing that surprises me was the temperature, like 10 degree Celcius? My flight to Melbourne wasnt a smooth one, had many little unexpected surprises here and there.
1) My parents didnt apply for a visa. Thankfully, we manage to make one last minute. Sin $100.
2) Baggage exceeded the allowed capacity: 65kg, 10 Kg more than the allowance of 55kg.
Cost: Sin $120 and Aus $130
3) My mum's baggage was checked for medicine (she didnt declare it). The medicine was taken for a while to be tested, thankfully, everything was ok and the immigration officer let us through after checking out at Darwin Airport.

Upon arrival, the first thing we did was to take a cab to my new house, in North Melbourne. Reached my apartment at about 8am, and the property manager wasnt there yet, so had to wait for a while till 9am, where someone gave us the key to my room. Went to the room, found out that the pillow is missing, but nevertheless, we left the luggage in my room and go to the nearby cafe for breakfast. The entire day was spent on checking in at our individual accomodation and shopping/ scouting Victoria Market.

Talking about Victoria Market, it's indeed very huge, bigger than the biggest market you can find in Singapore. Some things are dirt cheap, for eg. we manage to get 3 big acovados for just Aus $2. The vegetables look different from the ones in Singapore. Most of them come in big portion, for e.g the BIG red Pepper, and the BIG green pepper. Got an alarm clock, pillow and a security box there. Had lunch at the Victoria Food Court. Man, it's a different concept from Singapore, basically the food court has 4 main stores, with one serving Indian, Italian, Cantonese and I forgot the other food. It's just a walkable distance from my apartment. We had dinner at a Thai restaurant and it was good.

Today, we had a more organised plans in mind, for e.g. the things to settle etc. Set up and Australian bank account and went to Chinatown to do some shopping again. I didnt manage to travel the whole of Chinatown but visited the Target Centre. Went back to Victoria market again to get groceries such as rice, toiletries such as toilet paper, tissue, cooking oil etc. Had my first experience on board a tram. Travelled down Swaston Street till Yarra River.

What can I say about my 2- day stay here? I am just loving each moment here. Hopefully nothing changes it during the 3 to 4 years here. I promise to blog more about my stay in Melbourne.