JC too close! :) 

Bassist - oh so close! 

The drummer - totally awesome! 

Drummer and trumpet dude....during drummer's solo..! Crazy!!! 

JC on kit 

End of concert, outside Palais Theatre - Xing, me, Elise + the poster! 

Xing + Jamie 

Jamie Cullum + Elise 

Jamie Cullum and me!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D 

What an amazing concert

As i rush to devour my noodle-lunch before heading to the airport....
I'll give a quick rview of the concert

So, Elise, Xing n i headed down to the tram stop. we think we have a fail-proof plan, after last friday's tram stresses! We figure we'll give ourselves a buffer of half and hour, which was good, because we missed the tram we thought we were going to catch. But never fear, the next one wasn't far away. Elise had her sister's digi cam, which she'd never used before. So, she's experiementing, and i'm doing some weird pose....and this random old guy comes over and puts his arm aroun dme and asks "Are you taking photos of beautiful people?"

Omg. I was so surprised. elise thougth i migth have known him, but i slowly turned my head to look at this very random guy.....friendly, but weird at the same time. we made small talk and i started to fear when he got on the same tram as us. that's ok. he came over and said "ladies, I'm sorry, i can't be your boyfriend....I'm too old". Hehe. it was really cute.So, that was my tram story. I crossed my threshold for furthest been on tram! Yay! Made it down to St Kilda!! (Finally...but not during the day, so my mentor-mentee date is still on! hehe :P )

Ok, so we get to the Palais theatre, and get our tickets.
talk about strict entry conditions...checking bags for alcohol and cameras...we were allowed small cameras. elise had this debacle concerning her supposedly professional looking camera. finally, got over it.
gosh, the theatre is soo nice! it's all old and grand and stuff....very suited to (larger) acoustic acts. So so beautiful...[see below for photos]

Mark Sholtez opened the concert. He is soo awesome! He is a brisbane jazz/pop-infused pianist/guitarist/singer/songwriter. what an act. he is seriously such a rising star. He's playign about 3 times at bennett's lane on fridays in may, so we should def. head down, becuase he's really awesome! ok, and he's hot too.... hehe :P (it's all about the suit man! hahaha). anyway, he's got a really awesome sound.....really really good. i'm gonna have to get his album, Real Street.

so then jamie cullum comes out to this amazing audience!!!
he started off pretty much how i expected from a concert....but things livened up when his band were drinking on stage...hehe. and he started talking to the audience....started taking off layers (as one should wear in melbourne).........got really excited......stomping on piano, using everything on the piano, using piano stool on piano...!

he played stuff from his entire repertoire, not just Catching tales, which was really aweomse....TwentySomething songs featured a bit! The band was soo awesome, made up of a bassist (playing electric bass as well as electirc double bass...totally aweosme!), a HOT drummer (i use the term 'hot' to denote how aweosme he is!), a trumpeter/guitarist and a saxophonist/percussionist/mixer. ALL TOTALLY AWESOME!!! they are an aweosme band...i don't think he could ask for a better band behind him! man, if i had a band like that..!

there was lots of fun during the concert....
* Jamie stepping up on the piano
* Jamie jumping from piano
* Notting Hill carnival sounds infused to the end of a song....complete with street drums, whistles and shrieks! Talk about the party atmosphere!
* Jamie on guitar
* Jamie on drums
* Cool piano things...ok, they probably hurt the piano.....stopped strings, percussive noises (banging the lid against the piano)
* Jamie percussion-ing....on the piano
* Jamie beat-boxing
*The sax solo.....amazing!!!!
* The drum solo........whifch went for a good five minutes...like, he was drumming EVERYTHIGN on stage.....including the piano...and its strings...shoulda seen jamie's face....of almost horror at the piano being treated like that hehe! :P
* the party atmosphere
* Jamie yelling out "Everybody come down the front! You pay as much for the ticket already!"
* Interactive concert....everybody singing a simple harmony thingo whikle jamie did his thing.
* jamie telling everybody to get up and on the count of 4, to jump. Yes, the whole theatre was jumping in time. like a mosh pit. totally aweomse
* all the girls yelling out "I love you jamie!!" in high pitched squeals.....then a low growl going "I love you jamie". Haha. jamie was playing piano at the time and totaly pakced it. haha.
*jamie coming down to the audience (the bassist following him). he sang this awesome version of Nature Boy.
* Jamie coming right by me. yes, he walked RIGHT BY ME. yes, i stuck out my hand to have a high-five or whatever. and yes, HE GRABBED MY HAND. now i'm sounding like an obsessive fan (you woulnd't be far..) yes, he actually grabbed it. he walked RIGHT past me a number of times. he sang so close to me. i could have hugged the bassist from my seat. (i almost did..! haha)

totally awesome.
so manyextra songs at the end...i'll find the time later to list more things, maybe...?

MY GOODNESS ME, WHAT A NIGHT!!!!! WHAT A CONCERT!!!

at the end, we were RAVING for ages!!!! xing wanted macca's, so we were like, "let's go there!" but i spotted a rather large crowd round the corner..
so we decided to join the obsessive fans to wait for him to come out. it was freezing. we waited about an hour with 60 other fans....

we were going to leave at 12 for fear of missing the tram, but soon after (we're really indecisive, so we stood there tyring to decide whether to stay or go), we heard screams and jamie had come out. yes....
and he said "I'm not leaving until i've met all you guys and you've all got your autographs and photos". he obliged to meet EVERY SINGLE person. we were last.
we got autographed tickets..(xing..programme..), a photo with him (see below) and a HUG AND A KISS! heheh :P
he is a real shorty (for a guy...) but still taller than me...pity!
haha. my camera didn't work, so it's in digital format thanks to xing's camera. as a friend fumbled for the next camera, i just kinda stood there next to jamei with his arm aroun dme. hahahaha. totally aweosme. i'm sure the grin on my face was sheer ecstasy.

so, we got to meet him. i told him i was from perth. hah.
we tol dhim he was totally awesome. we watched him get into his car, we waved to him...and blew the kisses (obsessive fans we are..!)

HECK, IT WAS DEF. ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS FOR A LONG TIME!!
wow wow wow wow.

see below forphotos...

gotta chuck out the trash, go get ready to leave for the airport to head to perth!!!!!!!!
see u all either at home...0or back in mebourne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(sorry so messy and crazy!)

The best week in a while....

Ok, so having sufficiently blabbed on about The Idea of North concert, I am about to embark on an amazingly long Jamie Cullum blab. Maybe tomorrow, but yeah, I will. Let's just say that it was SO AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hopefully tomorrow....I'll try post some photos....and the whole review. I've been on a high all day! Having gotten 62 of Elise's photos, I'm about to get a whole stack more from Xing...I will write a review soon, photos will go up soon.

There were many highlights, the one most people heard about the most was Jamie Cullum actually grabbing my hand as he strolled about the audience. (Don't worry, I have washed my hand since..!) Standing outside the stage door for a good hour waiting for him to appear. Then him subsequently annoucning that he wouldn't leave until everybody had gotten an autograph/photo etc. So, we did. We got autograph, photo with him......hug and a kiss. :D :D He's short for a guy. hehe. that' s ok....

now to nab those photos....!

City

Your city style match is New York City

The Big Apple. It's the city that never sleeps. And like New York City, you're a gal on the go who's got lots going on. Motivated and driven, you're not afraid to work hard and put in the long hours to reach your goals.

You have an edge that can go from uptown to downtown, 5th Avenue to the West Village, and anywhere in between. Whether you're in work attire, party clothes, or weekend wear, you make a stylish statement that's sophisticated, elegant, and all your own. As they say — if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere!


Which City Matches Your Style?

Brought to you by Tickle

Celebrity.... :P

Your celebrity soul mate is someone who's Indie

You're probably not one to take the path most traveled. In fact, an independent spirit like you would much rather carve out your own special niche. So it's only natural that your romantic match would be required to do the same.

Someone who's unique, intelligent, maybe a bit serious and brooding is right for the part. An indie actor like Johnny Depp seems best suited for that role. And it only makes sense that you'd rather have your rendezvous at places that are under the radar — just like you! So, keep making your own waves in the world. The awards and accolades are sure to follow for you and your celeb soul mate! And even if you don't live in the same reality as your celebrity soul mate, you can still meet someone who's indie close to home. So get moving!





Who's Your Celebrity Soul Mate?

Brought to you by Tickle

Movie...

If you were a movie, you'd be a Groundbreaking Documentary
If you think documentaries are boring, think again. Like your movie match, you're an intelligent individual who makes people think. Documentaries span all sorts of topics, from the trivial to the profound. Perhaps your interests do the same, but one thing's clear — you're a smarty and you like to learn.

We'd guess you're the person at the dinner table or the water cooler who stirs up lively debates about the latest news or tidbits from the Discovery Channel. Part of you probably gets a kick out of creating controversy and getting people fired up about their beliefs. Another part probably likes opening people's eyes and sharing your thoughts. And for that, you get two thumbs up for trying to get to the bottom of things and making waves!


What Kind of Movie Are You?

Brought to you by Tickle

What else did I do?

Saturday signalled my first big adventure in the big city of Melbourne. I went shopping by myself to Myer and Allan's and stuff. I unfortunately didn't find too much that I wanted to buy. That's ok...I did manage to get lost in Myer....that place is humungous! Heck, I even got lost in The Basement! I couldn't manage to find the Miss Shop section until I exited, found the shoe department, went back downstairs to find the chick's fashion and eventually found the girls bit of The Basement.

The chapel service last night was amazing. We sang everything unaccompanied...it was a very sombre service, but the music was just divine. Included were hymns that were harmonised by Bach and a couple of Tallis works.

The service at Jude's was really good. :)
We saw Tim (yay!), gave Sam our nametags and I met this guy who randomly asked me,
"Were you at The Idea of North concert on Friday night?"

Wow.
Yeah, turns out he was too, he must have recognised me (how on earth did he do that? He's either seen me before, or he's got this FANTASTIC memory! I, on the other hand, have never seen him, met him, nor remember him!) We raved on about the concert for a little while, then agreed that we'd see each other in October, at their next concert, and hopefully around before then, at church! Hehe :P

so, that was my oh-so-exciting weekend. Should be going to class soon.....!

The Review

So, having slept on it, I think I may be able to write a coherant review of last night.

We were lucky for so many reasons.
Firstly, we caught a much later tram, and as I sat there, stressing about not making the concert, I wondered whether they would start without us and whether we'd be able to get in.
Luckily, we were almost the last people there, but they let us in, right before they were to start! So lucky.
And our seats were at tables. There were about 18 small (read: 4 people each) tables and then behind that were stall seats. The venue is very intimate, about 100-150 capacity. It was just beautiful.

The vibe was very intimate, but electric. From the outset, Idea just had such class, such ensemble. They were in the zone before they came out. Songs they performed were drawn from their previous albums, as well as some from their upcoming gospel album, to be released later this year (I will definitely have to get my hands on that!). Also in the mix were some other songs (unreleased) and definitely show pieces. Nick went among the crowd to find the "new people" and serenaded a lady by the name of Donna (who incidentally was sitting very near me!). Lucky woman, I tell you! There was a song that "asks and answers all the big questions of life" (What is the meat that is really in spam? Chicken, lamb, pork, beef, dolphin...?). "An Ugly Woman Told Me No" was just amusing (poor Nick! :P )

I could go through every song and tell you that I loved every aspect of it....! There was an ABBA song that was redone as a ballad, Eleanor Rigby, a setting of some of Michael Lunig's poems. They did "Just Kidding", a number of Jobim hits, some awesome jazz tracks that other people had written for voice (including one stunner which included 'solos' in pure jazz style and oh-so-complex!), Fragile, No More Blues (so amazing to see performed after hearing it many times, especially on the Aural Studies cd!), Sister Sadie and so much more! I love all the songs, but there are a few I really love...it was great to hear the Idea version of Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" (which Andrew dedicated to his two little girls awww..! And there was audience participation involving us singing in parts!!!! Talk about interactive concert!), We Will Find a Way (complete with those cool electronica guitar sounds from Nick) and as an encore performance, "Man In the Mirror". It was also great to hear "His Eye is on the Sparrow" which brought back the memory of my first time I ever heard this group (on the radio. Incidentally, I only got interested in them when I heard this song - it was at a time a little while after we had to sing the hymn version of this song for House Singing!)

So, we all piled to buy CDs and get them signed and have a little chat to our new-found favourite stars! It was great to talk to them, even if it was a little while! I told Trish that we'd been to the Musica Viva concert last year (that's when we first started going!), we talked to Naomi and found out that she studied Classical Piano at the Elder Conservatory (there is still hope for me!!!!), talked to Andrew and especially Nick at length about....stuff. We asked them about their touring schedules (when they're heading to Perth...!!!! And I was even talking to them about doing gigs at Busselton, and as part of the Hale Visiting Artist's Programme! We agreed to go to their Perth concert and say hi!). We talked to Nick about how they met, what kind of things make the group, their experimentation with different keys, and Naomi's perfect pitch (see? It just gets freakier and freakier!!). We got photos with them (especially a big group one with Nick) and he promised that we'd get a big group one with all of them next time (in October).

So, we are definitely on the trail of following Idea. A concert that I greatly enjoyed - I am still buzzing and telling everybody what an awesome time I had!

So, here is a photo...more to follow when I get mine developed!





Rach B, Lauren, Gowri (at the back), Nick, Sam, me, Gina (in front). Courtesy of Gina. Thank you! :)

Good music!

I just went to see The Idea of North at Chapel off Chapel tonight.
Oh My Gosh.

So, I know they're good. I keep telling all you guys that! And their music on their CDs is totally awesome!

But when it comes to live performances, these guys are the most amazing thing I've seen in a while. The visual performance is just as engaging. And the way their show runs is just classy as. I can't even begin to describe what an awesome night I had - the vibe was just electric!

So, of course I had to buy Evidence (Nat, I know you gave me a copy, but I seem to have lost it...and it's definitely one of my faves.....so I had to have it.....! *sheepish look now...* But it is signed again!)

We also got to meet Trish, Naomi, Nick and Andrew....talked to them all, got some photos (yay! Gina, you happy-snapper!) and talked heaps especially to Nick, who talked a lot! So, if they're in Perth (which they will be....check out their website at www.idea.com.au) please please please go see them. You will not regret it, I promise! Their shows are just the most amazing thing to watch. You have to trust me on this one! I think I'd take mum to go see them!

Right.....I rave on for too long.

Week involved handing in two assignments, and the realisation that my next assignment is only due after Easter. However, I will of course will be working on it very soon and over the holidays. Really looking forward to the holidays, where my agenda is as such:
Sleep, eat, piano practice, writing essay and general bumming! Definitely rest alternated with frantic fits of work!

Okay, as I listen to Evidence, I shall continue my tute work....

Stuff.

I approach my 19th Birthday. That's scary. Almost two decades. Anyway, if anybody knows any funky bars/restaurants in Melbourne that can fit a significant number of people in (especially if we can have a section...) please let me know.

Wanted: "A nice, charming boy" to take with me to help me stake out places. The rationale is that schmoozing to get a good deal requires one of each sex so that it makes the gender thing balanced. Or something like that.

I initiated my nice new white bowl last night with noodles. While I completed my Global assignment. I said I'd go to bed by midnight. Of course, I'm always out of whack, so it was a 1am bedtime for me. Why am I not surprised?

Have finished two assignments, I think...
Have not practiced for three days and feel HORRIBLE!!!

Want to go to Planetarium at ScienceWorks. Just to see those stars :)
Got invited to another 21st! Yay!!!

Anyway.....
back to my soup and global textbook... :S

Things

Push-ups.

Connect. Mentors. Brownies. Jude's. Ringing people I don't know up.
The effects of that.

Salsa class. Lunch appointments.

My 800-word limit essay (which is wayy too little...I seriously need about 2000).

My laundry - not done for two weeks.

Cool earrings. Totally cool.

QCWT!

The note on my door.

The books on my floor - the indication of getting stressed.

The Bulgarian playlist on my computer.

Safeway and its wonderful food!

My new crockery - a white plate and bowl.

Cooking (communal, of course). The communal washing of dishes. The toothbrush parties.

2hr practice sessions.

Late nights.

The Year

Maybe this is the year for putting ourselves out there. I certainly did last night. I did half-way a few weeks ago. It's time to really let go of some of those things that have been burdening us for a while now. Some things we can keep to ourselves.
But we have to think about what we want to impart when we let it all out. What good or bad will come of it? And if there's one thing I know, it's not worth risking a good friendship, because friendships are the things that have been cultivated over time, events, moments - all of them special.

Music

As heard on ABC Radio during the Classic 100 Opera Countdown (listen to it!), from Richard Divall (who also happens to be a fellow of QC!)....

Q: What's the difference between a soprano and a pit-bull terrier?
A: Jewellery.

Not meant to cause any ruffled feathers, but there is that stereotype....and it's pretty funny.

Things on the inside that make you feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside...

I am seriously taken aback and quite surprised when a musician I know, respect and admire (usually for their talent, among other things) tells me "You are an amazing musician. You are really good." I often don't believe them. While I understand their intentions are all good, I still find it amazing that they might actually think that I'm good. I know my friends tell me this and it's nice to hear it, but it's even more amazing when somebody far better tells me that. It definitely makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

Speaking of other warm and fuzzy feelings, I find myself being attracted to people whom I share that something intangible with. Not that all my friends don't make me feel all warm and fuzzy, but there are some people outside normal friendship groups that I feel I have some sort of intangible, special relationship with. And this is what I base this friendship on. I suspect most of them don't know that I value this friendship immensely and that I feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside when they say Hi or do something nice. They should know, but that may take away from that very personal feeling that I have. It's nice to know, or at least think that these special little emotions can bring so much joy.

On a non-warm-and-fuzzy-feeling-on-the-inside, I ran into the VM a few times today who commented that I looked "glum" today. Not cool. Maybe the stress is really showing on my face. Maybe it's because of those two blasted assignments. Although I daresay it would have been more glum if I hadn't shopped for two pairs of earrings this morning, one being large silver treble clefs, which made me feel slightly nutty but very music-y!

Realisations of Today

1) I have a long bed. I have figured this out after four weeks in residence. And after my third fitted sheet didn't quite fit (the corners don't quite fit on the corners). And after asking two friends, one who lay on my bed to see if he fit on it (he is tall, so he dangles over the edge of a normal sized bed). I thought it might have just been my first two sheets. But alas! My sheets are normal, and my bed is extra long. Of all people to have a long bed....!

2) I have a grand total of about ten assignments, a major essay, a listening test and three exams over the course of this semester. What a load! So yeah, this semester is definitely not easy. I felt so good about myself, completing three assingments in one week, but it just starts again. I have two more due next week. Surely I have it bad.

3) I function very well between the hours of about 10pm-2am. Consequently, I have taken to doing piano practice at fairly late hours, such as about 10pm-12am. I tend to be quite productive at that time!

4) I had to look on Wikipedia to acertain what this myseterious "spooning" concept so frequently thrown around at Queen's was all about. Sure, I had a vague idea, but was enlightened when I looked it up on the all-trust Wikipedia. This was brought on by somebody suggesting it to me. Jokingly, of course. Or I would have slapped him. He's lucky he's a nice guy, or there'd be some serious anger and a jaw sitting on the floor (mine) that somebody would have to pick up....

5) I have less than two dollars credit on my mobile phone. So, don't expect a msg or a phone call. I'm not going to do it.

6) www.facebook.com is amazing. Go join, especially if you're at Melbourne (because then you can join the Facebookers of Melbourne University group), or if you're at UWA, or Westover, or Curtin or ECU. Or basically any North American institution. Also so I can expand my friends database. And I like getting wall messages.

Commencement Dinner: Sze, Xing, Wen, me 

QC on the morning of the Commonwealth Games marathon (Sunday 19 March 2006). It was such a beautiful morning. We all decked out in college/Australian colours to watch the women's and men's marathon go right past our front gate! 

The elegant banner which hung from the 2nd floor of the North building of Queen's. Pity it was quite obscured by the trees.....also how convenient that our college colours are green and gold! QC makes its TV debut!! 

Min & the goat... 

Me & Sze 

The women's race... 

Goat girl, Jac, and goat boy Min with the goat 

Judy, Adrienne, SpecK, me, Sze 

F-turn: 1J in all its glory and splendour of F! 

F-turn: part of 1J  

Sze (frame) and me (in the frame) 

Me :) 

Anne: Flag 

F-turn: Me (Fortune teller-turned-Fiddler) & Pete (Fool; that's my hat!!!) 

What Would Be Different If Men Really Ruled the World

Any fake phone number a girl gave you would automatically forward your call to her real number.

Nodding and looking at your watch would be deemed an acceptable response to "I love you."

Hallmark would make "Sorry, what was your name again" cards.

When your girlfriend really needed to talk to you during the game, she'd appear in a little box in the corner of the screen during a time-out.

Breaking up would be a lot easier. A smack to the ass and a "Nice hustle, you'll get 'em next time" would pretty much do it.

Birth control would come in ale or lager.

Each year, your raise would be pegged to the fortunes of the NFL team of your choice.

The funniest guy in the office would get to be CEO.

At the end of the workday, a whistle would blow and you'd jump out your window and slide down the tail of a brontosaurus and right into your car like Fred Flintstone.

Lifeguards could remove citizens from beaches for violating the "public ugliness" ordinance.

Tanks would be far easier to rent.

Garbage would take itself out.

Instead of beer belly, you'd get "beer biceps."

Instead of an expensive engagement ring, you could present your wife-to-be with a giant foam hand that said, "You're #1!"

Valentine's Day would be moved to February 29th so it would only occur in leap years.

On Groundhog Day, if you saw your shadow, you'd get the day off to go drinking. Mother's Day, too.

St. Patrick's Day, however, would remain exactly the same. But it would be celebrated every month.

Cops would be broadcast live, and you could phone in advice to the pursuing cops. Or to the crooks.

The victors in any athletic competition would get to kill and eat the losers.

The only show opposite Monday Night Football would be Monday Night Football from a Different Camera Angle.

It would be perfectly legal to steal a sports car, as long as you returned it the following day with a full tank of gas.

Every man would get four real Get Out of Jail Free cards per year.

When a cop gave you a ticket, every smart-aleck answer you responded with would actually reduce your fine. As in: Cop: "You know how fast you were going" You: "All I know is, I was spilling my beer all over the place." Cop: "Nice one. That's $10 off."

People would never talk about how fresh they felt.

Telephones would automatically cut off after 30 seconds of conversation.

So busy

Yep, been incredibly busy. But somehow, I still manage to talk too much and blog.....go figure!

So, finished the Global & Econometrics assignments on Tuesday night (due Wednesday and Thursday respectively). I felt so relieved that I took half and hour off before having to go do some piano practice. I've been practicing late at night this past week. It just seems like a good time. It works, so I'm pretty happy!

Mel n I went out with Chris and Erica to University Cafe (I think that's where it was!) last Saturday to catch up. It was really nice :) And of course, being out meant that we went and did that mandatory Safeway trip.

We watched the Comm Games marathon go right past the front gate of Queen's last Sunday morning. Right, so it meant having to get up fairly early (for a weekend) and shove some toast down and then heading out in the oh-so-convenient-college-colours-of-green-and-gold to support the runners :) Seriously, that is a fine effort....42km of blah. That's dedication, I say.

Monday Evening Programme during the week was Helen playing the Sibelius violin concerto in preparation for this Monday's University of Melbourne Orchestra Concert at the Hawthorn Town Hall (if anybody is interested in going, that'd be really cool...so I don't have to go by myself!). She was amazing!!!! The choir also sang a couple of folk pieces, Riu, riu (a Spanish carol) as well as Evening Song, a Kodaly piece....the folk influences were so clear!

F-turn was on Wednesday night. Wow, some people went to so much effort. Some people had such amazing costumes....I originally was going to be a fortune teller (Bohemian look is cool, because you can sort of chuck anything together, and that's the intended effect!) but on the suggestion of a friend, and careful consideration that I wouldn't really have to change my clothing requirements, I decided to go as a Fiddler (a la fiddler on the roof). At least I was the only one of those around! Min's foot fetish was the most original, although slightly disturbing..(I made it twice into the book...) and about feet, some girl stabbed my heel with her high heel. I don't think she realised, but she left the blood oozing out. Ouch.

On Thursday, it was the first time I played in Concert Class. I tell you, this is a nerve-wracking experience. It's good to get student feedback, but the nerves kick in when you see the Head of Keyboard sitting in the front row, also making comments. (Especially nerve-wracking for a piano student). We figured, both Gina and I haven't played, so we'd do it together, and revive those 3 movements from Faure's Dolly Suite that we played last year for Piano Duet. So, we were completely freaked out, but I took advice from Anne, who said to think about how I was playing one of the nicest pianos around.....a Steinway D (one of those real expensive ones in Melba Hall that the average person does not touch). She was right, it is a beautiful piano. Just lovely. My gosh, I could go on for a while about how nice the piano is. But ok, moving along...Thursday was just a long day. Sigh.

So, today....I did manage to get some work done. I am going to start work in the library next week (about 3 hrs a week, which should be managable!) and I met a friend to collect some music. I agreed to play a Mozart Clarinet Trio...the violinist is a 2nd year friend, and apparently the clarinettist is a postgrad student. That's a bit freaky...but hopefully I'll live up to expectations!

So, now it is incredibly late (as it is with me and those late-night-yet-still-make-it-to-breakfast things...) My assignment and readings/tute preparation for next week shall have to wait till after my slumber......and I will be working my butt off.

Recent Revelations

Okay, so most of these have to do with music, but that's ok.

1) My friend plays the Chinese flute. Now how cool is that? She was telling me all about it, like how it's played, what kind of sounds are possible. I made her play a scale just to hear what kind of sounds/scales were possible and compared it to the Western transverse flute. Very interesting.

2) My other friend played this really random thing on his computer, and it sounded very much like there was an underlying track that sounded like one of the Set Listening Tracks from my music unit (FYI, the Tuvan example with sigit and igil). Although in this song (clearly some sort of remix or something like that...) the 'tonic' (I know, that's culturally specific) is different and it's played at almost twice the speed. But most interesting.

3) RE: My assignment about the hajduk songs of the Pirin region (Bulgaria/Macedonia). Now, what does that have to do with the Numa Numa song? Two totally random things, yes? But wait!
I was watching the 'original' (the American who lip-synched to it all) with the subtitles. And bear in mind that this song is originally from Moldovian Romania. Anyway, one of the lines contains the word haiduk, which it translated as "bandit". Now tell me, does "bandit" refer to "guerilla fighter"? I think there is something going on there....!!! It was amazing. Music & Ideas meshed with Queen's College random hit!

So, Music & Ideas has made all this sense. Amazingly. I even now talk about stuff with the knowledge and awareness that it is "culturally specific". Wow.

And I find it even funnier that the "New choir master" has made the "hot" list of the first QC Bulletin's "Hot or Not" list. hahahaha. He should know about it, do you think?

I think I had another revelation, but I can't remember it at the moment, so it can't be that important. Although if I remember, I will certainly make a mention of it!

it's been a while...

I apologise for the lack of posts. Purely because I have been HIDEOUSLY busy.
So, 1J is going really well. We haven't hung a Chinese lantern, but that's ok! CY has cooked for us and we've all enjoyed sitting around eating delights that Eakins does not offer! So, we eat communally, wash the dishes together, and have "Toothbrush Parties" (as A likes to put it..!)

It's nice having lots of friends around, where it's ok to leave my door open almost all the time...and to get my work done, I really have to shut myself up! However, it is also really nice to have friends living in other parts of the college, where I have to walk through a variety of places to get there! Mind you, anybody walking through 1J or peeking in when we are having a massive corridor sit (quite often, mind you!) is very welcome to join us in our very random conversations, or also tend to look at us very strangely and wonder where we have all this time!

So, uni is busy busy busy. I have assignments piling up. There is one each for three of my subjects - Music & Ideas (polyphonic folk singing of the Pirin region of Bulgaria/bordering on Macedonia - specifically, the hadjuk - guerilla fighter - songs. Which I had a revelation about yesterday in the Numa Numa song. For real, watch the American guy's video WITH subtitles); Intro Econometrics (assignment using eViews - yuk - and proving something - that's ok) and Business in the Global Economy (recommeding the top three market opportunities out of a given eleven for The Wiggles to expand to, based on a number of economic, demographic and other factors). And that's not even counting how little I've practiced! We're working forward very much, in preparation for a stellar programme for semester 2. I still have that Bach Prelude and Fugue plus and etude (I'm doing 2 Chopin etudes!?!?!?!) for this semester!

See? Busy. Argh!!!!!

We had a soiree on Monday night - it went well.....I played Massenet's Meditation as well as accompaniment for Jacquie's clarinet solo (Weber's Concerto in F - a very cool piece. Those of you who remember a SMAGS assembly with Luisa playing clarinet...that was also the Weber, although it was the 2nd & 3rd movts then).

Did I mention the events of a few weeks ago?

First week back, we had Commencement Dinner & Turn. A very successful night.....we all looked hot (photos still pending....must nick some from some friends..!) Scholarships were announced, we danced the night away at the turn afterwards to some....interesting.....music!

The 1st GM was last week....it went for a good FOUR HOURS. And it's compulsory to go, unless you have written an apology in rhyme (no kidding) or want to foot a fine. Anyway, lots of matters to be discussed, but 40 motions was pushing it too far...considering only about 5 of them were serious. A hideous waste of my time, interspersed with bouts of funny bits. Sigh.

We played at Jude's a while back....as the music team of course. We rocked :) Haha. It's QCWT again, with a few changes (most notably, the ring-ins. It's alright....we still love them)

So, I have spent enough time away from my dreaded assignments (which I'm not really sure HOW they are going....urgh).

Back to it...

p.s. anybody know how to put videos on blogs?

The Cost of Raising a Child

Thanks to Potter for this...

The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to 18 and came up with $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about sticker shock! That doesn't even touch college tuition.
But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates into:
$8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month, or $171.08 a week. That's a mere $24.24 a day! Just over a dollar an hour.
Still, you might think the best financial advice is don't have children if you want to be "rich." Actually, it is just the opposite.

What do you get for your $160,140?
* Naming rights. First, middle, and last!
* Glimpses of God every day.
* Giggles under the covers every night.
* More love than your heart can hold.
* Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
* Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds, and warm cookies.
* A hand to hold, usually covered with jelly or chocolate.
* A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites
* Someone to laugh yourself silly with, no matter what the boss said or how your stocks performed that day.

For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to:
finger-paint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs, and never stop believing in Santa Claus.

You have an excuse to:
keep reading the Adventures of Piglet and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies, and wishing on stars.
You get to frame rainbows, hearts, and flowers under refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas, hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day, and cards with backward letters for Father's Day.

For $160,140, there is no greater bang for your buck. You get to be a hero just for:
retrieving a Frisbee off the garage roof, taking the training wheels off a bike, removing a splinter, filling a wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, and coaching a baseball team that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.

You get a front row seat to history to witness the: first step, first word, first bra, first date, and first time behind the wheel.

You get to be immortal. You get another branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in your obituary called grandchildren and great grandchildren.

You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal justice, communications, and human sexuality that no college can match. In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God. You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, So . . one day they will like you, love without counting the cost. That is quite a deal for the price!!!!!!!
Love & enjoy your children & grandchildren!!!!!!!

One week down!

So, we've had a week of uni already!
It has been SOOO busy!!!
The end of O'Week was nice....when all the freshers went on camp and we kinda had most of the college to ourselves...it was the quiet before the storm! As all the seniors started moving back in on the weekend, my excitement levels started so climb as I anticipated seeing everybody again!

It is fantastic to be back and seeing old faces and lots of new ones too! On Sunday night, we all headed down to Pugg's to have a catch-up, which was really cool. Met lots of freshers, although I'm pretty sure that I have forgotten some of them and I'm sure it is the other way too!

Classes started....and this week I've had all my classes, none of that "first week no tutes" thing. Pity.....

Had a music lesson, where I have LOTS to prepare...like about 12 pages (1 pg each of each component) of 6 Bach Preludes & Fugues. And a number of etudes, of which I cannot find a few. I am going to be slaughtered on Monday. Oh well.

Missed out on lunch on Tuesday (ok, a sandwich...), which will be a recurring theme every week on Tuesdays AND Thursdays, which I am very disappointed about. Oh well. Some things just can't be helped, can they?

Wednesday night was Commencement Dinner & Turn. It was SUCH A GREAT NIGHT!!! Obviously being black tie was nice (as the dressing up goes!)....and as always, Eakins was dressed up. Everybody looked hot (as they do at these kind of functions!) and I got to meet a whole heap of freshers, whic was good. Scholarship winners were announced, we congratulated them with great gusto and went on to the JCR to enjoy fine conversation and then to the turn to dance the night away! Again, met heaps of really great freshers - I'm really excited about this year!

Had a Jude's muzak practice on Thursday night, after which we went out for pizza for 'group bonding'. Hahahhaa. I'm really looking forward to playing with everybody on Sunday...hopefully it'll all go well....!

Yesterday arvo we had a picnic for Gowri's 21st (ok, which was in February...!) What a plan!!! We finally managed to pull the entire thing off...without her knowing or suspecting! What a pleasant afternoon in the Systems Gardens, playing games, eating fine food and drinking "champagne"!

Went out for Judy's 21st last night. 13 of us headed down to Chinatown to help her celebrate (the actual day being Sunday). Seriously, it must be the case that when we go out, half of 1J goes out too! Ran into some freshers going out for another birthday on the same night! Most of 3N watched in amazement as we trickled out of Johnson wing as I thought "Yep, we're going out!" It was an awesome dinner....we ate as if we hadn't eaten real food in about a month. We headed down to Fed Sq to hang out for a while....it's a really nice place! I know many Melbournians are conservative and believe Fed Sq to be ugly, but I personally think it's very unique and definitely draws people to it. Anyway, we tried to go to Robot, this bar place thing in Flinders Lane but it was too packed so we decided to visit the bottle shop and head home to have a corridor sit.

What a corridor sit we had! Kenneth managed to polish off a quarter of a bottle of vodka, of which he is still feeling the effects. Min had priceless quotes. CY sang with great emotion. And we ate all them junky foods that college students eat. And managed to get in the way of a number of people trying to walk through our corridor. That's alright :)

Anyway...I should get back to work....
That is my week so far! I hopefully will put up pictures soon....(once I get them from other people!)
ciao!