I've just spent about 50% of the last 4 days sleeping...damn it feels so bad to be sick..especially from food poisoning..especially because I've to miss school..to not be able to pick up the trombone and play and practice. Well I'm almost back to my normal health but still feeling very gassy in my stomach; makes it hard to breathe sometimes..especially after eating. The ironic thing is that next week there's no school!!! Argh!! That's totally uncool. Oh well, life's like that. We can't change what's been done but we can mould our future from where we are right now. This brings up something in my mind; I've seen, I've heard and I've been told that many of my juniors in Dunearn, not just band ones but the student population in general, seriously hates school these days. You see in their blogs, you see on MSN and you hear them talking as if Dunearn is no longer an institute for education. They make it sound more like the Japanese Occupation is happening again. Well yes, of course I for one find it hard to praise the new principal there, but that's it. What else is causing all this unhappiness? Surely the problem is not only the principal...what else? But, wait there, before we look for problems elsewhere, have we looked at problems within ourselves? We often overlook ourselves and find problems elsewhere instead, something I'm guilty of too. But, if we can just take that rare moment or two, like right now, and really think what is causing us to think like this, situations can improve! Improvement is not always in big steps; improvement is usually in small steps. If we can find that every step to improve our lives and really persevere, our lives will be so much more enriching and fulfilling. I kinda think most people, especially young people, nowadays think on a rather short-term basis. A good example: You can take a seat in a classroom in Dunearn and you can hear "Fuck *this*!", "Stupid sia!" and so on so forth. The thing is, does it make it better? Oh yeah sure some people use these words as anti-depressants but they can only last that long. Just like smoking and drugs, you'll always want to do it again and again and again. But in the end, nothing improves! Come on people! We just need to spend some time on thought. Really think deep down what do you want in your life. You want school to be enjoyable? Do something! Make a big change if you need to. But always remember, don't give up once you started it because that's what you thought for. Once you start down that road, work hard and I mean really hard. It takes a lot of effort, it may not be comfortable and enjoyable at first but I assure you, you'll get what you want in the end if you thought well. May you all succeed in your current and future endeavours!

Yesterday was a fun-filled day for me; pool in the afternoon, steamboat at night and movie after that. I've finally gotten back to playing pool after months of not playing. Really had fun with my friends who were there. After that we went to Zhen Zhang's house for steamboat. There were many more people there than previous gatherings. So good to see my classmates again. We played games as well and it was really fun! Haha :D After that we went to Lot 1 to watch Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. It's a very nice movie and well at least I was awake throughout the movie. Oh well, back to school tomorrow. Have a great week ahead!

Thank you for always putting a smile on my face and making me feel buoyant and happy. We've been through a lot together and I hope you'll succeed in your future. I'll miss you.

First few days of Chinese New Year has just passed by. My family doesn't do much during Chinese New Year. We don't have visitors, we only visit three houses yearly so ya, for us the festive mood goes away pretty fast. But this year, Abel warmly invited us to have steamboat at his house so a very big thank you to him and his family for the hospitality once again. Going to have one more steamboat this Saturday hosted by Zhen Zhang. So in a way, this year's Lunar New Year is different from past years. I didn't manage to find time to go back to Dunearn last Friday before the New Year; missed a chance to talk to my teachers but oh well, I'm going back tomorrow. I always have a strong connection between DMB and myself, no matter how sometimes I've been frustrated now and then by the members. It was where my musical journey blossomed, where I made some of my closest friends and where I learnt great things too. I really hope they can get back on their feet and play some good music this year. Meanwhile I'm still enjoying myself in NAFA. Although I really hoped to be in orchestra for the upcoming concert, I wasn't selected but it's alright, I'll still be a part of it; singing the Requiem by Gabriel Faure. Theory tests coming up though! Have to study! Have a great weekend ahead! :)

Long long time since the last post. Much has past, making music in NAFA, more music making in NAFA, concerts and masterclass. I'm really enjoying this life. Listening to school mates practicing, immersing myself in scores, technique and lots of theory. So many things in school to keep me interested. I think what will make me better is to start teaching as well. I really think I did not employ the right attitude and techniques during my previous stints at teaching. I really want to revamp my teaching side and become a better teacher. Lots of thinking and trial and error as well. Oh well, need to start building up experience; shall look for a place to start. Till then, a Happy Lunar New Year everyone! Gong Xi Fa Cai! :)