NDP @ Marina Preview

It's finally to the Preview! The show in which everything seen on the actual day will be in place, except the ministers and president. Security was super tight. Police were everywhere. So many ppl following the contingent besides the marshallers. Felt being watched all the time... Fortunately I din get into any trouble with security as I brought minimal stuff.

Was given only one Preview ticket. It was a privilege as we were already given 4 CR2 tickets earlier. (However CR2 was bad lol) Decided to give it to YF, whom I thought would be most interested to go, even alone =p. Quite relieved to hear that the preview was splendid, unlike in CR2 where my aunt complained.

Too bad I could only watch the entire show on recorded TV. =(

I want to funpack too!

Wayang

There has been much discussion about the Army drama which debuted just now. Ppl saying things like, "Where are the vulgarities", "Felicia doesn't speak like an officer", "Waste time watching propaganda", etc... True that this show is a bit wayang, showing things that does not really reflect on real life but one must understand that it's just a SHOW, not a documentary or anything.

First episode was not bad lah. Though this show is of Army theme, it's still a family drama after all. So dun expect to see Army stuff all the time lol. Usually the first few episodes of a drama will be interesting, after which it might go downhill. So let's see how this show is able to sustain the viewers' interest throughout. I've the feeling that lesser Army scenes will be shown as the show progresses, as it focuses more on the love lives and relationships of the family members. So try to catch the first few episodes while the taste lasts. =p

Started on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows today! Can't wait to finish the book lol. No spoilers pls haha.

Yesterday's CSS was ahem...there wasn't any outstanding ones. Most got around the same scores except for one while totally spoilt Yi Qian Nian Yi Hou haiz... Looking forward to the male contestants' performance next week.

NDP @ Marina CR5 (NE Show 2)

So I decided not to bring my camera this time and did not regret it...

Firstly there was nothing more to take. Almost everything was the same as the previous rehearsals, other than the orchestra which has yet to join. Furthermore I could only watch the parade and ceremonial segment. As for during the rest of the show I would be at Suntec holding area with my contingent.

Secondly, it was raining almost the whole of yesterday, such that both rehearsal runs in the afternoon were cancelled. That means we just went straight for the final cue run in the evening. Stayed in Suntec hall for several hours before moving out, sianzzz. At least could relax this way, dun have to walk around so much. =p

Thirdly when the parade was going on, the marshallers were chased away from place to place. Initially we stood outside the gate and could have a clear view of what's going on outside. Then the working party was unhappy with the crowding at the entrance and hence chased us behind the barricades. Still could see the well from there. Then some warrant screamed at us to move further behind. So embarrassing. Can't see the stage anymore but still can watch the screen and sky. Just as we thought it was our final position, the working party once again was disapproving of us lining along the entrance walls and chased us all the away to the back. Now we can't see shit lol. Might as well not watch at all.

Dunno if the marshallers will be allowed to even watch the parade next time, esp when security tightens starting from Preview next week.

Last but not least the coordination was quite screwed up yesterday. Before the National Anthem started playing the flag had almost flown past the stage... The flypast occurred before the MC even announced their arrival...

Anyway it's so difficult to maintain a-picture-a-day. Can we have a-picture-a-few-days? Too tired to update sometimes.

Nihongo

This must be the longest essay I've written for my Japanese homework! Though it's long, its contents are merely combinations of very simple sentences. Part of the text translates to, "I also went to play at the playground. Simple but fun! I had to do homework every night..." Even the translation sounds so childish, wonder how a native Japanese would read it, haha. Sry for the grammatical and expression errors, to those who really knows how to read my essay. =)

Can anyone can guess the topic of this essay? Try to figure it out from the chinese characters (kanji)!

Who's this actress?

Those who watch English programmes more would probably know her. Anyway this was taken from a 1995 TCS drama, which is currently re-run every weekend 3.30pm. She acted as a villain (stepmother of the male lead) in this show and left a very great impression on me when I was small. My impression of her was an evil, sly, cunning and scheming woman. Her acting was really good in this show however as she couldn't speak Mandarin well her voice was entirely dubbed. (And I notice her lip movements were completely out of sync with the dialogue; either she spoke in English or uttered gibberish while acting out the emotions lol.)

Let's break the suspense! She's Margaret Chan and this drama is Golden Pillow, which holds the record of highest Chinese drama viewership all time. Up till now no dramas could ever beat it! Golden Pillow is the only drama in which both Ah-Jies Zoe Tay and Fann Wong ever co-starred in.

Found the story rather interesting. Never got to enjoy this show so much while I was Primary 2...

Jigsaw Puzzle

For those who have been to my house before would probably have noticed several framed puzzles hung on the walls around my home. Used to buy lots of puzzles from Toy 'R' Us back then during my primary school days, and completed them within the school holidays. Was inspired by my cousin who taught me how to complete a jigsaw puzzle with a 'proper method' (ie. fix up the sides and corners first etc). That was when I ditched those pre-school kind of puzzles, those with less than 100 pieces, those with a cupboard frame with outline of the pieces...

However most of the puzzles I did were of Disney pictures. Haha, easier to do mah. Then I felt it was time to venture to more challenging puzzles so during end of JC1 holidays I went to buy my first 2000-piece scenery puzzle, as seen in the picture above. If you notice this puzzle actually shows history eh?

Spent several weekends after school reopened tackling the puzzle. (refer to 2nd Jan 2005 blog entry) Completing the sky was a horror! It makes up abt 1/3 of the entire puzzle. Basically it is trial and error since the colour is almost similar. But it was the last step to satisfaction. =)

Haven't done any puzzles since then, but I hope to do a 3000 one...hehe. Very ambitious of me right? It's going to be huge...

Honour and Passion

Coming soon next Tuesday! It's a long time ever since an Army themed drama was made. Really looking forward to how they will portray the army.

Before I forget, Felicia Chin's salute looks funny lol.

Watched the making of this drama last Sat and gathered some info abt this show: Tay Pinghui is a commando captain, while Felicia Chin is an infantry (I think) captain. Huang Wenyong is a MWO with 3 sons, in which one of them is a recruit who will enlist in Tekong BMT earlier becos he failed NAPFA, as well as a tomboyish daughter Rui En who works in an office environment (not sure if she's a DXO).

Hong Huifang is a chief clerk who admires Huang Wenyong. Pierre Png and Vincent Ng are under a Chemical Defence unit. Not sure abt Bryan Wong, probably another officer. Dawn Yeo is a cripple. Ix Shen is a terrorist! Haha.

NDP @ Marina CR4 (NE Show 1)

Awaiting to move out from the tunnel! The tunnel is not that dark anyway, just that the outside is too bright and the flash was not activated.


The P5 kids dressed in red! They were really restless though, couldn't sit down in peace and watch the show properly, kept walking around haha. Moments after this photo was taken I was caught by a warrant officer (probably) for being in a place I'm not supposed to be lol.


The VIP for the day is Minister Teo Chee Hean. =)


The REAL colours marching in. With crest imprinted instead of mere names in words. By right I was to salute the colours when they march past, but because...hehe

Photos getting fewer and fewer lol, can't think of anything unique to take anymore. Heard there were LOTS of fireworks yesterday but sigh...

Picture-A-Day

A picture a day, keeps the boredom away.

In the midst of getting obsessed with taking photos with my camera, I decided to introduce a new feature in my blog: Picture-A-Day. I will take photos of interesting things around me, mostly my belongings or whatever I deem that might be of interest, and put up here along with personal comments. Probably a picture a day I hope...haha. (Wonder how long I can last) That means I will update my blog more frequently but with shorter entries. Can't stand writing too long an entry, hehe...

For a start let me show my collection!



Wow, that's really nostalgic! Used to like Mr Kiasu comics in my primary school days. They are funny and enjoyable to read. Indeed reflects the Singaporeans' attitude towards various situations in our everyday lives. Pity that Mr Kiasu comics have stopped production since...very long ago? Can't even remember when lol. Used to buy Kiasu magazines weekly too, along with Young Generation (YG). Those are my childhood magazines...brings back lots of memories. =)

Characters include Mr Kiasu, his girlfriend Ai Swee, his mother Mrs Lee, brother Kiasee the problematic baby Bo Chup, pet dog Ah-Kow and wild cat Ah-Neow, glutton cousin Yau Qwee, Boss Saboh Singh, blur Sotong...etc. Did I miss out anyone?

There was a Mr Kiasu sitcom some time ago where Chew Chor Meng starred as Mr Kiasu, but it was not very nice lor...

Anyway my collection is not complete: There is still the yellow, blue and purple book. Din buy them, borrowed from others to read instead.

NDP @ Marina CR3 (NDCC Vetting)

Balloons above the stage! They seem to be everywhere...



Arrival of the President!



No lah, just a mock president.



Actual Parade in progress. Both screens are working now.



Gate 1: the place I always hang around while my contingent is out standing.



Saluting to the national flag. The flag flies close to the audience and it's really huge.



The traditional flypast. Argh, one of them is out of sight!



Colours casing ceremony at Suntec.

Can't get any show shots as it had already ended when I was dismissed. Missed out the fireworks too. =(

Off

Waited 3 working days to finally enjoy my off, and now another cycle of weekend is coming again. Hopefully there will be fireworks this coming sat!

I look forward more to attending Japanese lessons now that I've befriended more of my classmates. If only it's a full time course haha. Dun mind going for lessons every night since I really love studying Jap.

Couldn't do a commentary on CSS as I had guard duty on Mon and didn't have time when I returned on Tues. On Wed I realised it was too late and decided not to write it altogether.

Trying to maximise my time at home before staying-in starts but looks like there is nothing much to do except TV and Internet, which can get rather dull if done every night.

And ya, Transformers was superb! Judging from the viewers' response, I predict it will emerge as the Top Movie of the year. Last year was X-men 3 IIRC. Apologies to my 4C friends for backing out the last minute but it was glad to see most of you after a long long time...

Anyway the new Mi Lu Bing song is quite nice, same for Wang Li Hong's Luo Ye Gui Gen.

NDP @ Marina CR2

This time I brought my own camera and took lots of pics whenever I could. Selected a few (which is still a lot) to put up here.



Lane closure behind the gallery. That resulted in quite a congestion at that area.



Row A, B and C when they had just marched into the stage...



and Transform!



Right view from the spectator seats.



Left view.



Central view.



View up from the bottom.



Marching along the road along with the beat of the drums! From Suntec to the gallery. This was my favourite part of yesterday's rehearsal. Being able to walk freely on the closed roads, with TPs sealing off the the roads temporary and lots of pedestrians and motorists looking at us, it felt REALLY shiok!



I dun have to march haha. Was busy snapping away like my sergeants.



The whole road belongs to me heh heh!



The Marina procession: Econs and uniform groups following behind. Looks a bit like you-know-what...



Towards the gallery! With lots of curious onlookers at the side. If you notice I always take pics from behind cos I dun think it's very nice to post pics of the RSMs and high ranks here.

The working party were not allowed up to the audience seats during the full rehearsal, so no pics on the performance. Sent back my contingent after their march past and quickly rushed back to the gallery but could only catch the finale.



All performers rushing to the stage for the finale. Heard someone frantically shouting, "Turn on your lights! Turn on your lights!" Haha.



Wah damn colourful. That's what I like abt the finale. Everyone in different costumes gathers on the stage to form a spectacular scene. A couple beside me was exclaiming, "Kia si lang. So many people on stage!" lol.



The capacity of the gallery is really small as you can see I can alr capture 75% of all the audience with this shot.



Can you see the big ghostly balls floating in the sky? Sry for the poor nightshot.

That's it for CR2! Yup, it's pity there were no fireworks. Probably cos they were used at the National Stadium closing ceremony on the same night. Left many rather disappointed. Marina Square was extremely flooded after the show...