Was reading shar's blog when I saw this video:



There's more than just her incredible vocal prowess that makes the perfomance so impressive. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, but I believe it's her innocence and personality that makes it a standout. Reminds me of the time when I watched Kat McPhee's rendition of the same song last year, and how tears started rolling down my cheek before I realised it. For those who haven't watched it, here's the clip:



Personally I still think Kat's was better than Conny's, but that's only because Kat's voice could rise to the pitch needed for the final part, & Conny hasn't had any vocal training before. Conny's way better at the emotion control part though (which I believe is from how she interprets the lyrics through her young, innocent & untainted mind), & I have no doubt she'll be a world-beater if she grows up to be a singer next time!

Was following the rerun of season 2 of ‘So U think U can dance’ the past 2 weeks on channel 5, & I think this time it was even more exciting than the 1st time I've watched it. Even skipped baddie on tues nite to watch it coz it was the semis, and each day I'm seated on an emotional rollercoaster as more & more of the talented dancers exited the competition. Starting with Allison, whom I thought was the most versatile dancer & the best gal in contemporary, & then Ivan (hip-hop), Natalie (contemporary), Heidi (ballroom), Donyelle (??), & Travis (contemporary), who were all excellent dancers in their own right. Benji was the eventual winner, and rightfully so, as I have boldly predicted when I watched him during the audition stage. He was by far the most entertaining performer, and his slick charm definitely won him the votes of the audience.

Before they left, they were asked for their comments, and I was most impressed & touched by Donyelle’s, ‘I almost quit dancing. I asked God for direction in life, & I joined this competition. I went for audition & I’m still here… & I can’t stop now.’ Almost made me cry then, coz I could totally relate to her experience when I was training for badminton during secondary school & Melb Uni days. I had wanted to stop training back then coz it was draining me both physically and emotionally, to the point that my results were greatly affected. It finally struck me that I didn’t have to keep training to be playing the sports I love, & by then I had realized that I would have regretted it if I gave it up for good. Till now, I’m just learning to take it all in again, & enjoy the game as it is, simple and pure…

I have so much more respect for dancers right now, not only because they’re excellent at what they do, but more because of their dedication to their own trade. Dancing is not traditionally considered to be a money-spinning job, & most dancers enter the industry knowing that they probably won’t ever become rich… in monetary terms. What they lack in material comfort, though, is more than compensated by the abundance of joy & pride they get when audience give them a standing ovation at the end of their performance. Dancers are seriously underpriced talents, & I can never understand why. American idols probably earn a few multiples of what ‘America’s most popular dancer’ gets, & I certainly don’t think AIs are more talented than AMPDs. Arrgghhh enough said!

I have another interesting story to tell, but let’s leave it till next time! Till then, Adios!

The beautiful life

When the lights are off in my room, past memories always invaded my thoughts, and forced its way before my very eyes, beautifully displaying the best moments of my life in random order, & most of them are of my beloved melbourne. Usually I'd have just switched the light back on, but tonight I've decided to capture those moments in words, acceding to the request of my mind, which has really been waiting for a while for me to do it justice =)

every single frame seems to connect so seamlessly, & the first few took me through the enormous Queen's College compound on the perimeter of the Melb Uni's Parkville campus, & then moving on to the row of houses just opposite the street, before it is connected to the massive graveyard on Princes street, on which College Square lies as well on the other side of the road. Rows of victorian-style houses adorn the carlton village, of which I have had the privilege of staying in for 3 years, albeit at a rather messy state (which I'd prefer not to mention as it would spoil the image that I'm trying to conjure here =)

The next set of images takes me into the Albert House building, where I was inconveniently placed on the 3rd floor for a year. Nevertheless, it was one of the best years of my life, getting to know friends whom I'm still in regular contact with, through exchanges of life experiences during the dinner session, heart-to-heart chat in the rooms of a select few close friends, or the crazy cramming at the 2nd floor tea room during exam period. A pity some of us have chosen not to keep the friendship that I've always treasured so much because of the amazing moments, despite the short time that we shared together...

Images of Trinity came up next. I could see myself walking past the many intricately designed stone-based Italian restaurants, pacing through the many patrons that filled 'em up during lunch hours. Sometimes I would walk all the way up Lygon st for the most interesting ever Psych course (w/ Maureen), but usually I'd be going past Lincoln Square to reach the main Trinity campus for the many (admittedly) boring tutes and lectures there. & who can forget Danny's initially daunting yet fun drama lesson that brought so much fun to all the students involved?

Next came the pictures from the 2005 summer, although I should really say that the memorable events began around november, after I got to know more Flare's members through Kel & Derr. In the short period of time that I've spent together with them, I've learnt to let myself go, & be more vulnerable in front of them, just because no one is perfect. For once, I didn't have to pretend to be someone I was not, and just be comfortable with who I'm. Days spent playing poker & Risk, eating dee's home-cooked food & lazying around at Dee's leaking apartment were definitely one of the best days I've spent. Add Am & her Taboo game after she came back from her Brunei's hols, & they would rank as two of the most hospitable hostesses I've met! Seriously, I haven't 'slept' around at other people's places very often, let alone gals (Read:NIL), so the grand total of around 10-14 days during the summer would have been very impressive by my own standard =) There was just so much of the events that are still etched so clearly to my mind (CNY @ Springvale, fishing trip, GOR trip, Melb Open, Taboo, poker & Risk sessions, X'mas party, etc), & tears are just welling up in my eyes everytime I think of 'em...


.... & if I'm ever struck down by dementia (touch wood!), I will at least still have this page to remind me of the best parts in my life... I'm sure there will be more to come in the future though, & till that happens, these will still keep my eyes teary for a while yet, when I'm reminded of them again in the future...