Some photos from dinner and dance '07. The program wasn't exactly fantastic but the company of my darling A3 girls made the night memorable. From front left: Qingmei, me, Andrea, Yuimin, Lorraine. Shuting's right at the back. The theme for dnd was W.A.R - wear anything related and we decided that it meant we are ragdolls. We spent hours shredding our "pink wig" and to put together our costumes. Can you imagine our reaction when all our hard work drew horrid comments like "wow, you guys make cute french maids" FRENCH MAIDS!!!!!!!!!! Men! They have no sense of imagination. I mean check our makeup out! We had to endure two red spots on our faces, blood-red lipstick and tonnes of eyeliner. ooooooo I so can't believe they didn't get it. Speaking of which, I have to say that Andrea made commendable effort in shredding her wig along the way. She looked hilarious doing her last minute dressing up. Thank you girls... the memory of dnd is priceless.

Before

After..

It was Eusoff's "culture night" last night and this year it was held in conjunction with the M.A.B award ceremony. Winnie, Jing xuan and I started practising on monday and we had to put the item up on wednesday. It went better than expected, thanks to their hard work and encouragement from people around me. It wasn't perfect due to some synchronising problems here and there but overall, I'm really very happy with what we managed to put up. Thank you for being such sweethearts girls. I'm glad you babes didn't mind my choreo cause it's a different style from what you all are used to. Anyway, while we were in the dance studio doing our warm up while waiting to put up the opening item, Jingxuan said something real sweet. She said she thought I looked scary and unapproachable when she first saw me at Dance Blast practise but I turned out to be real nice! Winnie said the same thing too. She said she was apprehensive about doing the item with me until I spoke to her during our first meeting.She said I was gentle and friendly. These little encouragement from them are so heartwarming. Here's what Jingxuan said in her e-mail to me as well.

hi grace..!
jingxuan here.. these are your photos!! really nice to have the chance to perform w/ u.. you're sooooo nice and pretty!!! haahaa..
stay cool.
~jingxuan

Thanks dear.. it was sweet dancing with you girls as well.

Combined photo with the Eunique girls

Posing with lovely Amanda after dance

Gorgeous Betty, looking radiant after her wedding photoshoot. She's a great dancer and choreographer. Very patient with her dancers too...

Final photo with Louis, my camera man and avid supporter of all my dance routines.. I love what he was wearing. Thank you for coming down.

Yellow Fever

Recently. I've found a new love....yellow. It's such a cheery colour and it brightens up my day to be in yellow!

More yellow...

And of course there's the inverse picture... the one that does more than brighten up my day. It makes me break out in laughter! It's the cheesy pose from Louis! -wahahahhahahahahhaha-

Back to serious stuff. I just drilled myself for 5 hours in the dance studio today and I'm still not ready for my performance tomorrow. Because of dance uncensored and a change of details, choreography and dance practice had to be pushed to Monday and our performance is on Wednesday! I'm a tad disappointed because I can't seem to remember the last 2 sets of eights for the choreo. I shall practise hard before culture night. Jingxuan and Winnie and nice girls to work with. They're technically pretty good for young dancers and I like their attitude towards practice. They're seldom late(early in fact) but as the "senior" in A block, I've got to take charge of miscellaneous stuff like costumes, arrangement with the backstage crew and music editing. Thank God for help from Louis. He has never complained about the endless favours I ask of him.. and i really REALLY appreciate it.

Fell sick yesterday. Was down with a life-threatening flu virus that gave me bone cracking body aches all over, a 39 degree fever and a pounding headache.I was probably delirious last night.-grin- I might exaggerate it a little but it really felt like a near-death experience! I had to drag myself to the dance studio to practise last night. It was a 9-1 am affair and it drained all my energy. After a bath, I slept all the way to 2 pm today and went for dance practise. Kelvin, thank you for the medicine. It was really thoughtful. I hardly mentioned how I felt when you asked me about it and fell asleep. Nonetheless, I am really moved by your care and concern :)

Happy birthday Rubin!

My dear friend Rubin, turned 25 on friday and we went to East Coast for seafood, a place called Red House I think. The mantou dipped in the chili crab sauce was simply fabulous! They served Sri Lankan crabs which had more flesh than the normal crabs and I'm glad the boys enjoyed themselves. I'm not really into seafood but the company more than made up for it. Though it was just the three of us (Louis, Rubin and me), we had quite a bit of a talk.. I got to know Rubin when I entered Sheares Hall. Back then, I thought he was this cute guy with this serious expression when he was giving us prep talks for our matches. He's pretty tall and I remembered checking him out when he was watching a match intently. haha.. Oh well, he's now a very good friend. I can't help but laugh at his 'little boy' expressions when he eats and all. Oh did I tell you he has this infectious way of eating? He concentrates intently on his food and it just makes the dishes seem more yummy! Anyways, back to Rubin. We haven't exactly known each other for very long but I've always liked talking to him. He comes across as very sincere and not afraid to be honest with his opinions. It's a privilege to get to know you dear friend!

I liked the ride home. It was considerably long but Louis was there. We talked a lot, as usual but he would probably say that I did most of the talking. I love hearing him talk after he spends quality time doing things he likes and I think he enjoyed Rubin's company immensely. He doesn't know it but he gets more animated and smiley AND he has a great laugh.

Just the other day, Alvin and I were talking in the library and we came across the topic on how far we would go for our loved ones. He mentioned that I would do a lot to make others happy. Alvin's pretty much right. I think I would do as much as I can to make the people around happy, especially the ones that i treasure. I could forgo a photoshoot session to support a match, miss a dance practise to watch Jasmine sing... go all the way to get my friend her favourite char kway tiao to cheer her up after a nasty breakup with her ex. Then again, I realised that because i genuninely care, people around me reciprocate the gestures as well. Little things like having someone message me after knowing that I'm sick..coming all the way with hot horlicks knowing that i'm stressed out... having support when I'm at my lowest... People say that life's complicated. I don't deny that it is, especially with people who value money and career. Now that I'm graduating, I've come to know people who would take up jobs that they don't particularly enjoy for the money and complaining about how they dislike their jobs, sometimes they get so busy and aren't able to meet up with their friends. I hope I don't become like that. I love the people I have in my life right now and I hope that I'll always stay rooted, down to earth and treasure little gestures and concern my loved ones have for me, especially my family. I miss you daddy... I think i'll message him on his cell right now. Guess I'll keep my entry to this then.. :)

Is rubin

a) In pain?

b) Disgusted by something smelly?

c) Prying his crab open?

... haha yes it's obvious with that crab sauce stain on his chin. He's attacking the crab! or perhaps it's the other way round?

Brownie cheesecake from Swissbake, just the right size for 3 :)

Mutant with crab claw. Check out that killer grin!

A part time student, full time dancer :)

Dance Uncensored 2006
Girls' Nations 2006
Culture Night 2007
Impressario 2007
Happy Dancer :)

I've just completed my part of the essay for my project. I enjoyed writing it, putting extra effort in making sure that my part's written clear and well. Having Tove and Jesper in our group is pretty much a blessing. Though they're exchange students, they are dedicated to the project even though it isn't graded for them. Tove in particular, inspires me. She started out being quiet in the group during our first few meetings but gradually took over as the project leader. Hearing from the exchange students provided different viewpoints in approaching the project and it's a fresh approach from doing project from the Singaporean way. Incidentally, Tove and Jesper are staying at Farrell Park, which is near Little India and Tove suggested that we dine at Muthu's curry after we submit our project as a mini celebration. How lovely! I've developed a thing for Indian food recently. Just thinking about the fragrant spices used to cook that pot of curry... ah blissful!

Anyway, just had a vetting session at Jasmine's music school yesterday. Margie, Siding, Xilin and I are backup dancers for Jas for her guest performance on the 31st. It's also my first choreography for a backup dance and I was nervous about it. I had a rough idea on what a backup dance choreography should be like but I've never done one. Margie, Siding and Xilin have been extremely busy with Dance Uncensored and I'm thankful that they've taken the time to practise for the vetting session. I was a little disappointed yesterday cause we were horribly messy. The manager was pretty pleased with the choreography but commented that we had to polish up. Margie volunteered to help polish up next week, which made me realise that these girls are so incredibly supportive though they're seasoned dancers. There are little things about them like how they never give negative comments about choreography, which was very encouraging to me. Each of them have their own style, but they're willing to compromise and put it aside in order to look neat as a group. I've watched them dance when I was in year one and they've improved tremendously, probably because they are not just dedicated to their passion but they are hardworkers, especially Margie. She's so meticulous and well-organized! I'm motivated to be like them, to have a positive attitude.

Somehow, I still feel the disappointment from last night. Perhaps it's the late nights that I'm having and trouble sleeping cause of my stomach problems.. I woke up at 4 am this morning feeling disappointed. Somehow I was blessed with someone to talk to. Kelvin was up as well and it helped when he asked if I was alright. I've been so busy lately that I've hardly had time to catch up with friends and appreciate little things that they do for me. Kelvin, thank you for your simple msg. Knowing that people around me care gives me the motivation to work harder, to strive towards my goals, my passion....

Dancing started out as a novelty, it then became a hobby. I fell in love with it when I entered NUS and I'm enjoying it. Though there were times that I question the amount of time I put into dancing. The disappointments, the heavy workload... it made me re-evaluate my priorities. Am I in NUS to study or dance? Would I disappoint my parents with my grades? I've come to a compromise, that is to put in the best I can to study but at the same time, dance and aim to improve my techniques. Though I might not be able to dance after I graduate, I think it's still worth it because it will be a phase in life that I treasure. I could look back in a few years' time and not regret because I have once pursued my passion. Maybe, just one day, I could show my grandchildren pictures of their grandma as a dancer. All that hot poses and skimpy outfits ..-chuckles- They will probably complain that it's old-fashioned dance wear by then but at least they'd know that their grandma was one who doned short skirts and navel baring outfits! haha..

I've uploaded some photos of memorable performances and competitions above :)

A3 divas

The A3 girls, from left clockwise : Siding, Lorraine, Shuting, Amanda, Me and Carol

My infectious neighbour, shuting

Margie's dancers!

Was feeling a little nostalgic after going through the pictures in my computer and decided to pen my thoughts here. I've moved from Sheares to Eusoff Hall for nearly a year now. Initially, I was apprehensive about the new change of environment, mostly because I felt it would be difficult to make new friends on A3 (seniors block). When I came over, I was intimidated by the girls. They had this cool demeanour. Being either superb dancers or sportswomen or the lethal combination of both, my A3 girls had this natural "look at me" flair about them.

1. There's Siding who has the dancer's X-factor and is one heck of a sportswomen.
2. Then there's Jane who is fiercely independent and cool.
3. Lorraine's a sweetheart with her gorgeous smile.
4. Shuting's just purely infectious and she makes you laugh
5. Qingmei's an individual who commands attention with her hilarious comments
6. Yuimin's a born actress ( Dance production :) )
7. Amanda, though petite, is big on style
8. Carol's a self-declared tomboy but really, she's not!

These girls are not only head-turners bout they're big on personality as well. After a year on A3, I can't imagine having any other neighbours. Because most of them are graduating and some aren't staying next semester, I'm going to miss the whole noisy bunch of them.

It's funny how we don't seem to treasure things around us until we start to miss their existence and start valuing them. Girls, if you ever happen to read this entry, I have to say a big thank you for the precious memories you've given me since i moved into Eusoff. Things just wouldn't be the same without you. I sincerely hope that even afer we graduate and move on with our careers and perhaps families, we'll still keep in touch.

My very first entry!

Pardon me but I'm a complete techonophobic. I've always wanted to blog but found it too much a hassle to explore blogging. Thank you for helping me out with the blog despite your evil attempts at horrifying usernames!

Last night was simply fantastic. I had dinner with Alvin ( one of my best friends in NUS ) and his girlfriend. Louis came along and we had superb fishhead curry at Banana Leaf. Louis and I were an hour early so before Alvin and Peishan came, we explored the arcade of Little India. It was overwhelmed with all sorts of Indian cuisine and exotic Indian candies. There were hand made sashes, accesories.... I had a great time trying out the Indian candies. I wish I brought my camera so that I can upload photos of the exotic looking candies that tasted really good.

After the pleasant dinner, we went to Mustafa's. I must say that I was awestruck by the endless shelves of chocolates and other candies. You see, I'm diagnosed with an acute chocolate addiction and boy was I elated to buy some back! There goes my strict diet! ( I'm supposed to tone up for an upcoming dance item)

The highlight of the day was back at Eusoff. Louis came over. Because I'm a private person, I take time and plenty of trust to share my innermost thoughts to someone. Last night, I shed quite a fair bit of tears talking about my family, my regrets, my hopes.... thank you for listening. The memory of it still lingers.... Thank you for being special.. for being my pillar of support after I broke up with Jeremy. Thank you for being at my dance competitions and performances despite seeing the routines again and again. Thank you for mustering the courage to quit smoking. Thank you for wiping my tears. Thank you for telling me things will be alright when I'm at a loss and showering me with chocolates to cheer me up. Most importantly, thank you for coming into my life and hanging on even though I've done so much to hurt you. I'm extremely blessed.. to have a wonderful God, a supportive family, good friends and to have your support in my life.