Reality Check - Passion or Ricebowl

When this two words was written in one of ex-army commanders topic box in facebook, the idea of the importance of "passion or rice bowl" strike my mind. In the mid of my university course I am currently doing, yet, last semester, with some of my year 1 friends and this semester alone, some new friends who I knew through a Uni-friend of mine who was introduced to the study group had decided to leave the course of study due to various reasons, it does affect me with the decision to continue this tough road of psychology.

Thus, "passion or rice bowl", these two words had not been erased from mind since last semester after that holiday.

However, this semester will be the last semester which I will make the final decision to compare with the results to the number of modules left to complete before I make my final decision to do a switch in course, if necessary or weighting my passion or enthusiasm in doing my major subject.

Before the new semester commences, a group of Uni-friends and I had agreed to give ourselves a break which we had signed up to do a open water diving course @ Tioman, Malaysia (Palau Genting). The 2 theory was pretty manageable, same goes for the practical @ open water. However, when going through the 5 stages of tests, the challenge has just begun.

I was introduced to new items and terms, such as Fins, scuba cylinder, O ring, BCD, regulator, mask clearing, purging, equalization etc. It was tough to maintain my neutral buoyancy, even with 4 weights, but my buddy and friend, Yongda as well as instructor, Markus, was there to guide and ease all my worries.

Eventually, I managed to go there the bits and pieces of the test and drills underwater. Below is one and only picture that one of my Uni-friends had took during my first leisure dive after passing the tests.














Me (Jeff) diving under the sea




















@ Tioman, Sun Beach Resort














My Uni-friends who I knew in year 2 featuring
Cyndi, Ann & Yongda















Artiste: Jing Zhang Yun Jing
Album Title: 相反的我 (The Opposite Me)
Music Publisher: Gold Typhoon (Taiwan) & Warner Music (Singapore)

The champion of the inaugural season of Super Idol, Taiwan singer Zhang Yun Jing was surprisingly left out in the nominations for Golden Melody's Best Newcomer award. But that didn't deter her from marching forward in her fledging Mando-pop career.

In fact, Jing is waving goodbye to her old image with her second album, showing a rebellious side previously unseen of her. The major style in this album is one of British rock, and the production crew consists of such top musicians as Chen Wei, Jim Lee, Adia, Mayday's Stone, Peggy Hsu, Showan, and Japanese-American musician Skot Suyama. The album's warm-up single "Gone Bad" is already an online hit, and the titular main plug "The Opposite Me" is Jing's first composition selected from almost a hundred of demos she recorded!

Overall Remarks:
Will she be the next big star in the mandarin market?
Well, I will say a "YES", how can she not outshine other names such as Rachel Liang Wen Ying, Yu Jia Ying (La-La)?
The reasons are simple:
1. The music producers that participate in the music production "The Opposite Me" album such as 陳偉(Chen Wei)/阿弟仔(Adia)/Jim Lee/五月天石頭(May Day - Stone)/小安(Showan)/許哲珮(Peggy Hsu) had produced a quality album and tracks.

2. The budget for her album production and her MTVs, how can a newcomer get such budget as a Mando-Pop market whereby album sales is a big problem for many artistes.

3. A album that comes with 3 different versions of covers, I guess only Chinese Pop Divas like Elva Hsiao, Jolin Tsai had that kind of budget.















"The Bad Version" Cover of The Opposite Me Album
















"The Good Version" cover of The Opposite Me Album














"The Normal Version" cover of The Opposite Me Album

Play list:
01 壞了KKBOX冠軍Singles！
02相反的我 -張芸京第一首正式創作發表！
03 愛情選項 -MV featuring Cyndi Wang as main lead
04 五月天石頭(Mayday- Stone) 力挺，童話系搖滾強擊「你是唯一」
05金曲獎最佳編曲人小安(Showan)最新抒情力作「不再聯絡」
06我不愛你了
07只愛你
08正不正
09簡訊
10好了


For more information,
log on to http://www.gold-typhoon.com.tw/music/album/3700

Jing Zhang is coming to Singapore for her album promotion in Aug 9, National Day @ IMM, 2pm for her album" The Opposite Me" Album Autograph



DO YOU YOUTUBE?

Youtube MV Link:

Recommended Hits - 相反的我(The Opposite me )-張芸京
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3y6ldxNhxik

The Cabinet

In Collaboration with ETCeteras & The Arts House
The Cabinet
Written and directed by: Lim Hai Yen
Produced By: Mr Baey Yam Keng


演员表 (Cast):
黄家强 (Johhny Ng) – MM, Marketing Manager
铭亮 (Leanne Ong) – SM, Stage Manager
林华隆 (Lim Wah Long) – PM, Production Manager
雷宇 (Leo Lei) – Director/Actor
Moli - ATM, Assistant Technical Manager

So if you think you know the definition of some of the short forms S.M, P.M, M.M in our everyday language? Think Again! Well especially when this terms which we know are politically link, e.g. MM as Minister Mentor, SM as Senior Minister, PM as Prime Minister etc. Then, I guess, this play will have this terms redefined.

Storyline:
The theatre company struggles to put together a monologue about a man and his cabinet. However, the censorship board had reflected that the play is not racy, the lines of the cast is too sleazy etc. Yet, the response was warming as tickets are sold and audiences are waiting for the show to start. Are the characters, SM - Stage Manager, MM - Marketing Manager as well as the PM - Production Manager able to save the situation?

To find out what happen next, make your move to get the tickets. A mandarin play with English subtitles provided, a comedy about obsessions and successions which you will realise how important and tough it is to bring something that is impossible to a dream come true?



Below are some Up-close pictures of the full dress rehearsal:















Mr Baey and the cast















Up-close Pictures @ The Cabinet



























Male Lead Actor: Johnny Ng














In the picture: Johnny Ng (Marketing Manager), Leanne Ong (Stage Manager) , Leo Lei (Director/Actor) and Moli (Assistant Stage Manager)














Special thanks to Mr and Mrs Baey for this exclusive backstage pass.

More for information, log on to
http://www.etceteras.org.sg/

Date:
21-25 July 2010 ; 28-30 July 2010

Details:
The Arts House
1 Old Parliament Lane
Singapore 179429
Tel: (+65) 6332 6900

Ticketing Details:
(+65) 6332 6919

Email: tickets@toph.com.sg

Movie Picks For July

Movies are meant to entertain you!

If you would like to have a great laughter and smiles after walking out of the theatre or through out the 95 minutes of show time, Despicable Me is the choice.


Cast: Steve Carell, Julie Andrews, Kristen Wiig
Director: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
Running Time: 95 Minutes
Genre: Family

For more information about Despicable ME,
Log on to http://www.despicable.me/

The 25th (Part 2)

I begin to realise that most of my friends' birthday fall on second half of the year, begins with May, June, July (The most number of friends), August, September, October and December.

Thus, this are the months, I will seriously control my diet. However, I had to admit that I have seriously put on some kilograms after having to eat 2 birthday cakes. Though they are just 3 slices of the entire cake, yet who cares, right!

At the end of the day, I am only able to hear the birthday songs sang by my family, friends, buddies, once a year. But, the choice of birthday cakes, I just hope it will not be repeated for next year, we can always try other cakes, e.g. Ice cream cakes!!

However, thanks for the surprises :D
Date: 07 July 2010
Time: After 7pm
People Involved: Kelly, David, Me (Jeff)
Place: Raindrops Cafe @ Scape
Address: 2 Orchard Link, #02- 38
Singapore 237978
Website: raindrops.sg














Does it look like Raindrops?
They look like stars instead!















The Best Buddies & Friends:
David (Since Primary School)
Kelly (Since Secondary School)















My Birthday Cake!!














A slice of Chocolate cake only ?!








A table of food
What we order?
Me: Seafood Pestro
David: Metique Beef
Kelly: Crispy Salmon with Asparagus















One of my best buddies for 17 years since primary school














Oh, that's Me!
Dessert @ redmango
Authentic Frozen Yogurt
If you are someone who prefer to have something sweet after meal, probably a dessert to distress, I guess, the newly opened redmango @ Scape might be one of your choice to make, located @ next to Cineleisure Orchard, the actual address, 2 Orchard Link, #02-29/30

A place that sells fresh, low fat yogurt suits for all, especially those who have sweet tooth but unable to resist to sweet stuff, go try it...!

U can topped it up your yogurt with fruits such as fresh strawberries, cherries, to M&M chocolates, mini candies etc.

















redmango @ Scape














Yogurt with mixed strawberries, corn flakes & Candies (below)

The 25th (Part 1)

Date: 03 July 2010
Location: Orchard Central, Crystal Jade Cafe
Time: 7.30pm
People Involved: G5
Patrick, Augustine, Selene, Adelene, Jeff (Me)

I was not expecting a birthday bush or party, though I always desire to have one party which gather all my friends from different age groups, and the place to host this dream party is definitely @ Mc Donald's.

Fries, coke, toys, happy meals, nuggets, burgers, this are some simple food items which can make my day during childhood or even friends among my age filled with liveliness back then.

Maybe I am not prepared to enter into the adulthood or should I say, I had entered the adulthood without even realising it at all. I always hope I will be able to fulfill this childhood wish of mine, but I guess, age is a biggest barrier.

However, I was graceful to have G5 to celebrate my birthday with me on last Saturday (3rd July 2010).

Guys: Thanks for the gift ! :D

Best Buddy for 17 years: Jeff (Me) with Patrick














G3: Adelene, Jeff (Me), and Augustine














G2 with Patrick's colleague (Right): Selene, Patrick, and April














G5 in power: Jeff (Me), Patrick, Adelene, Augustine, Selene














Me!














Album Title: Truly Album
Album Artiste: Sing Chew (Shi Xin Hui)
Music Publisher: Warner Music Singapore














Project Superstar 1st-runners-up and Singapore Hits Award Best Newcomer, Sing Shi Xin Hui had recently released her compilation which conclude some of her best tracks from her first album such as From Taipei to Beijing (English version of - From Paris to Berlin), You give, etc. Her second album include tracks such as Queen, I know I 've become prettier, Yesterday, Singderella are some of the hot download ring tones in Singapore.

In this compilation, Sing has once again proved her talent as a lyricist which she had written her new singles (Ah Chun), (Staying Behind, Alone), (Surrender).

Do You Youtube?
















Youtube MV Link:
石欣卉(Sing Chew) by 投降(surrender)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzXVMNoOlkg&feature=related


Album Title: 守護者(Guardian)
Album Artistie: 神木與瞳(Y2J)
Music Publisher: Universal Music Singapore



















Y2J is the Taiwan rock duo formed in 2008 by Yuming Lai and Jane Huang, both finalists of the second season of the popular singing contest program One Million Star. Their first album was a hit and got a nomination for Best Group Vocal at the Golden Melody Awards.


Almost two years later, Yuming and Lai are back with their anticipated second album Shou Hu Zhe. Among the track list are the first plug "Forgiving" about recovering from the pain of a lover's betrayal, and the titular single "Guardian" featuring aboriginal singer Biung Wang on supporting vocals.


Y2J's cool titular rock song 崩裂前聲嘶力竭 (Track 1) rounds off their premier CD, impressively exposing the vocal strength of the newly-formed duo.


Play list:
01. 崩裂前聲嘶力竭 02. 守護者 (主唱︰黃美珍) 03. 好想為你哭 (主唱︰賴銘偉) 04. 寬恕 05. 轉淚點 (主唱︰賴銘偉) 06. 跟我一起怪 (主唱︰黃美珍) 07. 信徒 08. 耶路撒冷 09. 捍衛真愛 10. Q & A Hidden Track: 11. 親愛的是我 (Demo版) (主唱︰賴銘偉)

Do You YouTube?


















Youtube MV Link:
神木與瞳(Y2J) -寬恕 (Forgiving)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DXBT1qDxw4