My Favourite Things
Cats The
Stolen Child Bukit View
Secondary School Military Band
Cats
Yes!!!!
Cats are soooo cute! No matter what people say to the contrary, they
are still my number one ideal pet. True true...they're not as sticky
as dogs and can be really aloof sometimes...which is exactly what I like...I
really dread it when human or animal lunge at me...so I wouldn't want a
pet that jumps on me the minute I reach home...I think I'd scream rather
than feel loved *lol* And I won't appreciate it either if I were
to be licked all over in addition *yucky*
Sounds
like I'm gonna list out a "101 reasons for rearing cats" list huh?
Nah...I suspect that I'd incur the wrath of dog lovers if I were to continue,
coz it sure sounds like I'm boycotting them :Þ No no...dogs
can be cute too...but I juz prefer cats lah :)
The Stolen
Child (1989)
by Colin Cheong
ISBN 981 204 133 8
Yup...as
you can guess from the code, this is a book rather than a movie or play.
What I find appealing about it? Mmm...lost dreams perhaps...or just
the sheer tragedy of the life of Wings the protagonist. He isn't
a born loser, in fact, he should've been cream of the crop, what with a
rich family background and parents who're both from the upper crust.
And it isn't as if he is spoilt either...he is loyal and self-sacrificing
to the end, to the extent of giving up everything he has for the sake of
others. But time and again, what he gets in return for being conforming
is pain and unfairness.
Go
on, borrow it from your library, or try getting it from the bookshop.
It isn't that expensive anyway. Besides, it is written by a local
author although I must admit that it lacks a local flavour.
But
if you are someone who loves happy endings, don't bother...or else, subscribe
to what Schmendrick from The Last Unicorn said...
"THERE ARE NO HAPPY ENDINGS,
BECAUSE NOTHING ENDS"
"A search for a dream.
Wing[s] discovers that there are many
roads to a single dream. Wing[s] wants to fly - but his dream is
suddenly shattered.
As he searches for a meaning in life
and other dreams to replace his first love, Wing[s] experiences the trials
and tribulations of change - in his family, friends and most of all, himself.
A powerful and moving story about
growing up, innocence and love, toughness and courage. A search across
time and space: from the wonders of childhood to the strident urges of
young manhood; from the landscape of the mind to the realm of the heart."
"An impressive first novel by a young writer of promise...In
its evocation of the private world of the main character, it captures an
authentically Singapore feel, while its brisk narrative and seemingly effortless
style contribute to the book's readability."
National Book Development Council
1990
Bukit
View Secondary School Military Band
Cantilena
(1989
- 1992)
Yes yes
yes...of course I won't leave out my favourite ECA of all time - The
Bukit View Secondary School Military Band.
I spent the happiest 4 years there. I can still remember the excitement
of my very first camp in secondary one :) Really miss the fun we
had...the sabotages, the sweat and toil and even the 'shifting cultivation'...hehehe...cannot
believe how I could've made myself run all over Singapore just to have
a decent band practice...Keming Primary School, Bukit Gombak Stadium, Hill
View...etc. And even when in school, we had to move all over the
place because we weren't all that popular with the school community because
of the 'music' we were making all the time. Whoa...I still remember
how someone screamed at us when she couldn't stand it any more. But
of course, not all are so unreasonable and we were always more than happy
to stop for those who asked us politely.
So...as promised, the story goes on...hey! I still haven't told you
what instrument I played in the band huh? Wanna make a guess?
No? Ok lah...I played...the trumpet! Hee...surprised?
Shouldn't be lah...cos I got good stomach muscles *lol* Actually
we didn't use the trumpet, we had to make do with the cornet, a smaller
version of the trumpet with a mellower sound...so not as brassy or jazzy
as the trumpet. Actually it's a good thing that our instructor preferred
the cornet...cos we won't have to lug a bigger instrument around whenever
we had footdrills mah :)
A 'by-product' of this love for the band is the love for Texas Fried Chicken.
What a pity that it's closed down now :( Hehehe...guess we could
be called the Texas gang at that time, cos it's our fav hangout after band
practice. I suppose we were special, because most of the others preferred
to go to McDonalds.
Guess my one and only moment of glory took place when I played a duet with
Peier for a short portion during the Indoor Band Competition in 1992.
Though we didn't get a gold medal, I feel really proud of our silver :)
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, sooo...the Bukit View Secondary
School Military Band will never be the same again...different instructor,
different members...even our school principal and school uniform are different
now. But I guess that's what makes it all the more memorable...I'm
sure I'll never forget those days, just like my fellow band members :)