Paper and Ink

I bet Jia Wen, Rachel, Audrey and Carmen must have been exasperated with me.

First, I dragged them by hook AND by crook to hang out with me in PJ, which was literally a whole continent away for 3 out of the 4 of them.

Then, ‘inevitably’, Audrey and Carmen were ‘unavailable’ (for preposterous excuses that I have no intentions of splashing them across this blog), leaving only Jia Wen and Rachel, a disastrous situation which I fretted over in a suppressed frenzy. And somehow, due to a certain twist in the means of route, and Rachel’s magical power of hypnotizing persuasion (and her uncanny knack for arranging and organizing), those 2 were back on our entourage. Whee!

And then, after all the countless roundabouts and U-turns we went through, after clearing up the skies for me, I decided to play elective mute. Or at least 95% throughout the entire social event.

AHA.

*I can almost hear shouts of ‘Belanja!’*

Anyway, how we wound up in Atria’s Big Book Store instead of the planned Amcorp Mall’s BookXcess was beyond the logic grasp of my lethargic mind. And apparently I wasn’t alone. Darren had no inkling whatsoever either that we weren’t in Amcorp Mall till we were walking halfway towards the shop in the mall, even after staring at the word ‘Atria’ in the face as we drove in and 10 minutes of searching for parking lot.

Right.

So we got there, knowingly or unknowingly, and then everything else didn't matter. It was like the rest of the building just fell away.

And I became blinded by books. Literally. My eyes just skimmed over the titles and authors in a feverish manner without being able to focus on any 1 for a while, as if trying to see through a haze, with my mind on fire. I nearly giggled hysterically.

HEAVEN.

And there were even 2 parts to the shop, fiction and non-fiction, though the line between them was fuzzy and you could find fantasy novels scattered among autobiographies. Whatever. My book appetite heed no petty spillovers.

The others seemed to be in the same state of ecstasy, despite not finding the particular book(s)/author(s) they had in mind. Oh well. But all of us did get a book each. Or more.

Jia Wen and her Torey Hayden.

Rachel and her basket full of books.

I can’t quite remember what Audrey and Carmen got, other than the same book I picked up too.

Darren and his Killer Excuses.

Me and my, of all things, Jazz Encyclopedia.

Don’t ask me. Probably the sudden spark of enthusiasm for jazz. Or simply the thrill of possessing a music-related encyclopedia in hopes of acing Popular Music History 1 next semester.

Blah. All I know was that I FREAKING BOUGHT A BOOK. Heehee.

We left for Amcorp Mall after God knew how long and finally got round to ponder the term ‘lunch’. If it was still called a lunch, that is. The clock on my phone said it was 3.40pm. Decided to have it at A&W.

To Wen Dee and Andrew: the fried chicken was CRISPY and STEAMING HOT.

In the end we bailed on Amcorp Mall. Sad. But there's always a next time, no?

P.S. OMG I just realized we didn't take any photos today :(

A Little Nightmare Music

Two words to sum up tonight’s concert: MIND BLOWN.

Like, “KA-BOOM”

And trust me, I’ve never used the term on ANY MPO-hosted performances before. Ever. Enraptured, yes. Breath-taken, yes. Inspired, yes. Dull and heavy, yes. Void of emotions thus no comment, yes. But mind blown? Non. Nay. Nary.

My condolences to the Classical enthusiasts for having their sacred, fervently preserved pieces twisted to bizarre proportions by Igudesman and Joo with seemingly much glee.

Of course, their virtuosity and eloquence in the ancient music are to be credited to the highest degree. No doubt their skills are the catalysts to mutate something rooted in Classical to Contemporary, which got me thinking…

>:) Guess who’s going to drill her Classical pieces soon? Nothing drives me more than the look of horror and disgust on Dr. P’ng’s face when he hears the jumbled-up, distorted version of his sanctified songs. Ah, my sweet, sweet revenge success.

And a superb motivation for me to amend my degrading viola skills. Hmmm. Speaking of which…

“People tend to assume that violas are bigger than violins. Wrong! Violas are NOT bigger than violins. It’s merely an optical illusion! You see, this is because violists have smaller heads than violinists.” I think it was from a short scene on the bipolar personalities of a violinist.

Incredulity was written all over my face.

Nah, I knew it was a joke. BUT STILL.

So, I confronted them after the autograph session and having my photo taken (dad insisted that I should queue up for an autograph or a picture with them and forcefully extracted the camera from my hands so that he could snapped as soon as I got close enough).

“I play the viola and my head’s not small,” I mock-indignantly told Aleksey Igudesman.

“Aww. Don’t get offended. It’s just a joke!”

“Haha. I know, it’s o-“

“You play the viola?” Richard Hyung-ki Joo looked as if he was witnessing some random predicament of his materialize.

“Yes…”

“Anyone else here plays the viola? No? So, you said you play the viola and your head’s not small?”

“Yeah…”

“No worries on that. It’s a joke about violinists. It’s just to say that violists are not big-headed.”

Whoa. Wicked twist in defense.

You’ve found yourselves a new fan here, mates.

Seriously, if every other MPO concerts were half as cracked up, I would have gladly and willingly take the time to purchase the tickets and even be dolled up in loathsome dresses and heinous heels, just to counteract my college’s torture device. My days would have been sheltered by an interminable stretch of student recital-free blue sky.

Emma in full formal wear. Priceless.

Rachel (:

I guess there's no need to point out which of the 2 is Richard Hyung-ki Joo and which is Aleksey Igudesman.

It's just you and me, screw and all other people

(:

Jump Then Fall - Taylor Swift

I like the way you sound in the morning
We're on the phone and without a warning
I realize your laugh is the best sound I have ever heard

I like the way I can't keep my focus
I watch you talk you didn't notice
I hear the words but all I can think is we should be together

Every time you smile, I smile
And every time you shine, I'll shine for you

Whoa oh, I'm feeling you baby
Don't be afraid to jump then fall, jump then fall into me
Baby, I'm never gonna leave you
Say that you wanna be with me too
Cause I'm gonna stay through it all so jump then fall

Well, I like the way your hair falls in your face
You got the keys to me I love each freckle on your face, oh,
I've never been so wrapped up
Honey, I like the way you're everything I've ever wanted

I had time to think it oh-over

And all I can say is come closer
Take a deep breath and jump then fall into me

Every time you smile, I smile
And every time you shine, I'll shine for you

Whoa oh I'm feeling you baby
Don't be afraid to jump then fall, jump then fall into me
Baby, I'm never gonna leave you
Say that you wanna be with me too
Cause I'm gonna stay through it all so jump then fall

The bottoms gonna drop out from under our feet
I'll catch you, I'll catch you
When people say things that bring you to your knees
I'll catch you
The time is gonna come when you're so mad you could cry
But I'll hold you through the night until you smile

Whoa oh, I need you baby
Don't be afraid please
Jump then fall, jump then fall into me
Baby, I'm never gonna leave you,
Say that you wanna be with me too
Cause I'm gonna through it all so jump then fall
Jump then fall baby
Jump then fall into me, into me

Every time you smile, I smile
And every time you shine, I'll shine
And every time you're here baby, I'll show you, I'll show you

You can jump then fall, jump then fall

Jump then fall into me, into me

So, Jia Wen, don't you think this song says it better than that Colbie Caillat song of yours?

on the Outside

25^th December is approaching. The flames of Christmas spirit have begun to hiss and crackle into life. College mates are gearing up for a full blast fortnight caroling on the Hill of Entertainment. And I’m not included.

No, I’m not jealous, neither am I angry or in a vengeful mood. But yes, I do feel hurt, though in the mildest manner, a scrap on the knee. Kind of like standing on the outside, looking in.

God, I sound like a whiny and whimpering child.

I mean, who am I to blame? I did not take the initiative of enquiring and collecting information on the job. I did not make the move to probe around and be nosy. In the blur and undistinguishable entanglement of classes, assignments, practices and exams, I became lethargic and expect people to spoon feed me.

And now, I feel like a tribesman using a spear and shield to hunt for an internship, all on my own.

I guess Procrastination isn’t my middle name after all.

Passivity is.

P.S. I promise I’ll go up to Genting to support you guys and hopefully it doesn't come down to weekends (coz all we would be doing then is hiding in your rooms from the suffocating crowd) (: Maybe I could sneak in and crash in one of you people’s rooms…

Sniff

I remember when we were on our way to catch Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, Jia Wen asked about the smells we liked. I couldn't think of anything then. So I guess I owe you this too, gal.

I love the smell of books. New, ancient, crisp white, dusty, paperback, hardcover, leather-bound, whatever, the scent is simply intoxicating. And if words have a smell, I would love that too.

I love the smell of after-rain, when the world is sprinkled with crystal droplets of a light drizzle or bathed in sheets of the pearly white of a storm.

I love the smell of early mornings, the fresh earthly scent made cool by a blanket of dew.

I love the smell of steaming coffee, even more so as it thickens to a paler shade of brown when you stir in the milk and cream. Ooh la la. Screw the caffeine. I enjoy getting drugged, so what?

I love the smell of baked food. Bread, cakes, cupcakes (me loves most), muffins, cookies and every other sinful dough-y indulgences, my nose succumbs to them.

I love the smell of melted chocolate, the simmering, molten, velvety flow of chocolate that is usually used for topping cakes or cupcakes, or, Praise All Things Beautiful, turned into a fountain of ecstasy. God forbid that someone should find a cure for my obsession over chocolate fondues.

I'll add on when I recall or come across more (:

On the second day of November

Felt like a zombie when I woke up this morning. Thigh muscles were still burning, shoulder blades were stiff, arms were weak and aching, head was fuzzy and eyes were laden and drooping all the time.

Thank God we (me, Jia Wen, Audrey, Carmen, Seong Seong) agreed on Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and not some action or Chinese/Cantonese movie. Am too lazy to write a review on it. Just go watch it. If it doesn't make you laugh or swoon or drool, you need a life.

Strolled around blindly in an attempt to help Seong Seong shop for a watch. Lunched at a secluded cafe in Jusco. Hmmm. I don't quite remember paying for my food though...

Anyway, rushed back for Pei Saan's graduation recital at 2.30pm. Turned out to be 3pm. Blah.

Slept through the concert.

Stayed on for another 2 more recitals: Angela Ong's and Sean's. Why yes, I actually stuck 2 sticks between my eyelids to keep myself from falling asleep, how did you know? Nah. They weren't all that bad. In fact, I was enthralled by one and shaken awake by the other. If only they switched the time slots. Ending a line-up of graduation recitals with a metal-infested one was not entirely healthy. Especially with one whose performer was a crazed fan of Metallica and Children of Bodom.

But for all that residue ringing in my ears, nothing made me more relief than forcing my recital attendance form down the throat of that damn submission box. Cheers.

On a random note, I just finished a whole documentary on Parallel Universes. Enlightening. And it touched on my favourite Quantum Physics, though on the physics side, not the psychological one. Don't ask me why I suddenly got interested in this. Probably because of His Dark Materials. Good stuff, that book. Loads of subtle scientific and non-scientific concepts. Jo, I think you might want to check these out. String Theory isn't the ultimate solution, M-Theory is.

P.S. I'm still riding high on the waves of adrenaline from Saturday night.