I get inspired when I read stories about people chasing their dreams and aspirations. As much as it ain’t always a bed of roses, to read how they fought hard and finally have their dreams come true is always one powerful story.
It seemed only yesterday when I read news about Singapore being the host of the inaugural Youth Olympics in 2010. Look where we are today fast forward two years later. Our streets, decorated with the YOG banners and its mascots, we read daily about preparations underway for YOG…and when the day finally came, the opening ceremony at the Marina Bay Floating Platform wowed me off my feet.
For me, it was a night to remember as one of the guest singers at the community celebrations hosted by Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) as part of the Journey of the Youth Olympic Flame (JYOF). I remember arriving at the NYP Atrium to a crowd of 5000 students and residents all ready to celebrate the glorious occasion. What unfolded that evening, was a great great story of how NYP students and staff worked so hard to make all these happen….performances, speeches, animation, I see that sense of pride beaming through their smiles and every move.
The most touching moment would have to be the arrival of the Youth Olympic Flame. The cheers were so intense, the crowd was beyond ecstatic and bursting with pride when it arrived. I felt so proud to be a Singaporean.
I will always hold dear to my heart of having the pleasure to meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
That night, I witnessed what it meant by having a dream, and realizing it with teamwork, determination and a great spirit.
Thank you NYP for the great memories.
We tend to get caught up in the fast paced life. Well, everyone once in a while, I hope we all take some time to smell the roses.
I am a little free spirited girl who likes to believe we all have the power within us to dream…I am working hard at chasing mine as we speak, and I hope you too, will chase yours with that sparkle in your eye. Let’s all take that first step and have a great ride wherever it takes us because I strongly believe it will bring us a colorful life in the form of rainbows, you’ll meet friends who’ll cheer you along the way, and we’ll all live and own moments so fulfilling and that’s what makes life all so worthwhile.
To this my friends, I say, 加油！加油！ 加油！！！！！ 
Lovely students at NYP
If you have been following me on twitter, you will know I am absolutely smitten by Merly the Mascot 
Monster Cheerleading Team from Taiwan, breathtaking stunts!
Cultural performances. Love the colors.
The Youth Olympic Flame getting arriving close to us at the NYP Atrium
This is Shyu Anne. She was my host at NYP and took such great care of me. Thanks gal!
It took me a long time to get my thoughts and emotions composed to write this entry, because in the last month, I had to deal with the lost of a friend, and a relative.
Back in June, I was invited to the private screening of the movie “Love Cuts” and was excited upon knowing that I would be recording the theme song for this movie, consisting of a stellar cast and production team . I remember going into the theatre trying to psyche myself not to cry. Eventually, I succumbed because the story was very real, one that all of us can relate to.
Some of you may have read or know that FM lost a dear friend in July. Our brave little angel who battled with cancer, who fought gloriously and left us for a safer place, who touched so many hearts with her spirit and big heart.
Due to our hectic work schedules in July, Eric and I actually worked on the cello arrangement for the song at the hospital, after visiting our friend who was then hospitalized. I was scheduled to record the song the next day…but events took a change when our friend left us that night. Eventually, we recorded the song two days later, on the last night of her wake and after we finished recording, Eric transfered the tracks into his laptop, packed our gears and off we went back to the wake, editing into the night.
It is hard enough to sing the song on its own. The melody that Eric composed, the lyrics that Xiaohan wrote made the song one that you keep very close to your heart as it captured that feeling of lost, of holding on, and the eventual feeling of comfort and strength that we all need to move on bravely.
It was even harder on my emotions when we recorded this song during the time we lost our friend. Having to come to terms with the reality of all that was happening and staying composed at the same time. My heart was in pain with the sudden lost, I remember trying to hold on to every memory I have of her when I was holed up in the studio and sang those lines:
“你住在心裡很安全…天天想你 就能見到你”
As strong as I can be, strong as we can all be, while we try to take the shorter route of dealing with lost by keeping ourselves and thoughts occupied hoping that the pain will fade away, the slow sinking into the reality of loosing someone you love forever, reduces you to moments of uncontrollable tears.
It is also during such times that things are put into perspective, you realise silly quarrels and discontentment become so insignificant, and all that matters is to cherish, love, be content and live life to the fullest with the people around you.
While we hold on tightly to every smile, every memory, every moment spent together, I hope this song helps all of us stay strong. May that huge gap in our hearts be healed, and may we eventually look to the sun, and know that our loves ones who have left us will live forever with and within us, in our hearts, in our thoughts.
“Love Cuts” opens in theaters 09 Sep 2010.If we could let a heartfelt story of love, life and family be told, let it be this one. 請大家多多支持這部電影。
《手中線》這首歌這個星期也登上Y.E.S. 93.3FM 醉心龙虎榜第十六名。 忠心感謝大家對這首歌的支持。
With love,
To LT, our little brave angel who taught us strength and love, and inspired us to do more.
To my aunt, I miss you, and I remember fondly and always, how you loved me and always bought me my favorite snacks since I was a kid.
《割愛》主題曲《手中線》
OA:陳志遠／陳樂融
改編曲：黃韻仁 ｜ 改編詞：小寒 ｜ 演唱：龔芝怡
前兩周， 很榮幸的， 我受邀參與《华文？谁怕谁！》大挑战校園活动， 總共去了八所學校。
回到校園的感覺真好 除了為同學們唱歌， 更重要的是， 我和他們分享了華文， 在我生命中扮演的重要角色。可能大家也知道， 在我當創作歌手之前， 我用英語交談比較多。 走上音樂的道路之後，我逐渐的下功夫， 慢慢提升自己的华语掌握能力。 因為身為創作歌手， 除了作曲， 也要作詞。 我剛發行的創作專輯里，有兩首歌是由自己填詞， 也希望接下來， 可以為自己更多的作品寫詞。除此之外， 在我的工作範圍里， 很多時候， 必須用華文交談。
通過流行音樂， 也能學華語。 我覺得很多時候， 在唱一首歌的時候， 必須了解歌詞的意義， 才能好好的去發揮。就這樣， 我在聽歌的當兒， 發覺了華文的美。我也常常提醒自己， 要多說， 多看， 多發覺， 華文才能進步！
《华文?谁怕谁!》通过有趣的问答游戏，让同學們從中感受中华文化，深化他们对华文华语的认识。我覺得這樣的學習方法真有意思， 也好有創意！同學們都好可愛， 也玩得好開心。 而我， 也從中學了好多！大家一起玩遊戲， 一起學華語的感覺， 真棒！
你也來接受挑戰吧！ Take “The Chinese Challenge”
在此要特別感謝推广华语理事会以及所有熱情的學生們， 老師們！ 感谢你們让我重温上学时候的我! 我們一起加油咯！ 喔耶！！！
Bukit View Secondary School | Cedar Primary School | Chongzheng Primary school｜CHIJ St Nicolas Girls Secondary |
Evergreen Secondary School | Marsiling Primary school | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’s Secondary School｜Raffles Institution |
《华文？谁怕谁！》校園活动有好幾場都是Y.E.S. 93.3FM DJ 家发主持的喔。
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’s Secondary School。。。
Bukit View Secondary School 。。。
CHIJ St Nicolas Girls Secondary。。。
Raffles Institution…
Evergreen Secondary School…
Chongzheng Primary school…
Marsiling Primary school…
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’s Secondary School
你帳照片讓我想起兒童故事書里的畫畫。。。你說像嗎？
跑校园的时候， 常常在礼堂后台看见儿童故事书。。。那天翻开了一本 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
感謝所有學校！ I had a wonderful time!
Hello 大家好嗎？ 近幾個月十分忙碌， 也十分的精彩。 很高興在我專輯 “55:38:7″ 的宣傳活動中，有好多和歌迷們接觸的機會。此外， 我也為 F.I.R.《创世纪》世界巡回演唱會當合音！在香港以及新加坡的兩場都high翻天！你知道嗎，看到觀眾們high, 我們樂隊在台上更high， 也是一直跳個不停的哈哈。
On top of on-going promo work for my album “55:38:7″ in early July, I was also busy with backup vocalist work for F.I.R.’s – It’s My Life World Tour that kicked off with destination Hong Kong, followed by Singapore.
I was so excited about my first time meeting F.I.R. because being a singer-songwriter myself, I have long loved their works as well as the captivating combination of 建寧老師，飛 and 阿沁; and the aura they project in their music and on stage. What I also enjoy about concert work is the opportunity to travel, getting to know and work with accomplished musicians around the region, and the adrenalin rush of the entire process. This time, the backup vocalists were also featured in a solo segment where we each performed 建寧老師’s works while he accompanied us on the piano. It was a pleasure being on this tour, and to immerse in the world of F.I.R.’s music.
In Hong Kong, the audience were high from the minute we went “GO!”. It was also so super nice to see Stefanie Sun again back in Singapore as she was the guest artiste, and boy did we all rehearse for the birthday surprise we sprang on her just before she performed the song “Venus” with F.I.R.
The band was rocking ourselves out for both shows and jumping like crazy too on stage. Wait till you see the heels I wore!!! But I jumped all the same and even harder towards the end of the concert and I couldn’t stop singing: “讓我們Get High!“ Whooo hooooo!
Picture time!
Me and Christine sneaking a quick picture with 飛 before showtime. 飛好漂亮！！！！
在幾場會和。。。Arriving at the airport. We are a funny bunch and so are our luggages.
Setting up….
看看， 我在台上找到甚麼？
Guitars….all dressed up!
Giant silver wave when 飛 sings “With or without You”
阿沁。。。
建寧老師。。。
Me singing 建寧老師’s work 〈好想好好愛你〉! I have utmost respect for him! Such a pleasure!
Hoe Kit, our cellist. He’s my neighbor on stage, and the only guy in the band dressed in white while the rest of us walk around in black, heavily decorated with pins, studs, chains, and feathers!
這是可愛的Yumi. 她負責設計我們樂隊的服裝。 她好棒！
We feel like secret agents in our costumes, helped by the cupboard backdrop. Christine, Mei and me strike a pose. Raaaaahhhh!
The band!! 樂隊！
Backrow: Jimmy, Hoe Kit, Agnes, David
Frontrow: Adam, Me, Christine , Kenn C , Daniel , Reggie + Mei (not in picture!)
My fav treat in Hong Kong, dessert from 糖朝。 我的最愛。。去香港必定要吃的甜品！
這是我在演唱會上穿的高跟鞋！ Yes, I was jumping in these. Getting high in such high-heels is kinda, erm, high!
Guess what I chanced upon on the flight back? 《最好的我》， my duet with Jaycee is featured in the Mandarin Channel on the in-flight entertainment!
Who would have thought that the very much taken for granted butter cake will get a new lease of life?
That’s when I did an interview with 《我报》my paper at 25 Degree Celsius [25度C], a quaint little cafe located along Keong Saik Road earlier in June.
You must be wondering why the name (25°C). The ingenious and passionate owners of this cafe shared with us that 25 is for the shop number, C is for Celsius and (25°C) is such an important temperature in the art of cookery. This is a neat little cafe that I hear has regulars coming back for the wide range of cookbooks it carries, famed chefs do drop by, and it also houses a test kitchen.
In many ways, I view cookery and music in very similar light. Both processes require heart and soul, patience, precision and time. So many ingredients (from herbs, seasoning, techniques | for music it is arrangement, mix, layers) go into the entire cooking process all just to give that final taste in your mouth. Making a record, is the same.
The other thing in common I had with this cafe was, both of us used numbers. 25 for them, 55:38:7 for my album!
I particularly loved the natural light in the cafe, the rows of cookbooks. I have big love for retro and I liked how this place has retro on the outside (being a shophouse on Keong Saik Road) and chic on the inside. And we sampled their cakes and beverages! I was doing two of my loves at the same time, talking bout my music over coffee and cake!
The butter cake was served warm, with vanilla scented whipped cream…I understand they used a sandwich maker to warm it up and that little touch went a long way. And to that, I say: “Hello buttercake! Long time no see! and Welcome back!”
Read the interview here!
Receipe for a lovely afternoon. A cake+a lemonade+a book and sunlight.
Behind the scenes..
I couldn’t resist the cake looking at me, so I sneaked a bite during the interview. oops.
Rows of cookbooks…
我创作专辑《55:38:7》里的主打歌《明知我爱你》,MV全球首播了！ 想在这里和你分享!
这次特别请了台湾著名导演陈奕先Jem Chen（作品包括电影《爱到底》及电视剧《熊猫人》）拍摄MV，非常荣幸能和他合作。
MV 的故事情节， 和《明知我爱你》背后的真实故事非常相似。
我失落的时候， 常常喜欢望著大海。。。拍 MV 时候， 我是坐在海边不断地唱著这首歌。。。结果唱到哭了。
感谢你们对这首歌的支持， 感谢你和我分享你听这首歌时的心情。。。感谢你们跟我说， 现在你想唱这首歌的时候， MV可以陪伴著你。
今天我们先看MV。 拍设过程和幕后一些照片， 下次再跟你分享好不好？
我也会亲手绘制明信片，送给omy读者！Details here!
In December, I blogged about my new year resolutions for 2010.
Resolution (3) read: To be a GREEN me.
In recent years, you would have heard constant mention of the words “Climate Changes”, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, “Non-biodegradable”, “Carbon Footprint” “Global Warming”, “Earth Hour”, “Landfills”, “Renewable Energy, Saving Gaia” so on and so forth. As I read on about the problems looming around Mother Earth and how our actions have impacted our environment be it as an individual, as a corporation, as a country, …I have been making efforts to be green.
I know some of us think that these problems are way too “unreachable”, some may think actions from one person alone cannot change the situation, some may think that it doesn’t hurt by using one more plastic bottle, by using another or the gazillions of styrofoam cup, by leaving the light turned on for another hour, by wasting another piece of paper. Truth is, it does hurt.
I do believe that if we all start from the smallest of actions, we can make a difference.
And most importantly, its about having a green conscience, its about knowing that you can make a difference by making green choices in your daily lives, and its about educating future generations to start right and love our dear Mother Earth.
Back in May, I had the pleasure of participating in the Saving Gaia Campaign by XINMSN. By chance, the sweet reporter who interviewed me during my press conference for my album launch was looking at the name-tag that I handmade for members of the press and she asked me if I would be keen to participate on this campaign.
Of course I agreed as I have been hoping to get more involved in green initiatives and this was a great way to start. I am a huuuuugeeeeeeee fan of Jason Mraz (*blush), apart from absolutely lovin his music, he has through his blog, inspired me to wanna do so much in this area.
I spent sometime thinking about the craft I wanted to make, really wanting to make use of things that we all have lying around our homes. Girls, we have tonnes of fashion magazines, guys, you have your gadget magazines.
So I decided to make use of recycled magazines to decorate a box and convert it into a pretty little gift / storage box.
Most of you would know I love crafting and drawing. I love watching the craft segments on the Martha Stewart show where she demonstrates crafts with her guests, and it was so so fun getting to do something similar for this interview hahah!
Video Clip: See the making process here!
Video Clip: My interview about Saving Gaia
Read the interview here!
So, my dear friends, lets get green alrighty?
And, YOU + ME + WE can make a difference.
Share with us here, how you stay green! Let’s get rollin’!
xoxo
Yea, this little girl is wearing a green dress this time!
During filming…. (Thank you XIN MSN!)
Paper rolls made out or recycled magazine paper….these were used to decorate the box!
You can also make these out of recycled magazine paper. Wanna learn how to make it? I can teach you!
I started using handkerchiefs a year ago. To minimize using tissue paper.
This mini-mic is so cwuuute!
Tah Dahhhhh! The end product!
(Recycled magazine, shoe box, recycled ribbon from flowers I’ve received during my press con.)
My first autograph session.
We sang, we laughed, we waved at each other, we took pictures, surprised June birthday babies, shook hands, and had a lovely evening.
當我自彈自唱“受保護” 這首歌的時候， 感觸好多。
因為這首歌， 大家開始認識我和我的創作。
因為這首歌， 我開始認識了你們。 感謝你每天都陪伴著我， 給我帶來那麼多的陽光和力量。
When you guys joined me in singing our hearts out for “受保護” , “明知我愛你”, La La and my other songs, I was so touched beyond words.
From myself and on behalf of the FM Family, I wanna send big love out to all of you for all your support and for joining me on Sunday. You looked so wonderful from the stage. It made me wanna dance a little dance.
To my sweet fanclub. You looked gorgeous with the beautiful posters.
Sincere thank you to Cruz, and to all our sponsors for making this event possible.
Last but not least, thank you all for the precious memories. And I’m looking forward to seeing you real soon
* Photos below are by Evonne Ng, Ho J.Ying, 凱揚 and Jimmy Chong. Thanks for sharing guys!
My sweet sweet Fanclub
Interview with my mentors, and our wonderful host of the event, Cruz.
Eric with a surprise phonecall from Jaycee!
Playing the keyboard that Eric and 小寒 gave me at the press conference! Its so light I can run with it! Whoo hoo!
老師為我伴奏。。。such a pleasure!
Pretty balloon I received on stage
You guys looked so good from the stage. It made me smile.
I really heart this hairdo!
Lovely presents from you guys and many bottles of 涼茶 that I drank all up!
It’s close to a month into my album launch and I was shuttling through an exciting, back to back schedule of roadshows, print interviews, radio interviews, The Sheng Siong Show etc.
Everyday, The word of the day is: Gratitude ☼
In between, I was down with a horrendous cough and spent a good week drinking everything I could get hold of to recover. At some point my moma made me some insect soup. 要感謝大家的祝福和歌迷送我的涼茶哦!
Somedays, I loose track of time, 有時候真的是累到了極點，but Everyday I meet people like yourself who make me smile and give me strength to keep walking forth with my whole heart and a skippidy skip. Yup, YOU
A sincere Thank You to all of you who’ve bought my debut album “55:38:7″ and shared in the life of all the songs and stories within.
This Sunday is my autograph session!!! 這個星期天是“55：38：7” 簽唱會！我會為大家唱歌， 期待和大家一起共度一個美好的旁晚！I am really excited. I look forward to seeing you there and I just wanna have a great time with all of you. “55:38:7″ will also be on sale at the event itself.
Here are the details. See you there! 星期天見咯！
06 Jun 2010 (Sun), 5pm
Bugis Junction, Bugis Square, Level 1
念高中的時候, 我認識一位男生。
在學校課外活動中， 從同學， 變成了朋友。 我喜歡他的坦率和他的幽默感。我們非常談得來， 也就這樣成了蠻好的朋友。他常跟我提起喜歡的女生。 我也覺得我們的世界， 也只能做好朋友那麼多。 不知不覺的，我愛上了他。
當時的我，很矛盾。 一方面的我很想跟他表白， 另一方面却非常害怕， 若他喜歡的不是我， 我們可能連朋友都沒得做。 我掙扎了很久， 決定不想失去他， 決定我生活里有他， 就滿足。
我只想一直守護著他。 。。於是， 我選擇了沈默。
接著的日子， 我一個人渡過。 有他的時候， 我的世界就像彩色般。 他不在的時候， 看見他和別的女生交往的時候， 我依然沈默。 外表看起來開朗的我，內心世界一直下著雨。 I got tired writing so many books of diaries, so I used a tape recorder to record all my feelings…
之後， 我們也失去連絡。 可能是我選擇不再連絡， 因為內心的這場雨下了好久， 一絲陽光也沒有的日子， 好難受。
三年前， 我決定把心裡這塊石頭放下， 把這段回憶放開。
在黃韻仁老師創作班上， 我把這段故事寫成一首歌， 那是我在班上交出的第二首算完整的歌。
我試著把我想要說得都寫下來。 我知道我的華文程度不好，但我覺得我想要和你分享的這段故事， 也只有那麼簡單。 因為， 我相信， 我們都曾這樣的愛過。。。
這首歌和我的首张创作专辑”55:38:7″ 里其他九首歌相比起來， 曲非常的簡單， 歌詞更是簡單。 當我們從我所有作品中為專輯篩選歌曲的時候， 這首歌一次又一次的被選中。 歌詞方面，小寒老師也只改了六個字。
錄這首歌的時候， 我確實是在最後副歌之前的部份哭了。 在錄音室里又哭又唱蠻尷尬的， 最後我們也決定把哭的那段保留著。
很多朋友都在我的 Facebook 上留言。。。 感謝你們和我分享你們聽了這首歌的感想。
你們的一字一句， 我都看到了。你們說你聽了想哭， 我想說， 我會在這裡陪著你。 也希望我們都在愛情的道路上， 找到幸福。
非常感謝你們為這首歌投票， 讓它上榜。謝謝大家給我的支持， 你們是我的推動力。
著首歌可在我的 MySpace 試聽。
Recording the strings for the song…
