I am dazed from a week of late nights, juggling work, gift shopping, and gift wrapping. I love wrapping presents, complete with ribbons and bows. (even though I know the wrappinng’s gonna be torn up in 2 secs lol). Guess it’s just a habit of mine… I feel gifting a prettily wrapped present puts a smile on anyone’s face.
*My nieces were very trilled by this wrapper. i tried sight singing to the notes on…there’s a neat little tune going on in there* wahaha
Oh, I bought a Christmas Tree this year! (A mini one) . It’s my first!!!! *faint* Nonetheless, I had heaps of fun decorating it!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year. Drop me a line or two and tell me how you spent xmas. I would love to read it
I saw this video that day, so I thought I share more with you on the concert touring I’ve been doing. From the first show in 2009 for Stefanie Sun’s “The Answer Is…” World Tour, up till present for F.I.R 飛兒樂團’s “It’s My Life..” World Tour, I’ve loved every min of it.
In June, the F.I.R World Tour went to 佛山. Yes! Home to Yip Man!!! View the full album here.
We put on different hats in life, and the same applies to music. You can be an artist, vocal producer, song-writer, arranger, on various projects. I enjoy touring as a concert backup vocalist allows me to take some time off my own work, fly to many places and hang out with a group of awesomely amazing musicians who have been doing Singapore’s music proud.
How does it feel to be on tour － the stage becomes our playground We do work long hours while on tour. Not mentioning that before the first leg of the show, its hours of scoring, band rehearsals to get everything up and running. But I guess when it comes to something you love, you don’t feel it or could even do it all day.
Its usually a packed 3 – 4 days from the moment we land up till showday. There’s some window in the in between rehearsals for a little band-outing time (foot reflex, eat/shop, sight-seeing, I think rank top 3 lol) and 80% of the time is spent on the huge playground – on stage
You’re never lonely with a bunch of musicians. I will save that for a later post. We work really hard, but when we are not working, we joke, we share stories. Its great fun.
What goes on on-stage when the show starts The adrenalin starts the moment the standard deep voice starts to announce the start of the show.
One by one the lights go off. The fans pick it up, like bees the buzz starts.
They get excited. Sorta like “omg omg i think its gonna start!”
Then the lights are completely out.
Now, they start screaming full on. The neon lights, the whistles, the works.
While that’s going on, we are standby-ing on stage.
Getting ready with my fellow BVs Agnes & David. We laugh, dance and rock together on tour.
Up up up we go.
And we all wait, you can almost hear a pin-drop in your ear-mons. That’s how it feels waiting for the very first cue. Then boom! We are live, everything comes alive, gushing through my ear monitors. We rock it out for 2+ hrs, 30+ songs. I couldn’t find a better way to put it but its being serious at work and enjoying it at the same time. Concentrating with what’s playing in my ear monitors and taking in the atmosphere of the entire stadium.
Precision is key. Everyone has their cues, everyone’s part is closely interlinked to each other.
阿沁 running to our side of the stage. ^^
Blend and the backup vocalist So, if you ask me what is the most important thing for a backing vocalist? My answer will be “Listen”.
There are pre-requisites: knowing harmony, and the techniques, perfecting the woos, ahhhs, dynamics, to read jian2 pu3, having a good attitude, work hard to learn the songs, and most importantly, “Listen”. Someone told me before, its the blend of the voices and the entire band. Its true, it’s a very sweet spot.
I think this video sums up quickly the days and hours and sweat and fun that goes into each concert.
Our Merlion turns 40, and you are invited! First up! There’s a gorgeous dazzling light show playing at the Merlion Park from 13-16 September! More details below!
It feels awesome to be a part of the Merlion’s 40th birthday celebrations.I was ecstatic when I learnt that I was recording the song “Inspiring Journey” for the Merlion’s 40th Birthday Celebrations. 真的覺得意義重大。 Have you heard it yet ? Here’s the video! (Composed by Kenn C, performed by me)
What the Merlion means to me… I’m sure, many Singaporeans, like myself have fond memories of picture moments with the Merlion, or bringing our friends visiting from other countries on a visit to the Merlion Park. There are days when I’m in the car along Fullerton Road and I make it a point to take in the lovely views of the water, because it instantly soothes my busy mind. It feels good to have a moment to quieten down and connect with the surroundings, and the Merlion always makes me feel at home.
I feel its very important to have a sense and connection to of who we are, and where we came from, how we have journeyed through the years, because this adds the color and character to our lives. Browsing through pictures of the Merlion on the internet, I see smiles, families, black and white photographs, I see the Merlion standing tall as the landscape of Singapore continued to evolve over the years, I see his footsteps linking the generations, the young and old, our past, our now, and our future. I see life when I look at him by the waters.
He takes the place in my heart, not only as an icon, but a familiar friend who is very much a part of my and our lives. It is a personal connection, that will always be there when I gaze at the waters, or stand along the steps next to him, and I feel the song has captured that journey we have taken with him and for years to come.
Firstly, thank you to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) for the honor and pleasure. It was a privilege getting to know and work with the wonderful team of people behind the celebrations; the STB team, Kenn C, the composer of the song “Inspiring Journey”, who is also a producer/arranger/music director that I really respect. Mr Albert Lim (son of 林浪新先生 who sculpted the Merlion)… and hearing his stories about he as a little boy, together with his siblings, helped his father as they worked day and night on the Merlion sculpture, the MLA team planning and executing the show & the videos, you’ll hear Jim Lim’s version of the song too during the show, the students from Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Design who worked on the art installation that is on display outside, dancers….there was so much love and passion for our Merlion that went into all the preparations.
With Mr Albert Lim, son of Mr Lim Nah Seng 林浪新 at the launch of the Merlion art installation, Ngee Ann City.
Special thanks: To Keith Png for dressing me in his creation (KOOPS from Hide & Seek) for the occasion, and Passion Hair Salon (styled by Ryan Yap).
Penning my wishes for the Merlion.
When was the last time you saw the Merlion right before your eyes? For me, it was a breathtaking sight as I waited with great anticipation with the team for the launch of the first light show on Wednesday night at the Merlion Park. He came to live, glowing on the waters, the pyrotechnics, song and dance. I was overwhelmed:) You have to catch it!!! More importantly, feel the warmth, that glow he has lit up in you that has been and will always be a part of you.
“Merlion & I: An Inspiring Journey” Light Show Date: 13 – 16 September 2012 Venue: Merlion Park Show Times: 7:15pm, 7:45pm, 8:30pm, 9:15pm, 10.00pm, 10:30pm
Here’s more! Just one of the many costume changes the Merlion undergoes during the show!
Lovely times and pics, from the promo activities and preparations!
On 《早安您好！》， special thanks alldressedup for wardrobe.
Hi, I wanna share this simple home made recipe with you! I’ve never been too disciplined with my fruits and vegetables. If only bananas looked like our cute friends from Bananas in Pajamas, maybe it would have been a different story.
Lately, while having to prepare my own meals as I work on my writing at home, it got me started on thinking more about food and what I eat, making a conscious effot to pack each meal with nutritious ingredients, and in creative ways.
Well everyone loves a cheesecake, and oh we don’t particularly love the thought of going to the gym after the cheescake! (definitely not me) I saw some bananas lying around the house that day and decided to make my own dessert. Ok, clap clap, *rubs hands* here we go:
Ingredients: Bananas, Yogurt, Lemon Juice, Honey
I haven’t got the exact teaspoons and measures, because its easy to do a quick taste test on this one before you throw it in the freezer. Make it with love!!! So, here we go:
1. Mash the bananas in a bowl (est about 1 banana per person)
2. Add a few spoons of yogurt (I usually go for yogurt with lower sugar levels)
3. Stir the mixture till it is smooth
4. Add a little touch of citrus juice and honey and continue to stir the mixture. Do a final taste test of the mixture and adjust until you’re happy with it
5. Place some cereal in a bag and crush them to crumb like size, and sprinkle uniformly to fill the base of a freezer friendly container. (This forms your crust)
6. Pour the banana yogurt mixture into the container and smoothen it out.
7. Seal the container and place it in the freezer.
8. When ready to serve, turn out the cake onto a plate and woohoo there you go!
Very healthy ingredients, super happy, and a fruity frosty treat. BIG GRIN
Yoga had me in tears this week. Good tears….We did the split. OUCH!
I’ve been attending yoga for a few months now. On top of the health benefits it brings, I really like yoga because there is one thing it teaches me - perseverance and endurance.
How and why?
1. Focus - Yoga involves holding a yoga posture for specific duration. My instructor always says “come on, you can do it, with every exhale, push yourself in the stretch.” while keeping time.
Some postures are so demanding you feel like giving up. But it is achievable if you concentrate on performing the posture accurately, and focus on the breathing.
2. Peace & endurance- The other aspect that trains this perseverance is for the fact that Yoga class is so quiet. You don’t hear anyone screaming “Ouch”, comment on the postures and no chit-chatting for sure
I plugged some images from Google. Imagine doing these postures without uttering a word! How do you do that? Well in yoga class, you do just it
It has trained me to endure, and to stay focused. Seriously, the only things you here in class the instructor’s voice, and soft relaxation music playing in the background.
And then there’s a full length mirror in front of the class so we can check our postures. There’s something about reflection. This has become a weekly me-time where I gather my thoughts and find the two hours of peace that I need.
3. Perseverance – So, back to the split.
I am good with my back excercises, but the split is just not great! Held on for the longest time and this unbearable pain was pulling up in the leg (as you would feel if you try the split) but I held on till I found myself tearing up! LOL But alls good when the instructor stays stop. There’s this sense of satisfaction that you challenged yourself to a further place.
I had such a tough week and this reminded me that sometimes we forget we are capable of being strong. You get pushed and kicked for awhile and little events remind you that hey, you are a toughie.
Sometimes we get pushed to a point we think we’re about to break, but if we bite on and push ourselves further, you will realize you are stronger than you thought you were.
Oh wait, isn’t there a line from Winnie-the-Pooh? ”You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think.” – Christopher Robin
Love,
Serene
p/s: Image source: Yoga Cat from catpictures. All other images from http://www.myyogaonline.com/
Rock on and keep the music goin. PARTY!
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Hey there! I haven’t blogged in such a long time! Facebook was my fastest channel while on the roads in Taiwan and just got piled with work since coming back! Taiwan was great, playing back to back live shows with my budd and 師兄 Jiahui! So much pictures, videos… I’ll get them up! Its a one woman show manning all these hahaha!
Its a special day, the Muffin-renes turn two. TWO!!!! I want you to know how wonderful it is to see you at shows, to hear your voices, to see your smiles, to get your letters. I remember our last outing and was so happy to spend one on one time with you guys and find out how you were doing.
And its so lovely to see the muffin-renes family expanding, not just in Singapore, but we have friends from overseas too sharing all the love.
The fan support keeps me going and keeps the sane in the sanity through the toughest times!
Thank you all for making me feel so loved.
Back to the studio and working on demos… talk soon.
Hugs
Serene
Oh, I bought a Christmas Tree this year! (A mini one) . It’s my first!!!! *faint* Nonetheless, I had heaps of fun decorating it!
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a blessed new year. Drop me a line or two and tell me how you spent xmas. I would love to read it 
因為我們都抱著一樣的心情，都要付出100%，想把那場演唱會做得成功。 兩小時，30＋首歌，燈光，影響，樂隊，策劃，各方面都要配合得天衣無縫。 
