Hwachong Institution Choir
Penang Exchange Trip 2006

haha. the trip was really quite fun. although there were quite a few mishaps for me, i got a great deal out of the trip. really. and im actually quite happy that i went.

i think our choir has improved, really. though we're still not up to SYF standard, but the trip has given me new hope. that we can really sing and feel the music. during one of the practices in the hotel, i felt magic when we were singing calme. its the first time that i can acknowledge out motto: more than sound, we are music. (:
at the concert, we sang lousily for a few songs and revert back during the second half. i slipped during jaacobin. omg, shld look at the sops and ms lim's face. we were stunned cuz we usually can come in very well. but thank God, i actually got the note from the basses and came in accurately,(although the altos and tenors were a lil out of tune) so at least the highest and lowest sections had a chord. and i must say, its the best screeching i ever did. seriously. it was loud and ridiculously high. haha, quite proud of myself lah. and for karimata, we went really fast!! haha, i was like panting when we finished the song. could hear jason and luosha's loud gasps too. but nonetheless, we learnt and got a gd experience out of the performance. to be street-smart, as ms lim said. (:

i rmb one of the aims of the trip was bonding. well, i guess we achieved that. at least i did. i got to know my sops and evern other sections so much better. hahah. ppl like cheryl chang, YUHAN, jason, zhexi, zhong wei, kaixuan, mel, luosha, lilin, suet, huiying...and so many more. when i got my camera wet, zhongwei and defeng tried very hard to help me fix it. and i can see that they are really concerned about me and my camera. the girls, helping each other and showing concern by passing out glasses of water and strepsils during practices.
im really starting to love hwachong choir more. i feel more belonged to it. yeah.

i think one of the most important thing i got from this trip is the increased understanding and should i say, friendship i have with Ms Lim. i used to not understand what she wants but i can safely say that im learning to. without the trip, i wouldnt have the chance to talk to her normally, to joke around with her, to understand how she is, or even to know that she cares about every single choir member--including me. i rmb telling sera that i always manage to be good friends with my conductors--Ms Tham, Mrs Wilson. as in, i can see that they genuinely liked me, and vice versa. i used to think pessimistically that it wouldnt be the same here in hwachong. but i guess, i see new hope in a true relationship now. plus, through ms lim, i starting to see music in yet another perspective. yeah. (:

i spent all my money! haha. i bought three BROWN shirts (must be influenced by tracy), a pair of shoes which was1 size smaller but was too nice to resist, a white wide belt, a set of greeting cards, a handbag, two necklaces, penang food stuff, a shirt for my brother....and lots of memories. happy. would have bought more if not for the limited time for shopping.

i see God's miracles everyday in penang. personally and through my surroundings.
i see the beautiful view from my hotel room, the untouched rural charm in the old and ancient shophouses, the warm hospitality in those people.
God protected me and my stuff. i had stomachaches twice and each time, after praying, the pain would cease in a matter of minutes. just in time for me to enjoy myself shopping or singing again. my camera which was new was soaked cuz my bottle leaked in my bag. i was so worried, and God used ppl like zw and df to appease my worries, then 'healed' it by letting it work perfectly again. i cant thank God enough for keeping me healthy and happy throughout the trp. i learnt alot, musically and personally. the time spent with God on the first two days refreshed me and equipped me for the next day of activities. yeah, so Thank God for keeping me and the rest of hwachong choir safe! (:

going back to rv tmr for some chatting session with the heads. wonder how it'll be, but im excited to see my teachers again. (: after that, i'll prob be starting on my holiday homework. sigh.

haha, okay, pictures to be up soon. (: