DELF A2

Finally, the french exams are over.

Thank, God!

I had been dreading this morning, when I got out of bed.

Late, late, late.

Reached at 9.10am.

The written section can be described in one word - terror.

Then I waited 4 hours.

Finally, the oral...

It was... terribly....

Easy.

Get it? - EASY -

I don't think I've ever attended such a relaxing oral exam before...

Despite that I'm not confident of passing...

DELF A1

Diplôme D'etude en Langue Française

I think I woke up the earliest I've ever woken in a year.

7.30am in the freaking morning.

I had to get myself stuck in that stupid morning traffic and squeeze with people in that stupid mrt. I think the emphasis in Mass Rapid Transit should be on 'mass' rather than 'rapid'.

Then I got to Newton at 9.05am - 5 minutes late.

At least the written test was easy.

Then I had to wait 5 blardy hours for my oral - which was terrible, in itself.


Our tired faces... just waiting for the oral to start...


I can't imagine I have to go through everything again tomorrow, with double the pressure.

Grumbling away about tomorrow

Oh my goodness.

I'm going to put my french to the test tomorrow.

My teacher said "A1 & A2 sont très facile".

But what does she know?

Pour elle, ils sont facile, naturellement. Mais pour moi, ils sont très difficile. J'ai peur, vraiment. Surtout l'orale. Je ne parle pas bien français. En fait, j'ai peur que je ne peux rien dire.

Oh hell... I'm sure even the few sentences are plagued with grammatical errors.

My grandma's birthday celebration

If my grandma can understand french, I would tell her "Bon anniversaire, grand-mère!"

But she can't.

So I just told her "Happy Birthday, Ah mah..."

Plain and simple. Short and sweet.



My family... celebrating my grandma's birthday.


Oh, while on my way to my violin school for my weekly obligatory lessons, guess who I saw?



Yeah, it's those bunch of...

Forget it. I'll try to be nice today.

Exam Results

To many people it isn't good.

That's a fact.

But to me, it is a relief.

It seems that my expectations are lower now.

But who cares?

American Idol 5 Grand Finale

Live from the Kodak theatre this morning at 8am (Singapore time), we had


Extracted from http://starbulletin.com/

Katharine McPhee versus Taylor Hicks.

Wow. I thought the atmosphere was amazing.

As an American Idol tradition, they invited back the top 12 finalists to perform on stage one last time, in the name of AMI.

I thought they sounded excellent.

Strange how some people can sound dreadful while they were competing, only to sound like a pro at the finale.

We had Paris Bennett singing with Al Jareau. I loved it.

Then Chris Daughtry sang with Live.

Elliott Yamin gave his performance onstage. It was nice seeing his mum so proud of him.

One thing about this season is that we have two significantly proud parents.

Elliott's mum, as well as Katharine's dad, who kept crying buckets whenever Kat sang.

Oh, what else can I remember?

Oh yeah, Katharine sang a duet with Meatloaf. I think it was "All Coming Back To Me", and it was awful. The song was nice. Kat was good too. Meatloaf was horrible, singing out of tune the whole time and holding the red hanky as if Kat was a bull or something.

The medley of songs sung by the top 12 contestants and ending with Dionne Warwick was fabulous.

Good to see Bucky back again, and singing "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head". Loved it.

Chris and Ace sang "Between The Moon And New York City".

The best was Dionne Warwick. A diva, that woman is, and still sounding good.

Oh yeah... we had a special Clay Aiken appearance. Really funny.

They created the Brokenote Mountain boys, ie. 3 cowboys who failed to get through to the 2nd round of AMI and brought them onstage, for people to laugh at them. Surprising thing was, they were good, actually. Very good. These 3 weird cowboys each had a different personality in their voices and would have been rotten singing solo. However, in a group, they did wonderful.

Oh yeah, there was Prince too.

Kat and Taylor ended it all by singing a duet, "Time Of My Life". Nice, nice, nice.

Finally the results, 63.4 million voters in total, and the next American Idol is...

Extracted from http://www.poststar.com/

Taylor Hicks!!!

GO, SOUL PATROL! SOUL PATROL!

One thing I noticed is that Katharine McPhee took it all really well.

She looked genuinely happy that Taylor won. It made me like her a little more.

Although I'm a soul patrol fan, I did genuinely feel a little disappointed for her as well.

Go, Katharine!

Watch her journey through AMI.


Finally after sympathizing with Kat and the McPheever fans, we now proceed on to celebrate with soul patrolman.

Look at Taylor's audition video.


This proves one thing. Simon is not always right.

To all fellow Soul Patrol fans out there,

WoOhOo!! GOOD JOB!!

SOUL PATROL!!!

American Idol 5 Finals

Extracted from http://pop.wizbangblog.com

With Elliott Yamin out of the way, what we have now is Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee left standing.

So it's the Soul Patrol versus the McPheever.


Extracted from www.metronews.ca

Who will be the next American Idol?

Please take a look at my previous posts on Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee as well.

They sang three songs each for the Finals.

Taylor sang
1) Living For The City mp3
2) Levon mp3
3) Do I Make You Proud mp3

Katharine sang
1) Black Horse And Cherry Tree mp3
2) Somewhere Over The Rainbow mp3
3) My Destiny mp3

I think they sang pretty alright.

I agree with Simon that Taylor won the first round and Katharine deserves the second. In the third round, Taylor won hands-down.

So all in all, Taylor deserves to be the next American Idol.

However, of course, there may be surprises, as this season has proved to be full of them. Like how everyone predicted Chris Daughtry to be in the finals, but he didn't even make it past the top 4.

So perhaps Katharine may emerge as the winner? Afterall, she has always managed to pull through every single round. She had been in the bottom three positions many times over, but had always managed to stay on, despite it all.

Last week, I watched on as Taylor, Katharine and Elliot went back respectively to their own hometowns.

Taylor and Elliot each had a respectable number of fans welcoming them home. Elliott even had a stadium full of screaming fans.

Katharine on the other hand, went back home to LA, a half hour drive from the studios, with much less attention.

Who would have thought that she had millions of people voting for her? Voting so hard that she could kick Elliott out of the competition?

I have to admit that Katharine's "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" was pretty exceptional.

However, that was the only song from her which I like thus far.

To me, I think Taylor deserves the golden title more than her.

Taylor has been very consistant. He has never been in the bottom three before. As Randy says no matter what song Taylor chooses to sing, he can always pull it off with a brilliant Taylor Hicks version.

I've always enjoyed his performances. So much zest.

Oh, one of this more well-known performances is "You Are So Beautiful".

Finally found a video for it.



I'm absolutely in love with that video. My favourite (apart from Katharine's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow").

I think the main reason I want Taylor to win American Idol so badly is because he's the only one who can sing both fast and slow songs. I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again.

His fast songs are so good. I think he loves it and enjoys it because he can jump around and dance those Taylor dances and have fun. Simon hates them, but I love them.

On the other hand, his slow songs are so good as well. Like that video above. His voice is so romantic...

I've said so much and you would have guessed it by now.

I'm a die-hard soul patrol fan.

So... vote vote vote for the soul patrol, Americans!

VOTE FOR THE SOUL PATROL!!!

Go, Taylor!

Funny Videos

On a boring day, you got to try to amuse yourself, if not you'll burst.

Take a look at

http://www.flashplayer.com/animation/glassofwater.html

http://www.flashplayer.com/animation/helpimstuck.html

Busy studying for DELF?

Once, a clairvoyent told me that I'm the kind of person who loves to waste time.

Waste time, waste money, were his exact words.

My goodness. I stared at him in awe at that time, mentally praising him. Wah good ah, Uncle! I thought, hoping he could receive this telepathic message I was trying to sms him with, via brainwaves.

I'm digressing, because that's besides the point.

The whole point I'm trying to make is that I love wasting time.

I'm a time-waster. I'll just leave everything to the last minute. Even at the last minute, I might still be procrestinating.

I just realised that as of today, I'm exactly a week away from my french exam.

Must be studying real hard now, aren't you? I hear you ask me.

Well, no. Unfortunately not.

While I should be burying my head deep into a pile of french books, I'm here typing my obligated daily blog post of the day, complaining about how I'm wasting so much time.

Apart from my three solid hours of weekly lessons, I haven't touched much of french.

I need to study...
I need tuition...
I need a miracle...

The Holy Path

I came across this quote today.

"True religion is real living; living with all one's soul, with all one's goodness and righteousness."
~~Albert Einstein~

I think this is very true.

I am a broad-minded person, if I have to say so myself.

For the first twenty-one years of my life, I refuse to commit myself fully into any faith. I want expose myself to different cultures, different religions and their beliefs, before settling in on an environment in which I’m most comfortable in.

I question myself occasionally. Is it necessary to live a life without believing in Omnipresent?

I remember eons ago, I asked my Christian friend rather innocently, why God would deny Eternal Life to someone who lives his life in all kindness and benevolence, but as a non-Christian.

I don’t remember her answer, or if she even answered my question.

Up till now, I still find my question sufficiently relevant with no intention of being blasphemous in any way.

And up till now, I still can’t find an answer which can convince me totally.

As Einstein said, true religion is real living.

I still remember one of my past French teachers said in class one day. He said if you want to spread your religion, there’s no need to tell people how good it is. All you need to do is to do good in your actions and people can see for themselves, and that is the best message you can give anyone about your religion.

How very true.

It was a couple of years back when he said this, but up till now, it is so deeply entrenched in my mind. This is because it is so true.

I can’t say that I’m the embodiment of all things good and righteous, especially at this point in my life. In fact, I’m pretty far away from it, and I’m learning slowly and I’m really trying.

However, at the same time, I realize that religion makes one stronger. I have seen people change when they explore deeper into their religion, and most of the time, it is for the better.

I think it is about time I integrate myself with a religion where I’m most comfortable with and that I truly believe and have faith in.

Perhaps I can safely say that today is the turning point for me because I’ve finally taken a first step in the direction of the journey I want to embark in.

I went for a RCIY open-house today at a Catholic church.

I cannot say right now to myself that the Catholic journey is definitely the one that I am going to take for the rest of my life, and I can’t say for sure that I’m most comfortable with it.

I might not baptize myself at the end of the RCIY course, if I even manage to complete it.

But I do know one thing for sure, and that is, at this very moment, as I am typing this blog post, I have a deep feeling that this is going to be the right path for me.

Taylor Hicks

Extracted from www.azcentral.com

Since I dedicated one post to Katharine McPhee, I decided to do one for the grey-haired soul patrolman, himself.


Extracted from www.taylorhicks.com

When this grey-haired man walked into the auditions room about half a year ago, I knew he was my American Idol.

More about Taylor at www.idolonfox.com.

To my parents, he was the ‘old man’ of American Idol.

To me, he was the soul patrol, as he so often reminds us.

Taylor Hicks is a good singer.

Most importantly, he is one of the best entertainers as well. This sets him apart from his other competitors.

He sang one of my favourite songs, and very well too. Watch him sing “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.


He absolutely loves fast songs, and for a good reason too.
He does them so well.

He has a relatively weird style of dancing, which brought me to fits of laughter the first time I saw him do his exaggerated moves. After a while, I realise it's his style. It's so... Taylor.

Simon once laughed and asked him, Are you drunk?
No, Simon, Taylor isn't intoxicated.
He's just having fun...
I remember, Rod Stewart liked it and said so during the Great American Songbook night.

Listen to his "Jailhouse Rock" mp3 rendition during the Elvis night.

Taylor is equally great with slow songs.

See him sing “Just Once”.


Or watch his rendition of “Something”.


Taylor has the X-factor.

America adores him.

Even Simon loves him too.


Extracted from www.accesshollywood.com

I just watched Jay Leno's show on CNBC earlier on. Apparently Simon said Taylor is the favourite at the moment. I believe those were his actual words.

Do also check out some Taylor articles like

Hicks takes early lead in 'Idol' poll
"Idol judge Simon Cowell said on Monday's 'Tonight's Show' that he thought Taylor would win the top-rated singing competition."

Taylor Hicks Will Be the Next 'American Idol'
"With Hicks' "Try a Little Tenderness," it was all over. Taylor Hicks is the next "American Idol."


Taylor Hicks is a star.

He ought to win.

Did anyone see the crowd of people swarming around him when he returned home to Birmingham, Alabama? Wooo...

I hope he wins.

Vote for him, American soul-patrol fans! Don't let us all down!

Check out other you-tube videos of Taylor’s performances here.

Katharine McPhee

Extracted from www.nationalledger.com

One of two finalists of American Idol Season 5.

Do check out her profile here.

Can she be the next American Idol?

By far, her best performance is "Somewhere Over The Rainbow".


Extracted from www.realitytvmagazine.com

Listen to it here, or watch the video in my previous post.

Some of her other performances include “I’ve Got Nothing But The Blues”. Click here to hear it.

Or watch it.



The judges hated it. Some people hated it too.

I don’t think she has the best vocals, but neither do I think she deserves the merciless criticisms thrown on her.

I think the major problem with her is that she loves to 'stretch' her voice. Sometimes, her facial expressions don't match the mood of the song she sings.

Take a look at Katharine's rendition of "Can't Help Falling In Love" to see what I mean.



Do listen to some of her other performances too.

"Against All Odds" mp3
"Hound Dog" mp3
"I've Got Nothing But The Blues" mp3
"Think" mp3

Can she win? Will the McPheever outdo the Soul Patrol?

American Idol Semi-Final Results

I was watching the American Idol results tonight.



Good-bye, dear Elliott.



You're a good man. It was a close fight. You got 33.06% of the votes, but you still couldn't win Taylor and Katharine.

You don't deserve to lose, really. I’m beginning to love your style of singing. So soulful, so sincere.

See Elliott's "Open Arms". I love this guy.


Well, I guess America loves Taylor and Katharine more.



People like Katharine’s “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.

Take a look at her performance.


To me, Taylor is my American Idol. He must win. He’s my soul patrol!



Listen to him sing "You Are So Beautiful".

The American Idol photos are taken from http://www.nationalledger.com/.

American Idol Semi-Finals

I was watching American Idol Season 5 earlier today.

This is the only television show that my whole family, i.e. my parents and I can sit down and watch together.

There are only three contestants left – Taylor Hicks, Elliott Yamin and Katharine McPhee.

I think this is the only season where I love all of the top 3 contestants.

I guess each one of them is unique in their own little way.

My favourite has always been Taylor and will be Taylor, right till the last moment of the finals. He’s my Soul Patrol! His “You Are So Beautiful” performance was fantastic.

I was pretty astounded by Katharine’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. I think it stole the limelight tonight. Simon Cowell is a brilliant fellow for choosing this song. However, I have a feeling that maybe she might be out before the finals.

Taylor will definitely be in. He will be the next American Idol. It has got to be him. If not him, then who else?

Soul Patrol!

Kevin Kern

"Within each of us is a
loving, magical, powerful
being… a Real Self.
Music, friend that it is,
cocoons us from our
worries, enabling that
hidden self to emerge."

Have you ever heard of the name - Kevin Kern? He’s a new age pianist, composer and performing artiste. Most importantly, he’s my favourite contemporary pianist. People who haven’t heard his big name should click here, and then go buy his albums.

To me, he’s simply amazing. I have all of his six albums (excluding the compilation), as well as his The Enchanted Garden Songbook. Even my mum became his all-time fan, when I bought his first album many years back. She bought the subsequent five later on.

The reason why I’m bringing the topic up is because I saw Kevin Kern today. He went to my music school to share with us his music experiences and took the time to listen to a couple of child protégées play his pieces.

I managed to convince my friend Esther to join me. I tried to educate her on the joy of Kevin Kern music. I think she did enjoy it somehow. Now she’s almost the embodiment of higher living.

In person, he’s a very nice guy. I sat with him and got him to autograph all my albums. I chatted with him for a little while. He asked me when I started appreciating his music. I told him it has been a few years and I’ve been to his concert a couple of years back. He asked me if I played the piano. I said no, but I play the violin. Then, we stopped for a photo or two together.


Me and Kevin Kern

I like the way he encourages people to improvise on his music and his generous praises for those who actually did so.

To me, his music is like therapy. Whenever I’m stressed, or upset, depressed or simply bored, I listen to the pieces and my mind just relaxes. It’s that powerful.

Each song evokes a different kind of image, but the mood is always the same. I can always feel the tranquility in each and every one of them. Okay, that's like an understatement. I guess, no words can express my love for Kevin Kern's songs.

“Born in Detroit, Kevin Kern began playing piano at the tender age of 18 months. Though legally blind since birth, his exceptional talent soon became clear. His earliest musical influence was jazz legend George Shearing, whom he met as a child. With George as a mentor, Kevin developed an early love of improvisation and an appreciation for the beautiful sound a piano could produce. In addition to Shearing’s contribution, he received an extensive classical education. From these experiences, Kevin developed his trademark sound where melodies exude lyricism, simplicity, and a directness that touches the heart of the listener.”

An extract from kevinkern.com

Entre Nous Seulement

Entre nous seulement

It’s French.

“Among Us Only”

French is a beautiful language. But hard to master.

I decided to start a new blog. A fresh start.