Feeling Blessed....

My first Vocal Lesson

Hey all....
Yeah...Nina is back with more updates.
These past few weeks had been a busy one for me. Lotsa things came up and deadlines to meet. Im beginning to feel fatigue again.... maybe i should look into taking better multivitamins for vitality. Ive been doing lotsa stuff as well...giving tuition, painting and taking my first step to achieving my next dream... to be a jazz singer...
Sometime last week I was able to keep in touch with an old friend of mine. I haven't met Nabil close to one year. Guess we both were quite busy running our own life and career. As I was surfing on my facebook as per usual, checking on my email, playing games on my facebooks etc...I saw his name on line. It all started with a simple "Hi! How r u?"... and "Im Great!" routine.
Nabil said that he now has a studio and was pretty proud of it....something that he had aimed for quite a while and finally, it is within his grasp right now... A dream come true.... and Im so thrilled to listen to his success....
As we were sharing bits and parts of our life after we last met, I just told him that I was planning to take up vocal classes... just to improve my vocal skills... and immediately he told me that he has the right person to recommend to me. Nabil mentioned that this person is one of his close friends and had trained quite a number of artist with their vocal. Nabil also mentioned that he is a harmonising genius. So i said.. Cool... maybe we could meet up and talk about it.
Knowing Nabil, he doent take things lightly and gets to his words immediately. Instantaneously he started to arrange the schedule for me to meet up with my prospect vocal teacher. The date were set on tuesday, 11 Aug at 9.30 pm.
Honestly, I was quite excited to be meeting Nabil again. He's a real good friend. So, on tuesday we met. That was when he introduced me to a few of his friends in the industry like Nine from Ruffedge, Andy Infinites and more... these were the few that I was able to really talk to and they're really cool. I definitely enjoy their company. Nine was quite busy that night as he was entertaining quite a number of his fans while Nabil and I shared quite deep conversations on musical front and such.. teaching and what not...
At last, Nine came and joined us. So we started talking about the class and what was my expectations from joining the class.....I told him, there are alot of reasons as to why i wanted to join the class....
First- I would like to improve my vocal skills. As I would love to be able to sing and project my voice properly.
Second- Im in the choir team and there's a possibility that I may help one of my colleague with the shool choir next year.
Third- I love music
Forth- I just wanted to improve myself and acquire some new skills
Fifth- Ive always wanted to be a jazz singer
I saw the meeting that Nabil had arranged for me with Nine was a big opportunity. It was a real bonus knowing that Nine also has the ears for Jazz... owh.... It felt like a dream come true for me that night... Nine was like the next person I needed to meet. So, that night itself we had set the time for the class... I just couldn't wait.
So, as set on tuesday night, my first vocal class started yesterday at Nabil's studio. Nabil's studio is really neat... its complete with the state of the art facilities. I feel privileged to be the first few to step into his studio.
My first lesson with Nine started with the warming up session. Nine mentioned that he only wanted to know my vocal range,so its gonna be a brief session. We started with the bubbling technique, the vocal scales. Later, he requested me to sing any 3 songs. So, I sang 'Hurt' by Christina Aguilera, 'Ayat2 Cinta ' by Rossa, 'Because of you' by Kelly Clarkson and 'Falling into you' by Celine Dion.
It's nice to hear comments from the professionals coz u know your mistakes and learn to improve it. Nine said my vocals could go quite high. I need to be more confident when singing as well. Guess I need to do lotsa practice..... who ever thought that singing could be quite challenging. guess there's nothing u can't do without practice.. ;)

Time for Changes

Wow! It's been a while since I've written here. Lots had happened ever since. Sometimes I don't know where to start.
Lots of big thing happened for me yesterday- Friday, 17 July 2009. My cash came in and I managed to settle a few more pending payments. It was also a day when God had answered my prayer. I was woken up at 3 am that morning to a message by my dear Adam. That message somehow was an answer I needed to be assure that I am still in his heart even though he had been missing for a while due to his hectic-ness with his errands. I chose not to question his motive. I'd rather just be calm, wait and see how this relationship would turn out in the end.
Yes, I do love Adam. Maybe this is a challenge for me as I have never been patient with any man for a long time, besides Justin of course.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I did a tarot reading for clarity with Katrina, just to be sure of my options and get some clarity for some questions. Nothing magical I assure you....
Among the questions that I needed clarity on was my career and relationship per se.
Career wise, I was beginning to be diverted and started questioning on the relevance of me staying in the teaching profession. Believe me, teaching English in Malaysia is very challenging because the teachers here need to be the Jack-of-all-trades. I really don't agree with this because by right, teaching should be our core business, but there are just so many documentations and what not getting involved that I personally am unable to juggle with my task well... still I tried my best. I hate failures or not able to meet deadlines. I feel so challenged. However, i am very lucky coz i find my peace in my art. I have always enjoyed drawing and painting alot and Im sure my art can sell. At the same time, I started to reflect back to my reporting years and how I really enjoyed my work back then. So much to experience, so much to share with the people around me, and not forgetting all the attention and glamour. I really miss that. Compared to myself right now, Im just a simple teacher who needs to dress accordingly to the society at school and perhaps, needs to even put a mask on. I can't really be the expressive self I am at school coz I worry that the teachers wont be able to accept me. I need to be a different person at school, in the eyes of my colleagues and students. Im so use to wearing the mask that I wonder if what Im doing is right or wrong. Honestly, Im not really happy with it. Aren't we suppose to enjoy our profession? Aren't we suppose to be happy with our life? Im sure the answer is yes. However, I cant really put a finger on the right answer as I have mixed feelings due to a number of reasons.
Yes- I love teaching English to students, help my students have the proficiency in the language and all. Its rewarding to witness my students gain their success and all. It feels like all the hardwork was worth while.
No- I hate multi-tasking. I hate doing other people's work when I even have my hands full with my priorities. I hate students wasting my time in class coz they just couldn't care or appreciate what we had put for them in the lessons. I hate not being able to get through my students in lessons. I hate having to spend a long time struggling to finish marking exam papers till the extend that I have to sacrifice my comfort and free time, and sleep...Its very challenging and disappointing, really! I don't know how long I can keep up to this.
Because of all this, i wanted to run back to the press.... where I need to just focus on one task at hand and enjoy the privileges which comes with the job. Hence, because of these, I needed some clarity to my thoughts. Some answer to my questions.
Relationship wise, yes, literally I do have a bf, only he has some things that he needs to settle and hardly even have time for me. I feel lonely and contemplated on his intentions to be with me. I don't fall in love easily neither am I the type of girl who trust man easily either. Neither am I the type of girl who sits and waits. At the rate of his current treatment towards me, Im just so tempted to walk off and leave him. But something triggered me. How long more must I just run off? I sorta like this guy alot, why not just sit and wait. But his lack of attention towards me is very challenging as well. i don't like it.... but i guess if u love someone so much you have to do some sacrifices. So, maybe I should just stay for a while more and wait, just to see what might happen. Still, I need some answers.
So, I meet up with Katrina for a reading. As mentioned earlier, I was able to identify the root to my problems. Patience was my problem. I am impatient because I always demand for immediate result in whatever I do or involved in. The answers that i got from the reading was, i need to give time for my bf to decide what is important for him, and just take things one at a time. I need to give space and trust him in what he is involved in... and wait for the time when he will look for me again.
Career wise.. guess ill be in the teaching line for a while more. It is still the most rewarding job ever somehow, i just need to heal my spirit and rest a bit more, and im sure Ill be fine....
Guess, making some changes in my appearance would help. Im gonna start pampering myself a bit more from now on. Gonna do some home improvement first, and then a little more on my appearance. Just gonna take it all slow and easy......

well.. you wont guess what happened... My broadband modem was soaked in the washing machine.... guess that explains why I havent been on line for a while... haha....
Anyway, its been a while since Ive written in here.. Man.. I miss writing.. hehe
Lots had happened ever since. Things just started to get hectic... and my love life had been slow and staedy coz my dear had been busy lately. Sometimes I wonder if he would actually have time for me.... hehe.
Well, Lets just and see. All i know Im really head over heels over Adam. I pray for this relationship to really work out.
Lately I have been busy with the Jabatan's choir as we had to perform for 2 events, which was the state teacher's aday celebration as well as 'Hari Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang'. It was great coz I met with good friends there and i really enjoyed their company. Also, if things work out, I plant to start vocal and piano lessons starting next month ;)
well, that's the only update about my life for the time being.. cheers!

The Perfect Man.. for me at least....

First and foremost I would like to thank God first for this opportunity.... and all my friends for backing me up and telling me not to give up.
He does exist. The man of my dream does exist....
Just a few weeks ago I remember writing in the note about who I would have loved to date... and never had I been aware that he was closer that I ever thought possible....
He is the song that fills my ears, thoughts that fills my nights and the love that fills my heart. He is definitely the one man who made my heart sings.
Nah.. its not because he plays the guitar.. but its just something about him that had caught my attention. Its like there's a strong chemistry between us. And what's amazing is, he need not even touch me...He smiles the sweetest smile, his company is very warming, and he cares deeply as well.....
Maybe its true, dating mature man is amazing. It's like u are looked after and loved. I am happy with him now and feel blessed that he had found me....and loves me.
I haven't felt so strongly over anybody the way I felt for him.. except maybe for that one person whom I used to love with my whole heart... Jay.. who is now long gone and in love with another.
Maybe Im falling in love. I guess its ok coz the feelings seem to be reciprocated.. Alhamdulillah.
Gosh.. I haven't felt this way in a long time.. and it just feels so good!....I hope this relationship will last and ends with a marriage coz I know, He is the one that I wanna be with and am willing to commit to.... So far, he has all the qualities that I want in my future hubby and I am not afraid to confess that I may have fallen in love with him.

What Kinda guy indeed am I interested

Here's to answer to what Melizah had requested I write...
What Kinda guy indeed am I interested... Humm....

A hubby material maybe? I would definitely go for a guy who has his own set of values. I know for sure I love guys who appreciates good music or even makes music. Someone who's nice to hang out with and chill and enjoys doing things I like doing. A person who I know I can have big and small talks with, and a good sound brains and good humour as well...No, he doesn't need to be a genius, he just need to be comfortable with himself first in order for me to be comfortable around him.
A man with a big heart, who doesn't just serve it to just about anybody. Tall and lean with a great smile. Bright, clear, and intelligent eyes, believes in God, caring, romantic, loving, understanding, loves kids, loves me with all his heart, always full of surprises, knows how to have fun, enjoys travelling and adventure, has great thirst for knowledge and exciting. He must also be open and receptive.
Oh yes, he must be successful too or on his way to create his success story .
He must be able to get along with my family well...
A person who i know I can share quiet and lazy sundays with.
a person who my children would look up too with admiration and adoration.
A person who I feel safe and secure
A person I think worth being loyal to and cared for....
A person who I know I can make music, draw and paint with, a person who inspires my creativity.
He must also be a very supportive partner
more than anything else, he must be the person who completes me.

Majlis Anugerah Cemerlang SMKSM 09

Maznin and I

March 28, 09 was marked as my school's Hari Majlis Anugerah Cemerlang. This event was organised to commemorate the achievements of our students in their academic.
It is always good to be meeting students who I have taught before and to listen to their success story. No doubt I do miss them alot.


L-R: Hao Yang, Melissa Liz, me, Darshini and Serene.

Im happy to meet Melissa Liz again and knowing that she is doing well in her new school. She told me it was a totally new environment and she is able to adapt to it very well. Things are different there but she enjoyed being there.
Next is Siew Hao Yang. He is now in ASiS.. one of my fave student. Always so helpful. He was an asset to the English debating team as well as the fire brigade and rescue squad. Im happy to learn that he is adapting so well to the residential school and I know his future will shine so bright one day as that is a school where future leaders are created and trained.
I also met up with Weishan and she is definitely prettier these days. Though she wasn't so happy with her results but she has so much going on for her. I hope she is able to harness her full potentials and create a success story for herself one day. No matter what Weishan, I want you to know that you have my support in whatever you do and decide as long as you know you have given your best effort. You have the potential to be a great leader one day, a shining star.... in the making...


Some of the choir members...

I was in charge of performances on that day. There were 3 performances scheduled, the choir, poetry recital and choral speaking. They had practiced long and hard for the performance and the outcome of the performance was quite good. Only the poetry recital needed some help. I suppose if they were given more time, they would be able to memorise the poem and it may have touch the heart of people listening to the poem on that day.


Hanging out with the teachers after the event.

I suppose the event went quite well and as expected that day. All that started well ends well. I feel contented...