Yes.. Music has no place for Politics. My fellow conductor Leslie said there are times it cannot be helped. I understand. That's why I am not upset. And I appreciate his help all this while. After acheiving Bronze for BLSS in the SYF, I wont be there to continue my work with them anymore. It's a shame. They do have potential. But I feel better than good. Hahaha.. I am laughing. At least I wont be caught in the middle of some power struggle which I seriously cannot believe unfolding. And I can't bear to see the students being emotionally manipulated left and right, not knowing who to really trust. I have never really gotten the chance to work with the kids the way I would love to because I did not have the power to decide the sessions I have to come. Everything was arranged by the teachers. Even when we were nearing the competition period, I was asked not to come for a quite a big chuck of sessions. Thus some of the students might have misunderstood that I have slacken.
I probably wont get the chance. So I have to say my final farewell to the kids I have grown to love in BLSS. Good luck for all your future endeavours. Hope all of you remember what i said about everything. Stop harping on whatever you all choose to believe. Stop all the finger pointing and accusations. It doesnt really matter. At the end of your academic life, no one would remember what medal you got for SYF or whether you came from a top-notch choir. Your studies and academics are the ones that are going to carry you very far in life. Work hard. It would be great to see all of you being successful at the end of the day. Nothing would probably beat that feeling.
On a happier note, I went for judging yesterday at ABN AMRO bank's annual singing competition. Had loads of fun. The team that ABN has is really dynamic. The people there are friendly to say the least. Thank you Mengtze for inviting. Had a great time.
Will be attending Paul and Angela's wedding on monday. Congrats to the both of them. Angela had been a great help during my Uni days and I appreciated it. =) All the best to the both of you in the future.
Love
Andre Kok Leong
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
SYF
My Choir got a bronze in the recent SYF competition. I have to say I received the news of the results with mixed feelings. Feelings of relief because we still managed a medal after making so many mistakes during our repertoire, but feelings of disappointment because I knew it could have been much much better.
To my Choir students, I was not kidding when I asked all of you to aim for the sky. Looking at what we could have achieved if we did not make the mistakes, whatever I had asked you all to look forward to was reasonable. I never had any doubts what you all could have come up with. And Hye Na is right. The results re-affirmed my views that you all do have potential.
I don't think as a choir, we believed in ourselves enough to create that winning mentality that all the top choirs in Singapore have. Everyone is talking about not getting COP and all that. The seniors that came back to help are worried we cant get a medal. And that's never my intention to mention it. I dont think I am creating complancency. Because if we dont believe we can be a top choir, we will never be there. To my choir members, whether you think you can or you cant, either way you are right. This SYF shows you could have mixed with best but your mentality and nerves failed you. But I think it's okie.. Treat it as a learning experience. We shall scale the height in 2 years' time.
And for the Sec 4s... Please bring this winning mentality to your studies. Tell yourself you can do it. Because confidence is winning half the battle. I hope to see all of you do well. Very well. ALl the best for your O levels!! =)
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
To my Choir students, I was not kidding when I asked all of you to aim for the sky. Looking at what we could have achieved if we did not make the mistakes, whatever I had asked you all to look forward to was reasonable. I never had any doubts what you all could have come up with. And Hye Na is right. The results re-affirmed my views that you all do have potential.
I don't think as a choir, we believed in ourselves enough to create that winning mentality that all the top choirs in Singapore have. Everyone is talking about not getting COP and all that. The seniors that came back to help are worried we cant get a medal. And that's never my intention to mention it. I dont think I am creating complancency. Because if we dont believe we can be a top choir, we will never be there. To my choir members, whether you think you can or you cant, either way you are right. This SYF shows you could have mixed with best but your mentality and nerves failed you. But I think it's okie.. Treat it as a learning experience. We shall scale the height in 2 years' time.
And for the Sec 4s... Please bring this winning mentality to your studies. Tell yourself you can do it. Because confidence is winning half the battle. I hope to see all of you do well. Very well. ALl the best for your O levels!! =)
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Volleyball
Maybe i can start writing a series of entries regarding different sports. Hahaha.. Went to play Volleyball last Wed. And my wrists still hurt a little now due to the digging. Been 8 years since I actually played that game. Hmmm.. I was so disoriented. Ran all over the place. Luckily all the rest of the players were friendly, and I am trying to get back to the groove of the game. opefully I will be able to do much better this week.
Team AOM has been hit by some bugs going around recently. Steve is down with chicken pox and that means we cant do much recording for this 2 weeks. Recording has been fun though. And Augustine had sore throat and that affected his performance in campus. So all of you please do drink more water ad take good care of your health. It is of utmost importance.
Boon Lay Choir is going for SYF this thursday. So i wish them all the best as well. Should be good. Will update all of you on that as well. Meanwhile, love music!! =)
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
Team AOM has been hit by some bugs going around recently. Steve is down with chicken pox and that means we cant do much recording for this 2 weeks. Recording has been fun though. And Augustine had sore throat and that affected his performance in campus. So all of you please do drink more water ad take good care of your health. It is of utmost importance.
Boon Lay Choir is going for SYF this thursday. So i wish them all the best as well. Should be good. Will update all of you on that as well. Meanwhile, love music!! =)
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
Monday, April 09, 2007
Golf
Donald Trump wrote about it. Mengtze talked to me about it. Maybe I should go and take it up. Before anyone decides that golf is a game for middle-age men with tummies, check Tiger Woods. I was up till 6.15am this morning watching the Masters, and witnessing how Zack Johnson won that tournament, pushing Tiger Woods to joint 2nd.
I used to think that golf is some non-contact sport with minimal excitement but I have to admit after watching it, I am wrong. Yes, it is a non-contact sport, but I can tell you the excitement can leave you breathless. The tension that comes with every putt. It is a sport that requires you to understand your surroundings, the conditions, the terrain. It might seem easy to putt a ball from 2m out, but nope.. it takes a lot of concentration and technical awareness just to do that.
Let me try it out when I have the time. Then I can share the experience with all of you. Hahahhaa....
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
I used to think that golf is some non-contact sport with minimal excitement but I have to admit after watching it, I am wrong. Yes, it is a non-contact sport, but I can tell you the excitement can leave you breathless. The tension that comes with every putt. It is a sport that requires you to understand your surroundings, the conditions, the terrain. It might seem easy to putt a ball from 2m out, but nope.. it takes a lot of concentration and technical awareness just to do that.
Let me try it out when I have the time. Then I can share the experience with all of you. Hahahhaa....
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Sliding Doors
The title of this entry is the same title of the movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow. It's a very old movie but I suggest if any of you have the time, do rent the video for it. The movie will show 2 versions of the life of this particular lady just because she managed or did not managed to catch this particular train home. That very moment of being able/unable to board the train changed her life completely. Shall not spoil the fun here by saying anything more. DO watch it!!
The reason for talking about Sliding Doors is because I have finally understood. I finally understand the power of The Secret, the power of our minds and the power that exists within us. Where is the link, you might ask. I have to agree that incidents that change lives are meant to happen in the way our hearts truly wants it. I was at first very upset with whatever that happened a few weeks ago. Then, I realised it had to happen. Only with the taking place of that particular incident was I able to achieve what I really want. It was a well-needed wake up call. I was too caught up with all that's happening around. Corine, if you are reading this, I hope the incident will not be a degenerative pill. This is still going to be a very good year for you.
So sometimes, people do say, ' In life, you win some, you lose some.' Yupz.. you can never win it all because there are times where it's impossible to have everything. BUT all of you remember this.. the losing side of the story is still not a lost. The lessons you learn are priceless. I would believe sometimes it's more important that the winnings. And all these losses could be a prelude to something bigger, something your heart truly desires. I still know what I want. =)
Go forth.. Understand what all of you really want. Focus upon it. Put your thoughts only unto that. Initial incidents might not seem to go your way. But remember Jack Canfield's lesson... Keep moving.. and you will definitely reach you destination, whatever your heart desires.. if you are willing to take the first step in faith.
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
The reason for talking about Sliding Doors is because I have finally understood. I finally understand the power of The Secret, the power of our minds and the power that exists within us. Where is the link, you might ask. I have to agree that incidents that change lives are meant to happen in the way our hearts truly wants it. I was at first very upset with whatever that happened a few weeks ago. Then, I realised it had to happen. Only with the taking place of that particular incident was I able to achieve what I really want. It was a well-needed wake up call. I was too caught up with all that's happening around. Corine, if you are reading this, I hope the incident will not be a degenerative pill. This is still going to be a very good year for you.
So sometimes, people do say, ' In life, you win some, you lose some.' Yupz.. you can never win it all because there are times where it's impossible to have everything. BUT all of you remember this.. the losing side of the story is still not a lost. The lessons you learn are priceless. I would believe sometimes it's more important that the winnings. And all these losses could be a prelude to something bigger, something your heart truly desires. I still know what I want. =)
Go forth.. Understand what all of you really want. Focus upon it. Put your thoughts only unto that. Initial incidents might not seem to go your way. But remember Jack Canfield's lesson... Keep moving.. and you will definitely reach you destination, whatever your heart desires.. if you are willing to take the first step in faith.
Love
Kok Leong Lao Shi
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