My first time taking part in a PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETITION!!!!
And it was a DISASTER!!!!!
I have spoken in public before, but it was always informal with no time constraints. The impromptu part of the speech was nerve-wracking....
My prepared speech, according to the judge, was "fabulous, really good...one of the best I've had so far."
Wow. It was really great to hear that, especially for a first-timer. So there was PRESSURE for the second part of the preliminary round - the impromptu.
3 minutes to prepare. 3 minutes to present. And boy, did I screw it up. When the 3 minutes were up, I was still jotting down points for my introduction. Great huh? My topic was "Money makes the world go round". A fairly easy topic. So I just bantai-lah. I started off great, went from my 1st point to my 2nd point and then ...wha...the bell havn't rung?...oh shit.... 1 minute more and I had nothing to say....oh bantai. Plain bantai. I was so panicky and nervous and desperate I screwed up.
I accidentally said that Malaysia was indebted to IMF last time. Which was entirely BULLSHIT.
Then when it was all over, PHEWWWWW.... just went back to the auditorium and bitched about how I sucked so bad to Pn Goh. And I sat with Praveen and ex-public speaking state champion, Natalie and just sipped on my Milo while we waited for them to announce the semi-finalists.
There were around 80 contestants altogether. And they selected 13.
And I was one of them.
I WAS LIKE, F***!!!!!!!!! I could not believe it!!!!! ME???!!! SEMIFINALS?
So I had to do another impromptu speech. 3 minutes to prepare and 3 minutes to present. This time it was even more terrifying. I was going against state champions, seasoned debaters and people who have joined at least 5 public speaking competitions. In the quarantine room as I waited for my turn, everyone was chatting enthusiastically to hide their nerves. Everyone seemed to know each other except me.
So this explains why they made it to the semis. They've met each other countless times in competitions. And me here, scared shit waiting to be butchered by the Oxford Cambridge Society of Malaysia.
My topic was "The Human Quality We Need More Of". Oh cool. Compassion was the first word to pop up in my mind. Again, the 3 minutes to prepare was sooooooooo brief. I didn't have any solid points to work on.
And I still didn't really know how an impromptu speech was supposed to be.
Went in front there, and tried to kick ass. My starting was dramatic - painting a vivid picture of the day Japan was bombed. I was panicking underneath. My mind was a convoluted mess, and I made my first blunder,
I implied that Tokyo got bombed.
FUCKING HELL? SINCE WHEN TOKYO GOT BOMBED? AND I WAS SO UNAWARE THAT I ACTUALLY MENTIONED TOKYO AND NOT HIROSHIMA.
In front of those mat salleh judges, in front of so many teachers, in front of so many other public speakers who might have been wondering what on earth this stupid rookie was doing in front there embarassing herself shamelessly without even knowing it.
Then blunder no. 2. I could not think straight, I actually mentioned Iraq and Palestine instead of Israel and Palestine.
Whoops Yen Peng. You left your brain at home is it?
Oh GODDAMMIT. Soooooooooooo EMBARASSING SIAL. And all the while I did not even realise what huge mistakes I've done until Pn Goh reprimanded me.
The teachers commented on my excellent command of English. Chief judge, Stephen Hall said I did very well for a first-timer. Said I was very competitive (huh?) ..... Praveen said I was nervous. OF COURSE LAH.
So now I know, I have to keep my head clear in order to spew TRUE facts. And I should think twice before dropping countries' names. And I have to work on my self-confidence. And yes, remember a slew of quotes so I can dish them out at every whim.
I better go revise my geography.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Music Buzz
I'm currently digging Bat for Lashes' hot new single, Daniel. It has a straightforward, uncomplicated melody heavily laced with synths, with distorted strings interjecting in between bridges and loads of echo effect on Natasha Khan's breathy, melancholic vocals. A clever cross between the styles of Kate Bush and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Lovely.
Bat for Lashes is the pseudonym for Brighton-based musician, Natasha Khan, who also happens to look like a dark version of Lily Allen. Vocally, Khan is superior. On Youtube you see people dissing Lily Allen below Bat for Lashes' videos and I'm like, Come ON!!!!
I'm not biased. I love both Bat for Lashes and Lily Allen. You can't compare both. They're too, tooooooo, TOOOOOO different. One is this goth-inspired, dark, mysterious brand of music while the other is freewheeling, in-your-face, tongue-in-cheek, polished-to-perfection sweet sort of stuff.
And I especially love Lily Allen's new album, and even more so this cheeky song on that album, F*** You. I don't need to elaborate further. The infamous four-letter word can't be more saccharine sweet than this.
Bat for Lashes is the pseudonym for Brighton-based musician, Natasha Khan, who also happens to look like a dark version of Lily Allen. Vocally, Khan is superior. On Youtube you see people dissing Lily Allen below Bat for Lashes' videos and I'm like, Come ON!!!!
I'm not biased. I love both Bat for Lashes and Lily Allen. You can't compare both. They're too, tooooooo, TOOOOOO different. One is this goth-inspired, dark, mysterious brand of music while the other is freewheeling, in-your-face, tongue-in-cheek, polished-to-perfection sweet sort of stuff.
And I especially love Lily Allen's new album, and even more so this cheeky song on that album, F*** You. I don't need to elaborate further. The infamous four-letter word can't be more saccharine sweet than this.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Do Re Mi
YEN PENG WAS IN THE CHOIR!!!
For the past four years, I have been kutuk-ing our school choir teruk teruk and damn, I'm in the choir now. What goes around comes around. And I think we did not fare too bad. At least we spared the audience from the bore of sitting through renditions of A Whole New World and other corny Disney tunes.
Except for the school song.
Belajar berbaktiiiii....
Kami berikrar taat setiaaaa....
Menegakkan motohhh....
Sekolah Sultan Abdul Samaaaadd...
Rajin dan berusahaaaaa....
Mengejar cita-cita murNEEEEE!!!!!!
Kita menjadi rakyat yang berguna
Untuk memimpin nusa kitaaa... deng deng deng.
The "murni" went sumbing. Damn high lah the note.
I never knew that I can sing. Or more like, I never knew that I CAN'T sing.
Went for Samad Leo IR. Congrats Chi Cheng!!! Success!! The MC is as lame as lame can be but it was hilarious. The dreadlocks... sexayyyy. Dressing up as Captain Jack Sparrow? Even sexieeerrrrr....
One HUGE lesson I learnt from this IR: Badges are a HUGE hit with the Leos. So when's the next IR huh? I'm gonna go peddle my IU badges there.
For the past four years, I have been kutuk-ing our school choir teruk teruk and damn, I'm in the choir now. What goes around comes around. And I think we did not fare too bad. At least we spared the audience from the bore of sitting through renditions of A Whole New World and other corny Disney tunes.
Except for the school song.
Belajar berbaktiiiii....
Kami berikrar taat setiaaaa....
Menegakkan motohhh....
Sekolah Sultan Abdul Samaaaadd...
Rajin dan berusahaaaaa....
Mengejar cita-cita murNEEEEE!!!!!!
Kita menjadi rakyat yang berguna
Untuk memimpin nusa kitaaa... deng deng deng.
The "murni" went sumbing. Damn high lah the note.
I never knew that I can sing. Or more like, I never knew that I CAN'T sing.
Went for Samad Leo IR. Congrats Chi Cheng!!! Success!! The MC is as lame as lame can be but it was hilarious. The dreadlocks... sexayyyy. Dressing up as Captain Jack Sparrow? Even sexieeerrrrr....
One HUGE lesson I learnt from this IR: Badges are a HUGE hit with the Leos. So when's the next IR huh? I'm gonna go peddle my IU badges there.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
So high
Now that I'm so excited after browsing through pictures of the Fast & Furious cast, I can't seem to do any homework.
My mind is occupied. With stuff.
OH WHY oh why do stupid action-packed but brainless movies always HAVE TO HAVE beautiful people in it?!!!!
So hard to resist, especially for teenagers with hormones running rampant.
Okay, gotta finish my homework.
My mind is occupied. With stuff.
OH WHY oh why do stupid action-packed but brainless movies always HAVE TO HAVE beautiful people in it?!!!!
So hard to resist, especially for teenagers with hormones running rampant.
Okay, gotta finish my homework.
Lusting after F&F People
Gua nak tengok Fast and Furious!!!
Gua nak tengok Vin Diesel kicking every asshole's ass he comes across.
Gua nak tengok Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster get it on.
Gua nak tengok Michelle Rodriguez jugak.
Gua nak tengok Vin Diesel and Paul Walker walking side by side so that gua boleh compare their goods.
Gua basically nak tengok this dumb-ass movie because it has loads of BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE in it.
I'll go BISEXUAL for Jordana and Michelle mannnn.... And Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, in ONE MOVIE together? SHIT!!!! Might as well just break my glasses and yank my eyeballs out. PANAS PANAS PANAS. Give me a bucket cuz I'll be drooling more than your 1-year old nephew.
Vin Diesel is hotter, though.
Jordana Brewster
Michelle Rodriguez
Paul Walker
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE UNSTOPPABLE
VIN DIESEL
I can die.
Gua nak tengok Vin Diesel kicking every asshole's ass he comes across.
Gua nak tengok Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster get it on.
Gua nak tengok Michelle Rodriguez jugak.
Gua nak tengok Vin Diesel and Paul Walker walking side by side so that gua boleh compare their goods.
Gua basically nak tengok this dumb-ass movie because it has loads of BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE in it.
I'll go BISEXUAL for Jordana and Michelle mannnn.... And Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, in ONE MOVIE together? SHIT!!!! Might as well just break my glasses and yank my eyeballs out. PANAS PANAS PANAS. Give me a bucket cuz I'll be drooling more than your 1-year old nephew.
Vin Diesel is hotter, though.
Jordana Brewster
Michelle Rodriguez
Paul WalkerLAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE UNSTOPPABLE
VIN DIESEL
I can die.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
IU Day Badge part 2
I'm still in my post-IU-Day-success mood lah...can't get over it. It's like you finally played a really embarrassing prank on your discipline teacher and you can't stop bragging about it.
I'm totally having a lot of fun trying to sell the IU Day badges. I've got like, 46 more to go. RM5.00, typical price for a badge.
Economic downturn lah.... people are trying to scrimp. Even my public speaking script is about the economy crisis.
But then there WILL be Good Samaritans willing to spare a dollar or five to help these special children. Will you be a Good Samaritan today?
I'm totally having a lot of fun trying to sell the IU Day badges. I've got like, 46 more to go. RM5.00, typical price for a badge.
Economic downturn lah.... people are trying to scrimp. Even my public speaking script is about the economy crisis.
But then there WILL be Good Samaritans willing to spare a dollar or five to help these special children. Will you be a Good Samaritan today?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Technocrisis
Alamak!!!
KENA VIRUS!!!!
Hee bangang ni!!!!
Now I have to run everything through rounds and rounds of scans. BLAHH...
KENA VIRUS!!!!
Hee bangang ni!!!!
Now I have to run everything through rounds and rounds of scans. BLAHH...
IU DAY BADGE
Support our IU Day further by buying a really cute badge!!!
RM 5.00
RM 1.80 from the price of the badge is going to Persatuan Kanak-kanak Spastik. RM 1.80 is not a lot of money, but when it all adds up, it'll really make a huge difference to these special kids.
We are not getting ANY PROFIT from the badge sales. IU Day is a fundraising project, and we really mean it.
To purchase, contact any Samadian Interactors. I'm sure y'all see us Samadians kat tuition kan?
RM 5.00
RM 1.80 from the price of the badge is going to Persatuan Kanak-kanak Spastik. RM 1.80 is not a lot of money, but when it all adds up, it'll really make a huge difference to these special kids.
We are not getting ANY PROFIT from the badge sales. IU Day is a fundraising project, and we really mean it.
To purchase, contact any Samadian Interactors. I'm sure y'all see us Samadians kat tuition kan?
HIGH part 3
This post should be read by EVERY IU DIRECTOR whose IU Day is coming up or any wannabe IU Directors, regardless from Leo or Interact. This is a first-hand account from THE IU DIRECTOR HERSELF, whose IU Day took place successfully (chewah...) on 4th April 2009, Saturday, 10 AM to 12.30 AM.
(Continued from previous post)
Where did I stop?
Committee Video was a huge crowd favourite. While the audience cheered for the committee, Herman and Khairul prepared for their performance behind the curtains. Curtains opened, and they did a showdown with their respective instruments - Herman on the bass, Khairul on his really-cool-guitar. The sound system sucked, so after awhile the crowd got kinda bored with the bass/guitar jam and started blablabla when suddenly Herman got started on Ain't No Sunshine. Then Khairul did the beatbox. The crowd screamed. Oh yeah. They went on to perform Superstition and Sleeping Child, the theme song of the IU Day.
Of course no one sang along. We're not like Assuntarians k...we don't force people to stand up and sing. Lu ingat apa? Negaraku ah?
Pizzas arrived, fresh and hot. Rachael said she could smell the aroma as she snapped her camera. How come I didn't smell anything? Shit, where was I?
MCs Nasirah and Vishal conducted the "symbolic gesture" thing - random people were picked from the crowd, and they were to pin blue ribbons at the countries the MCs called out on the world map.
I only figured out the idea on Friday after realising that the IU Day lacked elements that were related to the theme. I didn't want it to be a performance-only IU Day. I nak meaning, tau tak? We had so many ideas, including getting presidents to read lines from a children's book, tying up teddy bear in chains and imprisoning it and get people to "release" it from "child exploitation", releasing balloons into the air, etc. The bubbles and sweets part were figured out on Thursday.
I think the symbolic gesture went okay. I had to check the VIP room for the final time, to make sure everything was a-okay. I don't need Rotarian to screw me another round. Blueck...
THE FINAL PART: Extreme Rhythm Crew. No need to elaborate. They were FABULOUS.
Always count on Amelia, Yew Wing, Sharon and Shalini to give a kick-ass show. STUPENDOUS. MARVELOUS. AMAZING. Theirs was the only performance I got to watch completely. Finally I could like, you know, sit down?
Souvenir presentation. Rajah who told us earlier not to mention BB throughout our IU Day suddenly said he wanted to get a souvenir, cuz MAN, IT WAS F**KING CUTE. A baby bottle with dingdongs inside and a cute heart shape dangling from the top. Alah nanti y'all tengok gambar jelah.
When the MCs said the word "refreshments", BOOM. All the stress exploded. It was an instant relief. Every ounce of tension, panic, worry, doubt, fear, stress -EVERY NEGATIVE SHIT just evaporated. A BIG RELEASE. Like orgasm, you know? Theoretically lah...
I was on a HIGH. And that HIGH lasted all the way through 10 PM at night. I was stinky, smelly, sweaty, but I refused to get out of my IU Day t-shirt. It made me feel good.
It was a hard, tiring, challenging, stressful, nerve-wracking day, but the outcome was sweeter than anything I've ever tasted.
(Continued from previous post)
Where did I stop?
Committee Video was a huge crowd favourite. While the audience cheered for the committee, Herman and Khairul prepared for their performance behind the curtains. Curtains opened, and they did a showdown with their respective instruments - Herman on the bass, Khairul on his really-cool-guitar. The sound system sucked, so after awhile the crowd got kinda bored with the bass/guitar jam and started blablabla when suddenly Herman got started on Ain't No Sunshine. Then Khairul did the beatbox. The crowd screamed. Oh yeah. They went on to perform Superstition and Sleeping Child, the theme song of the IU Day.
Of course no one sang along. We're not like Assuntarians k...we don't force people to stand up and sing. Lu ingat apa? Negaraku ah?
Pizzas arrived, fresh and hot. Rachael said she could smell the aroma as she snapped her camera. How come I didn't smell anything? Shit, where was I?
MCs Nasirah and Vishal conducted the "symbolic gesture" thing - random people were picked from the crowd, and they were to pin blue ribbons at the countries the MCs called out on the world map.
I only figured out the idea on Friday after realising that the IU Day lacked elements that were related to the theme. I didn't want it to be a performance-only IU Day. I nak meaning, tau tak? We had so many ideas, including getting presidents to read lines from a children's book, tying up teddy bear in chains and imprisoning it and get people to "release" it from "child exploitation", releasing balloons into the air, etc. The bubbles and sweets part were figured out on Thursday.
I think the symbolic gesture went okay. I had to check the VIP room for the final time, to make sure everything was a-okay. I don't need Rotarian to screw me another round. Blueck...
THE FINAL PART: Extreme Rhythm Crew. No need to elaborate. They were FABULOUS.
Always count on Amelia, Yew Wing, Sharon and Shalini to give a kick-ass show. STUPENDOUS. MARVELOUS. AMAZING. Theirs was the only performance I got to watch completely. Finally I could like, you know, sit down?
Souvenir presentation. Rajah who told us earlier not to mention BB throughout our IU Day suddenly said he wanted to get a souvenir, cuz MAN, IT WAS F**KING CUTE. A baby bottle with dingdongs inside and a cute heart shape dangling from the top. Alah nanti y'all tengok gambar jelah.
When the MCs said the word "refreshments", BOOM. All the stress exploded. It was an instant relief. Every ounce of tension, panic, worry, doubt, fear, stress -EVERY NEGATIVE SHIT just evaporated. A BIG RELEASE. Like orgasm, you know? Theoretically lah...
I was on a HIGH. And that HIGH lasted all the way through 10 PM at night. I was stinky, smelly, sweaty, but I refused to get out of my IU Day t-shirt. It made me feel good.
It was a hard, tiring, challenging, stressful, nerve-wracking day, but the outcome was sweeter than anything I've ever tasted.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
HIGH part 2
This post should be read by EVERY IU DIRECTOR whose IU Day is coming up or any wannabe IU Directors, regardless from Leo or Interact. This is a first-hand account from THE IU DIRECTOR HERSELF, whose IU Day took place successfully (chewah...) on 4th April 2009, Saturday, 10 AM to 12.30 AM.
(Continued from previous post)
So I was kinda upset a lot of people whom I cared about didn't get to come for my IU Day (ahem Melissa ahem...), my sister, my mom (Fareen's mom came for hers k!), my dad, my dog...right I forgot I didn't have a dog, Richmond, Hazim, FAREEN (I'm so killing her!!!) but hey, it's cool. Though their presence would have made the day even sweeter.
So anyway, at 7.45 AM, found out THE GODDAMN GRILLS WERE LOCKED. ALL THE GRILLS IN SAMAD WERE LOCKED. Means we could not access Interact Room on the second floor (aras tiga - 4 flights of stairs - 32 steps). Which means NO NACHOS, NO WATER TUMBLERS FOR CORDIALS, NO LUXURY DINING UTENSILS FOR VIPS, NO ICEBOX FOR ICE, NO MOP FOR CLEANING UP, NO TABLECLOTH.
AAAARRGHH!!!!!!!
I was like, NOOOOOO.... why 4.4.2009 so jahanam wan?!!! Double 4s...bad bad bad...
Ran around the school in my IRRESISTIBLY CUTE lollipop t-shirt, smelly and sweaty at just 8 AM, trying to find any teacher, gardener, the guard or just about anyone who had the DAMN GRILL KEYS.
Then another glitch was the projector. Called my mum frantically for an adaptor cuz the projector's plug was TOO FAT.
Wye Hong started pressing me about the cordials. Alaaaa mana si Azri tu?
Called him up. Scolded and shouted at him. (Sorry Azri!) It was already 9.20 AM, and he was still at home with his cordials. My blood boiled. IU Day was barely 40 minutes away. My speech was not done.
Rotarian came at 9.50 AM. Noticed that some Interactors were inappropriately dressed. Trouble ensued. Inappropriately-dressed Interactors, Karis and I had to stand in one line facing him, AND GOT SCREWED like captured soldiers on death row. Time: 10.20 AM.
So he lectured us for like 5 minutes, and told everyone to go home and get changed. Carmen got pissed and went back home in her three-quarter pants. Emergency plan came in: Get Chee Hoe to run to his house and bring all the decent pants he has for the unfortunate Interactors.
Chee Hoe refused. Show started at 10.30 AM. Rotarian had to disgrace our event by mentioning the dress code fiasco in his speech. Gave MY SPEECH , written by my mom at 3 AM and edited by me at 9.45 AM. Fumbled sikit uh... wasn't nervous though. All my nerves were too charged up to feel nervous.
Opening act. A fun, sweet 2-minute sketch put up by Hon Zhen, Jiunn Jie, Sarah, Satyan, Farqani. I knew I did not make a mistake when I chose Jane's upbeat piano piece for the accompaniment. (Jane, tell Sally I said thank you!!!)
Time for theme video. Okay, things were going to be okay.
No, it wasn't. My laptop refused to start. BUGGER. Vishal and Nasirah read the statistics I printed for them last night at 1 AM. Then they started yakking away while we tried to get Karis' laptop to start.
We proceeded to show committee video instead. Hit a SNAG. Karis' laptop was lagging like crap. It wasn't a video, it was more of a picture slideshow. STRESS.
Are the Debtors ready? Crowd was getting bored. STRESS. STRESS. STRESS.
Ready to go, Debtors? Vishal gave a thumbs up.
Stopped the video halfway. Curtains opened to reveal a three-piece band - The Debtors. They serenaded the crowd with Lifehouse's Blind and Jason Mraz's I'm Yours (a song I initially wanted them to cut because it was sung in ICCHS IU Day last Saturday). I'm Yours was a hit with the crowd, with Jason (not Mraz) doing his thing on his guitar. The song's original Hawaiian vibe was laced with a bluesy rock feel.
Time for Ryan and his beautiful piano. It was a beautitful piece from Twilight the movie. I think he played well. Did he play well? I'm dumb when it comes to instruments. But I was too busy running around, informing people about the changes in the agenda.
My laptop was working fine, so we switched back to showing the THEME VIDEO. The crowd was like huh? when the words "No purple dinosaur was harmed during the production of this video". It was a touching video, which took MONTHS to complete.
From this point onwards the event was relatively under control. The agenda was torn into bits as I moved everything around.Running around like mad to let everyone be in the know. Lynn Tan, the 12 AM emergency plan, the life-saver, hit the stage. I did not really watch her perfomance, still too busy readjusting the agenda and running around. Later watching the video taken of her, I couldn't stop laughing at her as she spontaneously bantai-ed all her moves on stage. A HUGE HUGE THANKS TO YOU LYNN!!!! So late (check: 8 hours) can also come up with good stuff!!
The unfortunate Interactors finally got some decent pants on and took their seats in the hall. (They were prohibited from entering with their three-quarter pants and jeans)
Urban Disaster took the stage. They were another last minute act - I requested them to perform just ONE WEEK BEFORE IU DAY, as I got more and more worried about the situation of our existing performers (true enough, two dance acts backed out last minute). They delivered an awesome performance, considering they only practiced for one day! I was kinda worried they'd hit their head while doing their breakdance moves though. The hall ceiling is so damn low.
Time for Committee Video. It was a HIT!!!! Hilarious, spot on, crazy, good comic timing. It was my first time seeing a crowd clapping at EVERY INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT in the video. Cuz seriously, who claps at videos until it finishes? It's the same thing as clapping in cinemas. Who does it? No one right? But this time, at Samad IU Day, people clapped man!!!!
WOOHOO!!!! Kudos to Wye Hong, Vishal and Karis for such fantastic work. I really really owe you guys a lot. And sorry for bullying you all for the past three months!
To be continued...
(Continued from previous post)
So I was kinda upset a lot of people whom I cared about didn't get to come for my IU Day (ahem Melissa ahem...), my sister, my mom (Fareen's mom came for hers k!), my dad, my dog...right I forgot I didn't have a dog, Richmond, Hazim, FAREEN (I'm so killing her!!!) but hey, it's cool. Though their presence would have made the day even sweeter.
So anyway, at 7.45 AM, found out THE GODDAMN GRILLS WERE LOCKED. ALL THE GRILLS IN SAMAD WERE LOCKED. Means we could not access Interact Room on the second floor (aras tiga - 4 flights of stairs - 32 steps). Which means NO NACHOS, NO WATER TUMBLERS FOR CORDIALS, NO LUXURY DINING UTENSILS FOR VIPS, NO ICEBOX FOR ICE, NO MOP FOR CLEANING UP, NO TABLECLOTH.
AAAARRGHH!!!!!!!
I was like, NOOOOOO.... why 4.4.2009 so jahanam wan?!!! Double 4s...bad bad bad...
Ran around the school in my IRRESISTIBLY CUTE lollipop t-shirt, smelly and sweaty at just 8 AM, trying to find any teacher, gardener, the guard or just about anyone who had the DAMN GRILL KEYS.
Then another glitch was the projector. Called my mum frantically for an adaptor cuz the projector's plug was TOO FAT.
Wye Hong started pressing me about the cordials. Alaaaa mana si Azri tu?
Called him up. Scolded and shouted at him. (Sorry Azri!) It was already 9.20 AM, and he was still at home with his cordials. My blood boiled. IU Day was barely 40 minutes away. My speech was not done.
Rotarian came at 9.50 AM. Noticed that some Interactors were inappropriately dressed. Trouble ensued. Inappropriately-dressed Interactors, Karis and I had to stand in one line facing him, AND GOT SCREWED like captured soldiers on death row. Time: 10.20 AM.
So he lectured us for like 5 minutes, and told everyone to go home and get changed. Carmen got pissed and went back home in her three-quarter pants. Emergency plan came in: Get Chee Hoe to run to his house and bring all the decent pants he has for the unfortunate Interactors.
Chee Hoe refused. Show started at 10.30 AM. Rotarian had to disgrace our event by mentioning the dress code fiasco in his speech. Gave MY SPEECH , written by my mom at 3 AM and edited by me at 9.45 AM. Fumbled sikit uh... wasn't nervous though. All my nerves were too charged up to feel nervous.
Opening act. A fun, sweet 2-minute sketch put up by Hon Zhen, Jiunn Jie, Sarah, Satyan, Farqani. I knew I did not make a mistake when I chose Jane's upbeat piano piece for the accompaniment. (Jane, tell Sally I said thank you!!!)
Time for theme video. Okay, things were going to be okay.
No, it wasn't. My laptop refused to start. BUGGER. Vishal and Nasirah read the statistics I printed for them last night at 1 AM. Then they started yakking away while we tried to get Karis' laptop to start.
We proceeded to show committee video instead. Hit a SNAG. Karis' laptop was lagging like crap. It wasn't a video, it was more of a picture slideshow. STRESS.
Are the Debtors ready? Crowd was getting bored. STRESS. STRESS. STRESS.
Ready to go, Debtors? Vishal gave a thumbs up.
Stopped the video halfway. Curtains opened to reveal a three-piece band - The Debtors. They serenaded the crowd with Lifehouse's Blind and Jason Mraz's I'm Yours (a song I initially wanted them to cut because it was sung in ICCHS IU Day last Saturday). I'm Yours was a hit with the crowd, with Jason (not Mraz) doing his thing on his guitar. The song's original Hawaiian vibe was laced with a bluesy rock feel.
Time for Ryan and his beautiful piano. It was a beautitful piece from Twilight the movie. I think he played well. Did he play well? I'm dumb when it comes to instruments. But I was too busy running around, informing people about the changes in the agenda.
My laptop was working fine, so we switched back to showing the THEME VIDEO. The crowd was like huh? when the words "No purple dinosaur was harmed during the production of this video". It was a touching video, which took MONTHS to complete.
From this point onwards the event was relatively under control. The agenda was torn into bits as I moved everything around.Running around like mad to let everyone be in the know. Lynn Tan, the 12 AM emergency plan, the life-saver, hit the stage. I did not really watch her perfomance, still too busy readjusting the agenda and running around. Later watching the video taken of her, I couldn't stop laughing at her as she spontaneously bantai-ed all her moves on stage. A HUGE HUGE THANKS TO YOU LYNN!!!! So late (check: 8 hours) can also come up with good stuff!!
The unfortunate Interactors finally got some decent pants on and took their seats in the hall. (They were prohibited from entering with their three-quarter pants and jeans)
Urban Disaster took the stage. They were another last minute act - I requested them to perform just ONE WEEK BEFORE IU DAY, as I got more and more worried about the situation of our existing performers (true enough, two dance acts backed out last minute). They delivered an awesome performance, considering they only practiced for one day! I was kinda worried they'd hit their head while doing their breakdance moves though. The hall ceiling is so damn low.
Time for Committee Video. It was a HIT!!!! Hilarious, spot on, crazy, good comic timing. It was my first time seeing a crowd clapping at EVERY INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT in the video. Cuz seriously, who claps at videos until it finishes? It's the same thing as clapping in cinemas. Who does it? No one right? But this time, at Samad IU Day, people clapped man!!!!
WOOHOO!!!! Kudos to Wye Hong, Vishal and Karis for such fantastic work. I really really owe you guys a lot. And sorry for bullying you all for the past three months!
To be continued...
Saturday, April 4, 2009
HIGH
This post should be read by EVERY IU DIRECTOR whose IU Day is coming up or any wannabe IU Directors, regardless from Leo or Interact. This is a first-hand account from THE IU DIRECTOR HERSELF, whose IU Day took place successfully (chewah...) on 4th April 2009, Saturday, 10 AM to 12.30 AM.
It's officially over. ICSAS IU DAY 2009 is finally goddamn over.
Yahoo!!!
Despite having a small crowd (around 100 ppl only), I was really satisfied with the turnout seeing the numerous circumstances we faced, most of them due to the very lucky date we chose: 4th April 2009.
1. Assunta Leo IR is held on the same day, same time.
2. It's Cheng Beng.
3. Rotarians have a Golden Child project going on.
4. BB has school.
5. Mr Kumaresan went to Taman Negara.
6. Pn Tan had family issues to deal with.
7. Pn Pengetua had a pengetua function.
8. Pn Hamizan was going back to Bukit Gantang to campaign.
Waliao.... so it was not surprising that one of the biggest worries I had as IU Day approached closer and closer was the turnout. Plus, my board does not have strong links to the other ICC schools, which practically made the situation worse. I was honestly expecting only 70 to 80 people. And hey! We've got more than 100!!! Modest lah...
What was the most challenging part of organising this IU Day? The part when TWO dance acts just suddenly PULLED OUT from the programme ONE DAY before IU Day. (Okaylah, one pulled out on Thursday, but STILL!). I swear I could have gotten a heart attack.
So I called up Lynn. And I called up Dahlia. Begged and pleaded like a beggar with no limbs lying on the streets of Thailand. I was so desperate beyond measure. I felt like crying. I screamed at my pillow. My breaths were pained and quivering. That was the most stressful moment in my life.
And at 12 AM, after countless phone calls (most of them not picked up), Lynn finally relented. Big sigh of relief. I was smiling again. At 12 AM, IU Day was just 10 hours away.
Then she fought with her mom. Situation got tense. Mom disallowed her from going ahead with the performance. @#$^&*#@@##!!!!!! STRESS. I said, I can talk to your mom. She said, I will make it worse.
I felt like killing someone, or something. I wanted to give up.
At 12.30 AM, I called Lynn one last time. She said, "Can you mix the song for me?"
HELL YEAH. I'D DO ANYTHING.
So we stayed up till 2 AM, downloading songs and putting them in Vegas Pro. Jolin Tsai, N' Sync, Chris Brown, Boa... All the clips blended into one upbeat, infectious dance tune. I told her, I suck at mixing songs. This is my first time mixing one.
My mum came up and started reprimanding me. It's 2.20 AM, go and sleep. You will faint tomorrow on stage if you don't rest enough. Lynn was on the phone, pointing out to me which part of the song that needed to be included in the dance track.
A friend on my left ear, frustrated and sleepy mum on my right ear, dance track on both ears. An aural treat indeed.
I told my mum, I have not done my speech. She scolded me some more, and proceeded to write one. Editing of the song almost done. I was energetic, excited, at 2.20 AM.
Packed all I needed for the BIG DAY and wrote a list of all the things I need to do as soon as I get to the hall. A loooooooooooong list. So many things yet to be done. STRESS. Thought about how things will turn out tomorrow, or rather 8 hours later at 10 AM.
Slept at 3 AM. Woke up at 6 AM. Felt like vomiting. My nerves were wreaking havoc with my stomach. Could not breathe properly - pained, quivering, constricted. Panic attack? I don't know. My nerves were killing me. Mom gave a different script for my speech. I read through it, and I just could not see myself standing up there in front of everyone, presenting a speech. I imagined myself vomiting at the rostrum. The Milo was making my stomach churn. I looked at the looooooooooooong list. STRESS AGAIN. LAGI NAK MUNTAH. Mom said, breathe, meditate, focus on your forehead and count to 10.
Na-uh mom. Not working.
Got to school. Was alone there in Dewan Bakti, one of the hottest halls on earth (literally). Mom fussed about the deco and table arrangements. I said, it'll all be taken care of when the Interactors come. She still went about arranging tables.
I love you mom. You're the best mom in the world.
Lord knows how many times she has made my blood boil everytime she started pressing about IU Day. If you think I am a bitch with all my stern-ness and deadline fetish, then you can't wait to meet my mom.
She went back, and I stayed in the hall with Karis, trying to work on the script.
Alamak damn tired lah...it's only 10.30 PM right now and I'm yawning away. I continue my story tomorrow lah.... Goodnight....
It's officially over. ICSAS IU DAY 2009 is finally goddamn over.
Yahoo!!!
Despite having a small crowd (around 100 ppl only), I was really satisfied with the turnout seeing the numerous circumstances we faced, most of them due to the very lucky date we chose: 4th April 2009.
1. Assunta Leo IR is held on the same day, same time.
2. It's Cheng Beng.
3. Rotarians have a Golden Child project going on.
4. BB has school.
5. Mr Kumaresan went to Taman Negara.
6. Pn Tan had family issues to deal with.
7. Pn Pengetua had a pengetua function.
8. Pn Hamizan was going back to Bukit Gantang to campaign.
Waliao.... so it was not surprising that one of the biggest worries I had as IU Day approached closer and closer was the turnout. Plus, my board does not have strong links to the other ICC schools, which practically made the situation worse. I was honestly expecting only 70 to 80 people. And hey! We've got more than 100!!! Modest lah...
What was the most challenging part of organising this IU Day? The part when TWO dance acts just suddenly PULLED OUT from the programme ONE DAY before IU Day. (Okaylah, one pulled out on Thursday, but STILL!). I swear I could have gotten a heart attack.
So I called up Lynn. And I called up Dahlia. Begged and pleaded like a beggar with no limbs lying on the streets of Thailand. I was so desperate beyond measure. I felt like crying. I screamed at my pillow. My breaths were pained and quivering. That was the most stressful moment in my life.
And at 12 AM, after countless phone calls (most of them not picked up), Lynn finally relented. Big sigh of relief. I was smiling again. At 12 AM, IU Day was just 10 hours away.
Then she fought with her mom. Situation got tense. Mom disallowed her from going ahead with the performance. @#$^&*#@@##!!!!!! STRESS. I said, I can talk to your mom. She said, I will make it worse.
I felt like killing someone, or something. I wanted to give up.
At 12.30 AM, I called Lynn one last time. She said, "Can you mix the song for me?"
HELL YEAH. I'D DO ANYTHING.
So we stayed up till 2 AM, downloading songs and putting them in Vegas Pro. Jolin Tsai, N' Sync, Chris Brown, Boa... All the clips blended into one upbeat, infectious dance tune. I told her, I suck at mixing songs. This is my first time mixing one.
My mum came up and started reprimanding me. It's 2.20 AM, go and sleep. You will faint tomorrow on stage if you don't rest enough. Lynn was on the phone, pointing out to me which part of the song that needed to be included in the dance track.
A friend on my left ear, frustrated and sleepy mum on my right ear, dance track on both ears. An aural treat indeed.
I told my mum, I have not done my speech. She scolded me some more, and proceeded to write one. Editing of the song almost done. I was energetic, excited, at 2.20 AM.
Packed all I needed for the BIG DAY and wrote a list of all the things I need to do as soon as I get to the hall. A loooooooooooong list. So many things yet to be done. STRESS. Thought about how things will turn out tomorrow, or rather 8 hours later at 10 AM.
Slept at 3 AM. Woke up at 6 AM. Felt like vomiting. My nerves were wreaking havoc with my stomach. Could not breathe properly - pained, quivering, constricted. Panic attack? I don't know. My nerves were killing me. Mom gave a different script for my speech. I read through it, and I just could not see myself standing up there in front of everyone, presenting a speech. I imagined myself vomiting at the rostrum. The Milo was making my stomach churn. I looked at the looooooooooooong list. STRESS AGAIN. LAGI NAK MUNTAH. Mom said, breathe, meditate, focus on your forehead and count to 10.
Na-uh mom. Not working.
Got to school. Was alone there in Dewan Bakti, one of the hottest halls on earth (literally). Mom fussed about the deco and table arrangements. I said, it'll all be taken care of when the Interactors come. She still went about arranging tables.
I love you mom. You're the best mom in the world.
Lord knows how many times she has made my blood boil everytime she started pressing about IU Day. If you think I am a bitch with all my stern-ness and deadline fetish, then you can't wait to meet my mom.
She went back, and I stayed in the hall with Karis, trying to work on the script.
Alamak damn tired lah...it's only 10.30 PM right now and I'm yawning away. I continue my story tomorrow lah.... Goodnight....
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