Tribal Council

Happy Birthday Lu Ee!

2011-03-09T00:00:00.002+08:00

We love you. :)

Hap hap budday Adelyn! (optimistically assuming you sometimes check this place)

2010-11-24T17:14:00.001+08:00

19!? Don't worry we're all growing old here ahemahemJIARONGahemahem

Happy Birthday Jia Rong!

2010-11-21T12:13:00.000+08:00

Have an awesome 20th birthday! =D

happy birthday, su yin! :)

2010-07-29T14:46:00.000+08:00

have a blast! :D

happy birthday, amelia! :)

2010-07-19T14:42:00.002+08:00

happy birthday, Dyl!

2010-06-25T13:40:00.000+08:00

happy birthday, david!

2010-06-23T00:19:00.002+08:00

hello!

2010-06-04T09:41:00.002+08:00

hi everybody! what's new? :)

do you realize that we've known each other for damn freaking long now? we're gonna hit the three year mark pretty soon!

happy birthday, jebat kee! :)

2010-06-01T19:10:00.001+08:00

Happy birthday, Kelly!

2010-05-31T22:29:00.000+08:00

have an awesome one!

miss you loads! :)

2010-05-29T11:18:00.002+08:00

Big news:

Tribal pyjama shot on mpyo website.

D:

2010-05-17T21:19:00.001+08:00

IT'S SUMMERTIME!

WELCOME BACK, GUYS!

Someone Just Turned 19!!

2010-05-14T11:12:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday James!!!

Happy 20th, Clarissa!

2010-04-21T23:59:00.025+08:00

Guess who forgot to post something here for your birthday

....

We did... D:

And we're really sorry.. OTL

Luckily enough, though, the post options that blogger has will make it look like we never forgot at all! :D

awesome.

2010-03-22T11:36:00.001+08:00

kudos to us again!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LU EE!!!

2010-03-09T17:56:00.003+08:00

Sorry it's a little late, but anyways...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Hope you had a blast. =)

2010-01-07T10:18:00.001+08:00

Noc hambern extc amp

Deepd eeps adness

2010-01-05T14:14:00.000+08:00

Sup, guys! I'm boared

Another year.

2009-12-31T23:19:00.002+08:00

And we're still around, aren't we?

Kudos, us!

Yeah. Still here, but getting places.

ADELYNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN! :P

2009-11-22T10:42:00.000+08:00

happy sweet eighteen, addie! :)

see you SOOOOOON! :D

little miss mushroom :D

2009-11-21T17:11:00.000+08:00

happy 19th birthday, jia rong! :))

loads of hugs and kisses from us all!

have a blessed birthday! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POSER :P

2009-10-08T12:46:00.004+08:00

hitting the 20s already, duncan. getting old :P
just kidding. :P

have a nice one!

happy birthday again! :)

HELLO!

2009-09-21T18:37:00.001+08:00

HI GUYS.

ADELYN HERE.

SHOULD I JOIN YOU GUYS FOR TOUR END OF THIS YEAR?

but i'm damn rusty now. haven't been going for regular classes.

(!!!)

BUT I MISS PLAYING! AND HANGING WITH YOU GUYS!!!!

Cadbury's

2009-09-14T04:34:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday! :)

2009-08-20T09:29:00.002+08:00

happy 18th birthday, Eben. :)

Here we go again

2009-08-17T03:02:00.001+08:00

Wow no-one writes anything here huh. Well camp's in a week guys!

Happy Birthday Dyl!

2009-06-25T16:21:00.003+08:00

Happy sweet seventeen yo! :P

Birthdayvid!

2009-06-22T17:47:00.002+08:00

David,

You're in the UKAY!

So from all of us back here.

Happy birthday!

*David,I can't believe you expected me to post this at 2am in the morning >_> Some people have school laaaaaa

Connected

2009-06-13T17:43:00.002+08:00

I'm blind-folded on this carriage ride that they call life.
Keep trying to make it through the next turn,
knuckles white and holding tight.
So here I go, taking the curve,
but I know that I'm never alone.
I think of you, and how you never let me go.

It's not an accident, the time we spent apart.
But now we're so close, I can always find you right here in my heart.
You've given me something I need, and I don't ever want it to end.
Because of you, I know I've found my strength again.

Every time that I breathe, I can feel the energy.
Reaching out, flowing through, you to me and me to you.
wake or dream, walk or stand, you are everywhere I am.
Separate souls, unified, touching at the speed of light.

I feel connected , protected, it's like you're standing right with me all the time.
You hear me, you're near me,
and everything else is gonna be alright.
'Cause nothing can break this, nothing can break this, nothing can break this tie.
Connected.

Tribal Council. :)

2009-06-09T15:57:00.006+08:00

click to enlarge photos.

Delicious, Marc Residence. :)

2nd June, DFP. :)

Chillis. :)

bus. :)

7th June, DFP. :)

8th June, KLCC park.
mini-tribe reunion. :)

Hey hey hey!

2009-05-14T16:11:00.002+08:00

Hey hey hey!
It's James' Birthday!
So make way!
For Photo montage(ay)!

Happy day, James!

2 scholarships for violin/viola at Western Illinois University

2009-04-30T08:02:00.002+08:00

Hi everybody, in Macomb, Illinois, home of Western Illinois University, there are 2 scholarships offered for undergrad and grad string players, which would include a lot of great chamber and orchestral music as well as lessons from some excellent teachers. If you have a student, friend, or even see it relevant for yourself, go ahead NOWWW.

GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP VIOLIN WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, dedicated to
diversity and the fine arts, has designated an assistantship for a graduate violinist entering the two-year Master of Music program. The Graduate Assistant will perform will perform alongside faculty in the Julstrom String Quartet and in the University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras.
The faculty quartet members are professors Julieta Mihai, violin, Istvan Szabo, viola, and Moíses Molina, cello. In addition, the student will perform duties as assigned by Dr. Richard Hughey, WIU Director of Orchestral Activites.

Assistantship Award:
1.FULL TUITION WAIVER
Tuition waiver (in state):$4272/year
Tuition waiver (out-of-state): $8544/year
2. 2/3 Assistantship – 8 Month Contract
$587/month stipend, total: $4696/ year

Application Requirements:
1. Bachelors degree or equivalent.
2. Live audition (preferred) or a video of the candidate performing two contrasting works, including the first movement of a major concerto. DVD or video cassette is acceptable.
3. The completed School of Music application form. Form available at:
www.wiu.edu/music/html/GraduateMusicApplicationform.pdf

4. Three letters of recommendation.
5. Official academic records sent directly from each school attended. If not in English, please provide a certified English translation.

International students only:
6. A completed international student application for admission form including a nonrefundable
application fee of $30 (USD). Forms can be obtained at:
www.wiu.edu/international/pdf/application.pdf
7. Official TOEFL test scores sent directly from ETS. Must have obtained minimum acceptable
TOEFL score of 550 (pbt), 213 (cbt), or 79-80 (ibt).

All materials must be received as soon as possible for full consideration.

The School of Music application, letters of recommendation and video please send to:

School of Music – Browne Hall 122
Dr. Brian Locke, Graduate Chair
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455, USA

The international student application should be sent to the address on the form
www.wiu.edu/international/pdf/application.pdf
Further information about the WIU School of Music graduate program may be obtained in the Graduate Handbook at http://www.wiu.edu/music/html/graduateprogram.shtml.

Western Illinois University, dedicated to diversity and the fine arts, has designated four complete scholarships (tuition, room, and board) to attract international string students. These four string players (two violinists, one violist, and one cellist) form the WIU Presidential String Quartet.

Currently there is one viola opening. Candidates will need the following to apply:

1. A completed high school degree or equivalent.
2. One video of the candidate performing two contrasting
works. DVD or Video Cassette is acceptable.
3. A completed school of music application form. Forms can be
downloaded off the internet by visiting www.wiu.edu/music
4. Three letters of recommendation. These must include
information on applicant's academic and musical abilities
(including sight reading ability).
5. A completed international student admission application form. Forms can be downloaded off the internet by visiting www.wiu.edu/international
6. Successful completion of the TOEFL in internet, computer or traditional form.

Submit materials by May 15, 2009 for full consideration.
The School of Music application, letters of recommendation (these must also speak to the student's sight reading and academic ability),and video must be sent to:

School of Music BR122
Western Illinois University
1 University Circle
Macomb, IL 61455
USA

The international student application should be sent to the address on the form.

Happy Birthday, Clarissa!

2009-04-21T09:47:00.003+08:00

have a nice one! :P

"Lu Ee is Lu Ee"'s BIRTHDAY!!

2009-03-09T16:39:00.002+08:00

HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!

That guy's Birthday!

2009-03-06T15:10:00.002+08:00

Turns out it's That guy's birthday!

Happy birthday Philbert/Tiki/That Guy/Yong!

Have a nice one!

Time for an update! =p

2009-02-14T01:07:00.001+08:00

Oh my goodness look at the date of the last post... Anyway...... Okay! That's about it! =p

By the way we should probably get a bigger chat box......

Youtube Symphony Orchestra

2008-12-18T12:40:00.004+08:00

Hi guys,

Check out the new Youtube Symphony Orchestra on http://uk.youtube.com/user/symphony.

Its called the Internet Symphony No.1 "Eroica" for YouTube composed by Tan Dun.

Have fun!!!

2008-12-01T05:46:00.000+08:00

CAMP TIME(Z)!

Adelyn Says...

2008-11-09T18:54:00.004+08:00

Hello everyone. Seems like no one really updates this space any more. So I thought I'd just drop by and post something here. =D

Meeting up with Su Yin last night (and Jebat a few weeks ago) kind of struck a chord. Talking to them about what's been going on with the rest of the Tribe and what goes on during camp reminds me a lot about camps and KLCC lunches.

I honestly can't believe that it's been about half a year since I've left MPYO and let me tell you guys that I still reflect constantly on all the times we spent together as a group. MPYO was fun but you people from Tribal made everything even more enjoyable.

I'm not going to say keep-in-touch (because sometimes we people inevitably grow apart) but instead I really miss you guys and wish the best for all of you. Truly and sincerely.

On a more personal note good luck to James and Su Yin for SPM; Kelly, Tiki and Jebat for the As. Cheers!

Tour Poster!?

2008-10-17T18:38:00.002+08:00

Tour Poster?!

2008-09-05T01:10:00.001+08:00

WE ARE PLAYING DVORAK CELLO CONCERTO FOR THE TOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT THE FUCK, RIGHT?!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Season 08/09, Concerts not to be missed

2008-07-02T23:55:00.002+08:00

August 15 & 17 , Borodin Quartet, MPO, Claus P Flor
Rossini Overture: William Tell
Spohr: Concerto for String Quartet and orchestra in a minore
Dvorak: Symphony 9.................

August 27,
Borodin Quartet

Beethoven String Quartet No 2 in G
Shostakovich Quartet No 8 *not to be missed
Borodin Quartet no2 in D

Nov 1, Sarah Chang
Bruch: violin Concerto

Nov 8, James Ehnes
Galzunov: Violin Concerto
Ravel: Tzigane

Nov 15, 16, Jon Dante(MPO principal trumpet)
Janacek: Suite" From the house of the dead
Arutinian: Trumpet Concerto
Shostkovish: Symphony 1********

Dec 16, Chamber Concert
Brahms: Clarinet Trio in A minor
Schubert: The trout quintet

Jan 13, Lang Lang
Showcase

Jan 17, 18, Han Na Chang
Shostakovich: Cello Concerto 1
Dvorak: Symphony 7
Barber: Essay for Orchestra no 2

Mar 17
Stravinsky: Firebird

May 23 24, Viviane Hagner
Shostakovich: Violin Concerto no1
Borodin : Symphony no 2

Jun 27-28, Li Chuan Yun(Dorothy's last and brightest student)
Respighi: Three Botticelli Pictures
Lalo: Symphonie Espagnole
Schumann: Symphony no 4 in D minor

Plus Anybody interested to watch Haydn's Symphonies? MPO is performing no 93 to 104 for the Haydn's Anniversary.

Can't wait for next season. Tribe definitely can organize some gathering around these exciting concerts.....

Happy Birthday Mega Man

2008-06-25T00:00:00.001+08:00

To our beloved JOKER in tribal council,

who never fails to put a smile on Kevin's face.

A fine cellist in the making process

One who never fails to make us all laugh(charging his plasma projectiles)

We wish you a Happy 16th Birthday and a successful audition!!!

-Tribe

the cutest asskicking kid ever

2008-06-18T23:21:00.008+08:00

she's my hero..

if u loved her, u should take some time to check out 'charlie bit me' too. i laughed till i cried. XD

Koyaanisqatsi

2008-06-08T23:49:00.002+08:00

Remember Philip Glass, who composes Minimalist music?

And while you're there, check out Redundancy and Alliteration.

Apparently the new place has some really strict rules

2008-05-22T20:03:00.002+08:00

Apparently the new place has some really strict rules.

Just in case some of you don't check your mpyo emails. JUST IN CASE.

Norman wrote in his latest email

Dining Hall

1. Dress smart casual
2. NO slippers
3. NO sleeveless shirts/t-shirts
4. NO shorts

Accommodation/Rooms

1. NO Food
2. NO Smoking
3. NO Gambling
4. NO Alcohol

Always wear proper sports attire should you want to use the sport facilities at the centre.

Curfew time is at 11.30pm. Everybody is expected to be in their room by that time. Please always be considerate to your neighbours.

There will be a common area in the accommodation block should you need to discuss amongst yourself.

A GID (Guest Information Directory) is provided in each room. Upon check in, please read the directory.

Cello section's number one dude's birthday

2008-05-14T19:47:00.007+08:00

IT'S JAMES' BIRTHDAY!?

How could we all forget to post something on tribal blog when it's James' birthday?!

Anyhow,

Happy 17th, man, from all of us.

Have a nice one.

MPYO CONCERT MAY 28TH!

2008-04-28T18:06:00.005+08:00

Tickets priced at 30,

It's one month away.

It's open to the public,

With FOUR days of rehearsal, Yay!

Players and Concertos

2008-04-22T10:52:00.002+08:00

For your information, during May camp:..................

DITTERSDORF - Harp Concerto
HAYDN - Cello Concerto in C
DAVID - Concertino for Trombone and Piano, Op. 4
MOZART - Clarinet Concerto
MENDELSSOHN - Violin Concerto in E minor

Soloist: Bryan, Sakai, Wei Peng, Choong Yen, Su Yin and Anthea

Emerson String OCTET?

2008-03-22T15:41:00.002+08:00

hahaha.

This is so cool, you guys just have to watch it!

It is a documentary on the Emerson String Quartet as they record the Octet in E-flat Major, op. 20 of Felix Mendelssohn---a feat both musically and technologically innovative in modern chamber music.

The album, MENDELSSOHN: THE COMPLETE STRING QUARTETS went on to win 2 Grammy Awards, including Best Chamber Music Performance and Best Engineered Album for producer Da-Hong Seetoo (featured).

The Emerson String Quartet:
Eugene Drucker
Philip Setzer, violins
Lawrence Dutton, viola
David Finckel, cello

Remember Bukhara?

2008-03-19T00:57:00.001+08:00

Bloody hell man we're famous.

MPYO March Music Camp

2008-03-17T01:19:00.002+08:00

I'm back on popular demand, but...

The MPYO March Camp has just ended. That means, the entire Tribal Council must have been glued to their PCs (and Macs) awaiting for my post, then. It's terrible for me to break the unfortunate news, but I wouldn't be doing a traditional long post again. Well, not anytime soon, that is. I'm terribly busy with scholarship applications, and with my mom hogging the computer most of the time now, it isn't like I get the freedom to spend four hours straight to develop a quality post.

What more, with the number of pictures I actually took, it would take several decades to upload my pictures on my blog. There's no absolute guarantee either that the concept of Sharing Folders on Windows Live Messenger would work anytime soon because of two reasons. One, because I would have hardly any time to chat, and two, because I would be switching to Mac very soon, and it will take some time for me to get a Windows Live into the new system.

Anyway, it would be very unfair if I didn't give any sort of brief synopsis on the camp, so, I will be summarizing the entire seven days of camp in - let's hope - the next few paragraphs.

Day 1, Sunday, 9th March 2008

I arrived at Flamingo at 9am. Checked in, and then my parents dropped me off at KLCC. I met up with Kelly (who was dressed up in a gorgeous dress) and we soon went off to the MPO office to celebrate the Opposition's landslide victories in Penang, Kedah, Perak, Selangor and the Fedreal Territories (and not to forget, Kelantan).

We were talking very loudly and openly, and things didn't change much when James came along. We went off for a bit of shopping (eventually ending up at Pavilion KL) and finally met up with Lu Ee for lunch.

Then, we went to watch Akiko Suwanai perform the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

Unfortunately, Kelly had to go home after that, and left me and Lu Ee stranded to find our own transportation to find our own transportation to Flamingo.

Thanks to Lu Ee's parents, we made it in time for dinner with Jebat, David and Dylan (and Su Yin? Can't remember..) at Nandos near Ampang Point.

When we returned, I was too busy meddling with David's MacBook Pro, because I had to send the pictures to Kelly. It was not until everyone left the room except Lu Ee, when I realized that I needed to return the MacBook to David. Jia Rong called, telling us to meet them at James' room, 238.

Lu Ee and I decided to head there, as I needed water, too. But when we went there, all we saw were two books lying on two chairs. One, with "Lu Ee" and another with "Tiki" written on the front cover. Shit. Birthday presents.

The both of us took our own scrapbooks and started flipping through the personalized messages written by all our fellow Tribe members. Gosh, those messages were really, really touching.

But there was only one thing which got on my nerves. On the last page, right at the back cover of the scrapbook, a tiny note was scribbled in pencil.

"Psst. We're at 342.."

So, that must have been the "Surprise Party for Lu Ee" Kelly was talking about. Oh, by the way, it was Lu Ee's birthday.

But it wasn't until when we reached the room door when I realized that the Tribe decided to do the PETRONAS, and decided to save cost by celebrating two birthdays on one cake. Certainly, we were greeted in a shower of sprayshit noodles and a large, welcoming yell of "Surprise! Happy Birthday!!"

And in the same manner of Kit Leong's party, the room was pitch black, with almost the entire Tribe squashed at the metre-wide treshold, and two girls holding out a nice, large chocolate birthday cake.

This time, however, it read, "Happy Birthday Tiki and Lu Ee"

Certainly, the only thing we had was Cake and Coke that night. Well, that was because the majority of us were under-aged for drinking.

Annabel gave me several presents for my birthday - a Card, a box of fantastic Alcohol-Based Chocolates and an unknown gift, which turned out to be a fantastic Ferrari phone cover I always wanted when I was 10. Not that I hate it, of course, but certainly, it would have been one of things I wanted if I really had the license to blow money.

Addie soon came along, and she brought a nice gift, too. A Collection of French Ballet Music on CD! Knew I would like it.

Certainly, we were celebrating a double occasion here - the birthdays AND the election results, so, Jia Rong, our new concertmaster decided to conjure a large cheer - Chinese style. "Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum Seng!"

Certainly, with the full support of the entire Tribe, we were all following her. And since she decided to hold the fermata for about ten minutes, our lungs were crumpled at the end of the "Yum Seng"

But, it was indeed fun.

More fun, in fact, for the older boys, who had Moskorvi Vodka mixed with coke, pepsi, or juice.

Jebat was so drunk, he was talking rubbish just before I called it a night. I swear, he couldn't tell the difference between bras and panties. On that note, I thought it was better, I did, too.

Day 2, Monday, 10th March 2008

Nothing much happened. Tutti rehearsals. Sectionals. Conducting. Sectionals. Tutti rehearsals. Back to the hotel. I guess I'll just let the pictures do the talking.

That was Tutti. Now, it's lunch.

Just before the night Tutti, I caught Paganini practicing part of Die Fledermaus.

And Soh was my desk partner, Eliza.

Soon, we got back, and all we did was to hang around for a bit, talk rubbish, and fall asleep. And then, it was Day 3...

Day 3, Tuesday, 11th March 2008

Same thing happened. Tutti. Sectionals. Lunch. Conducting (this time, I was concertmaster of the quartet, and got screwing bigtime from Kevin for not counting the rests and playing the Oboe part - but still managed to nail the conducting bit). Sectionals (which was conducted by Jia Rong, and we got screwing from the office staff for our 'screeching sounds' and had to leave for an early dinner). And our last Tutti before we went back to Flamingo, and went off to bed.

However, I didn't do so.

I headed back home, as I was to collect my SPM results the following day on the 12th. At that point of time, I was biting my fingernails.

Day 4, 12th March 2008

Since you already know I got 11A1s and one miserable A2 for EST during the SPM examinations, I guess it's best I skip to the point I actually get back to DFP. You didn't know my SPM Results? Then just click here.

Anyway, I got back just in time for the screwing session, which turned out to be a ceramah meeting, which you could also read more about by clicking the same link.

After that, we had our Tutti rehearsals, and a long dinner break at 7.30pm for whoever that WAS NOT involved in the chamber concert.

Though I was NOT involved, I decided to say for a while to get some pictures. After all, I wasn't worrying any longer about any examination results or whatsoever.

Silence! I KILL YOU!

Then, I saw David mending a reed on stage...

Just before his ten second Debussy performance with Lu Ee on the piano - mostly consisting of the "F-words" and "shit", rather than anything else.

Up next, was Jia Rong, Lu Ee, Chin Ning and James' String quartet.

My boss was doing a fantastic job at the first Violin stand..

While James was as steady as ever on the opposite side - with "Silence! I KILL YOU!" written all over his face. Concentration, mate.

And since it was the unfortunate end after their performance, Lu Ee, David and I decided to ditch the rest of rehearsals to have dinner. In the midst of looking for Kit Leong, Adelyn and Jebat, I stumbled upon Lim Kit Siang and yelled his name right in public like a total maniac.

We found Kit Leong and the rest, and all of us decided to go to Bukhara to join Kit Siang and Anwar, who were having dinner there. We had a few pictures, and if you want to know the story in more detail, you should click HERE.

Since Kit Leong just arrived from Penang and had his PlayStation 2 with him, we spent the entire night back at the hotel room playing Crash Team Racing until about 2pm. The rest continued until about 4am. I know, but why play a PS1 game on a PS2? Who cares, really? It was really, really fun. With Kit Leong mimicking the game sounds of "meehee!!" or "woohoo!!", it was really brining the camp to life.

Day 5, Thursday, 13th March 2008

Same thing, yet again. But we were freer that day. Rehearsals for me did not commence until 11pm. So, a few of us - Dylan, Addie, Kit Leong, Jebat and me - decided to head off to the KL Convention Centre for breakfast.

Yes, and I couldn't quite agree that nothing would have been better to start the day with a cup of warm expresso. Simply gorgeous, isn't it?

That was Dylan's, anyway. I was too full to have anything.

The boys were so hungry, it seems as if they were Gats during Ramadhan. They had a sandwich platter each.

Adelyn, too, had a sandwich.

We spent most of the time talking rubbish, and having lots of laughs.

And of course, acting as if we have got pieces of chicken breast stuck between our teeth.

For Kit Leong, the sandwiches were not only getting between his teeth, I think they were too heavy for him. Yet again, he looked as if he was set to not finishing his meal.

We all could tell. Especially when Kit Leong illustrated what he meant by "the Measure of a Man"...

Certainly, all of them were having great fun, especially with a DSLR in company. Addie was also chatting with some unknown person on her phone most of the time. Hmm.. Wonder who that is...

At 11pm, however, we headed back to DFP, for our supposed Sectionals. We had fun, with Jia Rong conducting most of it. However, since she had to go early, we spent the rest of the hour fiddling on the piano. Or rather, the girls...

For lunch, however, the Tribe went over to Kim Gary's Restaurant at Avenue K for Cheese Baked Rice (with Pork Chop in Red Sauce).

Since we were squashed nine to a table, I was seated milimetres away from Annabel all through the entire duration of more than half an hour. Obviously, I took good care of her.

Kit Leong was stuck next to Adelyn...

Jebat, was in a world of his own.

But since the both of them were terribly full from the platter of Sandwiches from breakfast, Kit Leong and Jebat still shared a serving of baked rice together. Awww...

After that time, we had the afternoon free as the MPO were rehearsing the Rite of Spring. I caught the first half of it, and spent the rest of the afternoon wondering why on earth anyone would want to listen to that sort of music.

However, at 5.30pm, we were back on the stage, rehearsing Strauss, Offenbach, Hindson and Dvorak.

I was back with Eliza and Kah Yan with fifteen minutes to spare before the tuning-up session.

Aaron was talking to Bryan.

And Lu Ee and Su Yin were busy camwhoring my DSLR. They look pretty, anyway, so it doesn't matter.

After a short rehearsal, we took a break for dinner, whereby the Tribe gathered outside for sushi and packed Isetan bentos.

And less than half an hour later, they were back camwhoring. Who else? Haha.

Here's Annabel, again. This time, she's being an angel, marking in fingerings and proper positions to use while playing with each other.

And of course, tell me an orchestra that isn't complete without a concertmaster who practices 24-7?

By half past seven, all of us were back on stage, except for one person. Guess who's missing again? Certainly, that must have driven Kevin up his nerves. "Where's Myles gone again?!"

He did join us later, alright. And we did eventually manage to start and finish on time. On time, meaning to say, we made it back to Flamingo with even more time to play PlayStation and listen to Kit Leong's preachings.

However, I dosed off too early. From what I heard, they were playing until about 3am in the morning. And I am pretty sure that explained the lack of energy the following day...

Day 6, Friday, March 14 2008

There wasn't much happening, yet again, today. In fact, I was off until about 3pm, when Kevin was going to show us a DVD on Music in the 21st Century.

So, with half of the day dedicated entirely on Chamber music, which I would not be involved in, I decided to join Kit Leong, Addie and Annabel to Starbucks to rest. Kit Leong's initial plan was to study and sleep. But as you expected, you would have known what he ended up doing most...

Addie, on the other hand, was deeply engrossed in Add Maths, I was just telling her to cool down. I mean, it wasn't until three weeks before SPM when I actually learned the format of the paper.

Annabel was just like me, tagging along, waiting to kill time until 3pm. Unlike me, however, she was going to then catch the Chamber Concert at night.

Day 7, Sunday, March 15 2008

Most unfortunate for me, I had to get home right after Kevin's video screening as I needed to fill up some scholarship applications. And it was even more unfortunate when I forgot my camera the following day during our actual concert, which went like a bomb...

For one, I would have been pretty sure my sister would have danced to the Can-Can, as we have been both listening to it since we were born. Seriously, I had great fun all through this camp, though I have been spending my time in and out of Flamingo, just like a nomad. And I also do understand the concept that the Tribe spends most of its time active at night, and tired in the day. Some sort like a bunch of nocturnal animals. Like Die Fledermaus. That is, "The Bat", which happens to be the Strauss Overture we played during the concert.

So, a big round of applause yet again, to everyone from the Tribe, the MPYO as well as Kevin and the Administrators (especially Aaron and Norman) who made this camp yet again, such a big success.

For sure, those BMW guys would sign the contract to sponsor us during the August outdoor performance. Do you want to know why?

Well, the entire orchestra couldn't possibly wait for the Twin Towers to liquidate into crude oil just to get PETRONAS to sponsor a few quid for us to play music to a proper audience.

And just like what James highlighted in the DAP Manifesto, they would be taking off 30% of PETRONAS' profits to be given to the poor. With that point made, it's no wonder why the MPYO would have to resort from other sources of funds. Surely, with Kubica and Heidfeld running well and ahead in the white and blue BMW Saubers, surely there would be money coming from there. Fingers crossed, until we meet again in May. Thank you all for the experience.

And, look what you have done. I was supposed to be writing in a few paragraphs, and as a result, this did not turn out to be a short post after all...

p.s. Duncan, David, Myles, Annabel and Kah Yan, please make way for a new member in the Tribal Council MacBook club. There would be a 'new member' joining in a few days' time... Weehee!

Another birthday. Guess who? its TIKI!

2008-03-06T21:39:00.003+08:00

To Dear Tiki,

It started off with a serious and smart call - Philbert.

But that didn’t last long and it soon became - Tiki TIKI Tock Tock!

Now, everyone calls you Tiki!

Thanks to you, Tribal got its name.

Thanks to you, for all the ultimate long long post about camp which gives us a good and clear view of the camp even though we did not go for it. We all love your writing. Haha.

Lastly, Thanks for everything!! Haha

HAPPY 16^th BIRTHDAY!!

Rasuah Sayang

2008-02-29T22:47:00.000+08:00

Piano lessons

2008-02-23T22:16:00.000+08:00

Akiko Suwanai's Concert

2008-02-20T23:31:00.003+08:00

Akiko Suwanai

(諏訪内晶子 Suwanai Akiko, born February 7, 1972) is a Japanese classical violinist.
She was the youngest winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1990. In addition, she won second place in the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in 1989 and is a laureate in the International Japan Competition.

She has studied at the Toho Gakuen School of Music with Toshiya Eto, while at Columbia University at the Juilliard School of Music with Dorothy DeLay and Cho-Liang Lin, and at the Universität der Künste Berlin with Uwe-Martin Haiberg.
She currently plays on the 1714 Dolphin Stradivarius, which is a loan from the Nippon Music Foundation.
* * *
Repertoire :

ADAMS Short Ride in a Fast Machine
TÜÜR Passion
SIBELIUS Violin Concerto in D minor (Op.47)
COPLAND Symphony No.3

Conductor: Kevin Field

Date: 8th of March 2008 (Saturday)
Time: 8:30pm
Venue : DFP

OR

Date: 9th March 2008 (Sunday)
Time: 3:00pm
Venue: DFP

Anyone interested?

I will survive

2008-02-19T03:07:00.000+08:00

o.O

2008-02-18T20:00:00.000+08:00

uhhh....dun think i ever posted anyting on dis page b4 i tink abt time i did haha...hei wat jebat said is rite dis is really......zzz =__= i noe dey might b cheapskate enuf 2 not turn the air con in dfp when we practise but dis is 2 much.......yea the kl ppl shud complain n fight for more rooms....its not like petronas cant afford it wats rong with dem =_= yea the non kl oso might wanna help out in helping complain/let kl ppl bunk in their rooms as well......i dont mind alot of ppl sleeping same room with me...just tat i kinda..take my time in the shower....need put contacts etc.....aisheh XDXD......TRIBE SPIRIT!!!

p.s. more ppl rite la dunit shyshy XD

Carmen

2008-02-17T21:03:00.002+08:00

Some joker playing Carmen Fantasy on a clarinet...

Chaos.

2008-02-15T19:28:00.004+08:00

This is important.

I'm sure all of us have already received the e-mail from Audrey about accommodation for our next camp at DFP.

SOME camp, that is.

I really just don't get it. How can they not provide us KL people with accommodation? It's a CAMP, for goodness sake. What's the point of having a CAMP when not all the members are together in the same place to stay? They might as well call it 'daily rehearsals which will last for a week' or something.

Let's recall the December tour. Fine, KL people weren't given accommodation during those few days of rehearsals, and maybe that wasn't so bad, since we were going to be heading all around the country together anyway.

But THIS is outrageous. Really.

The whole point of a CAMP is to have everyone together. Can you imagine for some people living in PJ or other places which are far from KL? It's far away for us/them to travel EVERY DAY of CAMP to DFP.

Dylan and I were discussing this matter not long ago, and we thought that we should tell Admin that it would be very inconvenient for our parents to fetch us to and fro everyday. But even then, we would probably only manage to get one or two rooms. So here's the thing - if the tribe wants to stay together during CAMP, we need to cooperate to solve this problem.

Please, please voice out your opinions ASAP.

2008-02-15T17:52:00.003+08:00

THE BLOG SEEMS DEAD APPARENTLY! SO INSTEAD OF DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. WE SHOULD REVIVE IT! USING SOME SORT OF NECROMANCY OR CLERICAL SPELL and shit!

But seriously, we should post other things on this blog, instead of limiting it to tiki's long as the nile river posts which are sometimes hard to read. No offense intended.

THEREFORE, we should make an effort to post something at least every other week. So, to shake things up abut, why don't we do some music related posts, like reviews and stuff, of our favourite music, that doesn't have to be classical. So we can just get to know everyone's taste and shit, so that if someday we have to buy some sort of birthday present for somebody else or whatever, we have something to base our puchases on and shit.

ALSO! Nami left for Australia last night at 1040. We each should check on how she's doing soon (as in a week or two). Y'know. cos it's the nice thing to do.

YES, NOW PEOPLE! START DOING STUFF BECAUSE I WANT TO GO AND TAKE A BATH!

2008-01-09T21:53:00.001+08:00

What I've made here is a short montage on our entire journey together as a Tribe. Kelly did one before this, and you should check it out too! Anyway, here it is, and forgive the horrible sound quality. I know. We make better music. Hopefully all of you would enjoy this.

Merry Christmas, Tribe

2007-12-24T21:53:00.000+08:00

HO! HO! HO!

(No, this isn't another email from Ho, if you know what I mean)

Hey, one and all! No, this isn't going to be another essay. I'm just going to drop by to wish every Tribe Member a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thought it was the best thing to do, instead of writing another novel. Haha.

And for all those people sitting for SPM next year, all the best.

Anyway, I can't wait for another get together. Probably early next year? Myles?

Probably.

The Tribe

2007-12-21T18:46:00.000+08:00

this is the only pic with(i hope) all the tribe members in it =D (we really should have taken more guys)

front - nami, eliza, mabel, kah yan, jebat, myles, dylan. back - annabel, jia rong, su yin, adelyn, kelly, luee, tiki, david, duncan, james, eben

(+ kitleong) =)

The Inaugural MPYO National Tour

2007-12-20T23:49:00.000+08:00

Much awaited, this. Just finished the review, after a week of hard work. Enjoy! For more pictures, do visit my Picasa Web album by clicking HERE.

-tikiyong-

Introduction

Once upon a time, when I was a kid, I remembered stumbling upon this statement somewhere. I couldn't remember where, exactly, but I found it rather stupid. It might seem awkward to bring this up, but it has got everything to do with the MPYO National Tour. So naturally, coupled by starting with "Once upon a time...", this is going to be an utterly long post - or tale.

"Everyone deserves a second chance."

Back then, I could truly remember totally against that statement. Whoever made it surely didn't know the true meaning of life. Most of the time, you're only given one chance to do things right. Your entire life that follows, then would be decided whether you make or break in that one very occasion.

Let's say, we're talking in terms SPM. No one really cares whether you got 90% or 9% for your English paper in school. No one really cares whether you got an A1 or a G9 for your English in your trial examinations. What they really care about is how you actually perform in your SPM. All those results in the past do not matter, because you had your chance to prove yourself back then. The whole point of an examination, then, is you leave you with only ONE chance to prove yourself right or wrong, whether you're faking it, or you're of natural talent. For sure, you might not even be able to string a few words together to form a sentence, but if you suddenly got lucky in the examination room (let's say, you receive a Wahyu from Allah) and start writing excellently, no one would care really about your past and would instantly give you an undeserving A1.

Ah, but now, you would be thinking that I would be swallowing up my words because something life-changing happened and finally got a new perspective into my head. Indeed, that's true.

This, then brings me nicely to the MPYO National Tour. Really, as I have said many times earlier this year, the MPYO isn't merely about some 110 geeks coming together, blowing trumpets or hammering the bass drum once every two months. Well, in any organization for that matter, we would have our own 'camps' - if you like to call it - of groups of people who have a tendency to think along the same wavelengths. For that very reason, the entire orchestra can be segregated into two, very distinct categories. The English-Speaking ones, and the Mandarin-Speaking ones.

Now, this isn't the sort of scenario you get everyday, because in a typical Malaysian organization, you would be looking at groups categorized into Malays, Chinese and Indians. However, there isn't a fuss on racial composition in our orchestra because after Myles' calculation on the ethnic composition of the orchestra, he concluded that we had 94% of the orchestra being Chinese, 4% Malay, 1% Indian (which is because Myles and Nami are half Indian each), 0.5% Scottish (Myles) and 0.5% Japanese (Nami).

Neglecting the Scottish and Indian composition, we can generally conclude that if some sort of May 13 incident was to happen again, we would already have a winner before the riot actually kicked off.

Anyhow, referring back to the Chinese composition, it seems that our backgrounds vary a little bit. Some, like Kah Yan, Annabel, Dylan and Su Yin all go to private or international schools, while others, like (forgive me for not knowing their names well) those members of the Brass and Wind section come from Chinese schools. Naturally, people like Dylan would speak English at home, while others like the Brass players would be speaking Mandarin.

So, the language border has once again become a big problem in terms of separating even people of the same race. It's natural for the English-Speaking ones, better known as the Tribal Council, to click among ourselves, because like the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. It also goes without saying that members who speak Mandarin do not bother to interact with the Tribe, because simply, it would be scary for them to speak in another language they find great difficulty in.

However, one man stood up to break the tradition. For that reason, I personally thought he deserved a big acknowledgment for his efforts in seeking self-improvement in terms of his use of language and manners. From a rural town in Sarawak called Miri, he fought all the odds to come to this big city to seek a better life than before. His name, is Eben (Almighty).

Ever since the beginning of time, he has been hanging around with the Tribe, despite facing numerous forms of humiliation and sarcastic statements from all those around. I can't help admitting that even I have found his slang funny when he spoke English. For instance, we would pronounce 'name' as 'naym', but he pronounces it as 'nem'. Same goes for 'James' which he pronounces as 'Jams'. Let's put it this way. He can't pronounce 'y'.

I even recall some people telling me the antics of the poor fellow who used to keep those packets of coffee and tea provided in hotels, so he could bring them back to Miri to drink. To a certain extent, then, Eben is naive, and yearns to experience the good things in life which he would never feel back in rural Sarawak.

Anyhow, he still continued to make an effort to become a better person, and I guess all of us in the Tribe finally realized that it is high time to lend him a helping hand. For me, his determination earned him the right for a truly deserving second chance, which I relate as one of the most valuable lessons in the entire Tour. And for that very reason, I guess everyone should be given a second chance, provided they show the most important value in life. Earning a second chance isn't easy because one must be willing to admit their faults in screwing up the first time and/or accepting the point of views from others with the determination and hope for a new change.

Everyone in this world is human. And being human, no one is perfect. We are bound to screw up, may it be in an audition or a friendship. Of course, the degree of screwing up might vary from one individual to another, but as long as he or she is willing to change, I feel that no wound is ever too deep to heal.

After over a decade of objecting the statement, I finally realized that I was wrong all this while. Everyone deserves a second chance, and it is their responsibility to upkeep to their promise to the other party not to screw up another time again.

That was one hell of an introduction, no?

Penang

After four days of intensive rehearsals at the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, finally, last Thursday, the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) was finally off to Penang, for the start of our inaugural National Tour.

First thing in the morning, I got my luggage packed before heading off to KLCC at 7.30 in the morning. The bus wasn't due until nine, but hell, my dear father had a bloody OCD against traffic jams and we had to leave over an hour earlier. Needless to say, even at that point of time in the morning, he INSISTED in blowing RM2 by using the SMART tunnel to avoid what seemed to be a sea of invisible motorized vehicles he called 'traffic'. When I arrived at KLCC, I realized that my dad wasn't the only one with the weird OCD. Nami, Su Yin and Myles had arrived at the same time as me, and luck for us, we had each other to talk to before the buses from Flamingo Hotel (which housed James, Kelly, Lu Ee and the other Non-KL members) arrived.

When they did arrive, however, I heard this interesting story about Eben's sensory overload the night before when Adelyn tried to 'arouse' him with some stunning gestures while at McD. Was he really spreading his legs while doing that 'cheerful forward thrust' under the table to her? Don't ask me. I wasn't there. I would need reconfirmation.

Before I knew it, it was time for us to board the bus. However, our plan to fit the entire tribe on bus number 1 didn't work out because it was jam-packed with the Flamingo members. That left people like Myles, Kah Yan and me no choice but to board bus number 4, which luckily was joined with people like Dylan, Su Yin, Nami, Eliza, Mabel and Jia Rong. It was past 9 in the morning and unlike A. Ho Hui Lin's nasty threat for the buses to leave at 9am, like it or not, we weren't going anywhere. Even though Jebat arrived at 9.01am, when he hopped on board our same bus to make things even more fun, all the four buses were still stationary. From what I heard, we were still waiting for one more orchestra member who was stuck in the massive jam. I knew this would happen.

Our buses eventually left for Penang some fifteen minutes later. We talked crap for most of the journey which only had two stops at Tapah and somewhere near Ipoh. During the second leg of the journey, we had Hitch playing on the entertainment system of the bus which kept everyone bursting out in laughter.

The massive seven hour journey finally came to an end when we crossed the Penang bridge and arrived at the City Bayview Hotel in Georgetown.

We checked into our rooms, and for some fateful reason, guess who I got as a room mate?

Duncan Yeow.

Yeah man. Upon hearing the news, we hugged each other, like some sort of gay partners, reunited. This was of course conjured the biggest laugh of the century when all the other orchestra members saw our homosexual impressions.

As soon as we got our room keys, Duncan and I headed up to our room on the 10th floor. It was posh for MPYO standards, considering that it had a proper shower, a bathtub, decent air conditioning, and very, very clean sheets. Anyhow, I wasn't going to stick around in the room all day, because I had a game of Scrabble pending with Kelly.

I headed off to her room, which was just several doors away, and we started our match. To my shock, Kelly's room was conjoined to someone else's. That, so happened to be Eben Almighty.

So, we decided to bring our game over next door into Eben's room because Kelly's room mate, How Cu (probably the kindest person to have as a roomie) came in. We decided not to bother her for some reason, because she too had to do her share of unpacking and washing up.

In Eben's room, Kelly and I were talking a bit, and discussing some matters together, while Eben himself was away. No, we weren't talking about Eben behind his back. It was just that our conversation in Eben's room over the Scrabble board seemed to hit my head - HARD. It wasn't a typical sort of conversation friends had. We weren't talking about minor stuff like the weather or the time of day. It seemed to be a bit of a heart-to-heart talk, which in my opinion, was probably the greatest life changing discussion of my life. After all this while, I finally realized that I was acting like a total jerk in a certain circumstance. Of course, from the tone of her voice, I knew that I have disappointed her BIGTIME. It was probably the second time such a thing happened, and I couldn't possibly explain myself to her why actually I did it.

In fact, I couldn't recall why I did it in the first place. I was terribly sorry, but I knew that I have disappointed her for the second time again. And I was worried that it would be the end of our friendship. That, in my opinion, was the most horrible experience of my life. I knew that she wasn't mad at me. It was that she was just terribly disappointed. I knew that I screwed up again. But why on earth did I do it in the first place? Goodness. Words can't possibly describe how sorry I am feeling right now, and nonetheless, I didn't expect her to forgive me - another time. Much as I'm yearning to do it, I couldn't possibly pour out all the details here, because all this stuff is private. And, I have realized that my blog has become more of a newspaper rather than a personal diary. For heaven's sake, I know people from Priya's grandmother, to the likes of innocent young girls like Michaelle who read my blog. And, I'm terribly sorry if you're reading all this rubbish as it would make no sense to you. But I had to write this in because this is part of THE important lesson I learned in the tour. From learning that everyone deserved a second chance, I also knew the importance of keeping that very trust.

It was really unnecessary of you to forgive me for all that I have done. But, you did. For that, I truly appreciate the second (or rather, third) chance, Kelly. And I'll upkeep to my words.

So, it goes without saying that I was engaged in a conversation, until I lost my concentration and naturally lost again to a Chung on the Scrabble board. Just as Eben barged back into our room (seeming like he was about to tear up) we were done with the game. He was carrying a can of Shandy, and the first guess which went through our heads was that he was terribly drunk. So, what exactly was going on with Eben?

"Someone ate my Char Kueh Teow..." he cried.

Oh, so he must have went to Jebat's room on the 14th floor. Adelyn was there, apparently with several packets of Penang's best Char Kueh Teow for everyone. Kelly and I were playing Scrabble in the room, and we must have missed it. However, Eben did say that they reserved two packets for us.

Frankly, we just told Eben to calm down, and that he could have our share of Char Kueh Teow because we weren't feeling hungry. But he was all emo-ing, and just said plainly that he was now feeling full. Because of the Shandy.

Poor Eben. We tried our best to cheer him up, and make him come upstairs with us, but he wouldn't budge. Eventually, Kelly and I gave up and decided that he was best to be left alone. We headed up to Jebat's room on the 14th floor and found the whole Tribe sitting there. They were having a discussion.

Kelly and I joined in just as things were getting more exciting. They were planning some surprise party for Kit Leong. Oh yeah, just for a quick recap, poor Kit Leong couldn't come for tour because he couldn't afford to miss college. Since his birthday was somewhat on the 12th of December, we decided to celebrate it early for him in our hotel room in Penang.

Our organizing chairperson, Adelyn, was very busy doing making phone calls from everyone to the likes of her pet siblings and ex-boyfriends, asking them for favours. To make things even spicier, she was also in contact with Kit Leong's college mates, who were supposed to be in charge with the birthday cake. And then, there was some bloke called Je Sen (is that how you spell his name??) who was going to bring Kit Leong over to the hotel at 7.30 to surprise him.

Back at the hotel room, the tribe itself was divided into several smaller groups. Each of them had several tasks to carry out. David, Myles and some others had to get drinks outside, Kelly was in charge of the finance and Lu Ee had the daunting task to order the pizzas. Oh, and by the way, it was even getting better, since Jebat's room was conjoined to Lu Ee's. We so decided to use her room, because she was the only one sleeping in it, while Jebat's room was used as a surprise to house Kit Leong when he arrived, while we sprang out of Lu Ee's room, wishing him happy birthday. You see, none of us in the Tribe were answering Kit Leong's calls, and that's because ''The First and Second Violins had to rehearse at Dewan Sri Pinang because we were not together, thanks to I, together with the rest which had no particular function in the agenda, just helped around to rearrange the hotel room to make space for a proposed 'dance floor'. We moved the two beds over to a far corner, together with a coffee table to make space for the games later.

People like Duncan and David were busy playing DOTA and providing our in-house entertainment by blasting synchronized Michael Buble songs from each of their Macbooks while waiting for 7.30pm to arrive.

There was a ring at the doorbell.

Lucky for us, it wasn't Kit Leong. It was the college guys with the Secret Recipe cake. And naturally, they were part of the secret, too. We invited them into Lu Ee's room and continued waiting for Kit Leong. This time, we were in a little crisis. Yes, we already had a birthday cake which read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAY LEONG". Yes, we already had all the pizzas in the house, when Adelyn's pet brother delivered them, together with her. And yes, we had all the furniture arranged and the best surprise you could possibly get. Yes, we had the candles ready... But wait. We didn't have a lighter. Or matches. You see, we are innocent, young orchestra members with high levels of discipline. It goes without saying that we do not smoke. If we did fag, we'll end up as backstage workers, so naturally, we had to find something to start a fire to light the candles. Someone rang up room service fast enough, and we got the matches delivered to our doorstep.

As time reached closer to 7.30pm, all of us could feel the tension. I was at the door, peering out of the tiny eye hole, staring at the corridor for any sign of Kit Leong.

Just as two girls (Su Yin and Lu Ee, if I'm not mistaken) were setting up the candles on the cake, the phone call came in. It was Jesen who called, saying that he was in the building already. Quickly, the girls struck the matches and lit the candles. Just as everything seemed to be going well, Duncan suddenly shouted, "Shit! BLOW OFF THE CANDLES! WE'LL SET OFF THE SMOKE ALARM!"

Oh heck. We forgot all about that.

Just as quickly as they lit the candles up, they extinguished the flames instantaneously.

The heat was just boiling over as all of a sudden, I saw two figures walked past the corridor. It was Kit Leong and his clone, Jesen.

"HE'S HERE." I whispered to the room.

I could feel the excitement brewing within all the people in Lu Ee's (secret) room.

Next door, we could hear Dylan's warm welcome, James' somewhat mellow voice, Myles' laughter, and Kelly's high pitch giggles just as Kit Leong entered the room. He was shocked to see them over there, but little was he expecting to find the rest of the Tribe behind the second door.

The girls once again lit the candles on the cake (and prayed it didn't set off the smoke alarm) just as someone from next door opened the adjoining door. At the threshold, stood a scrawny figure with some fancy hairdo and a miniature look alike beside him. They weren't lying. Kit Leong and Jesen looked just alike, just that the look on their faces that night were so contrasting. While Jesen looked calm, serene and was about to break out into a laugh after conning his dear college mate, Kit Leong wore the typical what-the-fuck expression on his face. He was shocked. Flabbergasted. He was stunned to find another fifteen-or-so figures bellowing the "Happy Birthday" song while looming out of the dark room with a birthday cake up in front.

That, was probably the best planned surprise in the world.

And why on earth did Kit Leong follow Jesen in his car, and did not even suspect a thing?

"That bloody bastard told me that we were going to see two hot chicks at Bayview!!" and then, he looked as if he wanted to smack his dear friend's head with all his might. So, are we worth the 'two hot chicks' in the mention? Being Kit Leong, I'm not too sure...

The games that night were as enjoyable as the food. We had some game called "Honey, if you love me please make me smile", and of course, we had a few moments of laughing which was enough to take our diaphragm out. Duncan was kissing Jesen's hand so hard, and we truly had the impression that he was gay. And then, I was becoming worried, because he was my room mate.

Then, we had that newspaper dancing competition, which we had to form couples and hopped on a piece of newspaper when the music stopped. Naturally, Addie and I made the perfect couple as we are about the size of a Barbie and Ken doll. It does pay to be short, especially when space efficiency becomes a great factor in life.

Most unfortunately, we had to end the night sooner or later. I went to bed at about 1am, after all the fun and found myself awake the next morning, still feeling rather sleepy.

At breakfast at the revolving restaurant, I was busy (sleepily) picking my breakfast from the buffet counter, when I ran into an awfully familiar face. She said "Hi!" and obviously, I waved my most cheerful "Good Morning" to her. But it wasn't until a few steps later when I realized who that was.

Annabel.

OH, HOLY SHIT.

As far as I am concerned, the last time we ever talked to each other was when we first met back last September at our first MPYO rehearsal. She IS awfully pretty, I know, and for that very reason, I always showed great interest in her, right until she alienated me for some strange reason. I know that I'm horrible at giving good first impressions. People often misjudge me for some nerdy Quantum Physics geek who spends all day toying around with conical flasks in the laboratory. Hey, just because I tuck in my shirt at all times, and happen to be two years younger than my peers, doesn't mean that I spend all day memorizing History notes on my desk. I have said many times that I am just like everyone else, just that I find interest in other ways, which you girls might find deeply interesting. Let's say, shopping.

Anyway, it was a pity to find Annabel drawing her own conclusions after the first time we met. I'm guessing that she thought that I was some sort of total jerk and was only trying with utmost desperation to hook her. That is not true. I'm not a jerk. But hooking her? I don't know where THAT theory came from. I've heard her thoughts about me. I'm some dragon-faced idiot. That's harsh, I know. So, from that day on, I just so decided that she was better to be left alone. I just personally thought that she was that sort of girl undergoing the changes in puberty and saw the opposite sex as the enemy. She's probably the typical sort of person who fought for women's rights and only stuck to their own gender.

Somehow, deep down inside, I knew that she couldn't possible be that harsh in reality. What more, with her mother breathing down her down her neck half the time, I could bet every cent that she had zero freedom in life.

All this was going through my mind as I walked slowly back to the table. So, was my move on leaving her alone right after all? Had I succeeded in winning her 'attention' back again? Well, maybe.

While that incident was behind my mind all through the morning, all of us had to stick to our schedule in the tour. That meant by 9am, we were on board the bus to Dewan Sri Pinang for rehearsals. The whole orchestra was transported to the hall by 10am, with the exception of several Tribe members (which included Adelyn, Jebat, Lu Ee and a few others) who so decided to opt for another form of transportation, as the concert hall was within a stone's throw from the Hotel. Everyone was on stage and tuning by quarter to 10 except for Kelly, who most unfortunately decided to sit out this concert because she wasn't feeling too well. As it is, she wasn't in the pink of health the night before during Kit Leong's party.

Thus, she gave way to Carolyn, the other pianist, to take her spot for the Penang concert. After all, they were playing on a rotation basis. So, the lucky girl had the privilege of snuggling under her blankets all morning while we were working our fingers, arms and lungs at the Tutti rehearsal.

By lunchtime, the coach sent us back to the hotel, where soon after, I met up with Kelly (who was feeling better now) and together with the rest of the Tribe, we went down to the streets, looking for lunch. Being in Penang, it couldn't be easier for us to find good places to eat. We settled for some Chinese coffee shop, where we had Lobak, Char Kuey Teow and other typical Penang delicacies.

After lunch, we headed back to the hotel and bunked into Jebat's room for a serious jamming session. That, was because Su Yin was worried to death. Nami's wrist was aching badly, and if she wasn't fit to perform at night, Su Yin would be the one becoming concertmaster, which in turn meant that she would be the ONE playing the Scheherezade solo.

However, instead of becoming Su Yin's private practice session, we had Duncan showing off his fantastic skills with Max Bruch and Bach, while Jebat and Myles were trying to keep up with him. That left me and Lu Ee, sitting down with four violins yelling different tunes all over the room.

Soon enough, it was approaching evening. Our proposed plan to catch a bit of sleep earlier was dashed. At 5pm, I left for my room to change into concert attire. Everyone did the same, too, before meeting up back again at the same room, which now became our official Tribal base.

Just after a few moments of having some fun with Kelly on Duncan's Macbook's Photo Booth, I realized that it was time to head down to the lobby. The bus left at 6pm sharp for the hall. As promised, the served us "light refreshments" before the concert, which turned up to be fried mee hoon (again) and bananas. After dinner, Kelly and I took some photographs with Donovan on stage before we were asked to get backstage to warm up.

David and I did our experimental 'warm up' exercise. We did a duet for Clarinet and Violin to Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G Minor. However, being two idiots, we added a foolish twist to the song by playing it a Minor 2nd apart. That, of course made it sound totally out of tune and gave the whole crowd a big laugh. Before we knew it, all our fiddling around had brought us to showtime.

Clearly, being the first time out of DFP on this inaugural tour, the whole orchestra was certainly nervous and unsure over the outcome of the concert.

Then, without a single hint, Kevin Field sprang out from nowhere dressed in a cute vest and gave the downbeat to our first song, Ria!. The program soon continued by Muriz's piece, entitled Senandung Malaysia, which in my opinion, deserves a great credit for his ingenious blend of cultural music and dances all over the country. What more, he added that extra jazzy and upbeat kick to the entire dance, making it seem like a Malay man doing the Zapin in funky, Reebok sneakers.

Then, when it came to Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 1, I was in deep trouble. I was fighting my great urge to burst into laughter, after the parody David and I did backstage with the song. Thankfully, I didn't make a single sound, but only grinning like mad.

Arnold's Four Scottish Dances was up next followed by the orchestra's favourite piece, Danse Bacchanale, before we finally hit the brakes at the interval. Of course, you could have predicted that Kit Leong turned up backstage during the break and started cracking some really funny jokes with all of us. That's so typical of him.

The only thing which followed after the interval, was Ralph Vaughan William's A London Symphony, Movements 3 and 1 respectively. In the end, the audience was generating a thunderous applause and to the orchestra's humour, there were a bunch of idiots sitting in the front row yelling "encore", but pronouncing it the wrong way.

"ENN - CORE!!"

Too bad, we didn't bring along any extra music, so they had to wait till next year.

I met up with Kelly after the concert. Apparently, she was sitting with Auntie Kah Peh in a far corner up in the elevated seats behind the hall. And to my greatest surprise, Kelly said that she was going to follow us all around Peninsular Malaysia to catch all of our concerts. God, she really gives all her undivided support to the orchestra. If we ever had a more loyal fan, I guess we would have to pack him into one of the double bass cases an carry him along.

Most unfortunately, she couldn't stay for the reception. Not Kelly. Auntie Kah Peh. Nevertheless, that gave all of us a good chance to mingle around at the after party (which was just light refreshments, drinks, and yes, fried mee hoon again..) when I met Adelyn's little sister. Gosh, she's quite cute for her age. But nah, she's too young for me..

In fact, Kit Leong was also hanging around in the party, together with all the orchestra members. And it's quite natural for us to plan some sinister way to bend the rules when he is around.

Consequently, after the reception, we secretly smuggled him onto our coach and hid him in a pile of violin cases in the back seats, while the MPYO staff had their heads turned in another direction. That was really amazing. Of course, he was crouched beside me and Myles at the back and was fussing as if he was a child shoved into a gym bag. Oh wait, that was Nurin. Sorry.

Anyhow, we soon sensed that there was going to be a slight challenge after this, that is, to get him out of the bus without the orchestra administrators noticing.

So, we have him to carry Jebat's violin and slung Kah Yan's MPYO tag over his neck and made him look as if he was Co-Concertmaster.

AND GUESS WHAT? THE PLAN WORKED.

So, back at the hotel, we assembled the Tribe and we were talking crap in Jebat's room all night, until Kit Leong's father called, and forced him to go home. Aww.. That was sad.

Anyway, I simply couldn't stay up too late, as we would be leaving for Ipoh first thing the next morning. I headed back to my room, washed up, completed my packing and within minutes, hit the sack before I got eyebags.

Ipoh

First thing in the morning after breakfast at the revolving restaurant, we checked out of the hotel and left for Ipoh. As expected, the bus left slightly after it's scheduled time of 10am, because the Gats were late.

Oh yeah, I haven't explained the meaning of "Gat" have I?

After sitting next to Myles at the back of the bus for several days now, we have indeed been discussing numerous issues, ranging from Mac rumours to the naughty things we did at school. Not to mention, we were exchanging jokes, like those you usually find where there is an Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman walking into a pub. Nevertheless, he couldn't help asking me whether we had any sort of jokes like that in Malaysia. Nevertheless, he was asking whether we had some joke which started with, "One day, there was a Chinese, Indian and Malay who walked into a Mamak Stall".

Frankly, I think if I did tell him some sort of joke like that, the government would arrest me under the Internal Securities Act (ISA) and lock me up in a deserted prison cell for the rest of my life. So, Myles was clever enough to suggest a codename for the Hybrids ('M's, if you know what I mean). Now that the internet is so easily accessible, a load of those people who eat sambal for breakfast, rendang for lunch and dinner would have known about uncyclopedia. So, instead of calling them Hybrids, Myles suggested that we call them 'Gat'. That was just some random name we came up with after laughing hard at a signboard with the road name "GAT LEBUH NORDIN" while in Penang. And since we thought it sounded stupid, we decided to call them 'Gat'.

Sinister, I know.

So, the Gats were late again, and because of them, we were a little behind schedule on our journey to Ipoh. But typically being Gats, they couldn't get sacked, because:

1. There are so little of them who know how to play musical instruments, and they needed the Bumiputera quota in the orchestra.
2. It's always one-sided and they always get Scott free.
3. They could always use the excuse of getting stuck in the Surau because they pray five times a day.

By the time we reached Ipoh, it was noon. We arrived at Hotel Sri Malaysia, which was a damn sight worser than our previous hotel in Penang. And coupled with that, they only had 10 pathetic rooms available when we arrived.

Hello... There are a hundred and ten of us, and you've only got rooms to fit twenty?

And yet again, you could imagine the sort of people who run the hotel. Exactly. Gat.

Uncle Norman, the functioning Administrator, was kind enough to tell us to wait at an open quadrangle behind the lobby and help ourselves to lunch while he settled the accommodation problems with the management. Needless to say, guess what we had for lunch was yet again, fried mee hoon.

Apparently, the rooms were only going to be ready at 2pm, so we had to wait patiently for the keys.

Alright.

We waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And waited, till the clock ticked close to 2.30pm (which was supposed to be the time we were leaving for the concert hall for rehearsals)

But guess what?

I was still without a room key.

Quite a number of us, including me and Jebat were victims of this nonsensical fiasco. Oh, for Pete's sake, we've already tolerated the fact that we had to accept some ruddy Malay hotel franchise to put up with for the next five days, and now, you're giving us our keys late?

Naturally, they had to delay the bus to 2.45pm, while some of them got their rooms, except for Jebat, Myles and me (and my room mate, Duncan).

Annoyed, we couldn't wait any longer because the MPYO had rehearsals at the concert hall.

Lucky for me, I had less trouble as I wasn't performing that night. For some strange reason, they couldn't fit the entire orchestra on the stage because they were scared if it collapsed. That's why the Royal London Circus never brings their elephants to perform in Ipoh.

Rehearsals which were supposed to start at 3pm were delayed until 3.45pm due to technical reasons, and simply, these sort of things are unacceptable for a national level orchestra like ours. Nonetheless, they did their stuff by that time and I was recording the entire rehearsal while sitting in the audience.

However, the person I pitied the most for the day was Kelly. She had to put up with a bloody upright piano, and being a pianist, sitting in the back of the orchestra, there was absolutely no way she could see Kevin conducting.

To make matters worse, she wasn't playing some simple accompaniment. In Senandung Malaysia, she had to play some weird solo melody in 5/4 time, coming in two bars after the harp which, (sorry, Bryan) often screws up.

Due to all that, Kelly's piano part was shaky during their first run through the Muriz.

That wasn't too bad, in my opinion, but as soon as she came down from the stage after the first half, Kell was pouring all her worries to me about screwing up. She was concerned and eager to know how her second run on the Muriz went.

I knew that Kell had no choice but to rely on some sort of inner pulse to guide her through that section, even through rehearsals. And as far as that is concerned, it is the hardest thing ever to do in an orchestra. If a sea of violinists, sitting right in front of the conductor can screw up, what not a pianist, who's stuck behind a big, black, Great-Wall-of-China at a far corner of the stage? And really, I thought Kelly nailed it in the second run through the Muriz. But however I tried telling her, she was still worried.

It ended up we had that problem unresolved all for the rest of the rehearsals, when she still insisted in knowing whether her 5/4 was in time or not. I kept reassuring her that it would be alright, but even through dinner, she seemed a little nervous.

Ah, yes, finally, they have broken the monotony of fried mee hoon by giving us something else for a change. To me, it looked like an airline meal - sandwiches, a slice of cake, two cherry tomatoes, a small piece of chicken pie and some custard.

And for a change, Uncle Norman decided to sit with us for the meal. He was carrying a cup of custard with some white stuff in it, what I presumed to be coconut milk.

"You should try this white stuff. It's pretty good," he told all of us on the table. I couldn't help chuckling a bit and then whispering to Duncan something about the 'white stuff', which obviously, you girls should not know.

As soon as I took my mouth out of Duncan's ear, Uncle Norman looked at me and smiled, "I know what you told him. Come on, I've been living for so many years compared to you.."

Gosh, that was such a fun but embarrassing experience. I mean, to a certain extent, Uncle Norman's a little naughty too, you know... He reads peoples minds. And thanks to the both of us, all the girls around the table lost their appetite. And then, just as things couldn't get worse, David came back from the santan counter, announcing his regrets of putting too much of the 'white stuff' into his pudding.

"Shit, I shouldn't have put too much of this 'white stuff'. Now, my pudding tastes too salty."

And then, the girls wanted to puke.

After filling ourselves with too much pudding, the rest of the orchestra was off to their respective changing rooms backstage. I took a quick peek into them, and they were designed to accommodate one male and female at a time. In short, that left some orchestra members stripping outside the backstage corridor. Guys, of course.

And really, there was so little time to fuss around over changing rooms, when before we knew it, it was showtime. I was seated in the audience with the other orchestra members while waiting for the show to start. However, when I caught a glimpse of Auntie Kah Peh, I couldn't resist the temptation to sit beside her and start talking.

Certainly, there was so much to share about the hectic week the orchestra's been going through, and she's my best bet for the best opinions. However, within a blink of an eye, the show began. Well, sort of. There was this idiotic lady who went up to the rostrum to give a speech longer than this post, and she had an awful voice. Never mind that, her speech sounded a bit more like as if she was organizing this whole MPYO event merely to beg from the state government the funds to build a Perak Performing Arts Centre. I couldn't be bothered with her speech, because I could see my dear friends getting restless on stage. Come on, I would rather have listened to a metronome at 110bpm for an hour, than to see this dumpy lady dressed in cherry red, reading some sort of enactment in front of the public. Hello, for a quick reminder, we're here for the music, not your speech.

I could see Dylan pulling faces, Myles half asleep and Adelyn trying hard not to laugh at her monotonous voice.

Eventually, however, the lady got the message, and the orchestra was back in form.

The entire performance, in my opinion, was the best I've ever heard. Auntie Kah Peh agreed with me on that.

As for Kelly's 5/4, she was spot on, despite having the Berlin Wall standing right in front of her. And as I predicted, she came out from the interval, sat in the reserved seat beside me, and first thing, asked, the both of us, "Was my 5/4 alright?"

And then, before we knew it, the concert was over.

It was a great disappointment that we weren't going to that Taman Kanak Kanak for supper, because all of us were dying to see that place. But however, Uncle Norman had something up his sleeves which made all of us turn from zombies to rock stars.

"OK. WHO WANTS MCD TONIGHT?"

God. That. Sounds. So. Good.

And no, he wasn't kidding. Supper was on him. At 11pm at night, we met up at the hotel lobby and collected our share of burgers each. Then, we bunked into Lu Ee's room yet again and started talking, together with the coolest MPO staff, Rachael.

Of course, Duncan was doing his eye impressions to melt her heart, and that was the most interesting thing I ever saw. Not as I'm flattered, but it's just the way he gets girls... Gosh.

And by the time I knew it, it was time to sleep. For some strange reason, I didn't see the rational in dragging my bag 3 floors up to my room, and then dragging it back down within the short span of 8 hours. Anyway, we were going off to JB the following day, weren't we?

Johor Bahru

You've got to be mad, telling me that you're travelling from Ipoh to JB via a coach.

In fact, people these days usually take flights, even from KL to Singapore. No one really bothers to even drive for distances longer than five hours. And in terms of Ipoh to JB, that's easily 600km we're talking about.

But, what to do? PETRONAS sponsors the MPYO, not Malaysian Airlines. They could only afford Primax 3 to power the buses for all the 110 of us, but not enough to power a set of jet engines on a Boeing 737.

Anyhow, we left JB first thing in the morning.

As usual, our take off was delayed for about fifty minutes as we were stuck in the bus at Hotel Sri Malaysia, Ipoh for some strange reason. Myles said that it was the Gats, yet again. I couldn't be bothered. It takes about 3 hours to get from Ipoh to KL and another 4 to get all the way down to JB.

If everything goes well, I'll be enjoying a much needed 7 hours of rest. And so, I drifted off into slumberland.

Don't bother asking me about the journey to JB, then. I only recalled stopping in Sungai Buloh for lunch at A&W. The only reason why I remembered that was because there was a moron manning the cashier. And really, he was getting on my nerves. I couldn't put it in simpler English, when I ordered three pieces of chicken. That imbecile keyed in a chicken burger into the register. Oh god.

"I want three pieces of chicken and a large root beer, not a chicken burger."

"Huh?"

"Cancel the burger, and give me the chicken."

"Wait - Wait.."

"GOD DAMMIT, JUST GIVE ME THE CHICKEN."

He still looked confused. That left me no choice but to resort to speaking in Bahasa Melayu.

"KASI SAYA TIGA KEPING AYAM. BURGER, TAK MAU."

Now, he understood. He came with the chicken.

But then, as I knew it, he screwed up the root beer. Yes, he remembered the drink. He remembered I ordered it large, but he turned the root beer into a float. I was about to behead him, when thankfully, Jebat was next to me, admitting that he's one hell of an idiot, too.

And to make matters even worse, the root beer - now transformed into a float - wasn't for me. It was for Uncle Norman. Thankfully, he understood my situation and just made do with the distorted order.

That Gat at the counter really made me lose my head. That was all I could remember. I went back to bed on the bus, and when I woke up, we were somewhere in Johor Bahru. I looked at the time and it was close to 5pm. I hadn't realized that I made the 8 hour journey from Ipoh to JB! And just as I was beginning to smile, the bus was turning into some shabby building which most unfortunately had the words "Sri Malaysia Johor Bahru" written on it. Oh, boy... This is going to be one heck of a hotel.

Lucky for us this time, we got the keys on time. But like always, there was bound to be a setback with our accommodation.

"FUCK! THE AIR CONDITIONER ISN'T WORKING!"

Yeah, baby. Duncan and I had a room, with an air conditioner blowing out warm air. How cool was that?

Putting that matter aside, we were looking forward to the barbecue they promised us for dinner in JB. But, most unfortunately, it was raining. So, they turned the barbecue into a buffet dinner... This wasn't too good...

Though many people regarded the dinner as the first proper meal served throughout the tour, I personally didn't favour it much. David and I both agreed that the lamb was like chewing condoms while Kelly and I didn't fancy the spicy Malay food and the mushroom soup made from powder.

And really, I was regretting heaping up my plate with all the food because it didn't taste quite as food as it looked. Nevertheless, I still forced myself to finish whatever I took, because it is considered a great sin to waste food. That, was instilled by my mom ever since I was young, and I'm afraid to say that I have developed an OCD against wasting food.

However, what caught my attention was Duncan. He had four chicks to himself on one table, and god, Annabel was there, too! And it seemed as if she was FALLING for him. Not that I'm jealous, of course, but I always thought she had a grudge against me because I was mixing with him. Now, it's like the total opposite.

Oh, who really cares, anyway?

I was dreading the dinner and looking forward to the light movie session at night. Kevin Field was going to show us one of his favourite movies, called Koyannisqatsi.

On a first impression, I thought that it was a Japanese show. One and a half hours of Anime? No, thank you. But again, I couldn't imagine someone like him watching cartoons, so I presumed that it was some African show. But when the show started, all my guesses were wrong altogether.

It isn't a Hollywood movie. It's just a video on random images of things ranging from the sky, to people walking on the streets, played to minimalist music by Philip Glass, an American composer. There was no narration. No acting. No action stunts. No kissing. No sex. It was just plain image and sound.

But from what I learnt, even that was enough to deliver the shivers running down the back of your spine. The show was marvellous. It delivered just the mood we needed - i.e. EMO - even without any acting or stunts of any sort. What more, when Kevin told us that the movie was made in the 1970s, things were getting even more impressive, as we saw filming techniques such as time-laps photography, which was new during that era. What more, the whole movie had the structure of a Sonata form, or rather, 'back at where we started', which gave a significant meaning to the entire story line.

Koyannisqatsi refers to 'the life out of balance'.

To our modern day society, this exact same scenario is taking place, where all of us neglect the environment and reap the wealth from our precious earth. Without thinking, the movie actually illustrated the effects of catastrophe befalling mankind after reaching a stage of advancement in Science and Technology. The movie started off basically with some caveman drawings on the wall, followed by a rocket launch, and it ended the same way, only thing, with the rocket exploding after take-off. Looking back at the Columbia and Discovery disasters, the movie actually gives you the creeps, because, since it was premiered in 1983, it actually predicted the future.

With a severe emo feeling taking over our bodies, Kelly and I decided to bunk into my sauna room for a game of Scrabble. And as usual, we were talking and no one was actually concentrating on the game. This time, our conversation was pretty much the same as the furst, but focused onto more drastic matters. Of course, she wasn't willing to just throw in the towel, and give me a second chance just like that, but I guess that it was because I readily accepted my fault of screwing up the time before. But ironically, I didn't recall much over the game, and the last time I checked, I was actually thirty points up on her.

WOW.

Kelly was shocked, too. While talking about other stuff, we totally forgot our main objective in the game of Scrabble, and all of a sudden, the game ended in a confusing manner, with me ending up as the winner.

Oh my god.

And just as I wanted to celebrate by doing a Kit Leong Dance, Duncan and the gang came into our room.

Feck.

We were talking and eventually, David, Duncan, Jebat and Kelly decided to go over to Jebat's room to watch the Notebook on David's awesome Macbook Pro.

Much as I wanted to watch an emo movie, it was already 3am in the morning. I desperately needed rest, because we had rehearsals the next morning.

At cock crow, I was up and awake. After getting tired with the usual buffet breakfast, I finally learned how to appreciate toast.

I wasn't in the mood for eating that morning. I just had that bit of toast and tea, before washing up and hopping onto the bus for rehearsals at the RTM Auditorium in JB.

We were there on the dot, and everyone was pleased to be early for the first time today. Until, we froze, dumbfounded, to find no chairs on the stage.

What the heck was going on?

It was 10am, the whole orchestra was there for supposedly scheduled rehearsals until 2pm, but there were no bloody chairs on stage. It was yet another disappointing technical error. However, like always, the orchestra was clever enough to find our own ways and means to keep ourselves occupied. I didn't have the balls to practice the violin in front of people who were trained by Maxim Vengerov, so I just pretended tuning instead...

Duncan, like always decided to hang out with the girls with Annabel by his side. Some, like Adelyn, couldn't resist starting a conversation with anyone she could find. Then, we always had an elite group, which started doing Chamber on stage, while standing upright and sharing one pathetic music stand. I, for one, wasn't too bothered over all that was going on around me. Kelly and I were seated together in the audience, equally as exhausted and tired from the late night both of us had yesterday. The effects of sleep deprivation was greater on her side compared to mine, anyway - she was watching the Notebook with David and Jebat till about 4.30am.

As we waited and waited for the chairs to arrive, Kelly and I tried to catch some rest.

After about waiting for over an hour in a freezing auditorium, Kevin Field came up and stood on stage, clapped his hands for the orchestra's attention and finally addressed the crisis all of us were facing.

"The chairs have not arrived yet. They were supposed to be here at 9 this morning, but it's clear that they aren't here yet. We'll be giving them another twenty minutes, and if they are still not here by 11.30am, we'll be going back to the hotel."

Kevin continued, acknowledging the fact that if worse comes to worse, we'll have to come back later in the evening for a quick run through the pieces.

As expected, the chairs were not there by 11.30am, so, we had to pack our instruments and evacuate the hall.

"Geez.. What's the whole point of making us wake up at 7.30am and leave the hotel at 9? They should have known better that the chairs were not ready yet, and just gave us the rest of the morning off... I could have slept, you know..." grumbled Kelly. Actually, that's pretty true. Couldn't someone like Ho Huey Lin find out whether the stage was set up, before bringing us to the hall, and then making us like fools, in the first place? And surely, wherever the chairs were at that particular moment, I could see no reason of them coming late.

But just as all of us were about to throw rotten eggs at Huey Lin, she came out with the most brilliant idea in the world, which made good compensation for the morning fiasco. We were assembled at the car park, with the four buses waiting behind, when she gathered all of us and said, "Everyone, the buses would be taking you to a shopping mall, where you can get lunch and do a bit of shopping. Is that alright?"

That, was the best way of covering up a mistake. Everyone was overjoyed.

Kelly was the first one to catch my eye, and I knew, she was saving up for this moment. She had told me over the last few days, how little she actually spent during the tour. Most of the meals were already provided, and with hawker food in abundance everywhere, our allowance of RM15 was really unnecessary for each meal. Coupled with that, Kelly loses her appetite very easily. She thinks she's anorexic. I don't blame her, really. I cannot survive with disgusting, spicy, Malay food everyday, or fried mee hoon for every meal, for that matter. However, unlike Kelly, I still forced some food down my throat, when I usually had power bars and Milo brought from home for lunch. With that covered, just like her, I spent very little on meals. The both of us, then had tonnes of money in our wallets. I only spent barely RM30 out of the RM330 I brought, while Kelly claimed she spent even less. And, she had the terribly urge to blow her cash on some new clothes, and a pair of heels. Speaking of heels, Kelly simply loves shoes. Just as we looked into each other's eyes, there was a cunning plan already brewing in our minds.

It wasn't too long a ride to Pelangi Mall, was it? They reckoned it to be our best bet in terms of shopping in JB. To me, it just looked like Jaya. Anyway, when Kelly and I stepped inside, we both agreed that it wasn't too shabby after all.

After a quick piss-stop at the loo (we had to pay a 20 sen entrance fee each), we immediately executed our plan and headed straight off to the nearest shoe boutique. First up, was Vincci. Everything seemed to look nice to Kelly, so it was rather in the question whether those shoes fitted her comfortably or not.

Nope, we couldn't find anything with the X-factor there. So, we headed off to several other shoe shops within the mall. It was not until when we came into one when she stumbled upon a pair of pretty, pink stilettos and fell in love with them almost instantaneously. She was walking round and round the shop, as if she was modeling on a runway. Off and on, she would peer into the mirror, admiring her gorgeous looks with the pair of heels, before walking back to me, and asking "What do you think about the heels?", in the same manner which she used to ask me back in Ipoh, "How was my 5/4?"

Those purplish-pink shoes simply looked great on her, and I still couldn't understand why didn't she just grab them off the counter and shove them into a big, white plastic bag. It was not until I finally convinced her that she actually looked Tyra-Banks material when she finally asked the shopkeeper for her size. At RM80, those stunning, pink heels were a bargain.

We left the shop, with Kelly grinning from ear to ear, and headed off to Metrojaya, where we were stunned to find some quality material going for a song. Surely, one pair of heels were simply not enough. Kelly found a pretty, pink dress going for a 70% discount and without giving it a second thought, she grabbed one off the rack and headed off to the changing rooms.

She was so eager to know how she actually looked in that pink dress, she actually asked me to wait outside the changing room while she put it on, then asked me to take a picture of her to see how she fared. And naturally, it was jaw-dropping.

Already, the both of us had the same impression with the dress. Since she wasn't going to perform at night in JB, we both decided that she should dress up for the concert in her new clothes. Well, she only had one concern with the dress. The dress was rather showy. She shot a quick glance at me, and I knew what that meant.

Of course, we weren't in Kelantan or Terengganu, so none of that mattered, anyway.

Anyway, the both of us mutually agreed on the dress, and we went off to the counter to pay for it. After the discount, guess how much was it? It was under RM30.

A pretty, pink dress, for a song... Kelly was elated, she got hooked with shopping already. Since we still had about an hour left, she began hunting for other stuff, including several dresses, blouses and a shawl. She was really wanting that shawl to cover her shoulders while at the concert, because I personally thought that she was still worried that people would stare at her bare chest. And of course, it was to keep her warm during in that freezing auditorium.

So, we were back at the changing rooms, where she tried on all those new clothes. It ended up that we left Metrojaya with Kelly now spending close to RM200 on her entire outfit for tonight's concert, plus some other clothes. Apart from the pair of heels, the pink dress and the shawl, she also got another black dress, a nice Somerset Bay tote bag (to match her pink dress, shoes and shawl for the concert) and some other things, I couldn't remember by now.

With only fifteen minutes left till meeting time, we had to find a way or another to consolidate our growling stomachs. That thought the both of us a lesson or two. You know I'm the sort of guy who has shopping on top of my priority list. I'm a natural. Ever since I was young, I was always beside mom whenever we went to the shopping complex. Until today, I still follow her around in Megamall and we would exchange our opinions on clothings as we walked along. And when I met Kelly, gosh, I was more than pleased to go around shopping with her, because I have never seen a girl ever so enthusiastic when it came to shoes, especially. Unlike with mom, however, Kelly and I were on a mission to blow her spare cash to give her an entire new look, since neither of us have stepped into a mall to do proper shopping ever since SPM. Kelly personally thought that with her finally finishing those gruelling exams, she earned every right to spend a bit of money on shopping.

But like I said earlier, with fifteen minutes left on the clock, the both of us learned one thing - never use lunch time to do shopping. At last resort, Kelly and I rushed down to Cold Storage to get a box of Sushi for lunch. Lucky for me, I had my power bar and Milo just before reaching the mall, so I wasn't feeling like a Muslim during the fasting month.

We finally met up with the rest of the crowd back at where the bus dropped us earlier. Jebat and the gang apparently had some mouth-watering Chap Fan for lunch, while Myles had Fish and Chips. Gosh, we envied them... But, never mind. At least, the other girls were looking green-eyed to find Kelly carrying so many Metrojaya plastic bags. And a lot of them were looking as if they were about to stab themselves with their violin bows, after finding out that there were dresses going for RM30 at Metrojaya...

By the time we reached back at the Hotel, I was dead exhausted. Without further ado, the first thing I decided to do for the rest of the afternoon then, was to sleep.

I woke up at 4.30pm, with just enough time to get dressed into concert attire, before leaving for our postponed rehearsals at the RTM auditorium. Soon, I realized that the Auditorium was worse than it actually seemed. For one, the entire orchestra was resting on a piece of plywood, which made the stage. And when I say 'plywood', I'm talking about those pieces of tree your teachers used to give you back in Secondary school for the Living Skills project.

Also, for the record, the backstage toilets were pathetic. Not only they didn't have any toilet bowls, they didn't even have that common peeing area or cubicles for us to urinate in. Instead, we had to resort to peeing into the pathetic drain hole in the shower every time we needed to release our bladder valves.

Apart from that, it was due to sheer luck that Kelly wasn't the pianist of the night in JB. If not, she would have had to put up to that electronic keyboard Roland sponsored for the event. That, was no where close to a grand piano, or even an upright. So, at night, during the real concert when we played Ria! and Senandung Malaysia, the piano entry could be mistaken for a Jumbo Jet at takeoff. That, of course, caused Kevin to raise his eyebrows, despite knowing that there was absolutely no way to control the volume of that instrument. Since it was hooked up to an amplifier (which most unfortunately, had to be right behind me), every single key touched by Carolyn was either played at a magnified volume, or wasn't there at all.

So, that was the one and only setback of the concert. Of course, we did have our good and bad moments, but overall, it was a concert to remember. Especially Brahms' Hungarian Dance Number 10. Also, that night marked our last performance of Scheherezade and the orchestra's favourite piece, Danse Bacchanale. We all knew that it had to be the best performance of the piece, so without a doubt, we channelled all our energy into it.

Since I didn't had anything for dinner at the cafeteria (which, was Ayam Masak Cili and Ayam Kuah Fuck and some other spicy Malay delicacies), I was dead thankful to find our coaches heading to a place for supper that night.

Close to midnight, we arrived at some spot called "Singgah Selalu", which could be considered the most happening place food outlet in JB. They had everything, ranging from shark's fin soup to roti canai.

Since the inside of the restaurant was jam-packed, a few of us so decided to sit outside. Kelly, Lu Ee, James, Su Yin, Jia Rong, David.. Who else did I miss? Well, it's around that. So, we ordered our food and being so typically Malay (the place is operated by them, if you haven't noticed from the name 'Singgah Selalu'), it took about half an hour to arrive. Having that said, we were having a ball of a time, taking photos and of course talking crap with one another.]

Here was the one I took with Lu Ee.

Here was the one I took with Su Yin. I know. She should have opened her eyes wider.

And without a clue, they both sprang towards me, and we ended up with this picture.

But for a Malay restaurant, I've got to say that they put a lot of effort into developing a modern and funky environment for their clients. For one, they've got a disco ball rotating in and outside the place. Then, there's the wide selection of food. And not to mention, we had hard rocking disco music playing on the PA system, which although lame, showed that Johorians weren't left behind from the ongoing modernization of the city. In fact, they even played the "Happy Birthday" song on request of the Chinese-Speaking group of the MPYO as one of them got a year older that day. Brilliant isn't it?

And while all this was going on, Kelly and David were arguing over their supposedly 'shared' banana split. Kelly had an OCD against sharing people's cutlery, while David was licking his and scooping ice cream out of that bowl and shoving it up his mouth. So, it ended up, lucky David had the pleasure to finish the entire serving. Muahahaha. That was funny, wasn't it?

Oh, not quite. But the thing is, we found that so amusing, our division of the Tribe seated outside, didn't realize the commotion that was going on inside the restaurant... Not until Aaron (the administrator) came along and said that some bitch shouted "Fuck off" to our entire Chinese Speaking MPYO members who were singing the birthday song. Much as I was interested in knowing the rest of the story, I couldn't get a real good picture because all the witnesses were stuck INSIDE the restaurant.

So, I couldn't wait till we boarded the bus, when I heard the rest of the story.

She thought that we were being immature and hooligan-ish. And well, naturally, we might looked like grown ups in white long sleeve shirts and purple ties, but hey, didn't someone famous once said, "ALL MUSICIANS ARE CRAZY!". Anyone recalling? Yes. Poh Kim.

Come on, woman... We're not a bunch of geeks with thick spectacles, holding briefcases the size of wardrobes. We make music. And of course, unlike a numskull like you, we still enjoy celebrating our colleague's birthday, and the least we could do is ask for a birthday song dedication.

So, we were back to some May 13 incident, when one Malay woman was picking on a table of Chinese-eds, not knowing that they could have easily been backed up to form an obnoxious number of 94 against one.

Anyhow, when words got stiffer and stiffer, she finally couldn't take the tension and jeering from our big group, and decided to resort to turning a heel and yelling "Fuck off!" to all of them. And that was the last they ever saw of her.

Of course, that story was the talk of the day, all the way until we reached back at the hotel. But there wasn't any time to spare back at Sri Malaysia, anyway... After taking a photo with Kelly back at her room, I went off to bed. I was dead tired, but I simply couldn't resist not to take a picture with a stunning girl whom I some sort 'designed' her outfit for the night. And for once, it wasn't my mom or my little sister.

We had another big road trip awaiting us the following day - Johor Bahru to Kuantan. And no, we're taking the winding, back roads. Ooooh no....

Kuantan

I woke up at 7.30am the next morning like always and headed down to breakfast. I saw no familiar faces from the tribe there, so I just sat down next to Aaron.

"Morning," I grunted.

"Hey. Good morning. You do know right, that the bus is leaving at 9am, and not 10am?"

I looked confused. "I thought the bus always leaves at 9am?"

"No, there were some changes at first, but then now they decided to say that it would be leaving at 9," explained Aaron. "Tell the rest of your friends that the bus would be leaving at 9."

What? People ACTUALLY knew that the bus was leaving at 10am? So, how come I didn't? That explains why I seem like the only joker from the MPYO down at breakfast that early. I had to text Kelly and some others to notify them about the changes. Luckily, someone - Myles, if I'm not mistaken - came along, and joined us for breakfast. Aaron told him the same thing, and he looked shocked.

"But Audrey told us that the bus was leaving at 10am," he said.

"When did she say that?"

"Last night. When we were on the coach back to the hotel."

Aaron looked as if he was going to shout the 'F' word. He stood up and went to a corner and took out his cellphone. Needless to say, he was going to make a call to Audrey.

True enough, he came back, with a thousand apologies, saying that the bus WAS going to leave at 10am, and not at 9, like he said earlier. He too, looked disgusted at how the MPYO was administrated as he, a staff himself, didn't get the full details on the bus departure time.

I, on the other hand, had to apologize to all the people whom I SMSed earlier for waking them up and giving a false alarm. Worse still, I was feeling like a double idiot for not knowing that we could have just woken up at 10am and enjoyed several more hours of rest.

I returned back to the room, with Duncan still looking like he just woke up. Much as I wanted to tell him all that just happened, I didn't bother. I just slammed my body onto the bed and hoped to catch a bit more rest, until we had to board the bus at ten.

When I was truly awake, I had uploaded all my luggage into Bus Number 4 and we were heading off to Kuantan. As I expected, it was going to be a long, bumpy and winding journey along the coastal roads. Lucky, someone from the Tribe brought along a Stardust DVD which they played on the bus' in-house LCD screens. It was a magnificent show, no doubt, but most unfortunately, watching it while sitting in a swaying seat right at the back of the bus wasn't too good an idea. By the time we actually reached Mersing for lunch, I was glad to get down and find my OWN balance on the ground, instead of relying on some idiot manning the steering of the bus to fling us around as and when he liked.

Lucky for all of us, too, Mersing had a Chinese food outlet, which looked just like an ordinary coffee shop. However, I could sense that everyone else, like me, was yearning for some good, old, Chinese dishes with rice. So, the whole tribe, and another smaller grouped, joined with our own conductor, Kevin Field, decided to head off to that restaurant for lunch.

It seemed to be a very normal lunch - meat, vege, rice - although I could say all of us enjoyed it very much, after getting tired of fried mee hoon and Malay food, day in, day out. Despite severe warnings from "experienced" people like Mustaqim, the Trombone player, I still finished my entire serving of rice and didn't experience any sort of side effects for the rest of the entire journey to Kuantan.

That was partially because I was sleeping for the entire ride. I remembered waking up, just kilometers away from the town centre because the coaches had stopped at a PETRONAS station after a demanding request from all of the orchestra members. All of us needed a pee.

So, taking that stop into account, we reached our hotel in Kuantan at 4.30pm. Duncan and I were certainly pleased to find that this Sri Malaysia looked about a million times better than the previous one in JB. And we were right. The design of this hotel was so much better. The layout of the rooms was particularly interesting, as all of us were facing the swimming pool. And yes, thankfully, the air conditioner was fully functioning.

Lucky for the both of us, too, our room was situated on the first floor. This meant that we need not drag out luggage all the way up and down the horrendous flight of stairs. Also, we had a perfect view of the swimming pool, which was just next to our window. Of course, some idiots like Brien did attempt to splash water into our room, while swimming in the evening. Anyway, we had to kill some time until 6.30pm, so some of the Tribe members came into our room for a chat or two. And then, at 6.30pm, we boarded the coaches once again to go for dinner at some posh Chinese seafood restaurant. We lucky bastards had the privilege of having a good meal under the account of PETRONAS.

So, we arrived at Mexica Garden Seafood Restaurant. Nothing to shout about, really. It just looked like another typical air-conditioned Chinese restaurant; the sort which you'd expect a Chinese wedding dinner to be held in. The food, too, was average. Still, when you're a few hundred miles away from home and spending the past week eating Malay food, everything tasted to be magnified a hundred times better.

The main purpose of the dinner, then, wasn't to tantalize our taste buds, but rather as a get together session for all the members of the orchestra. Because if they were in for good food, I would have objected as the pork dishes were missing. Needless to say, it turned out that the dinner was more of a photo-shooting session, rather than a proper sit-down feast.

And what a way to begin with, by starting with a Tribal photo. Yes, and Kelly was kind enough to point out on her blog on how big the Tribe had swelled over the months. We've absorbed Annabel and Donovan into the big family now. Welcome, guys!

Finally, I managed to find Eliza, my desk partner. Ironically, I haven't had a single photo with her the entire tour.. So, if you want to see us, come over to Violin 1, Desk 8, MPYO.

After the photo with Eliza, Lu Ee and Kelly simply couldn't let me run off like that. Damn it, now, we were really into camwhoring.

Next up, we just had to take the photo of the welll-dressed boys. Erm, the formal outlook, was Duncan's idea.

Ironically, everyone was interested in taking photos that night, except for Eben, who turned out to show some of his grotesque table manners in front of us. That left Addie no choice, but to act like a mother and correct all his mistakes, starting by teaching him that he should have served the girls first before taking half a Grouper to himself.

The dinner ended pretty early as it was obvious that none of us were actually taking the food seriously. Apart from Eben, of course. Sensing the danger of leaving 110 fidgeting musicians in a posh Chinese restaurant with nothing to do, Audrey stepped up and announced to us that we had the rest of the night free to roam the streets of Kuantan.

That left the whole Tribe leaping out of our chairs and storming out of the restaurant, and heading off by foot to the nearest shopping complex, Berjaya Megamall, Kuantan. I spent the entire time there with Kelly, Lu Ee and Adelyn as we were looking for some cool pairs of heels (to make them look taller). It was quite fun to have company when you're shopping around, especially in a foreign area. Nevertheless, there was so little time to spare back then, so none of us got anything out of that quick visit.

Without realizing how fast time flew, we were back again on the coaches as we headed back to the hotel.

That night, Kelly and I had another game of Scrabble back at her room. This time, she nicked the game by just 30 points. Aarrghh, dammit. Not to mention, she was spending half the time looking for some sort of 'eye remover', before complaining to me that she actually scratched her cornea. Yet again, she had to phrase it in the same "Was my 5/4 alright?" sort-of-manner. Ironically, scratching the cornea didn't hurt the slightest bit, but she was worried for long term effects. The poor girl must be getting cranky and sleepy, then...

So, I left her to sleep in her room and adjourned to the hotel lobby, where everyone from the Tribe seemed to be gathering. And, it was not the usual Tribal where we just sat down and yakked. Most of us were itching to dance. So, after having so much fun waltzing with Adelyn and Su Yin, it was already getting close to 1am. I needed the rest and hurried back to bed. It was fun, dancing with the girls and finally getting to put my ballet knowledge to use somewhere. What not, I was pretty sure I caught a bit of attention from Annabel, who seemed eager to see me do a trick or two with my feet... I swear, I was getting closer to her by the second than you actually thought.

The moment I woke up the following day, I had already got used to the normal routine of washing up, heading for breakfast and boarding the bus to the rehearsals. It was like a military exercise. Well, at least we reached the Silver Jubilee Hall on time for rehearsals, with the stage fully set up with music stands and chairs. Oh, that felt so great. Everyone in the orchestra finally felt that things WERE going in the right direction. Well, only with a single exception. Anyone fancies a guess for a million bucks?

If you guessed Kelly, you would be turning up in a fancy new car tomorrow. To her horror, they had left a small souvenir for her on stage. Remember the upright piano in Ipoh? Yup, they got another upright that day in Kuantan. Specially for her.

For some absurd reason, no one seemed to get that Kelly was suffering with a large black wall obstructing her view of the conductor. And no one seemed to understand that she had a tough 5/4 part to play in Senandung Malaysia. And no one seemed to understand that every time she finished playing it - whether in a rehearsal or in a concert - she was bound to ask us (me, in particular) time and time again whether her tempo was spot on with the orchestra's. For that particular day, she looked as if she was going to kill the man who was tuning the piano, for bringing another upright to the concert. Coupled with her lack of sleep, she seriously looked as if she was going to blow. Inevitably, I tried consoling her by taking her away from her nasty instrument, and to get a photo. There, there... That wasn't too bad, wasn't it?

It isn't that I'm fussing or anything, but I started to feel that Kelly was taking the blame some unnecessary mistakes. I mean, for one, she's got every right to screw up the 5/4 section in Senandung Malaysia because she can't see Kevin. And as it is, she was doing perfectly fine, but she still felt as if she could have done better. Come on, Kelly... If ever the Senandung fell apart, it could have been the faults of so many others. Think. There is Bryan playing the harp. There's the percussion. There's the cellos and the basses... And if all of you were a microsecond apart, it wasn't as if anyone in the audience would notice it.

Anyway, as part of a National Level youth orchestra, we all were determined to show a hundred and ten percent worth of commitment towards making the tour a success. That meant aiming for spectacular, flawless performances. So, for a change, Kelly decided to improvise.

There was no way of changing that bloody upright Chinese piano. The piano stool was at its maximum height, and I swore, even a person with Jebat's height couldn't possibly see Kevin from there.

Kelly had a fantastic solution. She sat on top of two pieces of foam (roughly about two inches thick, each), which managed to elevate her eye view to see Kevin's upper half. However, as you would expect, sitting that high meant that she couldn't possibly reach the pedals below. So, naturally, that was when those pair of pink stilettos came in handy.

With Kelly settled down just behind me, I headed back to my seat with Eliza, just as the rehearsal started.

All and all, the rehearsal went on fine, although it did drag on past 1pm, when I could still remember Kevin saying something like, "If you need to go and pray, please go. But don't expect me to finish early today."

Of course, with reference to that, we were held up practicing the entire London Symphony both for the Kuantan and KL concert as there was barely any practice time allocated for a rehearsal once at DFP. Immediately after the rehearsals, everyone was dead hungry as we boarded the buses and finally found ourselves back at the same mall that we roamed the last night. Learning from our previous lesson in JB, Kelly and I were in great desperation for food, so we followed the others to Kenny Rogers for lunch. Not to forget, our lunch time was shortened to one and a half hours.

Just as we were deciding on what to order at Kenny Rogers, Kevin Field came along, and we couldn't resist the temptation to lasso him in to join the Tribe for lunch. Ironically, the man at the counter told us to go to another Kenny Rogers outlet in the same mall as they were fully booked. Alright, we followed his advice and went over to the other outlet, which was situated in an open area in the middle of the mall. As we walked, I could notice that Kelly couldn't help asking Kevin the same question, like always.

"Was my 5/4 alright today?"

Kevin gave some sort of a smile and said, "Can you actually see me from the back there?"

"No."

We all had a great laugh at that. Kevin understood the situation that she was going through. I mean, it has already happened once in this tour, and still the administration hasn't fixed that problem yet. How could you expect us to be a flawless orchestra, when we've got the wrong sort of piano being played at the far end of the stage?

As we sat down for lunch, all of us placed our orders before engaging into some serious conversation with Kevin. At least, I seemed serious, for the first time ever. I was eager to know how conductors like him got business as it was a very tough line to be in. What more, I learned that there wasn't exactly a way to tell between a good and bad conductor. That, of course, was clearly clarified by Kevin. In his business, advertisements were in the form of word-of-mouth. So, you had to have the best contacts around in order to make the real bucks. But really, he did give all of us a valuable piece of advice, though...

"Take your Masters in Quantum Physics, Engineering, Biotechnology or whatever first, before going into music. That would keep the parents quiet for a while..."

He was right, actually. At least, with a qualification in a stable job, at least we would be able to make a living, before adventuring into something entirely new, like music, for instance.

For some weird reason, the chicken took ages to arrive, and by the time it did come, we were all wondering whether the workers at Kenny Rogers over here had ever experienced such a big order like this. Very well, thank god we managed to gobble our meal up in time, before hopping onto the bus, back to the hotel.

I remembered resting for quite a while back at the room before Kelly rang up, asking me whether I had any spare bottles of drinking water in my room. The problem was, I didn't. And I desperately needed water. So, indirectly, she DID wake me up. But, I wasn't too bothered. At least I managed to refill my bottles while accompanying her to the cafe.

Before I realized it, it was already time to get all dressed up for the concert once again.

At 6pm, we headed off to the concert hall, when most of us finally discovered the disgusting state of the changing rooms. Our original plan to leave our instruments there was scraped, and we decided to leave them down on the either sides of the stage, well hidden from the audience.

Not long later, dinner followed. I was filled up to the brim with the afternoon's chicken, I didn't bother to get anything but a miserable looking apple. To my greatest disgust, it wasn't any more appetizing than eating a raw sweet potato.

With dinner somewhat 'settled', Kelly, Lu Ee, Annabel and I decided to head up on stage to check out the upright piano. Yeah, we didn't have anything else better to do.

Just after a spot of improvisation here and there, plus a bit of playing our Senandung Malaysia parts together, it was already time for us to head backstage and prepare for the concert. But yet again, who couldn't say 'no' to a spot of Tribal photos?

And for some very strange reason, Kelly seemed to be in deep desperation for that soon vacant Principal Clarinet seat in the orchestra... I mean, look! She's holding David's black 13 inch clarinet!

The spotlights shone brightly, and we were back on the stage.

Everything went on perfectly - even Kelly's 5/4. No doubt, all of us were feeling the adrenaline rush with confidence flowing within our veins. The excitement was unbearable. And during such times, danger was bound to come.

Kevin Field was thrilled, too. He picked up the microphone after the Brahms Hungarian Dances and continued introducing our next song. "...So, ladies and gentlemen, if anyone is 'ACCIDENTALLY' wearing a kilt... I wish you, good luck. This is Arnold's Four Scottish Dances."

Without the slightest clue,

"WHAM!"

"Holy shit, that was the down beat!"

Half the orchestra, including all the violinists were caught unaware by that unexpected start. It seems as if Kevin missed the usual preparatory upbeat to the music. It sounded fine, overall, but it was just that opening two notes which sounded awkward, as the only people present in that time frame were the percussionists and the winds.

Naturally, we regained our confidence and nailed the entire London Symphony by the time the show ended.

So, as promised, we did head off to Teluk Chempedak for supper after the concert. Yes, I know. Who ever goes to the beach at midnight? But, didn't I tell you earlier?

"MUSICIANS ARE CRAZY PEOPLE..."

Never mind that. We weren't the only ones walking by the sandy shore under the moonlight. Teluk Chempedak was actually more happening than those usual beaches you find in deserted spots. Playing the natural habitat for Gats on motorcycles at night, the place was filled with more life and entertainment than some small towns at daybreak; like Ipoh for instance. In fact, there was even a McD by the seaside, where Myles and I couldn't resist the temptation for a quick bite.

After getting our food, the both of us headed off to the beach to find the rest of the Tribe, but eventually found all of them sitting in some pathetic seaside coffee shop, under a sea of swarming male termites. I was quite surprised to find none of the girls squirming much. Of course, that was because none of them noticed the insects, until I pointed them out when I came along.

Soon, we were walking back to the bus after everyone had got their packed food from that restaurant. We headed back to the hotel and reached at 12.30am. Of course, you might have thought that it was going to be the most lame night of the camp. But you are very wrong indeed. Very, very wrong...

Meet in the lobby, 12.45am. Tell the others.

That was the SMS I received from David just as I walked into the hotel.

We couldn't really do that, because assembling the Tribe at that hour would have seemed nearly impossible. Especially in a public area. Nonetheless, we did manage to fit in quite a few people in the previous night without making too much of noise and waking the entire Sri Malaysia up, despite doing a lot of talking and dancing. Hoping to replicate the previous night's success, we gathered a larger Tribe for a change and started off by playing one our all time favourites, Truth or Dare.

At this point of time, some of you might would want to click that tiny 'x' sign on your top right corner of your window, or that red button on the right of your Safari, whichever operating system you use. If you were there that night, surely, you would have known what exactly happened. But the trouble is, not everyone was there, wasn't it?

Now that you have chose to stay, I guess there would be no way out. You'll just have to read the rest of it, and then, leave your sarcastic comments below in the 'opinions' box. Of course, I would be dying to hear all your picks on this subject.

You know how the game of Truth or Dare goes. You haul up a large bunch of people, make them sit in a large circle, place a pointy object in the middle and spin it around. When the pointer stops, the person facing it would have to choose between "Truth" which is basically answering a simple questioned asked from any other person in the circle, or "Dare", in which the person had to execute some daunting task as demanded by anyone from the circle. So, it does sound like the sort of game which kindergarten children play, and was deemed to be completely harmless. Yeah, right.

Right on the first round, the bottle was spun, and it faced David.

Now, as we all knew, there was some sort of friction going on between the Tribe and we were some sort witnessing some sort of Cold War between David and Adelyn. We didn't know why, but somehow, everyone seemed to be looking at Adelyn when it was time to question David the "Truth".

We all knew that it was going to be some hell of an interesting thing, to see what Adelyn had to say, so we all decided that she should speak.

Then, as Adelyn opened her mouth, I had that weird intuition that everything was about to go wrong. I wouldn't want to personally quote what she actually said, because I couldn't really remember much of it. But certainly, it wasn't just a simple question and answer session. She was turning it into some sort of interrogation, questioning him on the fact why did he start dating Jia Rong when the both of them were apparently "coupled-up".

David, naturally being a male, couldn't be less aggressive by rebarting every single one of her questions, with both brilliant and silly answers, as long as bottom line, he tried to get the better approach compared to her. The rebartles were getting louder and louder every time the dialogue passed from one person to the other, so much so, it had to come to a point when we had to say that the "Truth" was enough.

I could see David heaving a big "thank goodness" under his breath, after seeing that the wreckage had finally stopped. I couldn't blame him, really. Having some girl ask you all sorts of questions would be a tough thing, and especially with an ego to upkeep, it wasn't easy, coupled with having this conversation in front of a large crowd of friends.

With anger, he spun the bottle once again, and for some stupid, fated reason, it had to point at Adelyn the next time. So naturally, David began with the "Truth" question, and somehow, the whole thing erupted into a major quarrel and argument within seconds after the development. Every sentence they spoke became louder each time. It was indeed a wonder how neither of them didn't tear up. Both refused to give up, but instead continued harping on points, which already began to seem irrelevant, some, even probably rumours. I, for one, was at no stage to decide for who was right or wrong, but simply, I just wanted that commotion to end. Because, I knew that both David and Addie had great egos and reputations to upkeep. They were equally hard headed and persistent at their points. Both of them wanted the win.

And just as things got really bad, Adelyn stormed out of the lobby.

By that time, the conversation was probably magnified a thousand times from the original whisper where we first started. David was furious, not only with Adelyn, but just as he saw Myles holding a cameraphone, he leapt out of his seat and barged straight towards Myles, and bellowed on the top of his voice, not giving a single thought whether there was an entire MPYO reputation at stake. He roared like a rogue timpani.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING? THINK THIS IS FUNNY, DO YOU? YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ME LOST MY TEMPER BEFORE, HAVEN'T YOU?"

He took his shoe and threw it directly at Myles.

Poor Myles, he was traumatized. So were all of us. I knew that moment would have arrived, some way or the other. Really, that was unnecessary for David to do. But like in all cases, doesn't it take two hands to clap? Doesn't it take two pieces of wood to start a fire? Probably, Adelyn DID push her luck too far this time. Maybe so did we. For all I care, that had nothing to do with me at all. It was one hell of an experience. And of course, after witnessing the entire drama, I drew my own personal conclusions on things, and stormed off to bed, myself. But of course, I wouldn't want to comment further on that matter, as I have said before, my blog isn't a personal diary any more. But don't feel shy to leave your comments (either with your names or anonymously) down there. It would be interesting to know how all of you saw the incident from your point of view. And really, that was it. That was our Emo night of the camp. I wasn't enjoying it at all. Especially when it was our last and final night. The next day, we were due to head back for KL.

Kuala Lumpur

Finally, after surviving an entire national tour, we were finally heading back to what most might reckon as our own "Kampung DFP". Really, never had it ever felt so good to be heading back home. I mean, not that I hated the tour or anything, but at least it was worth a good eye opener for all of us. It just made me realize that nowhere else in this country could you ever find a hall as well engineered as the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP). In most places, we had to put up with dry, brittle sounds. And thanks to Kevin, who finally thought us the secret to the magic at DFP. The hall apparently doesn't project the entire sound produced by an instrument. Instead, it acts like an editing software in a Mac, only boasting off and enhancing the good sound qualities produced, while muffling up the tone when we suck. I know it sounds a bit like cheating, but the hall acts like another instrument by itself.

Without a doubt, at this stage, everyone was dead exhausted, and we were only yearning to finish the that night's concert, before going into some serious hibernation. Lucky for me, I had packed my stuff the night before, so I didn't have to bother to wake up at a ridiculous hour to shove my dirty laundry into my suitcase. Unlike most of the Tribe, too, I went to bed early the previous night, because I knew that there was no point staying up after the incident that occurred. I knew that it was going to be our last night together. But I needed the rest. Unlike everyone else, who could hit the sack at 11.30pm, after the KL concert, I had some plans to attend to... Most unfortunately, I had to miss my school's Prom night because it clashed with the KL MPYO Concert. However, our concert in KL on that day would definitely end by around 11pm, which actually gave me a chance to sneak into the Prom while it was still going on. I for one didn't have a ticket - priced at RM100 each, you've got to believe that money grows on trees before purchasing one of those pieces of paper - so I wasn't too sure whether some burly bastard like Roshan would stop me from making a hell of an entrance into the ballroom that night. But yet again, who would have had so much time as to sit OUTSIDE the ballroom, while the function was actually going on? Surely, that would have given me some sort of advantage, coupled with my size, to sneak in and to make an unexpected entrance. That, of course, would be very interesting to hear, but we'll come to that later on.

After breakfast, it seemed as if everyone was dying to get back to KL as fast as possible. Kelly, was telling me how much she actually learned to appreciate her own home and her mom's cooking after having to put up with three different Sri Malaysias all over the country, all serving pathetic Malay food. I was totally agreeing with her. My stomach hadn't felt right ever since I reached Ipoh, because I was very sensitive towards spicy food. We uploaded our luggage onto our new buses (buses 1 and 4 were going to Flamingo, buses 2 and 3 were going to DFP) before we were back at square one, waiting for a lost Gat in the hotel.

Apart from Kelly, Lu Ee, James and Adelyn, then, everyone from the Tribe was supposed to be on Bus number 2. Unfortunately, the message got a bit mixed up, it ended up that some people like Dylan and Jia Rong had boarded bus number 3 instead. But in the midst of this confusion, I learnt the news that we weren't held up because of that lost Gat. Apparently, the roads were terribly flooded on the way back to KL. I had phoned mom up, to notify her that I might be delayed, and she too, was as curious as I was in terms of the flood.

"How are you all supposed to return to KL when it's reported all over the papers that the East-West Highway is flooded?" she asked, over the line.

I for one, didn't have the slightest clue on what was about to happen, but hey, if we didn't perform that night, at least I would be able to attend the Prom...

Uncle Norman came on board the bus, confirming that we were going to have to wait for a few moments for the flood waters to submerge before actually leaving the compounds of Sri Malaysia Kuantan. So, what was our new scheduled departure time? 10am? 11am? 12am? After lunch? No one was certain, but after half and hour waiting for nothing, PETRONAS got bored of burning their own sponsored fuel for no necessary reason, the bus drivers just decided to get on with it, and to only look at the flood problem when we were face to face with the water.

Finally, were were moving back to KL. I was more than happy to experience the effects of inertia at the back of the bus, for the first time in my life. So, I fell asleep.

At around 11am, we stopped by at the Temerloh R&R on the East-West Highway for 'lunch', while the coach drivers had to attend to some major problem with my bus. That, left us stranded in the baking, hot, sauna forever, while the Gats busily worked on the broken engine. None of us expected it to be that long, but we were certain that none of the men working on the vehicle had any sort of mechanical experience. For all we knew, they were using scalpels to unscrew bolts.

After getting very annoyed, I hopped on to another bus to catch a bit of air conditioning to dry off my sweaty t-shirt. It wasn't much fun, either, with Lu Ee and Kelly fast asleep, not knowing what was actually going on...

Then, luckily, we were back and moving towards KL after spending a full 2 hours stuck at a pathetic R&R which only served Malay food. I didn't have anything for lunch, because I didn't want to take any chances of coming down with food poisoning ever again. And it was because of that, by the time we actually left Temerloh, I was feeling like an undernourished African child.

However, I soon lost my urge to eat, when we finally came to the spot where "the road was flooded''. Oh, most certainly, it wasn't just merely a puddle of water obstructing the flow of traffic. It seemed as if some moron built a swimming pool in the middle of the highway. We were not the only ones who were stuck on the highway. Many other cars, buses and trucks were also victims of this catastrophic flood; little who dared to actually wade the water after not knowing how deep it actually was.

But hey, we are the MPYO. We had a bloody concert to attend to in KL. We were on a big, hunky bus. So, we couldn't possibly just stick around with the rest of the crowd and wait till the water actually evaporated into the atmosphere before making the journey across, could we?

Our bus driver instructed us to carry our luggage up onto the bus. We were going to take the gamble by wading the flooded road. And without any hesitation, he stepped on the throttle as if we were on board a ferry, instead of a bus.

Mud water was splashing all over the windscreen as nearly the whole bus gathered in front to see what was it actually like to drive through a flood.

Mind, I was pretty right about the flood being as high as a swimming pool. If you drove a normal Proton Waja through that, you would have been like the Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me.

Through that stretch of mud water, everything seemed to be perfectly fine and under control. When we reached the other side, everyone on board the bus cheered and clapped, as we were now only a few hours from KL.

We reached DFP at 2.30pm, when I met up with mom. She was more than happy to see me, and to collect my luggage. As promised, she brought those excess vouchers that Auntie Kah Peh gave me, so I could spend them with the Tribe over dinner. After saying goodbye to her, I met up with Jebat, Myles, Dylan and Su Yin before we headed off to Isetan to get some sushi. God, I was growling hungry at that point of time.

We spent the entire afternoon eating sushi and shopping a bit at Isetan (using up the vouchers), before heading back to DFP to see Myles rehearse his Double Bass skills. That worn out Bass he was playing, was property of the MPO and was easily as old as your grandfather. It had battle (concert) scars all over its front and back, and was in a horrible condition. The front piece of it was wobbed, and definitely distorted. Myles, for one, was very interested in knowing the history of his double bass, so I helped him take a picture of the labels inside. Myles, I thought you might be interested in this...

We had our own fun share, cracking jokes at the Bass before the rest of them from Flamingo arrived.

Unfortunately, my plan for dinner at San Francisco Coffee had to be scrapped as Kevin Field was kind enough to sponsor us dinner consisting of sandwiches, bananas and cake. That was so kind of him. The orchestra itself was pleased with the support shown by many, from the backstage workers to the MPYO management, to Kevin Field himself, so much so, all of us had put together a large Manila-Cardboard size greeting card as a 'Thank you' sign to all of them. Of course, we had done all this without their knowledge - we signed it one night in Kuantan - and stunned everyone, when we had a gift presentation ceremony right after the short 45 minute sound-check rehearsal at DFP that evening.

Even people like Audrey and Uncle Norman received a card each, as much as all of us agreed, they had poured a lot of effort into making this tour a big success. Nonetheless, the gift presentation and clapping had to stop somewhere, when eventually, all of us were given stern instructions to evacuate the hall and go backstage instead.

As we waited, and waited for 8.30pm to arrive, all of us had the strange feeling of not being able to meet ever again until March next year. Despite the ups and downs all through the week, all of us learned valuable lessons some way or another and began to treasure the special friendship we developed over the due course of the tour. It was hard to realize that we had come this far to perform all over the nation and receive applause from all the walks of life. Our final concert at DFP, then, meant a lot for all of us, not only as it was our own home soil, but as it was going to be the last performance for many, like Nami, for that mention.

Simply, as our beloved Concertmaster ever since the INTEKMA camp this year, we have grown to respect her stunning solos, after mutually agreeing that she had a lot of work to do at first. Nami, in fact showed great determination into making her place stick, despite having to fill in the big shoes left behind by Jae Sern. Nevertheless, after the camp in May, it was obvious that we had done the right thing by giving her a second chance to prove herself, when she finally mastered the solo bit in Scheherezade. Immediately, all of us could see a massive improvement within her playing, and I, for one, learned that it was never too late to master anything. All she needed was the orchestra's trust and a second chance from everyone to succeed. And now, that had to come to her last concert with the MPYO, it was going to be such a milestone and a night to remember, for all of us. It was the last time when we were going to see her stand up to give the orchestra the signal to tune. The Concertmaster' seat, without a doubt, would be the hardest place to fill in the entire orchestra. Nami herself could justify that.

Nevertheless, we were all consoling her after she burst into tears while waiting for the concert to start. She was a great friend and colleague to say the least, and all of us felt that we should be giving all our best at dedicating this concert specially to her.

Of course, I couldn't possibly be sticking around backstage, going all emo for an hour, so I was interested in looking for my parents, who were outside the hall. I found them, talked a little, and just as I was heading back to set up my violin, I bumped into a disorientated Kelly Chung, who looked like a lost girl on heels.

"Shit... Sean, Scott and Beng Way are here, but they are not allowing any of them in because they are all wearing sports shoes! That's absurd! How come they can't enter?"

I looked bluntly at Kelly. Hasn't she been to an MPO concert before?

"Didn't you know? Sneakers and slippers aren't allowed into the concert hall at any point of time. It's said on the back of the ticket."

She looked as if someone told her that she had failed her EST exam.

"Oh shit!! How now?"

I explained to her, and tried to calm her down. There was only one way that they could enter the concert, which was for the three of them to go to Suria KLCC and get a pair of cheap, black, PVC shoes as fast as they could. Kelly got my point. She picked up her phone, rang Sean (the elder of her two younger brothers), and told him the exact same things I told her. However, he couldn't understand her, because the reception was poor and Kelly's handphone's battery was running flat.

"Where are your brothers?" I asked.

"They're outside at the Foyer. Here," she said, dumping me one RM100 and RM50 note, "help me find them and tell them to get their shoes now. I've got to go backstage now. Gotta get something to eat."

So, when she left for backstage, I was halfway running towards the door, looking for three boys who were around my age. Of course, I knew Kelly's brothers and Beng Way, her cousin, pretty well as they used to trash me over 200 points in the Inter-School Scrabble Competitions. Luckily, they found me running outside the corridor of DFP, and as expected, were all dressed up like teenagers meeting up for a birthday party.

I was about to give them the RM150, but I soon realized that I could still try to save Kelly's cash.

"Follow me, guys," I told them. The three of us were running like deranged monkeys, as I headed down a level to the tiny counter which they used to lend coats to people who didn't have them for concerts. I was guessing that they DID have shoes for hire, because after all, they did have batik shirts and coats for rent at night concerts. True enough, I managed to get them each a pair of black PVC shoes each, when I had to bid them goodbye, before running backstage to set up my violin, with minutes to spare to the start of the concert.

Kelly seemed to be thanking me repeatedly, for getting the three boys into the concert without spending a single cent. I expect, that the RM150, then would become part and parcel of Kelly's allowance for her to blow on another pair of heels...

Anyway, we only had time for two group pictures backstage before being given the signal to get on stage.

For once, Donovan was in a picture with us!

And for some weird reason, I was the only male in this picture. And for some strange reason, too, my camera HAD to screw it up by generating it in black and white. This is getting irritating. I should have brought my Canon 400D.

As the hall's lights shone brightly onto all of us, we could feel the excitement rising from the crowd as we were finally back at where the magic all began. It was our dear, Kampung DFP, all over again.

Soon, it was time for Nami to stand up to give her last cue for tuning, before Kevin Field stepped onto stage and introduced the whole orchestra. We started off with a bang, the same way we did in August, with Adelyn Wong's Ria! before continuing with Muriz's Senandung Malaysia. Now, I could have said that the Muriz was probably the best ever played, with the smallest exception that I did a weird screw up at the end of the song. I jerked my bow too hard while going down the string, so much so I lost grip and I ended holding it by its upper half. Inevitably, that was probably another embarrassing moment in the entire tour. It was due to sheer luck, when I managed to adjust my bow back into place, just in time to end the song properly.

The Hungarian and Scottish Dances which followed soon led to the interval. I always knew that it was worth mingling with the crowd during the DFP concerts, because there was bound to be someone whom I knew in the audience. And this time, I was pretty right, too. I met my parents, Duncan's handsome brother, Derrick, Dylan's parents, and his sister, Alison dressed in a pretty white nightdress (typically, with her eyes, glaring at me, the same way she used to do back years ago, when we performed together at the Family Fun Day), but none of this could beat the randomness of running into my Biology teacher, Ms Annie, who attended the concert.

She was the sort of lady who was patty, and particular over things. But she did not scold us and terrify the whole class during lessons. Despite many of us thinking that she was just another sideline figure in school, she did tell my mother strictly during the open day in June to "stop Philbert's Violin and ballet lessons immediately". For some strange reason, she thought that my marks were dropping down because I was concentrating on the wrong things during a major examination year. But, God had to make it that we me once again, and it had to be at an orchestral concert, in which I was performing.

As you'd expect, the first thing she said was, "Hey you! You've grown so much taller already!!"

I guess exam stress does lead to a negative feedback to the hypothalamus to pump out more Growth Hormone, no? Anyway, I couldn't blame her. I mean, she would have found it rather embarrassing to say that playing the violin was actually a waste of time earlier this year because she was looking at her own Bio student in a white shirt, black slacks and a purple tie. Naturally, she looked half stunned, half impressed. So, we were talking once again. Apparently, she was dragged along to the concert by her group of friends. Yeah, I know, it's hard to believe that 51-year-old seamstress actually has her own circle of friends. But hey, doesn't everyone else? And in case if you wondering, they just looked like the sort of women who were VERY particular right down to the smallest things like the number of holes in their tea strainers. At some point, it was nearing the end of the intermission, so I left Ms Annie, to mingle with the rest of her 'auntie-auntie' friends.

I walked back into the auditorium corridor, and bumped into my mom. As usual, she was indulging herself into another (unnecessary) deep conversation with a total stranger. But no matter how bad the situation was, I HAD to go up to the both of them and acknowledge at least my mom.

"Hi mom."

"Hi! I was talking to this Auntie. Do you remember her? She always comes to our house in Malacca during Chinese New Year. We're related. You see..." and off, my mom went, trying to explain the relation, which I never really bothered to listen, because I knew that her family tree was big enough to end up with roots anchored all the way in Myanmar.

"Now do you know her?"

I just looked blur. "Ha?"

"Oh never mind. She came all the way here to see Annabel. She's Annabel's Kai Ma."

Oh. What??? What the hell? Wait. Wait. So, if that Auntie is related to Annabel, and Mom is related to her, that would mean that I am related to Annabel. What the hell? WHAT. THE. HELL.

Shit, I should have paid attention to whatever mom was actually saying. Because I didn't get how we were actually related.

So, that officially would put Annabel out of my shooting range, because it would seem like incest if I actually started making any moves on her. That, now, officially puts me a few years back. Annabel is officially out of my range. She's my cousin.

Damn, after getting so close. After at least being on talking terms again, someone HAD to break the news that I was actually related to her. But ironically, the relation had absolutely NOTHING to do with our same surname, Yong. It was some other way, but definitely not that. But anyhow, I'm officially stating here that I'm out of that game altogether. And if you're reading this, Duncan, it gives me great pleasure to say, "She's ALL yours."

As soon as I got back inside, I was feeling a little awkward. I told a few people that I was actually related to her, before actually meeting Annabel face to face to clarify the truth. She seemed interested, but somehow, she looked as if she knew all this since the beginning.

"My COUSIN, TIKI!!" and she gave me a big hug. Damn, I was so bloody close, and it had to end this way.

I could only smile at her, saying that we would be the best of cousins. Really, now that I've mentioned all my plans on her and my ways to hook her, I guess that I really looked like an idiot, going after my own cousin. And if you were thinking of posting a comment, asking me how I actually am related to Annabel, please, don't bother. Although many people said that our connection may not be a blood relation, I have seriously lost interest in her. Not that I'm saying that you're not pretty, Annabel, but I couldn't risk going after you, succeeding, and taking the gamble of having my children born retarded, with Down's Syndrome.

But all the talking ended abruptly, when we all picked up our my violins and headed up on stage. Soon, the London Symphony was playing in the auditorium. I couldn't believe that it was going to be the last forty minutes of the tour already. And sad enough, the show had to come to an end.

We hugged, kissed, and cried backstage. Indeed, it was hard to say goodbye, after meeting up for a week, touring the whole country together. From the moments when we were watching Koyannisqatsi and to the nail-biting anxiety we faced while wading the flood waters, we all achieved something which many on this planet find as the hardest thing ever. We have developed something I call an unbreakable bond. The society, however, knows it as 'friendship'.

Yes, we may have had our own moments of fighting, our own misunderstandings and our own times of screwing up. But without sorrow, what is the meaning of happiness? For more that reason, we should learn how to forgive and forget. Of course, there are some things which are impossible to put aside, but at least, try to make peace instead of war. As an orchestra consisting of 110 members, of (I daresay) different ethnic backgrounds, the MPYO has already succeeded in achieving the Malaysian dream of unity. Yes, I'm not saying that we'll all be close friends, but at least, all of us can sit together on the same stage and communicate in the mutual language of music. And that, for me, is sufficient to foster harmony and unity within this very country.

Most unfortunately, I had to leave all of you Tribe members standing after the concert. I know it was my fault I left early that night. I should have stayed at Flamingo with all of you. But like I said earlier, this story isn't quite over yet. Mind, I had a Prom to attend to...

The Samad Prom

For the Tribal members, I know none of this that follows would really matter to all of you. But, just bear with me, alright. I swear, this is coming to an end, soon.

I left the building almost as soon as the concert finished. Upon Karen's request, I caught Auntie Kah Peh outside the Foyer and handed her the similar sort of card which the orchestra made for Kevin, Audrey and the MPYO Administration. That was probably the only way we could ever say 'thank you' to a woman who spent over a thousand bucks just on vouchers for all of the orchestra members. I had a quick word with some people like Duncan, who was kind enough to help me return my purple tie, before running down the staircase and heading into the car park basement.

As I have planned earlier, I was going to make some sort of "surprise" entrance to my school prom night. While I always tried to get along with everyone in the Tribe, I couldn't be too bothered about my fellow schoolmates. Personally, I that we had too many differences to count. Let's say that our upbringing styles were too contrasting.

Of course, that came with a small exception of few, but other than Jon (no, we are NOT gay), Beth, Pei Hau, Priya, Asmath, Brigette, and some of the Chinese boys in my class and the girls, I fond the rest of them like Pariahs (cheapo, filthy, Indians, if you do not understand, Myles). I'm truly aware that it IS a big insult, thank you very much, but does it look like I care anymore? Hello, I'm out of school already.

So, anyway, mom and dad were kind enough to let me spend the rest of the night at the school Prom. They dropped me off at the Boulevard Hotel, Mid Valley Megamall after shooting directly from KLCC. However, that was as far as they could go. From there, I had to find my own mode of transportation back home because mom and dad usually slept at 9.30pm.

Getting them to attend my concert was a big ask. By the time I got down from the grey Merc, it was 11pm. Wow. This was one of the rare occasions where they still stood awake past their bedtime.

Anyway, about the 'surprise' entrance.

I wasn't that stupid, not to tell any of my friends that I wasn't coming at all. People like Jon, Beth, Priya and Pei Hau knew that I had this MPYO Concert in KL. For that reason, I told them I couldn't come for the Prom. Well understood. They trusted me not to turn up, because I didn't get a ticket. But everyone in school knows that I am one hell of a bullshitter. My 'yes' could end up to become a 'no' the next day, and that only half the things I say can be believed. Of course, at times, I had my April Fools' jokes backfire, too. But anyway, I was planning for this 'surprise' to be a great big one.

I was expecting the Prom to get a little boring once everyone finished dinner. Oh, that is SO natural. So, if I told everyone that I was ENTIRELY not coming, all my friends would have gone home before 11pm. And if I did show up at that time as an unexpected guest, there would be no one left for me to chat with, except with probably the strong fists of burly Roshan Trichelvam.

So, weeks before I left for the National Tour, during SPM itself, I was telling everyone like Jon, Beth and Priya that I would TRY my best to make it for the Prom after my KL concert. So, everyone was expecting me to turn up around that time. However, I had to play a bit of a trick on all of them.

Just as I arrived at the Boulevard, I picked up my phone and called Jon.

"Hey man. What's happening now?" I asked.

"Nothing la... They're giving out the awards. Hey. Where are you la? Are you coming or not?"

"I don't think I can come. My parents are not allowing me to go. I've got no transport." I had to put on the most disappointing voice I could find.

"So where are you now?"

"I'm.. Back home."

"Oh," it seemed as if Jon really believed that I was about to sleep. "In that case, see you some other time, la.."

He put the phone down. Little did he realize that I was actually down at the washroom at the lobby, dressing up for the Prom. Lucky for me, I already had a white long sleeve shirt on, with a pair of black slacks and shiny leather shoes, all from the KL concert. I was fully aware that my clothes were not in the most perfect state - my white shirt had spent most of the week, tucked right under my suitcase - but I tried to add a bit of zest to my outfit by putting on a gleaming black tie I bought some time ago. There wasn't exactly a proper occasion for me to use it, so I wasn't entirely sure how I ended up looking like.

After checking my hair and looking at the mirror for the last time, I felt confident enough to head to the reception to find the place where the Prom actually took place. But, there was very little need for that, as there was a big, electronic board, which said:

LE ENCHANTE - SAMAD PROM NIGHT : Westside Room, Level 8

That, was very effective.

The lifts were just next to the signboard, so I hopped into one vacant one and prodded number '8'. Eight. Fatt. It's a lucky Chinese number. Did it really have any significance with it? For sure, I was praying to get lucky, this time. Hopefully, some bastard like Roshan wouldn't be the first thing I saw when I got onto that floor.

The lift's doors opened.

Hm. That looked peculiar.

As I had expected, it wasn't held in the ballroom. That was because the Prom apparently had to be changed from Renaissance to Berjaya Times Square to Boulevard, because the tickets weren't going that well. Ah. But still, the Boulevard wasn't too bad, because it was a new hotel, situated very near my house.

Anyway, I found myself lucky enough to walk on a deserted hallway with no one around the corridors. There was silverware stacked nicely all along the hallway, but it was all empty at that hour. That meant that the barbarians had their feast already. It was pretty quite for my liking. All I could hear was some Pariah yelling something English with a Tamil accent from the other side of the door. It read, "THE WESTSIDE ROOM".

I found all the guts I could to pull the door handle with all my might. Oh wait. It was locked. Feck. Just down the hallway, however, there was an opened door. I crossed my fingers, bit my lip, and just stormed through the threshold. As I entered the hall, I was burning with confidence. Roshan was nowhere to be seen, and there were about a million heads turning in my direction. Lucky for me, I had entered through the back of the two-classroom-sized hall. Jon's table had a vacant seat directly opposite him. On his table, I saw Chan Wai with Brigette, Seng Wai, Edwyn and some other ex-classmates of mine. I wasn't feeling too left out after all. The pariah sounds I head earlier, was indeed coming from the room, generated by two black imbeciles standing on stage, calling out names of the nominees of the Samad Prom King and Queen.

I grabbed that chair, sat down, and cleared my throat. Then, finally, Jon had realized that I was sitting down opposite him.

"FUCKER!! YOU TOLD ME YOU WEREN'T COMING!"

I grinned.

A table away from where I sat, I saw the most gorgeous girl in the room. Her name, was Bethany Judy Teoh. She was in a sapphire blue dress and had her hair let down and well done up. I couldn't really recognize her at first, but when we exchanged eye contact, I knew that it was her. She was absolutely shocked to death, finding me at the Prom. She, was sitting next to some bastard called Andrew, whom in my personal opinion, seems to be the greatest pretender on earth. Beth, obviously, doesn't see that coming, but I still can't believe that she's falling for that useless gangster. She still insists that she doesn't like him as in a boyfriend sort of way, but I think Andrew's thinking of different sort of things. Anyway, I know that I'm about a million times lamer than him, but at least, I don't miss three out of the five days of school every week.

But, whenever Andrew came within a metre's radius from Beth, he would change from Satan to Christ, or from Syaitan to Nabi. Oh hell, enough of your pretend, Andrew. He was looking very happy that night, to have got a pretty girl dressed in sapphire as a date.

Anyway, enough of being a sour grape. At least Beth seemed happy to see me.

From my seat, I witnessed the greatest transformation of my life. All the girls whom I knew as schoolmates had completely undergone some sort of plastic surgery for this event. All of them were completely different, and were aimed at looking their best for that night.

In general, most of their dresses seemed far to flamboyant for their looks. Some thought that make-up worked in the sort of way when the more you applied, the better you looked. So, we had many girls caked up with blusher, eye liner and eye shadow. Was it just me, or were the girls all wearing heels for the sake of looking formal?

And for that very reason, I saw many girls like Priya and others walking like clowns on stilts that very night.

Oh, come on. The Samad Prom was a big failure. I personally, couldn't tolerate any more of the pariah speaking on the PA system, Jon and I both decided to walk out of the hall and talk about better things outside, at the deserted hallway.

Soon, Pei Hau and Priya came along, and so did Beth (surprisingly). So, once again, I decided that the best thing we did was to take a few photos, for the memories of our last night together. And yet again, my camera was beginning to get cranky, it had to take the best pictures of the night in the form of black and whites. But anyway, there I was, standing next to Beth, Priya, Jon and Pei Hau. And didn't I tell you she looks simply beautiful?

After some time, at 11.45, they called all of us back into the hall again as they were about to announce the Prom King and Queen. I wasn't bothered at who won the title. All I knew is that I was the best guy that day. Everyone who actually paid RM100 for a ticket would have agreed to be fooled by the organizing committee, am I right? Oh, come on. Apart from the food, which I heard to be good, the entertainment sucked bigtime. Apparently, I totally missed the disgusting stand-up comedian, who was showing life pornography on stage earlier at the Prom. Much as I do enjoy a spot of sick jokes at times, this whole thing is a formal function, for Christ's sake. And he wasn't only telling sick jokes to the audience. He was doing obscene stunts. Hey, I know that most of you are due to turn eighteen soon, so 18SX would be no matter. But sick jokes at a prom doesn't cut it.

So, after the Prom King and Queen announcement, the Prom ended when they opened the dance floor to the audience. "Oh yeah!" I thought. Finally, somewhere I could actually show off my dance skills.

But I was wrong again.

Instead of playing the waltz, they were playing Sexyback. That's fine with me. But they hooked up the PA system onto some very strong amplifiers and blasted the music at full volume. For once, I personally thought that I'd rather be back in JB, sitting next to an amplifier blasting out the piano part of Senandung Malaysia.

Ironically, the dance floor was only opened for ten minutes, before Heather came along at midnight and asked all of us to get out of the Westside Room, or else Boulevard would charge them another RM500 extra. Oh, come on. That, was the lamest thing I have ever heard. Who ever stops a Prom at midnight? Not unless if was organized by Cinderella, of course.

Jon and I soon got pissed, we said goodbye to the rest, and headed off to Megamall.

I needed to grab something off the counter at McD's - a Cheeseburger Deluxe - at 12.30am in the morning - because the last thing I ate was half of Kelly's slice of cake backstage before the concert. But what I have to say was that I got myself a decent meal, great fun, and somewhat lame entertainment for only RM3.15 (I only paid for the Cheeseburger). However, people like Jon, had to pay RM100 for the exact same thing, but only having something slightly better than a Cheeseburger for dinner. Don't you think that the Samad Prom is a big conjob? I think so. But at least, I wasn't conned. I followed Jon home at 1am at night, after getting a lift from his mom. Ironically, we witnessed the most interesting thing of the evening together. Jon's date to the prom was kidnapped by a Mat Rempit at the same time before we went home. Oh well, I just had to say that, even if it didn't have any sort of significance. I was DEAD exhausted. Somehow, I felt as if I should have went home straight after the concert, because the Prom wasn't such a big deal. And really, I didn't get to achieve the very thing I wanted, which was to dance with Beth. But to say the least, at least, I got this little momenta out of the night. Finally, a picture of just me and the most gorgeous girl in the world. Finally. After five years of waiting.

Though I am truly aware that chances of me getting her would be near zero, at least I could have the consolation that we were once the best of friends, and would always will. She would certainly earn that special place in my heart, forever. And hell, you need not remind me yet again that my camera had to screw up the best picture of the night.

But the least I could say that, finally, it was the end of my tour.

Epilogue

As I write, a week has passed ever since we left the concert at DFP. Many of us would have recovered from the sleep debt we faced all through the national tour. However, last night's meeting at Dylan's was truly a great idea, just as a form of catch up for a final goodbye till we meet again in March. The Twister was probably the most fun thing of all the games that we played. But really, I would be dying to play the game again the next time when we had a camp or tour or gathering at someone's house *all heads turned to Myles*. I had a great time with everyone of the Tribe all through the Tour, and I could not think of a better way of celebrating the end of SPM other than to tour the country with the best bunch of friends I have ever known.

It seems as if after the MPYO experience, my own school Prom seemed to be far too shabby for my liking. It was so contrasting, compared to our form of fun we found together as an orchestra. Even a simple gathering in someone's room could be more fun than standing in a sea of hundred people, while your eardrums were hammered like a timpani. And really, nothing could really beat the best experience of the entire tour, which I felt was the shopping with Kelly at Plaza Pelangi in JB.

Now, you might have not seen the connection, I daresay, but the very thing I learned the most in the Tour was the meaning of a second chance.

Think of the chance we are giving to Eben.

Think of the chance Kelly gave me.

Think of the chance Annabel decided to give, and for us to make up as friends (and cousins again).

Think of the chance the orchestra gave Nami to prove herself back at INTEKMA.

Think of the chance Beth gave to Andrew to prove himself, despite being a gangster.

Now think of yourself. Someone would have given a second chance to you too, for that matter, at some sort of point in your life. So, do you think that it is rightful of youto give a second chance to another deserving person, too? Think about that carefully.

2007-11-22T18:32:00.000+08:00

To Adelyn:

YOU HAVE ONE MESSAGE!

Here Goes...

Ehhem,

You talk Non-stop ,

You laugh Madly,

You have the most brilliant ideas,

You Scream,

You are Insane sometimes,

You can be Nasty,

but nevertheless,

we still love you.

Happy 16th Birthday!!!!

with lots of Blessing and Love,
Tribal.

2007-11-21T21:31:00.000+08:00

Uh, okay I guess there's no other way to say it but..

*drumroll please*

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIA RONG!!!

May you enjoy a blessed year ahead!

(and we hope SPM doesn't kill you before tour starts!)

From:
Tribal

2007-11-17T21:35:00.000+08:00

Click the picture for a bigger view :)

Lust, Caution

2007-10-24T01:43:00.000+08:00

Oh my god.. I feel like crying.. You should really take some time and go watch this show guys.. If it's out in the Cinema's there.. It's so romantic and tragic. Boohoohoo.. :( Really a nice movie. And the actress is beautiful too! If possible get the uncut version. No, it's not porn. But it's a bit brutal this show. So sad.... You'll see when you watch the movie. Trust me on this! How do i upload a song on this post? Anyway.. search YouTube for "lust, caution theme". Cryin!!! Booohooohoooooo....!!!

Beauty.

2007-10-14T19:03:00.000+08:00

This is an essay I wrote for my English Gerak Gempur paper. It came to me naturally when I saw the one-word topic that I could choose. Enjoy, chumps.

***

I had never wanted to be in an orchestra.

In fact, when I received my acceptance letter, I wasn’t really happy. I had reserved my fears, which now seem so nonsensical to me. Plus, as a string player, one would usually be more into music for soloists, not orchestras. But that wasn’t the point. At that time about more than a year ago, I was worried about the people there, and how they would be crazy over the type of music I couldn’t say I was too fond of - classical.

Yes, yes, it may be true that I had learned classical music all my life since I was four. But only in the last few years or so had I begun to explore into modern music. As a result, I disliked classical. During piano and violin lessons, I didn’t really mean what I was playing at times.

Alright, maybe I’m exaggerating. Maybe there was a part of me that could appreciate classical. After all, I had everything going for me from the beginning - I had acquired pitch as they call it, my teachers mentioned I was very musical and on top of it all, I aced my exams. So, as I began to grow older, I began to think for myself and consider the fact that I did like classical after all.

Yet to be honest, my perception hardly changed after my first rehearsal with the new, upcoming orchestra. Perhaps I felt slightly out of place as most of the members seemed to already know each other, and to add insult to injury, I didn’t have a desk partner. As rehearsals are only barely a weekend long, the first one seemed to be over in a blink of an eye.

But it was the first camp that really changed me. Several days before camp, while packing, I was dreading the prospect of playing my violin everyday for several hours. And yet, when I arrived my whole world turned upside down, for the better. I made friends from various sections of the orchestras. By the first night, I had already ‘joined’ a group of friends and boy, what fun we had.

And at the same time, the music started to dwell into my feelings. Camp wasn’t just about break times, playing cards or simply hard-to-hard talks with newly made, yet solid pals. Camp was about the music as well. I began to understand the ways of an orchestra and the sense of the music we were making as a whole. As days passed, I could feel myself getting lost in enchantment.

By the end of the camp, my perception had totally changed. I concluded, I love music. Every aspect of it. I hadn’t only learned to accept and yearn for classical music, I also became more open-minded to other genres. My friend, a clarinetist spoke very often to us about jazz, something not new, yet still foreign to me.

And the great thing was, there were more camps to come. Personally, the next two camps helped enhance my knowledge and approach in playing with an orchestra, while strengthening my new perception. Bit by bit, I ‘felt’ the music more and more, day by day. Friendships, meanwhile were getting warmer, and as each camp got on, I got to know more and more people. Looks like not everyone knew each other after all.

After roughly a year of rehearsals and camps, the orchestra was ready to perform for its inaugural gala concert. The purpose of the third camp was to prepare intensively, leading up to concert at the end of the weekend. By now, each member of the orchestra knew his or her parts of each piece very well. It was only a matter of tightening the screws here and there.

Naturally, the concert was over and done with, just like that. As I recall it now, I miss it more than ever - the company of friends, the experience of chamber music, and everything in between. But it all boils down to the sheer magic of music and the wonder it brings. In the second half of the concert, as I played, I listened attentively at the same time. The intricate solos by instruments such as the bassoon and oboe, the intensity of the percussions, the almost singing-like melodies of the flute and the cello, all these aspects of the orchestra and more blended into one big family. I couldn’t help but shed a tear. The end was near. What we had been working so hard for was coming to a full stop. As the conductor acknowledged the soloists within the orchestra after the final piece, and as he signaled the strings to rise from their seats, the supportive crowd were going ballistic. I couldn’t help but smile. There was just so much more to the language of music I had ever imagined.

Now, that was true beauty.

2007-10-08T10:10:00.000+08:00

YOU

Ever ready with a mirror in your pocket.

and comb too!

can't help to look at your "handsome" self, whenever you see your reflection.

run your hair with your fingers, every time you see a camera.

Keep changing the songs and Cds when you are driving.

Theory never make sense to you.

Blush everytime you make a mistake in the orchestra.

one of your favourite singer would be -Michael Buble

Loves McD

Drove us around with your lime green MyV.

have a good voice.

VAIN.

and you are ....

TURNING 18!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNCAN!!!!!

with love,

Tribal Council

Old times

2007-09-23T11:45:00.000+08:00

Stole this from Kelly.

Still Remember it??
hahahaha.

Lets do that again next camp!!

2007-09-10T22:17:00.000+08:00

Okay so to "protect" (literally) everyone from our tribe from being accidentally being missed out from the mailing list from our administrator, one way to look out for one another is to post up our schedules and stuff.

So for now it's just basically what we have gotten so far for October rehearsal (27th and 28th):

Seating list
Scores

Hungarian Dances (Brahms)
Four Scottish Dances( M. Arnold)
London (Williams)
Senandu

The Ceiling Cat

2007-09-09T00:18:00.001+08:00

Somehow, I've accidentally deleted the better picture I had with it's face facing the camera some time ago. I guess it was in my other folder which I didn't copy when I reformatted my comp. But I still have this one. It made a hole in my ceiling. It's a bit dark, but you can see the cat's body, can't you?

Tiki's MPYO DFP Music Camp review

2007-09-07T23:58:00.000+08:00

Like everyone these days, I just follow suit to dump all the images in the form of a slide show on the blog. It's more convenient than cooking instant noodles for dinner. It's true. Forgive me, part of the post has been edited after much consideration for the sake of safety. If not, it may be rated 18PL.

As usual like in all other music camps, I walked into the designated check-in area of the predetermined hotel. Obviously, this time the camp was deemed to be right in the heart of the city, a stone throw's distance from the prestigious Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS, simply because the MPYO was going for a bold move- to present its inaugural gala concert on the 26th of August. After a year's worth of tireless effort, we finally approach our arrival point - the well awaited gala night.

With little thought going though my mind at 2pm in the afternoon, I stepped out of dad's Merc and heaved my grey Samsonite bag out of the trunk and dragged it into the Lobby of Flamingo Hotel, Jalan Hulu Kelang. Obviously, they couldn't put all of us in right in the Golden Triangle because accommodation for all 105 of us would cost a bomb. However, comparatively to our first music camp back in March, I'm pretty sure all of us are dead thankful to have gotten a pleasant place to stay. To say the least, Flamingo looked the most like a hotel compared to the prison cells in the Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS dormitories and the shared apartments at INTEKMA which were about 30 years old. Anyhow, I was soon greeted with a healthy line already forming in front of the reception desk. I could see Jebat and David right at the front, coupled with Lu Ee and a few other familiar faces from the Tribe. However, life was very boring at the back of the line, especially with so many unfamiliar faces behind and in front of me. Thankfully, Dylan came along and we were in line together and started talking - to say the least, about his sister. And if you're reading this, Alison, I didn't say anything bad about you. Ask your brother if you have to. I’m completely innocent.

Anyway, the line soon came to our turn and I met Audrey, the orchestral administrator and collected my room key. I was supposed to be in room 140, with a fellow trumpeter as a room mate. Unfortunately, even before I could even get to know his name, Ashraff came up to me and we decided to switch rooms. Apparently, he dearly wanted to accompany the Trumpeter and was good friends with him. And I had no complaints. Now, I would be sleeping with Kit Leong. Bingo!

Nevertheless, it was not until at night that the switch took place. Kit Leong, anyway would be arriving the following night because he had some form of test back at Distel in Penang. A lot of other people would be checking in later. Duncan would only arrive on Thursday from NUS, Jia Rong would only join us a few days time because she was in Sabah *i'm going to stop here*. Anyway, with so many people missing, I felt rather foolish to spend a day extra in camp. It wasn’t compulsory to check in today because rehearsals only started tomorrow afternoon. But however, there was a plus point. I had brought my Scrabble set with me, and Kelly wanted a game dearly with me. Couldn’t resist it, I knew that if I had any chances beating any of the Chungs, it had to be through Kelly. She would only arrive at 3, due to transportation constraints since her mother had to fetch her other two other Scrabble-Gladiator brothers, Sean and Scott, who were busy demolishing opponents at yet another Scrabble competition.

While waiting for Kelly to arrive, I set down my bag back in room 140 and took out my Milo and Nescafe canned drinks and placed them on the table. I had OCD against bringing canned drinks inside my luggage ever since my Washington trip in June when my Milo cans exploded inside my bag, and you could imagine what a mess it made to my clothes.

Soon, my phone was ringing shrilly and it was Kelly. She had arrived, bang on the dot at 3pm. Without a second to waste, I grabbed my Scrabble set, the Elm list and my gym bag, I went up to meet Kelly at her room, 220.

She greeted me with her ever cheerful smile and invited me in. Soon enough, we were off talking about stuff and battling it out on the Scrabble board. Not surprisingly, her lead was beginning to pull away from me.

Fair enough, I learnt that she had Janet as her room mate. Janet was one girl I really respected. She tolerated all the nonsense and shit we made all through the night while occupying her ‘suite’ back at INTEKMA for Tribal Councils. She would just say, “Goodnight, people,” and go to sleep when she feels like it. And then, she never bothers at whatever we do – and that is even eventually sleeping in her room.

However, like everyone else, Janet would only be arriving tomorrow, which meant we could really do some shit inside Kelly’s room and no one would notice. Indeed, it was the prefect spot for Tribal, room 220, considering the fact that David was sleeping right next door at 222 and we had an adjoining door which could be accessed from the inside. David’s room mate was Nelson, whom I had as room mate in UTP and he was probably the male version of Janet. He would spend half his time out with his gang of friends or the other half blowing his hair inside the room with his hairdryer. He doesn’t really give a damn about time, he just doses off whenever it’s necessary. So, the combination of room 220-222 would be the perfect venue for Tribal. Or would it?

Fast forwarding to the evening, David and Jebat came over at around 4 after having Domino’s at Ampang Point and David showed off his new RM12k Macbook Pro. His obsession with it was profound obvious, so much so he forgot all about his trademark magic tricks. Soon, many other Tribe members trickled into the room – Myles, Dylan, Su Yin and we soon decided that it was time for dinner.

Having to find our own food this time around, we had to be creative enough to scout around and manage our financial budget of RM30 per day. That wasn’t an easy task. Especially with Kit Leong around, blackjack was a must. The few of us settled for Kenny Rogers near Ampang point and returned home shortly after dinner. God wasn’t too kind to us – we had to walk in the rain.

Upon our return to the hotel, Uncle Norman was giving out our salary of RM180 per person which would last us all through this camp. I met up with Ashraff and we did the swap as soon as we had the chance. From now on, I would be in room 126.

Our first Tribal soon commenced at night. I couldn’t remember what exactly we were doing. I know it was a lot of cock-talking and a bit of Prison Break watching (because Kelly was a Wenworth Miller fan – is that how you spell his name?), but that was all I could really remember. Addie arrived at night, and true enough, she brought me the T-shirt I ordered. It was black and had orange letters which read, “I’M NOT SHORT. I’M JUST SPACE EFFICIENT.” And that was about it. While Jebat and David slept with Addie and Kelly in 220, I headed back to my new room in 126.

After breakfast the following day, we had a bit of a mini get-together Tribal at my room. Unlike other Tribals, this one was more of a music jamming session, with Addie playing Preludium and Allegro and David still fiddling around with Jazz on his Macbook Pro. Kelly and I were listening to Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 on her MP3. She, together with all the other pianists would be playing the concerto on Thursday night for fun, accompanied by the orchestra.

Come 11.30am, all of us headed down to the Lobby and waited for the bus. Since David had to head up to get his Macbook which he left in my room, we missed the both the busses. We had to wait for the third which was longer than waiting for eternity to dawn. There was enough time for rumors to spread that it had broken down, and for all of us to ask Audrey about it. However, that wasn’t really so, but we had some other news to interest ourselves. Audrey apparently had some idea that we were staying up late and making noise affecting Nelson. David was damn sure that it was some method of psychology she was using against us, but to play safe, we couldn’t have Tribal in Kelly’s room. To make things worse, Addie wanted to swap rooms with Janet (who was willing) and wanted to make her change official and ‘Halal’ by telling Audrey. But that wasn’t to be as Audery said that we were not supposed to swap rooms. So, either way, she wasn’t approving Tribal at 220.

Finally, after a century, the bus arrived, and we arrived at KLCC. We met up with Kit Leong at DFP and grabbed a fast bite for lunch. I didn’t have anything but a Power Bar and a Milo because I had four omelets for breakfast. At 2pm, we were all back and ready for our Tutti rehearsal at DFP and guess what?

Here’s where I hit the fast forward button again.

The only thing you missed there, I swear was the beautiful music. Don’t worry. You’ll see more of that at the gala. And Kevin also announced that he would be cancelling the conducting sessions thins time around so we could finish at 4.30pm on usual days. Wasn’t that such a kind move? Also, we were back to our original July seatings because Audrey had mailed us the wrong seating list. I was back with Lu Ee as desk partner, and what a blessing that was…

After our rehearsals ended at 5pm, we decided that we had enough time in our pocket to catch a movie. The boys – Kit Leong, Jebat, David, Myles, James and I went for Rush Hour 3. The girls went to get something to eat, and the only person left out this time was Kelly, who was busy practicing her piano back at her amazing soloist room in DFP.

The movie was better than I expected, with a few funny scenes here and there. After the movie, we met up with Kelly and headed to McD to take away something for dinner. We had a quick stop by at Machines KLCC and I had my first touch of the new iMac.

After grabbing a quick dinner, Kah Yan called me, saying that he concert is over and the bus would be leaving soon. We dashed back to DFP and hopped on the bus, with seconds to spare.

At night, we had our customary Tribal Council back in my room, 126. And with Kit Leong around, we had our usual gambling session. I was winning like a dog, easily up RM100. I got a double ace when Kit Leong bet RM10 and got a blackjack worth RM20 when Kit Leong was banker. Indeed, it was my night tonight. We were playing until about 3am and soon, we called it a night. Kelly and Lu Ee left our room, leaving Kit Leong, Jebat and me to sleep on the same bed in 126. We eventually slept after talking a lot of crap, despite the lights off.

Drowsy and all blur, we headed down to breakfast the following morning. After breakfast, it was back to the usual routine of Tutti Rehearsals at DFP. After a day’s worth of rehearsals, we went for an MPO concert at night, as every member of the MPYO were entitled to a ticket each for a Birthday Bash concert conducted by George Ellis. However, I was sitting beside this annoying bitch who simply had some problem. I was talking to Kelly before the concert and she asked her to shut up. Indeed, I noticed her putting her finger to ear as if she was talking on a phone. But it seemed that she was doing so because she couldn’t stand me talking. She would shake her heard to herself and act damn weirdly. Obviously, I couldn’t stand her because she had some sort of problem being surrounded by the Tribe. What was so wrong about talking? And when she asked Kelly to shut up, that was it. She crossed the line. Since George Ellis, the conductor encouraged the crowd to stamp their feet with the Greig’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, I was stamping my feet – in triplets, against the music’s ala breve time.. And that was seriously irritating her. She was crouching down and looked as if I had really crossed the line in infecting her with HIV. Nevertheless, I guess she got the message.

And guess what?

Here’s where I hit the fast forward button again.

We had the usual gambling and tribal, yadda yadda yadda.

Then it was the following day, Thursday, and Duncan showed up. Finally, the party piece was complete. I met my mom and sister in the afternoon during lunch and they were kind enough to tell me they found something for Beth at Parkson. Even though, I had to get it myself because they had to hurry home. I took a quick one at Parkson and got her a pretty stiky notepad which read “a note from Bethany” on it. I thought it was so sweet.

After our rehearsals, the whole Tribe went to Chilis for dinner. With moments to spare, the second violins were up first at 7pm to accompany the Mozart Piano concerto. We would be divided into 2 groups, Firsts and Seconds depending whether you’re sitting on the inside or outside. I was outside, so I would be in the firsts. I was seating at the second desk, with Addie as stand partner. Yahoo! Kit Leong was in front of me, Co-Concertmaster, with our BOSS, Lisa. With request from our Principal Conductor, Kevin Field, first up to the black Steinway was our principal pianist, Kelly Chung. It was her debut on the Piano with the MPYO. After a quick A from the oboe, we began the first movement of the Mozart Piano Concerto. Needless to say, she was god-light on the piano. I daresay her playing is comparable to the likes of professional pianists I’ve seen. Frankly, I am really envious. It’s not because you’re professional, Kelly, but it’s the very fact that you beat me on the Scrabble board and you get to molest one of those RM3.5 million Stienways like nobody’s business. Haha. Just kidding… You get my point, Kelly’s playing is absolutely magnificent. And while her fingers were flowing across the ebony piano keys, I was busy screwing up my parts with Addie throwing sharp looks at me everytime I went out of tune (which was basically the entire song) and getting my counting wrong. Whatever it is, I was a big disgrace, not even being able to sight read such an easy piece.

After Kelly’s awesome performance, she really set the bar and it was hard for all the other pianists to cope. Anyhow, we played the other 2 movements with two contrasting pianists and well, like everyone else these days, both them too were god light. And you’re hearing this from someone who only knows how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the right hand of the piano.

After our session from 7pm-8pm, the first violins took over to show who’s boss. Most unfortunately, after our session, Kit Leong went to the toilet and stepped on shit water. The toilet flush malfunctioned and the shitwater overflowed across the cubical’s floor. Kit Leong’s shoes were all wet with shit. He got all OCD and advised us never to use the third cubicle ever again.

To make things worse, we missed the bus back to the hotel. Not because we weren’t bothered or anything, but that stupid Malay woman told us that the bus was going to leave at 9.30 when it left at 9.15. Kelly, Kit Leong, Kah Yan, Jebat, and I had to take a cab back and share it with Penguin, who was lost, too. Pissed at everyone, we couldn’t do much about it and we soon settled for our forth night of Tribal. This night was pretty interesting. I may have got the dates all mixed up, but I’m pretty sure one night there was something interesting that happened. Someone was locked out of her room and her roommate refused to open the door and it remained locked. At first, they thought it was a prank. But later, after calling the room mate she didn’t reply. Everyone panicked and was concerned because she wouldn’t give whatever sort of respond. While we were all inside room 126 playing blackjack, we heard some sort of commotion brewing outside. Inevitably, a reliable source told us that Audrey might pop out at any moment because of the seriousness of the situation, so we had to abandon the playing.

Like everyone else, we gathered outside the room which was locked. Apparently, it was Yvonne who was rendered “unconscious”.

Audrey couldn’t do much, she arrived and sooner than expected, resorted to calling security. Security in turn couldn’t do much, they tried banging the door, hoping that the poor girl would answer, but there was no reply. And so, they had no choice but to break open the door. And guess what? It turned out that Yvonne was “sleeping soundly”. If you’re reading this, Yvonne, I would like to know your comment how you actually felt and heard when you were sleeping. I mean, with people shouting F words outside and banging your door, I’m pretty sure it sounded as if someone slammed a jetliner into a building like on 9/11…

Anyway, we were eventually back to the blackjack, my RM100 I won the previous night was now all lost. In fact, I was down RM50 from my original modal. This went on so until about 4am, when I finally decided to risk it all and made a bold move to bet an RM50. This caught Kelly’s attention who wanted to document this auspicious event. She got hold of her camera and recorded the entire thing.

So, I was betting RM50 (actually an RM100 note Norman gave me because I ran out of RM50 notes)

Jebat was betting RM 20, I think.

Lu Ee and Kelly were betting a few ringgit.

Kit Leong dealt the cards.

He looked happy.

Then came the second card.

Jebat had a big card.

Kelly and Lu Ee had big cards.

I had a 4.

And Kit Leong flicked open his second card, sending it flying to the floor.

He picked it up.

It was an Ace.

He opened his bottom card and….

*UCK. HE GOT A BLACKJACK.

KIT LEONG WAS HYSTERICAL. He was jumping all over the place like a maniac, shouting the F word on the top of his voice. He stomped on a Cadbury box, without him noticing… He was pole dancing with the room’s lamp out of joy and decided to strip in front of the camera. And while all this happened, I just realized that I lost RM100. And like the saying goes… Once bitten, twice shy. I guess I won’t do that ever again. Not in a million years. Or at least, not in front of Kit Leong.

Eventually, we took a few photos for memories and realized that it was close to 5am.

The girls, Kelly and Lu Ee, decided that since it was so late, they would just bunk in with us. So, the five of us squeezed ourselves onto the two joined beds in room 126. That’s Kit Leong, Jebat, Lu Ee, Kelly and me all on two beds. Thank god Lu Ee, Kelly and me are space efficient and that made up a lot for Jebat’s height.

In a blink of an eye, it was 7am, Friday morning.

I have never experienced such sleepiness in my life. I have seen zombies looking more alert than me. From the outside, I looked perfectly normal, but I knew I had to get something to keep me awake. The formula for me to keep awake was simple – 20% caffeine, 20% motivation (music, cars, chicks, whatever) and the other 60%? It’s miracle. The girls woke up right after me, and they headed back straight to their rooms to get dressed. Jebat was still fast asleep. Kit Leong was rousing. I couldn’t waste any more time. I had a quick shower and washed up in the toilet. Then I woke Kit Leong and Jebat and told them to get dressed. I had one very good reason for this – if we wanted to last for the entire day, we had to resort to get some serious caffeine running in our veins.

At breakfast, I took four cups of coffee and my typical dose of eggs, took a good stare at Annabel (I don’t like her, mah…). On the bus, I hooked up my Beethoven Symphony No. 2 while talking cock with Kit Leong, Jebat and Kelly. And lucky enough, I spotted a Porsche Cayenne Gemballa on the way to KLCC. And true enough, the formula worked well. I was as recharged as a pair of Energizer bunnies. I never felt sleepy all through Tutti Rehearsals and had time to walk around, hang out at Kelly’s room and even help Kevin out when he asked, “Anyone can tell me what the meaning of ‘Beware, Dangerous Bend Ahead’ is in Bahasa?”

“It’s ‘Awas, Selekoh Berbahaya.’”

Since I was broke, I continued my usual diet of Power Bar and Canned Coffee. I followed, Kit Leong, Kah Yan and Kelly to Burger King to get a quick lunch, and since it was so packed, we went back to DFP and ate in the office. We got a polite telling off from the management and we resorted to eat outside. Since Kelly couldn’t finish her Mushroom Swiss, I thrived on that for lunch. Thanks, Kelly!

After lunch, I returned backstage to get my violin and tune up for rehearsals. And just then, matters got all worse. My G-String on my violin came loose.

“No matter,” I thought, as it happened once in a while and it was just another bad day… But something was worrying me… No matter how I tried tightening the peg, the string would tighten, and then slip. This was jeopardizing my day. I had to get this fixed. I got professional help from a few senior violinists, but even they couldn’t do anything about it. Luckily Lu Ee had a spare G-String with her and I fixed it on my violin. And thankfully, it worked.

However, it was no time to heave a sigh of relief. The caffeine levels in my body are beginning to backslide like a f**king dog. I was getting all drowsy in the afternoon, and by the time rehearsals were over, I was dead tired. Worried I would end up something like Yvonne, sleeping unconsciously in the room, I decided to get some rest while waiting for the bus to arrive at 8pm. I went into Kelly’s room and tried to get some rest, until Kit Leong came along and brought Jebat in, with a deck of cards… In desperation of winning back my RM100 from him, I forgot all about my initial plan to sleep and started gambling. And guess what? I lost another RM14.

Kelly and Jebat weren’t joining us – they were amused by Lu Ee’s amazing talent and prodigy at playing Kelly’s Chopin piano pieces. Anyway, Kit Leong, Jebat and Kelly wanted to follow David and Addie back to the hotel via cab, but I decided to stay back. Simply because I told Audrey I would be taking the bus back to the hotel. So, I stayed for a while in Kelly’s room and eventually walked out to grab a bite at McD. Guess what? They didn’t go. The Tribe was still stuck at KLCC. And well, they joined me at McD for dinner. So, there you have it, Friday night.

As soon as I boarded the bus, at 8, I fell asleep. David and Addie also hopped onto our bus which meant they didn’t go home. I’m pretty sure my sister wouldn’t abandon me, right? And I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Kit Leong for not sitting beside the Trumpeter that he wanted me to sit with, but damn, I was so, god damn sleepy.

We arrived at the hotel, and I was still drowsy. Kelly too, was exhausted and she too, like me, went to bed. Kit Leong and Jebat initially wanted to go play DOTA (whatever that is…) at a CyberCafe but eventually, they rated it as the camp’s Emo Night.

Just before I caught some sleep, Lu Ee dropped by and asked whether if she could borrow the got water kettle for her Maggi Hot Cup. We decided to watch a bit of Harry Potter showing on TV3 for a while before she eventually left and I slept.

Weirdly, however, I felt as if someone was hugging me that night when I slept… I don’t know, but it might be the effects of Bulan Ramadhan. Nah, it’s probably a figment of my imagination.

But not so, when I felt all brightly recharged the next morning, I soon realized that someone WAS hugging me the last night. And it was Addie. As usual, all of them loved to see me sleep, they wanted to play a prank on me. Now, let me give you some advice, Addie… Don’t ever, ever, do that to me again. I was IMAGINING things, you know!!

And anyway, it was SATURDAY!! The 26^th of August marks our arrival point, like I said earlier. We woke a bit later because we were only due to be at rehearsal in the afternoon. Anyhow, Kah Yan, Kelly, Jebat, Lu Ee and I grabbed a quick bite at Starbucks in the morning when something funny happened. I asked an Arab boy to help me take a group photo of all of us. But I guess he misunderstood me.

“Can I have you take a photo of us?” I asked.

He probably interpreted it as “Can I take a photo of you?” and that’s why he answered, “No, no.. I don’t work here… I don’t want photo…” and he ran a mile away.

Then, I asked a Chinese lady to help me take a group picture. She also declined.

“I don’t know how to use camera.” She said.

Thankfully for her, she got her husband to lend me a hand in taking the photo.

However, what really shook my funnybone was that during lunch, as we were coming up the escalators, the same Arab boy was standing behind me. All of us were giggling at him, and he was definitely suspicious at all of us. Poor fella.

Anyway, after a hard day’s work, we finally settled for a quick dinner before the long awaited night. We went to Isetan to get some sushi and have a feast in Kelly’s amazing room. Since we had to dress up in standard attire, all boys were given purple ties and girls, green scarves. No later than 7.30pm, we were all dressed up smartly in a white top, black shirt and a purple tie. The girls, however had a much bigger problem to worry about. Their scarf was about the size of a handkerchief. Which meant they couldn’t wear them like how the Hybrids do. And neither could they tie it around their neck because it would just look like they look like dogs with green chokers. So, we had all sorts of fashions amongst the girls. Some, like Lu Ee, resorted to using them as a hairband, while others used them as sleeves, armbands and to some extend, Duncan made a Superman-underwear with it.

We had a quick check of ourselves in the Orchestra Lounge and took a few photos before showtime. And 8.10pm, the lights backstage were flickering and this was our cue to “trickle” out onto the lush stage of the enormous Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS. The hall was steadily filling up with parents, teachers, diplomats, you name them. And funnily enough, at 8.30 sharp, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah, Mahathir’s wife walked into the hall flanked by her bodyguards and other VIPs, as they sat down in the prestigious Nobat suite. And, within moments, Dr. Marc Rochester and another Malay man walked out on stage to introduce the orchestra. No sooner than a few minutes, our Maestro walked out and we were off playing Adelyn Wong’s Ria!, followed by Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade, and Saint-Saens’ Danse Bacchanale, which in my opinion absolutely nailed it to the core and rocked the entire audience. As expected, it gained us the greatest applause yet.

Then, the most fun part was the break. The foyer was decorated in green and purple, the MPYO colours. And within the foyer, musicians and guests were served with food and drinks. I wasn’t particularly interested in that. I was bust finding my parents. Along the way, I met a few familiar faces – Jia Rong’s sister, Jia Ying, Latifah, Marge Chiew (KLPac bigshot) etc. I even met Addie’s mom and dad, as well as Kelly’s parents. But still, no sign of my mom or dad.

I met my pianist who accompanied me to my exam, too. I also saw my violin teacher, Mr Boey, who was sitting with the PSO Conductor. And finally, with moments to spare, I met my parents and my sis. They were on the way to the toilet and we couldn’t talk much.

The second half of the program soon began. The killer Scheherazade. And before we knew it, the 43 minute song ended and left the audience hanging in suspense. No one dared to clap. Hehehehe. Then finally, the night was over. The applauding audience soon erupted, asking for more. Most unfortunately, our much expected encore was never fulfilled on that night because partly, Alice, Kit Leong’s desk partner threw up right after we took our final stand.

Nevertheless, the night wasn’t over yet. After our arrival back at the hotel, we began our last Tribal night with blackjack. This time, Duncan joined in and he got hooked to it, too. Kit Leong lost most of his money to Duncan and in my opinion, will be back for more thrills. We didn’t sleep until about 5am again this time around, which really meant taking a big gamble. Why? We still had another concert on Sunday at 3pm. And if we couldn’t afford to fall asleep in concerts. To compensate, we skipped breakfast. I on the other hand still had to wake up the usual time because my parents came over in the morning to the hotel to pick up my luggage. I packed everything the previous night, so I had no problems with that. After sending my Samsonite luggage bag back home at 8.30am, I caught a bit of breakfast to fill my tummy. Kit Leong and Jebat met up with me downstairs at the coffee house, but someone was still missing. Guess who?

Kelly.

It was 8.50 and yet, she wasn’t downstairs. I had to go call her. I tried calling her phone, but she didn’t pick up. So, I went to her room at final resort and rang the doorbell… To my astonishment, she just woke up. She still wore the blur, sleepy look on her face and before she could ask me, I told her the bus was about to leave. She was omigoshing while dumping her clothes and whatever she could grab into her bag. I was helping her with her toiletries while she was busy clearing up every single thing she could find and dumping it into her suitcase. Panicking, we both evacuated the room ASAP. However, as we reached the lifts, she told me to wait because she thought she left her phone in her room. I got a life and began loading Kelly’s suitcases into it, but then as I was grabbing the third bag to put into the lift, it closed. Which meant, the luggage was free to move wherever, but I was stuck outside… SHIT!! Somehow, I had to work out a way to get that particular lift to reopen at the same floor again. And the probabilities were so slim. I was doing every single trial and error method I could to make that lift come to the floor. And worse of all, Kelly doesn’t know her luggage is going for a joyride around Flamingo. I told her to go down first.

Luckily, the lift finally stopped at the floor. A Malay family was standing inside, pointing towards the abandoned bags on the floor, thinking they were bombs.

“Eh bang, itu siapa punya barang tu? Orang kata, kalau barang tertinggal macam ni, pasti bom.. Lebih baik kita lapor kepada hotel, ya?” said the Malay woman to her husband. I felt embarrassed.

What really blew their brains off, however was when we reached ground floor, I took the bags out of the lift. They might be thinking I’m nuts, just taking some unattended baggage and claiming that it’s mine… Oh well, I’m not as crazy as Homer Simpson, am I?

Kelly and I luckily managed to hop onto one of the buses. We got to DFP and while she put her baggage in the office, I left my violin in the Orchestra Lounge backstage. We had breakfast at McD and had a short run through tutti Rehearsal before Lunch. We had our final meal together as a tribe in Dome, with Jebat, Kit Leong, Kelly, Kah Yan and me. Our second concert in the afternoon was indeed fun, similar to the last, only thing not as formal. But one thing for sure, I had fun playing the encore version of Danse Bacchanale. I’m sure you did, too, people!

And most shockingly, Audrey called me for a press conference with Rudina, the Chinese girl Timpanist and Kevin Field with some reporter from NST after the concert. The reporter was dumb and arrogant and well, he wasn’t what I am particularly in favour for... But who cares? It was a great camp, wasn’t it? And what I enjoyed most? That would definitely be the Scrabble match on Saturday morning, in which I actually won Kelly by a considerable margin through a bingo – QUOTERS, 107 points. See? My mission was accomplished. But still, she beat me four times, compared to my one to her.. Not to get Kiasu or anything, but the Chungs are definitely THE FAMILY TO BEAT.

And after writing a review on this camp and looking back, gosh, how I wished I could hit the rewind button and replay it back again..

DFP MPYO music camp photos

2007-08-30T21:22:00.000+08:00

Hey everyone. Thanks for the brilliant time at DFP. It was superb (although Kit Leong flicked my precious RM100). Great concert. I've got some photos all of you can view. I haven't posted them on my Friendster or my blog because it will take too long. I haven't got much time with trials coming up, so you can grab them from my web album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/tikiyong/MPYODFPMusicCamp

Also, do check out my other photos from the previous camp. They're quite nice.

The Beginning by Adelyn

2007-08-29T22:30:00.000+08:00

Now I'm just following up on Jia Rong's post. It's been one whole year since we've all become members of MPYO.

We all know that things started off with auditions. Auditions for Northern Region were held in P. Ramlee building. Upon arrival I saw many familiar faces - Kit Leong, Ying Qi, Ying Jie, Ying Tian, Yunni(from Pessoc camp many years ago), Andrew. Didn't get a chance to meet up with some of my schoolmates(Shu Yong, Debra, Yvonne) that were auditioning though. Anyway everyone seemed pretty eager. Everyone busy warming up.

And then one by one we went into the room filled with mirrors(must have been a dance hall that room).

I kind of forgot about auditioning for MPYO because I got a very nice surprise sometime in August. It was a Thursday afternoon when I received the news.

"... I am delighted to inform you that you have been selected to become a member of (MPYO)..."

Unlike most of you guys, I did not get the chance of getting the news first hand. My mom, more excited than I was, immediately opened the envelope of green, purple and white when it first came in the post. (I was kinda pissed when my mom told me she had opened the letter before I did, with the excuse of "needing to know dates of rehearsal")

So when I came back from school that day my sister broke the news to me.

"JIE!! You got into MPYO you know"

When she said that I stood there, stunned. To verify her statement she showed me the envelope(with the flap already torn) with the letter of acceptance.

I told my teacher and she was thrilled. A few of her students, too, got accepted.

Then we got our scores and our seating position. I took a good look at the name of my stand partner: PHILBERT TIKI YONG, 14, KL.

In my head I thought what a name? Chinese ah this guy?

But my question got answered only during the first rehearsal in September.

A short boy made his way to the stage in DFP and sat next to me.

"Hi. I'm Philbert," he began before I had a chance to say anything.

So this is HE.

And that was it. During sectionals we probably were the only stand partners that were so engrossed in conversation, poking fun at a certain someone.

I kind of enjoyed myself during the first rehearsal, partly because it was a different atmosphere and the flutes really got me hooked(they're good, relatively of course) to their solos. They got me listening to them throughout the whole rehearsal. Haha! Stephanie agrees with me on this one. Haha!

I got to know people from various parts of the orchestra: Chin Ning(so unbelievable that we've never actually talked when we were back in Penang), Asyraff, Aldrich and Eben(they were like stuck together) and not to mention the pioneers of Tribal!!

Oh wow.

It's been one heck of a year. I've made some great friends along the way. I've grown a little too(a little more mature I hope). Gotten closer to people I already know prior to this. I've been exposed to different kinds of music and people... and that's what this is all about isn't it?

The Beginning

2007-08-28T19:06:00.000+08:00

11 August 2006

"Thank you for auditioning for the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra(MPYO) . On behalf of the Principal Conductor, Kevin Field, I am delighted to inform you that you have been selected to be a member of the orchestra. "

I bet all of MPYO members read this little passage before. Well. I did. hahaha.

One year ago.

Just doing the same routine every single day, went to school, gone home. Study. practice. nothing special. But on this very moment. it changes everything. As usual, came back from school, my stomach's grumbling and craving for mommy's home cooked meal. Normally, I'll leave the mail box for daddy dearest ,for its always filled with their letters instead of mine. however today, I felt a little urge to open the mail box and my sixth sense did not went wrong ..there it lays..the white, green , purple envelope. screaming "OPEN ME!!!"

There I stood in front of the mailbox, tearing the envelope open. Nothing came out from my vocal cord for a second . not a single cry. THEN

*AHHHHHHHHHHH!! OH MY GOD!! I GOT IN!!! FIRST VIOLIN"

it was one glorious moment, even though daddy did not say a word, but I can see his eyes shone as brightly as ever, Being proud of her daughter. :)

Mom got the news as soon as I got in the house. hahaha. "Congratulations my dear! you gotta work even harder now" I didn't know why she said that, but, oh. I'm happy. Called up Duncan later and learned that he got in as well~ co- principal for Second Violin! *jiarong got jealous* haha. nah. I'm Glad for him~ I practically called everyone that I know who went for audition, some got in, some did not. the other person who was happy for me and Duncan would be our beloved teacher of coz - Gosia.

I was in such a high spirit that day, nothing can bring me down. nothing, nothing at all. Knowing that I would finally get to work with brilliant MPO players and also working with Kevin Field again. On top of that, playing together with whole talented lots will definitely be different than playing in National Youth Orchestra. I would no longer have to play simple pieces because the other are not able to catch up .. Although I have played with quite a few orchestra, but this time it will be the first time I played with a 110 people orchestra. FUN! What a challenge!

That was my little story. What about yours?

Birthday Bash

2007-08-15T19:52:00.000+08:00

Free tickets for MPO Birthday Bash concert; any of us interested in going?

To our dearest SU YIN!

2007-07-29T21:59:00.000+08:00

OPps?? No one at the party?
Well, we brought you lots of pressies thou~

Our BLESSING!! aint' that enough?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Birthday Reminder

It's your birthday, so don't feel down;
Don't think bad stuff and frown;
Your life should be filled with mirth;
Just look what you've done since your birth.

You started out really small,
Now you're really filled out and tall.
In the beginning you would just cry,
Now you can laugh if you try.

You've done quite well since your start,
So as you grow older take heart;
Keep up the good work and don't be a jerk;
Stay happy till you're an old fart.

HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEH

HAPPY SWEET SIXTEEN SU YIN!!

2007-07-15T17:31:00.000+08:00

there u guys are!

Birthday wishes

2007-06-22T14:34:00.000+08:00

To David:

Your Birthday is a special day..
One that's just for you
A time for doing everything
You specially like to do..
And on this day that belongs to you,
The wish this greeting brings
Is for the joy you so deserve
And all life's nicest things!

Hope it adds
some special pleasure
To the hours of your day
To know you're being thought of
In the very warmest way...
And when your birthday's over,
Hope that you'll remember, too,
The same warm thoughts as always
Will keep going out to you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

quote of the day:

"The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age"

Love you,

Every single soul in Tribal~

Joshua Bell Concert

2007-06-20T22:18:00.000+08:00

For those of you who don't already know, we are planning to watch Joshua Bell play with MPO on Friday 13 July, which is the day before our weekend rehearsal. Anyone interested please tell me (David) ASAP, so I can book the tickets first. I'll be able to get student prices so tickets should cost RM15 I hope. The concert details are as follows:

Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Matthias Bamert conductor
Joshua Bell violin

Date: Fri 13 Jul 07
Time: 8.30pm

Repertoire:
WAGNER Prelude: The Mastersingers
GLAZUNOV Violin Concerto in A minor (Op.82)
BRUCKNER Symphony No.6 in A

If you need my number, ask around.

*Important update: Tickets are RM15 for student, trouble is, I need to provide a student ID for every ticket I want to buy at that price. For example, if I want to buy 8 tickets I need to show 8 student cards. So all of you interested in going please arrange with me to pass your student cards to me when I go to KL. It doesn't have to be yours; you can use your brother's/sister's/friend's.

Why Jia Rong loves MPYO

2007-06-20T18:47:00.000+08:00

why? why? why??

Because I simply just love it.

Is it because of the music? Or the people in it ?? Or breaking rules in camp?? or staying up all night??
Lolx. its everything. in and out of MPYO. I just love it.

I can still remember the very first weekend rehearsal in DFP on the 16^th of September 2006. When everyone has their ass stuck on their sit, instruments under their fingers, sight reading their scores, but still the music that came out of it, was good. Playing a same piece together, having the same rhythm going on in your heart, our eyes all fixed on the conductor (maybe mostly on the scores XD), having a same feeling towards the piece and that was all the thrill of playing in an orchestra.. Especially, playing in MPYO.

Oh yea. Always switch off or silent your phone during rehearsal.

Remember guys??

If I’m not wrong it’s the second day of rehearsal, when everyone was playing “danse bacchanale” and was just about to start.. Kevin already had his hands up in the “get ready” position, violins are all up, under the chin, woodwinds and brass have their instruments ready too!.. When..

*DORAEMON RINGTONE*

WAKAKAKAKKAKAKAKAKA. The whole orchestra burst into laughter.

That’s one of our unforgettable scenes...

Also, some of the morning when you just got up from bed after only a few hours of sleep and Kevin asked us to do some body warm up / exercise.

*imitates Kevin*

“Stand up, put down your instruments”

“Okay! Give your right hand a shake! Then the left hand and… BOTH hands! “

“turn clockwise your index finger, we just go round and round, next add in a little of your wrist, then the whole arm, and 1,2, 1,2, ,1,2,.”

“Good! Good!”

Next we have a little “humming up the scales” thing.

*everybody goes humm……*

*hmmmmmmm*

*hmmmmmmmm*

just as everyone was about to fall asleep after a long while of humming and just moving up the scales.. you’ll get

*AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH*

yeah. That’s from our dearest conductor, screaming right in your face.. =)

Not missing out, the orchestra’s alive because of the people in it .There’s all sort of people in the orchestra, there’s the Sweet looking ones ,Hot girls, The crazy/ mean/ fun/ gay concertmaster, A very vain violinist who would check his own refection on anything he can find ,The king of gambling, people who talks non-stop, people with uncommon names, tutors that curse most of the time or tutors that’s really lame… lolx. Oh yeah. And TRIBAL~~ the staying up all night, truth or dare games, gambling, bitching, McD, jumping in the swimming pool, everyone cramp in a bed , the sex talks and so on. XD

Mpyo has given me the chance to play with so many good , talented players , it also brings all the lovely things to me. I will never ever in my whole life forget the experience I’ve got in MPYO. And I’ll definitely not forget every single person in the orchestra and TRIBAL!! Love you all and miss you all really much!!!!!!!!

2007-06-15T15:02:00.000+08:00

ok this may seem akward but
WELCOME TO THE TRIBAL COUNCIL PEEPS!!!
the most happening tribe alive...heh
kelly=)

Colours

2007-06-13T00:43:00.001+08:00

I've been playing around with the colours, along the line of a green theme based on our 'official' MPYO colour. Comments anyone?

Who the heck is in Tribal?

2007-06-12T22:11:00.000+08:00

Yup.

Who exactly are the members of the notorious Tribal Council?

Honestly, I'm not too sure about that. Haha! But heck, I'm posting the more-or-less-confirmed members of the Tribe. The rest of you will probably have to go through some form of initiation. Yes yes. Initiation.

*evil laugh - MWAHAHAHAHAHA!*

Members:
1. Kit Leong
2. Tiki
3. Jia Rong
4. Lu Ee
5. Duncan
6. Adelyn
7. David
8. Jebat
9. James
10. Su Yin
11. Kelly
12. Myles
13. Dylan
14. Kah Yan

*edit
15. Alix
16. Eben

WHO ELSE?

Why Tiki loves Tribal

2007-06-12T21:16:00.000+08:00

I love Tribal because we get to bitch about the bitches.

No, seriously, it is fun.

Tribal is also a good place to talk cock and laugh our hearts out. Remember the Yesus Keristus joke? And the Hello Good Morning?

And come to think of it, Tribal Council is also a good source of income without working our asses off. We gain income just by laughing till we drop, while adults slog in the rat race just to make ends meet. We just sit down and talk cock and get the cash. How do we do it? Blackjack. Kit Leong would definitely agree with me on this. Well, you've also got to realise that you may lose some. But hey, it's fun?

Now, we all share the one common goal in joining the MPYO - to make music. Hang with me on this. It may seem so, but what makes music alone enjoyable when you aren't enjoying fun and socializing about? Even if you were some sort of die-hard Scheherazade-for-life fan, you would eventually get tired of it. It's just the way how the human body works. What I am trying to say here is precisely like what Addie had mentioned in her post. Tribal is such a vital congregation to break the monotony of our daily metronomic routines, especially in music camps. And it is exactly what we look forward for, even though all of us simply love music. Think of it as an ice-cream lover. Yes, he loves the rich, creamy Häagen Dazs, but what he actually is looking forward for is the juicy, red cherry topped on top of his scoop of ice cream. He may be an ice cream lover, but yet the cherry is simply irresistible. In this case, then the cherry is the Tribal and the Scheherezade is the Häagen Dazs.

This pretty well sums up why Tribal is such a meaningful (should I say) congress to me. Tribal is what music camps are all about. It is the core and heart for the source of FUN. We didn't go to Tronoh and INTEKMA just merely to sit at our desks and play like robots. The MPYO 9am-9pm rehearsals are some serious shit, for how about the time from 9.01pm to 8.59am and the breaks in between? Don't tell me you're going to stick around in your room practicing your Violin, blowing your Horn or playing your organ. Now, even if everyone joined MPYO merely for the music experience, it doesn't matter. Because that is their definition for FUN. But in Tribal, we all share a different perspective towards FUN. It's about socializing and meeting new friends (and chicks, maybe).

Why Adelyn Loves Camp

2007-06-12T20:48:00.000+08:00

Looks like Tiki's the only one who's blogged so far. Camp posts. Reading those posts brings me back to camp. And the most recent camp now feels like a freaking lifetime ago.

Like I've mentioned to a few people before, every time before camp I'll feel the pain of being away for my friends for the entire duration of camp. Yes, you're getting to know this first hand. Although I am highly aware of the amount of fun that I'll have during camp, it doesn't compensate for the fact that I'm going to be away from the usual set of friends at school/home/usual life.

But it all changes when I am at camp. It's fun fun fun!! And I am then sucked into a dream I never want to wake up from. Camp is a dream. It's an escape from responsibilities, pressure, the horrible schoolmates of yours to an escapade of something bliss. It's a week full of nothing but making music together, laughter, enjoying the company of friends and not to mention... agong's face. Oh yes, did I mention the strain of staying awake during daytime rehearsals(all because we stay up FAR too late at night) and only to find that when the clock hits 9pm, we become all alert?

And then I don't want to leave.

I don't want to go back to the hectic life of school, exams and studying.

Why? Simply because Tribal makes camp fun. It may seem a bit clique-ish, but I suppose it's our quiet comfort(to some extent) to know that we've got each other's backs. And yes, even if distance is a problem, we have those occasional Tribal convos online - brings back the fun we had during camp into our daily routine.

You know what? I don't care if this sounds like a sappy post...

but...

I love Tribal, the people in it. I love camp, because of the people there. You guys rock my world.