August 2010 update

Back in Singapore for the 1-week school holidays! Last week was exam week, so I've been trying to catch up on sleep and getting back my life lately... :) Not that I dreaded the exams or anything; it's just the pressure to keep up a high standard for everything; Berklee requires me to achieve a minimum grade of C+ (73) in order for the particular credit module to be transferred over (I'm on the Berklee Transfer Programme, for the unaware - read my previous post). So besides the exams (and the first-ever Youth Olympic Games and National Day Parade 2010 in Singapore that I missed), here's a little summary of the key happenings in my life this past August:

1 Aug (Sun). Met college classmate Gang for shopping, lunch, and checking out of prices at Berjaya Times Square, Sungei Wang Plaza, and Low Yat Plaza. Got a free ride on the KL monorail there, which took ages to arrive due to a train fault at another station. Later that evening, got a taste of the wonderful local Malaysian home/hospitality :) dinnered and bunked over at Gang's...

2 Aug (Mon). Chilled out with college friends at Alexis Telawi bar @ Bangsar, where they were having an open jazz jam session. Realized that the local jazz/music scene was more happening than I thought!

6 Aug (Fri). After the usual Friday Performance held in the college's Recital Hall, we had a Student Council Meeting along with wacky icebreaker games... I should have left the college earlier though; I ended up missing my 7.30pm bus to Singapore even after taking a cab (which got stuck in a horrible traffic jam). I ended up taking an 8.30pm Transtar First Class Solitaire bus at RM95 back - great food, drinks, movies (personal entertainment screen), blankets, and service onboard the double-decker coach (I was 1 of only 2 passengers onboard that night =.=").

7 Aug (Sat). Back in Singapore for the National Day weekend... Checked out audio gear/music books at Sim Lim Square and Yamaha @ Plaza Singapura. Many thanks to Erica for the invitation to that night's concert: the Singapore Chinese Orchestra (SCO)'s Opening Gala - Jazz You Up with Jeremy Monteiro. Later that night, caught up with polytechnic friend Prinsten at Timbre@Substation. Headed back up to KL the next day.

9 Aug (Mon). Caught Singapore's National Day Parade 2010 webcast in KL!

13 Aug (Fri). First performance in college during our traditional weekly "Friday Performance": I performed Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" with a violinist, and played brass section on keyboard for Lennise's performance of "Alfie".

20 Aug (Fri). Had dinner at Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) and chilled out with college mates... watched funny YouTube clips with the free wi-fi available and laughed till we nearly died at some hilarious/sadistic clips... especially Tickle-Me-Elmo being burnt! Later, enjoyed the live lounge music at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and cam-whored (took many distorted/funny photos with Apple's Photo Booth application). More crazy photos on my Facebook album.

25 Aug (Wed). ICOM's Night Out @ Solaris Mont Kiara's Canon Celebrities Club - a night where the college and generous members of the public (RM20 entrance fee) got together to raise funds in aid of Pakistan; all proceeds went directly to Mercy Malaysia to aid the flood victims. It was definitely an inspiring night as the senior students inspired the freshmen with their groovy, professional renditions of original and cover songs.

27 Aug (Fri). Played for Jenn's epic arrangement of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star during the "Friday Performance".

28 Aug (Sat). Tried Nando's for the first time at its Petaling Street, KL outlet. Amazing chicken and peri-peri sauce!

31 Aug (Tue). Happy 53rd Merdeka (Independence Day) Malaysia!