Busy Sia...

It has been almost a month that I didn't blog. I was extremely busy with a lot of matters which i cannot leave them un-done! Also, many events took place, some of them are quite significant to me and I wanted to update here with pics, but I guess I'll have to do it next time since loading the pics take time. So for now i'll just blog about the things that happened to me for the past one month. Stay tune for pictures update. Wahahaa!


I was helping a good friend for her wedding on 12 Jan, mainly with the song that the couple sang and the music for their wedding montage.


I was very touched during the making! Guess what, we were rushing for the montage till 2am on the eve of the big day. Keke!


And then, for almost everyday, I turned up at OB for training. I've learn to push myself to work under stress and pressure. I think I gained a lot during these period. And I want to quote this old saying, which I personally find it very meaningful.

"努力不一定成功，不努力一定不成功"

The friends from OB! WenHan, Aki, ZhiYuan & Me!




25 Jan was my farewell dinner. I officially ended my 6 years Senior Tech career on 1st Feb and move on with life. It was a big step for me and I knew had to do it for my future and passion. There is no regret but I was uncertain about what will be coming my way. However, life is like a gamble. No pain, no gain! So I cheong...

Anyway, we had 3 tables for the dinner and I took photo with everyone who turned up.



And not forgetting to mention Joe gege... He's my mentor and good brother who has helped me alot and taught me alot. Joe gege played a very important role during my 6 years service. I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to him!



For all that you know, I really love the Converse Bag and Adidas Shoe.




After the dinner, a few of us went Kbox. Aiyo, I will definately miss all my brothers... *Sob*

Oh ya, the bill for the karaoke was expensive. It was a package with comes with 2 Jeff Chang concert tickets.




I took up a few performances before Chinese New Year arrives, not much revenue earned though. Also, I recorded a song for Mediacorp serial, not sure if I'll get selected... wish me good luck! There were some job interview which I went so that I can start working after my CNY holiday trip. I can't be loitering for long without working... not used to it, also I cannot keep spending without income.

Me, HuiXin & WenHan as Singing Bakers for Breadtalk Show!



Me & YingZhi, photo taken during NUS 心情溶剂 performance on 03.02.2008




Ya, not forgetting to mention that I wrote a cute song last month... something to do with shopping, it has been loaded here, check it out :)

The week before CNY, I was struggling between going to OB and coming home to spring clean the house at night... it was super tiring for me.

During CNY, I went for holiday trip with my family. It was quite cold, around 10 degree celsius... but still I enjoyed myself. Let's take a look at the pics taken from GuangZhou, ShenZheng & Macau!

Eating ice-cream in cold weather, the ice-cream felt warm down my stomach :)




Great place for shopping manz... 上下九步行街 at GuangZhou!




Nice scenary at ShenZheng!





This is actually an indoor shopping mall at Macau!




Also from ShenZheng, watching a live performance in the theatre. The show has international standard especially the background effect.





Finally when I was back in Singapore, I had to slowly blend into my busy schedule! First of all, V-Day with my princess. So glad I'm able to spend time with her on this special day <3




16 Feb, I went for the Millionaire Singing Contest, which origin from Taiwan. I didn't prepare my song well and fared quite badly. However, it was nice to see familiar faces during the contest.




And I started work on 18 Feb. My day job is a salesman selling Fuji Xerox products, which they call people like us sales consultant or solution consultant! Well, job for a living! Nevertheless, I had to go back to OB as and when required.

24 Feb, I was at JJ's event at Bugis. It was so hot and sunny. I took some photos. Will share it with you guys, ok?






Then, I spent the rest of the day with my lovely princess and I wrote a song (verse and bridge only)... Hope to complete it soon!



Tomolo is a working day for me... besides working, I have to make some planning for the new band which is starting this week. That's the main thing I'm looking forward for now!

Kick start quickly, here I come!

Last day of class...

We are a group student selected from Very Singer 4th batch. The course lasted for around one year and was officially announced that the lesson on 23 Jan is our last lesson. Initially I was thinking everything will come to an end at certain stage and there is nothing to be sad about. In fact, I told my classmates that we can always meet up because Singapore is such a small country. Even Shize encourage us that this ending is good because it symbolised that we have graduated!

In the class, our young Ferlyn started to go around hugging everyone. She even called Chris over the phone to tell him about the issue, soon after she cried... I felt sad also... she affected my emotion and I felt as sad as she is. This is the second time i have this kind of feeling. First time was for my VS5 class and now history repeats itself.

Chris came over after work and we rehearse for a show while waiting for Ferlyn (dance class). After that we went for dinner... Ferlyn said it was the last dinner... Aiyo!

Anyway now i already miss the class, the people, the moments, KL trip, our performances and our meet-ups. I guess i will never forget this period of my life because everything that happened has brought me special memories.

All the best for all my classmates, you guys and gers are wonderful!

With love from HuanJie <3

Recommendations

That day my teacher was encouraging me and a friend to read up a book called Power Performance for Singers: Transcending the Barriers written by Shirlee Emmons. So, I went to the National Library to look for it. There are only two books, one located at Esplande being reserved and the other one is for reference only. Since it is unavailable at the moment, I came back and did some research from internet.

I have not started reading it, but I thought its quite good info for all of you!

There you go...


Preview available at:
Power Performance for Singers: Transcending the Barriers

About the author: Shirlee Emmons


Next I wanna introduce you a DVD, mainly on acoustic guitar performance. Its called Guitar Nights, proudly presents The Four Martins - Juan Martin, Martin Simpson, Martin Carthy, Martin Taylor.

I brought it at Gramophone, The Cathay for S$12.95. Its really a great price for DVD.



All the 4 players has superb guitar skill, you may want to check them out at YouTube, just type any of their name and you'll find it. Enjoy!

Gears that I use...

Just to share what gears I use for music with you guys. All these are stored in my room and they have served me well so far...

First of all my jamming kits!


These are my two electric guitars and my two amps, right beside my PC. Normally I would just play a track from winamp and start jamming my electric...



Cherry Red Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Fender Stratocaster, which I got during SweeLee year end sales at 50% discount. That day, I started queuing around 5am and waited till 1pm before I could get into the shop. Super crazy, but worth it!



This lovely Epiphone Les Paul Goldtop was ordered from Japan with the help from my ex-band leader. Its warm tone and sustain is simply sweet!



BOSS GT-8 Multi-effect. I was using analog pedal all the while when i finally switched to GT-8. Well, I was trying to experiment different stuff, there are pros and cons between the two...


Oh well, let's see my previous DIY analog effects... SOLD!



I also have this "Dream of Lifetime" acoustic guitar, which I will settle for permanent - 1996 Taylor 514C





Next is this second hand YAMAHA PSR E403 keyboard from a softie for practice, don't really know how to play!



Next, are stuff I use for composing :)


Creative Prodikeys PC MIDI, it is non-comparable to a midi controller, but for fast assess from PC, especially for people like me who doesn't have a midi controller readily set up, I think its still alright!


Last but not least, my BMB Karaoke Mic and normal PC headphone for recording purpose.


That's almost all that I use for music, I don't really have complicated device, just a simple PC recording setup to keep things going. Of course, I'll be upgrading my stuff whenever possible! Cheers!

About Me - HuanJie

Thanks for reading! For those who are interested, this post is a brief introduction about myself.


I'm graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic and have been working as a technician for the past 6 years. Finally I decided to change my job and 2008 will be a challenging year for me. All these years, music has played an important role in my life. I started off by taking part in singing competition since 1998 and had took up vocal training due to my interest in singing. Over the years, I was exposed to many performing and recording experiences which enhanced my singing capabilities. I also developed interest in musical instruments and took up guitar as my hobby. I was previously with two amateur bands, which we practice for leisure. My main role was on vocal and electric guitar. I felt that being in a band has helped me improved my musicianship. Furthermore, the experience from singing in a band is certainly different from singing in karaoke music.

During my free time, I compose songs and produce my own demos with simple PC recording setup. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with people; especially music related issues. Together with a group of friends, we compose songs and share our thoughts.

For me, music is an on-going thing. I hope to meet up with people with the same interest as me and make music more "happening" in local scene.

Hereby, I dedicate this blog to all music lovers and hope i can keep it going :)

A Brand New Year 2008!

These few days has been busy for me. I was busy preparing my portfolio which I wanted to do it since last year December. Guess what, this blog is also part of my plan. I intend to create a blog, to focus on music related stuff and a little bit about myself, and share with everyone. I have to thank my girlfriend who helped me a lot. She's my cute and pretty IT genie!

Well, I will be jobless from 1st Feb onwards. However, I've not slack in looking for a job and I believe everything is on the right track. Will be updating my "new job" to all of you soon!

Meanwhile, a belated Happy New Year and wish all of you Happy Chinese Lunar New Year in advance!

I will be posting something about myself in the next post for people who doesn't know me :)