To stay or not to stay

This is definitely the toughest decision to make to date!

To stay or not to stay…that has to be based on what is offered?

Option 1 is where I was given lots of opportunities to grow, to develop, to experiment, and to earn so much of love and friendship for the past 8 years ++, and a place where I spent a quarter of my life and the entire of my career at, a place where I call home in KL. Here, I have a very supportive and appreciative boss, a great team of colleagues to path every journey with, a pool of talented and respectful students to work with, and a place that allows my creativity and talents to be exercised to the max. I have a track record here. I can get things done easier here because of the people I knew. I am familiar with the place, the process and the people here. I will be very engaged and enabled here, hence can perform to my best ability because I am effective. I think I belong here. To leave all my memories behind is a painful act.

But, what will I be getting into if I choose to stay? I still have not gotten the answers to all my uncertainties – What position am I offered? Will I be able to bring PC to the national level as a branding exercise for the company? What is my career prospect and advancement in the next 5 years? What is my future here? I need some solid indications to help me make my decision. I asked my close friends for their views, of course they all wanted to convince me to stay. I asked my family for advice, and I was told to follow what my instinct tells me to. My heart is asking me to stay but my brain is not. So, which organ controls the instinct formation? I am still in that battle, wishing a little push, or pull from either side. Who said having more options is good? It’s not when the options are indistinctively comparable. What about the other option?

Option 2 recognised my capability and offered me a position in the senior managerial level. And this offer allows me to leave my current job to expand my network to a greater level. I can do so much now…Or should I say that it was this offer that brought in the other offer from my current employment? This is indeed a dilemma I am in now. This option opened my mind to the corporate world. I am entrusted to handle a few big projects and execute the ideas of my boss. But, I do not actually enjoy being just an executer that much if I do not contribute anything in the process of creativity and brainstorming session. I don’t think I am a runner. I think I can do much more that running errands. I think I am a lot more better than a chore taker. I need to be able to lead, to practise my creativity and to contribute significantly to the growth of the company, both tangibly or intangibly. However, if set aside, this option only provides a bigger platform for me to work with people other than students and teachers. I will be able to work with other directors, celebrities, etc. Is this very crucial to my career advancement? Are meeting people like this and the experience I acquire along the journey fundamentally vital to champion my area of expertise and to move me up the corporate ladder? What if I have a boss who is very task-oriented instead of people-oriented; bluntly straight forward instead of tactfully sensitive; dominantly bossy instead of receptive of varied ideas and possibilities? Will I be able to adapt to such working environment and to stretch myself to such inflexibility and accommodation? Should I reconsider Option 1?

I need one week to decide!

MY CHALLENGE 2011

The seven Challenges introduced in 2011
01 English Solo Singing | 02 Duet/Group Singing | 03 Modern Dancing
04 Photography | 05 Short Film | 06 Drama | 07 Band

The official logo of MY CHALLENGE 2011
tagline: where stars are born!

This is already the second week of school visits. The Challenge Committee is visiting schools in the Klang Valley led by 3 team leaders. Team A is managed by our Producer, while Team B and C are in-charged by the Production Manager and Project Manager, respectively. To date, the committee has visited schools in PJ, Damansara, Kepong, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Cheras, Setapak, Ampang, etc....each team is accompanied by 2 to 3 other members of the Challenge Committee. This is not something that we love doing on a regular basis, if given a choice, although it is not a dirty job neither. We love to share the concept of MY Challenge to other people and explain the mechanics of this mega competition to those who are interested.

Sometimes, I wonder whether it is, or it is not a blessing to study in government school, or should I say without having the chance to experience life in a private school, students will not be able to distinguish and compare the differences. Some of the 'Pengetua' (principal in Malay) are really not supportive of the performing arts at all. Before the team can even open our mouth, they already closed their mind. I pity the students who are studying in these schools.

Generally, the achievement of a school really depends a lot on how the Pengetua manages it and the vision/direction of the Pengetua. In some cases, the teachers should take the blame when it comes to encouraging the students to discover their talents. Due to the amount of workload, we understand that teachers will not like to be involved in other things besides the routine school work. This is so contradicting! We know something is wrong with the education system but we are all living in denial by not accepting the fact that out education system is not holistic at all! But are we doing something about it??!!

For those who are so supportive, you will be part of the small little steps to make a giant leap! One day we will be able to achieve it! Together, we will create miracles!

Birds of the Same Feather Flock Together

When I learned this idiom 20 years ago, I thought it means that people with similar interests will stick together. But it gives me a different experience lately while I was preparing for MY Challenge 2010.

Many people have always reminded and cautioned me to not recruit part-timers in any of my productions simply because they will not be fully committed to the job assigned to them. I disagree because I always believe if we really want to do something, regardless of whether the job is big or small, or whether we already have a full-time 9 to 5 job, we will do our best. Therefore, I do not mind working with part-timers if they are really good. I mean I do not mind working with very good part-timers. To avoid misunderstanding, I always give the person the benefit of adult during the interview before I recruit them into the team. I will tell them the job descriptions and what I expect of them. I will also give them the task sheet and the deadline when the tasks must be completed. As leaders in their very own departments, they are expected to not only follow my direction and instructions, I also expect them to propose a detailed progress plan for the departments. They then have to monitor the progress and report to me weekly so that I know what they are doing falls in the compliance of the event direction. I also want to see follow ups being done as this is not only a way that they communicate with their team or external partners involved, it is also to gauge whether the plan works or not.

I am very proud and blessed to have so many ex-students to volunteer to help out in my recent production. Besides that, I am also very lucky to have recruited some other people to manage certain areas for me. I have been working with Pang and Hew since previous productions and have since developed some mutual understandings on how certain things work. I have definitely no complaints when it comes to working with them. To the new recruits, it will take them some time to get used to my style and expectations. Meetings have been conducted to explain the preparations and event direction for the production, and everyone was expected to carry out the tasks assigned with immediate attention. It is therefore very disappointing to discover that some of the team members are not enthusiastic and/or proactive enough to handle these assignments.

Before I put the blame on others, I shall look at myself in front of the mirror first. Have I not monitored my team close enough, or have I not given them enough training nor clear instructions of what I expect of them? I shall give them a last chance. In this coming meeting, I will remind everyone again what I expect of them. If they can't cope after this, I have no choice but will have to ask them to leave the team. I have no time to babysit such people or to handle such emotional situations. I would rather spend time doing it myself than chasing after people to get the work done for me.

I have plans to form my own dream team for future productions, I only want efficient, capable and committed leaders in my team, nothing else. Are you the one?

Logo of Hotlink MY CHALLENGE

Since the day I met up with The Star, things have been going on fine, better than I expected.

Celeb Image Gallery has agreed to be our image, make-up partner by taking care of all the models during the photo shoot. They will also sponsor the winners with make-up courses. Most importantly, Josephine from Celeb Image also introduced the boss of Dragonfly Studio to allow our photo shoot to be done in his studio. He also allows us to use the facilities in the studio at Bandar Sunway.

Today, I went to KDU University College to meet Dr Chia and Mrs Chan. It was again another fruitful meeting, where we managed to drag in Pat Chua from PCB to understand the concept of MY CHALLENGE and to see how KDU Education Group can benefit from this collaboration. I expected The Star to give me a call today but later did I know that they have postponed their meeting with the COO to next Monday. I told Ann Marie that this has ruined my weekends. Until I meet The Star again, I will have to make sure that everything is still moving. Mrs. Chan and Datin will be going with me to meet The Star next time. I am so looking forward to the meeting next week.

Taking MY CHALLENGE to greater heights

It has been a very exhausting week but definitely very fulfilling. I spent many days nailing down the details of the competition with my team, fine-tuning on the design work of our marketing collaterals and meeting more sponsors and business partners. It's not easy to be both the producer and director of a mega-event like MY Challenge, especially when you are also working for a regular Monday to Thursday part-time/full-time job. I am doing my best to cope, dividing my time among various tasks, prioritising the crucial assignments from the urgent ones, meeting all deadlines, etc..

Today is the first Monday of April and I was meeting The Star to discuss the collaboration opportunities for MY Challenge. I was meeting all the top guns in The Star including their Group General Manager, Calvin Kan, Managing Editor, June Wong, Head of Advertisement Sales, Chua, together with my best friend, Ann Marie. The meeting went on smoothly with some questions directed to us while we were explaining the concept of the competition. I guess, from their expression and gestures, they love the idea - the idea of having a multitude of events under a grand championship, giving an opportunity to so many people to shine! June and Ann shared with the rest how they see their children developed over the years by joining the competitions. I was very appreciative of their generous remarks and supportive comments. That makes working for Paramount Championship something worthwhile. The sweat, the tears, the frustrations, the sleepless nights......I sincerely hope that we can work with The Star as I see that these are great people who will help bring MY Challenge to greater heights.

I pray to GOD.....to decide the best for us.....Amen...

Hotlink MY Challenge 2011

After years of working for Paramount Championship, it has finally come to this stage where I can fulfill my dream in bringing the competition to an inter-school level, something that I always wanted but would never dare to dream about...I believe in this dream, a dream that will come true one day but I realise that this dream can only become a reality if someone shares the same vision as I do...

Along the way, I have had the opportunities to work with so many people. Many great individuals have helped me to become who I am today. It is so strange that when I wanted to write something about MY Challenge, what I can think of is to thank all these great people who have extended help and support to me over the years.

First of all, I must thank Mrs. Lee for being there for me when I first set foot into the teaching profession. She took care of me and was like a mother to an impulsive, ambitious young man. I thank her for showing me what a caring and responsible teacher should be like and will always see her as my Head Teacher!

Secondly, I am indebted to Mrs. Chan, my boss, my mama, my mentor, my advisor, and most of all my good friend. She is the most intelligent and capable woman I have ever met on Earth. I am not trying to pull her legs as I don't think she will ever read my blog :) but you must work with/for her long enough to discover this truth. Over the past 8 years of working with her, I learned so many invaluable experiences from the events that she entrusted me to do, and she has given me so many opportunities to do what I love to do. P&A Nite, Paramount Championship, Performance Club, Prom The Musical, Shine a teen musical will never be a reality if she didn't say YES in the first place when I proposed to her. And, this year, she is so supportive of MY Challenge and has been giving me lots of advice on how Sri KDU can help make this a great success. Sri KDU is not only the host school for this year's Hotlink MY Challenge, but KDU College is also kind enough to sponsor some scholarships to the winners. For that, I thank Mrs. Chan...thank you Mrs. Chan! I will not let you down! May god always shower His blessings to you, and your family...

I always believe in the positive effects of synergy. Therefore, I am always looking out for partnership opportunities with great individuals. Pang is the greatest gentleman I have ever met in my life. He is not only a very generous person, he is also a very supportive friend and someone you can count on in every single way. I know I have said this many many times, but every time I say it, I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Thank you brother, thank you so much for whatever you have done for me...the support, the advice, the encouraging sms, the pad on my shoulders....thank you for still having me to share Mentor with you although I do almost nothing to help bloom the centre. In fact, if you need anything from me, you may just ask as I will always be there, just as you will never say no whenever I need help. Thank you and may our brotherly friendship last forever! God bless you always.

Talking about MY Challenge, it has never been an easy task from the very start. I still remember the conversation I had with Minder at a restaurant in Damansara Perdana last December. I was telling Minder how we can start a project together and to bring Paramount Championship to the next level and she was thrilled with the idea because she also shares the same vision as I do. Ever since then, Minder and I had been working very hard in meeting up with sponsors, drafting and finalising the competition model, writing to potential partners, recruiting our team....etc etc etc....well, I am putting etc etc because it was really a lot of work to follow up especially when you are dealing with sponsors. Trust me, no one would want to do this if it's not because of the passion and the love for the performing arts. I must say that if it's not because of Minder, I won't be able to endure the frustrations and challenges I face everyday. She is always the positive one to tell me that things will work out eventually. Whatever happens, it happens for a GOOD reason. It's because of this GOOD reason that I am still pushing it and believing in what we are doing is going to open doors to greater adventures...She is my pillar of strength in this project, she is a great friend, someone I can trust and someone I treasure for life...thank you Minder, thank you for everything! I know one day, you will be very successful! Wish you all the best with your PR company!

Talking about great individuals, I must take a moment to list down all of them here (not including my family members as I always love them no matter what)....Mark, Geraldine, Chee Wei, Cheng Choo, Shan, Hew, Jacinta, Ann Marie, Ms Chuah, Becky, Mei Kay, Sharon, Maggie, Arzon, Karen, Azlina, Pui Li, Andrew, Janice, Chris, Colin, Yen Szu, Wei Han, Melissa, Adrian, Sebastian, Shirley, etc...and my PC family, my beloved children, thank you for your trust, support and help over the years...thank you.

For MY Challenge, I am meeting many new faces whom I believe will add positive energy to the team I already have. I am very sure that this partnership will take the project to great heights. I look forward to working with Elroy, Victor, Brandon, Soo Lee, Shyen, etc...I also would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors for your great support - Allan and his team from Hotlink, Elaine and Mei Yuen from OXY, Mr Low and his team from Proton, Kadri from Coke, Ivy from PUMA, June and Ann Marie from The Star, Gordon and Nitha from Galaxie....the list shall not stop just here....

Let us work together to make Hotlink MY Challenge a revolutionary success to all those who are involved this year!

Hotlink MY Challenge, where stars are born!

烂片一套

我终于在今年看了一套非常非常烂的烂片！

原本以为这会是一套很搞笑、而且富有娱乐性的电影，所以就兴致勃勃地和友人去看，而且还是半夜场哦！没想到竟然是看了一套比烂片还要烂的片！刚开场的20分钟还算okay的，我还会报以笑声，毕竟是港片嘛。但越看就觉得越不对劲，我的笑声从开始时的从容不迫，到最后连嘴角动也不动的，看了我的朋友一眼，知道彼此都有着被骗进戏院的感觉。烂导演竟然为了要加插一些他以为很好笑的桥段而随意‘盗用’了几部千万元制作的电影如Titanic、赤壁、等优秀的作品。试问有谁会享受再花钱或几个小时的时间再重看这些已经很经典的场面呢？编剧的手法也不见得很高明，一些烂对白加上一些烂演技、烂桥段和烂制作，简直比烂草莓奖还要烂，我真的忍不住要吐血，颁个烂屎狗屁奖给导演和最烂屎狗屁男演员奖给郑中基。

如果你们不相信的话，请到戏院买票自己见证一下吧，到时别说我没有提醒你们哦！当我看到几乎脑冲血时(火冒上几重天了)，我看看左右的邻居，他们无不打瞌睡、擦眼睛、把身体辗转坐立不安的，有的甚至也已经睡着了。当片尾音乐一响起，有的观众简直好像从灾难中逃出生天似的，急于无奈地冲了出去，头也不回，也不理会后续的剧情或花絮镜头了。我的奉劝是大家请连7块钱的翻版VCD钱也省下吧，去吃一碗asam laksa还会把大便大出来，看了这套烂片，你可能‘谷’到几天几夜都便秘啊！

KUO LAO YEH！

This is what I have been longing for

The CNY break is finally over! It's time to open up my files to continue what I left off before the break. I went to UM and discovered that my 16 tissue culture jars with the tobacco plantlets are growing alright, with one contamination. It was pretty encouraging considering that I have not been doing tissue culture for the past 9 years.

I still have the skills! That was what popped up my mind.

I quickly checked the procedures as I needed to make more media for the sub-culturing. This time, I made some stock solutions which to me was a complete tedious process. No wonder companies came up with cocktail recipe for MC media, I appreciate that a lot!

However, I felt like a handicap in the lab I used to managed 9 years ago. I needed to autoclave some scalpels and forceps, etc...but I don't any spared ones. This is frustrating as we used to share the apparatus among members of the lab. Time has changed, so did the people working in the lab. I don't blame anyone, it's the survival of the fittest theory. We need to survive, thus we need to think of ways to survive. One way is to protect ourselves before we lose out to the others. The only way to be protective is to be more selfish. Being selfish will never let a scientist progress in this field of modern science and technology.

Do I need to follow their foot steo or stand firm but be isolated?

I am an idiot?

You never know what an ordinary plastic bag can do when you are in need!

As I was about to leave the changing room after a 30-lap morning swim on a Saturday morning, my NIKE slipper finally broke after 5 years of owning it....well, this is not my point although it's really worth the money spent with my NIKE slipper. I was literally trapped in the changing room or I will have to walk to my car which was about metres away bare-footed. I quickly checked if I have any string to tie the slipper back, but I was disappointed to only find a plastic bag that I used to keep my shampoo and swimming trunk.

I tried to make a knot, yes, by using the plastic bag, between the slit on the base of my slipper to the 'tongue' of the slipper so that it will be intact for me to wear my foot in. Yes, I managed to get into my car and to my apartment with that transformed slipper. I don't think anyone could explain how the slipper looked like after the transformation..but who cares...the point is plastic bag is very useful!

If you have any other funny experience recycling your plastic bags, please share it with me...coz we are both idiots! :)

The 8th Annual BOH Cameronian Arts Awards Nominees

Musical Theatre caterogy

1. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ENSEMBLE

• Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• "We Go Together" in Prom, the Musical; written by Geraldine Philips, musical direction by Sebastian Kor, directed by Zachary Wong, Geraldine Philips & Edward Ong; presented by FUSS LD Sdn Bhd

2. BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC

• Douglas Lim & Pacai for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Imee Ooi for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions

3. BEST ORIGINAL BOOK AND/OR LYRICS

• Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac for Cuci, the Musical; musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Ho Lin Huay for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions

4. BEST LIGHTING DESIGN

• Ee Chee Wei for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• Ee Chee Wei for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Lim Ang Swee for Prom, the Musical; written by Geraldine Philips, musical direction by Sebastian Kor, directed by Zachary Wong, Geraldine Philips & Edward Ong; presented by FUSS LD Sdn Bhd

5. BEST SET DESIGN

• David Wong for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• Melissa Teoh for Prom, the Musical; written by Geraldine Philips, musical direction by Sebastian Kor, directed by Zachary Wong, Geraldine Philips & Edward Ong, presented by FUSS LD Sdn Bhd
• Raja Maliq for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd

6. BEST CHOREOGRAPHER

• Chan Soo Leng, Michele Yong & Lee Swee Keong for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• Stephen Rahman Hughes for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd

7. BEST MUSICAL DIRECTION

• Imee Ooi for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• Rudi Muhamad for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd

8. BEST DIRECTOR

• Ho Lin Huay for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• Zachary Wong, Geraldine Philips & Edward Ong for Prom, the Musical; written by Geraldine Philips, musical direction by Sebastian Kor, presented by FUSS LD Sdn Bhd
• Dato' Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd

9. BEST SOUND DESIGN

• Adam Sofian for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Alvin Koh for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions

10. BEST COSTUME DESIGN & MAKEUP

• Azmi bin Jaffri & MAC Team for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Caren Yee, Charles Jong & Kenzo Tuan for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• Noor Azlina Sarikudin for Prom, the Musical; written by Geraldine Philips, musical direction by Sebastian Kor, directed by Zachary Wong, Geraldine Philips & Edward Ong, presented by FUSS LD Sdn Bhd

11. BEST PERFORMANCE IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

• Adibah Noor for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Paulway Chew for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions
• Ramli Hassan for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd

12. BEST PERFORMANCE IN A LEADING ROLE

• AC Mizal for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Awie for Cuci, the Musical; written by Douglas Lim, Harith Iskander & Hans Isaac, musical direction by Rudi Muhamad, directed by Dato’ Zahim Albakri & Harith Iskander, presented by Tall Order Productions Sdn Bhd
• Yang Wei Han for Prince Siddhartha, the Musical; written by Ho Lin Huay, musical direction by Imee Ooi, directed by Ho Lin Huay, presented by Musical On Stage Productions

YEAH, we got FIVE nominations! Although I don't think we would win any of these, I am already very honoured to be nominated! What surprised me was PTM was not nominated for Best Choreography :(

I was so touched

In contrast to the previous post, I was so touched and pleased watching Sammi's concert on 302!

To be honest, I was not a big fan of Sammi as I was growing up at times of Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung. To me, Sammi was a close imitation of Anita, no doubt as Sammi also idolised Anita very much. I liked listening to her songs though, but would never enjoy watching her on TV. However, when I was watching the programme the other night, there was this strange feeling that reminded me of the days when I used to listen to Sammi's songs - in the 90s! Memories flipped. I remembered how Sammi suddenly disappeared from the HK music scene after the movie Chang Hen Ge. She must have gone through a terrible time for the past 2 years and here she is, standing on stage singing to us again. I was so touched that my tears were rolling as I was singing with her. From that moment on, I think I have grown to like her more. Perhaps I was trying to see her as Anita's replacement, but frankly speaking, I don't think there is anyone who can as good as Sammi after Anita, Sally, Sandy and Faye. To me, the young singers out there in the HK music scene are too far to catch up although many of them are talented. The music industry destroys them itself.

We don't want singers as there are plenty of them out there - those who can sing, those who cannot sing, those who claim they can sing.... What we want are legends like Anita Mui. Sammi is going to be one too!

The worst musical ever

It was a groomy evening when I was sitting in the dining room watching Astro, as usual since CNY is quiet this year. I was changing channel until I stopped at 304 when it was showing AMUI Musical which was originally staged at Genting months ago. I wanted to support the musical initially but it was at Genting! The reason that I didn't go was also partly because of the lead actress who played my favourite singer at all times - Anita Mui, the legend in HK pop music industry!

To my horror, and I was glad I didn't go, the show was a disaster! She can't sing Anita's songs for nuts! She is that bad.... She can't hold a pitch right, the emotions were all so fake, her speech was unbelievably horrible, she sounded like a pasar malam ah sou than anyone else! Not only did she sound horrible, she is also DxxN FAT!!!!! Anita was never as fat as a pig! Anita was always very slim/fit. How can they get such a fat bitxx to be Anita? I used to like her when she starred in I have a date with spring, but after watching the show, I think it's time that she says farewell to the industry! I was so mad and upset watching the show, and was frowning all the way through.....shouldn't the director have some sense as to what standard they were putting on stage? Didn't they think the Malaysian audience are blind or stupid? And I think for Jia Yu to air that programme was also plain stupid!

This is the worst show I have ever seen in 2010, so far....but trust me, nothing can be worse than this one, if only you are Anita's big fan!

What are you doing?

You look so cute when you are not mad...
nei zhou meh yeh ah? I miss you so much...xiu bak tou...

The most memorable moment of 2009

Shan was having the actors doing her choreographed routine, Man, I Feel Like A Woman.

The most talented bunch of actors I've ever worked with.

It was Ian's birthday and we were singing him Happy Birthday To You.

A discussion with Melissa and Lim on set and lighting design
for the musical at a nearby cafe at 11 pm after rehearsals.

It was Sandra's birhtday when I was having a break in Brisbane.

It hits like Tsunami

I hate it when someone acts so immaturedly. Wasn't it the promise made that things have to be ruled out and spoken up when there were problems? Hasn't this beeing repeated for so many times in the past? Why are people still committing the same crime when history has told us the consequences of it; when we already knew that it can only turn from worse to the worst? The answer could be because we are all human beings, with a fragile memory and absent-minded brain. We forgot how it hurt the last time. We tend to take advantage of it when things are going on remarkably beautiful...We take advantage of that!

It was a morning when I didn't need the alarm clock to wake me up even on a gloomy morning. When everyone was still asleep due to the nice weather, I woke up early, being a bit depressed! Well, I am not depressed due to depression, but it was that feeling of anxiety and insecurity that had sunk in. I remember going through this the last time a few months ago, and here I am again, encountering the same problem. My heart is beating on an irregular rhythm, my mind wonders and is unable to focus....Am I asking for it?

No more need for promises, no more need for promises, you've broken all your promises to me! - a lyrics written for Tunku The Musical...

I am back

I knew that I will be back again...after a year...I shouldn't be listening to some useless advice...I've learnt...grown...to become wiser and clearer of what I want...have been busy lately with exams and tuitions...writing something...hopefully it will be completed soon...can't wait for another overseas vacation...

Brisbane Trip - 17 March 09

我愿意

http://5music.org/Text/100704/

思念是一种很玄的东西如影~随形无声又无息出没在心底转眼~吞没我在寂默里我无力抗拒特别是夜里喔~想你到无法呼吸恨不能立即朝你狂奔去大声的告诉你~愿意为你我愿意为你我愿意为你忘记我姓名就算多一秒停留在你怀里失去世界也不可惜我愿意为你我愿意为你我愿意为你被放逐天际只要你真心拿爱与我回应什么都愿意什么都愿意为你

道理

記住 anger ( 發怒 ) 與 danger ( 危險) 只差一個字

別看少這一個字
它會影響我們這份職業、甚至人際關係
正所謂「禍從口出…」
專家講:

「人，面對外人時，
總是可以表現得雍容大肚、心平氣和，
但面對自己最親近的家人，
卻往往一點小事就足以皺起眉頭，
甚至出言相傷。」

正如你永遠只對你最愛、最親的人生氣
你會對住你上司、老板生氣嗎 ?
如果形容人類是一種

「出門高E.Q ，回家低E.Q 」的動物，
我想一點兒也不誇張，
多拿出一點耐心與包容給家人吧！
否則您自己也不會快樂，不是嗎？」



曾在報上看過
英文中的stressed （壓力），與 desserts （甜點）兩字，
有很微妙的相關。是什麼相關呢？
仔細一瞧，好像沒什麼關係嘛！
可是，再看一下，咦，
Stressed 這個字從後面倒過來拼寫，不就是 desserts 嗎？

所以， 「Stressed is just desserts if you can reverse. 」

（壓力就是甜點，只要你能逆向觀看。）

哈，這真是有趣的妙論呀！
人生之中，有許多「壓力、挫折」，
但只要轉個念、換個角度看，
它也就是我們生命中的「甜點」呀！

此外，也有人說：

「人生就像一碗飯，一半是甜的，一半是苦的，
你不知道會先吃到哪一邊，但終究必須把飯吃完。」


是呀，生命有甜、有苦、有酸、也有辣；
但都必須去經歷它、走過它呀！
有一個小學老師在偏遠的鄉里教書，
這天，他來到自己班上的教室，
問班上的小朋友：「你們大家有沒有討厭的人啊」
小朋友們想了想，有的未作聲，有的則猛力地點點頭。
老師接著便發給每人一個袋子，說：
「我們來玩一個遊戲。現在大家想想看，過去這一 週，
曾有那些人得罪過你他到底做了怎麼樣可惡的事想到後，
就利用放學時間到河邊去找一塊石頭，
把他的名字給用小紙條貼在石頭上如果他實在很過份，
你就找一塊大一點的石頭，如果他的錯是小錯，
你就找一塊小一點的石頭。
每天把戰利品用袋子裝到學校來給老師看哦！」
學生們感到非常有趣且新鮮，
放學後，每個人都搶著到河邊去找石頭。
第二天一早，
大家都把裝著從河邊撿來的鵝卵石的袋子帶到學校來，
興高采烈地討論著。
一天過去了，兩天過去了，三天過去了….. ，
有的人的袋子越裝越大，幾乎成了負擔。
終於，
有人提出了抗議「老師，好累喔」老師笑了笑沒說話，
立刻又有人接著喊：
「對啊每天背著這些石頭來上課， 好累喔 」
這時，老師終於開口了，
她笑著說：「那就放下這些代表著別人過犯的石頭吧」
孩子們有些訝異，
老師又接著講：

「學習寬恕別人的過犯 ，
不要把它當寶一樣的記在心上，扛在肩上，
時間久了，任誰也受不了…」

這個星期，這班的同學上到了人生中極寶貴的一課。
袋裡裝入越多、越大的「石頭」，
心中存留越多、越深的仇恨，
所造成的負擔就越重。
假如你有寫上我名字的石頭
你應當知道該怎樣做了吧！
我很喜歡一句名諺：

「寬恕人的過失，便是自己的榮耀。」

懂得「放下」，何等自在。
請不吝分享，或許今天正有人需要它！
相愛容易相處難，婚姻與戀愛最大的不同，
就是「戀愛看的是對方的優點」 ，
而「婚姻卻是要包容對方的缺點」。
Made with ... 緣份是找到包容你的人
用心過好每一天．相信每天都是美好的一天 ；
好運會降臨在樂觀開朗的人身上!

珍惜

还有两天他就要走了，没了他在身旁，他会习惯吗？就算不习惯，也要撑着，因为这是一件值得高兴的事，高兴的，不是他要走了，而是他可以有机会到外面见识，充实自己，他真的替他感到高兴。他会适应那边冬季的寒冷天气吗？应该比这里炎热的气候来得更好吧，起码他不会汗流浃背的，就连站着也会流汗。他会适应那边的工作环境吗？应该比这里要对着他的老板和几个懒惰的同事还好吧，起码没有人有事没事的给他麻烦。他会生病吗？生病了，谁照顾他呢？生病了，谁给他买药呢？会有人帮他买吃的、用的吗？想着、想着，他就担心起来了。要好好照顾自己哦，睡觉要把棉被盖好，要准时吃饭，要喝水，要吃水果......应该不用戴bra睡了吧！

Today is definitely better than yesterday

Yesterday was a day to remember:

1) Arzon and I went to Putrajaya for the 2nd time to submit our application form formally to the Ministry. However, the officer commented that the title of the letter was not appropriate and demanded us to change it. Really FOOK (it means properity in Cantonese).

2) Rushed all the way back to Kota Damansara, getting ready to go and pick up Wei Sung before heading straight to Sg. Wang for Michael Poh's Hair Show. FOOK again as it was a massive jam since 6 pm. We were trapped along the LDP for 2 hours. There was this landslide happened at Phileo Damansara. See, the world is coming to an end as this is the consequence of Global Warming, according to Malaysian F4 Biology Text Book. I took some pics but it was already out in today's newspaper. Along the highway, I saw a kitten being crashed flat by some cars...FOOK right! I saw it happened in front of me...poor little black kitten.

3) Reached Sg. Wang when the show was almost over. Managed to catch Michael showing his skills on stage. Bravo Michael! But the photos we took were....well, go check the Jan issue of FUSS, then you know what the dot dot dot dot mean. Went home tired, passed by Chao Yang's pasar malam. I went over to do some fruit shopping as I am really a P-M-goer. Everything was fine until I reached home when I discovered that my camera was missing. Went around searching for it in the car a few times, yes a few times! SMS Wei Sung but he told me he saw it in the car on our way home. So, I shouldn't have lost in at Sg. Wang. Ghost spirit took my camera? Went to search inside the car again and FOOK, stupid thieves, they broke into my car through the passager seat and stole my camera. Stupid thieves, they didn't take my coat and the guess bag and all other belongings. Luckily I didn't bring my laptop along, otherwise I will really FOOK FOOK FOOK. Later did I find out that the new flash light for the camera that Pang bought for our photo shoots was also stolen! I lost about 3K last night. That was really a night to remember!

4) Thank God, praise the LORD our God, Jesus Christ! Arzon and I went to Putrajaya for the 3rd time today to resubmit our letter of application. Thank God, the officer was happy this time and he told us the endorsement letter for fussiCHALLENGE will be ready for us to collect next Thursday! Everybody, please pray with me that nothing goes wrong this time ok :P FOOK ALL EVIL SPIRITS!

5) When I was waiting for my car to be repaired, I met a client who is going to introduce some more business to FUSS LD. Hurray! See, never give up for FOOK indicents that happened to you for the better will come after the worst! I am happy :)

FUSS photoshoots

...this is the most gorgeous Let, FUSS Image Director...

...he is communicating with the fire ants...want a cigarette?...

...Chia taking some shots of our three young, hot and gorgeous male models...

...Sharon, a talented model, styled by the creative team, A-L-L...

...a scene during the photo shoot, anyone wants to assist us in future?...

fussiCHALLENGE 2009 got the Ministry approval

This is an extremely GREAT NEWS! FUSS LD has obtained approval from the Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia to organise the interschool competition - fussiCHALLENGE 2009! We are now in the midst of getting the endorsement letter from the ministry before we hit all the secondary schools, whether they are government or private. We plan to invite at least 30 schools to participate in the first ever fussiCHALLENGE and come on boys and girls, it's time for you to shine again, even brighter this time!

Here are the suggested events for next year's fussiCHALLENGE:

Perbahasan, Syarahan, Deklamasi Sajak, Menulis Sajak/Puisi/Syair, Mengarang, Mandarin Poetry Recital, Mandarin Debate, Mandarin Speech, Mandarin Essay Writing, Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Chess, Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Poetry Recital, Essay Writing, Poetry Writing, Choral Speaking, Public Speaking, Logo Designing, Poster Drawing, Newsletter Designing, Cover Page Designing, Chess, Culinary, Modern Jazz, Street Dance, Contemporary Dance, Cultural Dancing, Ballroom Dancing, Ballet, Belly Dancing, Solo/Duet Dancing, Solo Singing (tri-lingual), Duet Singing, Group Singing, Choir, Song Composition, Lyrics Writing, Band, Solo Instrument (piano, guitar, violin), Duet Instrument, Skit, Solo Acting, Duet Acting, Short Film, Cheerleading, Seasons Drums, Photography, etc

For more information, check out FUSS premier issue next January, your ultimate living directory...

Amber Chia's Interview

SHE is a marvellous young supermodel...I was impressed with her charismatic nature, friendly personality and confident character...All that you need to be AMBER CHIA...The interview took place at Delicious at 5.30 pm and it ended at 7.30 pm. Many people questioned whether a supermodel like Amber would be secretly 'taken care' off by some datuks...some asked whether Amber is happy with what she has now? All that will be answered in the premier issue of FUSS, your living directory!

...I will upload some pictures very soon..stay tune!