Nepalese Fellowship

Before I even left for my first trip to Nepal in 2005, I was encouraged to help out at the new Nepalese Fellowship started by Kelvin. Not that I could speak a single word or anything like that, but just the little things like preparing the av at the room they gather (since that's the one thing I sort of know best). During those time some of us also lead in the P & W.

It's been more than 3 years and 2 trips there now. It is through this fellowship I have build many strong friendships with the other volunteers. Other than the weekly meetings, we organised many other activities such as camps, volleyball games and of course Christmas Party!

We gather at the end of every year to give thanks for all that has happened and to appreciate all the volunteers for their tiredless efforts.

Mamma Mia!

I watched my very first musical today...finally!

I have always always wanted to watch musicals. Missed Cats, Fame, Sound of Music, Beauty & The Beast. Ok, I've missed everything because I gave myself too many excuses and I guess I'm just stingy.

This Christmas, I received a present to watch it. Thanks to Debbie's fiance, Hoi Hian. Apparently I'm sparing him the "torture". He couldn't stand the movie. Haha. I guess it appeals to the girls more. I enjoyed the movie so much I got my Mum to watch it with her friends as well.

I think it is not right to compare the musical and the movie. They are different in many ways. I like Meryl Streep (coz she's a brilliant actress - sings pretty well too) and Pierce Brosnan (not so much his singing but hey, how many men look that good at that age!). Plus there were magnificent sceneries in the movie.

I really like the musical. There is something about watching things live, and listening to music live. I like all the dances very much - don't really know how to describe but the way they join in to a dance, break into acting... I think it is really cool and I would think it takes lots of practice and very good choreograph. My only critique was the instruments seems to be louder than the vocals most of the time.

Since this is my 1st musical, I watched very carefully all the scene change, props movement and stage space used. Useful to see how the pros do it. I thought the backdrop was simple but very well used. Only 2 pieces that are both 2 sided on wheels. They also had 4 cyclorama screens that covers the entire stage from the audience. One was used for the opening and closing like how stage curtains are traditionally used on stage - but moves much faster! They fully utilised all cyclorama after the interval. Before the musical started, we also managed to take a quick peek at the orchestra pit. Percussion and drums were in the aquarium and everyone had their own 16 channel mixer...;-p. !

It was also very interesting how they had small tvs with a video shot of the conductor! I wondered if those on the stage could really see it. Oh, the conductor is a really really cool guy. He can conduct the orchestra, play the keyboard, cue and stand up and take photograph - ALL that during the musical! Haha.

Towards the end, people began to stand and dance. During the finale, if you don't stand, you will only be watching butts. I dunno, do people do this at musical? Is it polite? What if there is someone REALLY short behind. But I guess everyone was just too "high" to bother. It was also at the finale they lowered the lighting on stage to allow the lights to shine into the audience. Probably to give that disco effect. It was a unforgettable experience for me. :)

Dew Media Appreciation 2008

We had this year's at Friendster. The theme was 70's. So we had some fun trivia, best dressed and a little dance session at the end. It was a great time to just laugh at ourselves and EAT! Our emcee for the night was Cindy. She did an amazing job making laugh so much as well. We had so much fun we totally forgot to take a group photo! :-p

Overflowed muffins

When I was shopping for stuff to bake last week, I found this powder mix for muffins. Thought it looked easy so I bought it.

I tried baking it. I thought the recipe required excessive amount of oil, so I cut. Rebel, just can't follow the exact recipe. Haha.

Since I'm also kind of lazy to do 2 rounds and the cups looked large enough, I put quite a lot in each cup. So as I watched it baked in the oven, it ....overflowed! Hahaha. But I guess muffins should always be a little overflow from the cups right?!

;-p