An Amazing Week
This week was, surreal.I worked with two fantastic seniors; Lynette and Amaury. Somehow I managed to double-booked them, but they were cool about it and everything turn out great. Lynette was very patient with me, and Amaury was a scream. I never met a postdoc that could use all his facial muscles, and he has a pretty advanced cerebral cortex residing about his neck at the same time. I finally understand what a MALDI-TOF is. Mein Gott.
Tuesday evening was spent running through Kent Ridge Park. It was at a new speed, and I felt a new runner's rush again. Perhaps the 15km from the previous week did the trick.
Wednesday and Thursday evening was spent at Ms Jeong's preparing for Liederabend on Friday. I couldn't sound on top form, but the rest were like wow. =) I love Der Musensohn (Schubert) piece especially; think I'm gonna try it soon. Auch Kleine Dinge (Wolf) is also very pretty. Ah, Wolf, you're the speaker of my heart now.
I was reviewing my lessons afterwards, when I suddenly grew afraid, that I couldn't give my heart to the audience. I called Ms Jeong, and sobbed. I wanted to hear her voice very much, and somehow I slept like a baby thereafter.
Friday:
Woke up at 6am, pounded the ivory keys to Bach's Bagatelle in the attempt to get the rhythm right. Ran towards Anchorvale park for about an 1 hour and just simply, enjoyed the expansive atmosphere of an open field. At every corner, there was always a heartbreaking scene-the sunshine, the soaring birds, the people. Very emo.
Somehow managed to get to church ontime for Robin's wedding. I fell asleep (due to the usual bouts of narcolepsy), but I was nevertheless moved. All the best to the newly-weds.
Had an interesting conversation with Markus. I really hold that the collaborations that he had formed would fly, for these truly present opportunities for the willing. If lipidomics find a new breakthrough in SGP, we would have him to thank for.
The weekly thematic was pleasant, and I hope that Conrad's antibody would be truly successful as a diagnostic for TB. He has worked hard for it, and I hope God would reward him for that.
In the middle of the meeting, my phone rang, and "Ms Jeong" popped up on the screen. I promptly called her back.
"Yes Ms Jeong? I'm in the middle of a meeting, but what can I do for you?"
Her lilting laughter resonanated over the phone. "Yan ting, no I don't have anything for you to do, but did you sleep well last night?"
"Yes I did. =)"
"Good, ok see you later."
A quick final warmup at CFA at 5:00pm, and off I was to Yong Siew Toh for the recital.
It was heartwarming to see everyone so beautiful: Moira, Anisa, Jonathan, David, Brendan, Daniel, Xiang Ting, Rebecca, and of course, Ms Jeong and Ms Shao Suan. David commented that my hairdo looked like something about of the Nyonya era. I almost died of laughter. =) I love him with all my heart.
Rene almost gave me a heart attack by suddenly popping up. It was nice to see him nevertheless.
Then, the recital began, and everyone gave their all to the audience. I made a rhythmic mistake at "Erwartung", but Ms Shao Suan seamlessly recomposed the music and fitted in the accompaniment, like silk on baby's bum. I was so happy, that I kissed her twice on the forehead thereafter.
Unfortunately I didn't do my technical best overall, and I am awaiting to hear from Ms Jeong. But everyone else were tops, and that's what matters. And everyone was impressed by the program notes; that I really have Daniel and Brendan to thank for writing the excerpts on the composers and Lied as a genre.
But the evening would not have been smooth without the help from Janani, Jonathan (the other tenor. =)), and Shaun. Janani came to help despite jet lag. I owe her a big hug.
We managed took a new "Family Photo" that evening as well; hope that we could load it up on JARs really soon!
Then, Rene and I went to Suntec for a short drink. It was fun talking to him.
Thereafter I ran off to Conrad to savour the last dish from Robin's dinner menu; a savoury mango pomelo dessert. I got to know the girls from "heaven" (upstairs level 4) much better i.e Xueli, Angie, Mrs P., as well as another colleage whose no longer with us. I got to chat a little with Guan Hou, Con, Hui Min....Ah the list is endless. At the stroke of 11, I dragged the two remaining girls at my table to the dance floor, just to be silly for a while. I saw many lovely couples; Anne and Phillip, Lukas and Arleen, Lynette and her beau, Amaury and of course, the lovely Staycie, with whom I had a short but impressionable exchange. She's a girl with big heart. =)
At that point, I thought to myself; I suppose that in parts, the honing of my singing craft was in celebration of such love and union.
Then I had to do a commando-like change out of the performance gown and ran to Brewerks, to find my loves, my teacher and beloved co-performers for the night. I spilt water on Jonathan and Ms Jeong in careless (very sorry) about that, but all's well ended well.
Shared a cab with David, Janani and Jonathan. And somehow I decided to drop off at an unusual spot.
As I walked home, I lifted my head and saw the cross on top of St Anne's church. Thank you Father. Again, you have seen me through the week and the day. I was crying, inside, with joy and sadness at the same time. Inexplicable.
I thank all, who have supported me in ways unseen, both in lab, at home, and even with transport (such as Uncle Fabian). Without you, I would not have the privillege to hold on onto my passion(research) and my love(music).
Thank you, from the deepest from my heart. Grüsst euch, aus Herzensgrund.
posted by irritatingz.blogspot.com @ 1:37 AM
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