Just a little bit of FAME.

I took part in this little event last Saturday. It's called "FAME" and it's an annual inter-boarding singing competition organized by ACSI Boarding and hostels all over Singapore would be invited to become a part of this. I actually wrote a super dooper long post about the whole journey but I decided not to publish it 'cause I really don't wanna bore you to tears. So yeah... that'll remain sitting amongst my other drafts; now's time for a new beginning. :)

FAME 2010 :D

First things first -- I wanna say this (like I've said a thousand times on Tweeter/Facebook 'cause I just can't seem to say it enough):

FAME was an amazing experience, albeit taxing with all the other things I had to juggle with (like studies, tennis and relationship issues).

Anywhos, yeah... I've learnt sooo much collaborating with Elys and Boyle -- my guitarists, my mentors. :D They really pushed me out of my comfort zone to sing the songs and do the things I'd never ever think of doing (like "call and response" and scatting). They put in so much effort, I swear. They initiated so many practices that eats into their study time and stretches out to midnight. Seriously, they were the key cause for my success. I've really gained so much. Like this whole champion thing is comparable to a really cool bonus. Sure... if I didn't get the championship title (lol), it would have been pretty sad to see all the hours of practice not materialize into something tangible. But in retrospect, the so called fame and fortune that I've acquired is insignificant to what I've actually attained participating in an event like this and again, banding together with people like Elys and Boyle. To be able to work with people like them, I feel truly blessed. And you know I never use the words "bless". XD

Elys :)

Boyle :)

Oh. Btw. I sang "Terrified" and "Man in the Mirror". Apparently lotsa people who were there are hooked onto "Terrified" now. Haha... I quote, "I'm so terrified cause everyone around me is singing 'Terrified'." LoL. Sometimes, it makes me wonder whether I won 'cause of my voice or 'cause of the song. Bleh! Don't wanna hurt my own self-esteem by going into that now. Heh.. What I wanna talk about are the other contestants, 'cause honestly, I'm still pretty damn surprised that I won. (I think it's the song choice. The results of the event were based on votes and judges btw.)

FAME 2010 FINALISTS AND EMCEES ;)

(L-R: Daryl, Mai Trang, Me, Li Xiang, Alvin, Aaron)

So... Yeah. There were 2 people who realllly caught my attention and they are no other than Alvin Toffler from ACSI Boarding and Dang Mai Trang from NUSH Boarding. Of course, the rest of the contestants had pretty good voices too. But AlToff and Mai Trang? Boy, were they good. And when I say good, I mean really reaaally good. Smooth and captivating, they were. You'd just melt listening to them (as well as Mr. Reginald who guest-performed). I swear they've got more fanboys and girls than me. I think my own guitarists likes them better lah. Seriously... :( Come to think about it, If they had Elys and Boyle on their side to help them with all the cool arrangements and live music, I'd be the one watching in (even more) envy (as if I'm not envious of their voices already) as they take home the prize. The only good thing I remember hearing the judges say about me was that I had a unique voice and that I had an X factor. Vot ze hell. Natural performer. Haha. Oh. And that I had a sparkle in my eye and I was always doing something different with the songs I was singing and that they looked forward to it every time. And yearp... that was about all. I must say, as far as originality and creativity goes, the credit belongs to Elys and Boyle. So... all I am is some girl with a unique voice. Good unique? Mediocre unique? I dunno. But one thing's for sure -- Alvin and Mai Trang were real talents... they really moved me with their performance.

Oh velllssss.... moving on. ><

NEW FRIENDS! Aside from AlToff and Mai Trang, there's also Hwa Jin, Yuheng, Li Xiang, Chullie, Tio, Linh, Carmen, Yee Shin, Daryl, Aaron, Clifford, Shoo Tong, Hann Lam, Geoffrey... Omg. Too many to list! They're really cool people I tell ya. Oh, and they've got such wonderful personalities! Funny, remarkable, supportive. :D It amazes me, really, how I miss them so. I've only known them for like what... 4 days? OMG!!! I WANNA GO BACK FOR REHEARSALS! I super miss the late nights with the whole bunch. :(

Y'know what? Side note time -- It's so ironic that I manage to sweep 1st place from 2 out of the 2 competitions that I've joined in Singapore but 3 out of 3 of the competitions that I took part in Malacca years back, I come in 2nd. You see, what makes this ironic is that Singapore boarders have more talent than the whole of Malacca combined. Pfftfffft!

Another (related) side note -- what made the difference? Song choice + Elys and Boyle! :D

"So... what does your man in the mirror look like?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Ok. Shhh..."

"Super(wo)man. :D"

(L-R: Yee Shin, Me)

Kk. Something in blogger screwed up so some parts are missing. I'm lazy to retype shooo... I'm gonna jump right into my Oscar acceptance speech!!! XD

How ya doing people!? (<= Classic line. Cannot leave out.) I just wanna take this opportunity to thank the uber-talented ELYS AND BOYLE again for being there every step of the way! I 99% couldn't have done it without youuuu guys! Of course, many thanks also goes out to my super enthu friends who painted me the movie! Jia Yan, Jac, Ollie, Yee Won, Muzhi, Kim, Anas, Poo; I thank youuuu! Next on the list, my mum for being my emotional pedestal; with my messed up head, I couldn't have needed you more! :) Needless to say, there's also the incredible boarding personnel for being so encouraging and understanding, especially Ms. Rachel Ng for allowing us to practise past curfew and Bagus, Jason, Sharleen, Yoong Chuan, Andrew and all for providing profoundly insightful feedback on how to improve my performance. ^^ Anywhos, on top of that (yes, I'm using a thesaurus as we speak 'cause I've got limited vocab), I'd like to thank the marvelous ACSI Boarding JCRC for organizing such a smooth-sailing, fun and memorable event; with such efficient and professional coordination, you guys prolly cut down my anxiety by half and that enabled me to enjoy the event even more! Last but not least, the awesome audience who have been simply awesome! :D Moor, RIB, Chris, Val, EVERYONE; I loved the energy you guys had and y'know what? I couldn't have done it without any single one of you (including some that I might have forgot to mention... ooops!) 'cause I really needed that vitality to spur me on!!! So... yes. I thank you all. :)

The awesome crowd. :DDD

Once again, FAME has been an absolute enriching experience and I've never felt this way about an event before. I've walked away with so much from this... I've tried new things and I've learnt new things. I've made so many new friends along the way... It feels great. I'd do it over and over again. Smileyface!

"All I wanna do is to live in this reverie for the rest of my life." :)

PS. Thanks for the flowers!!! You know who you are. ^^

PPS. Hahah. This ain't that short either, huh?

PPPS. Videos will come when I get them. :)

PPPPS. Now having what Yee Shin calls, PFES -- Post-FAME Emo Syndrome. What I like to call, post-FAME blues. Haha. Withdawal symptoms. Sadface.

PPPPPS. For more pictures on the event, click here, here or here! :D

PPPPPPS. Huge thank you also goes out to all that left me super sweet comments on my wall / texted me. Teehee~

PPPPPPPS. Another thank you goes out to Mr. Low for his kind concern and Davin and Mr. Reginald (I think) who got me into FAME. :D

PPPPPPPPS. Yes, I love using "PS"es. Bite me! :P