We will make it through.

Right now, there I am. Despite us been so unlucky for the past 2 years, at the same time we are seemingly lucky in certain aspects. The decision to go to Bangkok was that of a surprise, one of the most unexpected things I've ever encountered for some time.

2 weeks worth of unrest, finally settle last Sunday, with a smile on everybody's face, that moment was priceless. Will we finally live up to teamwork? I hope so.

In this coming few days, much to be cheerful indeed. Pressure on the band isn't that much yet although pressure on the exams are peaking.

With much delight, all the same I feel depressed. Feelings always in the mix. Bangkok, here we come.

Personal timetable for 25/7 until 7/9.

Mondays - Chemistry, Biology.

Tuesdays - Add. Maths, General Maths.

Wednesday - Physics.

Thursday - Music.

Friday - Add. Maths.

Saturday and Sunday - Chemistry, Biology, Physics.

If there were a word to describe now.

I feel depressed. No, more than depress. Yet not suicidal...

No mood, no spirit, no nothing!

Wanna go competition in Johor? Easy to say. No spirit!

Haiz...

No mood.

NATCOMP 2010, the story ends.

The Prince of Egypt is really a very significant achievement for me personally. I feel honoured to be part of the planning of this show. So you can understand my feelings when we finally get to show our theme in the NATCOMP 2010, that sense of achievement.

14th of July, we headed to Shah Alam, our final battlefield. Details of our performance? Watch the videos. I'm more keen on sharing the hotel moments, seriously XD.

Going as a form 5 this year, I got a few juniors under me in the room (Except Jenson, who is my senior). No serious alubuh-ing this time, except for one (we all know who is it). After checking in one of the best hotels NHMB has ever stayed before, "Prescott Hotel", we went shopping at Jusco, manage bond with the younger members, such a nice feeling.

Then that night, me, Ben, Edwil, Diwen and Jenson chatted till 3am... But seriously, we talked about band stuff, its future, past, customs, everything. Got to know Diwen a lot better that night. And thinking back about the past, I really can't help but to feel a sense of achievement...

Remember 2 years back I'm still complaining your wrong footsteps with cymbal, now you can play a lot of hard stuffs like double roll or flam in tenor, march in the whole show without even a step wrong, you grown a lot in these 2 years. - Ah Boon

And so, 15th of July, "The Prince of Egypt” was ready to take the floor for competition. After some final words of encouragement from the staffs, we held our head high while marching into the stadium preparing to put up a show worth the blood and sweat we sacrificed for. 3 months of planning, 7 months of training, RM30,000 worth of investment, gone as fast as it came, that spur of 10 minutes worth was gone, but not before being immortalized by us into sweet memories. It was an overwhelming moment of achievement, and the rest that happened after that was history.

Indeed, as I said, I did my best, we did our best. 5 years of laughing, crying, breaking down and rising up with the band will always remain in my head. There can be miracles, when you believe. Indeed, the miracle happened, not in the results nor in the show, but in the process. The band polished me as a person to shine, and I look forward to the day where I can be one of the polishers to make Nan Hwa Band shine once more.

-Thanks for all the cooperation, you guys did great. Greatest senior batch in my 5 years of teaching! -Ah Boon

Form 5, it was a great journey with you all, and I'm looking forward to life-long friendship with all of you.

Egypt Ending.

I remembered 1 year exactly from now. The early stages of Prince of Egypt theme was in the works for us. That faithful night where we caught a glimpse of that powerful song "Deliver Us".

Soon we discovered a masterpiece of a movie score. Prince of Egypt begin to take shape in the course of the next 3 months.

And then it was cruel sun and hot practices for 7 months.

All ended last week... Indeed, it was a journey of faith and fellowship.

I thank Nan Hwa Band for giving me such an opportunity.

5 things, 5 days 2010.

A continuation from last year's post, at this very moment I too have 5 things I want to achieve in this short span of 5 days, which is before the National Band Competition 2010.

1) I want to be able to mark-time whenever we play standstill without ending up marking on the wrong foot.

2) I want to do the warm-ups as if they were child's play, I do not want to make any mistakes during the warm-up songs by the time of competition.

3) I want to make sure that I will march with proper footwork, not by the competition, but from today onwards.

4) I want to march through the drill without a single mistake, especially static.

5) I want to rock the Stadium Melwati, Shah Alam to its very foundation, but this can only be achieved by teamwork, and so I want to dream that we can achieve it, the full form of ENERGY~SPIRIT~TEAMWORK!!!

Tender dream... Let me be free.

It was a dream, that somehow I can re-live the fondest memory I had back in 2008. I believe all band members from that period are yearning to re-live the memory.

But I dreamed a dream last night. Suddenly, it hit me like a speeding train. No dream will ever repeat itself. I was in denial! I didn't wanted to miss away that sweet memory like that! 2008 was too good.

But now, I hath think thoroughly. I have to accept it, I can never have the chance to experience what I experienced back 2 years ago...

Nevertheless, that doesn't mean I can't make a better and brighter memory for myself this year. Optimism aside, I just wanna post myself a reminder that I shouldn't get caught up in my dreams to a point where I become a slave of my dreams.

Needless to say, so should all the rest of you band members who read my blog about the importance of leaving the past where it ought to be. Look toward the future, and aim for the highest.

Things yet to happen.

79.30

Wow... Shocking. But I will just wait and see.

A lot has happen. But of all I am most proud of is our progress. It has been good this few days. I hope we can achieve the peak soon.

But sadly, conflict is still abundant. All I can say is neutral is best.

And finally, always remember: Music for friendship.

Don't give in, don't give up.

Essentials for final week: Concentration. I need to focus, tune in and eradicate any remaining tweaks and incompetence.

Yet, I just can't get rid that small hint of insecurity... Well, let fate decide.

Do your best bandsmen! All is too much left to do, so improve!

Deliver us~ to the promised land~