{Powerful Styrofoam}


I just came back from Drama, and I loved today's session! We played many games that built our teamwork, like Alpha Tag and the blindfolded trail. But, all our fun was spoiled by our dear Mdm Oen, who seems to believe that groups that practice artistic expression like Drama don't deserve the right to use the air-conditioner. But, if you don't provide seeds with a good environment, how will they ever grow and flourish? By thinking that we're not good and not giving us the right to use air-conditioners, we will never have a good environment to train in (not to mention the fact that we're forced by all the other hotshot CCAs to train in weird places like classrooms. o.O), and will thus never go far. Dear Mdm Oen has herself trapped in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But, whatever. Her snobbishness pushes me to work even harder to excel in Drama&Debate. Heheh, I shall prove that woman wrong!

In Fuhua's previous drama productions, we had to make do with weird props and absurb costumes. But, now that we've engaged Les Thespians, our props are super fabulous! *bimbo scream*







And, they're all made of styrofoam! I never knew that so much could be done with styrofoam until I saw these props. The books are all individually made, and the chairs and tables can support 55 kg (my mass)! I love Les Thespians now. (X

I can't wait for the costumes to arrive. =D

I shall be going for teh all-awesome prefects end-year camp tomorrow, and will be back on Friday. Miss me till then! ~

Benson blogged at 11/25/2008 06:05:00 PM.
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{I am so excited about this!}


So many things to blog, so little time, as my dad is going to drive me off to Toa Payoh for my violin lesson very very soon! =D

Before I begin my post proper, I'd like to comment on how very happy I am at the sudden surge of activity my blog has received in the last forty-eight hours. (=

Firstly, I'm excited about the Prefect Camp from Wednesday to Friday!

Secondly, I'm excited about my violin exam! (Not much of excitement, just want to get it over and done with. LOL. =X)

Thirdly, I'm excited about what I'm going to study after my violin exam!

Ladies and gentlemen, I have finally been able to secure for myself a copy of the score of the Devil's Trill Sonata!! It's definitely a challenge, but I believe it's also going to be fun as I put my skills to the test. Look at the screenshots to understand why this piece is so challenging, you might end up pulling your hair out in agony.







The score looks excruciatingly fun in a sense. I believe that with constant determination and practice, I will be able to master this masterpiece!

Benson blogged at 11/24/2008 05:27:00 PM.
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{My Quest For Excellence!}


Here's today's sermon notes-









Being disciplined and putting your trust in God; that's everyone's key to success.



Raving Rabbids is fun! =D

Benson blogged at 11/23/2008 09:18:00 PM.
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{The Way to Excellence!}


On Sunday, I bought Cat Bro and ChingYee to FCBC for service, and I do have to apologise to the two of them for not being a gracious host. However, at this service, God really spoke to me in a personal way.

Pastor Khong preached a sermon titled "The Call To Excellence - Be Shining Stars!". Pastor Khong mentioned some key points that are interesting to note, and because I wish to share my thoughts with everyone, here's a picture of my sermon notes!



These days, most of my energy is devoted to practicing for my upcoming Trinity-Guildhall Violin Exam (Grade 7). Previously, my rehearsals with my exam pianist have not been the best rehearsals I could have had, because of his complaints regarding my intonation. I felt that he was being unnecessarily fussy about my errors, because some of my mistakes are less than a semitone off, and, as I felt, a negligible fault. As a result, I felt a sense of resentment towards him.

However, at church, God spoke to me very clearly, and I decided to humble my arrogant heart and listen to him. He made it quite clear to me that to become excellent, I must first

  1. Pay attention to those little details; notice that little rhythm error there, and that tone mistake there? Mark them down with a red pencil, like my pianist teaches me to, and correct them once you begin practicing. It is only through giving each detail its deserved attention that excellence can be attained!
  2. Be diligent about it! Proverbs 13:4 says "Lazy people want much but get little,but those who work hard will prosper." Practice will allow one to become more adept at his chosen skill, and give him mastery over his technique. How can you become excellent simply by thinking of it?
  3. Do it not for the sake of fame, but for bringing glory to God. Honour God with your good results, and show the world that God is indeed great!


And, as God would have it planned, I had a practice session with my pianist on Sunday after service, and I actually enjoyed it very much! I learnt to appreciate my pianist's advice, and approach music from different angles. And I did actually benefit from our session a lot.

Like God had it said in Proverbs 12:1,


Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.



God has a plan for excellence for everyone; 'For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.' (Jeremiah 29:11) May He give you the blessing to find it too!

Benson blogged at 11/18/2008 05:56:00 PM.
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{Yay, a quiz!}


And it's the first one in such a long time.

1. The person who tagged me is?
- Our dear Gabbie!

2. Your relationship with her?
- Classmates for two years, now fellow prefects and good friends. (=

3. Your 5 impression of her/him?
- Crazy, loves laughing, enthu, straightforward, funny.

4. The most memorable thing she/he had for you?
- =.=

5. If she/he becomes your lover, you will?
- Happily tell everyone that I'm not available anymore.

6. If she/he becomes your lover, things she/he needs to improve on?
- Gabbie's fine the way she currently is.

7. If he/she becomes your enemy how?
- I'll announce my availability so that she'll get jealous.

8. What is it you want to tell her/him now?
- Yes, Gabbie, it so looks like a chicken wing!

9. Your over impression on her/him now?
- Reluctant to accept the truth.

10. How do you think people around you, will feel about you?
- I speak too quickly.

11. The characters of yourself you love are?
- Thinking in a non-linear fashion.

12. The most ideal person you want to be is?
- I'll stay as myself, thanks.

13. For people who cares & who likes you, say something to them.
- I love all of you too!

Choose 10 people to be tagged
- Oh, whatever, this is open to the floor. But for the purposes of this quiz, I pick:
1. Shaun Teo
2. Benjamin Low
3. Dennis Chew
4. Joel Teng
5. Samuel Ng
6. Darren Chua
7. Joshua Lee
8. David Lee
9. Jeremy Chia
10. Kevin Chan

14. Who's no. 6 having a relationship with?
- As the secretary of an important army person, I don't think he's free enough to date, but he's having a relationship with God all the same.

15. If no.7 and no. 10 are together, will it be a good thing?
- No..

16. What is no. 2 studying about?
-English, Chinese, A and E Math, Chem, Physics, Music and Lit.

17. When was the last time you had a chat with no. 3?
-Yesterday, but I waved to him twice today.

18. What kind of music no. 8 likes?
-Music that involves drum sets. (=

19. Does no. 1 have any younger siblings?
-Yesh.

20. Will you woo no. 3?
-Maybe, lol. But, really, no.

21. How about no. 7?
-Eh, nope.

22. Is no. 4 single?
-Yes sure.

23. What is the surname of no. 5?
-Ng. (LOL, I called him to ask him this question on Friday night. -.-)

24. What is the hobby of no. 10?
-Reading all sorts of comics and watching Heroes.

25. Do no.5 & no. 9 get along well?
-Oh, very well, they decided to disappear together on Saturday just before we gave Sze Kiang his present. lol. =D

26. Where does no. 9 live in?
-I don't know! I'll have to find out, won't I?



This is the monologue I performed with Felicia last Wednesday during Drama.



This is the front side of the card that we gave to Mr and Mrs Pang Sze Kiang.

The text says: "Dear Mr and Mrs Pang, many happy returns on this very special day! Where there is JOY, there is HOPE. Where there is HOPE, there is PEACE. Where there is PEACE, there is JESUS."

And this is the backside, and the fun side, of the card!



Spreading smiles wherever we go. (=

The WaiMun Tribe attended Sze Kiang's wedding yesterday! I have to say that I feel very happy for him, because he has played a very important role in bringing me to know everyone else in the Tribe during the period in which I first joined the church. So he pretty much knows all the silly stuff I did when I first came in. Anyway, congrats, SK! (=

Today, during the sermon, I felt God speak directly to me. I've been quite irritated recently because my intonation's not very good, but God convinced me to pay attention to all the details today, and He showed me that it's only through giving attention to every single and tiny detail that one can become excellent.

I will do well for my music exam not just to please myself, but to bring glory to God, who made it possible!

Benson blogged at 11/12/2008 08:36:00 AM.
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{Nick's an inspiration!}




Nick is probably one of the most inspiring people alive. Even though he's limbless, he still lives and goes about life like a normal person does, and probably even better. Even though he once felt like he wasn't good enough, God has shown him that he is indeed good enough.

To everyone who thinks he or she just isn't good enough, not smart enough, not handsome enough, not tall enough, not romantic enough: You're not! God has a great plan and purpose for every person, and loves every one equally, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11). You're not unlucky, nor are you a mistake; "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139: 14)

No one has been abandoned by God; He definitely loves you! (=

Benson blogged at 11/10/2008 03:27:00 PM.
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{Yay debate, (=}


"Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly as when they discuss it freely.” - Thomas Babington, Lord Macaulay


From its very beginnings, debate has been inextricably intertwined with the concept of the open society. In ancient Athens, citizens gathered in forums to discuss and debate the most pressing issues of the day before casting their votes. Such debates were an integral part of the new form of government Athens was to bequeath to the world: democracy.

Unlike totalitarian and other undemocratic regimes where a limited set of ideas are imposed as absolute truths, democratic societies depend upon the free and open exchange of ideas. Indeed, it may be said that true democracy cannot exist without debate. For democracy to function, the values that debate encourages - reason, tolerance, the careful weighing of evidence - must be cherished and nurtured. But even within societies that restrict open discussion, debate can teach young people that no one person or government possesses the ultimate truth.


Idebate.org

Debate is so fun. We had a great time teaching the sec 1s and 2s the rudimentary debating skills yesterday. And throughout the lesson, we had a great time reminiscing some of the more prominent memories we've had while we were debating, like when I walked one round around the podium, WeiQiang spoke for 47 seconds and our dear DingXiang pointed at astounded members of the audience and screaming madly.

The ultimate truth about debate is that there is no ultimate truth- chew on that. Haa.

Nick Vujicic is coming to FCBC tomorrow, and I sincerely hope that everyone I invited would turn up. (=

Headstart programme is finally, finally over!! But then again, homework is enough to kill. I might die of homework poisoning, actually. It's terrible how homework can ruin someone's entire holidays. Not forgetting my violin exam, which I haven't actually studied for yet. =X

Benson blogged at 11/08/2008 11:13:00 AM.
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{Fluctuation o.O}


Chinese O Levels are this Wednesday, and I stayed up till 2AM last night this morning doing practice papers. I feel so worried, and if you're me, you'd have a very good cause to worry if your cloze passage marks range from 2 to 9 out of 10.

I'm very satisfied with my results this time round. My level position is 6 / 225!

=D

I'm so looking forward to Drama and Debate this week!

Benson blogged at 11/02/2008 09:39:00 AM.
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In Your freedom I will live;
All I am is Yours!