Monday, March 09, 2015

First Violin Concerto

My first public performance of a violin concerto, or rather a double violin concerto. Me, on secondo, together with NTU Strings Orchestra. It also marks the graduating journey in NTUSO. We took about four months to prepare this on a weekly basis. There are many things which I learnt on playing together, for example, style, bow strokes and playing the trills. And my new bow came just in time for my concert!

It was quite nerve-wrecking in the first movement. I didn't know why my hands turned anxious but I was forcing myself to calm down by the second movement. Breathe, breathe, BREATHE!!! And I succeeded in calming myself down. Then it was just enjoyment besides a few scary high notes but I guess they sounded good!

I wished you were there to watch me as promised.

Presenting to you: Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor RV 523. Hope you like this!

Sunday, March 01, 2015

Paul Goh's Bow

I finally got hold of this bow after waiting for almost one and a half years! What a beauty, isn't she?

The pull is smooth and the bow is light. I bought the gem from e-bay. It is a 8mm round mystic topaz with rainbow green fire.

Still trying to get use to this! Lots of bonding time!



Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Accupuncture and Cupping

I had my first accupunture and cupping today. 

I have been having leg cramps while sleeping frequently for more than a year. Luckily I didn't have to wait long for my turn. The sinseh was shocked to hear me say that I have cramps at night. He was saying it only happened to people above 40 years old.

He also asked if I drink milk. I told him about my backache and he said it could probably be dued to that. Generally he didn't tell me what is the cause of my cramps.

He was very good with his hands. Only some needles poked in with slight tickle except for one on my feet that numbed it momentarily. He then applied some current to the needles that gives electrical pulse to my legs and heat from above. After a while, the needles got heated and heat got transferred into my legs. I think it's pretty cool.

I sort of lifted my right leg in the midst to change position but it was a really bad move. Cos when I moved it, I felt the muscle that the needle was poking on go numb and gave a funny painful sensation. 

When the needles were removed, the sinseh asked me to turn around and did cupping on my calf. There were six altogether, three on each side. Every cup was painful!!! The sinseh was consoling me,"It's just skin, just skin!"

Before I knew it, the cups were removed and I felt relieved.


And the chinese herbs that I have to take for five days to help:


Surprise? Little packets of herb and all these is just one dosage! Mix into water and drink! There is just this packet of centipede that is gross. Luckily it's powder form, otherwise I may just puke even before drinking it.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Which room to get?

I'm deciding which room to get for a July's weekend!!
 
Single room:
Big Hotel (no more single room. good. no need to think.)
Porcelain Hotel by JL Asia Standard Single $108.20 8 sq m
 
With my friends (3-4 pax):
Tight Budget - V Hotel Lavendar - $177.57 Triple Room 20 sq m
Studio M Hotel - Studio Loft (Bar) - $184.43 22 sq m.
Park Regis Singapore - Park Queen Room - $192 20 sq m
Bliss Hotel - Family quad - $247.75 26 sq m
Excellent Budget - Orchard Hotel - $298 Signature Suit 48 sq m!
Feel Super Posh? St. Regis - $3xx Deluxe Executive Deluxe King 50 sq m!
 
Just a note on budget hotels:
Days Hotel Singapore At Zhongshan Park
Hotel Kai (Single room available)
J8 Hotel (Single room available)
Bay Hotel Singapore
Innotel

Hotel Clover 5 HongKong Street (Single room available 15 sq m $122.88)
Value Hotel Balestier

Fragrance Hotel Ruby
Quality Hotel Marlow
Victoria Hotel (Single room available 11 sq m $125)
Bliss Hotel (Single room available 10 sq m $118.52)
The Keong Saik Hotel
Jayleen 1918 Hotel

With Lofts:
Arton Boutique Hotel (Single room available 8 sq m $79.97)
Duxton Hotel Singapore
Studio M Hotel

This POST will always be updated as and when I check out on hotels.

Monday, February 03, 2014

Beacon Hotel

In Taichung, there's two hotels to choose from if you want convenience to the Feng Jia night market. I chose Beacon Hotel because the night market is just below the hotel whereas the other hotel (In One City Inn) is further away. All the happenings is around Beacon Hotel. Mcdonald's is also around the corner!

The hotel is also very near to Top City Department Store. Just flag a taxi and you'll reach a shopping mall heaven in a few minutes! The distance to the airport is also quite near (about 35 minutes).

There is also laundry area but there was only one washing machine and one dryer. I hope they will add more machines. I was washing and drying my laundry throughout the night!

We paid $114.55 per night. It's a good price for this clean and comfortable hotel!

Lotsa space on both sides of the basin for toiletries!!

A small shower and a HUGE one (missing in picture).


Queen Bed. Facing the bed is TV and a small dressing table. 

Laundry Room (detergent provided!)

TV in laundry room

Sofa in laundry room

Breakfast: Yes (but we overslept and did not eat)
WIFI: Yes
Address: 7F, No. 427 Fu Hsing Road, Situn District, Taichung
Tel: +886-4-2451-5828

Monday, January 13, 2014

Hong Kong - Taichung Trip

Will update soon! And more updates about my latest happenings!

Monday, December 09, 2013

Maple Leaf Holiday Villas

It was very different revisiting this place since 2005. Many homestays have been replaced and many new hotels have emerged. I enjoyed my stay in my last visit than this time. Many things have been commercialised. I no longer feel that relaxed this time. I couldn't find the previous home stay place. It probably have been torn down.

For this place, I have chosen to stay in the VIP room. It cost NT2900 for one night.

Toilet
 
Small table area

Queen Bed

View from the balcony

Breakfast: Provided
WIFI: Free
Address: 南投縣仁愛鄉大同村仁和路226-9號

Sunday, December 08, 2013

SPA Home Sun Moon Lake Luxury Lakeside Hotel

This was a really value-for-money hotel at Sun Moon Lake as I was looking for one that has a full good view of the lake in the morning. We paid $211.03 for one night.

The interior is very posh especially the big toilet. Really had a good stay here!



Bath tub beside the window facing the lake

Toilet and on the right is the door to the shower 

Our door

The corridor to the rooms

Common toilet for public

Stairs leading up to the reception and breakfast area.

Balcony facing the lake.

Breakfast

Breakfast: Provided
WIFI: Free
Address: No. 95, Zhongshan Road, Yuchi Township, Yuchi County, Nantou, Taiwan
Tel: +886 4928 55166

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Panda's Hostel - Cozy, Hong Kong

On this night, my friends have left for Singapore. I had to find a cheap single room that is near Hong Kong Indoor Stadium. So here's the hostel. I paid SGD117.42 for one night.

It was very very small, but VERY clean. The toilet was really clean and the bed was very comfortable. I had no qualms staying here alone just that my luggage fills up half of the walking space. 

The room was really small. One step off the bed and I'm in the toilet. When I sat down on the toilet bowl, my knees had to bend to the side otherwise I would hit into the wall.


Standing in the toilet. The room is this small. The door opens inwards making walking space even smaller.




The door is automated.

Clean corridor leading to rooms.

Breakfast: Not provided
WIFI: Free
Address: (Reception @ Flat A, 3/F) Flat C, 11/F, 88 Nathan Road, Comfort Building, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Alan Tam and Hacken Lee 2013 in Hong Kong

I went for two consecutive nights - 6th and 7th Dec 2013! The first time I watched a concert in Hong Kong!! AWESOME is just not enough descriptive for the wholesome experience! I bought the most expensive ticket for both nights but the seat on the 7th is the best!! Just less than 5 metres from the stage!!








Waiting for the release of the concert recording!!!