The daily post #91: MI

Just like Tom Cruise, I was sent to do a MI yesterday morning. Unlike our Hollywood superstar though, my MI stands for Millenia Institute and not Mission Impossible.

But having pull myself out of bed (having slept past 3am) and be in Bukit Batok for a 8.30am talk show seemed just as challenging.

That's Millenia, tucked away in Bukit Batok (photo by Gaurav @ Flickr)

I eventually got there, but was about 15 minutes late. (Didn’t have my bus with the Olympic rings and flashing lights unfortunately. :p)

They told me that there’d be about 60 students, but I think it was a fair bit more than that. Probably double that number!

Host Daniel Martin warms up the crowd. Tough when it's before 9.00am!

It was a cool (but perhaps a little short) discussion that talked about the expectations of young Singaporeans and the Youth Olympic Games, and why they were excited/not excited.

Think they were kinda surprised when I pulled out a camera. Hee.

The focus on studies and expectations of parents came up, which was important. But Daniel also pointed out we tend to blame our parents for everything. True? 🙂

Jed (I think) says he'd like to go back to Basketball, but his folks disapprove

Anyway, I’m glad I made it in the end, and thanks to my co-panelists for the morning – James (from Coca-Cola), Philip (from Sports Zone), Richard & Amir (from Millenia Institute), and Daniel Martin from 938LIVE for having me on the show.

Hope to see you at the Games!

P.S. Hope you guys didn’t think I was rude when I was on my phone tweeting. And sorry for the early morning draaawwl. :p

 

The daily post #90: 10 posts and 1 day to go

Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into.

Today is Friday the 13th, and I find myself in debt. I owe you, our loyal readers (yes, all 4 of you), another 10 entries with only a day to go to the opening ceremony.

"You owe me blog entries..."

Blogging here has been a blast, and I’m thankful to have regular readers who keep my posts warm with comment love. But sadly work has often resulted in my deadlines not being met, and as such, I find myself 10 posts short on the day before the Opening Ceremony. Argh!

So, what say you?

By the way, I’m on a radio show at Millenia Institute some time tomorrow morning – probably about 9am – on 938 LIVE (FM93.8 in Singapore). Tune in if you can, and I’ll try to tweet during the show on @singapore2010. Pls tweet back? 🙂

 

Show: Combined Rehearsal 1

Rehearsals have been going on daily at at my second home, The Float, where I’m based at. Everyday, I see kids running around in the hot sun rehearsing. My heart really goes out to them. On the other hand, some of them looks like they’re having fun. The Stage’s Reflecting Pool was filled for the Combined Rehearsal on saturday.

performers on the stage

Glorious glorious water

water is good to cool off at a hot rehearsal

I noticed these two girls (who are photographer’s favourites)  and they very kindly agreed to do this short interview for me. Actually, they’re personal friends of mine and I asked them very nicely. (Just between me and you, I bribed them with candy like little kids)

Fiona is on the left and Li Min is on the right

kick and kick, splash and splash

Fiona: I'm strong like a MAN

Name: Fiona Thng Pei Juan
Age: 15
Segment involved : Origins –  dance

3 words to describe your YOG experience so far: Memorable, tiring, unexpected.
2 emotions to describe how you feel: Excited to perform and tiring but worth the efforts.
1 word: how you want the audience to remember your performance:  ENJOYMENT

Smiles for the camera

Name: Pee Li Min
Age: 15
Segment involved : Origins –  dance

3 words to describe your YOG experience so far: Exciting, adventurous, creative
2 emotions to describe how you feel: Exhilarating and optimism
1 word- how you want the audience to remember your performance:  Vibrant

Sunnies makes my day

My own 3 words for my YOG internship will be: Filled with love. Because you can see how much everyone loves this little baby. This baby called YOG.

 

The daily post #58: The show must go on

Thought I’d blog a bit more about the interview that me and Victor were part of on Saturday. Not because we love being scrutinised in front of three cameras, but because of the similarities there are between the work of the production team and what we are doing for the first ever YOG.

1) Learning on the job: I’m sure that Ian (the director) and the crew went through quite a few theory sessions with Ms Natalaray before Saturday, but I’m also sure they probably gained quite a bit from actually doing it for real. Reality strikes in less than a month for us..

all the planning and theory in the world can't replace hands-on practice

2) The show must go on: There were some technical gaffes mid-show, but they kept things flowing and we tried our best not to flinch as well. It’s inevitable that mistakes are made, but it’s how you react and what you learn from the experience that’s important.

Don't forget to keep smiling

3) Be prepared to do more: Because it was Saturday, there were quite a few members of the crew – six to be exact (that’s 40% for you statisticians) – who couldn’t make it for various reasons. Despite this, the nine troopers who remained still managed to pull off the studio recording in just over an hour. Bravo! I’m pretty sure many of us will have to take on more work during the Games as well.

Top: cam operator looks cool, Below: floor manager Amelia tries to keep sane

4) Don’t forget to have fun: Even with all the challenges they faced, the team was always cheery and optimistic despite the dreary weather outside. 🙂

Thanks for having us!

Kudos to Ian (Director), Fiona (Asst Director), Noel (Host), Amelia (Floor Manager), Subash (Camera Operators), Hanisah (Camera Operator), Yee Ting (Vision Mixer), Jeanette (Computer Graphics) and Shana (Audio Mixer).

If you can do it, so can we.

 

The daily post #46: Community building

Deeper down the rabbithole of backdated blog entries I go…! I am now 4 entries behind. *gulp* I’m going to attempt 2 today, so one more is probably popping up later tonight.

Anyhoo, yesterday was a blur of activity for the team at Ngee Ann Polytechnic‘s Singapore Youth & Media Conference, where Mr Teo Ser Luck officially launched our WhyOhGee Community. (See the media release)

Victor, Vicson (no relation to Victor), Deanna (who reappeared after disappearing to Cambodia), Wangwang, Kok Siong, and eventually Amanda were mobilised to help out at the event, manning 3 hi-tech (read: touchscreen) sign-up booths. Sorry for the poor picture quality, was shooting from my mobile phone camera!

Almost like Minority Report (minus Tom Cruise)

Most of the folks were quite impressed by the touch-screen games, and we found ourselves in danger of becoming part-time Acer salespeople at some point. (hmm… wonder if Acer salespeople get paid well.)

Ack! Where did all these people come from?!

We were kinda overwhelmed by the numbers of people who were queueing to sign-up. Some of the crowd managed to sign up on their mobile phones (yes, it’s that easy! just go to http://www.singapore2010.sg/community) but most of them were waiting patiently for one of three terminals, and in total, we scored about 100 signups in just over an hour! I guess having the chance to win a Lyo or Merly plush does make things more exciting for everyone. 🙂

I've also learnt that girls in pinafores travel in packs

In fact, our mascots were so popular that they were “kidnapped” by super-enthusiastic fans several times in the course of the morning. We almost had to pry them free from their kidnappers.

Merlynapper caught in the act!!

But maybe it was the waves of youthfulness that me and Victor were not so used to. Within 3 hours of packing up, the both of us  were down for the count. Actually we’re both on medical leave, but still at work anyway. (Shhh!)

So, take pity on the both of us sickly old men and join us on the WhyOhGee Community! It’s no community without “U-N-I” (“you and i” geddit??) Hurry up and add us as friends too (we’re feeling lonely and unloved)

FYI, for those of you cool people we photographed at the event, you stand to win prizes if you go in and TAG yourself in the pictures! If you don’t remember whether you were photographed, maybe these will refresh your memory:

someone likes justin bieber. teehee!

we like your honesty

 

The daily post #38: Art for everyone

Yesterday, I had the privilege of becoming an art collector.

Yes, me. The one who can’t tell Dali from da Vinci, Monet from Matisse.

Well, I’ve got to start somewhere.

So yesterday, I invested $48 of my hard earned moolah in one of 36 art pieces from young artists in Singapore as part of an “experiment”, which is a bit more exciting (and cheaper) than walking into an art gallery and picking up something off the wall.

For $48, I bought myself a ballot. Ballot #17 to be exact.

My lucky ballot!

This little brown piece of paper had a counterpart (a smaller piece of paper with “17” on it) sitting in a transparent, perspex box. These numbers were drawn one at a time, where the ballot owner of the number drawn would get to choose the piece of art they wanted. The earlier you get picked, the better your chances at getting the piece you’re eyeing.

Alan's not the tallest guy... so a table helps.

When #17 was eventually called, I was a both excited and slightly panicky because the pieces that I had my finger on had already been snapped up.

Then in a moment of inspiration (it was brilliant, bright and big!) and madness (it was BIG! 91cm x 122cm), I picked “Jellyfish-splish” by Elizabeth Lim Su Ying.

That's Elizabeth, next to her work

And the great part of picking up one of these pieces, was that I got to meet the artist!

It was a brief, refreshing conversation with someone who’s completely unpretentious and honest. All the best, Elizabeth, in your studies at Lasalle and I hope you get to live your dream! 🙂 How many art collectors can say that the artist of one of their pieces added them on facebook? (Actually it’d be pretty creepy if you received “Vincent Van Gogh tried to add you as a friend” in your inbox)

Anyway, kudos to my good friend Alan and his “Evil Empire” for putting this thing together to help young artists, the local arts scene, and making the art more accessible to the clueless masses. Ok, maybe that’s stretching it a little, but 36 people is still a pretty good start. (See all 36 art pieces) Now I just hope my cat doesn’t scratch it to bits before I get it framed and hung.

Everyone's a critic

Like me, the 3,600 athletes who will be in Singapore for the Youth Olympic Games will also become art collectors. Each of them will receive a one-of-a-kind art piece from Primary School students in Singapore. While they are unlikely to be as lucky as I was to be able to be able to talk face-to-face with the artist, they’ll have a little note that they can scribble their thoughts and thanks to the kids drew/painted/coloured/crayoned their little masterpieces.

How cool is that? 🙂

 

The daily post #11: Boring Sunday

It’s Sunday and I’ve got much that I’d like to get done today.

But it all honesty, it’s unlikely that I’ll be able to get around to everything given the sweltering heat (and my natural talent for procrastination on especially hot days). It’s funny how the more things start piling up, the less inclined you are (ok, at least I am) to start shovelling.

Not sure how we even made it to Sunday

Somehow, I’ve managed to haul myself and my laptop into a friendly eatery with my three favourite offerings: free air-conditioning, free wifi and free parking. Food’s not bad too.

Now that I’ve procrastinated through two paragraphs, here’s my point for today: Lots to do? Not sure what to start with? Don’t wait, just start doing something.

Here’s something that we have for bored school students who are up to their eyebrows in exam preparation, but need a few minutes off the books to maintain their sanity. Way back when I was a student, there seemed to be a natural tendency for me to do everything else (but study) before the exams – which explains my pitiful grades. I’d do my bit for the environment (clean my room), make logistical preparations for exam conditions (sharpen my pencils), assess my aptitude for aeronautical engineering (fold paper planes), … you get the idea.

So for all you students looking for a more meaningful way to spend time away from your books, here’s a suggestion.

The BORING BANNER CONTEST

Not terribly exciting, no?

Sorry for stamping my opinion all over this, but I couldn’t help myself. So, rather than have this hanging somewhere in your school where your eyeballs glaze over in 1.4938 seconds, why not make its life (and yours) more exciting? Full details here.

Suggestions from the Boring Banner Channel on how to unboring-fy the Boring Banner

Here are a few other less sweat-inducing activities that you can consider if you’re taking a break from studying:
– Apply to be part of the Opening Ceremony (if your parents/grandparents are from some other place other than Singapore)
– Be a virtual torch bearer (no selection process. no sweat.)
– Share your photos with us (don’t be shy.)

So give your Sunday a kick up the behind and do something. (But don’t forget to study!)

 

Join the Boring Banner Contest at WhyOhGee.sg

The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee has developed a  ‘personalised’ Singapore 2010 banner template to help schools announce their association with the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games.  This banner template is ‘personal’ because it has a reserved space for schools to insert their school logos.  It is intended to provide a basic, personalised design for each school, but that doesn’t stop you from from designing your own novel banners.  Schools may produce as many of the Singapore 2010 banners as they wish. Click HERE to download the Singapore 2010 banner template.

Sign up at WhyOhGee.sg now!

 

Yu Neng students:the next Cheryl Fox!

Yu Neng Primary School  students report on the Youth Olympic Games and the preparations by the Organising Committee. The sweet young things are honing their reporting skills to become the next presenters of Singapore Television. Cute!

 

A trip full of surprises

Check out what some students of Singapore Polytechnic’s Diploma in Creative Writing for TV and New Media found when they went on a little YOG adventure of their own:

GROUP MEMBERS: Victoria Lee, Wendy Wong, Yeung Wing, Ryhan Mohd Yazid

The front view of Bishan Sports Hall. This is where the gymnastics will be held during the YOG 2010.

An oblique view of the badminton court, which is inside the Bishan Sports Hall.

Only the bendy are allowed here!

Enjoying ourselves at the Bishan Stadium ☺

To read more of this story, click here.
For more of the students’ little YOG trips and the likes, check out their blog here.