If you're wondering what GEMs is, it's my mother's ministry: GEM - Graceful, Empowered Masterpiece. She's the secretary to the founder of GEMS - Ps Lilian Tng...or Aunty Lilian. Haha. I've been calling her that all this while...so it kinda stays...haha
Anyway, GEMs is a women's ministry that reaches out to women...ok..that's kinda, DUH. Haha. But yeah, they not only reach out to the socially normal women, they also reach out to ex-convicts.
And from the stories I always hear from my mum, I never knew women suffer so much in silence...Married women that is...Haha. All the testimonies that they share are really powerful and emotionally draining. Haha. Hopefully, after hearing all these stories, I will be a better husband next time...haha!
OK, anyway, I was the electric guitarist for the conference :) The conference was held in InterContinental Hotel Singapore...at Bugis :)
Yup, they booked a function room and did a whole day event there :)
The most rabak thing about this event is, sound check & rehearsal starts at 7.30am!!! HULEEYA!!! Woke up at 6am to wash up, dress up and eat up...haha...Eh, no I didn't eat, there's food there. Haha.
The next most rabak thing is...I have an exam paper the coming Monday which I have NOT STUDIED FOR AT ALL!! The paper's Data Structures and Algorithms! Took me a lotta faith and interest to give up one day of studying to play (in a band) with people that I don't personally know. Haha.
Anyway, we already met up once - a day before the event - to practice the songs. It wasn't a full band practice...it was a one-acoustic-guitar-played-by-Jonavan practice. Haha. I think the band wanted to assess my skill level to see what to expect from me. Haha.
After that session, we went out for supper! Ate at the Prata House. Boy do they miss prata. They were talking about how expensive the pratas in Australia were...and how it still can't match up to the way Singapore does it..haha. That's why I love Singapore...the food's awesome! Haha.
Anyway, this is the first time I played in a band with me not knowing the band members personally. I've never heard them play/sing before! The last time we actually had any form of communication was around 10 years ago? Haha! I'm serious.
The most awesome thing is, we only had 2 practice sessions. Oh well...I make it sound that bad eh? The thing is, we're all veteran musicians. We've all played for our churches for more than or around 5 years. Haha.
Ok, lemme introduce the band to you :)
Isaac Tng & myself :)
No, he is not a keyboardist. Haha. He is an awesome drummer. He won some Australian drum competition! His skill level is way past his age...his sense of rhythm, syncopation, speed and strength are all really seasoned. Haha. I'm like selling a product here...LOLS!
The band: Isaac Tng, Myself, Eudora Tng, Ian Low, Joshua Kwan, Melodie Tan, Evangeline Tng :)
Take 2 :D
Eudora, Melodie & Evangeline are AWESOME SINGERS. I seldom praise people..especially musicians, so when I do, it means they're REALLY GOOD.
Their voices are angelic. Their breath control, usage of chest and head voice coupled with their soothing vibrato and formidable vocal range makes them sound like Glee. Haha.
Joshua's a really good singer too...but when you sing with those 3, you'll fade away into insignificance. Haha! That's why I didn't sing at all! HAHAHA! I was given a mike to sing but I decided not to since there are already 4 singers - 3 angels and 1 mortal. Haha!
Ian is a superb bassist. Can sense his perfectionist, excellence kinda spirit oozing outta him. To me he's someone very prim and proper and does things to the best he can.
All of them are studying in Australia...except Joshua, who'll be going over to Houston to study English. Hanging out with them is like hanging out with a group of ABCs: American Born Chinese or in their case, Australian born chinese. Haha! But nope, they're all Singaporeans.
Yup, we did 5-6 songs for the whole event. I really enjoyed the food and fellowship...haha. They're really nice, light-hearted, down-to-earth and accepting people.
They were here for only about 2 weeks+...sadly...haha. Now, for the send-off :(
Their friends...from left (excluding the band) Jolina, Ephraim, Joshua (Melodie's brother) and Brian (Ian's brother)
Take 2 :)
Had another awesome chat session with them at the airport. There I realized how FAT Ian was last time. HAHAHA! Now Ian's the slim, sleek, slender and toned guy that you see in the above pictures.
When he showed me a picture of himself last time...I was SHOCKED. He was a boomer! HAHAHA! Seriously boomer! HAHAHA! That's how powerful NS is...transform a boomer into a tank. HAHA!
That was the most fascinating discovery. Haha. Also chatted quite a fair bit with Melodie. She was telling me how she went to study music and singing in Oz and all...Yet another inspirational "pursue your dreams" story. I feel like quitting on Electrical & Electronic Engineering now, go grab my guitar and join some music school! HAHAHA!
That's not really too feasible and possible in light of the situation I'm already in. Haha! Oh well, I shall let the good Lord lead me on :)
Also chatted quite a bit with Vangie (Evangeline)...she was telling us about her chauvinistic boss and her chivalrous fiance...haha!
Yup, that's a little chapter in my life that I'll never forget. I don't know why am I saying that and why I feel we click so well...When I first met them at the 1st practice, it felt like we've known each other for years. Haha...
Why that bond? Hmmm...I think we share a common childhood history...We all grew up in Bethel when we were small kids singing songs in BCM and all...before they all shifted to CNL (Centre of New Life) and my parents and theirs are really good friends? Haha...
Anyway, they are really genuine, loving and optimistic people. Maybe that's why I enjoy hanging out with them...other than them being really good-looking and musically inclined...Haha!
Yup, that's one awesome with the Tngs :)
No comments:
Post a Comment