Yalan's probably raved enough about David Cook on her blog, so I'm not going to reproduce any of those raves. But, I had to post his performance of Billie Jean, just because it was fantastic. And true to his style -- which is vastly different from the original.

Billie Jean -- David Cook cover



And just in case there's some of you who have not heard of the song before (*gasp*! What a travesty!), here's the original version.

Billie Jean -- Micheal Jackson



And 'cos I realize the Gloriosa Movement 1 video did not link to movement 3, I thought I'd be nice and post it here. And since I'm at it, I'm posting video 2 as well.

Movement 2


Movement 3





I went for West Winds symphonic orchestra's performance on Sat night. Titled "All things Japanese", the orchestra (band of Bukit Batok CC) played pieces of Japanese music or music composed about Japan or composed by Japanese composers. I was there with some of my JC classmates, to support our JC history teacher who was playing the clarinet. Surprisingly, the concert was pretty good. The music was lively and I enjoyed myself.

I must say, though, that I loved the second half more. Because of the presence of guest conductor ITO Yasuhide, who is simply amazing. He started it off by playing the piano while conducting the band at the SAME TIME. It was just so amazing. And funny. And cute. He was like, bouncing off his seat, kicking his legs, making cute hand gestures and I was genuinely afraid he'll like, bounce off the piano seat or something. And so began my "love affair" (as James puts it) with him.

The next few pieces, he simply focused on conducting, and they were all brilliant. I enjoyed every single one of them, and you can tell it's pure talent. I especially love "Gloriosa -- Symphonic Tone Poem for Band". A piece about the hidden Christians in Japan way back in Edo period, and how they had to practise their faith in secret. The haunting sound of the bell, the Gregorian chants, the gradual movement from darkness to light etc. etc. made it wonderful. And yes, all the pieces he conducted at the second half were all composed by him!!! More brilliance. And he will actually single out those good players and applaud them. And he runs out and jumps onto his conducting stand everytime he comes out to conduct the next piece of music. He is just so cute!

And, I think he really enjoyed himself a lot, 'cos the encore dragged on and on! But I wasn't complaining, it was fun watching his antics on stage, which really livened the entire performance. In one of the encore pieces, he joint-conducted with Maj Philip Tng (who was conductor for the first half). It started off slow (and a little sleep-inducing), then all of a sudden, ITO Yasuhide jumped off the stand and shouted "1,2,3!". The band then burst into lively rock band-ish music and Mr. Ito just started bobbing around and clapping his hands. Then he passed the conducting to Maj Tng and went to play on the piano (where he kept bouncing on the seat again). I tell you, he is a genuis. And so cute. And funny. And endearing. And... old. But still cute. HAHAHA. And so lively. And he just wouldn't like stop, like he kept coming back on stage on kept conducting on and on, until Jas was like exclaiming, "Why he keep coming back? I want to eat!" Haha. Yah. It was so funny.

You just have to be there lah, to get what I mean. I'm trying to find videos of his conducting (not so successful yet), but here's one of him playing Gloriosa on the piano. You have to click on the words I typed below (ie. the title of the piece) to go to the video on Youtube, cos they disabled embedding.

Gloriosa- Symphonic Tone Poem for Band (ITO Yasuhide)

Oh, isn't it a moving piece of music? Pure genius.

And this is the orchestra version (not conducted by Mr. Ito, sadly). I don't know if it's really good though, cos I haven't watched the video (was loading damn slowly). In the meantime, I'll continue hunting for more brilliant pieces by Mr. Ito! And by the way, the pieces I posted or linked here are just movement 1. There's links to movements 2 and 3 as well, but I was too lazy haha. But you have to listen to the entire thing!






Whee!!! I changed my layout! To Lee Jun Ki! I'm happy now! :D:D:D

Isn't he lovely???? Ahhh.... and I have a poster of him on my bedroom wall, haha.

OMG, I sound like one of those 15 year old fangirls. But it can't be helped, 'cos he's brilliant. And brilliant actors (esp. brilliant and good-looking ones) deserve to be idolized. So, neh.




I write what I want, I post what I want. What right do you have to control me?

Going to be 22, and still treated like a child.

Why do some people like to have a say in everything? I don't even have the freedom to upload my photos onto Facebook anymore. Is it such a crime to share with people my photos? Why would anyone want to come and harm me or anyone else in my photos just by looking at them? Who will be so bo liao?

Caution is good, but there is a limit. You're bordering on paranoia. And I refuse to take them down. They're my rights.




I think Taylor Swift's song is so true. It definitely reminded me of a time when I was young... (make me sound so old now, haha). Back in secondary school days :) But well, things that weren't said then are better left unsaid, especially since they are faded memories anyway.

Teardrops on my guitar - Taylor Swift



Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see
That I want and I'm needing everything that we should be
I'll bet she's beautiful, that girl he talks about
And she's got everything that I have to live without

Drew talks to me, I laugh cause it's so damn funny
That I can't even see anyone when he's with me
He says he's so in love, he's finally got it right,
I wonder if he knows he's all I think about at night

[Chorus:]

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star
He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do

Drew walks by me, can he tell that I can't breathe?
And there he goes, so perfectly,
The kind of flawless I wish I could be
She'd better hold him tight, give him all her love
Look in those beautiful eyes and know she's lucky cause

[Repeat Chorus]

So I drive home alone, as I turn out the light
I'll put his picture down and maybe
Get some sleep tonight

He's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar
The only one who's got enough of me to break my heart
He's the song in the car I keep singing, don't know why I do
He's the time taken up, but there's never enough
And he's all that I need to fall into..

Drew looks at me, I fake a smile so he won't see.