Ok, so 2010's coming to an end, and I must say it's been a very 'safe' year for me personally. But there are a couple of major milestones I've reached. Here we go.
1. GRADUATION.
After 3 years of education in Temasek Polytechnic's IIT School, I finally graduated and I'm now a diploma holder in Internet & Multimedia Development. Some interesting facts regarding this chapter of my life is that I almost didn't get to pursue this course due to my partial color blindness. However, after meeting with the course director, they decided to accept me and the rest is history. Another thing that people might not know is that I almost quit the course halfway after being disillusioned and also due to a lack of interest, expertise and passion for digital media. But after a private talk with Ms Nat, I decided not to and I never regretted it since. I put my head down, worked hard, and finally graduated. Even if my GPA's were never gonna be enough to enter a local university, I still felt accomplished and I have serious intent to pursue a degree in a private institution after I complete my National Service.
2. THE MISFIT RAMONES.
As some of you might know already, I have been fronting a local punk band called The Misfit Ramones. We played our first show in March 09 and have been going strong since. 2009 was a fruitful and eventful year for us, playing around 5 shows, released our first compilation EP with other great acts, had an EP launch, played with the mighty Brader Bo of Ria's Vicious Volume and Chugga Ritual fame etc.
2010 however, just takes things to a whole different level. Here are some of the achievements we had.
- Radio airplay
(Kerenah Raya and Part-Time Soldier was played on Ria 89.7fm's Vicious Volume)
- Gibson support deal
(A Gibson Singapore representative approached us online and declared interest in supporting us with their gears)
- First overseas show
(We landed a spot to play at JB, Malaysia's Embrace Hall)
Others include being no 1 on Soundclick.com Punk Charts, being mentioned on Today and Straits Times, memorable show at Scape where we shared the stage with accomplished acts like Baybeats alumni, Cockpit and Thambi K Seaow, who were named as 2009's Singaporeans Who Mattered Most along with Electrico, Joanne Peh, Jamie Yeo, Fann Wong, Sezairi etc. Sharing the stage with these acts is already a dream come true for me. But for everything to happen in such a short amount time of a year, still feels surreal to me.
I come from a very humble music background, only being part of a couple of obscure sec school bands and now to be known as a member of The Misfit Ramones, simply said, it feels good. It was important for me to move on from being that guy who plays guitar in sec sch to a more respectable level. My friends who have been with me from the start knows that, I live and breathe playing music. It's probably the only reason for me to go 4 years being single and still be okay with it. Haha. With that being said, we are here to stay so look out for 2011. Someday, Insyallah, we will target KL, Jakarta and Manila to bring our special brand of punk over. :D
3. THE LADS.
The most important fellas thats been with me for the best part of 8 years. And I'm proud to say, we're still going strong, although some have fell off the wagon, which is a shame really. But I am sure if we were to meet and hang like the old times, there won't be any awkwardness. Because that's the beauty of our bond, we forgive and forget and don't hold grudges easily. We had 5 of us going to KL, and that's one of the highlights of the year for me definitely. 3 of us went to Tristan Park for dirt biking, and even though I came back battered and bruised, it was very worth it and an amazing experience. Here's to more overseas trips in 2011! Although that would be kinda hard since everyone is serving NS except for Wan. Haha. And this brings us to the next topic...
4. NS - CIVIL DEFENCE.
I finally received the dreaded letter to be enlisted into the SCDF, and entered on the 2nd of November. Amazing experience during BRT (Basic Rescue Training) period. I unfortunately was given a PES status of C2L9 due to my night blindness, and as a result I only had to serve 5 weeks of modified BRT (no physical training among others) with 42 other 'Ayam Saket (Sickly Chicken)'. A shame really, because I feel like I'm missing out on a lot valuable lessons. But the people I met inside were awesome. What I love about being a recruit, is that you really feel a sense of bond and belonging with everyone. You eat together, sleep together, go through shit together, get mad at each other, then be happy and celebrate together. A whirlwind of emotions which I probably will never be able to experience.
After passing out of BRT, I was selected to joined the Clerk Course to be a clerk (there isn't much vocations available if you're in PES C2/C9) and after passing out of that, I was posted to SSU Office in CDA (Civil Defence Academy) at Jalan Bahar. Posting? Commander's Secretary. I also work as an attendance and roll call clerk and possibly in the future, be the PO (Purchasing Order) guy. Not gonna complain and sulk, will just take whatever they throw at me and do the best I can.
5. K-WAVE.
This may come as a surprise, but 2010 is the year I got swept by the K-Wave and never recovered. It all started with We Got Married early this year, and I started watching other variety shows like Family Outing and Invincible Youth and I was hooked, bad. It got so bad that I had to give up shows that I used to follow like Chuck just so I could accommodate more Korean variety shows or K-dramas into my schedule. And it was all that I watch. Korean dramas, Korean variety shows, Korean music programs, Korean movies. I thought it would just be a phase but it's not. It's like when one show ended, another popped up and it's an endless cycle.
Korean entertainment is amazing, but its an acquired taste. If you don't like it, however hard you try to like it, you still won't enjoy it. What I personally love about K-Variety is that, everyone is the same. They look the same, they speak the same language, so if Yoo Jae Suk or Kang Ho Dong, two of the most popular MCs right now, says something funny, everyone gets it. Everyone laughs, everyone can relate to it, and it's beautiful to watch such a unified culture.
Some K-Wave recommendations:
K-Pop - Big Bang, 2PM, Super Junior, SHINee, Girl's Generation, After School, Kara, Wonder Girls.
K-Drama - Kim Tak Gu, Personal Taste, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Pasta, Oh! My Lady, Dream, God of Study, Full House
K-Variety - Family Outing, Invincible Youth, Happy Together, Oh! My School, Strong Heart, We Got Married, We Are Dating.
K-Movie - Vengeance Trilogy, Brotherhood, Sex is Zero, My Tutor Friend, My Sassy Girl, Windstruck, Daisy, Silmido
So here you go, my 2010 in review. Thanks for reading. Hope 2010's been amazing for everyone and if its not, don't worry, come 2011, forget the bad moments and start afresh. Plus, I've always believe that hardships are essential to make us stronger and better prepared for what's to come next. So yeah, cheers everyone, and a Happy New Year! :D
2010 however, just takes things to a whole different level. Here are some of the achievements we had.
- Radio airplay
(Kerenah Raya and Part-Time Soldier was played on Ria 89.7fm's Vicious Volume)
- Gibson support deal
(A Gibson Singapore representative approached us online and declared interest in supporting us with their gears)
- First overseas show
(We landed a spot to play at JB, Malaysia's Embrace Hall)
Others include being no 1 on Soundclick.com Punk Charts, being mentioned on Today and Straits Times, memorable show at Scape where we shared the stage with accomplished acts like Baybeats alumni, Cockpit and Thambi K Seaow, who were named as 2009's Singaporeans Who Mattered Most along with Electrico, Joanne Peh, Jamie Yeo, Fann Wong, Sezairi etc. Sharing the stage with these acts is already a dream come true for me. But for everything to happen in such a short amount time of a year, still feels surreal to me.
I come from a very humble music background, only being part of a couple of obscure sec school bands and now to be known as a member of The Misfit Ramones, simply said, it feels good. It was important for me to move on from being that guy who plays guitar in sec sch to a more respectable level. My friends who have been with me from the start knows that, I live and breathe playing music. It's probably the only reason for me to go 4 years being single and still be okay with it. Haha. With that being said, we are here to stay so look out for 2011. Someday, Insyallah, we will target KL, Jakarta and Manila to bring our special brand of punk over. :D
3. THE LADS.
The most important fellas thats been with me for the best part of 8 years. And I'm proud to say, we're still going strong, although some have fell off the wagon, which is a shame really. But I am sure if we were to meet and hang like the old times, there won't be any awkwardness. Because that's the beauty of our bond, we forgive and forget and don't hold grudges easily. We had 5 of us going to KL, and that's one of the highlights of the year for me definitely. 3 of us went to Tristan Park for dirt biking, and even though I came back battered and bruised, it was very worth it and an amazing experience. Here's to more overseas trips in 2011! Although that would be kinda hard since everyone is serving NS except for Wan. Haha. And this brings us to the next topic...
4. NS - CIVIL DEFENCE.
I finally received the dreaded letter to be enlisted into the SCDF, and entered on the 2nd of November. Amazing experience during BRT (Basic Rescue Training) period. I unfortunately was given a PES status of C2L9 due to my night blindness, and as a result I only had to serve 5 weeks of modified BRT (no physical training among others) with 42 other 'Ayam Saket (Sickly Chicken)'. A shame really, because I feel like I'm missing out on a lot valuable lessons. But the people I met inside were awesome. What I love about being a recruit, is that you really feel a sense of bond and belonging with everyone. You eat together, sleep together, go through shit together, get mad at each other, then be happy and celebrate together. A whirlwind of emotions which I probably will never be able to experience.
After passing out of BRT, I was selected to joined the Clerk Course to be a clerk (there isn't much vocations available if you're in PES C2/C9) and after passing out of that, I was posted to SSU Office in CDA (Civil Defence Academy) at Jalan Bahar. Posting? Commander's Secretary. I also work as an attendance and roll call clerk and possibly in the future, be the PO (Purchasing Order) guy. Not gonna complain and sulk, will just take whatever they throw at me and do the best I can.
5. K-WAVE.
This may come as a surprise, but 2010 is the year I got swept by the K-Wave and never recovered. It all started with We Got Married early this year, and I started watching other variety shows like Family Outing and Invincible Youth and I was hooked, bad. It got so bad that I had to give up shows that I used to follow like Chuck just so I could accommodate more Korean variety shows or K-dramas into my schedule. And it was all that I watch. Korean dramas, Korean variety shows, Korean music programs, Korean movies. I thought it would just be a phase but it's not. It's like when one show ended, another popped up and it's an endless cycle.
Korean entertainment is amazing, but its an acquired taste. If you don't like it, however hard you try to like it, you still won't enjoy it. What I personally love about K-Variety is that, everyone is the same. They look the same, they speak the same language, so if Yoo Jae Suk or Kang Ho Dong, two of the most popular MCs right now, says something funny, everyone gets it. Everyone laughs, everyone can relate to it, and it's beautiful to watch such a unified culture.
Some K-Wave recommendations:
K-Pop - Big Bang, 2PM, Super Junior, SHINee, Girl's Generation, After School, Kara, Wonder Girls.
K-Drama - Kim Tak Gu, Personal Taste, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho, Pasta, Oh! My Lady, Dream, God of Study, Full House
K-Variety - Family Outing, Invincible Youth, Happy Together, Oh! My School, Strong Heart, We Got Married, We Are Dating.
K-Movie - Vengeance Trilogy, Brotherhood, Sex is Zero, My Tutor Friend, My Sassy Girl, Windstruck, Daisy, Silmido
So here you go, my 2010 in review. Thanks for reading. Hope 2010's been amazing for everyone and if its not, don't worry, come 2011, forget the bad moments and start afresh. Plus, I've always believe that hardships are essential to make us stronger and better prepared for what's to come next. So yeah, cheers everyone, and a Happy New Year! :D