坏坏的Koju

Oh yah...Must mention this also...

Koju is a very elegant dancer. If you notice the way she dances, her movements are very beautiful and sharp and at the same time gives you the soft touch feel.

She is a all-rounder. You can hardly find many all-rounders in Taka.

I am very proud to exclaim that Koju is one of them.^^

Nova Bosa Nova

In this clip, Koju acted as a jewellery robber who was chased by the cops. In order to escape from the cops, Koju grabbed a passer-by, Komu, and kissed her.

Look at Koju's seductive eyes...

The best part in this show was the girl left with Koju completely forgotten about her boyfriend..(Jaws dropping...LOL)

When I first watched this, I nearly fell out of my chair. I was so used to Koju's goody goody lovely casts...

I didn't know that Koju could act such cheeky and seductive roles as well...

Gosh...I just simply adore her!

Not only she sings well, she is a fabulous actress too!

More Of Koju Tatsuki

Revisit Koju's Takarazuka's Butterfly Lovers

Shanice is interested...I used to intro to her but she didn't pay full attention.

Now she is interested...Serve her right yozz. (LOL)

Takarazuka can be addictive...

Wish you become a Taka addict soon. (LOL devilishly...)

But first of all,



Watch this clip - The Fugitive

Koju is a dynamic singer, believe me. ^^



Here is your long awaited Butterfly lovers.

This is the part where Shanbo sent Yingtai away after Yingtai received a letter from her uncle asking her to go back.

Takarazuka Version Of "The Butterfly Lovers"

With Chinese subtitles.

The Star troupe went to China for a friendly exchange program.

They put up the famous Chinese classics - The Butterfly Lovers.

My most favourite Taka Idol - Koju Tatsuki was the then TOP of Star troupe.

She acted as Liang Shanbo. ^^

Of course they changed some of the scenerios..

For examples..

Yingtai disguised herself as a man to learn traditional Japanese dance.

Yingtai killed herself because she was forced to marry someone she didn't love.

Shanbo weeped at Yingtai's tomb instead etc.

Performing Is Stressful When ...

When you are sick and especially you lost your voice.

Already half deaf, now "bestowed" with a lost voice...

I am as well as half deaf cum mute.

That will make me a quieter person.

A colleague was concerned and he asked me whether was he the one who made me so quiet and reserved nowadays...He is one of my bosses...

I told him no...

At least he doesn't stress me that much compared to the rest of the bosses.

I heard him heave a sigh of relief.

My only performance this Saturday is very important to me. It is the first international gala performance jointly performed by the CHN, TW and SG artistes.

Though I have only ONE performance out of THREE days and also quite "honourable" to be the only KHer to be given only ONE performance...I must really try my level best.

(Please.....this ONLY ONE KHER does not apply to those who gave up their roles due to various reasons...And don't tell me that it was my fault for not learning other roles...I think is scrap lor...I learn "Soya" and "Soya" isn't included in the Gala show...cos it is too long.)

I learn the "Princess" but this show is always put aside for the newbies and for some privileged ones...so in the end..I just resign to fate and stay put as the palace maid...

And someone told me that I being a maid was too much a waste.

Hehe...at least for a half deaf cum mute person like me now...it isn't a waste to be a palace maid...

I don't get to talk and sing... (LOL)

Dreams Of The West Chamber

Must really show you this!

I have been wanting to get this DVD for quite some time.

A friend bought it in Guangzhou and gave it to me. ^^

Super yozz. ^^

It cost RMB70plus...Wow..A good catch indeed. ^^

But the worst part of this DVD is NO SUBTITLES!!! Gosh I don't really understand Cantonese....

Granny Ji's "Xuemei Destroys The Spin Weaver"

紀招治的[新雪梅之斷機教子]

Traditional style of singing but with TASTE!!!

I like it. ^^

Granny Ji probably has the same status as TW Granny Liao. Though I think the latter is more exposed in her own country.

Anyway, both belong to the same era.

I like Granny Ji's style of singing.

If you hear her sing live...really dynamic!

I wonder how old is she now. This disc was recorded in her much later part of her life. Her voice may sound gruff however the traditional taste is still vividly present. ^^

Teochew Opera @ Esplanade

The first thing I saw this poster, a thought flashed through my mind.

Another mother and daughter duet.

Both of them are chinese dance teachers (If my info is still correct)

Both of our troupes apppeared in a local documentary on vanishing traditional chinese opera performing arts.

I have seen some snippets of their rehearsals. The shots were too short to leave any deep impression.

Anyone interested to go for the show. Perhaps AC if he has the time as he is one teochew opera lover. ^^

Traditional Chinese VS Simplified Chinese

I learn Simplified Chinese since young. However I feel that traditional chinese words are really very very beautiful and elegant. In every word, it has its meaning and from the above picture, you can see the evolvement of the words. Really very meaningful.

Simplified Chinese has been created about 30years or more unlike Traditional Chinese has existed in the Chinese culture for about 6000 years. It was said that Simplified Chinese was created to provide easier reading and writing for the youths and foreigners.

I saw in a friend's msn's headline on "Say NO to United Nations' abolishment of Traditional Chinese in 2008."

I don't know how true is this. Is UN really serious in abolishing the use of Traditional Chinese this year?

But what is the reason of abolishing the use of Traditional Chinese? Can't it just stay put.

I learn to read Traditional Chinese characters via Chinese operas. I know how to read but do not know how to write them...We don't learn to write chinese characters in the traditional way.

However I like my chinese name to be written in Traditional Chinese. It looks so much nicer.

I am not taking on any sides. But I hope that be it, Traditional or Simplified, just let them co-exist peacefully.

It would be a pity if such beautiful traditional chinese characters no longer exist in our Chinese culture.

Tang Wan

Usually the story evolves around Lu You but in this Fanghua's VCD tells more of Tang Wan's life story.

I find it quite nice though I am yet to digest the whole of the story.

The show starts off with 4 "body-permed hair" gals tying in between the scenes...(look like maids to me...and also they seem to act as narrators.)

It begins with the separation of Lu You and Tang Wan. The normal story usually starts off with the two cousins falling in love, getting married, mother-in-law's belief in superstition, breaking of the couple etc...

You notice the trend...more and more "effects" are input into Chinese operas and they are kind of getting modernised.

Just like the Ni Huiying's "Hua Yue Ying"...

I don't mind really...quite nice though I do like traditional style as well. However too much of traditional input sometimes do put me to sleep. (LOL)

Some More Grammar Errors

Wrong English Grammar Usage

1. Has she received any informations?

2. Have you learnt the new poetry?

3. Do you know that people?

4. She is junior than me.

5. Which is the best of the two?

6. I am not as rich as him.

7. He invited Steven and I to his house.

8. Did she came?

9. I have seen him yesterday.

10. The girl has no bed to sleep.

So the correct usage should be....

See What I Got

A memorial book featuring Fanghua Yueju Troupe.



The founder of Fanghua Yueju Troupe.








Pictures were taken from the inside of the memorial book. ^^

The book cost a neat 50 bucks.

Even if you buy from China, this book itself is around $45...So still quite worth buying.

LOST My Voice!!!

I lost my voice today!

This is BAD!!!!!

The Hokkien Gala is going to debut this Friday and my performance is on Saturday!!!

I am going to see DOC tonight!

SAVE my voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Performance Last Night

I know I look kind of weird in this picture. However this is the only picture that I took with my HP camera.

I was so tired yesterday. Seminar in the morning , rehearsal cum makeup in the afternoon and performance at night.

Seminar was so stressful, rehearsal was just a "go-tru", the lead lady was late and she is very comfident in this show and prior to the performance, I was sick most of the time so I lack practice.

But I can't ask too much because I was the one "wasted" my practice opportunities.

The performance at night was quite a long wait and the weather was hot and stuffy.

I have another performance next Saturday.

Only one performance in the 3-day Gala Show. Someone told me that I didn't make an effort to learn other opera excerpts so that was why I was only given one performance opportunity.

Hahaha....really?

But so what if it isn't the reason... No use pondering over it.

If you are a hot favourite, your list of performance opportunities will grow...just like someone(s) ahem ahem...;P

Still water runs deep yozz. ;P

Last but not least, when I reached home last night. Dad was waiting for me in the living room. The first words that came out of his mouth was...

"How could a half-deaf perform?"

They weren't happy with me , performing when I have not recovered.

"I used the other ear to hear the music."

Did I sing my parts off? I'm not sure.

I wish I recover SOON!

Care Bears Intro

I watched "Care Bears" when I was young. Here is a clip of the cartoon. Enjoy yourself.

Dear Dad

Read this story and re-examine your priorities and thinking.

A father passing by his teenage daughter's bedroom was astonished to see the
bed was nicely made and everything was neat and tidy.

Then he saw an envelope propped up prominently on the centre
of the pillow.> > It was addressed "Dad". With the worst premonition, he opened
the envelope and read the letter with trembling hands:-


Dear Dad,

It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you, but
I'm > > leavinghome. I had to elope with my new boyfriend Randy > because
I wanted to avoid a scene with Mom and you.

I've been finding real passion with Randy and he is so nice to me. I know
when you meet him you'll like him too - even with all his > > piercing, tattoos,
and motorcycle clothes. But it's not only the passion Dad, I'm > > pregnant and Randy said that he wants me to have the kid and that we can be very happy together.

Even though Randy is much older than me (anyway, 42 isn't so old these days is it? ), and has no money, really these things shouldn't stand in the way of our relationship, don't you agree?

Randy has a great CD collection; he already owns a trailer in the woods and
has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. It's true he has other
girlfriends as well but I know he'll be faithful to me in his own way. He
wants to have many more children with me and that's now one of
my dreams too

Randy taught me that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone and he'll be
growing it for us and we'll trade it with our friends for all the cocaine
and ecstasy we want. In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a
cure for AIDS so Randy can get better; he sure deserves it!!

Don't worry Dad, I'm 15 years old now and I know how to take care of myself.
Someday I'm sure we'll be back to visit so you can get to know your grandchildren.

Your loving daughter,
Rosie.

At the bottom of the page were the letters " PTO".

Hands still trembling, her father turned the sheet, and read:


PS:

Dad, none of the above is true. I'm over at the neighbour's
house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than
my report card that's in my desk centre drawer. Please sign it and call when
it is safe for me to come home.

I love you!

Your loving daughter,
Rosie

Me Me Me

I think I need to trim my hair.

It looks messy.

(Someone's even messier than mine...LOL)

New Dancing Shoes

I wore it last night just for fun.

I wore it this afternoon just for fun.

The dancers asked me why I bought the dancing shoes.

Just for fun.

Though I didn't join in the dancing class doesn't mean I couldn't buy and wear them for fun.

Maybe I may go back to the dance class when my health improve.

Play by ear then.

Mum thought that I quit KH and she was happy.

She wasn't too happy to learn that I went back to KH to rehearse.

Dad just asked me about my ear.

I told him that it is still blocked.

Guess my parents want me to stay at home and recuperate.

They aren't wrong to think in this way.

I would love to stay at home and rest.

23rd Feb, I am going to perform the "Hong Lou Meng" excerpt.

Hopefully by then, I am fully recovered.

Anyway, I am not the ONLY Jia Baoyu...

Even if I can't make it, there is always a 2nd Jia Baoyu, a 3rd Jia Baoyu and a 4th Jia Baoyu......

The whole troupe isn't going to wait for you. Performance and Money and Opportunity don't wait for you.

Either you take it or leave it.

Those days when I was not feeling well, my bond with my family tighten. So in a way, in KH I lose acting opportunities but I gain more concern from my family.

It is your choice. It depends on what you want.

You can be the top in the ranking list in terms of performing opportunities but you have to sacrifice some other things to make way for it.

I have sacrificed many things and I don't wish to sacrifice my health.

I may not be as active as before... Maybe I may become a happier person. ^^

Care Bear

The more I look at this pinky Care Bear, the more adorable he is...^^

Nice to cuddle, is a pity that the bear is too small to hug...^^

Anyway, I like cute bears. ^^

Wrong Grammar Usage 2

What is the correct grammar usage for the below sentences? Give it a try yozz.

1. She gives me some advices.
2. These news are good.
3. Those sort of people are nice to talk with.
4. He is the best of the two brothers.
5. She is junior than me.
6. What kind of a flower is this?
7. He is older than me.
8. One must do his duty.
9. I said to him to go.
10. We lived here since 1980.

A Two-word Poem

(Too tired to tilt it so please bear with it and turn your head to view the bookmark for a better view. ^^)

Example of a two-word poem.

They raced.

Matt winced.

Matt froze.

Matt nodded.

Ted watched.

Blood flew.

He sprang.


Now my own example of a two-word poem.

I sang.

He flinched.

I stopped.

He jumped.

I fumed.

He perspired.

I screamed

He fidgeted.

I stormed.

He chased.

(Can see the scenerio? I got myself a little token, a nice bookmark, for coming up with this two-word poem.) ^^

Back To KH

Finally after quite a long period of absence, I'm back!

I don't feel the usual zest that I used to have in the earlier days.

Maybe I am simply too tired and maybe I have run out of energy even though I didn't come back for practices during my absence.

I have not fully recovered yet and my ear is still blocked.

I need to catch up what I have missed previously especially my Jia Baoyu.

XJ input me with the latest updates and YN came to rehearse with me after she had done with her work in school.

Acting with XJ and YN is really very different. XJ is more flexible as she is more experienced. Both of us have been stage partners for quite some time and hence we kind of know how to adapt to each other.

YN is more conservative in the sense that she lacks the "feel" and sometimes she gives me the feeling that she is acting in her own dimension...She has not grasped hold on "co-operative acting" yet. Anyway she is on the TOP ranking list with the most number of acting opportunities during this lst quarter of the year. She stands a high chance to train up her acting experience.(LOL)

I know she is always keen to learn and has been trying very hard. It takes time. I have been through it before.



I am more interested in this. (See Picture)

I found this book in the office and was so excited. The dan in the cover page is Ji Zhaozhi, a veteran Xiangopera actress. She belongs to the older generation as Granny Liao from TW.

Same generation...which means Granny Ji doesn't sing in s shrill voice. (Hurray)

I listened to some of the tracks in the CD. Not the early recordings hence her voice sounded a bit cracked. However I find her singing nice and got that traditional taste.

XJ heard the CD and she also wanted to have the CD just like me. ^^

AC, you should listen to the CD too. Overall I think is quite nice. ^^

Ben & Jerry N Me

I hardly buy a tub of ice-cream, let alone the premium Ben & Jerry's.

But I like Ben & Jerry so much that I don't mind to pay for 15 bucks for a small tub of ice-cream.

I bought "Strawberry Cheesecake". (Ooops, Shanice's mouth is watering......)

Samantha aka Suyin introduced Ben & Jerry's. In addition, she works there as a store manager.

She introduced me the Merlion and it's real yummy...

Ben & Jerry's price is rather steep and that's why I only eat when I really feel to and when it is necessary...(LOL)

However Ben & Jerry's ice-cream really tastes SUPER and in my own opinion, I find Ben & Jerry nicer than Hagen Dazz.



Shanice, look over here again...Does it set your tastebuds going?

Oh yes, I have labelled my ice-cream. This is to serve as a gentle reminder not to EAT my ice-cream without asking for my permission..(LOL)

It costs about 15 bucks...not 50 cents... I don't wish to see my ice-cream vanishing into thin air without my acknowledgement.

You ask and I will gladly offer you a scoop...(LOL)

[Er...does not refer to the Ben & Jerry's ice-cream outlets, only limited to my kitchen's fridge.]

My Valentine's Gifts

I got some Valentine's gifts and I love them all! Guess what was inside this big heart?



It was a laptop cover. ^^ Something that I would love to have. ^^



More gifts and you notice something?

They are all in PINK!

Finally....

Finally I managed to connect my N73 to my laptop. I have taken numerous pictures with my hp and wasn't able to store the pictures into the laptop till now.

I realised that I didn't get the right cable and I didn't install the Nokia PC Suite in the first place.

I can't even bluetooth the pictures to my laptop because my laptop isn't enabled with the software.

My laptop can't be compared to Shanice's. Hers can be bluetoothed right away from her hp to her laptop... wow...wow

So must show you a picture(the above) from my HP which I have taken quite some time ago. Initially what I did was I bluetoothed to my other hp which I connected to my desktop. One more step to complete before I can get my pictures.

I miss my BOBO BEAR!!!! I'm gonna get him back from his "bearnapper"!

Happy Valentine Day

Wish everyone a Happy Valentine Day!

I have received "Happy Valentine" smses from friends. Thank you very much.

No candle lit dinner for me, as usual, on this very special day. To me, it is just another ordinary day except that I went to see the DOC again.

I told DOC that I really didn't want to have an operation. Though I am recovering, the progress is very slow.

DOC gave me another 2 weeks of medication. If I am not fully recovered by then, I have to go to ENT for operation......

I really have no mood to think about the upcoming performance...My nose and ear are still not fully clear of sinus.

How to go for performance if I can't hear well???

One good thing is that the pain that taunted me badly has more or less gone away. Is the hearing imperfection that is affecting me now.

The whole CNY season, I am actually not too well even though I carry on with my normal routines.

4 more months before the June Hols...I WANT HOLIDAYS! (LOL)

Wrong English Usage

Wrong English Usage

1. Our house is built of stones.
2. She gets a less salary than you.
3. Who did you meet?
4. There is any water in the jug.
5. Did she came? Did she come?
6. We have no one to depend.
7. He is very tired to walk.
8. That cattle is ours.
9. He is my older brother.
10. She has began to work.

Anyone wanna to try to correct them? ^^

Maid Abuses Baby

It was on the News tonight. The maid is so SICKENING!

How could she do that to a 2-mth-old baby.

She kicked, shook and smacked the baby!

The mum put up the videos at Youtube to warn other mothers against abusive maids.

http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot22xZqLMMI&feature=related

Juan Wanna Know About These...

1) What do you think you have done well in 2007?

Ans) Personally I think that I have done well in my opera. I didn't do many roles though. I think I sang not too bad...(Must be humble a bit.)

2) What do you think you have done worst (or achieved worst) in 2007?

Ans) My health. I fainted at least 3 times, went to the hospital in an ambulance once, hyperventilated more than 3 times in a year and sick for nth times.

3)List top 3 resolutions for this year.

Ans) Haven't really given a good thought over resolutions. Perhaps I want;

a) To save $$$
b) To be pink in the health. Cute and bubbly, not to fall sick always
c) To be a TOP in KH. (This is a BIG JOKE. Yet to put it down as a resolution is harmless yozz. You can't be a TOP in KH (Unless I change to a dan, maybe there is a possiblity that I can be the TOP DAN) but you can be a TOP in the audience's hearts. Everyone stands a good chance. ^^)

P.S. To be the TOP DAN...not easy yozz...so many dans in KH and they are all competitive and ambitious dans. Not only that, they are much healthier than I. I think I will definitely fall sick... So I won't go for "TOP DAN". I think I am more suited to be the TOP in whining...(LOL)

Oh ya and also...TOP in the "Falling Sick" List as stated by Juan. ;P

Spot Any Mistakes?

How good is your English? Let see if you can spot any
mistake in the following sentences.

1. You've passed your driving test. Congratulation!
2. Our shop is open 7 days a week including Sunday and public
holiday.
3. The Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

I gotten the above from an email asking me how good my English was.

Well, I am rotten in English......

Have you spotted any mistakes in the above sentences?

Xiamen Tong An Ge Zai Xi Troupe

The Xiamen Tong An Gezaixi Troupe is here. They are debuting their lst show tomorrow. ^^





These are the titles that they are going to perform for the next 2 weeks or so. ^^

Interested, anyone?

Hot Pot (I) & Other Matters

The Khers are going to have a hotpot session this noon. I am still thinking whether to go for it. My nose and ear aren't fully recovered. I have run out of "Telfast" and left with some "sleeping" pills.

I am not sure whether to continue taking the sleeping pills or not. I try not to.

The pain isn't that tremendous compared to last week. I nearly died of pain then.

CNY is just round the corner. I'm looking forward to it... I WANT hongbaos!

My hongbaos are "shrinking" as I age.....(LOL)

CNY is one of my favourite festive seasons. I get to eat lots of food (which I thought I would always get to eat however I always eat lesser than usual.)

Relatives that you don't get to see always would turn up during this occasion.

As usual my not-so-favourite uncle and his family will be visiting us as well.

Hope this time he won't try to ask me to donate to his church. (I got nothing against any religions.) You know what he did last time?

He threw the donation card onto my lap and asked me to donate. Worse, he asked my friends who came to visit to donate also.

Not that we were miserly stingy, he ASKED for the donation at the WRONG time!

In addition, he asked for certain amount...(I thought donation is something you donate voluntary irregardless of any amount???)

My mum's face darkened. She refused to donate a single cent. Dad, as usual, played the good and kind brother donated...He urged me to donate too...(Arghhhhhhhh....)

After my grandparents' incident, I had very poor impression on that uncle of mine. Till now, I find myself hard to forgive him for what he had done to my late grandparents.

I'm a very straightforward person. I let my feelings flow. Sometimes my feelings get the better of me.

Perhaps I do not know how to protect myself and those who don't know me well think badly of me. (LOL)

As if I care about how people think about me? Nay... I care more for those people that I know rather.

Those whom I don't know, I can't be bothered. Go ahead and call me names, condemn me if you want. But remember you may not be any better than I am. (LOL)

Back to CNY...

I will be pretty busy during this season. I want to rest more and get well soon.

*Shucks*....need to do some reports too.

During this time, I don't want to think of chinese operas...... How do you expect me to enjoy when I am still "half-deaf"...My left ear is still blocked...

Can you imagine with all those gongs and cymbals clanging, these sounds would echo continuously in my ear. I will go insane.....(LOL)

Oh yes, that reminds me to report to Doc on Sunday....

When am I going to fully recover??? Hopefully asap. ^^

Acute Sinus & Leader's call

You need about 3 weeks to recover from acute sinus....(Boo Hoo Hoo)

I think I am now into my 3rd week...Hopefully I will recover before CNY begins...

I want to ENJOY my CNY!!!

A very nice gal told me not to give up my chinese opera performance. She encouraged me to continue and not to quit the March Performance.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to her. ^^

A little bird told me to beware of "spy" or "spies" ...(LOL)

Anyway, Leader called me up last week to ask about my condition. HAPPY yozz...cos she called and expressed her concern...(Horn horn)

Sometimes a little call makes wonder. ^^