It's a leap year; February

February is the shortest month of the year.
However, there's a day more this year due to the leap year.

This post has absolutely nothing to do with the leap year except some random stuff I did in the month of February.

Blog reviews are stacking up in my draft folder,overdue. It dreads to see them in dormant positions when the content is still so fresh.

There's still about 6 + 3 travelogue posts to go.

I didn't have a PC for over 2 weeks to blog and update photographs Which also explains why I've stopped going for events temporary, knowing I won't be in time to blog them all out anytime soon.

Yes, Social Media has officially become a part of my life, undeniably. I admit, it's somehow EATING into my life too, based on the time I spend drafting blog posts. Imagine, it took me 3 months to sort out the photographs and videos for my Jakarta trip, gather information and another 4 days just to blog my day 1 about it.

Don't ask me why I take so long; simply because I like to search and digest information completely before I have the confidence to blog about it.

School outreach programmes with Silver zir  and the FDP Coaching Team has commenced. Within this short period of time, I've learnt so much: to handle huge crowds, brushing up my public-speaking techniques, crowd control, present the best of myself... ...I will keep improving!

The first school we went to this year, where we held our FDP's Coaching school outreach programme, was Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School. Read Silver's post here.

Next, we've just been to Ping Yi Secondary School and it was a blast!
Ping Yi Secondary School have many good-looking students.

Other than that, I'm trying to spend more time with friends and family. One day, Mum popped up the idea of having a BBQ with our family and friends. So we had one and I am really so thankful everyone was totally spontaneous!




I'd call them my housemates from now on, so close and dear to me. Always lending a helping hand when I'm in need:

left to right: Cho's friend, Cho, Sienn.

Where did all this mobs come from?

My cousins, younger brother(specs), his friend Kelcin and Yongwei(black) BBQ-ing for the crowd.

I was doing my usual Monday singing performance at All About Eve Bar, when someone whom I've been looking for over a decade came popping up to watch my performance!



Meet Edgar, my 'Dad'(爹爹) since Secondary School.

He dotes on me the most, ever! Always patting my head in school, speaking up for me, get caught by teachers passing letters and notes, chat with me on the phone, help my with my school work... After secondary school, I lost his contact number and couldn't find him anymore. Even though I've been looking up on Friendster and facebook, he's couldn't be found because of the username he's using.

Thank you so much, Jennifer Jie, for bringing 爹爹 and reunite us again!
Muacks x264890054598439856498.

Here's something special I wish I'd done long long time ago: To buy a ticket and support a friend's recital/concert/performance!

Yiyang, my keyboardist at All About Eve Bar, is the Vice-president of the NUS Jazz Band. The concert was so entertaining! Presenting to the audience the essence of jazzy songs of  different genres, including Bossa Nova, swing, blues, salsa and samba.



I enjoyed myself thoroughly.

I fell in love with Funk Jazz after listening to one of their bands remixed and played this song: RIO FUNK.





Hey everyone, this is my most talented keyboardist, Chan Yiyang.
Remember his name friends,

CHAN. YI. YANG.

Last but not least, I attended Low Kay Hwa's first book launch. The man carries the deepest passion you can ever imagine. The heartfelt words his friend and him shared at the launch brought tears to my eyes.




He recapped about how he started Goody Books, the difficulties he face, being outcast as a child, to finally being accepted by someone who understands him, being accepted by the society, being accepted of his works, the difficulties they face and brave together as a team etc.

Through their speeches, you can sincerely feel the friendship that was bonded, the trust that was built, the simplicity of passion, love and everything that was so inspiringly cosy.

Someone asked if he'll ever stop writing, he turned so solemn and when he said he will never, even if it is with no one's support and he's not earning anything, as long he knows that there's someone out there, waiting for his story to be published, he'll never give up writing.

How many of you out there, have lost this feeling so long ago, after being faced with the practicality of the society, the harsh reality of financial status and fame? Have you become a slave for money, or are you stil in control of your passion? What makes you really contented and happy? Have you spent most of your moments to the fullest? Are there colours?

Find your soul again.

Kay Hwa, thank you reinforcing the passion I carry, with its fire dimming as days goes by. Thank you for re-lighting this passion of mine.

Life, the simplicity of it.

Here's to the two winners who won A Singapore Love Story novel, autographed by Low Kay Hwa:


Meet Bryan. Congratulations!


And April (1st from the right), sweet girl.









I must get his autographed too!


Here are the bloggers who took the extra mile to come down and support Low Kay Hwa.You all are the best!

There are some bloggers out there who really blog for the sake of fees and freebies. It's sad to know that there are such people out there. Your capacity of love is so little, blogging for the wrong purposes. There are times where you can always choose to blog out of love instead, you know. My 2 cents worth.

Clockwise from the left:
Silver: http://thatsilvergirl.blogspot.com
Me
Terence Yeo: http://www.yeoterence.com/
Low Kay Hwa: www.facebook.com/lowkayhwa
Jessie Quek: www.babylingrkm.blogspot.com
Yeo Hong Peng: http://hpility.blogspot.com
William: http://onlywilliam.blogspot.com

Two very shy lovelies who were left out of the photo unintentionally, were there to show their support:

Hayley Woo: www.hayleywoojiayi.com
Jayley Woo: www.jayleywoojiaqi.com

I support them all! 





I'm very blessed to befriend many inspiring and passionate people. Even more blessed to have the chance to walk into their lives. Their live testimonials keep me going.

Here's a toast to our passion!

YUmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm*cheat breaths* mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm*choke*ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......SENG!

[Blog Giveaway] Autographed A Singapore Love Story Novel by Singapore Novelist, Low Kay Hwa

The reason why I made a trip to  Goody Books last month was to meet Low Kay Hwa, one of the youngest full time novelist in Singapore, to collect copies of his latest novel, A Singapore Love Story.

Low Kay Hwa is a GUY. This is for those who have always thought that Low Kay Hwa is a female.

Who would've thought that this inspiring young man is only 27 this year, a year older than me, already a novelist who has written 10 novels and owns a his facebook page which has garnered more than 110,000 likes!

FWOAH~!

Here is the cover page of his latest novel, the tenth one, titled A Singapore Love Story:



Story Summary

A typical reality romance in Singapore. The girl is smart and comes from a healthy, good-income family. The guy is street-wise but his family background is just the opposite of the girl's. The couple were loggerheads when first met at a very young age. As if destined, their love for each other grew over the years.

Living in a urban country like Singapore where education, finance, status and power counts in your everyday life, does romance exist? Two different people from different family backgrounds and different mentality topped by harsh reality, will true love beats the odds?

Beware of that surprise ending of this story.
Clue: Someone in this story died. But who, really?

Simple Descriptions Yet Mind Intriguing

Low Kay Hwa managed to visualize the many different aspects of a typical Singapore couple and wrote them out in simple, to the point form. As compared to complex story-writing, you don't have to ponder too much over trying to make out what those 'chim' phrases and metaphors mean. Like for instance, when I read Jodi Picoult novels, I have to re-read the sentences a few times before I finally understand where she's coming from. In this story's case, your mind has ample space to focus and wonder about reality issues which the author has brought up. I believe most Singaporeans are facing these same issues as we grow up. For the younger generation, there are lessons to be learnt, behaviour and attitude in life to reflect upon. For the same and older generation, this book has a high possibility of triggering back fond memories of your first romance, of Singapore scenes in the 90s.

Me. To be exact.
A Singapore Love Story intrigues and amuses me.

I Can Relate

I have been through fail relationships. I have doubted my dependency on my supposedly 'other half' then. Those sleepless nights where I kept thinking about 'our' future, whether he's good for me or if I'm compatible with him. Those heartaches, those days where I have to deal with endless dilemmas.

Nevertheless, puppy love romance those days were the sweetest moments I keep: 'He' who'd wait for me outside my classroom when the recess bell rings, who wrote encouraging love letters just to make me smile, who copied my homework for me so that we can chat on the phone until morning... Awww... those sweet, sweet days where even holding little pinkies can make my heart skip a beat...

As I read on, memories of my past came into view, especially my dating venues: the people, the shops, the design, the architecture, the surrounding, even the smell. As the ice-skating rink was described, I think back of friends and 'someone' whom I've met during my ice-skating days. I wrote 2 mandarin songs about it.

Wanted to scan and show you some photos of me at the ice skating rink but when I opened my storeroom:






Maybe next time? My albums are in a box right behind the storeroom. *faint*

Hey wait a minute, how did Low Kay Hwa know so much about what I've been through and what I was thinking during my younger days?! Has he been through this too? I believe this story is something which most of us, especially Singaporeans, can relate to very well.


Singapore Culture

Should a foreigner chance upon his novels, he'll get to know more about Singaporeans! Our Singlish and places of interest, our lives: school, work and play. The author is thoughtful for walking the extra mile to explain Singlish words he used.

Taken from A Singapore Love Story Chapter 1, Pg 9:
Sabo, in Singapore, means sabotage.

The Chapters Of The Book

Low Kay Hwa is so meticulous.

Have you notice by now that the chapters of this book are named after Singapore's MRT(Mass Rapid Transport) train stations? The names of this chapters are arranged by order of the MRT's East-West line, beginning from its first station stop, Joo Koon, all the way to the last which is Pasir Ris MRT Station.

Take a look at the GREEN line on Singapore's MRT Network Map.

Maybe the author's trying to encourage us to read his book while travelling on the MRT and beat the speed of reading one chapter each from one station to another? It's fine if that's not what he intended.

Well, I challenged myself anyway;
A small game to keep myself entertained.

It's really fun as I tried to speed read the book so fast such that as I approach the next MRT station, the name of the chapter tallies with the MRT station name! I'm lucky to be able to play this game as I have to travel to Pioneer to give tuition classes. YAY!

There are negative chapters too! These negative chapters are what gave this story the twists! Written in the form of a person's purest thoughts and observation. Feel.

Improvements

I've read Low Kay Hwa's other novels too, Lilith and A Photogenic Life. He is getting so good in his writing style and English errors. 3 cheers for you!

I'm not good enough to judge. I make way more english grammatical errors than a lot of us do. Once, I even spelt 'temple' as 'temper'. Ops. 

Perhaps the only thing I feel that may be improved is perhaps to use a wider range of adjectives. Like instead of using 'fly into his room', he can rephrase the content such that no one has to fly unnecessarily, the character can already be at the door or in the room. It'll make the story sound even more realistic and romantic.


Check out my interview with Low Kay Hwa:




Also, Low Kay Hwa is having his FIRST BOOK LAUNCH which will be held at Earshot Cafe at the Arts House, on 07 February 2012(TUESDAY), from 7pm onwards!

I'm going down to show my support!




For more information of the book launch, please click on this photo:



Having said so much, you really should go read A Singapore Love Story.

I'm giving away TWO Low Kay Hwa's latest novel, A Singapore Love Story. Plus, these 2 books are autographed by Low Kay Hwa himself! I can sign for you too if you request! Haha, Super thick-skinned.







Email to mintmintleong@gmail.com and share with me ANYTHING about what you think of Low Kay Hwa now. Winners will be announced on 03 February 2012, Friday.

Some suggestions: Have you heard of Low Kay Hwa? How did you get to know him? Have you read his previous books? Do you think he's made you proud to be a Singaporean? Are you coming for his book launch?




Let's All Support Local talents!