I bet you don't know that I watch soccer, do you?
Sometimes I do, heh-heh.
I was influenced by a very good friend of mine, Jeremy Boi, during my teens.
This is a super over-due post but it's too meaningful to be given a pass.
On 13 December 2012 at the Epson United Spirit Soccer Clinic II (EUSSC II), 20 young recipients of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF) from Beyond Social Services experienced a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a short experience of what life would be like as Manchester United Under-19 Squad members.
Leveraging on Epson’s sponsorship of Manchester United Soccer Club, the EUSSCs are an ongoing series of soccer-related events where Epson collaborates with Manchester United for the benefit of underprivileged youth in Singapore and around the region.
Photo Credit: Epson Singapore
This latest EUSSC II is held in conjunction with the inaugural NEXLions Cup tournament where the club’s Under-19 team and its coaches are in Singapore to compete against the youth teams from Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon and the Singapore Youth Selection Squad, led by ex-national skipper, Aide Iskandar.
The NEXLions Cup Tournament is a joint initiative between the Football Association of Singapore and Kirkwall Sports, which is also the exclusive partner of Manchester United Soccer Schools in Southeast Asia.
At the EUSSC II, the 20 Beyond youth got to interact with Manchester United’s youth squad, watch them train for the NEXLions Cup tournament, and even received a professional skills coaching session from the team’s coaches. The session taught the boys a range of movements and techniques that are characteristic of Manchester United players. The session was designed to allow repetition of these fundamental actions in a fun and exciting way and to challenge and motivate players at all times.
I'm talking about 1 hour of personal coaching from Man Utd coaches and the youths got to play along with the Man Utd U19 team - even got to wear their jerseys!
Photo Credit: Epson Singapore
Photo Credit: Epson Singapore
Photo Credit: Epson Singapore
Photo Credit: Epson Singapore
As part of Manchester United’s holistic education philosophy, the Beyond youth were also given a talk by the club’s youth development and education officer who encouraged and advised them on pursuing a professional career in soccer while highlighting the importance and necessity of achieving an equally strong academic balance.
Play hard but don't forget to study & work hard too!
I finally have time to sit down & really think through my resolutions for 2013. I give myself ten resolutions annually but this year, I'm going to stick to just eight. Now that I've almost recovered from my 39 degree Celsius high fever which went on for consecutively 6 days, I really have to stop being a workaholic & learn how to cut myself some slack.
Ladies & gentlemen,
I now present my 8 New Year Resolutions.
~1 Go on a Taiwan Holiday! Welcome 2 Taiwan! I simply love love love love love Taiwan. The people, the culture, the language, their services, the manners & everything about Taiwan itself. It's really easy to adapt to life in Taipei because the life is so simliar to that of Singapore's except that the people there are so much more well-mannered and the daily life starts later so we can sleep in! Instead of just Taipei, I hope to explore their countryside too, visit unique cafes, admire the sceneries. Maybe I'll visit this Autumn, when it's cooling & nice. Most importantly when they are selling all those pretty autumn/winter boots! I'm going to loot many many many pairs home, whee~!
~2 Get my driving license It's about time too. I've been letting this resolution dragged too long. With the driving license obtained, I can aim for a car next and drive my Buppy around! ~3 Learn & Play the Ukulele Thank you Angie, Fenny & Conan for giving me a beautiful white ukulele!!! I can't wait to perform & planning how to make Youtube Covers with it. Heh-Heh. I supposed it should be so much easier to learn given its size. The guitar... is too... big... :p
Which leads to my next resolution... ~4 Upload at least 5 Youtube Video Covers for MissMintLeong Youtube channel. They don't have to be all recorded with the Ukulele. What I'm talking about is to constantly do Youtube cover videos so that I can check back on the improvement of my vocals, as well as to improve my stage presence. I admit. I may not have the natural talent of being able to sing & perform outstandingly & confidently as compared to many Youtube singers out there. I'm a slow learner too. But I aim to get there some day with ALL my hard work & effort; to bring my music to strangers who'll want to share the music with their friends, and music that their friends will want to share with their friends too. I am trying extremely hard because I love to do this too much. I'll do it, slowly but surely. Please be patient with me. ~5 Achieve & Maintain at 48KG It's my ideal weight and one that I know I'll look good in. Please let me get & maintain my 48KG so that I can look good for my wedding in time to come! :D
~6 Start my teeth straightening and whitening treatments I've had this on my wishlist for the longgggggggggggggggest time. I've always wanted my teeth to be straight & white so that I'll look good on screen & while I'm performing. I'm someone who is so in love with sunshine smiles and of course, I hope to possess one too, the kind that'll go 'Kwwwwwwwwwwink'. Awww..... *melts* ~7 Save up at least 5K BY Dec 2013 I'll be honest with you. I never had savings. Whenever I manage to save something, something will happen and I'll need to use them up. Worse, it was never ME who needed to use it anyway: Jobless ex boyfriend, then my gambling father, later gambling ex boyfriend, last but not least father AGAIN (Especially him!). The thing about me disliking addicted gamblers.
I'm not saying you can't gamble but know your limits.
Nevertheless, I won't allow incidents like this to happen anymore. ~8 Earn AT LEAST 2K per month
It's only decent in order to fulfil the resolutions I have mentioned earlier: my driving license, start my teeth treatments, save up, Taiwan trip, daily expenses, bills... GO GO GO FIGHTING!
Oh yes, I have to add in one more in my resolution 2013.
It's supposed to the most normal thing but I have none at all.
This is so forgotten that I MUST include this in my resolution.
~9 Give myself a Break ONCE a week.
I'm a freelance host/singer/blogger.
Everyone thinks it's easy because being a freelancer, you can have plenty of time staying at home. Think again, where do you think my portfolio comes about?
And like I said since I don't have that natural talent, I have to work doubly hard to get similar results.
For the past 1 year I've been slogging day & night planning my own timeline, organising schedules, looking for assignments to take, doing research, preparing my host scripts from scratch, going for endless auditions, castings, rehearsals, meetings, rushing out blog deadlines, attending blog events, taking up vocal classes...
When I decided on doing Mint Showcase, time & effort goes into the plannings, organising, not to mention rehearsals. Thank goodness myDreamGuy & trustworthy bffs were there for me.
For freelancers like us, there are no breaks, no off days unlike an office job.
You have to work even when you're sick. Although I'm enjoying every bit of it, I recently realised just how much i'm actually tiring myself out. So I'm officially giving myself a break once a week.
No work.
No blogging.
No phonecalls.
No meetings.
No checking & replying emails.
No researching.
No organising.
No attending blog events.
Just me doing things I like to do, pampering myself for a day and NOT think about work AT ALL: Be it sleep in, watch TV, dating, play with Bubble, shopping, reading a book, going for a massage, excursions...
YES!
Here's a summary of my 9 New Year resolutions:
~1 Go on a Taiwan Holiday!
~2 Get my driving license
~3 Learn & Play the Ukulele
~4 Upload at least 5 Youtube Video Covers for MissMintLeong Youtube channel.
~5 Achieve & Maintain at 48KG
~6 Start my teeth straightening and whitening treatments
~7 Save up at least 5K BY Dec 2013
~8 Earn AT LEAST 2K per month
~9 Give myself a break ONCE a week.
It is essential to give yourself new year resolutions and write them down somewhere so that in the middle of the year when you feel lost & helpless in life, you'll always have somewhere to refer to and focus back what you aim to achieve at the beginning of the year.
I personally think that New Year Resolutions give you goals in life & push you to become a better self. There's a sense of satisfaction in you when you manage to achieve them. You don't need 10. If you've never set them, you might want to start with just 1.
It can something as simple as giving yourself a promise to meet up with your family and have a dinner with them at least once this year, or learn a new skill to something awesome like breaking a guinness world record.
It can be ANYTHING.
What is/are your new year resolution(s)?
I don't know if you've noticed.
There are tabs located at the top of my blog site where you can access by clicking on them.
The last tab, 'Goals', is where I keep a list of my wish list & new year resolutions.
I've compiled my Youtube videos, Travelogue & update you on events where I host & sing too!
It's tomorrow, It's tomorrow!
After 1 year, Mint Showcase is going to be back and it's happening tomorrow and Sunday!
A BIG THANK YOU to every single guest who've bought your ticket and coming for this showcase to show your support & love. SATURDAY'S tickets are officially SOLD OUT! Wohoooo~!
Mint Showcase 1 & 2
As compared to the first showcase where the band and I performed a total of 10 original songs, we have prepared 14 songs this time round, up to 2 HOURS OF LIVE MUSIC!
The lyrics of the originals have been revised/
Our music producer, Won, has also given the songs a brand new feel. Not only that, we've prepared a new song written by Desmond Wong, where you're going to hear it for the very first time.
There are going to be special guests performers this year. Read on to find out who!
There's going to be an EMCEE!
MUCH BETTER DOOR GIFTS: During Mint Showcase 1 in 2011, everyone was given a complimentary drink, a limited edition Mint Bear & a rocher flower. For Mint Showcase 2, all attending guests will be given a complimentary drink, limited edition MintShow2 badge, S$150 worth of goodie bag & more lucky draw prizes to be won!
All for the price of just S$25.
I've just recovered from high fever which lasted almost a week since last Friday.
病到不清不楚.
However it's not going to dampen my high spirits for the showcase.
I'm still exhilarated and I'm not going to let the 5-month long preparations goes to waste!
So please come and watch the performance,
Everyone of us have put in our very best effort to make this happen; From the responsible crew, to the supporting guests, to the band, to the generous sponsors and even the guest performers.
And now may I present,
Our 2 beautiful Special Guest Performers for Mint Showcase II
Ruth Wei Miao Ru
She's only 22 years old but already a popular local musician who has taken part and won numerous awards in local singing competitions and most recently represented Singapore at the Million Star 华人星光大道 Season Two '12. Apart from competitions, Miao Ru has been a seasoned demo singer for prominent artistes like JJ Lin, Joi Chua etc. Her recognizable voice can also be heard over local airwaves for radio jingles and theme songs.
Miao Ru’s future exudes promise and exciting times ahead."
First introduced into the scene in Project Superstar 2005, She has evolved from a chubby young ignorant girl into a pretty well-travelled lady. Never one to give up on her dreams, she still seeks to actively improve herself and her singing. It's been years since she actually sang on stage in a real performance, so do keep your ears tuned as she makes a special guest appearance in Mint's live showcase!
Silver Ang will be performing 3 cover songs & there will be a special video prepared by Miaoru for all of you!
Do you know that LIVE music always sounds different from recorded music because of the equipments used for recording? That's why it's always 'high' to watch concerts & real live performances than watching them on TV!
You HAVE TO come and watch this, LIVE to feel the vibes! Details of Mint Showcase II
Dates:12th (Saturday) SOLD OUT! and 13th (Sunday) of January 2013
Months before the showcase and even before the poster could even be made, the band and I did a photoshoot with Metamorphosis Productions. Bryan, our photographer, insisted his name not to be mentioned & credited but I truly felt that I have to give credits to such a humble and dedicated person.
Our photos were collected in just 3 days and I'm extremely pleased with the photographs and most of all, his professional services!
We completed our photoshoot in less than 1.5hrs at the back alley and balcony of All About Eve Bar.
Very fast for a photoshoot I'd say!
The photographer, Bryan (right at the back) and the other band members.
Left to right: Won(on guitar), Yiyang (on Keyboard), Desmond (on bass)
Smile for the camera! *say cheese*
It's amazing how he can turn a construction site with white boards 7 holes on the wall into a beautiful background.
See what I mean.
So the band and I decide to use his photographs for all our media release!
I need to smell nice, my skin needs to be in tip top condition for the upcoming Showcase.
I've been using products from SHEA for awhile now.
Don't they look like ice-cream tubs? :)
They have other products which look like cakes, candies & even agar-agar!
*Falling in love*
I'm so in love with their Pink Marmalade body scrub that it's sitting right in my bathroom so that I can use it twice a week to pamper myself! Everytime after I use it I will smell like passionfruit~
SHEA has a wide range of skin products from shower gels, to body lotions & other handmade skin products that are made of *selected natural ingredients & they are vegetarian, meaning these products are not made from animals nor tested by them!
*Selected natural ingredients: shea butter, the finest essential oils, fresh goats milk and pure honey are used.
Oh man, I really wish the pictures come with the smell just so you'll know how fragrant they are. You know what, why not head down to the showcase this weekend, find SHEA's booth and sample their products yourself. They are displaying their products for you!
Mint Showcase Media Preview
On 29 Dec, my band and I did a Media Preview for our media friends & family members. We sang a total of 6 songs & there was an opening ceremony for Mint Showcase II.
All the loves in the house!
We made some homemade snacks for our guests that day.
Aunt Angeline made butter cookies for everyone.
I made honey cornflakes!
Creamery butter made Bailey Chocolate Cupcakes and they taste so goooood!
I didn't disappear into thin air.
It's just that i've been really really sick since last Friday.
The persistent high fever got so bad that I couldn't even get out of bed and had to go to the hospital and be put on a drip yesterday.
Never been so sick all my life.
This episode is a wake up call to me to learn how to sit back & relax once in awhile.
This goes out to Friends who are working for your dear life now, please learn to give yourself a break after a long day's work.
Keep one day of the week Totally FREE and Do something you like to do, be it watch TV, go for movie treats, ktv, sleep all day, whatever at all and don't think about work at all.
Allow your mind to relax totally before you go on.
At the end of the day,
We are only humans.
There's only so much we can do.
My dearest Xiao Razer mei mei and I at Sunway Pyramid:
The ice-skating gang stayed in this awesome Villa for a night:
Bintan Trip with my my mom & Sis.
Deep down I feel very happy that Sis is back in my life. In fact, I've always enjoyed our outings together as my Sis is a fun-loving person by nature. Hanging out with her is never bored: The late night Scattergories session at Changi Airports, the drinking sessions, this Bintan Trip...
Batam Trip with Zir where all our videos got deleted when the memory card caught a virus, argh! This time round zir and I didn't take much photos as we thought of doing up a video. But it's okay, we're going on a bff BALI TRIP next year, YES! I'll make sure all my videos are saved WITH BACKUP!
Concerts & Events
This year, I went for more concerts and got even more inspired to continue singing.
Perhaps the most blissful and fortunate thing which has happened in 2012 is my encounter with my dream guy. I fell in love with him at first sight but really, I am contented with us just being friends for life. besides, singlehood doesn't sound so bad since I ended another relationship just 2 months ago.
This feeling is like as if I'm back to my secondary school days, secretly admiring someone from the next class. During one of your lesson period he walks pass your classroom window, made your heart skips a beat and you feel yourself stop breathing for awhile, taking in every moment of his presence until he disappears. Then waiting for him to walk pass the window again to get the same feeling, over and over again.
I carried this mentality that it is impossible for something like that to happen: someone whom you secretly admire, likes you too. Who would've thought my dream guy would like me?
Something like this only happens in movies.
My life instantly felt like a film on roll;
Something magical DID happen.
Everything is so bizarre and unreal, like a dream.
Colin is my PERFECT half.
I always tell him how he comes in a package:
suave, good-looking, extremely intelligent, capable, romantic, doting, caring, understanding, sensitive, patient, gentle, decisive, takes initiative.... the list goes on forever... ... ... We have so much in common, like twins: the same type of food, interests, hobbies.. .. .
Our simple Christmas celebration at romantic Chijmes, Insomnia:
"There are no stars in the sky tonight because the brightest one is shining right in front of me right now."
Screamed when I received my dream wallet from MyDreamGuy as a christmas gift.
Whee~!
Thank you for being in my life, myDreamGuy.
THE BIG CHANGE
I finally decided to take the risk & venture into full time hosting & singing in June 2012. Freelance, in this case.
Did a filming assignment for Mediacorp's Channel 8 National Day 2012 special drama series:
Collaborated with FDP to host for their FDPcoaching school outreach assembly programmes:
Photo Credit: Angeline (left)
Took up my VERY FIRST outdoor hosting assignment for Crocs Fashion Show:
Photo credit: William Tan
Hosted CPOP LIVE! show for Liveomusic:
Increasing host assignments from seminar talks, showcases, prom nights, D&Ds to roadshows:
At the same time going my Monday gigs at Eve, Thursdays at Bark Cafe.
I feel so honored to be invited to perform for the Red Cross International Bazaar 2012, Rhythms By The Bay at Marina Bay Promenade & of course, more weddings!
It was an experience to participate in a song recording session for a brand new Mediacorp Channel 8 Kids drama Theme song, We Are Good Kids.
I recorded 2 songs with the company and both were done for 2 different Channel 8 kids dramas: We Are Good Kids & Cheerful Drumbeat. The songs are for sale in CD Rama stores now! The CD cover looks like this.
Mint Showcase II
Mint Showcase II Media Preview was held on Saturday, 29 Dec where I performed and sang 6 songs, 2 originals & 3 cover songs. A very big thank you to all the special guests who attended and made it a success!
I feel so LOVED, thank you so much~
Some of my friends who were there at the Media Preview have penned down their thoughts about Mint showcase II:
The FULL Mint Showcase II is happening on 12 and 13 January 2013. Please come and listen to my songs and watch my performance!
Register for your tickets here.
Find out more information from here.
Singing Contests
One should never stop improving.
To push myself to a higher level in my singing career, I decided to go for more singing contests to gain more exposure. I went for the Sunsilk Fantasia Academy audition and got into the 2nd round.
When I didn't get into the finals, I did some reflections for my performance and gave the V-Singer 2012 Audition a try after a month. This time round I made it to the final top 57 and was given an opportunity to go through an 8-week music training course.
The graduation ceremony was held at Le Danz yesterday.
Our Class, Group 4 is the ultimate winner of the night!
Not only did our class monitor won the most committed student award and the best male dancer award,
Jazz from our class also won the best female dancer award. The biggest surprise came when Teacher Colin announced that our class has won the BEST CLASS award! My classmates and I hugged and cried.
Here's what we receive:
A group 4 winning photo with teacher Colin:
Photo credits: Jazz (girl in red)
Our class monitor, SAM PENG YOU, did a video for us. I cried like mad watching this .
Aww man, I miss every single moment we spent together, classmates from Group 4!
Last but not least, I'm so proud that we graduated together!
Please promise to keep in touch~
亲爱的大家， 我毕业了！！！
The classmates spent the rest of the night hugging one another in tears of joy.
V-singer 2012 has left yet another beautiful footprint in my life journey.
有大家和我一起追梦，这种感觉真美好~
2013 will be even better, I just know it.
I survived 'world end'.
We all did, didn't we?
Happy New Year!
Let's welcome the year 2013 with open arms.
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