I finally brought my clarinet home. Feels as though I have not touched it for months even though it was merely 10 days not playing it. I think I sounded a bit weird when I played it just now. I just can't wait for school to start. Correction. I just can't wait for band practice to start. The last time I came into contact with an instrument was on Christmas eve where the Clarinet Choir performed at Esplanade library. I guess I really cannot survive without playing the clarinet. It really feels good to be able to blow through my clarinet again today.
A visit to KK hospital this morning (30 Dec) didn't end up changing my opinion of them. In fact, I now have a worse impression of the hospital. Can you imagine having an appointment that was postponed twice and when you finally get to consult the doctor, you arrive early, or maybe just on time, but have to wait till it's an hour past your appointment time before you approach the nurse and urge her to let the doctor see you first? I believe that the main reason this happens is that people are not punctual. This always happens at the clinic in KK hospital. The patient arrives late for his appointment, realise that his queue number has passed (the queue number is same as the appointment time), approach the nurse and then enter as the next patient. The worst thing about it is that it's not only one patient who does that occasionally, but more than half of the patients are doing this and this isn't at all fair to the people who arrived on time. The nurses who allow for this to happen are actually penalising the punctual and encouraging people to come late for appointments! This is unacceptable!
The Tanjong Katong Girls' school combined concert with the Nakamura Gakuen Girls' High school concert yesterday evening was undescribable. I really enjoyed myself and the music that was performed. The best part was that the Japanese musicians put their heart into their music making and it was great to listen to them (with both my eyes and ears) perform. The thing that really amazes me was that they managed to capture the style of every piece they played and they were able to fill the hall with so much music that it was more than what the hall could contain. I really loved the oboist's tone. I think it is one of the best tones I have ever heard, and the horns were equally great. In Singapore, that sort of tone can only be produced when a more professional band plays. Why can't our school bands sound as impressive as the Japanese? It would be so much more enjoyable playing in a band if you could make music and savour the beauty of the sound the band produce at the same time.
It's going to be 2006 in less than 22 hours from now. I want 2006 to be an even better year for me than 2005 was. I'm reminded of the Hawaii trip. It will be filled with so much fun and enjoyment! I just can't wait for that to come. Please let 2006 come, please let band to resume.
