I was privy to the St Patrick's Day celebration - the official one - at Sheraton Imperial KL. It was an invitation by ex-Ressonnant trainer Jojo. And I had heard that the people in her new school, Sri Cempaka, were an exuberant, enthusiastic bunch. I hoped to see them, and so I went.
The entrance of the Nusantara Ballroom in Sheraton Imperial, KL. This was where the St Patrick's celebration was held.
The choir members of Sri Cempaka and the teachers striking a pose. Taken from side view.
The choir members and teachers, front view. 
Ah, the atmosphere of everything Irish. There's mingling, there's socialising... there are dignitaries, there's food, and there's booze. (Jojo gave me a stern warning not to offer booze to anyone.) The choirgirls getting ready for the two national anthems. They sang the Irish one first (I forgot the title), followed by Negaraku. I can see Maneesha... and Meenu... (and the rest of you, do tell me what your names are, and in which order.) I love those drapes. There's a sort of... elegance and modernity in the room. I had long wanted to use them for a celebration at the Alliance Française (blue, white and red drapes, surely !), but I don't know whether they'll even be taken in with my idea. Claudillea performing the first item of the night. Aiman and two others performing "I Have A Dream". They sounded angelic. The choirgirls were finally upstage, huddled together. The item that became the talk of Sri Cempaka : "I Will Follow You" remixed with "Can't Take My Eyes off You". I used it for Ressonnant in 2007, we went as far as the National Finals with that. Two years later, it's being sung again... ah, it brings me back to those good old days. Me and Meenu. (I must admit that she looked rather pale.) It's like I told them before their item : give your all, then you can relish in a well-deserved meal. After an impressive performance, it was food glorious food ! Ressonnant Inc. members, do you remember her ? :-) Amelia and me, just before I left the hall.Some notes about the St Patrick's celebration - about things I experienced today :
I returned home from college at almost 2:00 p.m., sat in front of the PC doing some work, and I took my shower at 3-something and dressed up. I was hoping to use my favourite black-and-white floral print dress with shimmers, but it turned out that the dress had a stain at the back, so I threw it into the wash. I ended up wearing my Christmas dress - the dark pink one which I bought towards the end of last year.
Prior to today's celebration, I had told dad about today, and he said yes. It all started on one of those mundane days where I had Literature class - towards the end of the class, when Ms Joaan (whom I fondly call Jojo), my mentor and the former instructor of Ressonnant Inc., turned up in front of college, I ran down and handed her the score for "I Will Follow You/Can't Take My Eyes Off You". She was elated. And since it was the first time we saw each other in months - perhaps years, I gave her three or four hugs. I was just happy to see her again. It was then that she told me about Sri Cempaka's choir and today's performance, and so I told her that I'd be there. I truly wanted to see them. I couldn't go back on my word. So today, I arrived at Sheraton Imperial, hoping to see them. I was looking incessantly for Jojo and I finally found her...... in the loo.
Then I was taken to the dressing-rooms, where I met all the students involved - and I started mingling with them. They were happy, and exuberant... and nice. The kind of bunch that I'm always easily acquainted with. I received quite a number of hugs ! And many actually questioned me about my accent. (To be honest, I don't even know how I acquired that accent.) After some vocal training, some French pop (particularly Des Rails by Zazie) and some tasteless fried chicken, we all went to the Nusantara Ballroom for the celebration. I watched from below the stage and I cheered them on. It was just great to be among them. I whistled. I yelled encore ! And when my arrangement of "I Will Follow You/Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was performed, I told the students who were remaining on the floor, "This just reminds me of the good old days."
Prior to today's celebration, I had told dad about today, and he said yes. It all started on one of those mundane days where I had Literature class - towards the end of the class, when Ms Joaan (whom I fondly call Jojo), my mentor and the former instructor of Ressonnant Inc., turned up in front of college, I ran down and handed her the score for "I Will Follow You/Can't Take My Eyes Off You". She was elated. And since it was the first time we saw each other in months - perhaps years, I gave her three or four hugs. I was just happy to see her again. It was then that she told me about Sri Cempaka's choir and today's performance, and so I told her that I'd be there. I truly wanted to see them. I couldn't go back on my word. So today, I arrived at Sheraton Imperial, hoping to see them. I was looking incessantly for Jojo and I finally found her...... in the loo.
Then I was taken to the dressing-rooms, where I met all the students involved - and I started mingling with them. They were happy, and exuberant... and nice. The kind of bunch that I'm always easily acquainted with. I received quite a number of hugs ! And many actually questioned me about my accent. (To be honest, I don't even know how I acquired that accent.) After some vocal training, some French pop (particularly Des Rails by Zazie) and some tasteless fried chicken, we all went to the Nusantara Ballroom for the celebration. I watched from below the stage and I cheered them on. It was just great to be among them. I whistled. I yelled encore ! And when my arrangement of "I Will Follow You/Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was performed, I told the students who were remaining on the floor, "This just reminds me of the good old days."
Today, also, I got to see Jojo play the drums for the first time. I was open-mouthed. Later, she said the drummer was crazy. Then she said, "no, the drumming was crazy." She later had to mingle - and she had to meet people. I wanted to tell her how much I yearn to play the drums well, and how I'm struggling - how I've been struggling ever since mom died. (No, I will get to play like this someday. I'm struggling to play the drums now, with no one to guide me, but I know I'll shine. It's my passion, and I haven't lost sight of it.)
After the musical performances were over, I talked with Maneesha, Meenu and Amelia in particular, and well... I also did talk to some others (darn, I forgot your names. Please do refresh me). I was thinking of a Bastille Day performance (14th July, for the uninitiated, is the French national day). But there are three constraints - 1. I have to ask Jojo. 2. I have to ask Mme Ricordel. 3. La Marseillaise is a beautiful anthem, but it's one of the longest ever. I had a bird's dinner at the buffet, but what really perked our palates were those braised lamb shank pies. Mini-pies, to be precise. They were so addictive ! I had four, I think..... and I'm pretty sure a few of us had more than three.
I was heavy-hearted to leave my newfound friends... The minutes flew by like a wind. Eight o'clock struck. I had to leave the hall.
After the musical performances were over, I talked with Maneesha, Meenu and Amelia in particular, and well... I also did talk to some others (darn, I forgot your names. Please do refresh me). I was thinking of a Bastille Day performance (14th July, for the uninitiated, is the French national day). But there are three constraints - 1. I have to ask Jojo. 2. I have to ask Mme Ricordel. 3. La Marseillaise is a beautiful anthem, but it's one of the longest ever. I had a bird's dinner at the buffet, but what really perked our palates were those braised lamb shank pies. Mini-pies, to be precise. They were so addictive ! I had four, I think..... and I'm pretty sure a few of us had more than three.
I was heavy-hearted to leave my newfound friends... The minutes flew by like a wind. Eight o'clock struck. I had to leave the hall.
Thank you, all of you, for a wonderful St Patrick's and a wonderful evening. Do keep in touch.
Upon the students' request : crazy poses.
0 comments:
Post a Comment