Blog Entry dated 22/07/2011 2:02 PM

Wow, so much has changed in the past 3 years. I have totally done a 180 deg. turn on my university programs, and I’ve gained a lot more understanding about myself and what I want. When I was in high school, I wanted to do everything. But now that I’m getting older, I hear about people asking me what my direction is and for some reason, I get stuck. I tell them I want to get into medicine, but they keep saying things like, Well, shouldn’t you learn about anatomy in your spare time outside of work and all. And I keep thinking that maybe they are right. Despite all the things I’ve done, I feel like I’m still in the same spot. Whenever I look at a pro musician, or skier, or such, they focus on what they want to do. I feel like I’ve been a joke of all trades, and master of none. I know med schools look for well-rounded people, but they want someone who has a passion, and strong achievement in a particular field. Not just someone who joins all these clubs and stuff. And when I looked at what program I wanted to do, I felt like my mind kept switching. I like science, but I don’t like it to the extent where its my life. (Not yet anyway) I also hear so much about how university grads have a hard time finding work. And even in university, its hard to get a summer job. I realized that I had to be realistic and practical to my career and education, to complement the idealistic me that "wanted to be able to do anything and everything." I just feel like I should focus on a few things instead of every little bit of things. Its like friends. If you have a lot of friends, you don’t cultivate a deep enough rapport and understanding of them, and you can’t have as much bonding moments. You also won’t be able to relate to them at times – and for me, my issue is being able to relate with people. If you have a few good ones, you stand more chances of lifelong friendships. Well, this seems like a decent comparison. I’m also getting tired of having too much stress, and I want to be able to chill out at times. I value that so much more now. Well enough of me, I have to get back to working. Good bye.

HSBC Celebration of Lights

 

Team Canada

Ok, so I guess it may be a little late on my part to review this, but what’s a blog without some pictures? And for this matter, some FIREWORKS PICTURES. Like any Vancouverite I did attend the HSBC Celebration of Lights this summer, along with perhaps over 50,000 people. Canada dominated the show once again over China and the US (incidentally, the said is reversed in this summer’s Beijing Olympic Games) 

Hmmm, how can I put this more succinctly? Show was decent, police were present, too many people (as usual), smokers (inevitable) and rowdies, litter on the beach (well, what can you expect from over 40,000 people attending the show?) and transportation wasn’t so much of a hassle as I thought. Heads up for the 2009 and 2010 shows: somehow, I think there will be EVEN MORE PEOPLE because of the pending Olympic games, which I think we still do not deserve! I mean, the grouse grind? This year, it was wayy crowded. I used to do it a lot before, but all the tourists up on the trail are a bit of a bugger to me, so I’m going to get my grind fix somewhere else.

Let’s hope we keep this up. It’s the only thing we have that China has not dominated yet, aside from hockey (oh god, go TEAM CANADA)

Pic of the week

 

 

Sunset at Squamish

 

 

My blog, my rules. I’ll put what I want, whenever I want. That means, it is something really awesome posted at a consistent rate (ok, for me consistent is blogging at least once a week) I like trying to capture Mother Nature when it is vulnerable, like in this picture with a colourful sunset among the trees. It got a tad blurry as I was on a charter bus back to Vancouver. Magnifico.

How to prepare for a Summer Jazz Intensive

I can’t help but notice that Jazz is often an underrated genre of music. Everyone seems to prefer those songs on the radio these days. Pop, rap and commercial rock seem to take over the music chart favorites. It’s true “I Kissed a Girl” is hypnotically irresistible, but to a music student, it’s just simple chords that repeat over and over again. The electronic gadgets are what enhance it, just like everything. Paris Hilton wouldn’t have sounded half as bad if not for sleek music engineering. But, when you take all that away, jazz proves you need skill, talent, theoretical knowledge and good creativity to make it work. Jazz musicians are some of the most talented artists out there on the music scene.

I was at the Douglas College Summer Jazz Intensive, I learned so much I wouldn’t have with my piano teachers. Like a lot of high school kids playing the piano, I was put into classical training when I was really young. It was interesting since I was going to audition with the tenor saxophone, but I thought there would be a lot of saxophone players. Man, was I wrong. Turns out, there were so many piano players. We were pretty much at the same skill level, and it was really tough. * It’s pretty good preparation for college music programs * Luckily, it wasn’t a pass or fail situation and so we were put into groups of similar ability. 

Two piano players I’ve met were Gustav and Geff. These guys were pretty phenomenal at the ivory keys. Their phrasing, soloing, and comping were simply beyond secondary school. Honestly, I felt pretty small next to them when they were playing.

For people who are considering doing a jazz intensive, be warned that they do not call it a jazz intensive for nothing. It’s excruciating, it’s tiring, and may I say intense? It’s a full day affair from 9 to 4 at most, and you’d better be prepared to rise in the morning, especially if you live far from the camp. When you go there, you usually get an audition to get placed into groups. Although it’s not like you are competing for a spot at Capilano College – now University, competition can be cutthroat – especially if there are many people going for the same instrument. If you are a piano player, BE VERY PREPARED!!! It is by far the hardest position to audition for. Then afterwards, you wait and see. They place you in a combo or a big band. Neither one is the better one; it just depends on your preference. Once you’re in, I guarantee you’ll be playing from morning to afternoon (I played a total of 6 hours a day for the week) You’ll also need to know your theory pretty well. Often, the instructor will go over some basics like modes, circle of fifths, II-V-I progressions and more difficult chords.

A good thing out of the week-long jazz clinic is the jam sessions. If you haven’t had much chance to meet people, this is the time to do it. Strut your stuff, get you groove on, and play as one. It’s a really cool thing to do, and if you don’t really play in a band, it’s a good thing to play with people you feel have good chemistry with you. Once the whole camp is over, keep in contact with them. A lot of the people that go into jazz intensives are surprisingly in high school. If you are one of the few jazz players at your school, here, you meet people of similar skill, drive and passion for jazz. Every time I go to the band room during lunch at school, I’m faced with guys playing nothing but rock classics. Now, I like Rock and Metal like the next guy, but I mean, these guys couldn’t play shit. Unfortunately, skill level in my music program is not the greatest when I compare to my friends at the Jazz Clinic. How refreshing it is to jam with like-minded players

Another thing you also can get is possible network with professional musicians. Usually a jazz camp is run by professional musicians. I has the fortune to study under local musicians: Ross Taggart, Sharon Minemoto, Alan Matheson, Bernie Arai to name a few. Not only are these musicians locally-based, they played internationally. When you are paying 300 to 400 bucks (which is always the usual cost, but there are some cheaper ones), you really are getting your money’s worth. ASK QUESTIONS! It’s really weird to be in a class setting where these musicians are here to help you to be a better jazz player, yet no one asks anything. Seems like a waste. Why be shy? GET YOUR MONEY’S WORTH! Don’t hesitate to ask for their calling card. It’s worth it.

Most importantly have fun. It’s a camp. Although it can get intense, don’t feel as if it is a chore. Ask yourself: Why you are here? Why do you play Jazz? If this is nothing but work, maybe you should re-examine your goals in being in the jazz clinic. Jazz Intensives aren’t attended by just anyone. No. Many people who do these things are serious music students that have a strong love of jazz. Or major jazz aficionados. Or both. If you are neither, perhaps you should try another camp…

I have learned so many things about jazz that I haven’t ever known before. I know now what to work on to become a better jazz pianist. But, most importantly, I’ve learned that listening and playing together are as important as practicing. Jazz is all about communication. If you can’t get the feel or get along with other people, you won’t be in for an easy ride.

This is the first time I’ve done this, but I’ll say this isn’t the last!

Canada at the Beijing Olympics

Ok, so I guess I am not the only one disappointed with Canada’s performance at the Beijing Olympics. Not one single medal, and it’s past day four already. Shows how much we need to catch up to the US. We need more funding and support for our athletes – otherwise, why not save face and send no team whatsoever when London’s 2012 summer games roll around?

 

Stuff White People Like Signing

No seriously, there is this book called “Stuff White People Like”, and guess who wrote it. A white guy. From Toronto. I attended the author’s book signing a few hours ago, and man I hate to say this, but I’ve never felt whiter than before. 

I picked up the mentioned book a month before I’ve heard about Christian Lander coming to Downtown Vancouver’s Chapters book store to talk about his book stuff white people like. The title immediately caught my attention and I already had a hunch this belonged to the humour section. I read a couple of “the things white people like” and I was shocked that I was guilty of doing half the stuff in it. What’s more, I felt that the guy perfectly penned up what is Vancouver, especially with Kitsilano (major yuppie hub). Oh yes, everyone here likes indie music, saving the environment and organic food, but I never thought he had the balls to write up about white people liking asian girls – which in fact is a universal fact nowadays. (That was actually thought up by his friend and partner-in-crime Myles Valentin.) Makes me wonder how come white girls have a hard time liking asian dudes.

When I heard him talk about the making of the whole book, I had no idea it started with a blog post on WORDPRESS.COM. The site is growing every time, and I’m finding myself ditching the oh-so-addicting Facebook just to see what else white people like during work. Here’s the link: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/ (just copy and paste)

I managed to get it signed and talked a bit with Chris and Myles. Although the book is talking about stuff white people like, it is also stuff that people of middle-class, upper-middle class engage in no matter if they’re white, asian, black, hispanic and so on. And usually activities done by the richer economic classes like kayaking, playing rugby, are often perceived as being “white”. The book applies to anyone really, although most of the people sitting with me, waiting to talk to Christian were (go ahead and roll your eyes) white. Yeah, can’t you believe it?

A book that’s snarky, in-your-face, and quite informative, Stuff White People Like light and humorous insight into societal and economic classes of the present day. Think you’re not white/or white enough? Read the book to find out. 

According to that quiz on the back of the book, I’m 80% white. Some of the things mentioned like being a DJ, or going to a Divebar, I haven’t done yet just because I’m still in high school.

My First Triathlon

Have you ever woken up to see yourself plunging into an ice cold lake, pedaling a half-marathon distance and putting one foot in front of another for five kilometers, all while doing so in the pouring rain? Welcome to the brutal, yet beautiful world of the triathlon. 

I’m posting this hours after completing My First Triathlon, and I can say that this sport is one of the most taxing sports I’ve ever partaken in. My legs still feel rubbery even after a thorough cool-down, and my lungs are seared worse than when I did a 15 km trail run on the North Shore a year back. And the medal is hung up on the wall alongside my road racing medals. When I compared my experience road racing to a triathlon, it just seems like a sissy sport. Never have I felt this challenged.

Upon arriving at Harrison Mills, I had the bike checked in and suited up for the 400m swim. On a track circuit, 400 meters is nothing. Swimming is not my strongest point, and thus 400m seemed as long as a 5 k run. After the cold water fully awakened my mind, my legs felts heavier upon checking into the bike station. I swimming may have been the weak link in my race, but at least I wasn’t last. I got the bike out from the rocky campground, and still wet, I peddled for 20k. The scenery was beautiful and none passed my on the biking portion. Harrison Mills is a great place – not just as a summer getaway, but an ideal place to train since the roads are remote and you won’t be hassled too much with cars. The drivers are courteous enough to give you some room. For me, it looks like I still have to get used to biking. Finally when I got off the bike for the five 5 run, my legs felt 100% like dead weight. I wanted to run, but it was like they refused to move, almost rooted to the spot. I guess after all that work, I couldn’t expect to run as fast as I normally do in road races, so I swallowed my inner pride and started “jogging” as fast as I could. I didn’t feel fast, but I managed to beat 4 people along the way I believe and it was the best point of the race. Ultimately, the best part of the race was finishing, getting my medal and t-shirt and looking back at what I did. I still can’t believe I did a triathlon, even though I’m guilty of not training as hard (hey, I have the same problem everyone has – work and time constraints because of it)

I’m looking forward to doing more, and working out more to get better results, but for now, I’ll give myself a rest I sorely need.

Things to do: train harder, train consistently, lose weight, eat healthy, rest, take care of myself

Introductory Post

Hello all,

It’s been a couple of months but I’ve decided to get on the blogging bandwagon and signed up with WordPress. I’m actually a high school senior, set on blogging about the final year of high school, and hopefully beyond. Unlike people my age, I’m a workaholic, a busybody you can say. I manage to keep a full plate of sports, community service, music, and academia and swallow it down. All I can say is that this isn’t your typical teen-angsty blog, since I’m busy as hell and griping about how life isn’t fair is just a waste of productivity and time.

I write for a highschool magazine called Youthink, based in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada), as well as managing my own publication called T-Wolvez Newspaper for my high school, of which I have started last year. Ironically, I have no intention of being a journalist, although many people would mistake me for one, coming from my portfolio. Instead, I fully well plan to tackle medical school and become a physician – specializing in sports medicine. The blog is pretty much a journal of my progress towards it, as well as some other goals I have before finishing high school.