Where did I go?

I've stopped blogging here.

Migrated to WordPress - http://youknowwhattheycallme.wordpress.com

I'm sorry I have to leave this blog behind, but I guess a new environment would be good since I'm starting to write again.

See you there! :)

Did I take too long?

Yeah I guess. I probably took too long.

Gong Xi Wang Zai!

I haven't updated in like close to 7 months. 

So here I am, wishing you guys Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & Happy Lunar New Year!

I'll just do a mini update, in case you guys don't know what's happening in my life right now. And please support my fellow COC mate, Keith Mak! He just released his first official cover on YouTube of The Neighbourhood's Sweater Weather. You can listen to it and read it at the same time! :)

1. I'm already turning 21 this year even though I just turned 20 on 21st December 2013.
2. I have just finished my internship on 31st January 2014! So technically, I have already graduated.
3. But I took the opportunity to extend for another two months in my company until 2nd April 2014.
4. Going to Hong Kong for 5 days with BROVENGERS from 7th to 11th April!
5. Addicted to Clash of Clans & HayDay right now..
6. Didn't perform for Danzation 2013. (Will explain further in my next post or so)
7. Not that active in dance any more due to internship, but I'll be back in April!
8. Enlisting this year in August if I pass my NAPFA, if not in June.
9. Haven't took NAPFA because I'm not ready to get Silver/Gold, will probably take it in May at Toa Payoh Stadium.
10. Got my first pull-up on 31st December 2013. Previously couldn't even do 1. Started training for it in November 2013.
11. Just celebrated 23 Months together with my lovely LilliputHuh!
12. Complexion gotten slightly better. Will probably go for a jab in May. (Will explain further in my next post or so)
13. Founded Checkers Out Crew (COC) last year. Members are Samuel Lim, Keith Mak and me.
14. Feel like blogging often again. Probably add in a few short stories and experiences if I can. :D
15. Almost formed a team for Competitive Dota 2. But didn't last for more than a week.
16. Haven't played Dota 2 for 2 weeks. 
17. Due to my stupid report that I just completed last night.
18. I'm not sure what to study after NS.
19. Not sure what I wanna do in future either.
20. I'm sure you can tell that I'm just filling up until 20.

Alright guys, I'll update again soon. Real soon, I promise. 

WHY DANCE?

NRA Solo Auditions for Danzation

Before you read this post, I hope you'll watch this video if you haven't, thank you!
(If you can't watch it on your mobile phone,  try this link or watch it on your computer!)

I think it has probably been some time since I posted how I really felt about things that were going on in my life. You may have actually seen the picture and the essay with it after I posted on Instagram/Facebook. This post will even been more essay-like, and since when I do short posts? Hardly. (The link to the picture is here)

So I present to you,

THE JOURNEY: SEEKING THE DANCING DRAGON IN ME (PART ONE)

When I was 5!

Honestly speaking, I had the time of my life when I was on stage doing the solo auditions for this year's Danzation. I'm not a good dancer, and I never said I was. I'm a freaking Dancing Dragon, D. Dragon, Dancing D, D.D, Dope Dancer. 

I never knew what dance actually is until really recent, like the start of 2013. I always thought dancers look cool, especially Bboys/Break-dancers, and that is why I went to learn Bboying first. Like I mentioned in my earlier post, I always liked attention. Since young, since long time ago, I really love attention. I want people to notice me, to know that I exist, and to think that I'm great, cool, smart or whatever that sets an positive impression. Of course, I thought that learning how to dance, will make me even cooler.

I got introduced to Bboy Taisuke (my favourite Bboy of all time) by Denise Tan. Yup, Denise from Mighty Nomads! The cool Bgirl with the green dip-dyed hair. I knew her because we were in the same Secondary School.

Denise Tan Zhu Wei

She showed me a video of him breaking and I instantly want to learn breaking because of him! So I started attending Bboy lessons at Natasha Studio at the end of Secondary 4 while waiting for my 'N' Level results. Bboying is hella difficult. Yeah Toprocks look easy, Footwork are meh, Freezes are cool, and Powermoves are the shit that get the girls. However I was wrong wrong wrong ultimate wrong. Everything is so difficult to learn. I took 2 weeks to get the easiest freeze, Baby Freeze. And the worst part? I had nobody to learn Bboy with me. Hence, no motivation, no discipline and no encouragement. 

I stopped taking up lessons after 2 months as they were far and I feel that I don't practise at all so it's a waste of money. I told myself to forget about being cooler since I was already cool. But I still watch Bboy videos time to time because I really want to learn it, and all I thought being cool was what I wanted from Bboying.

There were a few times when my church was holding dance auditions for events. I went for twice and both of them I got rejected. I thought dance wasn't for me. I thought God didn't want me to dance since I got rejected by the church twice too. Hence, I just stopped thinking about dancing because I know I would be wasting my time if I go against what God wants me to.

Fast forward to after 'O' Levels when I received my results. L1R4 was 15 points. I have no CCA when I was in Secondary School. Except for Military Band when I was in Secondary 1. But I got GOLD for SYF 2006 okay?! I was Eligible for many courses. I knew I wanted Ngee Ann Polytechnic because it's like the hipster school (now it still is).

PLEASE TAKE NOTE, THIS IS ACTUALLY MY LIFE-CHANGING MOMENT.

My first choice was Hotel & Leisure Facilities Management in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. (COP is 15)
My second choice was Bio-molecular Engineering I think, in Ngee Ann Polytechnic also. (COP is 15)
My third choice was Business Information Technology, in Ngee Ann Polytechnic also, which also is my current course. (COP is 15)

I was certain that I'd get in my first choice. Because I love to help people. I always love to extend my helping hand to people who need help, that's why I chose this as my first choice as I'd be working in a service industry in the future. My next 2 choices I didn't really bother about it but I had to put them because I had to and my results was just nice for the COP. So, I knew I definitely will get into my first choice.

On the day of submission for choices, my mum called me and woke me up in the morning. She told me that Bio-molecular Engineering may not be something that I'd like to take as I hate studying. So she told me she want to swap my second choice and third choice. So Business Information Technology was my new second choice. But still, I didn't really bother because I know I confirm sure guarantee plus chop, double chop, triple chop and chicken chop that I will get in Hotel & Leisure Facilities Management. Therefore, I submitted my choices like that and the other 9 choices that were not important.

Fast forward to the day when results were released. I just woke up for my part time job and I received an SMS.

"CHUA WEI LIANG BRENDON, YOU'VE BEEN POSTED TO NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC, BUSINESS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY"

讲真的!?!?!?! (ARE YOU SERIOUS? // ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME??)

Like I said, I never liked studying. Business Information Technology....... really really?????

So as what all popular kids (more like kaypo) would do, you go around asking people what school they got into. One of my Bros (Classmates for 5 years in Secondary School), Edward Tew ___ ___ ___..(please fill in the blanks! >> Of course it's Edward Tew You're The Best!) is in the same course as me! I mean, to have someone you super comfortable with in the same course as you, you'd feel better even though the course you get into isn't what you wanted.

Edward Tewwwwww

So what can I do? Bo bian (no choice) what, accept my fate.

Fast forward to the day when your BAOC Student Coordinator call you to inform you for Orientation. 

AND GUESS WHAT! I GOT INTO THE SAME BAOC GROUP, TECKTONIK, AS EDWARD ALSO. And that's not all. When we checked our MeL class list, we realised we are in the same class. Wow, and for BA, you get to choose your timetable after every semester. And yes, we're still in the same class now despite being in Year 3 already! Magical right?

So we went to BAOC Day 1 together. We were in the different sub groups though. So I played bonding games with my group. And standard standard, have to share your hobby. And I don't know why, even though I haven't danced for a long time during that time, I said bboying was my hobby. So the group went "WAHHHH" and guess what? That is my reaction too when people tell me when they are Bboys in the past.

At the end of the first day, they actually gathered everyone and ask if anyone is interested to perform for the performance that is on the third day. They mentioned that they needed 3 Bboys for the performance. Then how? Ya lor, kena sabo lor. Edward and some of my subgroup members (if I can remember), actually shouted my name and said that I could Bboy. I was damn paiseh even though I wanted attention. Because I know I haven't practise for a long time and I wasn't even good in the first place.

So this dope Bboy I have a lot of respect for, Bboy Ji Xiang, was the choreographer for the Bboy segment for the performance. He taught the 3 of us the steps and everything. Even though he is so dope, he is really encouraging. And that made him so inspirational!

xiang9292

Who ever knew, that on the first week of school, you get to perform on Ngee Ann Polytechnic's biggest stage, The Convention Centre. And not only a normal performance, but me performing as a Bboy. (I feel like my tears are coming out when I typed this, reminiscing the moments and good old times.

Fast forward to after BAOC performance!

I was invited to this Facebook group named "NP Bboys" by Ji Xiang. He told me that this group was created to reach out to all the Bboys in Ngee Ann Poly, and gathering them together to dance at an open area. As there was no Bboy CCA in NP when I was in Year 1, we did not have any dance studios. We only had this place where most of us regarded home, Caterpillar Cove.

"Back at where it all started"

You will never imagine how I felt when I first stepped in there. You see Bboys chilling and dance to the music. You see Bboys spinning around. You see Bboy holding handstands that seemed forever. There was the place I met so many Bboys who inspired me to be a better dancer. I learnt from them, break with them, joke and laugh with them. Back then, we were an anonymous club because we were not recognised as a CCA.

And if you're wondering if I got to perform for church, I didn't get to perform for any huge event in my church. But I got to perform for my Life Group event, Acts 2 Family Day! On that day, not only did I get to perform for God, my parents were there to watch too! I performed along side with Denise Tan and Gabriel Kau. Gabriel Kau was also from the same class as me from Secondary 1 to 5. He's not only my best friend, he's my best gay partner, best bro and best everything. He was the one who told me so much about Jesus.

Gaybriel and Burdon.
Yes, I used to dye my hair black. Ah stupid mistake.

Remembered I said that I had nobody to dance with that's why I didn't have any motivation to continue learning? This guy joined me and the rest at Caterpillar Cove to break. He didn't have a strong interest in dance. He didn't have the passion. He didn't have any background either. But all he had, was love and support for this little guy over here, trying his best to break out of his comfort zone to learn something new because he enjoys it. Gabriel joined us and learn how to dance because I've always wanted to learn it. I told him so much and shared with him so many videos. To show his support and encouragement, he took it up and learnt it with me. He would be annoying and irritating, taunting me to dance battle him and then we will all laugh about all the stupid things we did. All along, I knew that he didn't have a really strong interest like me. But I know he loves me like how I always love him. Thank you so much brother, I've never once forgotten what you've done for me.

There is this awesome guy, Bboy Yu Han. He never gave up and persevere to create a home for all the Mighty Nomads. He and some other senior Bboys went to propose to start our club as a CCA despite being rejected many times.

Founder of Mighty Nomads, Chong Yu Han

And finally, MIGHTY NOMADS IS OFFICIALLY RECOGNISED AS A CCA IN NP! We were happy of course. Apart of getting CCA points for doing what we like (HEHE I'm hitting GOLD!), we have a dance studio for us to dance in, we are able to spread the culture of Hip Hop (Yes, Bboying is one of the elements of Hip Hop) to everyone freely, we are able to perform for the school, to raise awareness that we are here, to teach and cultivate people who are interested. 

And that's the story of how I got to know Mighty Nomads, how Mighty Nomads became an official club for all Bboys and Bgirls and how I got to be part of this awesome family. That's the story of how I started dancing (again). 

Okay I'm done with Part One of my extremely long essay-like blog post. Thank you for reading, it means a lot to me. I encourage all of you, if you have something to say or share, let it be known. Because you never know that one day, you might end up encouraging and inspiring someone. Leave any comments in the comment section if you have something to ask/say, I'll reply when I see them :)

SO LONG EVERYONE, STAY TUNED TO - 

THE JOURNEY: SEEKING THE DANCING DRAGON IN ME (PART TWO)

//

I believe that this journey, was already planned out by God, leading me back to dance. I've learnt so much. God taught me to be patient, because good things are worth the wait. God taught me to appreciate people around me, because He never wanted me to be alone. God taught me that if it's for you, it's for you. I know that without God, things would be so much different now. I'm glad that I trusted in Him, because He's the way, the truth and the life. 

And after all that I've done, is it ever enough?

LISTEN TO THIS! SO DOPE!

Anyway just wanna let you guys know that I'm doing fine. Better than ever. But also feeling weak sometimes. I'm having holidays now but it doesn't feel like holidays to me honestly.

LIFE UPDATE TIME!

NRA BONDING CAMP 2013!

GRYFFINDOR!

This was the camp I attended as a Year 3 Freshie. Honestly, it feels so different attending a camp as a Year 3 Freshie. You feel old, you feel out of breath, you feel tired and you feel like everyone hates you for being lazy. But one thing for sure is that as a year 3, whatever you say, your fellow group mates and group leaders will laugh for sure! Tested and proven ;) hor Darren Lee? I attended this camp with Darren Lee in Gryffindor too but another sub tribe. We both are Year 3 and we sure are lazy. But somehow, we enjoyed this camp pretty much a lot even though we are grumpy and sleepy most of the time... Hehe Cheers Gryffindor, thanks for the great time!

TURQUOISE HAIR FINALLY!

My Professional Hairdresser!

Closer view of my hair!

And if you realised, I have dyed my hair again! This time it's not just green! (although it's fading to green now..) My hair is turquoise! It's kinda like ombre from green to turquoise! And I have to thank this girl for patiently bleaching my hair and dyeing my hair for 3 whole hours! Yay! Finally got the hair colour I wanted. Anyway the top two pictures are like 2 weeks ago. Now close to 3 weeks have passed and of course my hair has grew longer and faded.. (SAD)

Did you notice my new header picture right there? Hehe it was taken during a recent Bboy Jam that I've attended. YESSSSS!

NTU BBOY JAM 2013!

Pocketful of Sunshine!

I just attended my first ever Bboy Battle/Competition. It was NTU Bboy Jam and you bet, I had lots of fun! I was really nervous and crazy anxious in the beginning, but after I went out for my first round, I wanted more! But too bad, I didn't get into the Top 16. Everyone there was dope as hell! Learned so much and feel so inspired to work really hard to be stronger and better! Of course, I wanna thank Mighty Nomads so so much for making me into someone I am today. And love you both Samuel and Denise, for being such lovable friends and dancers and teammates to be around with!

BC2 TRIAL CAMP!

It faded into this shit! Can't believe it.

I took this during my BC2 Trial Camp. HEHE. And this is your sexy ass Camp Chief. Anyway, I'm all pumped up for Mighty Nomads Bonding Camp 2 this coming week. Are you guys ready? Had trial camp last week and there were so many problems that we encountered. However, guess what? God is good, all the time. I'm glad God provided me the strength and the people around me to oversee everything! Honestly, BC2 will be damn dope!!!

#RADCON2013

GREEN GEEKY GRIN!

Attended Radical Conference 2013 yesterday! Haha it was awesome! Been so long since I last went to church and listened to the Word due to my commitments. I feel all hydrated again with His blessings and everything. And look, my hair became greener and less turquoiser. Sigh! But I'm glad that my hair lasted this long and not like that stupid broccoli that turned yellow in less than a week. It's already close to 3 weeks since I last dyed my hair! Guess I'm going to dye it again soon ~ And I have new specs! Is it nice? I think it's nice. It's nice!

With this silly girl!

Can't be more grateful and thankful towards God for blessing me with this little silly angel! She's always there for me, encouraging me that God is here whenever I encounter problems. Knowing that she's there is an assurance that everything is going to be fine! Thank You God for this wonderful girl! :D

The Walking Dead Video Game!

Lee & Clementine <3

Been playing this game for a few days after BC2 Trial Camp and I can say this game is one of the best I ever played. It made me feel scared, emotional, happy, love, timid and everything you can feel as a human being. You guys should try this game out!!! But beware, it's pretty freaky sometimes!  

I shall go do my stupid WISP already... sigh. I don't know why holidays must have holiday homework. I know I sound like a primary school kid now. But stupid WISP, I love Wisp though..

IO THE GUARDIAN WISP

Do you guys know I'm actually joining a competition soon? It's a Dota competition, after BC2 next sunday! Oh well hahahha I know I sound nerd now but shut up! Nobody likes you >:(

I will be joining an Allstyles competition too on 13th July. Stay tuneeeee.

See ya guys, have a good holiday.

Now don't you understand? I'm never changing who I am.

Sorry for the long disappearance.

May was really busy for me. And now, it's Common Test week.

I have so much to update but I can't do it now because I need to study... (I hate studying..)

Enjoy this song in the meantime.

P.S Imagine Dragons is really great.

Why do you have green hair?

Okay, I'm sick and tired of people asking me why I have green hair and stuffs like that.

It's enough. I had enough and I shall finally tell you guys why.

One of my closest friend has cancer and has to go through chemotherapy. Therefore, she has no hair on her head now. To support and encourage her, a few close friends and I dyed our hair green because it is her favourite colour.

So stop trying to judge me and say that I want attention when that is not the case. Stop it! It's not funny calling me broccoli, grass or any other vegetable because you're destroying me and my friend.

---

Hehe just kidding, I really just want attention.

HELLO GUYS. There is a reason why I didn't blog for around 2 weeks. Not because I don't love you guys any more but because blogging is lame.

Kidding again. I just finished performing for NP50 Charity Performance!!!!!!!!!!

I honestly never had so much fun performing. And of course I was super tired during the period of time due to rehearsals EVERY SINGLE DAY. But that's fine, I'm doing what I love and it's not for myself only. And remember the previous post I mentioned that my back is injured? I have fully recovered just 2 days before the performance and it's all thanks to God!

So many people I wanna thank, but then some things are just hard to express. One of the most special people I wanna thank is Kay!

Kay is my instructor for one of the item during the performance, Canteen Scene. I had so much fun doing that choreography, but so much pain doing the warm ups that she led. But it really did help me for my stretching and flexibility. Thank you so much Kay for being such a great teacher!!! Whatever I wanted to say, I have already said. I'm just upset that we didn't get to take a photo together :<

Amazing Partner, Susan/Suat Kee!

Next person I want to personally thank is SUSAN. Yep, she is my dance partner for both Operation Smile and NP50! See? We are so charitable! She is damn understanding and because of my back injury, there were a few times during rehearsals that we can't go full out. She is super caring and she always ask me to take care. But then truth is, she is the heavy one and it's because of her that my back is injured!!! Haha just kidding. She's an awesome partner and she's not heavy. It's just I'm too weak :( Thank you for your Hershey's and super loving letter!

My lovely Princess!

And of course, the most important of all, my lovely princess, BRENDA LILLIPUT. Thank you for always being there for me, being understanding and being loving! She's the one who helped me dye my hair green and always cooking for me Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner/Supper on different days even though she has class early in the morning. Thank you for being so sweet and not complain and give me back massages, love notes, flower, ice cream cones and plenty of your love. Thank you so so much! I love you <3

The people from Canteen Scene!

Stupid Denise, late for the previous photo! If not I already used that :P

Just wanna give a big shout out to the people from Canteen Scene for the endless fun and encouragement! I had lots of fun training with you guys! It was a tough period of time for me during trainings at the start but you guys weren't judgemental and enjoyed being with me! Thank you guys for your patience and laughters!

My dearest MNM Family without Daryl Lau cos he decided to disappear everytime we take picture!

This is the group of people who brought me up today. They watch me come out from inside my turtle shell to someone who is outside my turtle shell now. Thank you guys for always supporting and encouraging me, allowing me to truly be who I am and accepting me wholeheartedly. Just wanna let you guys know that MNM is and will always be my family because you guys are my roots. I grew from you guys and there's nowhere else that I wanna grow out from except from my mother's umbilical cord. Love you guys, forever! <3

Specially for you Daryl Lau <3

Videos for our performances are up on Kay's YouTube Channel and my Facebook Wall. Check out D3's performance also because they did really well on both nights!

This period of time was indeed tough but enjoyable at the same time. Really never regretted to perform and work with all these people for NP50! Happy 50th Anniversary Ngee Ann Poly! It's through God's grace that I have this opportunity to perform for such a large scale event with a huge crowd! Also I wanna specially thank Jermayne, En Qi, Daddy Chua, Mummy Chua and LilliputHuh for coming down to support me!

*Update* OH YA and did I MENTION THAT I MET MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND DURING THIS NP50 PERFORMANCE. AND GUESS WHAT. SHE IS IN THE SAME ITEM AS ME FOR CANTEEN SCENE BUT I ONLY REALISED IT AFTER THE PERFORMANCE. MEANS I THROUGH OUT TRAININGS AND REHEARSALS FOR 2 MONTHS I DIDN'T KNOW AND TALK TO HER LIKE SHE IS MY NEW FRIEND. GOOD JOB DANCING DRAGON WOOHOO. OKAY HER NAME IS NATALIE AND SHE'S PRETTY COOL. LIKE PRETTY AND COOL.

Okay yay double page views since you guys gonna view my blog again just for this part. yay yay

#supportbroccolimovement #votebrendonforpresident #hugsandkisses

Year 3, yay or nay?

HOLA!

School has reopened, how is everyone doing? I'm already Year 3, 20 this year. Oh my oh my, so old already... Anyway I've got good news!

I've tried for NRA Auditions and I've got in! I know I know, you guys confirm judging me right now.

"Wah, you Year 3 already still join NRA for what??"

For me, I guess I'm pretty much a late bloomer. Although I started bboying before I started poly and stopped for damn long, I never knew how much dance could mean to me. Only last year, I then realised it. Therefore, I'm going to learn many many techniques from many many genres to improve myself since I love to freestyle! Nobody is too late for anything right? I don't wanna stick to only bboying but that doesn't mean I will forget about bboying. I will never do that.

As a dancer, you should never ever forget your roots! Because that's where you come from, that's what you did that made you who you are today! A Bboy is a dancer, but a dancer is not a Bboy. I wanna be a dancer, but bboying will always be the first genre that I LOVE because it allowed me to know so many wonderful people who influenced me to who I am today.

Anyway, I think I'm injured lately. I don't know whether it's a physical injury but when I take deep breaths or move my body, my chest and back will feel compressed and there will be a sharp pain. Anyone had similar situations before? I need prayers guys. NP50 Charity Performance is just next week, need to recover before the performance so I will not let my fellow dancers down!

Speaking of NP50 Charity Performance, have you gotten your tickets yet?
30th April and 1st May there will be a performance to celebrate Ngee Ann Poly's 50th Anniversary! Come and watch before so many people and CCAs are performing! :D

More information here:
http://www.np.edu.sg/np50/Documents/content/celebrate_30apr.html#charity

Okay thank you guys for reading! Praise God for everything He has done in my life!

By the way, I'm updating my blog during lessons cause I'm having my IS... Mobile Robotics. No, don't ask.

KIDDING - I LOVE LEGOS.