Orianthi Panagaris

Free Time

Plan for my free time:

1. Agape
a. Teach guitar to Agapeans [Beginners: Angela, Kenneth, Yinglei; Intermediate: Shannon]
b. Meet/call Agapeans [Matt, Duncan, Edwin & Jayne, Seng & Sharon, Edgar & Jiahui]

2. Meet/call friends [Art, Amy, Hafiz, Chongkiat, Sab, Nat, Keh, Ting]

3. Professionals/Students
a. Follow-up Exco [Oct-Dec 08: Yewhock, Jasmine (Yinglei), Phyllis]
b. Plan Professionals retreat 2008; forge Professionals vision/mission [bookmark]; launch buddies pledge

4. Entertainment
a. Watch movies [Aviator, Listening with Your Heart, Pulp Fiction, Pursuit of Happyness, Tommy Igoe's Groove Essentials, Worms 2]
b. Read J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter 4-7, Jason's Top 25 children's books, Newbery Award winners

5. Spiritual/Physical Health
a. Drink more water, MRET or otherwise
b. Do more QT
c. Sleep ONLY 8 hours a day, before 11pm
d. Spring cleaning: files and books in the corner
e. Exercise: Before shower - push ups [spider, normal, triangle], climb more stairs; weekly - swimming, jogging, cycling, tennis & football [when better]; KIV - dumbbells [tricep, bicep, pectoral]

6. Wedding/Flat
a. Plan for 23 May 09 wedding with Angela, Yewhock, Sharon, advisors [TBC: Edwin & Jayne, Edgar & Jiahui, P Nettie]
b. Plan for Damai Grove (renovation)
c. Wedding favour [iTunes playlist on CD-R]
d. Counselling

Sungha Jung - Africa

Sungha Jung - Smells Like Teen Spirit

Sungha Jung - Mission Impossible Theme

Sungha Jung - With or Without You

The Simpsons Theme on classical guitar

Zack Kim plays The Simpsons Theme

NTU CAC Chinese Orchestra

Dropped by Yinglei's Chinese Orchestra performance at NTU and was pleasantly surprised at the music on show.

Well, firstly, she had to catch her hand on the door as she went to get something. Cue some silent, frantic hand-waving.

The emcees, both in English and Mandarin, were really lame. Can even put Teckseng in the shade. Their languages were all rojak and they kept mispronouncing and stumbling over words, butchering some foreign languages for good measure. Plus they had to shamelessly plug their upcoming concert: Can't blame them there. They whispered to each other but forgot that everyone could hear them.

That aside, the performances were actually really good. Enjoyed Yinglei's guitar-like duet where they did a Tchaikovsky. Her instrument (forgot what it's called) is very similar to a guitar, only with a G-D-G-D tuning. They play mostly two-note chords while harmionising with another instrument. They also play a percussive role on the more upbeat songs. Can understand why she doesn't want to learn guitar first as this would really throw her off with the guitar's E-A-D-G-B-E tuning.

The one that took the cake was the erhu solo that mimicked chirping birds and galloping horses. The guy got it right down to the whinnying of the horse. Such virtuoso technique! Would make an interesting intro if there was a lesson on animals.

The $10 concert in March sounds like an altogether more attractive proposition now. =]

Super Mario theme

Super Mario theme on two electric guitars!

Erik Mongrain - Lap tapping

Jul/Aug 2007 holidays

Again, I plan for my 1-week hols:

So here's my to-do list:
1. Teach guitar to church people [have identified people; started with Wan Loong, Angela, Amos, Andrew]
2. Meet friends I seldom meet up with [Nat, Samuel, Amy, Chong Kiat TBC]
3. Learn driving [practical test on 18 Sep]
4. Prepare Mastering Money & Taming Your Finances lesson plans & make relationship seminar arrangements for mid-Aug and mid-Dec 07 respectively [in progress; arrange with Matthew]
5. Watch VCDs and DVDs [50 First Dates, Aviator, Boogie Nights, Pulp Fiction, Pursuit of Happyness, Tommy Igoe's Groove Essentials, Worms 2]
6. Buy guitar [Epiphone $299 offer at Swee Lee?]

Learning bass/guitar

I taught Amos a little bit of bass today after practice. He seems to have the rhythm part as he just follows the kick, but we have to work on the notes, scales and fingering. Then Agape will have another bassist!
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I'm quite astounded by the progress Amos is making. He seems to have grasped the concept of notes pretty quickly and is able to find specific notes, although he takes a while. He's also learnt to mute the bass, use more than one finger to pluck the strings, and can press the frets hard enough. Now to get him up to speed. Will work on him every Thursday after practice.
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Started class with Wan Loong too. A little distracted but otherwise the interest is there. Started him off with a song he's interested in, Linkin Park's In The End. Interest is invaluable when teaching children. It makes learning so much easier and faster. He knows four chords, the names of the strings and how to read tabs. Now to work on changing chords quickly, notes and chord composition.
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Andrew seems to be interested in joining the band as a guitarist and bassist! My prayers have been answered. I'll have to work with him on Wednesdays before ALG, or on Thursdays if he's joining us.
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I'll work with Angela whenever I'm at Jasmine's place. Although there might be 'slower' progress. Just kidding lah. =]