First They Came For The Communists

Came across this poem in a friend's blog. Really struck by it. Thought it would be good to share with all.

What does one do when one perceives injustice, or witnesses unjust turn of events? Sit around, discuss and wait? Or should not one take the further step to voice it out, to point it out, to even go to the source of the injustice? At least, one would have tried. Speak Out.

First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I was a Protestant.
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.

by Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Thank You For The Music - CHMA 06

Great CHMA last night. Was standing at the back of the hall after settling the judges, and believe me, I was practically rocking while standing the whole night. The beatboxing and the rappers really set the mood for the evening. So it was a most electrically charged CHMA, showcasing the entire spectrum of our CH music talents. Ranges from East to West, from yang qin to guzheng to piano to electone, with both Mandopop and Englishpop, as well as instrumental rock, chinese rock and western rock, with both creative espressions of other sorts - beatboxing and original composition. In other words, CHMA 06 is a whole tour de force of what our CH students are capable of. And thinking back to 2003, when we first started the CH Music Awards, I remember we said we wanted to 'Create Stars of Tomorrow'. CHMA is a platform, and a first step, for many of our students.

And then, it's the music that's really important, and the improvement witnessed in all the performers, and the confidence exuded by all. I especially loved how the chinese rock band has come together over this period and really moved and touched us with their jay chou's 'qing tian' in the evening. They have come a long way, and they have truly found their own style and confidence last night. Then, the western rock band really rocked. All the solos were really not mere virtuostic displays alone, but each solo was really responding to the audience, teasing and connecting with them. And the final drumset closure of umpteen times repeated cadences really was the most spontaneous musical outpouring, with all the musicians having fun.

Most important of all would be how to me, CHMA is really a coming together of the best musical talents of catholic high, and how it is about music simply and only about music. During the final show, all the musicians on stage were no longer competiting, but were playing real music and interacting with the audience through their music. That is the greatest of all - music brings people together, and not to divide people. Competition is an ugly word in music, and CHMA has soared beyond that each time. Each time, we would remind all the performers after the final rehearsal that CHMA is not a competition - it is a show, and all are performers, and may the best performance that connects best with the audience be given the award. Well, it is the 'best performance' award, right?

It's been a great CHMA - kudos to all musicians, and especially kudos to the unsung heroes of IMedia - the hard work to put on such a sophisticated production is worth every bit of respect from all. All the late nights that the IMedia guys put in really paid off, and without them, there would be no CHMA, no platform for our students' musical outpouring.

So there - THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC!

Some Fleeting Thoughts

Hectic marking this week ... all the prelims 2 compre scripts for the whole level, some 360 scripts in total, to finish asap.

Yes, the compre i set is challenging, but it's a most lovely passage, and our sec 4 guys do need to be stretched further in language inference and expression skills. You need to get that A1, so as to get a good L1R5 to get into your JC of choice.

Some silly spammer at his game again ... and with all the busy hectic runs of tasks these 2 weeks, I just want to laugh at his foolish vacant mind - seriously, is he living in his own lala land, so free that he needs to get attention?

But the positive thing that came out of this - the warm responses from many. Thanks! It's nice to know that I have done good for you guys.

Thoughts on Mr Brown and flameblogs etc - never create an accidental martyr just simply due to a clumsy response. But seriously, i believe in the judgement and valuation of an educated people/citizenship. People are sensible, and people can discern between real endeavours for ideals and mere childish malice or outbursts. Yup, I have faith in that.

Great Homecoming and Next Up CH Music Awards 2006!

Alright, it's finally over, Homecoming 2006! And it's a good success, with a good crowd of old boys and parents/friends coming back to enjoy themselves. Saw old faces from the class of 2000 all the way to last year 2005, which was like a walk down memory lane for many of us teachers! On my part, even saw the guys from my batch (class of 1989) in the old boys basketball tournament held in the hall this morning! And everyone of us oldies have really grown old and put on weight after all these years.

Got dunked, for $800 (Thanks to Classes 4-4 and 4-8 2006, to Symphony Band, and to the old boys and teachers who contributed to this!) It was great fun, and the drop was most craftily orchestrated! After many futile tries by the dunkers, the sports boys finally reduced the plank difficulty level, and I was thus finally on my way to the Big Splash. Danny Tan, who was manning the dunking pool, was slyly getting me to put a silly looking flower onto my ear, which I finally managed after great effort, and just as I was giving that victory sign pose - they manually pushed the target board! I plunged into the water, of course. Anyway, THANKS to my EL classes and the Band, and all old boys who came, for all the money contributed to dunk me!

All in all, it was a great day for all. There were more stalls this time, some 60 odd stalls, spread over the Plaza and the Primary Canteen, with the Haunted House in the dance studio in the basement. To be honest, we were indeed very worried bout the turn-out for today, esp with memories of previous years' homecoming. And so it is GREAT that we have a large crowd finally. Of course, the crowd could be even larger, and next year, we will definitely be pushing coupons much much early. Most importantly, we have sort of gotten over the 'ghost-town' image associated with homecoming, and the success and excitement in all the sec 1 to 3 classes this year makes the job next year easier - all would be looking forward to a great time then! Homecoming today is a good celebration of youth ... the youths of today and the youths of yesteryears coming together in our alma mater on Youth Day 1 July each year.

NEXT UP - the long awaited CHMA (CH Music Awards) on 14 July 2006, Friday, CH School Hall. Categories include Vocals, Instrumental, Bands and Creative Expressions. It will be bigger and better than previous years, of course!
Tickets this year includes the premier $10 ones, with the normal $8 ones.
Mr Wang has said that all $10 have been sold out, so guys, you have to book the $8 now. They are running out fast as well! Many old boys have already gotten their tics, so for the rest, wait no more!