Live The Dream Roadshow and other ramblings

There will be a Live The Dream roadshow this Saturday, 29th September at Plaza Singapura from 3pm onwards. Do come down if you are passing through and get up close and personal with us. It will be fun! Hope to see you there.


It's been a week of ups and downs for me. But all is good still. Was a bit annoyed on Wednesday during my performance. My ear monitor which I practiced with was not working when I went on stage to sing! Had to rely on one ear to hear everything else. Was truly upsetting. But am over it. Sure hope it doesn't happen again. There seemed to be a couple of technical glitches that night.

That night, it didn't quite register that I had gotten through when Utt announced the results. It was only when I saw my entire sector suddenly jump up that I realised I must be safe. I was so emotional after that I guess everything started to pour out. My fears, relief, upset that Robert had to leave us, the sight of seeing my family and friends scream and jump for joy. I felt so much love and everything all at once it was hard to keep the tears from flowing.


The whole time on stage I kept seeing my daddy and mummy's toothy smile. Holding up my banner proudly. I see only love and how proud they are of me...and it moves me to tears. And I see my friends and the rest of my family, my beautiful sisters and my precious brother, all there. My cousins shouting their lungs out with the cute loud hailer, friends holding up the huge letters of my name with pride. My auntie and uncle who believe in me like crazy, shouting and giving me the thumbs up.

I went up to my family and friends after to say 'hi' for a very short time and had to be called back. :( I saw my daddy proudly smiling and waving a red package (a beautiful pendant which he bought and prayed over) for me and went to hug him and my family. I felt so much love and support and everyone was whispering words of love and encouragement. I heard my sister say when she hugged me, "God Bless you Jie". It was so emotional. I felt so lucky. I'm am so thankful for everything and everyone in my life. I think this is the best part of my journey in Live The Dream, because my family and friends are on it with me. You guys mean the world to me.

A quick one

I did this wallpaper real quick. It's now up on my desktop as sort of like a morale booster for me. I'm hoping that by looking at it everyday, I'll remember that it's my time to shine and all the nerves will "POOF", be gone. I just need to believe in myself and not worry too much about people judging me. The rest will come naturally I guess. I got the words "It's Shauna Time!" from a friend. He told me last week that I should utter these words right before I get on stage to sing so I won't be so nervous.

You may download it if you like.

Juggling work, Live The Dream as well as the President's Star Charity is a mean feat and I am starting to feel the strain that the business demands. Am much more susceptible to falling ill and am down with a bad throat and a dry cough. I feel awful physically from fatigue and all that jazz.... But still, I am having the time of my life. Highlight alert! I got to ride pillion on the coolest Harley through town (part of a roadshow promotion for us Dreamers) on Sunday! Anyhoos, I feel the Zzzzs hitting me now so I guess it's off to bed for me. Sweetest dreams...

My random stories on video

Haven't had much time to ramble, but you may check out my personal Vlogs (Video Blogs) at the official webby of Live The Dream. Take a peek into my life at http://livethedream.mediacorptv.sg/vlog_index.php

Also, do check out one of the interviews done at the press conference on Wednesday. I think there are videos posted too. http://ch5.mediacorptv.com/wassup/interviews/view/921/1/.html

I think I will write for a little bit...

Today was awesome because I got to see my family at church. Had lots to eat as usual for dinner. I haven't had suckling pig in so long! I scoffed down 4 pieces even though I know I shouldn't have. What to do, so tempting. But I am trying to practice some self control ok! And it didn't help that I received a box of absolutely delish assortment of chocolate desserts yesterday. Of course I had to finish it, what is chocolate addict to do? How la like that.

While we're on the topic of food; I have been taking Brand essence of Chicken lately. Getting used to the taste. My auntie swears by it, so we'll see if it does anything for me. Is it me or has the bottle shrunk over the years? I sort of remember the bottle to be bigger when I last took it in Secondary school. Wow, that is a long time ago.

Anyhoos, I best be off to bed. Got to wake up early for vocals and filming till dusk. Hopefully I'll have some time to post up some pictures I took recently. Nighty night!

An interview with an orange

Here's an interview I did with Sebastian of Youth.sg sometime back. I look orange! I'm lazy to edit the colours in Photoshop...

Dream Over, All Too Soon?
Written by Sebastian Chin, Wednesday, 22 August 2007

Shauna may be the baby of the lot but she sure has loads of wisdom. Confident and full of swagger, nothing seems to ever bring her down.

Youth.SG: Any reasons as to why you joined Live the Dream?

Shauna: I’ve always loved to sing, it’s a hobby. Now it’s time to make it more than just a hobby!I think it’s the right time for me to come out of my shell a little bit more. I’m having a little break from my work so the timing was right as well.

Tell us more about yourself.

Shauna:I try to be as active as I can. I’m actually a happy-go-lucky person. Every once in a while I go to the gym, do sports climbing and inline skate! I used to be a rather tomboyish person, (I’d) run with the boys, jump staircases and (now I’ve) got lots of scars on my body! I wear jeans most of the time so it covers everything (laughs).

Any special juice to win those votes?

Shauna:I don’t think there’s no real special tactics. It’s quite fair. A little of it is left to the judges and the rest pretty much left to the audience. It’s really anybody's game. No matter much you prepare and focus all you can, you can only do your best and give it your all and hope for a good outcome. That’s simply no telling what’s going to happen.

What are the emotions you go through when you are performing?

Shauna:The very first emotion I feel on stage is nervousness. A lot of people actually saw that! (laughs) There’s also uncertainty… you have overcome that by telling yourself that what you need to do is focus on the amount of time you have. You can prepare all you want, but you only have that one minute and 30 seconds to show what you got. Everything just boils down to that moment. Everybody will agree with me I guess.

How’s the Live the Dream experience so far?

Shauna:My experience has been quite enlightening! It has taught me more about myself as a person and I am also happy to see that people, even the ones that didn’t get in to the final, are so passionate about their music and they are all here for the same reasons. There are a lot of talents in Singapore that are forgotten, often never heard or seen. I think it’s great that Live the Dream actually provides a platform to give more visibility for people like that.

Any plans to turn your dream into a reality if you win the competition?

Shauna:I know there’s a $40,000 cash prize but to be honest, there are times, like when we are doing the shoots, it’s really not on your mind. The first thing on your mind is to go out there and do well. That is definitelythe utmost thing on my mind at the moment. If I do win, it would be a tremendous blessing. I definitely will wantto do something more with it… wouldn’t want to stop at one concert showcase! Once you start doing it, you’ll never stop. It will be an insult to the others who didn’t have the chance and disappoint young people who have dreams. I know the Singapore musical industry is still growing and there are limitations but you just got to keep on going.

What were your preparations for this week’s show?

Shauna:I have been trying to get sleep because it’s really important. Drink lots of water. Stay away from foods that are going to be detrimental to your voice. I have never had proper vocal trainings aside from the one I did last week but I do go online to look for vocal tutorials and guides to care for my vocal health. The vocal tutorials are really useful as they have taught me how to go about practicing and warming up my vocals.

Who’s your biggest fan?

Shauna:My family!! Mom and Dad have been very supportive through the whole thing. My sister has also been helping me buy stuff. I feel really grateful to them.

What other dreams do you have?

Shauna:Travel the world and see lot of things I guess. With music, I believe it is easier to accomplish this as there will be tours and that means traveling! This gives me a chance to explore the world and at the same time do the stuff I love, music!

What you do think of the judges, Dick and Ken? Who do you prefer?

Shauna:Ha-ha! Well, there is no real preference. I would say Dick is very fashionable and gives really good advice. Ken, well, I guess he’s really different from the personality most people see him on TV. I have always preferred forward and upfront, vital advice which is what Ken is really good with.

Tonight's buzz

Just back from supper (actually a very late dinner) with Robert and Victor at Newton Hawker Center. We whipped out our swanky new K810i Sony Ericsson phones and tinkered with some vlogging. Yes you heard me, new phone!!!! A congratulatory surprise for making it to the Top 10 from Sony Ericsson, one of the show's sponsors. THANK YOU because I really needed a new one. I'm still fiddling and farting with it. It's got the total package if I may say. *goofy laugh*

Anyhoos, I'll be vlogging on this suuweeeeeeet newly acquired baby. Videos will be uploaded on Live The Dream's official website. Do check it out to get a peek into my life as well as behind-the-scene snippets. *Oooo juicy*

Ok pokes, time to put on my fluffy pink socks and off to bed I go. I think I'm going to enjoy Friday.

The thrills and spills of the present

Last Saturday, we had a trailer shoot for the upcoming genres for Live The Dream. It was the first time I really enjoyed myself, despite reeling from the lack of sleep. All the contestants are such great people. And by that I mean good human beings. They have alot of heart.

Lately I've been on an emotional roller coaster. Of course being on TV and all that, you are subjecting yourself to a myriad of views and criticisms. Like I constantly tell myself, no matter how bad the comments get, I signed up for the show and I asked to be there. I want to give it a shot so this comes with the territory.

You know the saying, "Never judge a book by it's cover?" Unfortunately it is hard for us not to, myself included. But I never let myself forget that beneath the cover of any book, are stories about who we are, our lives, pain, joy and the experiences that make us human. There are so many quotes that were made by several prominent people in history that are valued by us as truths. Who is more right? The one who said that "The clothes maketh the man", or "Never judge a book by it's cover"? You see the irony? But yes, they are both right.

I was asked if girls face harsher judgment when it comes to talent competitions like this on TV. My opinion is that it is a different game for us girls. It is really tough to find a balance so you don't come off being a tart, but tasteful. I hope people will look past my veneer and see me for who I am and what I stand for. I do know that respect is never commanded, it is earned.

I was truly upset the week of my competition after reading about what some had to say, I couldn't even find it within myself to celebrate my small victory when I know I should be. I broke down in front of my computer and had a good cry. Several days after I was still off the rockers. It is something I will learn to cope with. I soon realised this is going to be one of the many important lessons I will take away with me long after the show is over. It it not humanly possible to please everyone. This will only make me stronger.

Everything happens for a reason, and nothing is a coincidence. As far back as my memory serves me, I was never the one to be at the right place at the right time. What if this is my time? What if this is where I am meant to be, at this very moment? I think of all the possibilities there are for me and it excites me to the bone. I visualise bringing my family on that holiday I've been secretly wanting to do and hopefully relieving them of some difficulties they face right now.

I am so lucky to be where I am right now, and I am grateful to everyone who has a part to play in it. I have to keep believing. And the rest will come naturally.