PILLOW TALK with Shauna

I am a horible blogkeeper!

2008-06-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I know my blog's practically dead, I am just terrible at maintaining one. But anyhoo, just a short quick entry. You may catch me and the rest of The Dreamers on The Showdown tomorrow night, Thursday 8pm on Channel 5. Do tune in if you can.

Was down at Mediacorp earlier at about 10pm for a radio interview with Justin Ang and Vernon A. on Muttons At Midnight on Perfect 10 98.7 FM. Was plenty fun and laughter throughout. Was put through The Muttons challenge and had to sing a song while being fed mouthfuls of Geylang 'Dao Huay' (Beancurd). For those of you missed it, I think my brother helped record parts of the show. Will try to upload it but keep your fingers crossed because I'll first need to find out how to work the audio on this blog. LOL. :)

I do hope everyone's doing great. I've been going through a major down in my life for the past couple of months so I guess I didn't have the mind to come here and update. Besides it'll be all gloom anyway if I did. Will make the effort to update more! Good night all and God Bless! HUGS!

Channel U's 'U Are The One', The Showdown etc...

2008-03-27T14:17:00.001-07:00

Wow it's been such a long time since I posted anything here. A month long hiatus! But here's an update on what's been happening.

I will be guest judging for Channel U's new talent search show 'U Are The One' come Monday 31st March at 8pm. So do tune in if you can. I don't quite know what to expect but am sure as hell going to try to brush up my very rusty Mandarin within these very short few days and hopefully not look like an idiot on screen. It's time to 'jiang hua yu'. *lol*

Check it out here:
http://u.mediacorptv.sg/uaretheone/
http://u.mediacorptv.com/index.htm

Also am half way through filming for The Showdown which is an upcoming show on Channel 5. Kind of like battle of the reality stars or something like that. Shall not reveal too much. I think the air-date will be sometime in May if I am not wrong. The tv teasers and trailers are already out. So do watch out for it. Will post a couple of pictures I took on set real soon so do check back.

Have a bit of good news as well. I recently finished recording a demo for the upcoming National Day song. Yeah I know it's pretty early eh. So anyways, apparently every year a handful of songs are pitched to the ministry and they get to decide which song they'd like to use for the next NDP theme song. And I'm happy to tell that they picked the song I recorded. Apparently they were pretty happy with it and were curious to know who the voice behind the song was. I'm just glad I got to do it, you know, get to sing the Singapore song and all the feelings of patriotism that come with it. Good thing is I get to keep a copy of the recording for keepsake. They'd probably get a big name like Stephanie Sun or Kit Chan to do it though. I'm not quite anybody...yet...to be optimistic. LOL. Though I was pretty pleased and was good news enough to make my day.

So anyways, life's been alright and I'm trying real hard not to sweat it and just go with the flow. Gonna go get some shut-eye now. Goodnight, sweetest dreams and plenty plenty hugs!

'Bak kuas' and birthday cakes

2008-02-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Chinese New Year to one and all and may you be blessed with good health and many wondrous things! It's been quite some time since my last post, which happens to be of not much substance or interest but mere song lyrics. *lol* Anyhoo, it's been an on-off busy few weeks for me. Been going for meetings, job bookings and some other stuff. Oh and Sennheiser's thinking of taking me up on a endorsement deal with their mics and music equipment. Fingers toes and eyes crossed!

So to make up for posts, here's a clip that pretty much sums up my family's eccentricities at gatherings. Decked out in full-on 'Chai Sen Yeh' gear (Wealth God) is my uncle who gate crashed the party sporting a bagful of ang baos with 4D numbers inside. Everyone received a lucky packet.

I have the coolest family la!

Also this year, my birthday fell on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year (Feb 9th baby), so it was really great seeing my one big nutty family under one roof again. Mummy, daddy, sisters, brother, aunties, uncles, cousins, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends *lol* all under one roof. So nice. And of course there was merry-making with friends and the special people in my life over the following week. I am so blessed. Not forgetting the bonus that comes with turning a year older: Birthday presents! I ate so much over the New Year that I fell ill with fever, which seems to be a yearly affair. Oh the woes of having great cooks for aunties. Anyhoo, I'm gonna keep this one short. So nighty night all!

What hurts the most....

2008-02-06T15:01:00.000-08:00

I can take the rain on the roof of this empty house
That don’t bother me
I can take a few tears now and then and just let them out
I’m not afraid to cry every once in a while
Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I’m ok
But that’s not what gets me

What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was tryin’ to do

It’s hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I’m doin’ It
It’s hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I’m alone
Still harder
Getting up, getting dressed, livin’ with this regret
But I know if I could do it over
I would trade give away all the words that I saved in my heart
That I left unspoken

What hurts the most
Is being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been
And not seeing that loving you
Is what I was trying to do

Totally feeling this song by Rascal Flatts right now...Somewhat reflects a chapter in my life many moons ago. I know you are resting with the angels S.L. I will always have you tucked away in the corners of my heart...

Let me paint you a picture

2008-02-03T08:02:00.000-08:00

Taffy and Phoebe sitting about the X'mas tree.

You see those two adorable fur balls? They own me. Anyhoo, I think the art fart bug has bitten me again. The last time it bit me I got all revved up and went shopping for art materials, paint and all that jazz. And then....nothing. What an anti-climax. Thought I'd actually get all dirty with paint all over my hands hunching over the easel fervently working a piece of art. I don't have an easel though, been meaning to get one since I last threw away my old one. I guess now it's pretty apparent, the procrastinator in me.

BUT! I did go shopping for frames. So that's a start right? I mean I was like taking note of the measurements so I can finally start working on a few ideas I have in my mind. Yes I do paint in my free time or when I feel inspired. Or, at times like this when the art bug comes abuzzing at my ear.

Among the plethora of ideas I've swept away into the corners of my mind, am thinking of doing a series of three paintings for mummy. Perhaps one of a plum blossom, duckweed and lotus flower. Since mummy loves plants, flowers, gardening and all that. Us three sisters' Mandarin names actually translate into those three plants. Me the plum blossom, Sandra the lotus flower, and Shereen the duckweed. So I thought it would be something nice for her to have. *smiles sheepishly*

Series of 3.
Mix media - Acrylic, gauche, gold pen, sequins on brown paper.

Maybe I should (one very fine day *lol*) sieve through the archive of artsy stuff I've done and put a couple up of them here. Some from many years back. Sounds like a plan. Here's one series from I think five years ago for a start. :)

The Drama Queen in me

2008-02-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

I just have to get it out and scream...

At exactly the same day next week,
I CANNOT BELIEVE I'M GOING TO BE ONE YEAR CLOSER TO DYING !"

Not even sure if that even makes sense. I also can't believe that when I was type-screaming, I actually hit the keys on the keyboard pretty hard one by one in some sort of robotic sequence...I guess this is what screaming out loud on a blog is like.

Just being dramatic. In a dramatic mood today.

"Star light star bright, first star I see tonight"

2008-01-21T10:10:00.000-08:00

"Wish I may, wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight."

I was putting away gifts I received throughout the festive season of Christmas. Yes I do know it is much overdue. Just that there was a pile of opened pressies sitting in the corner of my room screaming "PUT US AWAY WOMAN!" Procrastinator number one I tell you.

By the way, I received a Wishbone necklace as a gift from a dear friend of mine for Christmas. Which kind of explains the title in a way and the rest of the entry. I really love it. Here's why.

(My dear and cherished friends and loved ones reading this please do not pick a bone {no pun intended} and misconstrue my intent to speak about this particular gift. I love you all the same, gifts included, and I know they all come from the deepest cushiest crevice of your big big heart. You know how random I can be so this is just me being whimsically random..whatever that means)

My little silver reminder and lucky charm!

So yes, back. Not just because it's pretty or the fact that I've been eyeing it on RedEnvelope.com for a while now. Well, I'm not going to lie and say it's not pretty la. It is indeed. But more so because of the meaning it holds for me.

When I was younger, mummy and daddy used to buy this salt-baked chicken (yummy!), a loaf of Gardenia bread and canned drinks. Then us the Simon family used to head down to MacRitchie Reservoir occasionally for picnics, usually on Sundays because every Sunday was 'family day' back then. We'd pick a spot and begin attacking the chicken with our fingers and chowing it down. Never wash hands....Eeeyer. Yes, just like that, on some grassy knoll getting our little fingers and greedy mouths all greased up. But the highlight of tearing the delicious chicken apart and stuffing our faces, is the moment the 'wishbone' starts to peek out from beneath the mess of flesh under our watchful eyes. Since there were 3 of us sisters then (before my brother Kevin was born), and only 2 spots to have a go at the wishbone, we usually gave up our spot if we were feeling like good little children, if not then fight for it la. So as you all probably already know, two people make a wish and break apart a wishbone and the one that gets the bigger half gets their wish fulfilled.

You: "What? You mean you silly children and gazillions of silly adults out there in the world actually believe that wishing on the bigger half of some bird's fused clavicle bone resembling the letter 'Y' actually works? Rubbish..." Well we did, and to this day I still do.

Goodbye salt-baked chickens, Hello wishes in waiting.
Had us poor children only known...

I guess what I'm trying to get at, is that every time I see a wishbone, it transports me back to those days with my sisters, daddy and mummy sitting down sharing a simple meal together... That memory and the connotations the wishbone carries make it special to me. It is mostly the child in me that believes in wishes being granted and dreams becoming reality. And at this point of my almost-adult-life, after experiencing and witnessing not just my own but other's pain, helplessness, injustice, disappointments, among many other awful things, it is so important to be reminded of hope and possibility. I hope the child in me never dies.

"Blood-duh! Not funneeee!"

2008-01-17T01:22:00.000-08:00

This really made my day. Was a pretty humdrum type of day until I got this in my inbox. I think the story goes that this little boy had accidentally head butted and bloodied his baby brother's lip while playing. This boy sure is seeing red! I love how he gets majorly pissed at his Daddy for taking the matter lightly. Damn cute la!

I so wanna hug him and pinch his cheeks!!! Especially when he pokes his cheek to tell Daddy, "Derrr" ("there").

Soul searching on a rainy day...

2008-01-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

It's been pouring intermittently between days. Am starting to wonder if the weather's working it's enigma on me lately. I love rainy days. You know, the smell of fresh rain, the grey skies, the first pitter-patter against the window pane, then everything around outside goes fuzzy...Like the world's going through some sort of spiritual cleansing. I've realised recently that I've stopped doing those things. Noticing that is. You know alot of us get totally caught up in a myriad of emotions we forget what helps take away the hitches in our lives (like the natural phenomenon such as rain or whatever it may be for you), if even for a few seconds.

So yes, 'soul searching'. If you try to be funny (which I am attempting to be) you could actually force some sort of double meaning out of it: A time to contemplate and reflect on past present behaviours and desires, or finding a Soulmate. The term as such a mystical affinity to it! Eeeeyer....

So even if you think you've found the ultimate half of your soul, surely the magic's going to dwindle as years crawl by? It's feeling like Christmas is magical as a child, and then finding out that there isn't a Santa. So, if keeping the magic alive is to carry on with the pretence that Santa's (let's use 'Santa' to replace 'magic' for a bit here *lol*) alive and kicking in the deep crevices of an iceberg in an igloo sipping hot cocoa with his elves in the Northpole, surely it MUST be denial? Maybe. But maybe not. Perhaps it's about having hope and celebrating it. OR, it's probably not about finding that perfect someone, but finding perfection in that someone? Tough right. But not impossible I guess. People say that you'll just know.

Clueless person: "How do you like, you know...KNOW?"
Person who knows: "Well, I guess you know....You'll just KNOW."

Like WOW that really helps eh. Tough! Starting to feel like this entry belongs on an episode of Oprah. *lol*

So drabby la my mood is. Anyway there's 'stuff' going on in my life at the moment that's difficult to discuss so openly. All I know is, that it is all in this good ol' head of mine. Just have to remind myself that it's just 'stuff' and I shouldn't sweat it too much. Whatever it is can't be huge compared to what the rest of the world is going through. Using that analogy somehow helps get me through whenever I feel really lousy about something. That, or a tub of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia!

Ok eeeeeenufff of whining. Time to do some actual soul searching, count my many many blessings in life which I should be so thankful for (and I truly am), pull the curtains apart and watch the rain slowly wash over the world. Shall leave you with my quote of the week, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars."

Embracing the new year with thanks

2008-01-04T01:35:00.000-08:00

Performing with Robert Sunga at Countdown 2008, Vivo City.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZIgSJvjQAE

Here are some shots of the solo pre-show performances that night, googled and found on blog sites. :)

Having a talk on stage with hottie Max Loong. Blur pic...pity pity.

Happy 2008 one and all! Hope you all had a merry merry one. I don't quite believe in making resolutions, because there are just too many things I feel I need to do or improve. So my list would be extremely long. But one thing I do hope for me and for everyone else, is that we be happier and content with what we already have in our lives at present. You know, the simple things we greedy humans often overlook. Family is important, and so I really do hope to make more time for them.

So thank you mummy, daddy, my two beautiful sisters and my angel of a brother. Thank you mummy and daddy for always letting me know that I am loved and special, for being my silent pillars of strength, for allowing me to make mistakes and loving me the same still, for worrying about whether I've had enough to eat or sleep and for being supportive of whatever it is I choose to do. I hope that so far, I've made you both proud enough. Thank you Reen and Dra for teaching me what sisters do for each other, for laughing and crying with me, for always reminding me that God is with me in whatever I do, for being my big sisters even though I am older but not necessarily wiser, for loving me as I am faults and all. Kevin boy, I have always believed that you are our angel sent from above to teach our family Life's lessons; you carry something within you that constantly reminds me that life is precious and should be treasured, you've taught me that to be able to wake up everyday is a miracle in itself; and thank you for laughing with me on the silliest things and singing your Hokkien songs. LOL. I hope to be a better daughter and sister. I love you all greatly and pray that God keeps you safe and in his arms throughout 2008.

Also like to say how grateful I am to all who have been cardinal in my adventure (I like to call it that LOL) so far since Live The Dream. Thank you for showing me so much support and for your endless encouragement. God bless and hugs all round!

I want to do more in 2008, so I hope more doors will open with a little bit of luck being at the right place at the right time.

I just had a 'light bulb' moment. *ting!*

Instead of making resolutions which I am terrible at even remembering or keeping, I shall come up with a list of things I wish to attempt this year perhaps, or hope to do la. I once read somewhere that it is good to make and keep a To-Do Life List, and then set about doing them one by one. I've already started my list early last year and managed to cross off a couple of them. Think it would be nice to share it with everyone here.

Tomorrow, I have got to remember to pick up my jacket which I left behind at the hairdresser's last week! And and and...am happy that I'm going to meet my 'breast' friend for dinner tomorrow (actually later today...) and dessert and exchange gifts!! Yes we're still in time! It is still Christmas! I hope she likes what I got for her. LOL.

Till then, it's getting late and I should be in bed all warm and snuggled with my 2 kitties which I shall post pictures of soon. Sweetest dreams one and all!

Hear ye, Hear ye, all ticket askers! :)

2007-12-27T03:03:00.000-08:00

Some of you have been asking for tickets to the Countdown Show. So here are some details to make things a little less complicated. Point to note that entry to the show is based on a first come first serve basis. So be there early to grab the best seats!

Those who would like tickets, please email your requests to shauna.livethedream@gmail.com by 12 noon, Friday, 28th December. Do ask only if you are confirmed to be going. Reason? We don't want wastage of tickets and I'm sure you all understand that. :) I will then get back to you as soon as I can and confirm your tickets. I apologize for marking details out in red. Kind of looks scary and rude and all that but I'd just like to be clear. Bear with me!

Use this format: ticket type, number you require, your name in full.

Time
Pre-show performances - Doors open from 6.30pm onwards till 11pm
Show proper ‘Live’ Telecast - 11pm to 12am

2 types of tickets
- Mosh Pit (nearer the stage, standing room only, let's you get up close and personal with the stars)
- Normal seating (I assume they are amphitheatre seats)

Where to pick them up?
Mediacorp Studios, Caldecott Broadcast Centre, Andrew Road, Singapore 299939
I will leave the tickets at the Mediacorp Reception by tomorrow evening. Just tell them you're picking up tix for the Countdown show under my name Shauna Simon, then tell her/him your name. Simple!

So that's it then. I apologize in advance if I am unable to get tickets for later requests, as I will be busy with rehearsals and gigs over the weekend. But thank you all for wanting to come down to show support. Much appreciated. See you all at the Countdown!!! Hugs and many many kisses!

"Oh oh oh, she's my cover giirrllllll"

2007-12-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas one and all! May you be blessed with love and happiness in abundance always. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Would love to spill all on how my Christmas holiday went but right now, I am a little bit too excited so I'll save all that for later. As for now...

Apparently this was what 'hot' looked like back in the 80s *lol*

*Starts singing* "No other girl could make me feel the way you doooo...You're my everythinggg. Oh oh oh, she's my cover girrlll, Oh oh oh..." Those born in the 80s cannot possibly NOT know who the New Kids On The Block are. And of course their song 'Cover Girl'! Anyhoolabaloo...That's not the point!

THIS IS!

My very first magazine cover. Yes eeet eees out! T3's January 2008 issue. Never thought about it till this very moment, but this is a cool way to ring in two double O eight. Well, it's a start of some sort I reckon.

There should be an interview with me in it. It was a casual and candid one done at Novus Cafe located amidst the newly refurbished National Museum. Lovely place. Of course, the HTC Touch Smartphone in a new sexy metallic burgundy had to be in shot as well. Don't think I've mentioned it before, but I've been given a HTC Touch to try out (for a first-time Smartphone user, I'm really loving it) because they'd like me to endorse their phones. It's a limited edition wasabi green one and I think it might be in one of the shots. Plus, will also be in the main feature with four other cuties. Tis a music issue so that explains us wielding music instruments! I haven't got hold of a copy yet but it should be out on the shelves before the New Year is in. More here at http://t3mag.com.sg/blog/?p=465#more-465 So do check it out!

I just want to say that I am grateful for all that's come my way so far since. Hopefully things pan out somehow because I'm willing to work real hard. It's so important to be at the right place at the right time. And I never forget the people who are the catalysts behind it all. This weekend will be a busy start with rehearsals for Countdown 2008 at Vivo City. Have got to remember to down one Brand's essence of chicken and drink plenty water which I am guilty of not doing of late. My throat's not feeling in tippy top, but hopefully it'll miraculously get better come New Year's eve.

Alrighty. The big pink Z monster beckons. It's bubye 2007 in a coupla days! Goodnight and sugary sweet dreams one and all!

Taking a holiday from LOVE

2007-12-20T12:12:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been asking friends if they felt the year went by like lightning. You know, one flash and it's gone. I deem using the lifespan (I don't know if that's a proper term but stay with me here) of lightning to equate time passing this year to be pretty apt. Simply because people and friends I've had this conversation with unanimously agree that it has indeed been a hell of a stormy one. I guess the upside is that 2007 is soon to be gone and done away with.

Seems like there are the bulk of us going through 'stuff' in our lives at the moment. Or, for some may have passed, but are still reeling and nursing the repercussions of bad judgment calls or simply going through their relationships unconscious.

To put it really explicitly, most are having trouble with the almighty four letter word. 'LOVE'. 2007 is a bad year for love. Or the lack thereof.

Sometimes I feel that having a ton on your plate work wise is a good thing. It keeps you sane because you don't give your mind the opportunity to wander. Alot of the time I believe, the problems we create in our lives are all in our head, as in, they start in our minds. There's the old saying "An idle mind is a devil's workshop". How true! Plant a bad thought in your mind and it will grow to epic proportions so huge it will devour you from the inside out. Think about something too much and it could manifest into something more tangible, like arguments and affairs for example. You create hell out of nothing at all. Sounds like it'd make a cool song title. LOL.

Am starting to agree that love's got a life force of it's own so I am gonna give it the capital L it deserves. Love. There. :D

Moving on...YET frustratingly, having too much to deal with outside of Love (like work and so on) can be detrimental as well. Apart from work, I guess most of us will agree that we all need some sort of time away from Love even when we're IN Love. Like unwinding with friends after a long day at work, or just simply wanting some time alone to get totally lost in a good book. And so we do all this while IN Love, only to realise it's not there when we want to get back to it. Personally, in relationships of my own, I believe...That when you're in Love (and by this I mean a relationship la) with someone, you can take your time to do the things you want to do, take your time to change the things you want to change, take time out for yourself, for work, but don't blame the world if it or that someone you love passes you by. Life goes on even if you'd like to stop for a breather. Like it or not.

I think it all boils down to our expectations of Love and it's delivery. What is Love? How do we make Love work while we're in it? Me thinks lately, people have been heavily butchering Love. Reason? Self preservation. That's the good word. The bad word? Selfishness. Alas I am digressing...That would be an entirely different aspect of this topic for another day.

So I reckon. Let's say that if two people don't really 'love' each other, but have similar notions, expectations about Love, have generally uncomplicated personas, it is possible to have a harmonious (read mundane) solid relationship together. On the other hand, we have two people who are deeply in love with all that fire and pizazz BUT are total emotional retards when it comes to displaying their love for each other, then both could possibly be missing out on what could possibly be a wonderful soulful relationship.

Oh why does it make us choose?! The woes of us people in love with the idea of Love. We cannot live with nor without it. But I guess that's what makes love so irresistible, so beautiful. Because how and why it works it's magic around us is still a mystery to all who experience it.

Going back to the title of today's entry. I recently rented dvds from across. And as you might have guessed, it being the festive season of green red and white and the year of troubled love, I borrowed 'The Holiday'. Two women with man troubles take a holiday by switching homes. It's a cute fluffy piece of romantic comedy of love lost and found in the most unexpected of places and time. I thought it to be a really adorable and enjoyable watch. We all need a little bit of hope don't we!

What struck me most were the lines in the movie. Here are some that moved me to either tears, laughter or simply go "awwwww":

"Because you're hoping you're wrong. And every time she does something that tells you she's no good, you ignore it. And every time she comes through and surprises you, she wins you over, and you lose that argument with yourself, that she's not for you."

"Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason you are behaving like the best friend."

"I've found almost everything ever written about love to be true. Shakespeare said "Journeys end in lovers meeting." What an extraordinary thought. For some quite inexplicably, love fades; for others love is simply lost. But then of course love can also be found, even if just for the night. And then, there's another kind of love: the cruelest kind. The one that almost kills its victims. Its called unrequited love."

"I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn't know you had inside you. And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade."

"Say a man and a woman both need something to sleep in and both go to the same men's pajama department. The man says to the salesman, "I just need bottoms," and the woman says, "I just need a top." They look at each other and that's the 'meet cute.' "

And the one where love in my life is most parallel to at the moment:

"I need some peace and quiet... or whatever it is people go away for."

I wonder if my choice of movies lately are a reflection of the state my heart and mind are currently in. LOL. :D Right then, it's been an awfully long post today and it's getting late. Best be off to bed. Nighty night and sweetest dreams. Sleep tight.

Here I Am...

2007-12-15T02:20:00.000-08:00

I know I promised updates on the T3 photoshoot yesterday. Blame it on the weather that I am feeling rather sedate. Can't seem to get up, get ready, and go do my X'mas shopping as planned today. Plus, was up till late recording at the studio. I think I got off at about 3.30am. Then went to Jln Kayu for supper. Surprisingly wasn't really tired till I actually got up this morning. So uppity updates on T3 later k.

So sleepy...*yawns*

Oh yes, just wanted to get up here and share a song I really love. Been listening to alot of Leona Lewis lately. It's been sometime since we've had a power balladeer on the radio waves. She reminds me of an early Mariah Carey whose CD was the first I ever saved up to buy back in secondary school... I think I am still pretty much a ballad kind of person. Apparently, this song was written by Walter Afanasieff, who has written all of Maria Carey's greatest songs and ballads.

So here's a link to the song that's been in my head the past week. It's a beautiful song with lyrics and music that really stir you up inside and make you feel all lovey, mushed up and hopeful.

Link to Leona Lewis 'Here I Am':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxhblNlnkqs

This is a crazy world
These can be lonely times
It's hard to know who's on your side
Most of the time

Who can you really trust
Who do you really know
Is there anybody out there
Who can make you feel less alone
Some times you just can't make it on your own

If you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, hmmm

If you have broken dreams
Just lay them all on me
I'll be the one who understands
So take my hand

If you reach emptiness
You know I'll do my best
To fill you up with all the love
That I can show someone
I promise you you'll never walk alone

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, oooo

Everybody needs somebody who
Keep a heart and soul in two

Well if you need a place where you can run
If you need a shoulder to cry on
I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain
When you need a healer for your pain
I will be there time and time again
When you need someone to love you
Here I am, Here I am

Here's a quicky!

2007-12-14T02:50:00.000-08:00

It's now 6.51pm. Just got back home a while ago from the T3 magazine shoot to freshen up a little and put my bags down, then I'm off to meet mummy for claypot dinner. My very first magazine shoot! Not counting publicity ones I did for Live The dream la. The day's not over for me because after filling tummy up, it's on to the studio for recording. Been a long and early start to the day for me, but I'm feeling good! I love being kept busy.

So neways, will tell all about how the T3 shoot went when I get home, which would probably be early tomorrow. In a jist, it was fun. I hope the recording goes smooth with no major hiccups or delays.

Ok pokes, got to get going for now. It's Friday! So have a great time whatever you're doing and have an awesome weekend ahead! Kiss kiss.

T3 T3 T3!!!

2007-12-06T06:16:00.000-08:00

Cam whoring...

I'm so excited! Because come tomorrow, I will be at Novus at the National Museum doing my very first interview and photoshoot with T3 magazine. Hip hoorays and cartwheels! The stylist will be down tomorrow to see if I am suitable for the concept of their January cover as well. How cool is that right. That is IF me on the cover actually gets realised la. I am seriously keeping all my fingers and toes crossed real tight. You know how you try to not get yourself too hyped or psyched about something before it happens. Ah well, that's pretty much me for you most of the time. Nobody likes to set themselves up for disappointments.

Anyhoos, it was raining the entire of yesterday. But before I move on to chatter about the happenings of last night. I'll be performing during Countdown 2008 at Vivo City. Yup, this year has been a fleeting one I must say. Come to think of it I don't quite know where the year went.

Well, back to topic, I will be doing songs for the pre-show which should last from 10pm to 11pm thereabouts. Details are not all in yet but that's sort of the plan. Performing too for the actual Countdown show which will be televised 'live' on Channel 5 from 11pm to of course 12 midnight! Other Live The Dream finalists and Mediacorp artistes will be performing too. So 2008!!!! Can you believe that another year has slipped past us? It has been one hell of a year!

So yes happenings of last night. TV trailer for Countdown 2008. Had hair and make up done at Mediacorp and it was pouring like crazy! I liked the way the stylist did my hair and I don't know how they do it with just a flat iron. Amazing. Although the bouncy bouncy loose curls didn't last. Went flat within a couple of minutes, despite shelter from my handy brolly while walking over to wardrobe to change into my outfit. That's like 300 metres I think. Ah well.

Made our way on chartered bus to Vivo City for the trailer shoot. It was pissy weather. The humid and intermittent drizzly type. The weather did let up enough for us to get 3/4 of the trailer done. Although it did drizzle rather heavily toward the end of the shoot, our moods weren't dampened the least. It felt like the time went really quick. Before I knew it, well at least to me, it was all done. Chop chop. Was cool. So look out for the trailer on TV k!

I felt immense hunger after the shoot. My stomach was loudly objecting and making it's feelings known. Probably the combination of the rain and cold and not having not eaten the entire day 'cept for one measly lemon cream biscuit out of a Khong Guan tin at Mediacorp. Terrible right.

And sooo. Had late dinner at Al Majlis with Rahmat and Fendi. Grilled lamb ala total yum. Though the initial batch of wedges were disappointingly cold and hard. But our loud bantering and funny random dinner conversations more than made up for it. Had like really strange conversations about farting and other things too illegal for some ears. I must have been famished because I kept my appetite despite hearing some really disgusting things.

So yes before I forget, I do have lots of tickets for the Countdown show 'live' at Vivo City on 31st Dec. Will be lots of dancing, singing, hottie boys, sexy ladies and merry-making. Goodness it just hit me that this will be the very first New Year's (me thinks) that I'll actually be working....So come down and party with all of us and bring your family and friends! Or tune in on the tele la also can. So feel free to get in touch with me for tickets alrighty?

Ok pokes, I have got to go hang out my laundry because I need to be wearing this particular shirt tomorrow and it needs to be dry come sunrise. So it's off to the laundry line then off to bed for me. Oh before I go, here are some pictures taken at Black Party at Indochine Forbidden City during one of my singing appearances.

Love lots and sweet sweet dreams. :)

Freezing our asses off in the room aptly named 'The Freezer'

Brrr...

My beautiful sisters Sandra and Shereen

Raj the man

My uncle Lionel and Aunty Angie

You cut me open and I keep bleeding love...

2007-11-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis. I can't get this song out of my head lately. The lyrics and sound are so emotional. It really got to me when I heard it for the first time. Here are the words and a fuzzy picture of me. ;)

Bleeding Love

Closed off from love
I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you're frozen

But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melts into the ground
Found something true
And everyone's looking round
Thinking I'm going crazy

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

Trying hard not to hear
But they talk so loud
Their piercing sounds fill my ears
Try to fill me with doubt
Yet I know that the goal
Is to keep me from falling

But nothing's greater
Than the rush that comes with your embrace
And in this world of loneliness
I see your face
Yet everyone around me
Thinks that I'm going crazy, maybe, maybe

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open

And it's draining all of me
Oh they find it hard to believe
I'll be wearing these scars
For everyone to see

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you
They try to pull me away
But they don't know the truth
My heart's crippled by the vein
That I keep on closing
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open and I

Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
I keep bleeding
I keep, keep bleeding love
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love
You cut me open and I
Keep bleeding
Keep, keep bleeding love...

Lingerie...My CUP of tea.

2007-11-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

You know. I need help. I haven't had the chance or time to shop properly like a normal human girl in the past couple of months because I was just too busy or tired.

Normal girl: "What!? Rubbish... How can you EVER be too tired or busy to spend money and shop for things you don't need?!"
Abnormal haven't-gone-shopping-in-eons girl: "Ya lor ya lor..."

I really miss seeing that little shopping cart icon on websites and "Your shopping cart currently has 12 items in it." So much so, that I have recently gone kabonkas and turned into every man's nightmare and every bank's dream (most men run away in fear when the Shopping Monster in us rears it's ugly head) ...*manic sounds of credit cards swiping in the distance*... See la.

I keep buying lingerie and sleepwear. But so cute la cannot resist! *Squeals with delight* Especially now that there are like a plethora of uber cute innerwear that can be worn as outerwear! We girls are so spoiled for choice. Anyway, it's lingerie. If we girlies buy it, you boys get to see it what. Should be happy we pamper our bottoms and bosoms with pretty little things (ahem, yes little) and not moth-bitten and moldy granny undies. All this shopping nonsense we attribute to a unique type of Temporary Insanity. It's true. Don't you guys notice our eyes glaze over when we see something pink and pretty and just have to have it? *lol*

This is one huge bra sale I bet you boys won't mind tagging along on.

Anyhoos! I am cheerier lately because...Christmas is fast approaching. So that means more shopping, even if it's for other people. Oh what fun it is making Christmas lists for loved ones. It also means I get to stuff my face with candy canes. And I can't wait to put up the Christmas tree. But I seriously detest taking the tree down every year. Don't like destroying pretty things....Ok la so I am lazy and find it a chore to put everything back in place.

Tomorrow I've got my uncle's housewarming to go to and then it's off to meet some friends after. Excited to see their new home. My parents also moved into their new home recently. I really like the new place and I'm so happy mummy's got a big garden to put her green fingers to the ultimate use. :)

Alrighty, the Z monster beckons. Nighty night and cotton candy dreams!

Talking scents - "My my, you smell delicious!"

2007-11-15T11:25:00.000-08:00

I cannot and will not leave the house without smelling good. There are times when I am almost out the door only to rush back inside to mist on a cloud of my favourite scent. Smelling great is always a huge turn on. I love how scents have this magical way of transporting you back to a certain memory, time or even remind you of someone. Well for me at least, and I certainly have my favourites.

Appletini in a pweeeety bottle!

I've been asked to play ambassador or to put plainly 'endorse' Parisvally (France) perfumes and I am ever so grateful for the opportunity. The nitty gritties of the contract are still underway so fingers crossed that something great happens for both parties! There are many other undiscovered lovely scents under this line of perfume. I brought home a couple of products from them to test out and enjoy. Which sane girl doesn't adore freebies tell me!?

Ok warning, I am going to start raving...I am so loving their new scent 'It's Delicious'! The bottle is just too cute la. The photos don't do it justice! It's so pretty sitting atop my bathroom counter all poised and colourful. This scent really grew on me considering the fact that I am not really into fruity scents, but I've certainly fallen for this baby and I know why....IT SMELLS LIKE APPLETINI!!! One of my favourite Martini cocktails! Yes, alcoholic 'ol me.

You see, I was having drinks with friends at Ice Cold Beer (@Emerald Hill, one of my fav haunts to chill out) and sipping on my first of many Appletinis of the night when it hit me. I was like so excited I exclaimed out loud and grabbed my friend seated closest to me and cried "Hey! Smell my drink! Now smell me! Smells like my drink right?" I am always so easily excited about everything and anything it's scary. Tee hee.

You have to go catch a sniffle wiffle of this scent. It's perfect as a daytime scent for me. Am a little schizo about my scents and have like different ones for day and night. Here's some info on it that's always good to know. Yummmaayyy...

This Eau De Parfum is a juicy fragrance which combines the scent of apple with a sophisticated blend of exotic flowers and sensual woods. Notes include American Apple, Cucumber, Grapefruit, Candied Magnolia, Tuberose, White Muguet, Rose, Violet, Sandalwood, Tender Skin Accord, Blonde woods and White Amber.

You can find it at all John Little department stores, Dollars & Scents, and other reputed stores islandwide. Ok pokes, am off to bed now because my hair is finally dry. Sweetest smelling dreams!

I must send out Christmas cards this year!

2007-11-12T02:51:00.000-08:00

I must I must. I have been trying to get a hold on all my friends' and family's mailing addresses. Hopefully it will not all be in vain! I really do want to send out X'mas cards this year. But then again I've heard myself say that many times in previous years and NOTHING. I am just terrible. I actually keep a box specially for letters and cards which I've written in the past with stamps still on, and have never sent them out. I still think nothing beats a thoughtful handwritten letter or card via snail mail. Enough of those impersonal e-cards already! Don't you agree? Christmas is coming!! More reasons to shop (for people of course but it's still shopping nonetheless!) and buzz friends for a get-together. I like.

Sorry for the long break!

2007-10-28T10:49:00.000-07:00

*Highlights* Catch me at the Timbre Music Festival @ The Arts House on Monday 29th October from 10pm onwards.

I'm back after a tremendously long break of not updating my blog. So yes I'm sorry! Live The Dream's run is over BOO HOO! I had a tough time getting over being booted out of the competition on Oct 10th. Was pretty bummed about not getting into the finals. Not just for me, but more so for my family, friends and fans who have been voting faithfully and subjecting their thumbs to countless SMSing. It somehow felt like I let everyone down. But I kind of put things in perspective for a bit and realised it is a competition after all. Took a while to get over it and was feeling really blue about it. You win some and you lose some right? Thank you & many hugs & thousand kissies for all who played a part in my journey.

It was an awesome journey for me on the show. I met so many wonderful people! And some I will take away as lifelong friends for sure. Andrea is always so sweet to me on the show...a real sweetheart, not to mention gorgeous la. Michelle is gorgeous too. Sometimes I find myself staring at her! Not lesbian or anything, just like looking at beautiful people. I will certainly miss being in close proximity to Utt la. Such hotness, plus he seems like an awesome guy. Ok, I am beginning to sound like some zit-ridden groupie. You know, at the Grand Finals after-party, I took this picture with Utt and have been asking friends if they'd like to see my wedding photo. They'd go all wide-eyed and of course I'll show them the pic taken with hottie Utt, then I'd be plagued with eye-whites and many a sarcastic 'Yahhh right, you wish'. That's goofy 'ol me for you.

Anyhoos, it was really great to get a chance to come back in the Grand Finals and soak up the last of the show's atmosphere. I will really really really miss that more than everything! The hanging out and goofing around before showtime with everyone. Alot of stuff goes on behind the scenes and in the dressing rooms before the actual show! Ah haaa...getting curious are we? Not to mention the people behind the show...will certainly miss them ordering us about and their quirky personalities. I am so glad i did this. I am getting so emotional!

Life goes on, and it'll only get better. By the way, I will be part of the Timbre Music Festival. I performed a half hour set for the very first time all by myself. Freaky! Went ok for a first timer I guess, but could've gone better I felt. I will be performing again tomorrow, Monday October 29th at Timbre at The Arts House. You can catch me from 10pm onwards. Fendi and Victor will be there performing as well. Fendi is a resident performer at Timbre weekly in case you guys would like to know. Check out this website for more info - http://www.timbre.com.sg/musicfest/livethedream.htm. So maybe I'll catch some of you there if you can make it.

Ok pokes, me thinks it's time to crash. Will upload some pictures soon so it won't look so boring with just words. Nighty night and cotton candy dreams!

Boohoo, my shoe...

2007-10-07T11:45:00.000-07:00

Haven't quite had the time to blog. So, here are some pictures of the performance last Wednesday. I think you can get a clearer view by clicking on them. Anyhoos, been busy with work and LTD, but all is really great.

Had dinner with Fendi and Victor earlier on at Border's Cafe. Ate and drank so much water I kept needing to go pee. And guess what...My shoe broke! You see we had to go down to Mediacorp for vocals this morn, and later on to learn the dance choreography for our party song this coming Wednesday. And I decided in the morning to wear this pair of shoes that I'd bought some time back (well, ok maybe more than a couple of years la). I guess it had been in storage for too long and the glue became weak. So there I was trying to get the dance steps down and my shoe strap just gave out! Lucky I had ribbons (don't ask me why I have them in my bag) in my bag and did a make-shift tie-around. Worked for a while until after dinner at Border's Cafe. I had to walk barefoot to hail a cab to go home. Just as well because I need to rest. I had to hold my pee in because it would just be disgusting going to the loo without shoes on! Yuck.

The dance choreo was pretty new to me. I mean I've taken dance classes before but...it's pretty tough to get your act together, remember lyrics, the moves and try to sing without sounding laboured. But I'm excited about this coming Wednesday...so close to the Grand Finals. I hope I do well. *crosses fingers* But I know I'm here because of my faithful supporters who have seen me through the various rounds of competition. So thank you and kisses for all. :D

K. Am going to go sleepy sleeps. Nighty night and cotton candy dreams!

Gimme more, Britney!

2007-10-01T23:51:00.000-07:00

"It's Britney bitch." I so dig Britney's new single Gimme More. I think her song rocks even though there's a ton of drama surrounding her recent comeback performance at the VMA 2007 Awards. Leave the poor girl alone I say. She's been through alot. It can't be easy juggling a career, lousy husbands/boyfriends and two kids in merciless Tinseltown. Her songs are always played in clubs, dance studios and everywhere else no matter what awful things people say about her. Go Britney!

So I am a day away from Tomorrow. Capital 'T' because tomorrow's important what. Time to go Cross Cultural on Live The Dream! I'll be doing a Japanese number by Ayaka called I Believe. It's beautiful and inspiring lyrically. Will also be doing a more familiar but vocally challenging song Before I Fall In Love by Coco Lee. Gambette!!!

Anyhoos, here's a link to an interview done last week after the results show. You can tell in the videos that I'm just recovering from all that sobbing! http://ch5.mediacorptv.com/wassup/interviews/view/929/1/.html

Here are some behind the scenes pictures from our trailer shoot 2 Saturdays ago.

I love the Saree look. If you guys haven't yet checked out my personal Vlogs on the official website of Live The Dream, here's a link. There's a funny video of me in my Saree. It gets updated every few days so do check back. http://livethedream.mediacorptv.sg/vlog_vlist3.php?id=357&owner=7004

Ok pokes, that's it for the moment. Tata for now!

Live The Dream Roadshow and other ramblings

2007-09-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-06T13:19:00.001-07:00

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

2007-09-06T01:43:00.000-07:00

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.

My virgin post and I'm pregnant with excitement

2007-08-28T10:45:00.002-07:00

Finally. Am pleased as pie with my efforts in sprucing up my spanking new space. Considering I'm no Einstein at figuring out HTML mambo jumbo, this is a gargantuan effort for me. Way to go Princess Parsley!!

So welcome to my humble place of escapism on the big triple W. This will be my cozy little bedroom tucked away in the attic where I lounge about in PJs and pen my whims and nightly ramblings. Put on some soothing tunes on the player at the bottom corner of my room, then come lie with me on my big fluffy bed and bathe in soft squishy pillows!