CCA Photos! And Other Things on Photography!

Good evening!

Here are the long-awaited CCA photos from the phototaking session that took place some several years ago. I apologise for putting them up a day late; no excuses from the grab bag this time. So without further ado, here they are...

Formal Shot

Fun Shot 1

Fun Shot 2

Unfortunately for everyone, no amount of photo editing magic could reduce the vision-retarding pain of having to look at my face. Or Aloysius'. So pick the photos that tickle your fancy - or induce the least agony upon your eyes - and pass the needed money to Sheena. That's $3.00 for the regular 5R size, which comes with its own folder/card thing, and $6.00 for the blown-up 8R size, which is laminated for you.Though I don't know why anyone would want to jumbo-size an eyesore...

Also, for those who haven't submitted their photos along as their fictional horror character lookalikes, please do so before the heads of the Publicity people start rolling. A side note - nobody can pick Hannibal Lecter. That's all for now! Till the next blog post.

Peace, love and pizza,

-Atiqah

Salutations!

Hello!

A very excited Atiqah here, making the first of my many future blog posts on the ELDDS blog! Not that anybody reads this thing anyway, but heck. I love the power. Oh, the POWER. Aloysius and I have now been handed down the responsibility of updating this thing. Expect regular posts alternating between the both of us.

Anyway, let's get down to business. Updates! First off, a farewell to the J2s as they leave us and prepare to have the RIDE OF THEIR LIVES also known as the A-Levels. Wish them luck, those brave, brave souls. They'll need it.

Of course, with the departure of the old exco we need a new crowd of tyrannical people to take the helm of ELDDS. And though the results of the election have long since passed, I'll now rehash your memory by listing the filled-in positions out here. You know, just in case you've forgotten and all that jazz. So you won't forget anymore. Which you shouldn't.

President: Hadassah

Vice President: Sheena

Treasurer: Roshitha

Head of Debate: Max

Assistant Head of Debate: Colleen

Head of Drama: Nithya

Head of Publicity: Liz

Assistant Head of Publicity: Hafiiz

Head of Oral Comm. : Aloysius

Head of Reading/Writing: Atiqah

(me, in case you've forgotten...which again, you shouldn't, or else)

Memorise this well. It might come in handy the next time you need to scrape the blame off yourself.

Now, the next thing we need to address is the issue of the ELDDS hoodies and shirts. The shirts are going to be an official CCA shirt for our Wednesday sessions, while the hoodies are going to be an optional CCA swag choice - meaning that if you absolutely despise the idea of blowing good money on wasteful clothes you'll probably never wear again after the initial purchase, you can forget it. The designs are still in the works, but the Debate and Drama sections are going to have separate shirt designs, while we've decided on a navy blue for the hoodies. Any violent objections can be vocalised during CCA sessions, or in this blog post, in the comments section.

Also, we're proposing the idea of a Movie Circle, in place of the Reading Circle...which bombed in the first session. Badly. Details about this are going to be further discussed, and we'll still need to get the proposal through Ms Tan. Pray for us exco members, people. We need it.

That's it for the updates! Keep checking this blog regularly; you'll never know what new and shiny things we'll have up next, like a blog redesign, which is also in the works. Till the next post!

Peace, love and pizza

-Atiqah

Public English Speaking Award

Hey people!

Do you want to air your views? Want to feel the adrenaline rush of your triumph at beating other speakers? Then join PESA (Public English Speaking Award), the speech competition on the 8th of July!All your entries are to be in by 29th June,Monday to either Mr. Wallace or the debates people (Max, Colleen, Sheena etc). 2 topics will be released on the friday before the competition, and your speech only needs to be around 4-5 minutes.However, please do refrain from commentaries on race, religion, or politics!And yes, there will be prize incentives!See ya there!

Signing out, the debates people:)

Proof Results!

Right. This is the second time I'm doing this, but fine. I won't scream.

The results for the cast for our very own Proof production is out, and we'll skip the snazz because I did type it all out earlier before the entry just mysteriously disappeared. If you want the snazz, use your own imagination.

Before I announce the results, there are few things that ALL members should take note of:
1. Remember, orders for the Proof production by Wessex Theatre must be in by Sunday, 11pm. Attendance is not compulsory, save for all ye who are involved in the play. For backstage crew, the play is not compulsory, but you are encouraged to come, because it would help you guys get a feel of how the play settings will be like.
2. All ye going for the Proof production this coming Friday, please bring your money on Wednesday. That's $29 (read earlier post for more information). Which brings me to the third point.
3. There will be a brief meeting on Wednesday, AFTER the sports meet. We'll be meeting in the Old Canteen. Attendance is COMPULSORY. And for all ye bringing money (and you MUST, MUST, MUST bring it on Wednesday), please bring exact change. I do not own a private collection of $1 coins. Refusal to adhere to the above mentioned requirements would result in you being shortchanged.

Now, for the results:
Catherine will be played by Evelyn
Claire will be played by Nithya
Diana will understudy both Claire & Catherine
Robert will be played by Axell
Hal will be played by Atiqah
Hafiiz will understudy both Robert & Hal

Thank you all who have participated in the auditions.

As such, the confirmed tickets for the Proof production by Wessex Theatre are for:
Evelyn
Nithya
Diana
Axell
Atiqah
Hafiiz
Joanna
Apoorva
Hadassah
Aloysius
I'll continue adding your names to the list when I do get a notification.

-Reading/Writing Committee
Joanna

Proof the Play by Wessex Theatre

Hello!
As you all should know by now, we will be putting up a short 40 minute play during the Literature Festival that would be held in July. The play is none other than Proof, by David Auburn, and it will be our own version of it.

Wessex Theatre have also created a production of the Play, and it will be staged from the 13th of May to the 16th. We will be purchasing tickets to watch the 8pm show on Friday, 15th of May. Attendance is not compulsory, save for all ye who are main cast for our own version of it.


Until the results are released, we are opening the offer to watch it at your own choice. I need the numbers by this Sunday, 11pm. Do let me know if you want to attend the play or not. The reason why we're rushing this out is because we want to get the best seats for you as possible. As such, 11pm, this Sunday, please either leave a comment, or email your bookings to yjceldds@gmail.com

The tickets are $29 ($25 for ticket, $3 for SISTIC charges, and $1 for booking fee), and if you do want to watch the play, please pass me the exact change on Wednesday, after the sports meet. If you aren't attending (naughty things), pass the money to someone else on Tuesday. I will be at the Old Canteen, and I will wait there for half an hour and no more after the end of the sports meet.

More details on the play can be found here:
http://www.sistic.com.sg/portal/dt?dt.isPortletRequest=true&dt.action=process&dt.provider=PortletWindowProcessChannel&dt.windowProvider.targetPortletChannel=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar/Event&dt.containerName=JSPTabContainer/sEventsCalendar&dt.windowProvider.currentChannelMode=VIEW&dt.window.portletAction=RENDER&contentCode=auburn0509

(long link, I know)
I highly recommend that you watch it, especially Literature students. Wessex Theatre has produced many good plays, and I trust this would too be one of the many.

Remember:
Give me your bookings by 11pm, Sunday night, by email (yjceldds@gmail.com), or by leaving a comment on this blog entry. Bring your money on Wednesday, after the sports meet.

-Joanna

The Graveyard Book

Hello All!
Due to some changes (to make your lives so much easier), we have decided to change the book of topic for our next reading circle. Instead of Neverwhere, we'll be doing The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman instead. It is a much thinner book, with bigger words, tonnes of pictures, and is a very easy yet interesting read.

Unfortunately, we are not able to get hold of a copy of the e-book, and unless someone in the club would be nice enough to type out the entire thing in .pdf format, you guys would have to procure your own copy.

The good news is, Ms Tan has very wonderfully gotten hold of a 25% discount from Borders off the book, and if you guys would organise yourself together, you can borrow her Borders Member Card, and get a further 10% discount. The link to downloading the voucher is here:
http://email.borders.com.au/shortlist/sg/2009/20090501/jrr/coupon-01-sg.asp

Do download it and purchase a copy of the book, and read it before the next Reading Circle session.

In the mean time, Neil Gaiman has created an audio of himself reading the book, and you can listen to it here:
http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx

Neil Gaiman reading The Graveyard Book on his tour.

Photo courtesy of parnasus93@flikr

There are 9 chapters altogether, each being about 45minutes long. The audio enhances the book, but do not rely on it alone. You need to read the book too, to be able to better understand the themes.

Here is a review of the book, which would be good to start with before you actually read the book, so that you'd get a rough idea of what the book's about:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1790000379/post/1970030997.html

Terribly sorry to all those who have already started on Neverwhere. However, I encourage you to continue reading the book at your leisure, because it is a wonderful book, full of fantastic imagery and notions.

More information on the next Reading Circle would be posted up as soon as we've got it settled.

-Joanna
Reading & Writing Committee

White Tiger Photography Contest: Results!

Congratulations to Apoorva and Sam for winning the photography competition!! Do note, there is another, also based on The White Tiger. It is the Read & Express competition, and the deadline is the 27th of April. Please place entries in the Tiger Box at the reading corner by 510pm. This competition is open to both members and non-members. Attractive prizes to be won!

For more information on the competition, please check the older entries on what it's about. Do take part!













That aside, the next book in the line for the second Reading Circle session would be Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I have attached the book for your reading purposes, so that you wouldn't buy a new book if you don't want to (although it really is a worthwhile investment). It's 126 pages long, so that isn't too bad. Please start reading it. The dates et cetera on the next session would be announced soon enough.

Read Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman:
http://www.wattpad.com/105198

About Neverwhere:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neverwhere_(novel)

The White Tiger Photography Competition!

ALRIGHTEY! All ye still taking pictures: I'm terribly sorry but the competition is closed. Results will be out on Monday during the reading circle session itself, and there are attractive prizes to be won.

Which also means that yes, there is indeed ELDDS on monday. Except it'll be a pretty different session from the usual ones we've been having. ALSO, there is an ELDDS session on Wednesday as well. But, it will start off on a different note: We're going to have a fun and short session of BOXERCISING! That's right, so do remember to bring your PE Attire, cos kicking in your skirts and pants would really be the most uncomfortable thing.

See you on Monday!

The Reading Circle, and The White Tiger

Hey hey hey! This is your friendly neighbourhood broadcaster bringing you the latest NEWS on what's hot, what's not, and what book you should read as soon as possible.
Alright, people, this is Tereza, posting my first post ever on the YJC ELDDS blog, due to a fantastic turn of events that are epic, mind-boggling and totally not going to be elaborated on.

ELDDS is organizing a Reading Circle for the school, and the very first book that we are doing is The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga. Everybody should know about this, because Sam and Atiqah did a cool announcement that took nerve, effort and about three buckets of creativity. So if you don't know about it... -narrows eyes-

Moving on, I shall enlighten everyone about the details pertaining to the Reading Circle and The White Tiger.

The Reading Circle is a spanking new event organized by us, the YJC ELDDS. Do you love to read? So do we! And we have this book to share with you; The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga.

The book review can be found here: http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/05/02/120029.php
Many people probably won't have the book, and therefore we have found the e-book for YOUR convenience. (because we are just that awesome. Thank you, Joanna!) : http://dl1.s24.ifile.it/5cau92q0/the_white_tiger_by_aravind_adiga.pdf
In the Reading Circle, we will be discussing the book and the issues that are brought up in it, which include poverty, corruption, rise of world powers, etcetera. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you try to read the book beforehand, yes? :) In addition, one would be honing their GP skills by partaking in intellectual discussion on such world-class topics.
The essential details are as follows:
The date and time of the Reading Circle is 20/4/2009, 5.10pm-6.40pm.
There will be refreshments provided.
Also, prizes await the winners of the Read and Express competition organized in conjunction with the Reading Circle. Please read on for more information.

The Read and Express competition is a competition where students can express their views and opinions on the book, thus the name. Entries can be in any literary form, including, but not limited to, introspective writing and poetry, not exceeding 100 words and A4 sized paper. Entries can be submitted into the lovely spiffed up box which is strategically placed at the reading corner at the Wednesday Expresso. If you know the name of the book, you can't miss it.

So, what are you waiting for? Come down and join us for the Reading Circle!

~Tereza

Short & Sweet

Hey!
As was mentioned during today's ELDDS meeting, I will post up links for any of you interested in Short & Sweet Singapore

Here is said link:
http://www.shortandsweet.org/shortsweet/singapore/about-shortsweet-singapore

Do check it out if you're interested in Directing or Acting.

That aside, there is also an upcoming creative writing workshop with Nick Toczek, for all budding writers. Nick is a best-selling author who currently works variously as a poet, storyteller, novelist, stand-up comic, political researcher, creative writing tutor, journalist, librettist, advertising copy-writer, political speech-writer, and has presented his own weekly radio show for more than ten years.

He has published over 30 books and has made about 40,000 public appearances. His poetry books alone have sold around half a million copies. As a writer in schools, Nick specialises in working with pupils on creative writing, and has visited more than 4,000 schools.

The event would be on the 4th of April (Saturday), from 10am to 1pm.
Venue: Geylang East Public Library (50 Geylang East Avenue)
Merpati Hall, Level 3.
Fee: $50 per person (includes light refreshments)
The registration form can be downloaded here.

Slumdog Poetry!

YOU EVIL PEOPLE DIDN'T COME. Save for one or two. I didn't really catch your faces. But, we shall forgive you. Before I continue, I am pleased to announce that MR NAIR MADE IT TO THE FINALS!!!! Congratulate him, even if he didn't come out top. There was a lot of competition! But, I talk too much. ON WITH THE PHOTOS!

This is Chris Mooney Singh. He's a really great guy. He started the event with a slam he wrote which, if my foggy memory serves me well, was called "Slumdog Slam", which was really jiggy cool.

Say hello to Mr Nair, with his second poem!

This is George. Forgive the arms, but that's all the quality my camera would give.
His poems were really good.

Benjamin Chow, who shared with us the story of the Pillowman. Very morbid, very moving.

Pooja (methinks). Her poems were all about breakups, that night.
And this woman, Sherlynn Low.

I didn't catch his name. He read his Superman inspired poem, which I had found, personally, very simple and sweet.

Richard, who made it to the second round of the competition.
He has a very interesting and unique way of presenting his poems, as he plays with his voice to express himself.

Guo Wei (or Go Away as some had mispronounced), from VJC and his poem "Sweet Skin", inspired by the movie, Shrek.

The Top Three Winners!! *applause*
From left: Pooja, Mr Nair, and George.

George won first place, followed by Mr Nair in second, then Pooja. I honestly have no idea what on earth was Chris doing in the picture.
The prize for the competition was nine dollars and some cents.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was the night of Slumdog Poetry Slamming with the SMU Literati last Friday. Congratulations, once again, to Mr Nair for coming in Second place!

And now, for videos! (A pity I couldn't get a video of George's slams. His were really good.)

Guo Wei-Sweet Skin from Yishun Junior College on Vimeo.


Richard with his poem Rules from Yishun Junior College on Vimeo.


Mr Nair's Second Slam from Yishun Junior College on Vimeo.


Benjamin Chow-Rap from Yishun Junior College on Vimeo.


Mr Nair in the Final Round from Yishun Junior College on Vimeo.

POETRY SLAMMIN'

SUP YO!
Although we won't be having official ELDDS sessions this week, the fun does not end.
Heads up on Friday as Word Forward holds a night of poetry slamming! What's more: The highlight of the night would be MR NAIR as he takes part in the Poetry Slamming! Watch him at his best!

For all ye who are unable to view the above poster:
It's this Friday, 715pm-915,
At SMU, School of Economics, Level 7.
The entrance fee of $5 is really not much. Do join us for an evening of literary works from all around Singapore.

See you there!

Reading Circle: The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

Hello everyone!!
As promised, I have found the ebook version of The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, so that those of you who are unable to lay hands on a copy of the book, can read it as well. Feel free to download it and print it out if you don't want to kill your eyes.

Spiffy-looking cover, no?

The e-book is here:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8240607/The-White-Tiger-by-Aravind-Adiga

And a review of the book is here:
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/05/02/120029.php

Read it! We'll be having discussions on the book and such really soon! We'll also be having a few competitions. More information your way soon.

Till then,
ELDDS Reading Circle Team.

By the way, if you would be so kind, please leave a comment as to whether you'd like to see a tagboard up on our blog. Thank You!

CCA Fair Preparations!

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye! The Yishun JC CCA Fair 2009 is around the corner, and much has been done in preparation. This is especially the case in the publicity front. Many thanks to the Publicity Team and all else who have put in their time and effort to help!

That aside, we also had, as a soft sell, put up a short skit for the JC1s last Wednesday with a skit entittled "What a Girl Wants", which was performed by Sherry-Ann and Joanna.
The skit was successful, given the responses. At least we knew they were paying attention, so let us cross our fingers and hope that we'd have an abundance in members this year!

NTU MUN 200: Press Corps

There were three press agencies present to give the most up-to-date reports on site. They were the BBC, Al Jazeera and FOX News, which I was in. Our responsibility was to attend Council sessions, and produce a newsletter every morning and evening. That's why they say that the most hardworking are the press who never sleep. Which was the case.

We spent our nights writing articles, and the wee hours of the morning fitting them into layouts and editing our articles. After it was sent for printing, we had to arrange and staple the newsletters together, before we could disseminate them. It was painful work, but seeing our own articles in our hands in hard copy made the work all worth it. Sleep could be caught up with once NTU MUN was over.

Now, because I'm biased, I largely have photos only of the FOX News team, and my team members.

Say "Hello!" to the FOX News Press Team.

Al Jazeera won 'Best Press Corps' and, because the event was sponsored by 'CNN: Impact Your World", the Best Press Corps' team had their prizes sponsored by CNN. The prizes include a bag full of CNN Reporting Must-Haves like a portable radio, an adapter, a reporter's notebook, and a lomograph camera, plus the customary certificate from NTU.
We didn't know it was going to be a lomograph camera, and were really excited, so we forced Wella, from Al Jazeera to open up her package.

We all burst out laughing in the middle of the Secretary General's speech.

This Devi, from FOX News. She was the only other member who stayed up with me all night to do the editing and layout fittings. And we aren't even the editors!
"Politics will reign!"

Ervin from BBC.
He came up with the witty headline for his article on the Security Council
"UN: United Negligence"

And with that, I end my detailed presentation on NTU MUN 2009. Be sure not to miss it next year, because despite the stress, it's all fun and cheer, and the experience is beyond comprehension.

-Joanna