Pubz Comm wishes to all KEVIIans a belated Merry Xmas and a very Happy New Year 2008! Enjoy the holidays and may 2008 be a great year for KEVII hall =)
Archive for December, 2007
Chrissy is a softball player in the KEVII team who is staying back this holiday to train for this sport in hall. She answers our questions about the game itself, trainings, the players and what we can expect from the KEVII Softball team in next year’s IHG!
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Guest Profile
Name: Chrissy Phoong
Faculty/Year: Engineering/Year 1
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- Can you tell us what softball is about?
I am relatively new to softball, I only learnt about it this semester. However, learning it from our dedicated and who’s very passionate about softball captain, Woon Yang, I discovered that it’s easier to think about softball as almost similar to baseball with minor differences. The softball ball is bigger and less dense than the baseball ball (but still hard! You can still break bones or get bruises or dislocations if you get hit by the ball either directly or indirectly).
Similar to baseball, there’s still the diamond-shaped field and the bases and the pitcher (who throws the ball to be hit by the opponent). To win the game, you must get the most runs which means running from the homeplate to the three bases which are the first base, second base, and third base, and running back home to the homeplate.
I’m sure you have heard of the term ‘homerun’. It means that the batter managed to hit the ball so far that the opponent couldn’t catch it fast enough. So, the batter can run from the homeplate (starting point) back to the homeplate (end point) within one hit. Very amazing, so come down to the field during IHG to watch the spectacular homeruns and double or if you’re lucky, triple plays.
- How did you come to join softball?
Well, this is pretty funny. It was CCA registration day, and the sports registration was in the communal hall. I saw so many booths. I registered initially for quite a few games: badminton (because I’m most comfortable with this game), tennis (because I have a racquet, took a few lessons before but I have forgotten how to play already), and softball. Why I registered for softball? I don’t exactly know. I think it’s because I knew the 2 seniors who were advocating for softball, Anand (the vice-captain) and Woon Yang (captain). And because I don’t know how to play softball at all, I thought “Ok, might as well learn a new game”. In the end, softball is the only game I committed to as I joined many other committees.
- How many times per week do you train and for how long?
Before this December holidays, we used to train twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays for 2 hours per training. We were told during the first day of our training, that we were the first hall to train for softball and we were the first sports team in KE7 to start training. That’s how dedicated we are to making sure we are prepared to win the IHG softball.
And now, during this vacation, whilst most are happily back home relaxing, we are busy training 4 times per week, 3 hours a day, by frequenting the gymnasium, the SRC field and the KE7 MPC.
- Briefly, how is the training conducted?
We usually have the trainings in the MPC, but now, we are using the gymnasium and the SRC a lot. In the gymnasium, we go through the vigorous and tiring gym activities to build our arm and leg muscles. In the MPC and SRC, we usually practice batting, fielding (catching the ball) and diamond drills. A diamond drill is something like a mock game. We learn the rules of the game and the strategy of winning through diamond drills.
- Would you say that the sport is a difficult one?
Well, for me who’s frankly, not really sporty and have no experience at all with ball games, this game was initially quite tough to learn. There are so many rules and you have to remain calm throughout the game. Think strategically about how to make sure the opponent doesn’t complete a run, and team-work is really important in this game. Your hand-eye-leg coordination must be good. Actually, until now, I still have problems throwing the ball through long distances. Sigh, I know, as an engineering student who have learnt about projectile motions, I should know how to throw balls to obtain maximum range.
Anyway, this is only my opinion. There are those who found this game easy to learn. Those who played cricket found this game relatively easier to learn compared to me. In fact, some of our best players in the team this year have previous experiences in playing cricket.
This game is quite fun when you have gotten the hang of the rules and when you don’t mind playing in the more-often-than-not muddy field under the not-sympathetic hot sun.
- What can we expect from our softball team for IHG this year?
A lot! We had 3 friendly matches against Temasek, Raffles and Eusoff during the eve of Deepavali and the holiday itself (Yes, while other people are having their holidays, we were competing against these halls under the blazing hot sun). We lost against Temasek by a marginal point, while we beat the other 2 halls flat. We scored more than double of their points. It’s premature to say that we would definitely do well in IHG, but at least, this year we are prepared. So, make sure you all come to support us during the IHG softball games.
- Do you have any words for our fellow KEVIIans currently staying in hall this vacation for sports and other CCAs?
To those who are staying back for XQRJ and Hallplay, good luck! I know you’ve been working hard too. We are waiting to cheer for you and to see your proud achievements in the success of the National Chinese Songwriting Competition and Hallplay drama next year.
And for all the other sports players who are training as hard (or harder) as the softball players, let us all try our best to win as many gold medals for KE7 in IHG! Let us not sacrifice our blood (blood, literally. We bleed and bruise a lot!) and sweat for nothing!
Disclaimer: All views in this article reflect the interviewee’s own opinions.
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That was an interesting read, wasn’t it? Join us next week as we continue to update you on what’s hot in the one and only KEVII hall!
19
Dec
07
10th XQRJ is coming up
December holidays is said to be the time when XQRJ committee members work the hardest. To find out what these guys are up to for the 10th edition of Xin Qing Rong Ji, we met up with Koh Yueting, this year’s XQRJ head.
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Guest Profile
Name: Koh Yueting
Faculty/Year: Pharmacy/ Year 2
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- Can you first tell us what XQRJ is about?
XQRJ is one of the largest National Chinese Song Writing Competition organized specially for Singaporean and Malaysian students. Our grand final, which will be held in NUS UCC this year, will compose of live band performances by the finalists and our guest artiste.
- How did you become XQRJ head? How is the experience so far?
I took quite some time to consider about it actually. But I knew it will be a totally new experience leading a fresh batch of people and until now, I have not regretted once. Even though the X-room is always filled with laughter, X10 members still manage to get things done on time nicely. I’m also very glad that they feel a sense of attachment to this committee, even proposing to wear XQRJ shirt on every Monday. I enjoy myself working with all of them.
- Recently XQRJ committee went on a holiday trip? Can you tell us more?
Yup! We went on a 3 days trip to Genting, KL and Malacca. A number of us went to these places before but with a different bunch of people, we get different and new memories. It was a budget trip but we managed to cover many renowned places of the cities and most importantly, tasted their mouth-watery dishes. It was a worthwhile trip. We discovered more things and secrets, and we learnt to look out for one another.
- How are the preparations so far? What is the current schedule?
Currently, we are preparing for our preliminary round, which will be held on 22nd Dec 07, and simultaneously carrying out publicity at a 9-day carnival. A lot of publicity booths and roadshows will be on the way as we start selling tickets and the team begins planning for the Grand Final on 3rd Feb 08. Many activities will be ongoing at the same time but I believe my team can handle multi-tasking very well =).
- What can we expect from XQRJ this year compared to last year?
As everyone is saying, this year is the 10th XQRJ!! What we wish to achieve is to improve and expand it such that XQRJ can sustain for another 10 years and more. For example, the rebranding of XQRJ, setting up an online submission system and extending the submission to students in Malaysia. Of course we will not forget to celebrate our 10 years of successful journey while we bring to you interesting shows other than the live-band singing.
- XQRJ is a very taxing CCA. How do your members cope with commitment to the committee and other CCAs?
Yes, a lot of people have been saying XQRJ is taxing and crazy, haha. However many examples have shown it is possible to cope with other CCAs and XQRJ. I guess it all boils down to how they manage their time and plan ahead to join only those CCAs that they are able to commit and contribute to.
- Do you have any words for our fellow KEVIIans currently staying in hall this vacation for XQRJ and other CCAs?
Don’t feel so sad that you have to stay in hall during the vacation! No matter what you are working hard for, be it XQRJ, Hallplay or the sports, you will soon realize your efforts are worth it. It is only during university hall life that you can try out and be involved in these exciting events! Best of luck for all KEVIIans!
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Well well, isn’t it exciting that so much is happening in hall even during school vacation? Do drop by this coming Friday to find out how things are going on the Sports side!
For our very first post of this academic year, we interviewed Chew Zichun, the producer of Hall Play 2008. He has some very interesting stories to share with us on his adventure so far in what is one of the hall’s major cultural activities. So let’s hear him out, shan’t we?
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Guest Profile
Name: Chew Zichun
Faculty/Year: Not available
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- First of all, can you tell us about the purpose of Hall play?
Hall play started out as an initiative to raise funds for the poor students in KE Hall 34 years ago, and slowly became refined and polished through the years into the impeccably organized showcase of artistic talent. More importantly, Hall play has also, through the years, been the outlet for KEVIIans who were bursting with passion and energy to make many firm friends and lasting legacies in the annual event of the year that involves close to a hundred residents of KEVII Hall!
- How did you become hall play producer?
It was a multi-stage process and a totally unexpected ‘arrow’. Having been in charge of the lights last year, I thought I was only going to be ‘promoted’ to be the tech crew head. For a long time after the end of Letters from the Frontline*, apart from hearing that Yi Feng was going to be the Production Manager (PM), Pooja the set décor head, and Vincent the set builder head, I did not know anything else. There was a chilly radio silence with regards to news about next year’s hall play. Meanwhile, I was convinced by a certain block’s head to be the Stage Manager (SM) instead of tech-crew head.
All of a sudden, one fateful evening I was summoned via sms by Trixie (last year’s Hall play Producer) to Leon’s (last year’s Hall play director) room, where an emergency meeting was going on. Yi Feng was present too. It turned out that the reason why nothing has been going on since May was because there was no Producer for Hall Play 2008! After a small battle of wills (which included emotional blackmail lines like “or we could just cancel Hall play next year and end a 33 year old tradition”), it became obvious to me that all arrows were directed at me. I survived the meeting without making any promises, but badly shaken.
Then when Terence (last year’s JCRC President) told me:-
“Zichun, if you know you’re going to have to do it anyways, you might as well accept reality and start early, instead of delaying the inevitable, and end up suffering more like Lincoln (last year’s DnD ‘eventual’ Head)”.
I made up my mind the next day to embrace the task that was laid at my feet.
* Letters from the Frontline was the title of last year’s Hall Production.
- What challenges are you facing this year?
We were faced with massive challenges every step of the way. From the lack of people who were willing to be involved as department heads (we ended up with many Year 1 department heads), to the copyright saga (we ended up meeting Mr. Douglas Gresham, step-son of CS Lewis, author of the novel our play is based on), to last minute changes of schedules. Our main challenge this year is the lack of experienced members and heads, especially in the Operations departments; many of the heads have never even been in hall before, much less in Hall play. And my experience in lightings last year is not especially helpful in my current job as Producer.
- On the Set and Décor side, how is the progress so far?
The sets have all been completed by the set builders as of last week; however the set décor is behind schedule and lacking manpower.
- What can you tell us about the cast and the rehearsals?
We have very good actors this year! However due to adjustment issues and clashes, we have not been able to hold many rehearsals, and only had one combined rehearsal at the communal hall so far for the first half of the play. We will be having a ‘cast camp’ as well as more combined rehearsals in the comm hall in the last two weeks of holidays.
- What can we expect from hall play this year?
With little more than an inspiration and the faith of a mustard seed… a cripplingly incomplete steering committee, no script, no experience, no copyright contact, nobody who’s ever heard of ‘Till We Have Faces’… this year’s production has come to where it is today. Those of us who has been around from the very beginning will know how difficult and in fact, seemingly impossible this whole adventure has been. So, expect a miraculously good performance, because every progress and success in our Hall play this year thus far has been miracles!
- Can you tell us the story of Hall Play 2008?
Here’s a brief synopsis written by the cast director, Yarong:
Adapted from C.S. Lewis’ powerful re-telling of the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche, the play begins as the complaint of an old woman against the Gods. The woman, Orual, is bitter at the injustice of the gods, who she accuses of having stolen her sister, the beautiful Psyche.
The play then takes a retrospective glance back at the events which lead to this complaint: from her turbulent childhood with an abusive father, her teenage years spent with her sisters, and the troubled situation in her kingdom, Glome, which culminated in Psyche’s sacrifice.
When Orual later discovers that Psyche is still alive, she tries to bring her back but is rebuffed– Psyche says that she is now married to a god. Furious and disbelieving, Orual convinces herself that Psyche must be insane, and sets out on a desperate and ineffectual course of action that leads back to her complaint. Will the gods answer? Will Orual ever see Psyche again? Why should the gods meet us face to face…Till We Have Faces?
- Any final words for the residents staying in hall this vacation for Hall play and other CCAs?
It’s cold these days, what with all the rain. Let’s burn with some KE passion and energy in our trainings and activities to warm up the place!
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Next up: Watch out for our interview with Koh Yueting, 10th XQRJ head this coming Wednesday!
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