End of Trimester :: My musical experience in NZ

Spring's here! 

It's end of trimester! 

A whole first year of university has passed!

LEMME SHOW YOU HOW MUSICIANS PARTY!!

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It was the NZSM End Year Party last Friday.
We reminisced over the fun and crazy times over wine, pizza and jazz music playing from the speakers. Some of us recovering from making it through the 2 trimesters of the year.

Welll...how do you think we party here at uni? 

...though you'll never know behind closed doors now, do ya? :))))

(Though weekend nights in town is a whole different thing.)

I just can't believe first year of uni is over so soon! After all the drama of Airport Day, which is still a bit fresh in my mind (I refuse to think about it sometimes), I met some incredible people and had unforgettable experiences in this new world of music.

I wasn't even planning to come to NZ, honestly. When my mom was notified that there were auditions held at the Curve in Damansara, she told me to go for it. I had no idea how the auditions were gonna be like. 

Were there gonna be lots of people fighting for the scholarship? Umm, yeah?

Is it gonna be scary? Maybe. Most likely.

Am I ready? !@#$ no.

"It's in two weeks, mom, I'm gonna play crap for them to hear and embarrass myself to death," thats what I told my mom. She just told me to send an email to the email address given to her, and I was corresponding with a nice lady called Belinda, who arranged the auditions with two people from NZSM, who are lecturers in this uni.

I was never so reluctant to do something, aside from cleaning up after something gross had died in my house like a lizard or something. This was different. So, I thought, they weren't gonna remember me anyway. Might as well give it a shot.

...Which I did. And surprisingly, I passed the audition with a scholarship. 

I don't know whether to be shocked or die of excitement - because the problem lies in the fact that it was still a lot of $ to send me abroad, and I was currently prepping for my ATCL Violin exam under a private teacher in KL. 

 Months passed since the audition and I constantly emailed the school about documents that they might need from me, etc. There was a lot of drama, hard thinking, long discussions and stressful moments within those few months. I even told mom that I didn't have to take the offer, if it was too hard on us. I could settle with what I had. But she was more than determined to let me chase my dream to become a professional musician with experiences abroad.

 Dad made sure that I had everything to live comfortably away from home too. He even told my mom to get me a coffee machine, in case I didn't have proper coffee to drink in the morning. Lol. How sweet is that? :') So blessed to have a lovely family. 

Before I knew it, I was waving goodbye to my sobbing sister, Charms and Chee holding her, my bro Evan and Don. Deym. It was a crappy day, and a tough flight. I was told to watch LOTR before going to NZ, but since I had no time, I watched it on the plane.....but fell asleep watching it. Don't kill me but I guess it just ain't my thing. 

Then, I met Doug after Charms pestered me to message him on Facebook. He's a lifesaver to 2 blur people ; mom and I, in a foreign land. Lol. He even brought my mom and kept her company during the NZSM orientation. We became good friends after.

At orientation, I got to know few of my close friends now - Becca, Laura and Craig. They were also first years and were really friendly to me. Spent lots of time talking, whining, gossiping and laughing over nothing. :) Awesome bunch of people, I might add.

 I also am happy that I had people whom I could speak music to, making lame musician jokes, then laughing at our jokes and feeling proud of ourselves for coming up with jokes like those.... because we're musicians. That's why. :P

Performing in the NZSM orchestra was a huge thing for me too. I've only played in the KLPAC Orchestra in 2011, and playing with these really skillful music students really opened my eyes to the standard of music here. I enjoyed performing in the orchestra so much! I was so excited when I realized that it is a course in my first year studies. Dang. This so beats Accounting & Economics in A-Levels!

I really can't thank God enough for the way this year unexpectedly turned out. Pleasantly unexpected. I'm so thankful to the lecturers who had passed my audition and rewarded me with a scholarship, all the new friends I've made this year, my new boyfriend (who stepped out of the friendzone, actually) and my more than supportive parents.

It was definitely hard to be away from home, family, friends and events. But I've learnt to accept the new lifestyle here and get comfortable with my new surroundings. These people in the pictures above just made it all the easier to enjoy things here! <3

All I've left at the moment is the big one -- the end year recital, happening in 2 weeks time. Oh yeah, also my last written paper on opera. 

Wish me luck!!

Cherishing my musical journey here. 

Feeling awesome because it has just begun!

xxx

Ashley Mah.

Throwback Event - Night Out at Chyna Black

Going through my albums and I found these pictures. It's been quite awhile since I've gone to events and such. It's a different life here in Wellington. Albeit being quite relaxed, I miss the occasional opportunity to get dolled up and prance around in my 5-inch heels.

"Why can't she do that there anyway?"
Imagine walking uphill and downhill in heels. I'd close my eyes and silently mutter a prayer while I try not to imagine rolling an ankle or tripping over when I see a chick in super high heels walk the ups downs of the Welly road (though there are some who do that, they're frikkin brave). It ain't Bukit Bintang, or malls where the ground is flat, or all we have to climb are stairs.

Pic above taken by Stoutlager.
Speaking of which, I've not worn my favorite pair of Kiss Me false eyelashes in a LONG while too.
They're the flashiest ones I own. Although elaborate, they're nice and comfy and don't make my eyelids feel like they're lifting tiny weights and make my eyes constantly look half-opened. Still in my luggage, waiting to be used. I remember wearing them during this event too.

Anyway, this was one of the last few events I made it to before starting off my new life in Welly. It was Carlsberg's York Spencer's farewell party at Chyna Black, at The Pool, Ampang. I was there with the MHB girls to celebrate the farewell of our favorite Carlsberg Marketing Director (far right in the picture above).

It was also the beginning of when I started to like wearing stripes. This striped dress is from H&M, one of my favorites! Looks like I'm not alone in this stripey affair because my babe Linora was also in a gorgeous striped dress, with roses and all that! Also sipping from a bottle of Somersby Apple Cider. Yum. #greatmindsthinkalike

Of course, a party isn't a party without some hot dancers!

Honestly don't know why I was pouting and unintentionally photo-bombing this picture.

Andy & I, one of my favorite pictures. So missing him and his awesome pictures over here!

Pretty MHB Chelsea Chil and Linora

Group pic!
What looks like the unintentional theme color being Blue & Black... and I'm stickin' out like a sore thumb.

Us with Tim Chew!

Remembered this event being one of the really fun ones. People just chilling, mingling and drinking. I made a couple of new friends here as well as meeting some others that I've not seen in a while.

Chyna Black is a little lounge located above The Pool, Ampang. It's small and quaint, with dim lights and a DJ deck, where only the stuff that really interested me were played at the end of the party. Bleh. I did like the interior decor of Chyna Black. Wish there were more pictures to show the interior (maybe the next time I visit). It's a nice place for a chilled night out for drinks with friends. A girls' night out just came to mind. 

Me and Andrea, whom I met at the event. She has super cool hair and a nose ring and a fun personality to match! We ended up dancing alot when the event was about to end... just cos the songs were better when we were just gonna leave. -_-

What'd I tell ya?
Heh heh.

Missing those white heels. I remember getting them in Singapore for a bargain price of $35.
One of my favorite easy-to-put-on shoes. (cos I'm lazy like that)
Maybe I'll get them to be shipped over to Welly so I can use them in shoots.

Till the next post, kittykats.

xxx

Ashley Mah

[ADV] Mixx Club's First Anniversary Party @ Melaka

17 Jan - It was a Thursday evening, so Tim and I drove down to Melaka to attend Mixx Club's 1st Anniversary Party! I hardly ever go down to Melaka, the greedy side of me was hoping to eat some Melaka food like Chicken Rice Balls, Satay Celup and so on. Hehe. 

However, we quickly checked into Hattan Hotel, where Kate and I shared a room. We both freshened up and then it was time for the party.

First thing that came to my mind was, "So how do people in Melaka party?"

My question was answered when the club was already filling up by the time it was 8.30pm. They party right up till 2am btw! Kudos, Malaccans!

Mixx Club is located on the 1st floor Mahkota Parade, which is nearby Hattan Square and just walking distance from the hotel I stayed. Pretty neat. Need not worry about drunk driving that night then!

There were sexy dancers in neon attire, stealing everyone's attention.

The club was equipped with very cool and advanced neon lighting, which puts many clubs in KL to shame. Oh yeah, did you know that Mixx Club is known for its live video mixing?
The sound in the club was just floor-shaking, wall-vibratingly loud.
The stage was in the front of the club, and the dance floor located strategically in front of the stage. Even the necklace I had on my neck was vibrating the nearer I stood to the speakers. 

Mixx Club is made up of 2 rooms;

  Paradox,

Open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday (10pm) & Public Holiday Eve. 8pm till late

Arris, 

Open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

8.00pm till late

MC of the night was Julie Woon.

She's really pretty and friendly.

Tim & I

Johnnie Walker Malaysia's Charles James Wright was there too!

In the midst of the party, we were made to clear the dance floor for these talented aerial dancers who performed for us! I could never imagine having such strong legs and arms!! *salute*

I bumped into some old KL friends at the club itself! What a coincidence! I was pretty happy to see some KL people there. Tim bumped into many of his friends too. 

The music started off as Mambo Jambo music, which means, stuff from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. It was as if we were in a time machine of some sort, also played together with the music video.

 I had to admit, I knew some songs but I totally don't get songs from the 80s. No offence, 80s babies, but I really really dislike the synth drums. Bleh! I preferred stuff from the 60s, like old school rock & roll music!

It is pretty open format, when it comes to music in this club, which is pretty cool because we get a little bit of everything, from House music to Top 40's to retro music.

There are theme nights at Mixx Club :

Tuesday night - 'Got Swag'

Wednesday night - Ladies Night, 'Candy Shop' with DJ AIMS, DJ deF and MC Sean Beazzie

Thursday Night - Mens Night, 'Naughty Nighty Night' with DJ U-NIC and DJ BLUR

Friday Night - 'Weekend Starter' with DJ U-NIC

Saturday Night

DJ AIMS in Paradox

DJ deF and MC Mad Rozz in Arris

Kate & my attempt to go swimming the following morning at 8am, but failed utterly because the water was freezing cold! We decided to do breakfast with Tim at the hotel instead.

Now I know where to go to party when in Melaka!

Mixx Club Malacca 

LotS19, Second Floor, Mahkota Parade

No.1, Jln Merdeka,

75000 Melaka,

 For reservations call 016-6235577 or 016-6215577

Facebook Page : 
http://www.facebook.com/mixx.com.my 

Pictures courtesy of Tim Chew, Kate Lee, Mixx Club and author's own.

xxx 

Ashley Mah

Carlsberg's Where's the Party? (2012)

Of all the parties I've attended in 2012, I have to say, this one would be the most memorable and epic party of the year! It was really exciting, because guests would not know Where The Party is. Hence the name! 

I was Chelsea's plus one. We all assembled at the Carlsberg brewery in the morning, then took off in respective buses which took us to the 'secret location'. Turned out, the destination was Batu Feringghi, Penang! From that moment on, I knew it was gonna be a crazy party...

We were given a very special VIP room at Hardrock Hotel, Penang, where the party actually took place! Chelsea and I gasped in awe when we opened the room door. Everything was so perfect!

On our beds, we were given a goodie bag each. :) How cute.

We went absolutely berserk when we saw this..... our room had direct access to the POOL!

HOW FREAKIN' WICKED IS THIS! 

We were shrieking and giggling in excitement like maniacs. Goes to show how much we loved the room! Special thanks to Soren Ravn who gave us the lovely VIP treatment. :)

 I could hear music from a distance, where the beach was.... and saw people walking around. So Chelsea and I made a quick trip to the party area for a look-see (for eye candy.. hehe) before the Press Conference.

Guests were chilling, drinking and playing games before the sun set. I guess everyone was in the holiday/party mood. At least, my roomie and I were!

Eek. 

This was supposed to be a decent photo. Chels captured me in the moment, literally. Lol

There were electronic darts for us to play! Thanks to iDarts Malaysia. Fun!

When there's iDarts, there's Leonard Chua! :)

Girls ready to party!

Got to snag a photo with Patricia K and Joey G! :)

Soon, it got close to 6.30pm. We headed back to our rooms, changed and got ready for the press conference. 

"Would you like a Carlsberg, miss?"

Q&A session with Soren Ravn, and other Carlsberg MD's from Singapore and Hong Kong who flew to Penang for the party!

After the lineup of acts and performers were introduced, I got super starry eyed when I saw KELIS, who sang the memorable Milkshake song!

Above : The MV for the Milkshake song, in case you guys didn't know what I was talking about.

 ...andddd homaigodd I GOT A PICTURE WITH HER!! She was super tall! So she had to stand one step lower on the staircase from me in our photo. Haha

The lineup of artists who will be making the party epic that night! And of course, the Carlsberg people from Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong!

All my big sisters from MHB with York Spencer, Andy Kho and Tim Chew!

Press conference was over.
 By that time, I was itching to run to the beach to party already!

All the lights, the booming music and chilled Carlsberg to go around! :)

Party people everywhere! 

Here's Linora from Red FM.

Chammaine Tan

Clevermunkey & Choulyin Tan :)

Shawn Lee, Malaysia's talented beatboxer, who's also my high school senior. Hee

MHB Casey

Our facilitator in the bus!

Ah Bok and I

Ash & Ash

Soren Ravn, who's responsible for Chelsea's and my awesome room! 

Thank you again Soren! x

Louise and I

Maggy Wang and I

The Jessicat! I love her pink sunglasses!

The performances had started and I think this one, by a Japanese girl band, caught all the guys' attention. They danced really well though!

More pics!

Judging my the pictures, you can tell that it was a WICKED party! Heh heh. I remembered and savoured every moment of it.

Kelis sang Milkshake and Bounce. Dayumm. It was mind blowing! 

I LOVE YOU KELIS!

My lovely roomie. Probably the coolest I've ever had. If you came into our room, your mouth would be gaping open because it looked like as if it was Spring Break in our room. Clothes, makeup, shoes everywhere!

After the party ended, Chelsea and I had some girl talk in our comfy beds. But before that, I did play in the pool for a bit. Hehe

I know I looked silly in these frames. In fact, I usually make fun of people wearing lens-less frames. But that day, it was somewhat fun to wear it. Haha. 

Doesn't make sense. Nevermind. Moving on.

The view of the party directly from my room.

The next morning was slightly excruciating for Chels and I. Woke up like a pair of zombies. But we had partied so hard the night before, we made a beeline for breakfast at the hotel.

 

Sunglasses on = no makeup. Hee. She still looks gorgeous without makeup! 

 

Waffles, my 2nd favorite bfast food, next to pancakes! :)

 I expected the beach to look like a mess the next morning, which it did. Huge evidence of a massive party the night before. Haha! The poolside was very pretty. If only we could stay longer to have a dip..

That's the end of my suuuuper long post of pictures and stuff. I truly enjoyed Carlsberg's WTP and am thankful to have such a lovely experience with friends, meeting new people and enjoying such awesome music! I had a terrific time! 

For more information on the next WTP, go on over to Carlsberg Malaysia's FB Page :

http://www.facebook.com/Carlsberg.MY 

Photo credits to Carlsberg MY, Andy Kho, MHB Facebook Page, author's own.

xxx 

Ashley Mah