Fotos 2007 in Review

Another year has come to an end without us knowing how time flies so quickly. It was certainly an amazingly interesting heart throbbing event in our lives. This whole year was just incomprehensible for simple minds like mine.

For so many of us who were in the throes of wanting to do exciting and different just for once in their lives. How often we were trapped for the day to come for us to be able to have done it; and when it did, we’re left dumbfounded for no reason at all. Words wouldn’t come out to express everything we were going through.

Fotos 2007 in Review, was the answer to all of these. It depicted the events that transpired in our lives but perhaps mainly in the lives of my two boys, Alexander & Taylor... filled with joys and tears that were worth remembering and perhaps most especially... for Alexander.

And to all who had been involved and been part of it... thank you.

And, we would like you to join us and share it... Life Is Like A Rollercoaster!

... View the slideshow with captions

Relax and watch ...

JPC 25th Anniversary 2007

Many of us had been confronted with the dilemma which school to send our children. Basically our main goal was giving the best education to help them formulate and manipulate their future.

Who would say that after going through challenges and uncertainties that John Paul College survived and made its mark in the world of high-tech education?

This year it celebrated its 25th year anniversary. John Paul College vision of providing young Australians the best education and technology had come to reality and focusing to achieve international recognition.

Like any other schools, John Paul College through its integrity provides the foundation in the making of the future of Australia and perhaps great leaders of this country. But nothing can make it all possible without the dedication and perseverance of the students and support from their parents.

Alexander joined in June 2002 as a Yr 2 student while Taylor in 2004 in Childcare. This year, Alexander finished Yr 7 while Taylor finished Yr 1. Both loved their school and the teachers they had this year, especially for Alexander who luckily had compassionate and caring teachers and a headmaster with a big heart. Thank you.

We take our hats of ... Speech Night 2007

Alexander in AYC with KSB 2007

Though already in John Paul College Primary School Choir, Alexander joined the Australian Youth Choir in 2004 as Probationer – Level 1. He moved his ranks over the years and currently in Chamber Choir, for the first time this year 2007.

In 2005, he was in Training - Level 2 at the age of 9 years old and toured with the Australian Youth Choir in May for 3 weeks to Wales, Ireland and Wales. He rehearsed 1 hour every Thursday night in Carina being Level 2. However, in addition due to International Tour commitment he had to rehearse every Friday night for 1 hour and 30 minutes in KPUC with the Recital Choir and 3 hours every Saturday morning in Paddington. He learned so much and became responsible after the tour though homesick but enjoyed it so much.

In 2006, he was in Performing – Level 3 and formally a member of the Recital Choir. He rehearsed 1 hour and 30 minutes every Thursday night in Carina and every Friday night for 1 hour and a half in KPUC as a member of the Specialist Choir.

It was this same year that he performed with the Vienna Boys Choir when they came to Brisbane. That was the eye opening for his unbelievable keen interest with the Vienna Boys Choir. He was so greatly impressed with the excellent performance of the infamous chorister group. This was then the beginning of his dream and to achieve it eventually.

In 2007, he was in Chamber Choir which was the top level of the Australian Youth Choir and rehearsed every Friday night in KPUC for 3 hours. Again, he toured with the Australian Youth Choir in May for 3 weeks to Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin, Amsterdam, and London. He rehearsed every Friday nights and rehearsed every Saturday mornings for 2 hours in Paddington for the Tour.

It was during this tour he auditioned and passed the Vienna Boys Choir. He went back to Vienna and joined them in July 2007 for a month in their music camp as part of the one month trial period. Hopefully, he can be recalled back to officially join them when the space becomes available for 2008-2009 season.

Before Alexander left for Vienna, the Keystone State Boychoir came to Australia to perform with the Australian Youth Choir. He billeted American boys his age which was very interesting experience.

Alexander with Kai Heen and Sam Pritchard of KSB

The Keystone State Boychoir is a singing group for young men ages 7 to 17, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2001. They travelled performing to South Africa, Brazil, Canada and Alaska, Japan, and Southeast Asia and came to Australia in July 2007.

The Australian Youth Choir for the first time with the Keystone State Boychoir was a very an exciting event for both of the chorister groups. The performance from KSB was very entertaining and they were magnificent.

Alexander was definitely exposed to different style of performances and he learned from it like the rest.

AYC Chamber in Buderim 2007

My Most Unforgettable Memoir

Everyone in us had one or more unforgettable memories but no matter what there will always be one that will stand out among the rest. The rushing of the adrenalin where you were left wondering and always in suspense-when it ever end with its excruciating and almost unbearable to bear. But once it stopped, you were like stung by a bee stunned with pain but with a great difference in a sense that there was over joyous emotions enveloped inside.

I would like to share what life has in for us, that there will always be the ups and downs, the glory and sorrow, just like a wheel and for some a rollercoaster ride! But it only meant one thing just like the old saying: "Never give up. Tomorrow is another day."

However, my Dad also had said this to my mom: "Opportunity knocks only once. Grab it when it comes." I wondered to this day how come he didn't allow me to do so, without any dissrespect.

Mine started during that Australian Youth Choir European Tour last May 2007. Mr Gerald Wirth, the artistic director of the Wiener Sangerknaben, auditioned me which according to him I passed and said that I had a beautiful voice. He told me then that I can stay to start straight away and no longer continue with the tour group. I replied I will ask my mom. Then Mr Wirth added perhaps during summer. I was ecstatic after that encounter. I wanted to be in it since 2005 after the concert with them. The more I was very much impressed watched them rehearsed. I went on my tour with the Australian Youth Choir as originally planned.

I returned home from the tour in early June 2007. I asked my mom excitedly and sheepishly while at the airport if she knew I passed the audition. She replied that she hadn't heard yet. When we got home mom checked her email and there it was, Mr Wirth's email confirming it all.

It was an agonising waiting for the day I will join the Wiener Sangerknaben in their Music Summer Camp for a trial period from July 29 to August 25 in Sekirn, 4 hours by train south of Vienna. The trial period was meant for me to find out if I like it or not, if I can deal with homesickness, and able to speak German.

While in preparation for the camp though; it was nervewrecking and stressful to my mom. She was very much concerned of my studies leaving it behind for another month when I just got back from the three weeks European Tour. Then there was my school to consider how will they react being away again for another month and if they'll take me back on after a year or so.

My mom said that I had a better deal last year in April 2006 when I was invited to audition with the Wiener Sangerknaben. At that time I was in Year 6. I was supposedly gone to Vienna for an audition, lived and attend school for 2 weeks intially for free. There was a place for me then. But my Dad said "No" at the last minute because I was only 10 years old then.

Anyway, everyone was very excited and very supportive most especially Mr Stephen Paul, headmaster of John Paul College. I was very much honoured at the same time taken aback when he attended (I knew he may come if his tight schedule allows it) to my Go Away Barbeque Day at home to personally congratulate me which I will never forget that one lovely Sunday afternoon... He came not as a headmaster but as one of our friends who extended their support.

Before I departed for Vienna in July 25, there were 2 important events unfolded in as well. First, I received an award for the Young Star Achievers for May/June 2007 which the Quest Newspapers nominated me in. Second, during the Redlands Eisteddfod on 23 July, my group in Strings Orchestra which I played the violin won the First Place in the 12 years and under Division.

My mom and I flew to Vienna in July 25, Wednesday. I ws thrilled because we got upgraded to business class using her points from Brisbane-Singapore leg of the journey. The seats were great that you can lie down to stratch and the food was first class. I never stopped ordering meals at my heart's content.

We arrived in Vienna the next day then on July 29, mom took me to Sudbahnhof Train Station to meet the others. I commented to my mom that it was like in Harry Potter the act of parents taking their kids to the train station. Mom was sad because I will be away for a month. As for myself, I was so into staying no matter what it takes that is why during the 3 weeks June term break I took crash German language lessons for 3 hours a week for 3 weeks. Ms Amanda Kuhnemann, out of her big heart was very generous in sparing her most wanted break from teaching. I owed her a lot as she was such a lovely lady.

At the camp, I found that there were 54 old and new boys for the trial period. A lot of them were old members and from the primary group age starts 10 years old are now qualified to join the touring group age starts 11 years old. I made new friends straight away as the boys were very nice. There were also 2 new American boys who spoke fluent German.

I was assigned to Bruchnerchor group and sang soprano I. We practised 4 hours a day and learnt songs in German like Tota Pulchra, Pueri Concinite, Waltzer de Freude, etc and in American like Ain't She's Sweet, What a Wonderful Day, Stormy Weather, etc. We had one public concert at the church on the Sunday on Aug 19.

After each practices everyday, we had free time. We went to the lake for a swim, played tennis, played PSP, inner tubing, downhill sledding, hiking, torch walking, etc. I practised my violin as well once every 2 days. We went to Minimundus, a place of miniature of icons from different countries like Eiffel Tower, Giant Ferris Wheel, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and more.

I was able to put my German laguage skills into practise and understood the language itself well. Surprisingly found myself speaking German most of the time fluently and learned quicker with such ease.

I rang my mom on the first week on Thursday afternoon Brisbane's time. We were allowed to ring 4 times. I told her I can speak a bit of German hwen she asked me.

But on that unfateful day of Wednesday evening of August 22 they told me that I may not be in the choir because there's not a space for me. Space? Perhaps, it would have been a lot easier to accept if I was told I didn't passed the audition because I understand the very high standard they have. It seemed that the whole world came crushing on me. I got angry at myself. I didn't cry then though. It was totally different from what I have been told on that day in May. My wish, hopes and dreams were suddenly pierced out from my heart. No matter how much prepared I was for the inevitable I still went through these feelings.

I rang home on early Friday morning, August 26, to tell my mom but my Dad answered the phone instead that I may not be in it but my mom was in Frankfurt already on the way to Vienna with my other suitcase.

Mr Peter Oberndorfer, the camp manager of Sekirn, told me on this same day that Mr Gerald Wirth will contact my mom to tell her whether I had the chance to be in it or not. At the moment, the Brucknerchor left for Italy fgor 2 concerts with Mr Gerald Wirth.

Mom met me at the train station on Aug 25, Sunday. She explained that Vienna Office Mrs Turner and Victoria Iadgarov admitted to her that they made a mistake in letting her know too late and that it should have been informed a week ago or earlier. She had just spoken to Victoria on Monday, Aug 20, that everything was fine. It was only on Wednesday that the Vienna office was informed by Sekirn Office. Mrs Turner rang mom on Thursday evening Brisbane time but she already left that mornng. My mom was always in communication with them and even herself she couldn't understand the turn of the events. Apparently, there were too many boys at the trial period this time with very limited spaces and Mrs Turner showed concern about my age turning 12 years old this November, if I join later.

My mom just said to me not to lose hope as tomorrow is another day. Just keep on dreaming and aiming for it to make it happen she said. One important thing was to continue to be fluent in German language. While in tears she said she was very proud of me for me to get this far and she was heartbroken in my behalf and this time I cried because like she would always say to me she'll do everything for me to succeed but as always it will always be dependant on me to take it to do something with it or leave it. Every step of effort I made she's always behind me...and just study well to get those A's she added on! Academic performance still matters she said in anything you want to do.

And she added that there was one person who will be so jumping for joy on my coming home because he missed me so much, my younger brother, Taylor, who was patiently waiting in the car since 2004 for hours during my rehearsals with the Australian Youth Choir.

I knew it was a trial period and even if I had only a month it would be such an immeasurable experience that I should treasure it in my heart. Just the fact that I was inside of the Wiener Snagerknaben for a month... lived, ate, sang, performed, and played with them should have made a great difference in my life. It was an experience worthwhile to reminisce every now and then to console my aching heart once reminded. There weren't enough words to describe the whole experience with the Wiener Snagerknaben properly. I had so much fun though I'd wish it had a better turn in the tide.

For now when I put my head on my pillow, I can't help myself and always been suspended up in the air with only 2 things in my mind while enjoying the icing on the cake of my experience with the Vienna Boys Choir... if only I... I wish...!!! By this time I was already in the land of nod.

Perhaps now you have a better understanding why this was my most unforgettable memoir in my life. I suppose you can't have everything. Well, life must go on and just like as they say the show must go on!

I may still be unsure and still trying to comprehend everything what happened, I am glad to be home and the suspense was finally over which given me time to pick up the pieces where I left it. There will always be a silver lining in the midst of the grey clouds!

As the Courier Mail editorial about me in July 4 - Alexander the great hope... I'll never lose hope for as long as I live! And for the Wiener Sangerknaben... they were great and it was an honour even for such a short time I was part of it! I am very thankful I still have my wonderful family behind me always!!!!

by Alexander
Yr 7 / 2007

A Boy's Dream

Alexander and I went to Vienna on 25 July 2007. He passed the audition for the Wiener Sangerknaben in May 2007 during his European Tour to Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam, and London with the Australian Youth Choir.

He'd join the infamous choristers in their Summer Camp in Sekirn for a month from July 29 until August 28. 'Twas exciting though a worrying factor due to the fact he'd miss the whole of Term 3.

As any parent, what can you do about fulfilling your child's one dream in his life? At this time of the year, he's already halfway to finishing Year 7. In fact, he had just been back to school for Term 3 after 3-weeks Term break.

Though he had a marvellous time, it wasn't what he had expected to be the ending for now. In his own manuscript of My Most Unforgettable Memoir will take you to his world of unbelievable rollercoaster ride of his life in a blink of an eye.

Now it's all just a waiting game. Hoping for the day Alexander's dream will come true..