And I'm Telling You...

... I got through to the next round!

Hohoho... I can finally shake off the embarrassment of last year's 'wrong-category-forgotten-lyrics' saga. I sang Dreamgirl's 'And I'm Telling You' for the audition round ( I heard gasps in the audience. They probably thought I was nuts to do this song.. Either that, or they, like Greg, thought I wasn't going to tell them the title.), and managed to get through it without forgetting a single word.

I promised myself the hand gestures and the waving about wouldn't happen, but it somehow subconciously crept into the performance. By the last 'no no there's no way', the inner diva in me had already taken over, and I was ready to place a slap on anyone within 2 feet of me. My left hand was clutching the mike on the mikestand in a deathgrip while my right was wildly flying about. Must have been a real sight.

But I still got through! So a big ha! to all the suckers who projected their negative thoughts towards me. ("Who does he think he is? Mariah freaking Carey?")

I mainly looked at my class' people when I sang, cause it's so much easier when there's familiar faces in the crowd. So thanks so much to the people who came, even though I know most only came to see the two freaks. I wouldn't blame them, since I was more excited about the weirdos' 'big show' than my own audition.

The freaks didn't disappoint. Both were as horrible as I expected them to be, though I didn't expect the vietnam guy to start shaking so badly. I also didn't expect him to burst into tears after failing to hit a note (which wasn't even that high to begin with.. probably that's why he cried..).

Up next.. I'll be singing Mariah Carey's 'Hero', and if I get through to the next round, I'll be on my way to some money! Yipee!

Who's that girl?!

The more un-glam you are, the better the make over you get. Susan Boyle revealed her new look, complete with a new hairdo (dyes and all), plucked eyebrows, a spiffy leather jacket and a plaid scarf.

Susan Boyle, of course, found fame with Britian's Got Talent. She wowed the world (including Simon Cowell) by turning out to have a voice as beautiful as her face isn't. Her rendition of Les Misérable's I Dreamed A Dream brought tears to the eyes of many, and she shot to instant stardom through the power of Youtube.

I really hope she wins this year's show, and not the annoying little kid Shaheen. This( ----->) is pure singing from the heart. Little Shaheen's just another kid who can drag the hell out of a syllable.

Go Boyle!

The last week of my 17th

"Who says you're only young once?"

That was the tagline for the Zac Efron movie, 17 again. How much I wish that was true.

It suddenly struck me, as I was absentmindedly flipping through my calendar (I do that sometimes to check if they misprinted the numbers), that I was down to my last year of being a child. When you're 18, you would be viewed as an adult by the world. Lord knows there's a whole contingent of above 18s who still act like they're 6 (just look at my school. You'd think it was a kindergarten), but the world doesn't care how you behave anymore, as long as you take responsibility for it. You even have to serve the full sentence for a crime that you commit (Not that I'm intending to commit a crime. Yet.).

There are days when I couldn't wait to grow up. I want to go out and experience the real world, not one where childish trifles and tutorials are one's main concerns. I want to be a driving force, a contribution to the world, not a child who is nagged at and reprimanded. I've even, in moments of insanity, wanted a child. I want to know what it's like to live. But then it hit me. My wish was coming true, and it's coming head on towards me at a breakneck speed. I'm only down to my last 7 days as a teenager now, and before I could blink, 17 would become just another number I have sailed pass, a childhood I could never reclaim would have slipped pass my fingers.

18 is a turning point for many. For some, it would be the age they're enrolled in national service, where they would be tortured for 2 years. For me, it would be the age that I leave for America to begin another life, one where the only one taking care of me is me. A life where I can do as I please, and answer to none. Up till recently, it is a dream that I could not wait to fulfill. But as the impending date draws nearer, I couldn't help but wonder, how will I do it? To be in charge of my own life, my own academic achievements, and consequently, my own career. I can't even begin to imagine supporting a family. Growing up suddenly doesn't seem so fun anymore.

I remember in a Harry Potter book, Hagrid said 'what will come will come, and we'll face it when it did.'. Granted, he was talking about Voldemort, but it's still applicable her.e Evil homicidal wizards don't exist in our world, but the trials and sufferings of life sure do. I dread what is to come, but there's no way I can prevent it.

People always say that they don't want to live a life of regret, but that's exactly how many end up living. Missed opportunities, wasted chances, forgotten dreams. I don't want that to be the caption to my life, so I'm going to hold on to my goals. It's going to be tough living in America, but it's gonna be even tougher if I don't get into the school I want. Hard work! I have to do it. I really must.

And I must watch 17 Again before I turn 18. Or I will regret for life that I can never be 17 again.

Grandma - By Phoebe Buffay

Now grandma's a person who everyone likes
She bought you a train and a new shiny bike
But lately she hasn't been coming to dinner
And last time you saw her she looked so much thinner
Now your mom and your dad said she moved to Peru
But the truth is she died and someday you will too
La-la-la-la..

God, I miss Friends..

And then there was 5

The AI producers have done it again. This time, the only 2 colored contestants left (Lil Rounds and Anoop)) have been eliminated, leaving the top 5 exclusively all white. The new executive producer seems to be making all the big mistakes. I really miss Nigel. He's the one responsible for Arch's loss, but at least he knew how to make a good TV show.

Since the judges have already used the 'save' that made history for making Matt G. the only contestant to have been saved twice (hello..? There's a reason he even needs to be saved. There's nothing glorious about needing to be brought back), this week's elimination was a bit more boring than before. Lil was brutally cut out under 3 minutes, and Anoop was placed in the bottom 3 with Allison (lord knows there's no way he can outlive her). There's no point in trying so hard to make the judges save you anymore, so their swan song was basically pointless. Interestingly, the final songs sound better when they're not desperately trying to make the judges like them again.

Also, this week's opening number was cheoreographed by Paula herself. They lipsynced to some Jackson 5 song, and attempted some very corny and ridiculous moves. Paula must be losing her touch. But it is obvious that the producers are trying to make Paula feel better by giving her more attention than Kara. They even gave her a bouquet of flowers for her effort.

And the final 5:

Lindsay proves she still can act

The Jennifers Battle It Out!

Jennifer Hudson invited the original 'And I Am Telling You' singer, Jennifer Holliday, to her concert in Atlanta for a surprise sing-off.

Today's Reading

Past: The Tower
The Book says: This card represents the unexpected events that can change your life or your perception of things. A rude awakening of some sort, whether it's your old way of life coming suddenly to an end, or release from a situation in which you were stuck.

I say: So true. I saw people in a totally different light, and I'm much wiser about who to trust now. In a way, it really is a release. A release from my naive way of thinking that most people out there have good intentions, when its really the reverse.

Present: The Magician
The Book says: This card suggests a time of action, creative initiative, skill and potential in abundance. The equipment needed is available but steps may not yet have been taken towards achievement of the goal. A great reserve of power and energy is available; it is up to the seeker to decide how it is to be used.

I say: Yes.. I know I have to study hard now.. You don't have to remind me every few minutes, alright...

Future: Justice

The Book says: In a reading, Justice stands for the need to weigh things up, to find fair and rational solutions, for reason and thought to override emotions, although at times Jutice might need to be tempered with mercy. In short, it stands for the need for a balanced mind.

I say: We'll only fight fair with those who fight fair. Mercy for him? Most unlikely. Perhaps in a verrrrry verrrrry distance future.

All of Archuleta's Singapore Interview

Ellen and JHud sing!