DAY 3 - Rope, Ropes & more Ropes!

Today started out as a rather relaxing day. Or so it seemed. It was our day for R&R. The Youth Communist Party was taking our team of volunteers out to visit their Botanical Garden. As for myself, I was planning to run some errands. I wanted to hunt for 8 – 10 mm cotton rope for my Magic II class. Sheesh… You would think that I’d be able to purchase it in Singapore right? Well, you can’t. I can only find nylon rope in Singapore and it wasn’t cheap either. Nowadays, it seems as though everything is made in China. So might as well try to find it since I’m here.

We went to many places but to no avail. I was sure that in such a big place like Shenyang, they were bound to have what I was looking for. We just had to find the right place. Finally! After searching the whole morning, some one pointed us to the right direction. Where we went, I do not have a clue. It looked like a small street behind a wholesale district, with many little shophouses. Oh well!

Yea!! They do have the rope which I was looking for. But oh my goodness! It was such a mess. They chucked a huge messy bundle of rope on the ground and told me - This is 150meters. For people who sell rope, they sure don’t know how to handle rope. It took them 30 minutes to try to recoil the rope, just to end up more tangled than when they started. Look at the mess they were making. I had no choice but to step in and lend a hand.

Initially, I was quite amused at the situation. It got old pretty quickly and the smile on my face soon dissapeared. By the time we were done, it was already close to 4pm. We spent the whole day searching for ropes. All I wanted to do was to enjoy what was left of one and only R&R day.

DAY 2 - REFLECTION

Today wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. (phew!) When I was introduced, I came out and performed a short rope routine before starting that days session. I kinda froze for awhile after I performed. But I really need to thank God that I was able to overcome my fear. Strangely, after I did my welcome speech and asked for their kind understanding as I hardly speak Chinese back home… somehow everything went much better, as though a great burden was lifted from my shoulders. Words seemed to roll off the tip of my tongue.

That's me performing the mind reading act in chinese!! I'm still in shock. ;)

Actually, teaching the Liaoning university students was a lot of fun. I realize that magic transcends all languages. They really seemed to dig learning magic. But most importantly, teaching them magic was easy cos’ I had a great team behind me helping me all the way. Daniel Gan, our other Project SMILE trainer and magic enthusiast, was standing on stage with me the entire time just in case I got stuck and needed some assistance. Also, our volunteers were spread out, 2 to a group to help facilitate the university students learning. Check out how serious they all look during their debrief session. They really made my job a breeze!

After a 3 hour class, I was seriously tired and had a splitting headache. I had NEVER spoken as much Chinese as I did in that one session. It was a major overload of Chinese for me. Though tiring, I also had an immense sense of satisfaction. One of my goals this year was to proficient in Chinese, so as to help my dad teach magic in China. And even though this does not make me an expert in Chinese, it has helped me start this process of reaching my goal.

“A goal is a dream with a deadline.”

DAY 2 - TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!

What on earth am I doing?? I can’t imagine that in less than 3 hours I’m going to have to stand in front of 100 University students and teach them magic in CHINESE!! Was was I thinking when I agreed to do this? I only speak Chinese while performing the Magic Of Love. I had never held a conversation in Chinese before, let alone teach and interact in Chinese. I know I’ve been preparing for this, and this was also one of my goals for this year. BUT…

[pacing up and down] 欢迎大家来参于触爱社会服务的欢乐魔术…
Arrggghhh! Can’t seem to ease my nerves.

Aiyah… whatever will be will be.

SHENYANG - DAY 1

Arrived in Shenyang today. 30 volunteers, including myself flew on China Southern airlines, with a quick transit at Guangzhou. Check out the gate number on our ticket versus what was on the signboard. Hmm… wasn’t sure whether we’d arrive at the right destination. :)

I was surprised at the welcome we received at the airport. The Shenyang delegates had a big banner prepared to welcome us, and they also gave me a huge bouquet of flowers. (Seriously, taking pictures upon arrival is not the best idea. Felt so grubby... oh well!)

We were immediately ushered to a dinner prepared in our honor.

Good food... Good friends… It was really was a good start to the trip. Starting classes tmr. I’d better get some shut eye.

PROJECT SMILE IS GOING TO SHENYANG FOR A SECOND TIME!

Let me give you all some background information –

Last year, my dad and I went to Shenyang with 10 volunteers from Singapore to engage with the youth via Project SMILE. My dad taught magic classes for 3 days and on the 4th day, we brought the entire team to serve in an elderly home in the city. Five major TV stations were there to cover the event.

My dad, Lawrence was extended an invitation to come back this year to conduct more magic classes and to speak to the youths on leadership and other youth related issues. What an opportunity!

Back to real time. We have been invited back to conduct Project SMILE aka for 100 university students all over Liaoning. These students come from more than 20 different universities, coming together to take part in a Singapore and Liaoning exchange program, which Project SMILE is a part of. Not only will we be conducting Project SMILE classes, but my dad will be using magic to give a speech about life, to the university students in Dongbei University and Shenyang Technological University. This will really be a first of its kind!

Normally, I wouldn’t get excited about conducting Project SMILE classes overseas, as my dad usually does most of the work. I’m just his ‘blonde’ assistant. However this time, I’m supposed to be the MAIN TRAINER. Hoo boy! This could end up being a very painful experience for both me and my students. I plan to blog this whole experience, so stay tuned. Will unravel how everything goes…

Passionate about Magic?

A question that I have to answer for myself. I guess for a lot of you… you’ve just graduated from Project SMILE class. And you do have a genuine interest, but not sure if it’s just a phase or will it be a permanent part of your life.

I’ve been teaching magic alongside my dad since 2002. (At that time I was just his assistant) And I’ve seen many people who picked up magic and like us… have made it a permanent part of our lives. My brother Daniel & my cousin Chris are no exception. I guess Magic does run in the family. *grinz* Apart from family members, many others have caught the magic bug. It might sound strange… but learning and performing magic becomes a way of life.

For example, Over the weekend I met Kenneth & Jonathan from the recent Intermediate Magic class I am teaching.

Kenneth was attending the S-L class on Saturday, which I was there as a facilitator. He & I were doing the same thing – we were both carrying around our manipulation ball and were keeping our fingers occupied by constantly twirling it around our fingers, trying to keep them limber and agile.

On Sunday, I met Jonathan at church. (No surprise there since Eileen – Jon’s wife and I are from the same group.) Anyway, the first thing that he said to me was… “Can you show me again how to turn the ball in this manner?”

I was psyched that I wasn’t the only person obsessed with practicing magic. I’ve been carrying my multiplying balls with me EVERYWHERE and practicing all the time. What do I practice? Well, nowadays… I’ve been intent on working on my ball manipulation. Not just the multiplying portion but general sleight of hand. So I try to palm a ball when doing all activities. (well, except for when I’m typing with both hands… the ball is small but not that small.)

I remember that Jeff McBride once told me, “MAGIC = PASSION + PRECISION”
He is right! (Ohh… that sounds like an entire topic itself. Will develop more about that) My dad loves magic, and he watches at least one new magic DVD everyday. Till now, that itself amazes me. He is so busy constantly, but he always makes time to watch and learn new magic. He has made learning magic both a passion and a key priority in his life. I envy his passion.

It must be great to be so passionate about something. I’ve still been developing in this area. I enjoy watching magic, but for that to be a form of relaxation… I dunnoe… still skeptical.

As for me, I do like magic. But like us all… we get contented with what we do would and find ourselves in our own comfort zone. I have been very contented to doing illusions and performing the same card tricks, same close up sleights that I already know. BUT, you all inspire me. As you desire to learn more magic, I too want to continue developing my magic and move out into my comfort zone >> Develop more magic routines, learn new technique… a basically grow together as a community. *yeah!*

This is what I am working on now – A good multiplying ball routine. I hope to perform in when I am in Shenyang at the end of May. And will definitely perform it at the next Magic Circle meeting. Seeya all there!!

! Reminder !
Next Magic Circle Meeting – 8 JUNE, 7:30pm
(open only for Project SMILE graduates)

Intermediate Magic Class > what's that about?

Just had our first session of the Intermediate Magic Class. It was great! (from my perspective anyway) How did you guys find it?? Let me know k!

For all of you who weren’t able to join this round of classes due to the class being filled… Don’t worry. There will definitely be another round of classes, but it’ll definitely be after June. *grinz* We will keep you posted via our monthly newsletter.

So what is this Intermediate Magic Class all about?? Is it just learning more tricks?? Let me tell you all about it. I’m totally psyched about it. Initially, it was a response to people who wanted to learn more magic. So, I decided to put together a class with the follow objectives.

♠ To introduce you all to a world of sleights.
♥ To help you put up a 5-10 minute mini show aka “Parlor Magic”
(Check out the article about Parlor Magic)
♣ To create more platforms for you to serve the community via magic.
♦ To have fun and totally go nuts with magic!

My friend Eugene helped me find this clip online. It’s one of the tricks that I teach in this Intermediate class. It’s sort of a preview of what you will learn in this Magic II class.
-> For all my current students...check it out!!

Hope you guys are practicing your magic. I look forward to seeing you guys performing for the class (as per what we do before learning more incredible magic.)

Ciao for now!