American Idol Season 7

Just needed to get some thoughts off my chest: David Cook is seriously overrated these few weeks. Good singer yes, but not when it comes to his interpretation of the songs. I had thought that the version of Billie Jean he performed was his own, but it turned out to be some other rock singer's version, so oops, doesn't deserve credit for originality there. Then it comes to Mariah week. He choose possibly my favourite Mariah song, and gave it his own twist. With nobody to copy, his own interpretation turned out to be bad, wasn't even enjoyable at all. Don't understand why the judges all so complimented him. Now Andrew Lloyd Webber week. Music of the Night, a great song to sing, but his version...so-so...nothing ventured nothing gained. Flat...that is all.

Jason Castro, well, not a very flexible singer. He can only be a folk singer, for a very small niche group I must say. The age of the hippies is over, so get with the flow. But I do not abandon the possibility of him staging a comeback for the hippies with his presence on American Idol. I might see more Whites spotting dreadlocks when I get to the States.

David Archuletta, the youngest of them all in the top 5. Well what can I say? Gotta admit he's a musical prodigy; always delivering awesome renditions of well-known songs and he sings well too. Looks like there is nothing more to say but crown him the winner. He stood the test of time and certainly won me over. Go Archuletta lol.

Syesha is really so underrated by America! What is wrong with these people?? Why do they constantly not vote for this amazing singer? I really cannot understand why. She did great during Mariah week (sang 'Vanishing', in my opinion the most sincere piece Mariah had ever written) and also during Lloyd Webber's week. Why was she in the bottom 2??

I'm rather sad that Carly has to leave, as she has always been good. Maybe she screams too much, or maybe there aren't many who are willing to vote for the Irish (about the same reason why Michael Johns got out). In any case, it was a poor poor decision not to keep her in the competition. Judging from who's left now, I wanna see Archuletta and Ricardo in the final 2.

Theater Studies TS1101E

I must say, this has got to be the best module that has happened to me. Not only is the content what I've always been interested in, the practicals are fun, the tutors fantastic, and the students wild. All that combined makes it a superb learning experience. Hell, I don't even feel that I'm taking a module; I feel like I'm just there to have fun.

Theory classes might be a boring experience for some, but with my tutor, Dr Bernard Turner, no classes can be boring. It might be his odd sense of humour, or the way he is so humanly fond of speaking, which adds an endearing trait to this tutor. He will too act out examples, much of which draws laughter from us. And to him, that proves his point.

Practicals have got to be the most fun. My tutor Nora Samosir looks somewhat familiar, and she'll have you know she is a veteran in the theater circle. The first lesson with her was rather intimidating, for she laid down the rules with much assertion, but the games that followed after were fun, and Ms Samosir showed herself to be just as cool and superb a tutor. Games are not just games in theater studies, as each aims to teach us a skill needed to perform in theater. Truly, 12 weeks of practicals are really not enough.

The Wonderful Class of Actors

I was lamenting that I didn't take TS1101E earlier, so that I may continue to level up with further related modules. Dr Turner mentioned that higher level modules do include cinematic elements, of which I am truly interested in. However, I have come to the end of my academic journey. But on the other hand I thought, hey, what better way to end it with such a big bang huh?