Only a few days in and things are already under way! I was so fortunate tonight to receive some amazing compliments from other musicians I know. They discussed with me how much my voice has improved and my style, presence and confidence also. It is so motivating to get such positive feedback from people who not only know what they are talking about, but who also have had the chance to see me perform since the very beginning here in Singapore and have supported me so greatly along the way.
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
45min Vocal Exercises Today I followed the 45 minute exercise/warm up CD my singing teacher made for me in order to warm up for my performance tonight.
A couple of quick videos and a very quick snapshot from my performance tonight. I had the joy of playing alongside my friend Dennis. As always, I am not allowed to be paid for any performing I do due to the restrictions of my employment, but I don't mind because I am doing it for the love of it :)
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #6
My usual Banana & Oatmeal Protein Shake but just 'to go' for my ride to work today!
...DAILY INSPIRATION...
Special thanks to my personal trainer Amir for this one!
It's amazing how much time flies when you are enjoying what you are doing. I seriously thought today was day 2! Hahaha. It was a great day for me today. I did SO much singing practice and I spent my evening shopping for my outfit for my first upcoming photo shoot and then making things for it. Hopefully it will all come together nicely and look cool. I also had the chance to skype with my gorgeous parents today and show them how my 'Look At Me Now' rap song is coming alone. It was definitely not as impressive as one could have hoped but I have definitely come a long way since the first attempt!...
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
4 hours Song Practice + another 1 hour Song Practice Songs Practiced; Family Affair, Last Friday Night (TGIF), Love You Like A Love Song, Marry You, Hey Ya, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Mr Saxobeat, Look At Me Now, Wonderwall,
GUITAR PRACTICE SESSION #1
40mins Guitar Practice
I worked on songs from my 4 Chord lesson book. For those of you that don't me, I am basically an absolute beginner and I am not yet able to play a single song. Maybe by the end of this challenge I will be able to!!
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #4
Back to my normal breakfast! 4 Hard Boiled Egg Whites, 1/2 cup Oatmeal w/ 1/2tbsp Flax Oil, 1/2 cup Strawberries & 1/2 tbsp Agavae Nectar, & a glass of French Earl Grey Tea!
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #5
Chicken, Green Beans & Broccoli in a Teriyaki Sauce.
...DAILY INSPIRATION...
I have come to realise that one of the only things that has been standing in my way is myself and my own fear of failure. I have realised that I have been holding myself back and it is now MY time to shine and to live life to the fullest. I am taking steps now towards dreams I was too scared to even acknowledge I wanted now because I was already failing by never trying and never pushing myself. What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?
It's hard to get back into the swing of this whole challenge after a break but it's excited to think of what the future could bring if I follow this challenge
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
35mins Song Practice Songs Practiced; Look At Me Now, Marry You, Love You Like A Love Song, Last Friday Night (TGIF), Hey Ya, I'll Be
PERSONAL TRAINER SESSION #1
2hrs 15mins - Strength Training - Shoulders
Amir murdered me today. The workout was so intense and so focussed on one area. As challenging as it was, I actually find it empowering to push my limits. It's not often that you realise how much easier the mind can give up and make you think you have had enough, when all it takes is to push through it and you can see what you are really made of.
Round 2 is now underway. I feel refreshed from my break and now I am ready to tackle the new challenges I have set for myself...
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
45mins Song Practice Songs Practiced; Look At Me Now (Rap), We Found Love, Love You Like A Love Song, Hey Ya, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
BODY CONDITIONING / FITNESS SESSION #1
20min Run + 30min walk (6.3km)
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #1
An Apricot & Almond health bar, a Banana & a large glass of Jasmine & Green Tea (not from starbucks, that's just my drink bottle at work)
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #2
A ham, lettuce, tomato & mayonaise sandwhich!
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #3
One of my tasty protein smoothies... 1/2 cup Oatmeal + 1tbsp Flaxseed + 1tbsp Agave Nectar + 1 scoop Protein Powder + 1 cup skim milk + 1 banana + 1tbsp natural peanut butter + pinch of cinnamon = delicious!
...DAILY INSPIRATION...
Before I came across the idea for this challenge, I was wondering how I would ever find a way to motivate myself and how I was going to push myself. I never expected to do something like this (let-alone twice!) and it has been the biggest unexpected blessing to my life. In one month alone, I achieved things I had said that I was WANTING to do for so long. I am dying to see where this next month takes me...
For those of you who have not already seen my first 30 days challenge... As a singer, your voice is not just the instrument, YOU are the instrument. The better you feel not only technically, but also physically and mentally, the more capable you are of giving a great performance. I originally 'borrowed' most of these rules from the Broadway Dance Centre's famous "Full-Voice Challenge" and tailored it suit my own needs and requirements in order to push myself towards becoming not only a more skilled and confident performer, but also a happier and healthier person. ROUND 1 was so successful for me that I decided I wanted to do a ROUND 2. I have changed up the rules this time so that I stay inspired and motivated and so I can ensure that I continue to grow and continue to learn!
THE 30 DAY VOICE CHALLENGE REQUIREMENTS
30 x DAILY VOCAL PRACTICE SESSIONS Min. 30mins per day of singing practice. You must write a brief 'Daily Practice Report' outlining what your practice session consisted of. 2 x VOICE LESSONS WITH A PROFESSIONAL VOCAL COACH Min. 60mins per session. Sessions must be documented with a 'sign-off' photo or video featuring you and your vocal coach.
5 x GUITAR PRACTICE SESSIONS Min. 30 mins of guitar practice. 3 x LIVE VOCAL PERFORMANCES YOU perform LIVE!!! You are to perform at least one song in front of a live audience on two separate occasions. Performances must be documented by photo or video. 2 x LIVE PERFORMANCE VIEWINGS Go out and see a live professional performance that INSPIRES you and post a photo of your ticket stub or program.
2 x YOUTUBE VOCAL COVERS Learn a new song, master it, and film yourself performing it and post it to YouTube.... The catch for ROUND 2!? One has to be in another language!
2 x PROFESSIONAL PHOTO SHOOTS Two seperate photo shoots in the style of your choice with a professional photographer.30 x HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEALS Fuel that hard working body!!! Take snap shots of some of your healthy food choices & post them.
8 x PERSONAL TRAINER SESSIONS Min. 60 mins in duration with the personal trainer of your choice. 12 x BODY CONDITIONING / FITNESS SESSIONS Min. 45 mins. Types of sessions can include but are not limited to; Personal Training, Workout DVDs, Zumba, Gym Group Classes (Step, Pump, Spin, BodyCombat, etc.), Yoga, Pilates, etc.
3 x DANCE CLASSES Min. 60 mins in a style of your choice 5 x CHARITABLE DEEDS / ACTS OF KINDNESS Pay it forward! Find 5 ways to give back to society and make someone's day. Document these acts via photo or video and post it on your blog.
***SIDE NOTE!
A few of you have asked me what my reward to myself was for completing the first 30 days!.... I ordered myself a pair of replica Christian Louboutin Gazolina Thigh-High Boots! I have been wanting these shoes for almost a year and finally I have something special to reward myself for! I will post a photo once they arrive!
I can't believe I made it! The 30 days passed by so quickly and I am hungry for more... But for now I have decided I need to take a short break to catch up on my studies for my Personal Trainer certification before I can continue with my challenge. Cassidy's 30 Day Voice Challenge - Round 2 will be starting in the very near future... but for now, I need to be a good girl and study!! This has been the most amazing journey already and I have accomplished so much in just 30 days. I completed all of the tasks in the challenge except for 1 vocal session and 2 fitness sessions. I planned to complete them today but I was just far too exhausted and not well so I had to just take it for what it was and focus on my achievements already. All in all I am very proud of my progress and my dedication over the past month. I can't wait for the next round so I can push myself even more!
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
30 mins Song Practice
Songs Practiced; Ombak Rindu (Malay) There is a new popular malay song that my friends have asked me to learn. It is such a nice song and it is challenging to learn seeing I don't understand or recognise the words but I am enjoying it very much and am excited to be able to perform it one day.
CHARITABLE DEED #5
As my final act of kindness for this round, I wanted to do something that was somewhat related to performing. After alot of thinking I realised that it really does not have to involve money to make someones day... I decided that performers are generally quite insecure and any positive feedback or encouragement is usually appreciated more than anyone could know. So, for my 5th charitable deed I decided to write all of the fellow performers in my greenroom an individual letter each about the great things I think of them and their performance. I have had endless genuine thank you's and it was such a rewarding feeling to have made people feel special and important, even if only for a moment.
BODY CONDITIONING / FITNESS SESSION #18
45min Zumba Exhilarate
...DAILY INSPIRATION...
Most of all I just want to send out a huge thank you to all of you who have taken the time to read my blog and who have given me your support and encouragement. I also wish the best of luck to my fellow challenge participants for their final few days in the challenge. Make every day count... :)
Today was such a productive day! I may just get everything done in time! Time to write the new rules for day 31-60!...
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
20mins Vocal Exercises
40mins Song Practice
50mins of Song Practice & Recording YouTube Cover Songs Practiced; Set Fire To The Rain, Slipping Away, Someone Like You, You Oughta Know, Ordinary People, Killing Me Softly
MY FIRST OFFICIAL YOUTUBE COVER!!!
Well here it is... my first official YouTube cover! It's very nerve wracking for me to do this because it does leave you feeling rather vulnerable... It's just you, the music and the camera and you are exposing yourself to an unlimited cyber audience that is full of both criticism and compliments... Unfortunately my video camera wasn't very consistent in the sound levels as it would pick up on my voice more in the louder areas and then in the softer parts the track's volume would increase. Either way I am pretty have with this as my first attempt and it has motivated me to definitely want to do more! This song really hits home for me and I feel it is such a greatly expressive song to sing. Hopefully you like it...
DANCE CLASS #4 - JAZZ
Once again I ended up at the Jazz class I took recently at Jitterbugs Swingapore. It was once again very basic but I am definitely enjoying the chance to work on my technique and push myself in a style that is completely opposite to what I am used to.
DANCE CLASS #5 - LYRICAL JAZZ
After the Jazz class, I stayed for the Lyrical Jazz class which was definitely a great deal more challenging. The teacher's choreography was very technical and classical, which is completely not up my alley but I am definitely glad I went and it helped me to learn some great new things! I can't believe I have actually been to 5 dance classes in the last month... I can't remember the last dance class I attended before this challenge.
CHARITABLE DEED #4
I got the idea for this off the internet and I thought it was actually pretty cool. I left a note on the vending machine in my condo with the exact change for a drink attached to it for someone to find and to enjoy a drink on me for free and to remind them they matter. I hope I managed to brighten someone's day...
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #29
One of my usual protein shakes... Oatmeal, natural peanut butter, flax seed, agavae nectar, vanilla protein, milk and cinnamon.
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #30
Lunch was a delicious sandwich/burger... 2 slices of ezekiel bread, tomato, lettuce, cooked onion, tomato sauce & a veggie patty... Ohhh so good!
