Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Imprinting memories

If I could revisit that place of spell-binding enchantment, I would photograph again every little detail and store them in the secret vault of memories ... 



The pretty colours of joy








The melancholic shades of the past 









Hues of emotion 









The delicious flavour of excitement 





The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page - St. Augustine


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Waiting on fairy tales

I'm the girl 
Who smiles when she's unsure 
Laughs when she's afraid


Who waits on fairytales 
but slays her own dragons

Perhaps one day I'll find my own 


Tuesday, April 05, 2011

I miss ..

The crispy pages of a well read book,
The thrill of flipping pages after pages chasing after intriguing plots ...
The time to do nothing but indulge in fantasy lands and imaginary worlds ...
The hunt for a sneaky culprit nestled within the pages of a mystery novel ..
The strive and frustration of heros and heroines ...
The anticipation of opening a new book and
The sad farewell to well acquainted characters ...










Reading , oh joy ! 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

SAT Fever




Doing research as a day job at a University definitely has its perks and set backs. It's been great being able to be a part of a dynamic research team, and as frustrating as 'directionless' results may be at times, it is undeniable that the work itself is rewarding. 

Exams are around the corner for the undergrads and foundation students here. All this brings me back to the sweet sweet days of having to prepare for my pre-U exams. Looking back now, it all seems really bittersweet. The combination of late night ups, punctuated with the collective groans and moans of having to battle stacks of notes brings a smile now when I glance back at the past. How I wish I had ACT Tutoring to lighten the burden. Personalized tutoring does sound interesting ! 




It is undeniable that education plays an important part in our lives. Without a solid foundation, one may dream the dream, but lack the wings to fly... 

Friday, March 04, 2011

The Shape I'm In

It's amazing how much wallowing in self-pity can get addictive.
And then life hits you on the head,
And you wake up to see that the world really isn't as bad as your diva-ways and over-reactive imagination tells you.

Speaking of which.
I've recently rekindled with an old flame.
How could I ever have forgotten my love for all things country ....







I'm going to stop dwelling in the past, or fretting about the future. It's all about learning to live in the present now. Thanking God for the things I have, not focusing on the things I don't. As much as I wish I could change the past at times, you can't deny that it's the past that shapes the present and the present determines the future. 

Friday, February 18, 2011

Somewhere

" So, are you contented ? "
"Yes, yes I am "

White lies come so easily with adequate practice.




Maybe I'm too quiet. 
Adapt. Adapt. Adapt they say. At times I just want to be me. 
Accepted because I'm me. 



Maslow figured out that everyone needs to belong.
I'm sure that somewhere out there, I'll find a place to be content.

Thursday, February 03, 2011

Mind Blowing !

This is definitely THE group to look out for ! They're really unique and it's been on replay on my playlist for some time now ..... Hope you'll like it as much as I do.... there's really no better way to usher in the New Year than with tunes as unique as these. No, actually, it's a much musical tong-tong-chiang ! in my opinion :p 



Happy Rabbit New Year !!

So it's been a while since I last updated this place. This can mostly be attributed to a serious pandemic of the lazy-bones but hopefully with the unveiling of the new lunar year, things will change. *crosses fingers* 

I cannot for the life of me figure out what to write as my first ever post for the new year, so instead, here's wishing you all a wonderful year ahead. May prosperity, health and joy be ever present in your lives and let Fun be a trustworthy sidekick !! 

Hugs and kisses all around. See y'all soon :)


Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Strength

I am strong
I am strong
I am strong





Who am I kidding ?

Au revoir...

Thursday, December 02, 2010

The Good Die Young

A friend of mine passed away last night. If anything it's proof of the fragility of life and the difference that a second could make. 

It's so often that we read about yet another accident. Yet another young life. We mourn, oh yes we do. We mourn for a life cut short, for aspirations lost and potential buried. But then household chores beckon, life calls, and then we forget. All because those facts, figures, names and places mean nothing. Abstract. But no, these alphabets strung together to create a name on print and paper lived. That faceless name laughed with friends and family, he had dreams, he had goals. But life spins its cruel web and blows out the flame. 

Two years ago today I lost a brother. At times like these there are no comforting words, no justification. There are only prayers for strength, and making a conscious effort to ensure that every second in one's life is used to the fullest, lived to the highest and filled with as much joy as possible before the fickle candle of life gets snuffed out. 

For him and for you I dedicate this poem : 

Until We Meet Again

Anon


Each morning when we awake
we know that you are gone.
And no one knows the heartache
As we try to carry on.



Our hearts still ache with sadness
and many tears still flow.
What it meant to lose you,
No one will ever know.



Our thoughts are always with you,
your place no one can fill.
In life we loved you dearly,
In death we love you still.



There will always be a heartache,
and often a silent tear,
But always a precious memory
Of the days when you were here.



If tears could make a staircase,
And heartaches make a lane,
We'd walk the path to heaven
And bring you home again.



We hold you close within our hearts,
And there you will remain,
To walk with us throughout our lives
Until we meet again.



Our family chain is broken now,
And nothing will be the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again. 








Friday, November 19, 2010

Venezia

I'm sure a lot of you are sick of me going on and on about Venice now but I promise this is the last post on it ... These are some of my favourite pictures 



*sigh*


*sigh sigh*


*sigh sigh sigh *



I have an obsession for doors ... as you will all soon discover ... 


Gondolier ! 


Gondola !! Both equally pleasing to the eye I might add .... 


Cartier ! And I had just come out of a church nearby thus the quick-fix scarf ....  


Golden lights .... so warm and fuzzily romantic 


I love statues ! Whee ! kiss kiss ! 

Fragile




The little island of Murano is one of intrigue, mystery and subtle wonder. I mentioned going to Venice in the last post. What I left out was that I also had to chance to take a water taxi over to the island of Murano where I was simply spellbound !! I mean, just look at it ! It's vibrant and sassy and colourful and everything about it screams life and joy. 

Murano island is also infamous for its glass. In fact, it's world renowned as a glass paradise. From fragile, intricate trinkets and knick knacks to bold, brazenly attractive ornamental pieces, the glass blowers and craftsmen have it all ! Being typically female, it was the glass jewelry that ultimately caught my eye. It fills you with wonder just looking at the designs that these skilled designers come up with. To say the least, I felt like a little kid in Wonderland. And psst, I got more than a few Murano pendants back as souvenirs. As much as I left little pieces of my heart there, I cherished the opportunity to bring home a little trinket encapsulated with wondrous memories.

Oh yes I definitely fell in love with Murano and the Venetian Lagoon. 



Stay tuned for more :) 

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

*shrugs*

I want too many things in life. Way way too many things. It's time to
Stop.
Breathe.
Pray.




Sneak peek at Venice ... where I left little bits of my heart in quaint trattorias and narrow alleys .. 

Friday, November 12, 2010

Le Affair

I've been shamelessly stalking,
Skulking and lurking in the shadows,
Plagued with sleepless nights,

Eyes sparkling, 
Fingers itching, 
All senses on alert, 
Is this what they call *gasp* love ? 


Oh, what is it about books that makes my heart race so ?

I guess the thing I miss most is
The euphoria of being surrounded by books, books and more books,
The wild, rampant desire to just possess and possess,
And the unspoken understanding of being in the midst of kindred spirits,
All feeding on the same lust for paper and ink

Oh, my big bad wolf,
I wish and wish that I could huff and puff my way there,
Little piggy or not,
I'm signed, sealed, and delivered
to my fate of being love-bound, smitten and irrevocably obsessed with you ....

I am against using emoticons but this is a HUGE exception
MUMMY I WANNA GO !  ( ohmigosh-i-hope-no-prospective-employer-reads-this!!!!)
T.T .... T.T ..... T.T !!!!!!!!!!!


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Carpe Diem

There's just something so poetically beautiful about the simplicity of this song.

Why must we all wait till someone tells us we're at the end of our time before we learn to just seize the dang day



I want this.
I want everlasting.
I want no more talk of the future and endless promises.
I want the present.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

This One's for You

This is a post for one of the bestest people I've ever known. Perhaps somewhere in the milky way you'll come across this, From Me to You ........................

It's been almost a month since you've left. I haven't talked to anyone about this because how exactly does one go about telling someone about this emptiness in one's heart ? It's not something you discuss over a cup of coffee. Or something to pick up the phone and bawl over. How can it hurt to think about you and hurt even more not to think about you ? 

Days pass and I'm reminded of you. At times I smile, at times I laugh, at times a stray tear finds its way down my cheek. Thinking back, you've been able to do that all my life. 

I'll miss :

  • listening to your stories. You peppered my childhood with tales of war, love, sacrifice, laughter.
  • the way you chuck me under the chin although I'm no longer 5
  • the way you taught me cursive writing
  • quiet afternoons reading with you
  • rainy days listening to you playing the piano
  • running to your room during thunderstorms
  • and every time someone bullied me
  • how you laugh at my bad Hokkien , 'ang moh kia' you called me 
  • kissing you good night, me telling you to "Please shave ! " 
  • chocolates for Christmas
  • dancing on your toes 
  • pork bean soups
  • suppers with you 

You were always the first person I saw when I came back from school. You tied my hair for me when grandma could no longer do it, and I'm sorry I sulked whenever you didn't do it right. You were babysitter, designated driver, personal cook, bodyguard, advisor, confidante and best friend. All that and you never forced me to finish my vegetables ..... 

I guess that's the reason why the word 'grand' is there in grandpa




" I want to see you graduate, be at your graduation. I really do " 
" Christmas. I'll be back. Wait for me. I promise. " 

I never told you this, but you're the apple of my eye too. 

Sunday, October 10, 2010

I just wanna have some fun
Is that wrong ?

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

*insert clever title*

Deja vu :
I see my dreams flying out the window.
How many times has this got to happen before I learn
STOP dreaming.
Reality sucks

Saturday, September 04, 2010

I pray

Today I pray not for myself. I'm dedicating this post to the people who need a little prayer now and then. A little boost in their day, a lift in their spirit and a spring in their steps.

Today I pray for people like Kristian Anderson and his family.
Today I pray for the earthquake victims in New Zealand.
Today I pray for peace
Today I pray for calm, strong hearts
Today I'll pray for you
Amen



Rachel's Birthday Video from Kristian Anderson on Vimeo.