That werks

After a long and tiring day, we made our way past well dressed young people. I was a little bit conscious of the brief stares and puzzled looks at our bag packs, shorts, t-shirts and sandals, our dishevelled hair, oily skins and wearied faces. But all that went away when the friendly staff greeted us, accommodated our request for the bigger table with the bigger cushion seatings, and didn't blink an eye when all we ordered were...

I'm no beer drinker, but I have to admit that when you're sweaty, hot and tired, a good beer is a godsend.

You can literally hear the chorus of angels going "Arhh~~"

If you're wondering which microbrewery we went to.

To clarify, it wasn't my idea to go for that beer. Credit goes to the other drinker. ^^

Blessed with friends

I wonder why I felt so tired of people?

Today I've been surprisingly blessed by friends!

Friends who are unquestioning, understanding, and gentle in their boisterous manners.

Friends who encourage simply by listening and pointing you towards the better perspectives.

Friends who simply laugh when you whine and complain because they know that complaining is temporary.

Today I truly repent for the negativeness, and ask for forgiveness for the cynicism.

The dark haze has passed and I can see truly again, and be simply thankful and grateful.

Too many people to please

After checking out of the chalet, I thought I was free to rest and relax at home.

Then I realised after receiving a sms that I had arranged to meet a couple of friends and a teacher, which I had forgotten because I lost track of the days while at the chalet.

Then in the evening was a dinner spent with friends talking about music, which ended on a slightly disturbing note upon a good friend's slightly negative reaction to my decision to teach.

Musing on the way home, on a crowded train, a thought suddenly dawned upon me - there were a lot of people in my life to please. Not that I have to put up a false front to please others. But more of keeping up with other people's pace, learning to accept differences, and learning to be sociable when it's just easier to retreat inwardly and keep to oneself. Maybe I'm too used to being alone and not having to contend with other people's presence. And when I'm thrust into the midst of society, I'm reminded that there are many, many people in my life.

1. The friends at the chalet.

2. The friends from uni. (not to mention the different factions of uni friends)

3. The music friends.

As I walked home, at a late hour at night, I added another group of people to please in my life.

4. My family.

On the weekend, there will yet be another group of people to please.

5. Church friends.

Next year when I start working, yet another group.

6. Colleagues and superiors.

Is it any wonder how exhausted people are? Simmel's optimistic view that only the city living individual experiences true freedom really seems applicable to me right now, typing in my own room, in a mercifully darkened house (because my parents are asleep).

Tomorrow, there's only one person to please. ^_______^

Spring Cleaning

Spring cleaning, to me, is a little like coming to terms with who I really am. The accomplishments, the failures, the little joys and little demons, old dreams, new dreams, old ideals, present ideals, ideals that never bore fruit, ideals that burst forth and changed me, bad habits, good habits, old habits and new habits.

When I face myself from all that collection of nicknacks, odds and ends, I am reminded that to move on, I must free myself from all that clutter and look towards the future.

It's a little bit hard, getting rid of the old stuff. I end up remembering old emotions. Lingering in the past, finding it harder and harder to let go... till I resign and tell myself to just keep it - and think, "I'll always be like that." And then the defiance sets in, "what's wrong with being like that?"

But I'm reminded of my resolve: unless I de-clutter my life, how can I be free to move on? It's a bit of taking a break, a stop point. To take stock of who I really am. And when I stop, I stop blaming myself. Stop taking pride in the past. Just stop.

And finally when all is swept away: the dust, the grime, and the clutter, I can go.

Hermes window display

One for the blog before I leave for Muar.

I wonder if this could be art?

More from here: Stunning Video Installation

I've got the Wave

Cool! I've got Google Wave! Unfortunately, my contacts who also have the wave are not exactly people who I always work with or correspond frequently with. Hopefully with the invitations I sent out, we can test it out. ^^

In 25 Hours

In 25 Hours, I will move on. Impatiently waiting for it. Maybe I should enjoy my last 25 hours.