This post is inspired by one of Pinkie's posts.
The context: I came home this evening and a bowl of soup for me, prepared by my mother.
***
Back at home
A bowl of soup
Simple and warm
Yet full of love
Little things
Does matter
Simple thoughts
Does count
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Yearning for Retreat
A long tiring day
That has worn the body and the soul
Would it be too much
To ask for a retreat
In the arms of the river?
(Photo of the Singapore River, dedicated to JY.)
Monday, November 07, 2005
Ixora
Come by and smell the flowers
Forget the pains of growing temporarily
Arrive in a tropical land
Find yourself in a garden of ixora
Just live
Be carefree
Even if the moment is short-lived
A treasured moment will last
Forever in our hearts
***
(To read more about the Ixora: http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/ixora.htm)
QLC
Thanks to taking some time away from blogging, I have managed to find a bit more time to read. Last Saturday, a book caught my notice when I was at the library. I borrowed it and found myself reading it.
The title: Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties, authored by: Alexandra Robbins, Abby Wilner.
If you are fast enough, QLC, the acronymn of the title of this post refers to Quarter-life Crisis. If this terminology is new to you, Wikipedia has a page about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter-life_crisis.
As I read the book, I wonder if I might have been going through some kind of quarter-life crisis to some extent? I wonder if those periods of intense questioning and that I have been going through were symptoms of QLC?
Not all that the book says apply to me. I doubt that all that the book says would be fully relevant contextually to people living in this part of the world that I am living in because of the cultural and environmental differences. Out of curiosity, I wonder how QLC would be experienced differently in this part of the world?
While not all in the book apply to my situation, it seems to be comforting and at least normalising, to find that those questions in my mind could be simply normal to this phase of life that I am in. And if it helps to share with the folks who might be going through QLC unknowingly, here is a post to put a name to their experiences and to attempt to normalise it.
By the way, this page gives some idea about how to deal with QLC:
http://www.handbag.com/relationships/yourlife/haveitallpressure/
Pleasant reading.
The title: Quarterlife Crisis: The Unique Challenges of Life in Your Twenties, authored by: Alexandra Robbins, Abby Wilner.
If you are fast enough, QLC, the acronymn of the title of this post refers to Quarter-life Crisis. If this terminology is new to you, Wikipedia has a page about it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter-life_crisis.
As I read the book, I wonder if I might have been going through some kind of quarter-life crisis to some extent? I wonder if those periods of intense questioning and that I have been going through were symptoms of QLC?
Not all that the book says apply to me. I doubt that all that the book says would be fully relevant contextually to people living in this part of the world that I am living in because of the cultural and environmental differences. Out of curiosity, I wonder how QLC would be experienced differently in this part of the world?
While not all in the book apply to my situation, it seems to be comforting and at least normalising, to find that those questions in my mind could be simply normal to this phase of life that I am in. And if it helps to share with the folks who might be going through QLC unknowingly, here is a post to put a name to their experiences and to attempt to normalise it.
By the way, this page gives some idea about how to deal with QLC:
http://www.handbag.com/relationships/yourlife/haveitallpressure/
Pleasant reading.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Paths crossed by
Maybe there is a reason
For our paths to cross each others
And soon found ourselves
Anchoring at the same pier
Yet we know
We head different destinations
Different routes to pursue
Different winds to guide our paths
When it's time to bid farewell
Parting may not be easy
But holding together
Isn't the answer either
Letting go and sending each other wishes
For a fulfilling journey
For boats are meant to travel
And not stay at one very spot
The world is round
And when the time comes
Distant it may be
Our paths may cross once more
It was Friday
4 Nov 05:
- This is one of my friend's birthday. Happy Birthday to her.
- It was a quiet day at the office. The day before 4 Nov 05 was a public holiday and many have taken leave from work.
One of my colleagues won a prize in a contest. She was very generous and used part of the pize (in the form of vouchers) to get us some confectionery and chocolates. Here's a note of thanks to her, if she were ever to read this.
- After work, I took a taxi to rush to the university. There was a double bass recital held at the Conservatory of Music. I was a little late and had missed the first two items. I could only enter after the second item was over. Good thing I managed to get a seat for the event.Here's thanking Emily for reserving a seat for me.
I like the playing by the piano accompanist. Her playing supports the double bass soloist's playing.
The recital gave me a chance to listen to double bass music live. I wish I could play as good as some of the players. Well, practise and good practise might be one of the keys to good playing?
Last but not the least, here's thanking the players and the organisers for the recital.
- After the recital, Emily and myself headed to the Food Republic at Wisma Atria for dinner. The green tea pudding from the dessert stall tastes nice, but one should eat it together with the red beans that are served with it.
By the way, it was quite interesting to see the ice-cream seller pushing the ice-cream push-cart around the premises so as to make it convenient for customers to buy ice-cream from him.
I quite like the concept of this eating place, and it would have been more ideal if there were more seats and if there were greater spaces between the seats for people to move more freely about.
- That's what I have to say about the Friday.
- This is one of my friend's birthday. Happy Birthday to her.
- It was a quiet day at the office. The day before 4 Nov 05 was a public holiday and many have taken leave from work.
One of my colleagues won a prize in a contest. She was very generous and used part of the pize (in the form of vouchers) to get us some confectionery and chocolates. Here's a note of thanks to her, if she were ever to read this.
- After work, I took a taxi to rush to the university. There was a double bass recital held at the Conservatory of Music. I was a little late and had missed the first two items. I could only enter after the second item was over. Good thing I managed to get a seat for the event.Here's thanking Emily for reserving a seat for me.
I like the playing by the piano accompanist. Her playing supports the double bass soloist's playing.
The recital gave me a chance to listen to double bass music live. I wish I could play as good as some of the players. Well, practise and good practise might be one of the keys to good playing?
Last but not the least, here's thanking the players and the organisers for the recital.
- After the recital, Emily and myself headed to the Food Republic at Wisma Atria for dinner. The green tea pudding from the dessert stall tastes nice, but one should eat it together with the red beans that are served with it.
By the way, it was quite interesting to see the ice-cream seller pushing the ice-cream push-cart around the premises so as to make it convenient for customers to buy ice-cream from him.
I quite like the concept of this eating place, and it would have been more ideal if there were more seats and if there were greater spaces between the seats for people to move more freely about.
- That's what I have to say about the Friday.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
Simplicity and Delight
There is a need for a voice, perhaps as a mean to connect and to be understood.
Where total uninvolvement may not be the answer, slowing down one's pace may be however.
***
In the ups and downs of life, maybe simplicity and delight may warm one's heart?
Above: A sculpture found outside the Asian Civilisation Museum - Armenian Street, Singapore.
The little girl spotted a familiar looking face in the direction that she's waving to, and she smiles with delight. Life that is simple has its own beauty.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Sail away
Taking a break. I shall refrain from posting for the next couple of days, or perhaps the next week or so.
Anyway, with the maintenance that will be going on with Blogger, I have no wish to compete with the maintenance work for writing space.
Will miss you folks. Meantime, please take good care.
River in the Morning
Fresh air and cool breezes.
Singapore River in the morning, at about 8.30 a.m.
Enjoy the tranquility this hour has to offer.
This is perhaps the reward for early-risers.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Beautiful Merlion
If anyone were to visit Singapore, it would be nice to take a photo with the Merlion. In this post, you will find photographs that I have taken during one of my recent walks.
The current location of the Merlion is at the Merlion Park, next to One Fullerton. It is quite a nice walk to walk from the Esplanade Park to the Merlion Park.
Read this site to know more about the Merlion and its significance:
http://app.stb.com.sg/asp/form/form01.asp
Searching for life
Singapore River, featuring Cavenagh Bridge
The inner world already gloomy
May not need more blues
One's world is without life
But the world outside may be bustling with life.
Maybe there is delight
To look outside?
Hoping to borrow some life
To revitalise
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
A place to retreat
Away from the crowds
Where the skies are blue
White clouds lend shades
And soothing breezes whistled
A nearby spring
Where clear water flows
The sounds of water
Churn out music that dances
The only need is to live authentically
In this land where conventions do not hold
Good-will prospers
And there's little place for pretence and defenses
Flowers blossom
Bees and butterflies gather
Four seasons come and go
Each with wonders of its own
Quieten the mind
Hear the voices of the heart
Away from distractions
To retreat in a place, maybe my own?
Where the skies are blue
White clouds lend shades
And soothing breezes whistled
A nearby spring
Where clear water flows
The sounds of water
Churn out music that dances
The only need is to live authentically
In this land where conventions do not hold
Good-will prospers
And there's little place for pretence and defenses
Flowers blossom
Bees and butterflies gather
Four seasons come and go
Each with wonders of its own
Quieten the mind
Hear the voices of the heart
Away from distractions
To retreat in a place, maybe my own?
Let there be Peace
This is the sculpture titled Let there be Peace which I saw at the Singapore Art Museum a few weeks ago. The sculptor of this work is Alexandra Nechita.
Explanatory notes are found below, click on the photo to enlarge:
More photos of the Singapore Art Museum can be found at: Different Angles of Singapore Art Museum
A shop newly opened
About slightly more than a week ago, I was the Esplanade Mall and I realised that this shop named Frank Brothers Violins has been opened.
I went in to check if there were any double bass related items there. There was none. The shop's personnel politely told me that the shop has just opened and might be more euipped with more items the following week. Then I was asked to write my contact details and my request down. The shop personnel were probably Thais, and it took me a while to understand them in English. But I could not deny that they have been courteous, attentive and friendly.
Soon enough, someone from the shop called me a week later to inform me that the shop has a double bass bow available. When I was there, I saw an intermediate level double bass bow. It felt alright, and looked fine. But I had no idea how it would feel when I use it to bow across the strings of the double bass. So I asked if I could pay for the bow, test it out, and if I felt it did not suit me, I could exchange for another one. Quite unexpectedly, the shop personnel agreed without hesitation. That in some way assured me to purchase the bow without too much hesitation. I needed a double bass bow in case I have to return the one that was loaned to me.
The shop was very new and did not have packing boxes of the right size to pack the double bass bow in. The shop personnel, likely the manager, was so thoughtful to lend me one of the double bass bow cases without question asked. I was thinking, what makes him such a trusting person? I am reliable, but I don't know about some others. But it was good service, because I would have rather carried the double bass bow home safely in a bow-case than to just have it carried home wrapped in mere paper packaging. It was safer.
Casually, I told him I have a few of those same kind of bow-cases at home but had trouble finding someone to repair the zips of the bow-cases for me when the zips went faulty with long period of use. He then told me that he might know of someone in Thailand who might be able to help in that, and offered to help. That was good news. It was certainly more environmental-friendly if I were to repair the zip and could use the bow-case again than to throw those bow-cases and buy new ones.
Hopefully, shops like this which operates on the foundation of good-will and good service will be here to stay for good.
For now, I am still taking time to try out on the new bow. It has a much darker sound compared to the one that I used (but is on loan to me). I wonder if it was because of the rosin I have put on it, or if it was because it was not seasoned. Time will tell, I hope.
I went in to check if there were any double bass related items there. There was none. The shop's personnel politely told me that the shop has just opened and might be more euipped with more items the following week. Then I was asked to write my contact details and my request down. The shop personnel were probably Thais, and it took me a while to understand them in English. But I could not deny that they have been courteous, attentive and friendly.
Soon enough, someone from the shop called me a week later to inform me that the shop has a double bass bow available. When I was there, I saw an intermediate level double bass bow. It felt alright, and looked fine. But I had no idea how it would feel when I use it to bow across the strings of the double bass. So I asked if I could pay for the bow, test it out, and if I felt it did not suit me, I could exchange for another one. Quite unexpectedly, the shop personnel agreed without hesitation. That in some way assured me to purchase the bow without too much hesitation. I needed a double bass bow in case I have to return the one that was loaned to me.
The shop was very new and did not have packing boxes of the right size to pack the double bass bow in. The shop personnel, likely the manager, was so thoughtful to lend me one of the double bass bow cases without question asked. I was thinking, what makes him such a trusting person? I am reliable, but I don't know about some others. But it was good service, because I would have rather carried the double bass bow home safely in a bow-case than to just have it carried home wrapped in mere paper packaging. It was safer.
Casually, I told him I have a few of those same kind of bow-cases at home but had trouble finding someone to repair the zips of the bow-cases for me when the zips went faulty with long period of use. He then told me that he might know of someone in Thailand who might be able to help in that, and offered to help. That was good news. It was certainly more environmental-friendly if I were to repair the zip and could use the bow-case again than to throw those bow-cases and buy new ones.
Hopefully, shops like this which operates on the foundation of good-will and good service will be here to stay for good.
For now, I am still taking time to try out on the new bow. It has a much darker sound compared to the one that I used (but is on loan to me). I wonder if it was because of the rosin I have put on it, or if it was because it was not seasoned. Time will tell, I hope.
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