red

I don't know what struck me, all I know I'm in mood for red. I bought a red bandage skirt recently, and already I'm hunting for red shoes and red necklace.

Oh I'm prepared for some redness madness ahead ;)

Let Me Take You There

I know a place that we can go to

A place where no one knows you

They won't know who we are

I know a place that we can run to

And do those things we want to

They won't know who we are

Let me take you there

I wanna take you there

I know a place that we've forgotten

A place we won't get caught in

They won't know who we are

They won't know, won't know

I know a place where we can hide out

And turn our hearts inside out

They won't know who we are

Let me take you there

Take you there

Take you there

I know a place we'll be together

And stay this young forever

They won't know who we are

Let me take you there

Take you there

Take you there

We can get away to a better place if you let me
take you there

We can go there now cause every second counts

Girl just let me take you there

Take you there

a song by Plain White T's

Please, please do. Wherever it is.

My Sister's Keeper

If the only way to save your daughter was to sacrifice her sister, what would you do?


That is one tough question with even tougher answers, around which the storyline of My Sister's Keeper revolve.

I read this thoughtfully written novel by Jodi Picoult about a month ago. And I love reading it very much because this is not just another novel. It is impactful in its unique way - disappointing yet captivating - which was very carefully and rather naturally depicted through each of its characters.

Anyway, Davido and I watched the movie yesterday. The movie, although is based on Picoult's novel, shows a major deviation from the book. The ending is totally and utterly different, and not to mention there are some quite significant characters and parts in the book that are skipped in the movie, as well as there are some additional scenes in the movie that I did not recall reading it at all. Nonetheless, I think the changes were suitably made for the movie. I mean with the lack of the details that the book contains, it would be plainly too harsh and too depressing for the movie to adopt the same ending.

Despite the changes, the movie brought me (and other ladies in the theatre - I believe I heard muffled sobs now and then) into tears all the same. The part when Kate browsed through the scrapbook she made for her mother feeling guilty to everyone: "I don't mind my disease killing me, but it's killing my family, too." The part when Brian silently observed Kate all dressed up and was ready for the dance, when the pair of this father-daughter eyes met: "Do I look pretty, Daddy?" The part when they're all at the beach, emotionally reuniting as a family. The part when Sara browsed through the scrapbook from her daughter, finally letting go.

I say, if you've read the book, watch the movie. If you haven't, watch the movie - then read the book.

Happy Halloween!

Am staying in this Halloween night, watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. that has never ceased to make me laugh, while Davido is watching football online.

continue to part 2

This picture was taken last year. Time flies like an arrow, it surely does.

P.S. Trick or treat?

ring a bell?

At first, wait. Won't get it on a plate. You're gonna have to work for it harder and harder. And I know `cause I've been there before: knocking on the doors with rejections. Patience. Now frustration's in the air. Well, it's gonna get you down. And you'll fall. Yes, you will hit a wall, but get back on your feet and you'll be stronger and smarter. And I know `cause I've been there before: knocking down the doors, won't take no for an answer. Don't be embarrassed. Don't be afraid. Never give up. Never let it die. Trust your instincts, and most importantly you've got nothing to lose, so just go for it.

Today at work, I closed my very first three deals. It's not so much about the money, but it is the joyful satisfaction that matters - a lot. It's like getting an A+ when you felt you couldn't even make it to a B.

It's amazing.

It's amazing.

It's amazing,

makes my heart sing.

And with that, I rang the bell, and all of a sudden it became the most beautiful sound I've heard since a long time.

The 7 Wonders

(1) It’s a wonder,
Even without eyes, to see what naked eyes see not:
Close your eyes to truly see.
The open eye often looks to the past.
Our heart opens the inner eye opens, and looks deep
Into another: as I am so you are; as you are, so am I.

(2) It’s a wonder,
Even without ears, to listen to what prying ears fail to hear:
Don't just hear, but listen long
To the silence of the words, the stillness between the music.
For there can be no sense nor music without silence.
Above all, listen to your heart, yearning to be free.

(3) It’s a wonder,
Even without a nose, to smell what pointed noses fail to smell:
The true fragrance of love without walls,
Loving others as you would others love you.
They pass us by, all looking for love, but not knowing how,
Till the heart smiles, and beats in your outstretched hand.

(4) It’s a wonder,
Even without a tongue, to taste what flat tongues fail to taste:
The taste of freedom in true goodness,
Flowing like gushing rivers down mountains and valleys
Into the mingling mighty ocean,
Where water is simply called water.

(5) It’s a wonder,
Even without a body, to feel what the sensual body feels not:
The joy of inner stillness, when the body has had its fill.
To be kindly aware of your own body is like coming home,
A warm home that breathes every moment for you,
Till you are one with nirvana’s breath.

(6) It’s a wonder,
Even when troubled, to laugh at our sufferings and silliness,
And to teach others not to fall where you have fallen.
For, pain is our first teacher, and the last,
Before joy comes gently but firmly to hold our hands:
We have never suffered really, only we have not looked hard enough.

(7) It’s a wonder,
Even when unloved, to show love to the unloving;
For, only in giving love, do you have love.
Even when the other does not requite your love,
It is not your fault that one loves you not.
For, a greater love awaits you, but whose time is yet to come.

Ask me not what these words mean;
For only your heart will tell you;
Look deep into the stillness there
For what words fail to say.

© Piya Tan 2009

P.S. Thanks to dd for forwarding this to my email. May you be well and happy :)

get curled

What do Ashley Olsen and one type of pempek have in common?

That's right. Both of them are curly. And, are good in black (clothes for Ashley, sauce for the other).

Although, for obvious reasons, Ashley has a much more appealing appearance.

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike Ashley Olsen so I compare her with such ugly-looking food. In fact, I like her so much that I correlate her with such good-tasting food ;)

P.S. I am so happy I had mom's home-cooked meals over the weekend. Yet, I am so much happier to have her around in the first place :)

love speech

...

The other side of the coin is this: fall in love.

I didn’t say “be loved”. That requires too much compromise.

Modern society is anti-love. We’ve taken a microscope to everyone to bring out their flaws and shortcomings. It is far easier to find a reason not to love someone, than otherwise. Rejection requires only one reason. Love requires complete acceptance. It is hard work – the only kind of work that I find palatable.

Loving someone has great benefits. There is admiration, learning, attraction and something which, for the want of a better word, we call happiness. In loving someone, we become inspired to better ourselves in every way. We learn the truth worthlessness of material things. We celebrate being human. Loving is good for the soul.

Loving someone is therefore very important, and it is also important to choose the right person. Despite popular culture, love doesn’t happen by chance, at first sight, across a crowded dance floor. It grows slowly, sinking roots first before branching and blossoming. It is not a silly weed, but a mighty tree that weathers every storm.

You will find, that when you have someone to love, that the face is less important than the brain, and the body is less important than the heart.

You will also find that it is no great tragedy if your love is not reciprocated. You are not doing it to be loved back. Its value is to inspire you.

Finally, you will find that there is no half-measure when it comes to loving someone. You either don’t, or you do with every cell in your body, completely and utterly, without reservation or apology. It consumes you, and you are reborn, all the better for it.

...

An excerpt of a speech by Adrian Tan to the NTU class of 2008

P.S. Thanks to Cassie for posting this (I hope you don't mind I am re-posting this here :p)