The Younger ‘Uns March 18, 2009

I was kind of thrown into giving a writing workshop for bunch of young teenagers all below 15 years of age today. 

As expected, they weren’t quite used to the level of participation of a typical writing workshop and some were even terrified to introduce their names because “I didn’t even do this on my first day of school! Don’t make me do this please please please ‘Cher!” 

However, what really totally floored me was that they were all so appreciative of each others’ written pieces during the critique session. This means absolute silence, attentive (albeit a little shy) feedback and heck, some even CRIED upon hearing the more soppy works.

Gotta love how traditional discipline sometimes leads to active listening. 

Pity, they’ll probably be ADD in a few years’ time. Sigh.

The Peg Pianist March 12, 2009

Here’s a shout-out to John, a pianist from Concorde Hotel Singapore (formerly Le Meridien). I met him very briefly last month, but enough to know he carries his sake well and makes shoulder pads look very debonair. 

John keeps a little bag of wooden pegs in his jacket pocket and gives them to any lady he happens to talk to. He decorates the pegs according to the time of the year. When I met him in February, quite naturally, I received one with a red heart.

Live High March 8, 2009

I try to picture a girl through a looking glass
And see her as a carbon atom
See her eyes and stare back at them
See that girl as her own new world
Though her home is on the surface she is still a universe

Glory God, oh God is peeking through the blinds
Are we all here standing naked, taking guesses at the actual date and time
Oh my, justifying the reasons why
Is an absolutely insane resolution to live by

Live high, live mighty
Live righteously, taking it easy
Live high, live mighty
Live righteously

I try to picture the man to always have an open hand
And see him as a giving tree
And see him as matter, matter of fact he’s not a beast
But oh not the devil either
He’s always a good deed doer
Where it’s laughter that we’re making after all
The call of the world is still in order nation wide
In the order of the primates, all our politics are too late
Oh my, the congregation in my mind
Is this assembly singing gratitude, practicing their loving for you

Live high, live mighty
Live righteously, taking it easy
Live high, live mighty
Live righteously

Just take it easy and celebrate the malleable reality
See there’s nothing that’s ever as it seems
This life is but a dream

Live high, live mighty
Live righteously, taking it easy
Live high, live mighty
Live righteously

Dream come true March 5, 2009

In this season of failed ventures and dashed hopes, it’s been a real morale boost when my husband excitedly burst the news that he was chosen as one of PDN’s 30 New and Emerging Photographers for 2009. In the photography world, this is a Big Deal (kind of like the Best New Artist in the Grammy Awards except urm there’s a bunch of them), and even more so for him as he was the only one picked from Asia.  

While my spouse’s shopping and hygiene habits leave much to be desired, his work ethic has always been something I’ve utmost respect for. In essence, it’s summed up as: no excuses for failing/procrastinating, trying and trying and trying again, putting in 150% into every project big or small.  If I get spiritual about it, then the Big Guy and/or Photographic Muse really digs his efforts, and has granted him one of his lifelong dreams. 

Thank you for the sign.