captain wildchild and the silly switch

Hanoi. Hong Kong. Taipei. Hanoi. Taipei. Hong Kong. Iran. Bali. Hong Kong. Jeju. Hong Kong. Kathmandu.

Wah. It’s been seven fierce months. I’ve never worked so hard in my life. I’ve never been more comfortable being off the social radar. I’ve never been more determined to rest, play or be lazy. I’ve never been happier just loving and being loved. I’ve never been more at peace with myself and who I’m growing into. I’ve never been more amazed.

There was a documentary I watched about people with memory loss which struck me that it’d be a death sentence to lose one’s memories or the ability to build new ones. Far worse than losing a limb, sight or speech, imagine being in a state of fugue or not being able to imagine the future. This profound consequence of being a lost or lesser person just by losing one’s narrative history left me completely floored.

Supra went home today, armed with soya bean ice cream in hand, a new haircut and defense against Seunggi-stealers. As I walked back in the afternoon drizzle enveloped in sentimental warmth, I told myself that I need to make more trips home to lepak with Atah and Mama, and call the two chikoras more often.

The hours seem to pass so slowly until the beloved blanket monster is home again. Reading, writing and waiting in the light of the genius lamp… Wicked, aight…

where my heart begins

toffee eyes
sweet with intensity
wine red lips
with hints of bubblegum
and orchid
shower affections
that taste of tangerine
and feel like fireworks

mugs of coffee
two-thirds and full
fan whirring with the traffic below
our hearts speaking
awoken in warmth
softness
depth
a pause
let’s breathe

I am beloved
rhythm of a poem
the Lord is gracious
precious meaning
Your name is where my heart begins

mai tai magic

in his hands

We sat at a quaint little bar at the edge of the sprawling market. A much loved music collection line the shelves behind the counter, framed by a wallpaper of intriguing faces… sips of cultural anthropology in an indolent afternoon. Thought bubbles wreathed with grins and smiles filled the air as reggae and classic rock songs weaved the afternoon light into the deepest vaults of our memories.

fei chang gan dong

Beautifully and lovingly made by Wendy

Sometimes, overwhelmed in a moment like this, I sit quietly by myself and wonder what have I done to deserve so much love… and the only logical thing to do is to share and extend the love received to anyone and everyone. It is simply, impossible, to contain such a magnitude of radiance, joy and warmth in just one small heart…

The celebrations have begun!

haato

Sometimes, following one’s heart feels like the most horrible thing to do.

Love, I hope thou art entertained by the tragicomedy that is me. Sigh.

WWW i seek you love

On a Friday morning not too long ago, I felt like I died and went to heaven. This particular heaven was Far East Flora’s refrigerated warehouse in Thompson Road. Fresh flowers of all types, colours and beauty filled the rooms, rows and rows of them… After an initial brainfreeze (hey, we were in a fridge!), we collected ourselves and the shopping begun! Irene was right, all a guy ever had to do to melt a girl’s heart is to bring her here and tell her to choose flowers to her heart’s desire. Forget the expensive bouquets with fancy wrappings, long-stemmed roses in plain plastic or brown corrugated cardboard are simple heart-stealers! Plus, they’re really cheap too! Later in the afternoon, production of the wedding favours went full swing – Huiling, Irene and I made 150 carrot (cup)cakes with Tiffany blue cream cheese icing! With red sugar hearts and flowers to fit Wendy’s wedding colour scheme, the yummy little beauties were almost too adorable to eat!

Wendy and William’s ROM was a riot of fun!

The next morning, as with all wonderful weddings, drama was aplenty. First, an early McDonald’s breakfast was woefully skipped as we were late! Okie, that’s beside the point, heh… then, with only one hour of setup time, it was a mad rush to decorate the place and pack the cupcakes into the mini white take-out boxes, complete with the Thank You sticker notes. The lush surroundings of Halia inspired the at home with junk and the precious decor which included Jo’s birdcages (complete with rust, bird shit and feathers), a sprouting little yam and mud-encrusted boots from Irene’s dad! The wooden deck floor was strewn with rose petals while jars of flowers and wedding favours lined the long dining tables. Huiling saved the day with her Tiffany ballpoint pen and the funny Justice of Peace made everyone laugh and the cupcake tower wobble with his wedding solemnization speech. The wedding setup was a hit with delighted guests and the constant stream of Botanical Garden visitors stopping by to snap photos or capture the wedding on their video cameras. Most importantly, the couple loved it! Wooo… I guess our motley crew of wedding decorators did good! Oh, did I say how much fun it all was? Hee…

love seeks the good of the beloved

Ah Tan and Ah Chan’s simple church wedding was a celebration steeped in tradition, meaning, love and beauty – the splendid sunny morning, the lunch tables strewn with rose petals, the chinese character for love which was embroidered on the back of the priest’s chasuble; the guests who each had their own “how I knew the bride/groom/couple” stories; Ah Tan’s beautiful gown with the gorgeous train; Ah Chan’s contented grin which never once left his face; Isaac, the very-determined little ring bearer; Patricia, the precocious flower girl often lost in a world of her own; the quiet happiness emanating from Ah Tan’s mom…

Fr. Simon’s wedding sermon had me in awe, especially when he reminded everyone that love is a decision of the will. The wedding had also coincided with the first day of Triduum in Advent, adding significance to the beginning of a lifetime’s journey in love for the celebrated couple.

Tansterrrrrrr!! My partner in crime of nearly ten years, sister high witch of sampat-ism, fellow unlicensed pig farmer and irreplaceable bosom buddy of clandestine adventures… I’m missing you loads already! Take good care, have tonnes of fun, feed Ah Chan well and don’t OD on nachos and burritos, okie? I’ll see you soon in summer with enough curry-flavoured Maggi Mee to last you till Christmas!! Till then, we heart Skype!!