Welcome

 

Candy was in town over the weekend and the 7 of us managed to get together for an awesome brunch at East Ocean Teochew Restaurant at Takashimaya!

Us at Quan An Ngon Restaurant, Hanoi (2012)

Brief encounters; walking around under the hot climate; indulge in moderation. Everything in moderation.

new toy

Went to sign up for a new Singtel contract yesterday and they gave me a galaxy tab 2 for $0! This nifty gadget couldn't have come at a better time because I've been wanting to get a Kindle for quite awhile already. Thankfully I delayed and delayed. Procrastination played into my hands this time!

New Soul

A catchy song for the gloomy days!

Simple joy

Ever since I came across the first "Fifty people one question" video a few years back, I've fallen in love with all the other related videos that followed.

The thing that gets me every time when I watch them is the people. The beauty of the videos lies in the people. That random bunch of passersby and their congenial demeanor. 

Happiness is contagious. And I love how simple and effortless it can be to take first step - Smile!

Before sunrise

There is this particular scene from the movie "Before sunrise" that still resonates strongly with me. It was being shot in Vienna on an unknown evening.

Here's my depiction; thoughts translated.

They stroll along the meandering canal, laughing and rebutting at every criticism made with witty banters. The tender autumn breeze joins in the fun as it tousles them gently. It's a quiet Monday evening. Chattering footsteps that call for home and pleasantries exchanged in the vernacular fill the void.

"Hey", a homeless person siting by the side interrupts.

"I want to make a deal with you. Instead of asking you for money, I will ask you for a word. Choose any word you like and I'll write a poem with that word in it. If you like it, you can pay me anything. If not, then it's fine."

They decide, almost unhesitatingly, to choose the word - lipstick.

I've set foot on unfamiliar soils, surrounded by unfamiliar smiles
Just the kind of thrill I seek, as when two worn out paths they converge and meet
Worn out paths
Both our worn out paths entwine
And in circles we go
72 revolutions per minute, with no one left to meet
"But where do we go from here?"
"Where do we go from here?", we ask
Your rouge lipstick sparks mysteries and harmonies
Adding more and more to the imagination
I know neither where the new path leads
Nor how long before the sidewalk splits
So love me, we'll have fun
if not, could we have it all the same?

After reading it to them, they give him a handful of schillings; much to the content of both parties. 


Here's that scene!

Into the wild

Watched this movie a few days back. Wow!

I think nothing can describe the kind of adventure I seek better than this film. It's been very long since I last saw a movie that typifies my preference for films. When I saw the trailer, I knew I was in for a treat!

And the OST is one of the best!

Awe-inspiring

"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."

2013

I unfolded that piece of paper last night and read through my resolutions for 2012, and I realized how generic and silly they were. Things like, "do well for exams", "work and travel more" amongst others made up the most boring list of resolutions ever :( If only I had been more specific and detailed, then I would have something to measure against.

Resolutions aside, I can't think of any pickles or unpleasant incidents in year 2012 that had me wishing the whole end-of-the-world saga would come true.

Academic wise, I'm happy with what I had achieved for my previous semester. It was a difficult term, probably the most difficult of all semesters. I couldn't be more proud of myself. And now that school is going to reopen in less than a week, I've got all the motivation and confidence I need to overcome the last two semesters!

One of the things I look forward to at the beginning of each year is to travel to new places. Last year was a significant year, with regards to this obsession of mine - I did my first solo trip. Though it was a short one, the experience was unparalleled. And it left me wondering: How much different would I become, if I were to embark on a longer and more radical journey.

I've penned down a few travel plans for this new year, in hopes of picking up where I left off, and also as part of fulfilling my resolutions. This time, it's more valid.

And finally, what's the point of having a good year without people around to share with. As with the past, I couldn't be more grateful for all the wonderful times spent with the different groups of friends. As much as I love to spend time with myself, it's only by slotting that few minutes into other people's lives that I actually feel really happy. And the quote from Jon Krakauer further underscores this reality - Happiness is only real when shared.

My 24th birthday celebration was one of the best I've ever had. It also serves to remind me about the mentioned quote. I had all my favorite people around me that night. True happiness.

Happy new year!