- Witnessing multitasking in all its glory - I watched a girl having soup. On a moving tram. With a spoon. While she was reading a book. It looked like there were little wontons in the soup. Human beings never cease to amaze me.
- Seeing 4 girls sharing 1 umbrella.
- Feeling light rain gently falling on my face. When I gazed up to the night sky, the rain droplets looked like snowflakes dancing in the wind...
- ...while I listened to one of my favourite Jay Chou songs, 七里香 (qi li xiang - common orange jasmine). As Jay crooned about "not bearing to eat up a feeling", and about "writing his eternal love for you into his poem's ending", I couldn't help but smile and feel incredibly grateful for my Chinese education - his lines are so abstruse yet eloquently and beautifully gut-wrenching, but they simply lose impact and depth when translated.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Day 135 - Simple joys
Today, it was about spotting and appreciating little, simple joys:
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Day 134 - Happy Mother's Day
For the past 4 years, I've been taking part in the Mother's Day Classic run.
Mother's Day is pretty much the only day of the year when I willingly get out of bed at an ungodly hour to put on work-out gear, lace up my runners and brave the chilly morning outside.
This morning, it was much colder and wetter than previous Mother's Days. Seeing so many ponchos in the colourful crowd was a funny sight!
I love participating in the run for so many reasons. I find it fun - yep, fun - to be running, jogging, walking, strolling, sometimes almost crawling, alongside so many other people who are there to support a good cause. There were 44,000 participants in Melbourne and a total of 125,000 across Australia this year.
Going down roads lined with trees wearing their autumn colours always take my breath away.
And I always look forward to gorging on copious amounts of fairy floss afterwards!
I'm very fortunate to have never lost anyone to breast cancer, but my heart always goes out to the participants wearing tribute cards. One of the tribute cards I noticed today was on the back of an elderly man, it had a picture of a woman and the words, "My shining light". It broke my heart. But at the same time, it was humbling to be amongst so many who had been affected by breast cancer. It was inspiring to see so many people trying to make a difference - to raise funds and raise awareness for breast cancer research.
I got to thinking later on in the day. Everyone - everyone you've ever met - everyone you've never met - every baby - every person who has died - everyone in every photo you have seen - everyone has, or had a mother. I started thinking about the role and the job of a mother, in light of something else I've been pondering over a lot recently - why do people have children? I can understand that the answer(s) are highly subjective and personal, and I haven't found or formed my own definite answer yet. I have an inkling, but I don't think it'll become clear to me until the second I hold my firstborn in my arms and become a mother.
No doubt about it, being a mother is tough. It's a demanding job. After performing 2 nappy changes and receiving an earful of waaaaaaaaaah yesterday, it dawned on me that this was just a tiny snippet of daily motherly life. Mothers around the world do this and much more, tirelessly, day in and day out.
As I grow older, I only begin to realise that it takes a lot to bring a child into the world. A mother's courage should never be downplayed or disregarded - from carrying us in her womb for 9 months and embarking on a life-long journey of riding the ups and downs with us, as well as everything in between. Mothers everywhere should be saluted - everyday should be Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day with all my love to my mother, my sister-in-law, and every mother out there.
Thank you mothers. We wouldn't be here without you.
Mother's Day is pretty much the only day of the year when I willingly get out of bed at an ungodly hour to put on work-out gear, lace up my runners and brave the chilly morning outside.
This morning, it was much colder and wetter than previous Mother's Days. Seeing so many ponchos in the colourful crowd was a funny sight!
I love participating in the run for so many reasons. I find it fun - yep, fun - to be running, jogging, walking, strolling, sometimes almost crawling, alongside so many other people who are there to support a good cause. There were 44,000 participants in Melbourne and a total of 125,000 across Australia this year.
Going down roads lined with trees wearing their autumn colours always take my breath away.
And I always look forward to gorging on copious amounts of fairy floss afterwards!
I'm very fortunate to have never lost anyone to breast cancer, but my heart always goes out to the participants wearing tribute cards. One of the tribute cards I noticed today was on the back of an elderly man, it had a picture of a woman and the words, "My shining light". It broke my heart. But at the same time, it was humbling to be amongst so many who had been affected by breast cancer. It was inspiring to see so many people trying to make a difference - to raise funds and raise awareness for breast cancer research.
I got to thinking later on in the day. Everyone - everyone you've ever met - everyone you've never met - every baby - every person who has died - everyone in every photo you have seen - everyone has, or had a mother. I started thinking about the role and the job of a mother, in light of something else I've been pondering over a lot recently - why do people have children? I can understand that the answer(s) are highly subjective and personal, and I haven't found or formed my own definite answer yet. I have an inkling, but I don't think it'll become clear to me until the second I hold my firstborn in my arms and become a mother.
No doubt about it, being a mother is tough. It's a demanding job. After performing 2 nappy changes and receiving an earful of waaaaaaaaaah yesterday, it dawned on me that this was just a tiny snippet of daily motherly life. Mothers around the world do this and much more, tirelessly, day in and day out.
As I grow older, I only begin to realise that it takes a lot to bring a child into the world. A mother's courage should never be downplayed or disregarded - from carrying us in her womb for 9 months and embarking on a life-long journey of riding the ups and downs with us, as well as everything in between. Mothers everywhere should be saluted - everyday should be Mother's Day!
Happy Mother's Day with all my love to my mother, my sister-in-law, and every mother out there.
Thank you mothers. We wouldn't be here without you.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Day 133 - Spending the day with my niece
Today was a day of many firsts.
It was the first time I spent all day alone with my niece.
It was the first time I fed her solid food.
It was the first time I changed a diaper!!!! Oh God I thought I was going to pass out!
But I survived, long enough to change another diaper! Eurghhhhh!! I have to say though, I think I expected it to be worse..?!? I must also add that I'm very impressed with the modern diaper - it holds everything in so well, and it's surprisingly easy to put on!
Anyway, moving along...
It was the first time the both of us had a big laugh together. When I was feeding her, she shook her head to indicate she didn't want anymore food - I thought it was the most adorable thing! I tried to talk her into having a few more bites, which led to more head shaking and laughter! I laughed at her because she was soo adorable, she laughed at me... probably because I looked like a crazy auntie in hysterics... I laughed at her cute laughter, she laughed at my laughter. This went on for about 15 minutes.
It was also the first time I was unable to put her to sleep.
As she cried, wailed wildly and screamed, I did my best to soothe her - I changed her nappy, I gave her more food, I sang to her, I gently rocked her from side to side, I cuddled her closely, I checked her nappy again, I offered her water... but all my efforts were futile. She wouldn't stop crying, and I couldn't figure out why.
With one of my ears deaf and the other one ringing, I had to remind myself of some sage motherly wisdom - this too shall pass. Whatever the moment, be it the crying, the shrieking, the giggling, the laughing, the tantrums, the spats, the sad tears, the happy tears, the milestones, the celebrations... all these precious moments, they all too shall pass.
So enjoy the moment everyday whether they're good or bad, because they won't last forever.
And almost always, you'll find that the journey was well worth it.
It was the first time I spent all day alone with my niece.
It was the first time I fed her solid food.
It was the first time I changed a diaper!!!! Oh God I thought I was going to pass out!
But I survived, long enough to change another diaper! Eurghhhhh!! I have to say though, I think I expected it to be worse..?!? I must also add that I'm very impressed with the modern diaper - it holds everything in so well, and it's surprisingly easy to put on!
Anyway, moving along...
It was the first time the both of us had a big laugh together. When I was feeding her, she shook her head to indicate she didn't want anymore food - I thought it was the most adorable thing! I tried to talk her into having a few more bites, which led to more head shaking and laughter! I laughed at her because she was soo adorable, she laughed at me... probably because I looked like a crazy auntie in hysterics... I laughed at her cute laughter, she laughed at my laughter. This went on for about 15 minutes.
It was also the first time I was unable to put her to sleep.
As she cried, wailed wildly and screamed, I did my best to soothe her - I changed her nappy, I gave her more food, I sang to her, I gently rocked her from side to side, I cuddled her closely, I checked her nappy again, I offered her water... but all my efforts were futile. She wouldn't stop crying, and I couldn't figure out why.
With one of my ears deaf and the other one ringing, I had to remind myself of some sage motherly wisdom - this too shall pass. Whatever the moment, be it the crying, the shrieking, the giggling, the laughing, the tantrums, the spats, the sad tears, the happy tears, the milestones, the celebrations... all these precious moments, they all too shall pass.
So enjoy the moment everyday whether they're good or bad, because they won't last forever.
And almost always, you'll find that the journey was well worth it.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Day 132 - Cats on catnip, bin identify crisis, munchkin kitten, cup sweater, Snowflake gets lost then becomes a hunchback
- My early morning chuckle. Drugs are bad, mmmkay?
- What are you then?!
- Naaaaaw vocal little munchkin kitten!
- Just like poles and eggs, cups get cold and need sweaters too!
- Snowflake ventured into unfamiliar territory today - she wandered outside the apartment and ran swiftly all the way down the stairs! Then she sat at the bottom of the steps meowing and meowing pitifully for the next 10 minutes, looking very lost and confused... Of course instead of helping her get up the steps, I ran to grab my camera!
- LOL. I couldn't even stay still enough from laughing to take this photo!
"I've never been so far away from home before!"
"It's a whole other world out here!"
"Country roads take me home, to the place I belong..."
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Day 130 - Two-faced heater
I LOVE spotting faces in places. LOVE. I love that these unintentional faces are all around us, just waiting around and sitting tight for someone to notice them. It's almost like there's another little world out there! If only everyone would not only look, but see.
I laugh every time I see my two-faced heater.
Speaking of faces in places, one of my photos was featured on the Faces in Places website!
Glad to know there are people out there who are just as easily amused as I am!
I laugh every time I see my two-faced heater.
Speaking of faces in places, one of my photos was featured on the Faces in Places website!
Glad to know there are people out there who are just as easily amused as I am!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Day 129 - Destressing
What do I do to destress after a crazy day at work, that has left my mind feeling numb and my forehead and eyebrows hurting from my perma-frown?
I crank up the volume on my iPod and grab Snowflake for a boogie session...
(we were dancing to The Black Keys and Snoop)
...light a candle and take deep breaths...
...and submit to the mother of all comfort foods. 3 cheese pasta bake with mushrooms and bacon, topped with - wait for it - 3 cheeses. Oh yes. So bad. Yet so good. I'm sorry heart.
I crank up the volume on my iPod and grab Snowflake for a boogie session...
(we were dancing to The Black Keys and Snoop)
...light a candle and take deep breaths...
...and submit to the mother of all comfort foods. 3 cheese pasta bake with mushrooms and bacon, topped with - wait for it - 3 cheeses. Oh yes. So bad. Yet so good. I'm sorry heart.
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