Another Year

How time sneaks us by

As we navigate on life's choppy waters.

Too much on the next colliding wave

And too little on the journey.

Today's a good day;

Unlade your cargo and sieve

Blessings from misfortunes

Of the year gone past.

The chaotic world pauses

In the calm habour,

So relax your well-worn

Soul and celebrate your spirit.

Slow down and find this day

A familiar smile that never left

My lips, just for you.

Just as it'll always be

Another year.

Always
Nicely
Groomed
Individual
Endorses

Chocolates
H&M
Love
Orthodoxy
Entrées

Endorphins
Nespresso
Godiva

I'm really easy to be kept happy. I'm like Tofu really. Just need some affection, a wheel to do my own running, some food and water, and don't stress me out too much or I'll poop myself.

- Archie

Is it un-girl to like Siamese Fighting Fish? Heh. Last night, Archie got me a surprise - three fighting fishes (aka Bettas) courtesy of his Betta-breeder friend. After some consideration, I decided to bring just one home from Archie's place. This decision proved to be right, because only five minutes into the car ride, one-third of the glass tank's water was spilled all over my Anise black skirt. -_-"

Archie pocketed Eeyore and drove home (literally) =) Though I wished it's a real dwarf hamster coming home with us. I like the lil' break. Away from work. Away from hypocrisy. Away from gatekeepers. A breather is always underrated.

Today's our 6th month of together-ness.
*****
I texted Karen, crossing my fingers hoping she'd be free for the evening to chill out with me. At a fast-food joint. I didn't feel my cough would appreciate a Dirty Lychee Martini.
*****
Archie's off to Kukup for the weekend with his friends. I had to stay back to fall sick and despite that, still work. An exhibition is setting up over the weekend at Expo.
*****
Karen took damn long to reply. Turned out she is currently in Shanghai. Busy with 'stuff'. Oops. I felt like I was interrupting. =)
*****

Many conversations ago, Archie mentioned that we should have gotten together two years ago. Many conversations later, he's still onto it. In fact, he wanted an explanation why I didn't/couldn't accept him then.

My simple reply was, "You weren't mature enough,'

He couldn't take it lying down. He probed further, asking questions and questioning my sanity (then and now). He insisted that he couldn't be any different from two years ago. But dude, if your mental level 'still the same' then and now, you have a serious problem. People should age with wisdom and grace. Which is why I find George Clooney irresistible sexy.

I don't think the two years of non-coupledom between us was a waste of time. We simply spent it building a deeper-than-supercial friendship. I elevated him from a acquaintance to a friend. A friend who gets my sarcasm. A friend who laughes at my jokes at him. A friend who... well, you already know what a friend does. =)

But it felt like the right person at the wrong time. Sounds absurd. There was a missing link between us. But deep down, I know 'this is a very nice guy and possibly...'

Many years ago, I was a younger girl who craved for some sense of maturity - womanhood. I went shopping for lingerie. But I found something else instead - a silky cream nightgown. A piece of clothing no young girl in her teens should set eyes on. I bought it anyway. But I soon learnt why it just wasn't for me. My boobs and back couldn't fill the curves of the gown. I was scrawny and looked like a kid in her mother's power suit. Unfitting.

So I chucked the gown aside and put it behind my mind. I love the gown but it just wasn't for me then. Fast forward a few years, I chanced upon the same gown (a little yellow though) during a spring clean. It was different when I put it on again. The physical *ahem* aside, I was a more womanly, more comfortable in my own skin. It wasn't simply a pretty little gown which resembles what the Sleeping Beauty could be wearing; it was more like an empowerment bestowed to a woman of what could be... (if I even make sense)

Anyway, it's like adding time to cheese. Flavour, aroma, texture don't come just after you leave a bottle of milk to sour. The environment and its natural bacteria influences the type of cheese produced. But after all the fussing, once passed the ripening stage, you'd be rewarded. Patience, my friend, is key to good stuff.

I don't think I'll ever appreciate Archie more if we had been together two years ago. The period of non-coupledom saw us grew up, roughed up, matured in many ways. Life has its funny ways of putting pieces together. The edges were sanded and polished to make the puzzles fit, if not better.

There are more to learn and wise up from. Archie and I have our differences. We talked about it. We cried about it (actually just me crying and him sighing). We sorted things out. We kissed and made up. Each time we try a little and laugh.

I'm not sure how time would wear off the you-used-to-do-this-or-that-for-me. I just hope it wouldn't wear down the I-will-love-you-forever.

Well, not really. =) Archie and I had a morning walk at MacRichte Reservoir. My second time hiking in the park. We took a slightly different route this time and took in the wonderful bird's eye view of the entire reserve at the top of Jelutong Tower. Pity I left my Sony Cybershot's battery in office (i was charging it and forgot!!); I could have taken some good pictures.

Ah, anyway we're visiting the museum tomorrow. Despite the not-so-fantastic review Karen gave, I still would like to view the Kangxi exhibition. It's open house day this weekend anyway. But I will brace myself for screaming running kids and jolting crowds. Hopefully not! I hope the crowd (whoever it consists of) goes to Orchard Road and shop their arses off and stay away from the museum!

My girlfriend, Liming, is getting hitched this year in Nov/Dec. The bunch of us are all very very excited for her. Especially me. Heh. I've volunteered to coordinate the day's events and even thought of decoration, colours, flowers, food... Oh I keep a portfolio of all the lovely wedding dresses too! I'm not a workaholic, just anal about organising events hah!

It's too bad I wasn't there when she tried on the dresses. But with the rest of the girls around, Liming wouldn't be lack of good advices. =)

Whatever it is, just don't ever (never) appoint me as your emcee. I would like to not embarrass myself in public.

Weddings are lovely. Especially the ones you truly want to be a part of.

Rudely woken up,
By rumbling of morning traffic, smog and all
Fruitless attempts to muffle out the annoying sounds of life
I slumped myself next to the coffee machine,

Two sips but no solace found
I tiptoed back to bed, found you
lying quietly under the duvet
Still asleep, still unfallen

Steadying my breath
with yours - a sedation of sorts
I lay beside you again
Under the aegis of your embrace
Not knowing where else I'd have been.

[Image from film - Alfie]

This is insanely touching. Days with My Father by Philip Toledano records his aging father's last days and how much love Philip felt for his father since his mother's death brought them closer together. Insanely. Touching.

You swear to catch me if I fall
but never sure I'll do the same.
Just once I say
For better or worse richer or poorer
The rain can fall and I won't care.

[Image via serendipity corner]