Life like the Arc de Triomphe

One of the things I remember from my short stint in Paris is driving towards the Arc de Triomphe during rush hour. My driver turned to me and said,"When entering the roundabout of the Arch, you must quickly look for your opening and go for it! If you keep hesitating, you will not reach your destination." He then turned back towards the road, saw his opening and zoomed into the oncoming traffic. My heart stopped. I had a taste of the crazy Parisian traffic. It was truly an experience.

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But his words have stuck with me since. There are moments to be patient and even moments to hesitate before jumping in with both feet. But there are also moments where a decision has to be made...today...not tomorrow or day after. Sometimes the decision has to be made NOW and for an impulsive person like me, that just adds to the excitement and challenge of it all. "Let's go!" and "What are we waiting for?" are normally the things that would burst forth from my mouth (that clearly reacts way fast than my thought processes) at stupid and brilliant suggestions. I have obviously landed myself in lots of trouble this way. But nevertheless, the massive memories and laughter almost always make up for the embarassment that almost always have a way of showing up.

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But now as I grow older and gained more responsibilities, I find it a challenge to allow the Little Miss Spontaneity in me to surface. I do still say yes without hesitation (old habits die hard)...but more often than not, I will double take and reconsider what I have gotten myself into. Weighing the pros (the Leech's life motto: Will try almost everything once!) and cons (boring things like work, leave, meetings to attend...dum be dum dum and more), I will then make my decision. But then again, the words of that Parisian driver rings in my head and reminds me that sometimes...just sometimes when you see that opening, go for it because what you want may not always be in front of you. You may be late in reaching your destination and whoever was waiting may no longer be there.

Have You Seen Google Today?

Sesame Street turns 40 today! I just love Google's picture today. Brilliantly cute. It brought back so many nostalgic memories of my childhood and even as I write this, I am smiling. I am brought back to a certain small town where a single story house nest in the middle of a large compound filled with fruit trees and chicken and a particular maroon Mini-Minor that zooms us wee lads around. Now the Mini is yellow and the lot of us can no longer fit into the backseat...much less climb into it. I remember the swing out front where the six of us would squeaze into (three on the seat and three on the back rest) and swing away pretending the wind in our hair blew from the wild stormy seas where we reigned as pirates (ahoy there me matey!) in search of treasure islands and eager to plunder any wealthy looking ships that dared cross out path. Until one day we got too big for the swing and went toppling over...swing and six ex-pirates. Then Ghost Busters came about and the dark book-filled library slash store became a hunting ground for us and our vacuum cleaner. Digging for worms and fishing in the drains surrounding the house. Running through a dragonfly filled field and watching the swarm of red and green and blue fly away from us. Kingfishers alighting on the electrical wires in front of the house. Rambutan trees fruiting...oh my, the sweet red bunches of juiciness. Ciku, nangka, mangosteen, jambu! Watching IT with the rest and being scared to death of clowns and going to the toilet alone. Sweets and snacks my Kong-Kong would buy us after cycling back from town. The different cats my aunt had...all cute and thoroughly terrorised by us. The Beano and Dandy comics we grew up with. And Reader's Digest dating back to the 60s. And the list goes on.

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But I am reminded. It has been a long time since ichi-babi and it's owner made a trip up north to all that rich memories. I am ashamed to not have made more of an effort to do so while I still can. There will be a day when I want to and the house may no longer welcome me the way I want it to. Alrighty then! Time for a road trip!

Bipolaroid...

Everything Changes

I was holding on to something I thought I had. But it turned out to be an illusion. I had it for a long time. Or so I thought I did. But when realisation set in, the harsh truth took my breathe away. They say that it takes two to tango. What they don't tell you is that the two people are most probably dancing a dance they believe to be tango but in reality is the 'joget' and when the dance ends, they find themselves in a dingy basement instead of a glittering ballroom. Illusions. Dangerous things. So today I am letting go of that illusion, my friend. I will still be there in that dingy basement if you need me to be, but I'll know that it is not a glittering ballroom.

Light Headed & Hungry!

I had 450mL of blood drained out of me today. And probably a little extra for good measure. I felt fine right after. But now (about 5 hrs on) I feel...strangely light headed. It feels like I am high on drugs or alcohol. Floating. And I thought that it would be interesting to blog in this condition. Maybe some interesting images will float around in my head. Maybe some numbers. Hhhmmm...

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But nothing. Nothing comes to mind. No pictures. No words. Did the people in the white coats suck out more than just my blood? Did I pass out while I was donating blood? Did they manage to perform the world's fastest brain surgery on me...successfully removing parts of my brain capable of generating interesting thoughts and witty remarks? Because it sure feels that way! Something has changed. I have not blogged since June. And reading the caption of that blog (Federer Rocks!)...hurts...it cuts like a knife. He still rocks...no doubt...but still...sigh...let's not go there. My head is already throbbing. Don't want my heart to follow suit.

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Where was I? Oh yes. Life. Someone remarked that I have been living life large from all my FB posts. Can someone really tell by reading FB posts?!!! What have I been writing in my status updates? As far as I can remember, a lot of it has been about food *smirks*. Hhhhmmm, if only he knew. This past year has been both challenging and frustrating on all levels.

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Argh!

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I am restless. I need to do something! Anything! I need to unplug the earphones out of my ears right now and make my way to a certain house somewhere across the Motorola bridge. And for what seems like the hundreth time...I left something at home that I am suppose to bring with me. Somethings...just never change. And somethings change way too fast. I am rambling. I am hypoglycaemic. And still very much light headed. And devoid of any floating psychedelic images or tinkling voices. No fun. And now to add to the mix of light headedness, restlessness...I am feeling wreckless and slightly mischievious. Oh no. Oh nooo. I shall stop here. No good can come out of this. Ha ha. Going now.

Federer ROCKS!

I enjoyed last Sunday tremendously. The day started with church and then went on in the following manner: sorting though second hand clothes for charity, a relaxing facial, a frustration parking experience in One Utama (where they deviated us to the One World parking without notice and no proper signage and help to get to the mall), Terminator Salvation, Formula One (no comments...I think that my passion for F1 has changed with the constant changing of rules) and then the highlight of the day: Roland Garros Men's Final. A showdown between my sweetheart, Roger Federer and Robin Soderling. The day that many a Federer fans have been waiting for. The question going through our minds, "Will this be the day that he wins the elusive French Open AND matches Sampras' all time record of 14 grand slam titles?"

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Well...HE DID IT!!!

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The match was a delight to watch and when at last Fed fell on his kness in victory...WOW! I was amazed at the how happy I was for him. And I still am. His achievements have been phenomenal. I think that I have been a huge fan since the start of his ATP career and I just love watching him play. It was not easy seeing him lose his number one position to Nadal but once a Federer fan, always a Federer fan. I think that I am still high from his win!

Time To Offski

It's a Friday evening and it is time to close all applications and turn off the computer. It is my 'holy' night and later on, Federer is going up against Del Porto...fighting for a spot in the finals of the French Open. I hope with all that I can hope with...that my darling hero thrashes Del Porto and advances with full confidence.

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This week has been a rather stressful one...but I survived it with all limbs attached and I am thankful. Now for two days of working on the condo and spending more money! I am broke but contented. Tim Hughes is singing, "We must go" and go I will. Before I offski, I leave you with two photos I took off Fiona's (talented, beautiful and easy to work with) website. Lauren's tea ceremony. Note the bunch of brides maids having a go at catching the bouquet.

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Am gonna try my bestest to finish off my Neil Gaiman this weekend on top of everything else already planned. Where do I find the time? Well, they say that sleep is for the weak. Mua ha ha...have you not read Twilight, we blood suckers have no need for sleep! Hhhmmm and if you have not read it...I know someone who is trying to sell a whole set! Call me! And now, like the Wee Free Men...it really is time to OFFSKI!!!!