"Redone with help of instagr.am on my sister's iPhone 4.18 May 2011
Date A Girl Who Reads by Rosemarie Urquico
Recently, I found this heart warming piece and it's been so beautifully written that I had to share it here. Guess who this reminds me of? :)
Date a girl who reads by Rosemarie Urquico
Date a girl who reads. Date a girl who spends her money on books instead of clothes. She has problems with closet space because she has too many books. Date a girl who has a list of books she wants to read, who has had a library card since she was twelve.
Find a girl who reads. You’ll know that she does because she will always have an unread book in her bag. She’s the one lovingly looking over the shelves in the bookstore, the one who quietly cries out when she finds the book she wants. You see the weird chick sniffing the pages of an old book in a second hand book shop? That’s the reader. They can never resist smelling the pages, especially when they are yellow.
She’s the girl reading while waiting in that coffee shop down the street. If you take a peek at her mug, the non-dairy creamer is floating on top because she’s kind of engrossed already. Lost in a world of the author’s making. Sit down. She might give you a glare, as most girls who read do not like to be interrupted. Ask her if she likes the book.
Buy her another cup of coffee.
Let her know what you really think of Murakami. See if she got through the first chapter of Fellowship. Understand that if she says she understood James Joyce’s Ulysses she’s just saying that to sound intelligent. Ask her if she loves Alice or she would like to be Alice.
It’s easy to date a girl who reads. Give her books for her birthday, for Christmas and for anniversaries. Give her the gift of words, in poetry, in song. Give her Neruda, Pound, Sexton, Cummings. Let her know that you understand that words are love. Understand that she knows the difference between books and reality but by god, she’s going to try to make her life a little like her favorite book. It will never be your fault if she does.
She has to give it a shot somehow.
Lie to her. If she understands syntax, she will understand your need to lie. Behind words are other things: motivation, value, nuance, dialogue. It will not be the end of the world.
Fail her. Because a girl who reads knows that failure always leads up to the climax. Because girls who read understand that all things will come to end. That you can always write a sequel. That you can begin again and again and still be the hero. That life is meant to have a villain or two.
Why be frightened of everything that you are not? Girls who read understand that people, like characters, develop. Except in the Twilight series.
If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are.
You will propose on a hot air balloon. Or during a rock concert. Or very casually next time she’s sick. Over Skype.
You will smile so hard you will wonder why your heart hasn’t burst and bled out all over your chest yet. You will write the story of your lives, have kids with strange names and even stranger tastes. She will introduce your children to the Cat in the Hat and Aslan, maybe in the same day. You will walk the winters of your old age together and she will recite Keats under her breath while you shake the snow off your boots.
Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads.
Or better yet, date a girl who writes.
29 Apr 2011
What do you say, Universe?
Since my last post a few things have changed. First up, I am now 35, although I still look 25.
I got what I asked the Universe for and am now leaving it to the Universe (or God, whoever is it charge of my source code) to decide the outcome of this new found experience.
I know this is all vague, but the thing is I've said a few things out loud over the past few weeks and now I'm beginning to wonder if I have jinxed it by doing so. That's why I'm leaving this to 'greater forces'. I suppose when things are well and truly sorted out, I'll have the chance to write about it and express my thought about this. Until then, I will just leave it and wait patiently for things to unfold the way they are meant to be.
I suppose that's the good thing about getting older. All those silly petty issues are no big deal anymore. And as for the big ones, u do all that u can do until there is nothing else to be done except to wait and see. I guess I'm becoming more mysterious as I grow older. ;)
In the meantime, I'm gonna focus on work, on getting healthier (I must say, I've been neglecting this important element over the past few tumultous weeks) and having good moments.
2 Apr 2011
Postcards of Hong Kong
Ok so I finally decided to put up photos of the Hong Kong trip. Not very happy with the photos don't say I didn't warn u!
On the first night walking around Lan Kwai Fong area. 
Our first (and favourite) dessert - Mango Pancake. 
The lovely Star ferry that we took many times. 
In front of the Legislative Council Building. I like! 
Divya and Dhanya at typical HK market. Note the stony stairs.
Night scene at the pier in Kowloon. Lovely scenary. 
I love this old Chinese Junk. LOVE! 
A scene from the cable car at Ocean Park. 
Beautiful scenary from the cable car at Ocean Park. 
This is what we saw on our Big Bus Tour - lovely lovely scenary.
Divya and I at Stanley Market, where we bought lots of stuff. 
And me trying to hold my hair in place at the Peak. Boy was it cold! 
Our Dim Sum dinner from 7-11. 
With Goofy at Disneyland. Enough said. 
Disneyland No 2. 
Hollywood Road, in memory of Michael Buble's Hollywood. 
See I told you they sold dim sum in 7-11. 
In front of an antique shop. 
An epitome of a junk shop. Wow! 
And as always there will be an Indian store. 
The twins at the park near my cousin's place.
Tortoises sunbathing at the park. 
Me in Central Station. Love the background. 26 Mar 2011
Hong Kong Post Mortem
I started putting up pictures of my trip to Hong Kong earlier, and then as I looked at it, it was all so crappy. I don't like em'. :P Is this the real me, or the PMS talking I really can't say. Time will tell, I guess. In the meantime, I guess you'll have to bare with me ranting about the trip.
Hong Kong was brilliant. My favourites would be the breezy public transport system, in particular the MTR, which is like Malaysia's own LRT but much more convenient as it covers many more stations. This made travelling arouund the island an easy and interesting experience. The other thing that I liked is the Star Ferry, that takes passengers from Hong Kong to Kowloon (which can also be reached by the MTR by the way). Maybe it's the fact that we have no such ferries in KL, that got me into it in the first place. If I was living in Hong Kong, I would want to go on the ferry at least 3 times a week, it was just so relaxing.
Having gone there with my underaged cousins Divya and Dhanya (they just finished their SPM exam and did brilliantly by the way) there was no question about checking out the various entertain outlets aka pubs there, especially the the Lan Kwai Fong area. Not that I wanted to drink but it looked like a nice place to chill.
The PG 13 trip started off with us figuring how to get from my cousin's place in Sheung Wan to the CBD, which honestly didn't take too long as it was so easy to get around Hong Kong. And then we got tickets to go to Disneyland and tour. The hardest part was finding places to eat, there were plenty of nice places but everything seemed to be in Chinese, so it was difficult to figure out the menu, hence we decided to play safe and dine at places with English menus. On the whole food wasn't that great in Hong Kong and boy was it expensive!
The tour was good. My favourite in particular was the Stanley Road Market, where we bought a lot of little knick knacks. Sitting on the bus listening to the commentary was also an interesting experience, I must add. But more so we walked a lot and the girls were often tired of walking.
Disneyland too was apart of the agenda but alas, when we got there the girls were more interested in the gift shops than any ride! So I forced them to go on a few including Tarzan's treehouse and Winnie the Pooh. We enjoyed the 3d show though.
The rest of the time we were walking around, a lot. I must admit. I am sure the girls must have been thinking, holidays with Anu Chechi must be all about walking...and yes, it sure is. I enjoyed it though. Did you know that the longest escalator is located in Hong Kong? It goes right up to the suburbs. It was an interesting sight, I must say.
Spending 5 and a half days there was a good enough time, although I must say I missed out on going to Lantau Island which was my plan. Still it was a good break and it was fun hanging around with my cousins.
Until I decide (or not) to put up the pictures, this is it for now. :)
Read On >>>
Hong Kong was brilliant. My favourites would be the breezy public transport system, in particular the MTR, which is like Malaysia's own LRT but much more convenient as it covers many more stations. This made travelling arouund the island an easy and interesting experience. The other thing that I liked is the Star Ferry, that takes passengers from Hong Kong to Kowloon (which can also be reached by the MTR by the way). Maybe it's the fact that we have no such ferries in KL, that got me into it in the first place. If I was living in Hong Kong, I would want to go on the ferry at least 3 times a week, it was just so relaxing.
Having gone there with my underaged cousins Divya and Dhanya (they just finished their SPM exam and did brilliantly by the way) there was no question about checking out the various entertain outlets aka pubs there, especially the the Lan Kwai Fong area. Not that I wanted to drink but it looked like a nice place to chill.
The PG 13 trip started off with us figuring how to get from my cousin's place in Sheung Wan to the CBD, which honestly didn't take too long as it was so easy to get around Hong Kong. And then we got tickets to go to Disneyland and tour. The hardest part was finding places to eat, there were plenty of nice places but everything seemed to be in Chinese, so it was difficult to figure out the menu, hence we decided to play safe and dine at places with English menus. On the whole food wasn't that great in Hong Kong and boy was it expensive!
The tour was good. My favourite in particular was the Stanley Road Market, where we bought a lot of little knick knacks. Sitting on the bus listening to the commentary was also an interesting experience, I must add. But more so we walked a lot and the girls were often tired of walking.
Disneyland too was apart of the agenda but alas, when we got there the girls were more interested in the gift shops than any ride! So I forced them to go on a few including Tarzan's treehouse and Winnie the Pooh. We enjoyed the 3d show though.
The rest of the time we were walking around, a lot. I must admit. I am sure the girls must have been thinking, holidays with Anu Chechi must be all about walking...and yes, it sure is. I enjoyed it though. Did you know that the longest escalator is located in Hong Kong? It goes right up to the suburbs. It was an interesting sight, I must say.
Spending 5 and a half days there was a good enough time, although I must say I missed out on going to Lantau Island which was my plan. Still it was a good break and it was fun hanging around with my cousins.
Until I decide (or not) to put up the pictures, this is it for now. :)
3 Mar 2011
Missing U
I still dream about my father. I suppose it happens when I keep thinking about him. When I miss his presence at home and wish for the millionth time that I had spent more time with him. As I get ready to go off for my short holiday to Hong Kong, I remember how he would be the one to change my Malaysian ringgit to the currency of the country I would be visiting. How he would remind me to write a list of things to take so that I wouldn't forget anything. How he would ask me if I had remembered to take my toothbrush and socks.
I remember the last time I went to Australia, in March last year. He had dropped me off at LCCT and I said my goodbye to him as I got off the car. But as I was getting my boarding ticket at the check-in counter, he was suddenly by my side. I asked him why he had come in and he said there was parking available and he decided to come and see me off. He stayed with me as I bought some Malaysian sweets for my friend in Melbourne and waited till I decided to proceed to immigration. There were no hugs as we are not the hugging type. Just a touch on the shoulder and the promise of seeing each other again in 10 days. Little did I know that it would be the last time he would be dropping me to the airport.
And last night I had a dream about him again. Nothing out of the ordinary, just him in the car. But in my dream, once again I attempted to tell him that I love him. So I guess this means that in the corner of my mind, I am still thinking about the fact that I never told him personally that I love him. I know that he knew it, for some things doesn't need to be said, but still...
I hope that I will be able to say it to him one of these days when it is once again, time to reunite with him. Until then I will just have to be content with dreaming about my father. Over and over again.
I miss you Acha.
I remember the last time I went to Australia, in March last year. He had dropped me off at LCCT and I said my goodbye to him as I got off the car. But as I was getting my boarding ticket at the check-in counter, he was suddenly by my side. I asked him why he had come in and he said there was parking available and he decided to come and see me off. He stayed with me as I bought some Malaysian sweets for my friend in Melbourne and waited till I decided to proceed to immigration. There were no hugs as we are not the hugging type. Just a touch on the shoulder and the promise of seeing each other again in 10 days. Little did I know that it would be the last time he would be dropping me to the airport.
And last night I had a dream about him again. Nothing out of the ordinary, just him in the car. But in my dream, once again I attempted to tell him that I love him. So I guess this means that in the corner of my mind, I am still thinking about the fact that I never told him personally that I love him. I know that he knew it, for some things doesn't need to be said, but still...
I hope that I will be able to say it to him one of these days when it is once again, time to reunite with him. Until then I will just have to be content with dreaming about my father. Over and over again.
I miss you Acha.
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