Sunday, February 20, 2011
Changing times
My favourite cousin and her husband. Their first Chinese New Year as a married couple. She's a sweet, kind-hearted person and I'm glad she's found someone to take care of her.
Just only a little bit sad that Chinese New Years aren't going to be the same - I can't lounge around and do nothing with her anymore. Gone are the days of switching the hot water off/bathroom lights when she's taking a shower in Green House and hear her shouting out my name.
She won't be around as much to take lazy afternoon naps for me to sneak into her room and put toothpaste on her nose.
Sigh. I'm going to have to learn new tricks to disturb my other cousins now.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The ground we stand on
I have a mole on my right ankle, and my 2nd aunt (maternal) said many years ago it means that I would travel much.
I've not traveled as much as some people I know have. I'm not one for traveling in actual fact because traveling drains me out quite a bit and I am one cranky person when I'm tired.
But I've traveled in other ways. Especially as a person, in my own journey of finding myself.
These grounds are soaked with memories. The Lord has been good.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Piano
I miss playing a piano.
I don't play well, but I miss tinkering with the piano until I accidentally hit the right note and tune that coincidentally resonates with my heart.
I learnt from a wise woman called Pam Hallet, that we do not need to do something because we do it well, but because we enjoy doing it, even if we do it badly.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Just another snapshot
Just another snapshot of what will one day become a memory.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Memories built on character
Character.
That's what modern homes seems to lack these days.
Or is it memories?
I hardly regret the transiency that has marked the last 7 years of my life but I have considered (only very briefly) if I'm missing out in building a home of memories of my own to pass on to my (eventual) children.
I'll just have to build memories that my children will love and cherish, even if they aren't the same as those that I love and cherish.
Loving even the cement floors of my maternal grandparents' home! The most practical type of floors in my opinion.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Memories of a childhood
I can't remember who these two children's bicycles belong to, but it filled me with satisfaction to see it hiding underneath the ironing table although it has not been used for years.
Green House, my paternal grandparent's house is known as, doesn't feel the same without children running and screaming but most of the younger generations have grown up. I think everyone is starting to feel some of us should really get going and fill the house with young children again. *Dum dee dum*
If I had the chance, I would demand that nothing from Green House is ever thrown out without first being filtered. Everything in the house carries some memory to me.
I remember cycling around my grandparents house on these two bicycles even though I was slightly too big for it. But the most vivid memory of all was one Chinese New Year, many years ago when the adult men were gambling, the women were sitting and chatting, the children goodness knows doing what. Just the general chaotic mayhem.
And my younger cousin, Shan-Shan, was riding one of the bicycles round and round the hall innocent, aimless, but content.
It was a time when Green House was fuller and everyone was happier.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Little by little
Work's been tough lately, and I felt so overwhelmed, I felt I needed to turn to Kathy to just pour my heart. Kathy is a truly gentle soul, who lately, has really learnt to pray really well. Her prayers always seem to be blind to the obvious, but brushes through all of it gently to pray over the real spiritual battles that hide behind the obvious.
The moment she prayed specifically over a matter I was no where near discerning, I just felt a spring in my heart, like it was suddenly released.
I feel a little more strength I did not think possible before I picked the phone up to call her.
And I'm learning little by little to trust in the Church to fight for me when I am too weak to stand by myself.
It is good, it is good. These are good days I live in.
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Family Bonding Activity
If used right, even gambling can be a good thing - for family bonding!
We didn't have the whole extended family back this year for Chinese New Year. And my 5th uncle got bored because he didn't have enough kaki (people) to gamble with. So bored, he ended up convincing the children and the elderly to gamble with him!
Heigh ho... I ended up winning the grand total of....
RM 6!!!!!!!
Woo hoooo... I can now have a free chap fun meal in Singapore.
Or I can buy a bar of chocolate... or I can buy myself a cup of coffee...
As long as I don't even lose a dollar, I'm happy!
CNY 2011
It was my first Chinese New Year spent at home with family after 3 years (since being away in the UK) and with a Tioman trip planned as a prelude, I was looking forward to the CNY festivities very much.
My mom's side in Taiping, a small town up north.
I love evening times. It's those moments when my heart is calmest and all seems right with the world.
Mom with En-En (the Chinese would say my nephew, the English would say my twice removed cousin)
