Tomar

I remember this place.
But what good is a memory?
But memories make for dreams.
In our world of tangibles?

Babel

Conversation, coffee and cake.

I recently learnt that each of us possesses the most powerful and dangerous trait that natural selection has ever devised, a piece of neuro-audio technology for re-wiring other people's minds; Language. Apparently, it allows us to implant a thought from our mind to anther's without performing surgery. And I think this is very true for as I close my eyes, I can still hear the soft words uttered by a former lover, the dismissive words of a music teacher, the encouraging words of parents and words of the many that I have interacted with, words which have shaped me into who or perhaps what I am today. Yes, I too have been re-wired.

South

'I am as constant as the North Star, constant in the dark.'

I understand things change
But acceptance is always challenging.
I search for lasting joy in this changing world;
But all I seem to find is darkness.

Hope

Bend, with the wind.

Like tall grass we sway,
with the winds of choice.
But at the heart of it all,
the human condition,
is a longing for a presence,
the silent desire for a communion;
that keeps us rooted.

Twilight

In between
life's extremes;
fear and hope,
I like to think
there is love.

Memories

This used to be my playground.

I have always found the concept of Home somewhat elastic. Home is where the heart is but, more importantly, home is where the memories were made. This year's National Day photo was taken at my neighborhood park, where many fond memories were made. I have fond memories of playing football with the boys, kicking the ball into the house you see in the background, kicking the ball at girls who walked by, playing for the team that has to attack the goal up slope and sitting around after a football game talking, laughing until the sun set. I also have slightly more grown up memories of getting drunk in this park after a house party and falling asleep on one of the park benches. This is also the park where we came to for a puff, or where we just needed a place to hang out and talk about the major woes of our lives, which usually meant girlfriend problems. So many memories were made in this little patch of green. So many more memories were made in this little island I call home. Sure, there are other places I have called home, but none of them were as homely as this. Home is where the memories are made and like every household, home may not always be perfect. But we keep working at it because it made us who we are today, for better or worse. And now as I sit in front of my computer, decked in red and white banging out this post, I can't help but feel a sense of belonging. Happy Birthday Singapore!

Birthday

A very happy birthday boy and his loot

This is a long overdue post and in a way, it is ironic that this post took so long. One year has gone by so quickly and I wonder what I have done with all that time. Perhaps nothing much. Sometimes, life can seem a long constant blur and it is bright moments like these that brings meaning to life. I really like marking the passage of time with birthdays of loved ones; a much better alternative to milestones like quarter closing or financial year ends.

More photos of the birthday boy here!

Sasha

The newest member of the family.

Apart from work, the latest addition to the family has been keeping me very busy. But she is such a joy to have around the house.