I intended to begin this post with: men are rubber bands – annoying rubber bands. But I paused for awhile and settled on this: aren’t we all rubber bands?

L got me on this loop of thought (once again). You always do this rubberband thing, and it hurts in a “then don’t even bother in the first place” way. I’m almost used to it, but honestly, I dread it. Each time I tell myself, I’ll be less nice the next time, but I’m a softie and I can’t. But this time, I’ve something to say.

Stop rubber band-ing me if you can’t even keep up a conversation you started. There, I said it.

they are visually fascinating,
sing the most mysterious songs of the sea,
and take my breath away.

Photo: Ryan Tabora

Photo: Erielle

Photo: sprittz

Photo: Craftzine.com

Photo: Annmarie Tutt

Photo: kindling

Photo: monster-munch

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3514/3183524420_84a668d5de_m.jpg

Time after time you’ve been forgotten
like a picture that’s faded with age
Time after time you ran after me
when I was still running away

You never give up on me
No, You never give up on me

[Never give up - Josh Bates, Facing the giant]

Jaylen, Greyer or Chase?
became
Jaylen Greyer Chase,
my Canon G11 : )

La macchina va dove vanno gli occhi.

- The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein

I have stopped writing for awhile. Or rather, I haven’t had the time or desire to write. For the past two weeks, all I’ve been doing at work is write – write for North View Primary’s garden eco-trail. I over-stressed, over-wrote. Probably too well trained by university and honours, I rationally tried to squeeze in as much information as I could on the A3 signage – forgetting at times that it’s for primary kids.

In the end, I had to put down my pride and re-learn to stop chanelling this obssessive-compulsive, subconscious need to do a cuter kids’ version of university-style research/content/writing. If there’s a lesson to take away, it’d be the need to write from the perspective of a generation of kids with attention deficit: it’s about visuals and making Brand’s Essence of the main point.

Ha, back to books. In between For One More Day and The Art of Racing in the Rain, there were two:

Photo: Fantastic Fiction

1. Dial M for Merde – I’d read the first two years back, while I was learning French I think, and found the english-french satire pretty hilarious. Short-term crude humour is now less funny when your taste in books has morphed to yearn for something deeper. By picking the Life of Pi to revive my reading desire, I unwittingly set the standards high.

Photo: Pop Culture Madness

2. A Spot of Bother - I enjoyed very much The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, and expected something similar. Much to my dismay for the first half of the book, which was draggy and nothing exceptional. But as I trudged through to the middle, there was a growing sense of something more. By the time I’d flipped to the last pages, I understood. It was about family, relationships and aging – a very real, honest and smart take on life’s courses.

As I browsed the fiction section at MPH bookstore, the turqoise colour and blurred photo of a dog caught my eye. I wanted to get my hands on a second book, together with Dial M for Merde. Just above the intriguing title The Art of Racing in the Rain, there was book review quote:

A novel I can’t stop thinking about.

- Jodi Picoult

I was sold; I couldn’t resist the lingering promise of a story with an heartfelt impact. I’m glad I chose it over the other fiction titles lying nearby. Looking back, it feels like God helped me pick this particular read. The Art of Racing in the Rain turned out to be a book of surprises – who would have guessed F1 (100% unexpected) integrated with a doggy’s narration (the doggy cover was telling)?!

The names of Schumi, Reubens, Senna (and many more drivers) were littered across the book. This on top of vivid descriptions of old-school racing passion, grand prix circuit names /cities and the driver’s perspective of the art of maneouvering his machine around the track.

No race has ever been won in the first corner; many races have been lost there.

The author did a splendid job on weaving together Enzo’s (the doggy) human-like perspective with the eventful life of a husband/father/aspiring race driver. Enzo brought a whole new dimension to narration – he adds an endearing touch and gets you thinking about hhuman behaviour. It was brilliant in effusing racing rawness, without suffocating with technicality. In subtlely blending the philosophy with a family’s story of struggle, the book highlights how the human spirit can be at the mercy of trials and tribulations but it will not be crushed unless you give in and allow it to.

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Takeing every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

- John Waller

As this song was playing, the words spoke to my heart in its raw form. We had just finished studying 1 Samuel 1, a story ultimately about Hannah honouring the Giver.

The way this lady poured herself out before God, her deepest desire and emotions, through fervent and intense prayers made me pause. What is one thing I’ve been wanting? Do I pray like her – in all honesty, steward-hearted and without giving up hope?

Hannah made a vow to dedicate her son, Samuel, back to God. And she kept her vow. She could have easily chosen to forget it, or asked God for a compromise, but she didn’t. She chose to recognize that the gift of Samuel was from God and belonged to God. She chose to rejoice in the Giver’s giving. She chose the role of a steward, believing that Samuel was God’s child before her child!  Amazing.

How many times do we remember to praise God for answering our prayers, and not just for the answer? How often do we thank God for His grace and provision, and not just for His gift? I guess I’m guilty of that at times.

As I thought about this one thing I’ve been asking God for, the lyrics of “While I’m waiting” struck a deep chord. It was like a wake-up call, a reminder – yes, it is painful to wait and wait so long at that, but don’t miss out on the other gifts/answers while you are waiting for this answer!

A view from Ben’s seat.

Relaxing after a meeting.

A stack of colours.

A Sunday afternoon treat.

One pair is never enough.

Mirror, not.

A four month wait, and 24 September 2009 pops into existence just like that!

Grey’s Anatomy, for all its clininal and emo-nemo drama, has always been my favourite heart-tugger series – it’s the only series I’m completely faithful to! So, crazyexcited would pretty much describe me as I searched through the web for free streaming (disclaimer: if I had MioTV, I would pay to watch on demand!) and finally reached the play button for Season 6 Episode 1 – Good Mourning.

The start of Grey’s made for a one superduperhappy girl and free flow tears.

]]> http://aerynjayde.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/grey-euphoria/feed/ 0 aerynjayde http://aerynjayde.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/attack-fire/ http://aerynjayde.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/attack-fire/#comments Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:32:29 +0000 aerynjayde http://aerynjayde.wordpress.com/?p=207 ]]> Photo: Epic Kayaks Singapore

… Splish, splash! Splish, splash! Splish, splash! That’s battleship canoe fun for you, especially when you have (cutie pie as can be!) 7 year old Andrew amongst your company!

The last (and first) time I was in a canoe dates back to a secondary school camp. This Hari Raya holiday marks my second as a bunch of us headed down to MacRitchie Reservoir for some water time – the Lengs (my bosses and two of the four kids), Ben and Jaymie, and myself. The techniques to canoeing may sound daunting initially, but once you get into the canoe with your paddle, the rhythm will come to you naturally! Only thing is to watch out for your partner’s head if you’re in a double seater!

Some tips from the pro (Grace):

#1. The paddle stroke is maximized when you run the paddle though the water while holding it in an almost vertical position!

#2. Left stroke, right stroke… twist the paddle (by turning your right hand inwards) a little… left stroke, right stroke…

#3. Splashing with your paddle needs no technique!

Though the area for novice/recreational canoeists is pretty limited, the experience of canoeing next to MacRitchie’s secondary forest feels good. Even just watching flocks of black starlings swoop across the sky like acrobatic jets, or paddling next to the forest edge, nature never fails to sprinkle her raw charm into the day when you spend time with her.

A word of advice: canoeing is a water sport. Don’t be silly like me and think you can get away dry – always bring extra clothes! Splashing battles await!

Photo: Andrew Tai

Did you know that long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) have canines sharp enough to rip through metal drink cans? Along the walk back to the visitor centre, we chanced upon a group of young macaques hanging around a hut. Two were seen grabbing at beer cans lying around on the grass, and sinking those razor teeth into the metal like knives piercing through jelly! The cans were ripped apart in a matter of seconds as the macaques attempted to salvage the last drops of liquid inside. One even tried shuffing its hand through the drink hole. To these curious and fearless animals, the notion that sharp edges can cut obviously doesn’t exist. We stood there in amazement.

What happened next made for such a perfect beer commercial. Before we knew it, the male (holding the Tiger) walked over to the female (who’d just made shredded metal out of her Budweiser) and started humping her! Jaymie, who was standing behind little Andrew, immediately (and instinctively) covered his eyes with both hands! Oh, the whole scene was just hilarious!

Tagline for the day: that’s what you get for getting drunk!

Yes, I’ve caved in to twittering!