another harebrained scheme

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In under 150 words, tell us why you should be a TJ in the next season of 5 Takes

To say that I have a passion for travel is simply putting it really mildly. I have spent every spare time possible traveling around Asia. There have been trips to eastern China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Cambodia and parts of Thailand and Vietnam. Being of mixed heritage with Chinese and Indian parents, I am also effectively bilingual (Mandarin and English).

There are many other reasons why I should be a TJ in the next season of 5 Takes. Some of them include being tech-savvy, having a flair for writing and a background training in mass communications. Then, there are the personality traits like being sociable, resourceful and adventurous.

But more importantly, being a travel journalist requires one to be the eyes and legs of the community that lives and breathes through his/her every experience as if it is their very own. I believe I have what it takes to be that person.

*I did it! I actually signed up to be a travel journalist! One never ceases to be amazed by the number of harebrained schemes I manage to come up with. And now, I wait*

a little patience goes a long way

There are many who actually read these mishmash ramblings of mine. And then there are many more who have lamented, either publicly or in private, the pseudo demise of the lack of refreshing new words to read.

For the record, I like to write but the laziness in me hinders the timely updates on cyberspace. So grit and bear with it. Every once in a while, your patience will be rewarded by an onslaught and when that happens, don’t grouse. Haven’t you heard that creative people tend to border on psychotic and temperamental?

complication

Haven’t you realised that we tend to complicate things as we grow older. Seems like there are more gray areas than there are of black and white. When did the simple life get so convoluted?

sidelined

it’s quite a refreshing change to sit and listen for a change. Perhaps getting sidelined every once in a while isn’t such a bad idea either. It’s only when you take a step back do you realize that there are so many things you tend to miss out when you are so self-absorbed in front of the pack. The little gestures, the little smirks, the grins, the ever bubbling giggles bursting forth at each silly antics displayed. How could I have missed out on all that? Has being a leader really dulled my basic senses and instincts? By slowing down and refusing to get work done, doesn’t equate to sloth and defiance. It’s a conscious effort to start thinking about what’s really important in my life.

At the sidelines, you see the things that escape your fleeting scans. The quiet teachings of children teaching each other. Their refreshing honesty. Why is it every time I think of leaving, there’ll always be something that makes me stop to think about my decision. Is this God’s way of a gentle rebuke? Is he telling me that I’m already where he wants me to be but I’m the one who’s trying to get that whiff of “fresh” air. It’s been a rocky 3 years. There has been ups and downs, the highs and the lows. At times like this, I wonder whether I’ve been doing the teaching or vice versa. There have been so many humbling moments in my life, where they seem to know more and in their quiet obtrusive way and childlike faith, sometimes, the truth is also much clearer through their eyes, actions and thoughts. I have been humbled and brought to my knees by people half my size and a fraction of my age. The quiet humor of my Lord, I cannot help but smile.

And yet I see the silent questions in their eyes and on their lips. Their steely unwavering gaze of their eyes and the lines of determination creased on their foreheads.

getting tired

Sometimes, I find it’s much easier to just find someone and get married, “buy” a place (yeah right. 99 year lease), have kids, grow older (hopefully with the same guy) and then go home to meet my maker aka die.

And then again, the stubborn feminist streak in me is stirred up to debunk those seemingly weak-willed dependency thoughts and chastise me for such inclinations since I’ve been brought up to think for myself and not rely on others.

But there are times when being on the top is really lonely business ’coz there seems to be no space at all for anyone else.

It’s been so peaceful lately. Just like the calm before a storm. Let’s hope it doesn’t turn out to be the eye of the storm instead.

arrival

You know you’ve arrived when you are able to fully comprehend and understand the intricacies of being pregnant and start spending more time poring over Thomas the train catalogue and the toy section in department stores than stuff of your own.