ramblings of one who thinks too much

With the Internet, we can now backtrack all the information, updates, news that we missed out on.

I find that a curse. Unless we are constantly up to speed, we end up trying to catch up with the past.

So let those moments you have lost go and grasp the present. Don’t miss out on life in front of you for the things that have already happened.

Move forward, don’t look back.

Two zero one two has been a year of ups and downs, like ever year before it.

But more ups than downs despite all the insanity I had to go through. From leaving the frying pan into the fire in a short span of a month. Then spending six months roasting over the fire.

The highlight is the fact that throughout this six crazy months.. I had people who love me supporting me all the way. My family and of course, The Girlfriend. 

She’s amazing and we’ve been amazing! Despite the distance, despite our differences, our hearts still beat as one. I have enjoyed every single second we’ve spent together. Be it through skype, from different continents, or physically, we are taking that same path down towards the future we both want to build together. I love the conversations we have, the jokes we share and those sweet moments I would cherish for the rest of my life.

This year is going to be a great year! And it is going to be exciting! I would be applying for University and I am stoked about going back to school. I want to know what being a designer really means to me and I strive to make a name for myself in the design industry.

Besides that, I want to start applying the knowledge I have. Enough of “I have all these great ideas but I haven’t had a chance to execute them.” 2013 is going to be a year of doing. I want to get things done and not just talk about it, no matter how big or small the project. This means a lot of prioritising needs to be done. I need time for myself without distractions.

I guess 2013 is going to be a year of change for me and hopefully things change for the better!

I am not sure how many notice my current absence from Tumblr or social media in general but I’m on an extended vacation in Melbourne and it’s been amazing.

Today is Day 23.

The past 23 days have been a blast even though I’ve spent quite many days cooped up at home while The Girlfriend and her housemates study for their exams.

The holiday started with a weekend getaway at Mornington. Beautiful house by a lake with a gorgeous view. It had a gas grill, a fireplace, a scrumptious breakfast basket and champagne.

We visited gardens, hedge mazes, a glass studio and a wildlife sanctuary. And we got ourselves unknowingly in the Mornington annual festival with lots of food and wine. We fed ourselves with copious amounts of food over the weekend and we got to feed wallabies too.

Then it was a week of running around the city, catching up on sleep and some factory outlet shopping. Checked out craft markets! Managed to catch the bi-annual Finders Keepers Market and the Rose Street Market. Bought the Girlfriend a bowtie and I got myelf a swanky tweed vest. The Melbourne Wood-Working Show was totally underwhelming though. I thought there would be more design stuff but it was mostly traditional design.

Then I spent my birthday here! Frankenweenie at the Beanbag Cinema, shopped, played with puppies and had the most amazing steak at Rare. And… The Girlfriend bought me a blank Paws! from Coarse Toys which I have been totally eyeing for yearsss. Totally AWESOME.

I have also rolled up and sleeves and cooked up a storm throughout my trip. Culinary Therapy. I made cheese fondue and steak for the housemates. Had tacos. Steak, lots of steak. Soups. So much food that we’re kinda spending the rest of this week finishing left-overs. I was meant to leave on the 7th so I made batches of soups and meat sauces for The Girlfriend to heat up. In the end, I managed to convince the parentals to let me stay for longer hence the never-ending supply of leftovers. Time for the nom-a-thon.

In terms of food adventures, The Girlfriend brought me out for mind-blowing sushi omakase. A medley of raw and lightly torched fish. Melt in the mouth teriyaki wagyu beef. The highlight of that night was the creamiest, sweetest Uni (sea urchin) that was pretty much like ice cream. Oh so delicious. And we had a lot of seafood and did I mention, ALOT OF STEAK. Oh and I finally got to eat at Pancake Palour! There is just something so comforting about fluffy pancakes drowned in maple syrup with a side of bacon and eggs. Maybe it is the excitement of having breakfast for lunch or even dinner. Well I am definitely going back for more!

To summarise, the trip has been about having a lot of seafood, steak, ice cream, craft markets, shopping, cuddles, inspiration, self-discovery, some personal projects, more cuddles and lots of love from The Girlfriend.

The Girlfriend is the most amaaazing and awesome-est person on Earth. I love her to bits.

I am going to start posting some of the photos up.. mostly from my iPhone. Suddenly, I wonder why I bothered bringing my Olympus Pen out at all.

Anyhow.. gonna be here for another 17 days.. I will try to post a little more even if it is just photos. Would probably elaborate on my trip so far along with the photos too.

A Hindu saint who was visiting river Ganges to take bath found a group of family members on the banks, shouting in anger at each other. He turned to his disciples smiled ‘n asked.

‘Why do people shout in anger shout at each other?’

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, ‘Because we lose our calm, we shout.’

‘But, why should you shout when the other person is just next to you? You can as well tell him what you have to say in a soft manner.’ asked the saint

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the other disciples.
Finally the saint explained, .

‘When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other to cover that great distance.

What happens when two people fall in love? They don’t shout at each other but talk softly, Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is either nonexistent or very small…’

The saint continued, ‘When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper ‘n they get even closer to each other in their love. Finally they even need not whisper, they only look at each other ‘n that’s all. That is how close two people are when they love each other.’

He looked at his disciples ‘n said.

‘So when you argue do not let your hearts get distant, Do not say words that distance each other more, Or else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.’

(Source: spiritual-short-stories.com)

Melbourne was great. Really. I haven’t enjoyed a holiday more. There is something really different about roaming a city on your own. Yet at the same time, nature ain’t that far off.

I loved how easily accessible everywhere is by tram and train. And also how drivers there are a lot more courteous and safe. I wished it was safer to get around Singapore by cycling.

I think I shall put up a photo a day to talk about my trip in slightly more detail. (:

And when I finally find that someone who understands me in a snap, life will finally be complete. I am really an open book to those who can read.

All I want is someone I can care for, protect and share my life with. I want to cook for the one I love, cuddle on the couch while watching a movie, snuggle in bed to sleep.

We can have a nice cosy apartment. Have a cat or maybe a dog. Share the chores on Sundays. Waste the days we want to waste. Wake on the days we want to wake.

Share our ambitions and dreams. Push each other forward so we will keep becoming better at being us. Listen to each other whine about work and make voodoo dolls for each of our bosses.

Explore Singapore armed with our cameras and empty stomachs, enjoy all sorts of food, visit exhibitions, galleries, museums. Watch plays, musicals and dance recitals. Cycle around the island. Go for walks hand in hand under the stars. Travel the world.

Surprise each other with gifts on birthdays and anniversaries and every other day we feel like. Leave notes around the house for each other find. And be very in love.

I think I have what it takes to make all the above come true. So where are you?