And The Clothes Go Flap, Flap, Flap... In The Wind

One of the things I enjoyed about Summer was being able to dry my clothes in natural heat, as opposed to in the dryer [I have issues with dryers, after a few shrinking incidents].

We had a clothesline in the backyard, one of those reel-in ones [so fun to me, for some reason]. The only thing about it was that once the string was tightened, the clothes were suspended quite high in the air, like flags.

So, imagine my surprise one day as I was looking out the window of my room [bottom floor, overlooking the backyard], and saw that one of my housemates had hung her smalls up there as well, as opposed to using the clothes-airers like the rest of us do.

There they were, flapping in all their glory. I'm sure that people from a few houses over could see them as well.

I'm getting to the point of my story. Now, I don't want strangers seeing my things that they do not need to see. But a lot of people do it.

Just like I don't want to air my private things, I also don't want to air my dirty laundry in the blogosphere for anyone and everyone to see. But a lot of people do it.

The point? Just like those clothes were flapping in the wind, our dirty laundry will also get blown around. At least the clothes are held down firmly with pegs. The dirty laundry is going to travel.

Careful with what you choose to air out there.

P/S Oh, I just read this over and realised that it sounded a bit like I was telling people to censor themselves. Which I'm not. I love the fact that we have blogs where we can express ourselves freely, without having others silence us. I was merely suggesting filtering what we choose to say. For example, does the whole world need to know what XXX did to wrong you, in detail, when they've apologised, and you posting all about it would bring XXX great shame? Or something like that. Again, not censorship. Coming from this country, I loathe censorship. Just suggesting consideration for another's feelings. That's all.

Two Dimensions

One day, I was sitting in the cafeteria, taking a break from a study session in the library. While I was enjoying my pudding and drink, I thought I'd read a bit more of The Odyssey, as I had an exam for that module the following day.

So, there I was, alternating between reading and drifting off, when some people I knew came and joined me. They were also students there, but they were engineering students, whereas I was just an English and Classical Civilisations student. They're very nice boys, and fellow Malaysians.

This is how the conversation went:

Them: Hi, Riyya. Enjoying your book?
Me: Hey. Not really. I'm a bit stressed. I need to finish and remember this book by heart for my exam - tomorrow.
Them: [Looking extremely surprised.] Oh... you're... studying that book?
Me: Yes, I have to for this module I'm taking.
Them: You have an exam?
Me: [Thinking, well, yes, I am a student and it is part of university life.] Erm... yes, I do have a few papers actually.
Them: Oh. How many exams do you have?
Me: 6.
Them: [Looking even more surprised.] We thought you didn't have exams. Every time we see you, you're reading a book and looking relaxed.
Me: [*hissing inside*] Well, erm, I'm taking literature. I kind of have to read all those books. That's how I study.
Them: Oh, well, good luck on your exams.
Me: Thanks. I have to go back to the library now. I still have 3 more papers to study for. So, see you.
Them: Okay. Bye!

This is how the conversation ended:

Me gathering my books and walking away as quickly as I possibly could. Ooooh, I was so angry. Why do so many people look down on the Arts and Humanities students?

I did not choose Literature because it was easy. I chose Literature because it was what I loved. And to have people belittling what I loved really got to me.

So... as stated in my previous post...

One point of view gives you one perspective. One perspective gives you a one-dimensional picture. One-dimensional pictures paint a pretty flat view of the world.

One Dimension

One point of view gives you one perspective. One perspective gives you a one-dimensional picture. One-dimensional pictures paint a pretty flat view of the world.

Step out of the little box and look outside.

Climb over the fence and see the view from the other side.

And look. Really look.

There is no point in moving around physically but still stuck mentally.

There are so many perspectives and together, they paint such a beautiful picture.

You play an important part in this world. Your opinion matters. But yours isn't the only opinion that counts. The others play an important part in this world too. Their opinions matter.

You don't have to agree with everyone else. You don't even have to like everyone else if you really don't. But you should respect the fact that just as you are entitled to your views, they are also entitled to theirs.

Look and listen. You'll learn so much.

[This is a prologue to an upcoming post.]

Don't Play With Fire

Oh, it starts with an innocent "hello".

It grows into a casual "how are you?".

Then it develops into a full-blown conversation.

Slowly, slowly... you start enjoying these conversations.

You think nothing of it.

It's all perfectly innocent.

A little harmless flirtation.

Then you realise that you start looking forward to chatting with them.

You realise you miss them when they're not there.

Slowly, slowly... you break the other person's heart.

It may start off as innocent...

But eventually, someone is going to get hurt.

There's no such thing as a little harmless flirtation.

Especially when there are other people involved.

Be careful where you step when there are hearts involved.

One tiny misstep...

And someone gets burned.

Dance Dance Revolution

   I wanted it. 

   But I was afraid of it.

   I looked forward to it.

   But I wanted to run away from it.

   I really wanted it.

   But I kept putting it off.

   I wanted it.

   And I finally got the push I needed.

   And the support I wanted.

   I finally went for it.

   I wanted it.

   I faced it.

   I did it.

   When the moment came, I was excited.

   My heart was dancing with excitement.

   I couldn't stop grinning at my three friends.

   We joked, we laughed, we talked.

   We did it.

   And I'm so glad I did.

   And I'm so proud I did.

   Yes, I stumbled along at times.

   But I didn't give up.

   I finished it.

   And I can't wait for it to come next week.

   I'm going to face it again, with my three girls.

   I really want this.

   So, girls, let's dance! 

[So what if I looked like a panda having a seizure? I had fun. And I felt fabulous after. And pandas are so adorable.]

To Chase A Dream

So, the birthday celebrations are done with.

I had too many cupcakes [or fairy cakes] and other desserts.

Gaaahhh... if it had gone on any longer...

As wonderful as it all was...

There is no way I would be able to chase after an ant...

Let alone chase after rainbows...

And it's over those rainbows that my dreams await...

[They're definitely not waiting next door. Trust me, being the energy-conserver [read: lazy, lazy, lazy] that I am, I looked nearby first.]

As much as it pains me...

I have to bid farewell to the sweet loves for now...

Thanks for all the wonderful memories.

We'll see each other again someday.

Somewhere...

Somewhere over the rainbow...

Namanamanamana... NaBloPoMo

I decided to join in the frenzy of NaBloPoMo. It will give me that little extra motivation to work a little harder on my writing. Or at least, give me something else to do besides eating chocolates and watching The Simpsons reruns.

On that note, I thought I'd make some other changes as well [I make resolutions on my birthday, not on New Year's. My birthday is my New Year's]. I bought a skipping rope to motivate myself to exercise more, and get fit. My friends and I have also decided to join a dance class and a kick-boxing class, which should be good to burn off any excess shopping cravings.

I'll probably be too exhausted to hit the shops after the classes. So, that takes care of getting fitter and spending less. Taking part in NaBloPoMo should take care of my resolution to write more. So, that leaves the finding a suitable job bit. Which I'm also working on.

Hah. 27-year old me will be proud to face the world next year because of all the things 26-year old me will achieve this coming year. Get ready! I'm... coming... out... [Not that coming out.]

First, to sleep and get a good night's rest. Oh, and I hope I don't collapse after 5 minutes of kick-boxing.

For Everything Else...

Styling my hair: 40 minutes [40 minutes worth of electricity and almost half a can of hairspray]

Applying make-up: 40 minutes [cost of lip gloss, eyeshadow, concealer, etc. - more than I want to admit]

Deciding on 'the' outfit: [a very frantic] 20 minutes [20 minutes worth of electiricity and cost of outfit]

Picking the right accessories: 15 minutes [15 minutes worth of electricity and cost of accessories]

Choosing 'the' shoes: 10 minutes [10 minutes worth of electricity and cost of shoes]

Worrying about suitability of outfit to occassion: 130 minutes [130 minutes of electricity, etc.]

Feeling fabulous the whole night: Priceless.

Look on boyfriend's face: Priceless.

For everything else, there's Mastercard. Or Visa. Or cash.

Boo...

   So, Halloween has come and gone. I know, I know... that's old news. But I never got around to blogging about Halloween because I was so busy moping about around that time. [I went through a week of not writing anything, but thanks to scheduling, a post would magically appear even when I hadn't written anything on that day.

   My sisters went out and celebrated and came back with a whole load of sweets [which they refused to give to me, not even one, as I was supposed to be on a diet]. As I was too busy moping about, I declined to join in the Halloween festivities [a fact I regret as the photos have been posted and everyone looked like they had so much fun]. So, I let my sisters borrow my tiaras [yes, that's right... tiaras... because one just isn't enough] and my idea from a previous Halloween costume of mine [a forest nymph].

   Basically, that costume consisted of a green top, green skirt with leaves all over it [which took me simply forever to find], brown heels, a gold tiara with flowers and roses, and gold jewellery with green leaves. To top it all off, I had loads of green and gold eyeshadow and stick-on white stones. I don't think anyone quite got what I was supposed to be, but the important thing was... I got to wear my tiara. *big grin*

   I've also been a clown [back when my mom dressed me], a ghost with blond braids [again, my mother's handiwork], and a ghost again [still my mother]. My favourite is still the forest nymph, though. It even beats out the time I was an angel.

   I was an Asian angel. *laugh* I kind of ran out of time to find a white outfit, and the only white top in my wardrobe on that night that wasn't crinkled was a white kurta [Indian-inspired] top. So, the kurta it was then. And jeans. I was an Asian angel in jeans. I had white feathers and a silver halo in my hair, silver wings [which later kept getting squashed at the club], a silver wand [why not?] and loads of thick white eyeliner. I was an angel that kicked a.. 

   Oh, why did I have to mope around last week? I could have been a cat or something for one night [The costumes I considered before I started my moping were Catwoman, an artist, or a peacock. Yes, a peacock, or rather, a peahen (but it's the peacocks that have the pretty feathers), because I have some stuff with peacock feathers on them.].

   Ah, well. There's always next Halloween.

The Pretend Princess Says...

   Dear 18-year old Me,

   Midnight has come and gone.

   When that tiny second hand on the clock pushed the minute hand from 11.:59 to 12:00, it was officially my Birthday. [cue birthday song and appropriate party noise]

   A year older.

   Now I can no longer tick the 20-25 age group.

   I am now officially a proud member of the 26-30 group. [However, when I go celebrate my birthday with my friends, they have been instructed to refer to it as my 24th. A hex upon them if they break this girly pact.]

   [Remember when I used to lie about my age and say I was older? Of course you remember. You're me. Or, I'm you. Anyway, now I lie shamelessly and tell people I'm younger. I can't believe I used to tell people I was older than I actually was. Anyhoo...]

   Oh, big thanks to 'A' for being there when midnight rolled in. That was the best birthday present you could have given me. [Of course, if you want to give me more stuff, I would welcome them into my home. That huge stuffed panda would look lovely on my bed, hint, hint.] Seriously, thank you. L.U.

   [Oh, 'A' is a very, very special someone. But you'll see for yourself.]

   I was feeling a bit melancholic while waiting for this day to come. One minute, I would be ecstatic and full of excited anticipation, then suddenly I would get all mopey and upset. [My rights as a woman.] But now that it's actually here, it's actually quite nice. Sure, I will no longer be able to get away with saying I'm 18 [a tactic I used to avoid people stopping me to answer surveys - being below petite has its advantages], but I have a whole lot to be grateful for.

   [I know you had hoped to be married with at least one baby by now. Sorry to tell you that's not the case. Oh, and you still haven't landed that dream job. Wait! It's not all bad. Seriously. I'm happy. You'll see for yourself. Things are good. I have my driver's license! I know, I know... who knew I could actually get back behind the wheel after that little accident? Oh, and by this time you'll have great hair and great shoes and tons of confidence. And... the best bit? We did get to go study in the UK! So, that's one dream we got to live. Plus loads more. I don't want to ruin the surprise.]

   So my life didn't exactly work out according to plan, but hey, at least it's an adventure. Let's see what 26 is going to bring me. Hmm... 26... it's got quite a nice ring to it. Yes, I think I'm beginning to enjoy being a 26-year old woman.  

   [I may be 26 now, but I keep referring to myself as a girl. And I still haven't grown out of that cartoon thing. Still love watching cartoons.]

   Anyway, life is good. The only thing[s] that could make it perfect right now is a book deal [which I'm trying to work on] and a ring on my finger. Maybe by 27? But I'll take each day as it comes. As the great man said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making plans" [or something like that].

   

   Enjoy being 18! Quit worrying about things. Things have a way of falling into place - eventually.

Love,

The newly 26-year old Me