I Hear Mourful Hymns As I Find My Way Through The Forest Of Darkness

I hear mournful hymns as I find my way through the forest of darkness.





Aha! Caught you!
Now that I have your attention, you may as well stay and finish reading.
Sorry, but I do not hear mournful hymns. The closest thing to a mournful hymn I hear is my purse begging for the abuse to end. And my days of finding my way through 'The Forest Of Darkness' are hopefully over. [As I have thrown away my 'trekking' trainers.] Now, I only trek through 'The Labyrinth Of Desires', also known as shopping malls.
Anyway, it's all very 'Lord Of The Rings'-ish, isn't it?
Oh, I would enter the forest just for a glimpse of Legolas. [Yes, I know he's not real. Unfortunately.]
I'm rather bored at the moment, and sleepy as I am, I can't seem to sleep.
Oh, if only the stars could sing me a lullaby.
[Sorry, I'm in a rather melodramatic mood right now. I was absolutely scandalised earlier when I thought I wouldn't be able to find my ankle guards.]
Actually, forget the stars. If I were still sleeping in my old room in Swansea, with Jamie Foxx crooning in my ear, I'd sleep just fine.
I actually started out writing this post with something specific in mind. But apparently I've forgotten what it was.
Ah, well. Let's just go with the flow. [I don't follow the flow enough. If anything, I'm always trying to swim against it, or at least resist. Could it be my incredibly stubborn streak?]
[Err... no, I'm not stubborn. I'm a woman who has strong opinions and beliefs.]
Right.
I was thinking of making lemon squares earlier or some incredible-looking chocolate chip cookies I saw on Nigella Express. But I don't know where all the baking equipment is. Plus, my neighbours and my family probably won't appreciate hearing the banging that usually accompanies my efforts in the kitchen at 3.00 a.m.
Back to my futile effort to reach La-La Land.

The Perfect Blend

Some of my favourites...

1. chocolate + banana + whipped cream = perfect smoothie
   
2. pineapple + cheese = perfectly yummy snack cubes
   
3. books + me = perfectly contented me
   
4. pesto, mozarella + sundried tomatoes = perfectly delish toasted panini
   
5. pink + white = perfectly sweet colour combo
   
6. mangoes + mascarpone = perfectly great sponge filling
   
7. diamonds + me = perfectly dazzled me
   
8. Lilo + Stitch = perfect entertaining duo
9. rain, slow love songs, scented candles = perfect snuggling under the covers
10. Italy + me = perfect place for me
11. cream cheese, smoked salmon + caviar = perfect toppings for a bagel
12. hot bath + scented bubbles = perfectly relaxed me
13. toast, spaghetti hoops + fried egg = perfect breakfast
14. pasta + me = perfectly stuffed me
15. sunsets + beach = perfect scenery
16. daydreaming + me = perfect partners
17. rain + sleep = perfect sleeping environment
18. hazelnut coffee + cold weather = perfect way to warm up
19. shopping + me = perfectly de-stressed me
20. ice cream, whipped cream, butterscotch sauce = perfect sundae
21. him + me = perfectly happy

What are some of your 'perfect' blends?

I'm going to tag these people and find out their 'perfect' blends.

Eim, ScoMan, Aya, Nicole, Jaja, Mhea, Erin

Absolutely Wonderful

   I've just had a look at Mhea's blog and I was just amazed by this.

   Please have a look here. 

   I think what she and the others are doing is absolutely wonderful.

   Kind of makes you think and puts everything into perspective, doesn't it?

   So, here's to Mhea and the others!

   Keep up the amazing work!

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.