Brown paper packages…
I sold my mom the whole recycling idea when I returned to Singapore from Australia in 2003. We went through a trying few weeks when I made her purchase reusable grocery bags and made her designate a corner at home for plastics, cardboard and tin cans. A painful process for any city dweller so accustomed to hurling things down the chute and collecting plastic bags from supermarket shopping for the disposal of garbage at home. She now pretty much runs on autopilot and has become somewhat of a green nazi at our local NTUC, politely telling people in line that they should consider buying reusable grocery bags :p
I know of friends who believe that the onus lies on conglomerates to implement change, and is, in their opinion the only effective way that any significant impact can be made. The collective effort of the entire earth’s population is not enough to actually cause any considerable retardation to the process of global warming, we are, as some might say, too far gone already. Reducing emissions, turning to natural energy sources, developing more sustainable ways of natural living, changes in a big way so to speak, as opposed to elaborate campaigns to remind people to toss their drink bottle into a recycling bin, or a move to start charging a fee for plastic bags in the supermarket.
I am of the view that any contribution, no matter how small, should not be discounted. Sure, we may not actually be doing very much to slow down the process of global warming, buy hey, collective effort over a long period will eventually have some effect, no matter how miniscule.
Plus! Seeing my mother send me literature wrapped in old paper and knowing how far we have come as a family sure makes my day 
Aqua mutts
Perth 2006
Reminded me of a twisted dream I had involving underwater dogs, another story for another time.
Zee Avi
Was sent Zee Avi‘s latest album a while back, but to be honest, I never had the motivation to open the folder and listen to her entire album as a sampling of the first few tracks sounded like her style was more country meets pop meets jazz than folk (which I love). There sat the folder forgotten amidst the icon rubble that is my desktop, until a few days ago, when I did a quick google search on who she was.
Talent scouted on youtube, originally from Borneo and now signed on to Bushfire records which is co-owned by Jack Johnson.
Impressive.
Her voice has a Nora Jones meets Lily Allen like quality, smooth and velvety yet sharp around the edges, with a calming drawl which I find oddly addictive even though I am not particularly a fan of radio friendly tunes. I look forward to her gaining more experience in song writing, which I think would lend more depth to her lyrics, but having said that, her lyrics display maturity beyond her years. I know I could never write songs like that :p
This was a lighthearted listen. Enjoy!
Signs
Ending was a bit corny, but lovely short nonetheless
Joshua Radin
Off the soundtrack of Adam.
I cannot imagine going through life not being able to comprehend or for that matter, feel complex human emotions. Having to rote learn behavioural responses to conform to societal expectations, feeling frustrated, isolated and trapped in a life that that you cannot understand, cannot steer, one that is beyond your control.
More than that, a life without love!
Such tragedy.
Eames lounge chair
If I had all the money in the world…
I would gift you this, in exchange for your smile.
But money I have none.
So, I will resort, cheaply, to dancing.
Spring Haiku
Army of green buds…
Infiltrate the pale bark plains
Ready for battle
The box
One simply cannot be good at maintaining all relationships equally, however, one can make the effort to sustain them for as long as one can. Sometimes factors such as geography, commitments or simply growing apart often result in both parties loosing touch for long periods of time. Who can one blame, really? I think, the most important thing is that one values human relations and values the fact that these people might have at some point in your life, played an integral role in shaping your views and opinions, lent you a listening ear, made you feel special, helped you through a rough patch, inspired and motivated you… and as a result, you will never forget them.
God knows I am a less than perfect friend, and I am often humbled by how much other people value my friendship. This is coming from someone who used to think relationships were fleeting and transient. I can only strive to work harder at maintaining these relationships and remind myself that I should never take anyone for granted.
Anyway this little introspective nonsense is a result of finding this suspicious looking box sitting outside my front door this evening.
Upon closer inspection, the top had a rather innocuous claim as to what the contents were.
Opening the box, I discovered there was indeed fruit! Presented most beautifully. How novel! My very first box of delivered fruit!
The card at the side, explained it all…
…and hence my little introspective schpill at the start.
Thank you so very much, Yap, Ling, Wenn and Sheepgirl, you really made my day today, it warms my heart to know that we can always pick up where we left off. Miffed that I cannot be part of the agency alumni, reunited, but glad that I will see you all in 7 weeks
Thank you from Sideshowjo.
PS: Ling, I do not have a photo with you in my notebook! We have to take a proper one come October.
Spring-a-ling
As much as I miss my kitchenaid mixer, I think I have made some of my most palatable baked goods here, with our cheap $15 mixer, home brand ingredients and sorry excuse for a oven. I think this can be attributed, in part, to the temporary emancipation from my health conscious mother, who would not fail to express her displeasure every time I decided to bake in her kitchen. Ah! Such freedom!
The most recent bake up was this absolutely gorgeous summery buttery lemon and poppy seed loaf cake. I polished off half a loaf in 3 days, shared some with the housemates and dug deep for some generosity to give some away :p
Try it, this recipe is a keeper.
