Wishes for 2013...

...for moments of utter joy
...for travels and seeing new lands
...for peace and calm
...for the safety of family and good health
...for setting and achieving goals
...for good times with good friends

Turning of clocks are nothing but human inventions. But still, renewal for a new year and goals to set.Thank you 2012-my Dragon year, you healed my soul and showed me how life could be lived if I chose it to be. On to even better things!

2013 Resolutions

In a bid to create ACTIONABLE resolutions, with an actual plan to get to it...(partly inspired by http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/) especially:

"The human mind is a miracle, and you will never see it spring more beautifully into action than when it is fighting against evidence that it needs to change. Your psyche is equipped with layer after layer of defense mechanisms designed to shoot down anything that might keep things from staying exactly where they are -- ask any addict."

These are my 2013 resolutions:

1) Be able to do a handstand
2) Pick up a new sport/activity
3) Participate in a half marathon-improve upon 2:33! Goal 2:20....
4) Say yes more
5) Drop a waist size
6) Join tennis competitions
7) Cook more-twice a week dinner!
8) Do a Tango Performance
9) Sub hour 10k

I'm miles from where you are,
I lay down on the cold ground
I, I pray that something picks me up
And sets me down in your warm arms

Movie season

π, 3.14, πr^2, 2r=d

Earliest memory of pi came about at the age of 11 on a 'parents' in school day where Ms Fell stood up at the board and asked something about pi, and pa answered the question. The memory is hazy, much like the dream that managed to slip through my fingers this morning as I woke up for bootcamp, however this was probably my very first encounter of pi. Havn't touched it for years, other than the book of course.

Movie was fascinating, I didn't think anyone would be able to translate a book with such an abstract premise into a movie, however, Ang Lee managed to do a great job of it. Visuals were absolutely beautiful and this is the first movie that has managed to make me feel seasick. Even a normal boat can't do that!

Having re-read the book this year, I was struck by how well the first part would translate into a whimsical 'Amelie' style movie and I wasn't proven wrong with french swimming pools and animals prancing on and off screen in highly cinematic visuals. What I definitely didn't expect was the engagement that would come with the survival style occurrences in the second act with Richard Parker facing off Pi moments.

Kudos to whoever casted Piscine Molitor Patel. Stroke of genius that.

The Perks of being a Wallflower was a movie that I've been on the lookout for in the DVD store recently, however I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually showing in GSC this time around seeing its limited release even in the US.

The movie falls along the similar feel of "500 days" or "Donnie Darko" or actually much like "Garden State"... or any of those American teenage movie posters that Nicole felt apt to put up in our 11x12 foot room as a fair representation of her personality. I read a review that summed it up nicely in a line-paraphrased-: "it reminds you of the little things that you no longer remember, or want to remember, but remains so much a part of you."

I think looking back at it and questioning the acting, the themes a little, makes me feel callous in forgetting how true life feels when you're a teenager. When you're faced with sad moments that magnify itself to proportions beyond your control, just because you have yet to learn how to let go. It's these experiences that shape us and sometime we get stuck in moments. Hell, I still do.

This movie reminded me how things adults used to dismiss as 'unimportant' are actually really that important. And how advice like "you'll get over this" ring true 2 years after the fact, but in the moment you think you'll never get out of it.

Gerben. Your Smiths will forever haunt me with Morissey's voice. Maybe freshmen english really was my induction into the 'America High School experience 101.'

Silver bells

Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa's big scene
And above all this bustle
You'll hear...
Silver bells, silver bells

Picturesque scenes taken from the 5th floor window of Apt 507-721 South Forest, Ann Arbor. Earlier while ordering my Mario Badescu, I was digging through old emails to find my original signup address, and for a moment smiled as I remembered the tons of packages that would come knocking on 721 S. Forest every so often.

I signed my painting 1/11/12 and only just realized yesterday that it should have read 1/12/12. It has only just hit me that it's already December, I don't know where this year went, and I always repeat it, but this year has been nothing short of eventful.

Jan:  Resolutions, bootcamp starts in a bid to fit into my skirts
Feb: Impromptu Bali lush getaways
March: St Patty's day, lost my itouch
April: Ong Shunmugam cheongsam making, family portraits, Shanghai visiting
May:Work crazies
June: Italy trips, tea times with friends
July: More Italy trips, KLASSICS reunited-KLASSICS un-reunited
August: Hong Kong visiting, Perhentian dive times, Italians visiting
Sept: Pool side chills, itching, Sashimi buying, white water rafting
Oct: Birthdays, crazy script shooting, cupcake making
Nov: Bangkok visiting, go-kart racing, saying goodbyes
Dec: Jlo concerts, art weekends, Christmas Parties and holidays, NYE with a bang

Peace

The longer and longer I mull over things like, where I was, where I'm going, what I'm going to be, who I'm going to be with, how I'm going to get there, the more I realize that this year has been a bit of an eye opener because it has been serving as a template of sorts for what life could be like for a long time more (touch wood).

This year...this year...I had a nice discussion with R at A2's wedding this weekend over how life changes. For him, it's ranged from moving countries, moving jobs, finding jobs, discarding jobs, breaking up, travels...and everything in between. And the more I realize that everyone around me is still in such a flux. Embracing this constant change is what is going to define my 20's and hell, if I don't find ways to jazz it up a bit more.

Where next? Where next indeed. Travels in January/February, woot! Looking forward to reconnecting with Michigan girlies over tuk-tuk rides to 1000 year old temples. US/London travels perhaps? 2013, you're shaping up to be a good year too...if the Mayans weren't correct.

It's no longer a one-sided game of upstaging each other. It's a peace that comes with accepting that I don't want to feel a certain way anymore. Nor do I want and wish to force you to.

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark

You and me have seen everything to see
From Bangkok to Calgary
And the soles of your shoes are all worn down
The time for sleep is now
It's nothing to cry about
'cause we'll hold each other soon
In the blackest of rooms

If Heaven and Hell decide
That they both are satisfied
Illuminate the No's on their vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you
When your soul embarks
Then I'll follow you into the dark