Thursday, February 22, 2007

Loving and Being Loved in Return

Ever since I moved away from Indo, I spend a bit of time during my trip back to Jakarta, going through old letters, cards and pictures. I have always enjoy doing it cause every time it reminds me of different things as well as gives me different type of mixed feelings.

I've just done my second round for this trip and ...
... I really enjoy the feeling it gives me today. :)

I felt that in my 24+ years of life - I've been really close to quite a few different people (non-family related people); I've cared and loved quite a few of them; and from browsing through the letters, cards and pictures; I realised that I've been loved and cared by quite a few of them too... Of course, some more than others, and for some past tense doesn't quite work - cause they're still around me. I guess that's the power of handwritten hard-copies :) It touches you more than the emails' block characters can do.

There are quite a few people that I don't recall have ever sent me letters/cards and apparently they have - and going through the letters; it seems like I've sent them letters/cards too.. haha me and my bad memory.

The sad part is that it reminds of some people that I'd really like to be still in touch with but with time constraint, things changing, and people moving, it's tricky.

When I first moved from Medan to Jakarta - two friends keep me busy with letters that definitely make me laugh - Herlin S and Cindy S (my cousin) - we were still kids back then; so the things that we write aren't exactly interesting; but we kept in touch for almost 2 years.. that's LONG for 10-11 years old!

After that, there is this pen pal that I still haven't met (Maura C) or maybe I have - I can't remember. Mmm then there are some other letters.. OJ has been a great pen-pal for quite sometime too.. Mmm.. who else?

Anyway, the list can go on and on but my point is... I think it is really great to realise that we've sincerely loved & cared for someone and been (I think and hope.. sincerely too) loved and cared for in return by quite a few people... These people - however far they are from me right now... have definitely gives meaning to my life... In fact, this whole thing might be what life is about to me... :D

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Happy Chinese New Year !!!

It's that time of the year again - the Chinese New Year!!!

The time when everyone put on their pretty new clothes.
The time when the younger relatives visit and pay their respect to the older relatives.
The time when the un-married people get to receive the red pockets (with money $$$ in it) :) from the people who are married.

It's been more of a good thing than bad thing for me so far.
Let's see...
It's good cause I'm one of the un-married ones ($$$ _ $$$).
It's good cause I get to see quite a lot of the relatives whom I haven't seen for quite a while.
It's good cause then I don't have to find a separate time within my short holiday to visit my uncles and aunties again - saves me a lot of time.
Also, it's good cause I get to see my younger cousins (who all seem to have grown up so quickly hence make me feel a bit old) as well as to do big catch-up (that I enjoy) with the ones that are about my age.

Mmm.. The bad points?
It's bad cause the older relatives tend to ask about 'the' topic; i.e. "Marriage - When?" Problem? Mmmm.. Trying to explain that I no longer have a boyfriend to marry and having to hear "*LOL* you're kidding - so WHEN are you getting married?" *Sigh* I guess that's what happen when you joke around too much about serious things!
It's bad cause the unavoidable thing happen a lot - comparison with the other cousins; e.g. she looks good - he looks good - her partner is great - his partner is great - etc. This year has been OK; I get slightly more complments than complains :P. But the way I see it - it means that I have to make sure I improve or at least stay the way I am at the moment - else next year I'll be amongst the doomed ones. Not that I care THAT much :P.

Anyway - need to start counting the amount of money I get for putting up with sweet-talking the whole day... :P Oyasumi!

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Reminder to self: Impact of Extreme Jealousy

“In jealousy there is more of self-love than love.”
-- François de la Rochefoucauld quotes (French classical author, leading exponent of the Maxime, 1613-1680)

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves”
-- William Penn quotes (English Quaker leader and Founder of Pennsylvania, 1644-1718)

Miniatures - so cuteeee!! :))

Have a look at these cute things... they're miniatures of the typical Indonesian stalls!!! It is soooooo cute!!! Very pricey though :)



Tarq 4 Reunion - 16th February 2007 - Twin Plaza Hotel

Just got back from the reunion thing - I was a bit worried at first (haven't seen most people for a longgggg time!!!) - but it turned out great. The attendance was a bit low (only ~65 people were there!!!) but the catching ups were great. So many people with so many different stories. Most of them are back here though - doing something... :)
It's a lot of fun and exciting to see them as who they're today along with the shadows of what they used to be :)) Remembering names have always been my issue but luckily Jefrey helped a lot :P And, special thanks to all the people I asked for help taking pictures - thanks heaps!!! :)
It was an AWESOME nite indeed - thanks to those who somehow managed to find time to organize this :)

Pics below:
Tar-Q 4 Girls



Tar-Q 4 Boys



Me and my bessies :) (Jefrey + Pipi)

Friday, February 16, 2007

The brightest bear

Here's a really nice article about standing out in a crowd instead of blending in that a special friend send to me...
http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2007/02/the-brightest-bear/