Evocation.

Evocation.

The setting was minimalistic. The plain white walls were bare except for the many rectangular works, but the story each picture, each stroke and each word in the rectangles told stirred something in me. I wouldn't say he is extremely well-travelled, though he's certainly been a place or two. However, his travel journals tell the story of his life, and I could feel how he has evolved and grown over the years.

His earlier entries were contemplative and filled with excellent sketches, and youthful vibrance seemed to radiate from them. As I followed the timeline through his travels, sketches became fewer and I witnessed the diminishing details of his colllages as well as the decreasing contemplation in his writing. He spoke of how he had lesser time for journalling -

"It is different, travelling with a companion, and travelling alone."

That sentence struck a chord in my heart.

So many times I've wished I were more of a free spirit - at least free spirited enough to pack up my bags and go some place without worrying about leaving the people I love behind. Don't get me wrong. Holidaying with Jason is great. Exploring new places with your love is always a romantic pick-me-up. However, I can't help wondering how much emotional growth is stunted when one's too occupied with giving and receiving affection to absorb what the destination has to offer.

Us girls had a conversation by the pool on Tuesday. Whilst Ede and I raved about our urge to pack our bags and go see the world, Jane felt that it was a luxury that could be done without. She was all for not sacrificing too much just for the sake of travelling. "How much are you willing to sacrifice Leigh?"

I didn't have an answer to that. Commitment in a relationship basically spells that one's responsible for two, not one. It doesn't come with the liberty to pack up and go at one's whim and fancy.
The past six months have led my ideals and perspectives on a rollercoaster ride of sorts, and I'm not exactly sure where they lie right now.