The art of doing nothing.

The art of doing nothing.



I can't remember when was the last time I sat around an entire day without checking my watch, but instead looked towards the sky and sunlight for an indication of time.

When I spend the longest periods sitting around in chilly winds and playing silly games, and when laughter accompanies my every meal.

When I gain the deepest contentment from stroking a cat, and a warm shower taken with a bucket and a pail.

India has stripped me down to almost the basics, and while the absence of urban luxuries took a bit of getting used to, I am now enjoying the art of doing nothing at all.

Jump first, think later.

Jump first, think later.

It's only been two days, but it feels like we've been here in MICA for quite awhile, though not in a bad way. The campus is relatively empty as school doesn't start till later next week, but the people we've met have been very friendly and helpful.

We were invited to the wedding of the director's daughter last night, and while we felt pretty much like unwelcome visitors initially, we felt right at home once the faculty started coming up to us, and when Amit and Sumit came by.


The super-stamina musicians.


With all the colors and chattering of an Indian wedding.


The walkway to the wedding wonderland.


Color is obviously huge here. The more, the merrier.


A group shot of (l-r) Amit, myself, Sumit, Kash, Erwin and Nuria.


Heading out for hot masala tea in the chilly night.


Check out my amount of layers!


We bumped into Sumit and Amit at Chotta, the 24-hour cafe on campus, and we had crazy talk over hot masala tea in the chilly night.


Taking an auto (or what is pretty much like Bangkok's tuk-tuks) back to campus after a day shopping in Ahmedabad city.


Spot Erwin and I.


Found us?


We're getting along just fine. No desire to murder each other yet, haha.


Camel crossing.


The driver.


Gamely posing for us.


That's Sumit, watching the setting sun.


Driving (recklessly) off into the sunset.


MICA sunset.


While waiting for Nuria and Amit to join us back at the campus, Sumit read our palms. According to him, I think a lot (can't argue that), will marry a husband who is better looking than me, have one marriage and one child, to whom I'd be an over-protective mother. Hmm. And yes, he said that I'd have heart complications later in life. Sheesh. Maybe I should drink more red wine.

On a different note, the director's dog Roxy roams the campus freely, which ain't good news for me, especially as it's a full-grown German Sheperd. However, I managed to get around the fear to sit with Amit in the chilly evening with the dog between us as we contemplated religion and yoga. Not bad an improvement huh?

From the land of incredibles.

From the land of incredibles.


So after a very pampering Business Class (free upgrade hah!) flight, and a frustratingly long time at the baggage counters, we stepped out into Ahmedabad, where very very nice MICA students came by to pick us up from the airport. Here's their way of baggage storage - atop the vehicle.


A group shot outside the hostel with a friend of the MICA students. Amit's his name, I think? I would think he's what a typical Indian heart throb would look like.


Due to some wedding going on, we would have to make do in this jail-cell style room for the next couple of days. Dirty beds, dirtier toilets and funny insects... I am so gonna kiss the bed at the international hostel. And the heater. This is what I see while on my painfully unclean bed. Talk about waking up to an inspiring view...


After waking up countless times in the increasingly cold night, we awoke finally to brilliant sunshine, thank goodness.


What I assume is a typical day's lunch in the MICA canteen, except for the small portion which is my own doing. The food's surprisingly nice, quite like what I like.

And just for a rustic beauty snapshot to chase away the ills...



We're invited to the director's daughter's wedding... so off I go to formalise whatever clothes I have.. and to jump into yet another shower.

P.s. For the promised update on Indian men - some are looking pretty good! Stubbly. HAHA.

Just an extended holiday...

Just an extended holiday...
feeling: sleepy

By an unexpected twist of fate, Aunty Pat managed to get us each an additional 10kg of baggage allowance. PHEW. I'm just about done restuffing most of what I painfully took out last night, haha! I'm now wondering if there's anyway I can stuff my yoga mat in my almost-bursting luggage.

So finally, I am lounging in my rattan chair, with my luggages almost packed, but not feeling very introspective at all.

I'm not entirely at peace, seeing how I gotta leave my dad and my family at a time like this, but I have their blessings so that's what counts. And it helps to know I've got friends and relatives back here in Singapore whom I know I could count on to look out for him. Nothing makes one feel more blessed than love in the time of adversity.

Yesterday's nerves have calmed, and I am somehow feeling sleepily drugged. Kinda feels like any other short vacation I'm leaving for.. denial, denial. Haha.

Over and out.

Embarkation.

Embarkation.
feeling: nervous


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When I initially decided to save this entry for the last minute, I imagined myself channeling introspection while lounging in my rattan chair, with my luggage neatly packed.

But of course, lounge really isn't quite the word to use at 1:28 in the morning, and after hours of futile effort, my luggage is still way overweight. I've given up, and am willing to pay the charges in exchange for my remaining sanity.

Bitch and Vincent came by for dinner and to bring me an alternative luggage, and she sat me through a "come on you don't need 20 pairs of pants" session. I love my best friend, even though her petty hate towards my purple fisherman pants is unfounded.

And of course, there's Ern who played messenger between her SIA relatives and me, and Ceci, who sat me through a "come on you don't need 5 sweatshirts" phone conversation after Bitch left.

And the many well wishers, whom I know are worried. As CH aptly put it, "I think all of us are excited but worried for you".

I'm worried too. The nerves have finally cut through the impassivity, and assaulting me in random bouts. There's danger and uncertainty in everyday life, but this trip seems to up the quotient! And or course, chancing upon a guidebook stating the India Rail as the world's most dangerous with 400 to 500 crashes annually doesn't quite calm the soul.

Yet, I know it would be an adventure of a lifetime, and one where my independence would possibly be stretched and challenged. And while the comforts of home will be sorely missed, I am looking forward to the change. India, here I come!

P.s. I didn't set up a special blog for it, so check back here regularly for updates. If need be, brutally tell me should I gain weight so I'd lay off the curries, haha.

Merry Christmas, with love.

Merry Christmas, with love.

Christmas 2006 was spent in the chilly winds of Bangkok, where (I can now admit) I was delaying having to heal my battered heart. It's been a trying year, but I've finally arrived at where I wanted, stronger and more whole than I have ever been. And that is more than enough reason to give thanks this holiday season.

As I'm leaving in a couple of days, I brought Christmas home this year and hosted two gatherings. The eve of the eve with the CS bunch also served as a final gathering before we all left for our respective exchange countries.


Bacon-wrapped asparagus, baked penne with italian sausages and apricot pork chops. A huge thank you to Cheryl, Daph and Lays for helping me out in the kitchen.







Christmas Eve was particularly meaningful this year, for it was spent in the company of dear friends, most of them people I grew up with. There was the Spottiswoode and ZPS gang, my bitch, my running/beaching bud, and my yoga/holiday/new-age girlfriend.




Baked mushrooms with feta cheese and Kar Ern's mushroom soup for starters, baked pork chops with apples for the main.


Then there was the potato salad Lanxi and Ern tossed, as well as the melt-in-the-mouth brownie I am exceptionally proud of! Check out our makeshift Christmas tree... sure gives a whole new meaning to presents under the tree!

And being our usual quarrelsome selves, bitch and I just had to spar while doing the dishes. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard doing the dishes before. Here's Kenrick's document of the fiasco.


Ceci and Lanxi had to come mediate. Haha.




Gift exchange was chaos!


Bitch with the sexy thong I got her, Ken giving two thumbs up to the cardigan I got him, Ken again this time posing with the monkey boxers Ceci got him, and Chun Huat dubiously eyeing his pink piglet boxers.



While the rest got trigger happy, I got tarot happy with the deck Ceci got me. Nothing malicious, just intuitive, and I gave everybody free readings!





The ZPS bunch stayed on, and we dug up and laughed at my primary school autograph book entries.
Me (to Ken): Who's David Tan?
Ken: Who?
Me: You wrote that he's your favourite schoolmate.
Ken (looking distressed): HUH? Who's David Tan???

And guess what CH wrote in my Tweety Bird autograph book? "I hate Tweety." HAHA. What a Christmas eve.

After getting stuffed at the family lunch earlier today, I trudged ('cos of the heavy belly) down to Borders Bistro to catch up with Karin who's back from Aussieland.


Ceci and I then zipped up to Cedele for dinner with Jemo, who gamely fed my final craving of Cedele and beef.

I love Christmas.



Happy holidays everybody!