RUN AWAY

Norway. Finland. Sweden. Venice. New Zealand. Czech Republic. Santorini. Bora Bora. Rome. Belgium. Brisbane. Auckland. Poland.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. 

2012, BYE!

Two nights ago, I was at a CNY-cum-old-classmates-gathering at a friend's house. There is just something about old schoolmates as friends; we grow up together.

The other day, an intern gave me her email address (for me to send some teaching resource over to); on which states her year of birth : 1993. I cringed inwardly. WHAT?! Is she, like, a baby or something? Is she even LEGAL? I did a quick mental calculation in my head. GASP! That lass is 19? GASP GASP!! I can't breathe!!!

For the first time ever, I FEEL OLD.

It seems like only yesterday, prancing around in the pearl-white laboratory coat, happily studying immunology, pharmacology, hematology, clinical pathology, drug development and clinical trial, and the likes, and counting red blood cells under microscopic slides and cutting up chick embryos and cultivating their cells (cruel, I know).

It seems like only yesterday, prancing around in the pearl-white laboratory coat again, but this time studying grossly nonsensical stuffs such as organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry and the likes, and dealing with boring chemicals in the laboratories which make totally no sense.

It seems likes only yesterday that I was studying for the post-graduate. Running around and exploring the far far west but ironically, never venturing into the grounds of NTU because of grounds infamiliarity. Tutorials. Field trips. 10-weeks practicum. All these seem like only YESTERDAY.

And it suddenly dawned to me : this is already the 3rd year since graduation! But it seems like only yesterday when I was still a student!

I can't wait for year 2012 to come to an end. I can't wait for the bond to end; to break out of this fixed mould of work. It feels so dead, routine. There are still things I've yet to try. Working in a non-government sector. Traveling. Exploring. Flying. Playing. Experiencing. Living life. 

2012, end quickly!

UNIQUE

I am so in luuurve with this beautiful white guy.

Sometimes, the thought of living without him seems unimaginable. Oftentimes, I've tried to imagine life after his death, or how devastating his parting would be, and whether would he ever have any idea how much it would hurt. Or would he be only too happy to be freed from suffering, assuming that he would - in time to come - die from old age?

A random thought struck me a few days ago. 

If time were to rewind, I am - with most certainty - able to instinctively pick out Tofu from a litter of puppies of similar breed.

Maybe it's in the way he proudly manifests himself in quiet strength. Tofu just has this charmingly dignified air (yes, yes, call me biased) around him. The way he puffs his chest up like royalty and holds his head high with ethereal poise and elegance. Or maybe it's the lively bounce in his prideful gait that is found in no other. Or it's how his paws go pitter-patter against the tiles as he trots lightly across the room. Or the telltale playful wags of his bushy tail; emanating his childlike, joyous innocence. The delightful, clever sparkles of brilliance shining through his clear, oval eyes. How his cushy paw seem to fit perfectly and melt as I hold it in my hand. How his ears perk up in alertness, and the particular angle in which his head is tilted to one side inquiringly. The way he automatically sits by my side like a limp piece of creamy-vanilla rug; with his face lit up with happiness and contentment at the mere display of affection - a simple tousle of his fur, a comforting massage on the nap of the neck, a series of light scratches on his manly chest. Or the way he likes to lap up water from the toilet tiles and mop basin - much to our exasperation. The way he sits quietly - all the time while drooling - as he makes known his feeble request to be fed off our plates. The fierce loyalty as he barks protectively when someone acts aggressively towards me. Or it's the way his fat butt wriggles cutely as he walks. Or maybe it's just how his snores sound. Or it's the way he licks my hand lovingly like he would a delicious piece of chicken bone. Or maybe it's just simply the way he gazes at me. Like I'm the most amazing thing on earth.

There is just something about him that makes him uniquely him, and unique to me. He just sticks out like a sore thumb.

And, for the first time in my life, I totally understand what parents mean when they claim they know which child is theirs just by one glance. Yes, mushy, I know.

AND my baby is turning two already in a few months' time. TWO!!! He has already lived one-fifth - or at best, one-sixth - of his life. Time flies by sooo fast! Let me weep.

HAPPINESS IS, BEING SIMPLE

"Realize that true happiness lies within you. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside. Remember that there is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving. Reach out. Share. Smile. Hug. Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself." 

Og Mandino