On cloud eight

Hey people,

http://cloudeight.wordpress.com

Please visit this link next time, I’ve realised that Wordpress is so much easier to use. (=
You have to click on the link, I don’t know how to do those auto transfer kind of thingamagiks.
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What else could we say to comfort, other than "We’ll be here"?
We despaired, but not like you did.
We cried, but not like how you cried.
We bled, but not like how you bled.

We try, to do more than just "be there", but in the midst realise that it probably is the best thing that is within our abilities to do.

The departure is still fresh on everyone’s minds; no one could fathom the answer to everyone’s only question. But what is done, has been done; let the healing begin.

Everyone has learnt something.
We’ve learnt that life is indeed fragile.
We’ve learnt the stong bond of a family and the pain it brought to break a part of it.
We’ve learnt in times of need, friends are one of the most amazing gifts to us.
We learnt that in such dire circumstances, inner strength is paramount.
We learn.

The events from this weekend has taught me that living your life really isn’t just about yourself. The decisions that you make, the paths that you choose to take, aspirations, departures, they inevitably bring your loved ones with you.

In dire moments, the people you’re close to give a new meaning to being there for you.

School started on an overwhelming foot. It seems, I’m going to take some time getting used to the school air again; and I thought I’ve always been quite adaptable. Till now, I don’t quite know how to address this new feeling of loneliness; how you can be around so many people, say hi to so many newly made friends, and you feel more alone than ever.

Then, the superheroes came to save my entire week. Hung out with the hospi gang yesterday, and I didn’t expect myself to miss them that much since school started. Seeing them was pure elation; and they made that grey cloud that had been over my head for the week clear up for quite a bit.

I like the easy way conversations flowed from one topic to another; I relish how we can have the worst hair days and it didn’t matter to anyone, because of course, they can’t be worst than our year one hair-dos; I love how everyone’s shoulders are available to lie on, and how we can bitch to one another and not worry about them not understanding; I luxuriate in the laughters and affectionate jibes; and I love the gentle way we care for one another.

In total seriousness

In total goofiness

Trust them to make any day better.

Hospi ROCKS, anytime.

Big sis

Little sis

Hy’s cousins. Aren’t they pretty? And yes, twins! I couldn’t tell them apart except for a mole on the face of little sis. Big sis stuck her hand on any part of my body that was available for her to hold on to the moment she saw me; and little sis was more attached to hy. It was rather endearing, really. And little sis doesn’t like to pose for the camera, so she took that blurry last photo for us.

I realised, our bodies react naturally to music. Musicians move naturally to the music they’re playing. Be it a drummer; a percussionist; a pianist. Be it a head bob; gentle swaying of the arms; mild shuffling of the feet. Music is in every one of us.

Attended SMU’s convocation today. I know, convocations are usually graduation ceremony. But for SMU, being the unorthadox university, convocations are an official welcome for freshies. Yes I’m a freshie, sounds.. like I’m a prey. Anyway, it wasn’t until the grand procession, where the big shots of the schools wearing their Harry Potter’s robes march in with people carrying the SMU flag and flags of the different faculty did I revel that I’m finally in a university. It seemed so far fetched about 2 years ago, but I’m now in SMU!! And school starts on Monday! The start of using pencil cases, notebooks, new bags, the endless race for deadlines. It’s all coming back.

The Greek word "Eros" denotes "want", "lack".
The desire for that which is missing.
The lover wants what he does not have.
It is by definition impossible for him
to have want he wants
If as soon as it is had
it is no longer wanting

- Eros, the bittersweet

Well this doesn’t relate what I’m feeling now, but I just happened to come across this verse, and thought of how deep they look into the word longing. It’s interesting.

Anyway, orientation camp is over; only, they prefer not to call it orientation camp, but a freshmen team building camp, but face it, orientation camp is orientation camp. I’m glad the team building games were not those silly pass a rubberband using toothpicks kind of games. Their games were ingenious! They required all of us to think and strategise in order to get done with the games. I played human foosball.

Finally, after 8 long months of procrastination, we’ve finally gotten down to getting some of the photos taken in NZ developed and snugly fitted into an album. There’s something about a photo album that packs more of a punch than just flipping through individual photos. We both agreed to keep the 2 maps that we’ve used extensively during our trip, with pen markings, torn edges and all.

The vibrant colours of the landscapes that we drove past, the smell of sun on the grass, of salty morning seaside air; they all came back with those photos. All the places that I’ve been, I leave a little of my soul with them, and take a little of theirs back home with me, in me.

And this, is the two stalks of flowering plant that I’ve put into a pot just outside my room’s window. And they’re budding! Can’t wait to see them grow all colourful.