Musings

It's two more days to the new year and like many people out there, I look forward to a better year ahead where life will be good not just for me but for my family, friends, students, mankind etc. I do not want to list down resolutions for who actually follows them? They exist in my head and in my conscience :) Sometimes they get achieved. Sometimes you create resolutions in the middle of the year. But whatever it is.. Let's pray to be better humans who make meaning in this world and not just make messes.  Let's take time to live and not be too overwhelmed by social media or even technology (though this is hard to do). Let's heal, encourage, inspire and radiate positivity. Let's be closer to God and believe with strong conviction that the ultimate life is the one we will lead after we die and when we are resurrected. Let's all strive to lead a good life! Happy 2019 everyone! Thanks for being my silent readers.. ;) ps/ stay tuned to my new blog I...

She had a scowl on her face that could not be removed. It came about whenever people made her cross. Lately that was pretty often. There just wasn't enough doors to slam so she slammed the only door closest to her and ranted on about how stupid everyone was around her. Was she the only one who knew how to get things done right?  Breathe in. Breathe out. They tell her. Like that was going to help cool her blazing rage. She could light up a room with that much energy she was emitting.  She retreated to her small office. Her haven. The place where she could just be with her own thoughts and where all she needed was there. Her favourite mug was carefully placed in front of her so that she could see it everyday. A dear friend had given it to her on her birthday and on it it said, "don't worry be happy" an apt reminder for days like today. In the mug she had placed dozens of little notes that said all the nice things about her. Once during their department meeting their H...

All she could hear was the rustling of papers, the scratching of pens across the sheet to form that almost perfect answer and the shuffling of feet underneath the tables, all arranged neatly in rows and stretched from one end to the other. The look of concentration on their faces always amazed her. For in that one single moment every child in the room was determined to show what they were finally made of. These brilliant beings who had slaved away for weeks to remember all that had been taught. To prove that, yes, if I can get through this paper, I can go through anything else ahead of me. Where did it all begin? How did it come to this? After years of teaching it never quite hit her at times that she was partly responsible for turning young, aimless students into these mature, hopeful and able people who can do anything if they set their mind to it. And in that moment too she began to feel grateful for the other influences in their lives that led them to that. The supportive pare...

Can you believe it, it's December already and this is just my 7th post this year?  But considering my lack of entries here, I must say I've surprised myself by writing even more than I imagined this year. I rose up to the challenge my husband gave me and finally started writing the novel I always said I wanted to write.  An online course I took up for free on creative writing started me off and gave me the confidence to write. People say, or maybe some writers said that you should write what you want to read. So that's exactly what I've been doing.  To be honest I'm kinda going into this whole writing thing more on instinct and based on what I pick up from my own reading, so I'm not really sure if I'm doing it right or if people will want to read my story. But I tell you this, the process of writing is thrilling and something I definitely wouldn't mind doing for a living. I mean, I just love creating this story from scratch and creating these charact...

It was one of those days when his thoughts were everywhere but nowhere in particular. Work had started early at the studio and he was already immersed in one project with a dozen others in tow. So he had no time to entertain his thoughts that were filling his head. But requests had been coming in daily since they had opened their small studio in the corner of Merry Street and they were working over time and looking like zombies by the minute. Maybe because it was called `merry' so things were certainly heading in that direction most of the time. It's not that he didn't appreciate the cash that was pouring in, but how could he remain sane when inside he was screaming for help. He stared at the image he had been trying to sketch for the past half hour and tore the paper from its easel crushing the paper into a ball and pretending the rubbish bin was a basketball hoop. The bin was almost overflowing with similar paper balls and needed to be emptied. His barely made the shot a...

She could feel the music in her chest making her feel more alive than ever. She glanced sideways to see him staring at her with a look that made her heart do somersaults and handstands. How could just one look make one go crazy? She now knew that it could. She tore her eyes away from him trying to focus on something else that would not give away how she was really feeling. She was known to be the calm one, and so this flustered version she was projecting right now was really cramping her style and tainting the image she tried so hard to maintain.  Her friend Gina was busy trying to get them both some corn in a cup they had been eyeing since the carnival began. The smell of melted butter had been wafting in the air the minute they arrived they couldn't help but join in the long line of people dying for a taste too. Cammy turned around to check if he was still there and was disappointed to see him gone.She couldn't believe that after 5 years of leaving the college that he s...

Two months ago I said goodbye to yet another batch of students and in my usual fashion I silently missed them and remembered them with affection. Every two years the cycle repeats itself and I am no less surprised that I can still be affected by many of their departures. The good thing is I have learnt to deal with it in a less emotional way and take it as part of an occupational hazard . I think. Sometimes it feels like how a parent has to let go of a child to let them grow wings and fly, but at times it's like saying goodbye to two years of a relationship and never to see it again afterwards. Sad I know. Teachers don't just put their heart in teaching but some teachers steal hearts and let their hearts be stolen. About two weeks ago we received new students and the cycle is beginning again. Haha. Yet as I look into the faces of the fresh and eager students I can't help be reminded of the old ones.. My only solace is that they will keep me in their prayers just as how I h...

So I've been writing for Zalora since July last year and I'm loving it! Tried to link the latest article to my blog but here's the best I could do so.. if you're free why not check me out over at Zalora Thread. (and don't forget to press `like'!) It'll be a relaxing read I assure you ;) Anyway I write when I'm most inspired by something and today I'm gonna share what inspired me.  My latest April 22   - in memory of the pets we once had but then died https://thread.zalora.com.my/home/2018/4/how-do-pets-make-you-a-better-person My previous articles: April 6 - when I thought that everyone should be nice to everyone https://thread.zalora.com.my/home/2018/3/how-to-make-someones-day March 25- as I remembered movies I enjoyed as a young single lady https://thread.zalora.com.my/home/2018/3/5-movies-to-watch-with-your-girlfriends February 23 - was affected and appalled at what I heard in the news about child abuse.. https://thread.zalora.com...

Out of all the parts of our body I think our hands must be one of the most precious. After a series of ailments affecting both of mine I profoundly feel that this fact is true. It takes God to take away your health for you to realize how much you’ve taken it for granted. I love my hands. We all should. After all it means so much more than just something humans use to eat, drink or wash ourselves. It’s forgiveness in a handshake during raya It’s respect when we kiss our parents hands It’s probably the first touch of a bride and groom It’s warmth, comfort and assurance to a worried child It makes music, weaves tales and creates tasty meals It’s language for the deaf and mute for which life without it would be even more inaudible It’s our `scroller’ which we do everyday! It’s sweat and tears and a symbol of hard work It’s a show of care and concern through a simple caress It’s our passion and fury which we all need to manage ...

So it's already the second month of 2018 and one could say we're still pretty early in the year. Still too early to lose that weight gained in December (and January!). Still too early for crushed dreams, for losing sleep, for burning out, for drained energy, for giving up and all sorts of stuff if you catch my drift. But life doesn't always go the way you want it to so it's never too early for anything actually. They say shit happens. I prefer to see it as opportunities for change and growth. For reflecting on yourself, for having better goals, for healing and loving yourself more, for understanding and forgiveness. For better time management. For taking things slow and for always praying to God for a good pathway in this life and in the hereafter. For ultimately our time on this earth is short and we should always just make the most of the time we have and take in every hardship and obstacle with open arms. Of course I say this to myself as well in light of th...