A new beginning

Head over to my new blog True My Lens to join me, I'm super excited to have you!

http://www.truemylens.blogspot.com

Guilty as charged

Yes, I'm guilty as charged. I have left this blog for almost a month now, but wait, I have my reasons! With the new year rolling in, I've been a bit busy, and been going out way more than I've planned (and visiting lovely places like the above). I'm also going to launch my new exciting blog soon, so I'll be sure to keep you posted! I hope everyone's been well and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who come and visit my blog regularly, follow me and taking the time to read my posts. You guys are awesome.

 How's your first few weeks of 2012?

2011

With just a matter of minutes before the new year kicks in, I would like to reflect upon 2011. This year, many things have happened in my life - some I've blogged about, some I haven't, and many that will continue to linger in my mind in the years to come. I've made mistakes, made regrets, but most of all, I've made memories. Maybe twenty years down the road I won't remember exactly what year it was that I learned to play guitar, or experienced all sorts of amazing in my trip back to my hometown or when the city started to grow on me, but I will remember them.

And maybe when I grow old, I'll tell my 984546523 grandchildren about that time when I came home to bird poo in my room, my lovely ventures in Melbourne and how a kid changed my mind about a few things. At times I have been down, but overall, I'm going to label 2011 a good year.

Happy New Year, everyone. Let's bring on 2012 and kick some ass.

christmas is in the air

I was running an errand and rushing to get back to the office when I walked past the Myer Christmas Windows, a display of windows featuring an animated adaptation of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town that is oh so magical and all kinds of colourful. It was just so lovely to watch kids and adults of all ages immersed in the windows, I forgot all about getting back to the office.

Wishlist

Inspired by this and also by request, I put together this quick wishlist of mine for Christmas. Now, I'm the type of person that would never really willingly let another person spend money on presents for me, so creating this list was challenging, but nonetheless, it was fun.

1 // Words to Inspire notebook from kikki.k

2 // Jumbo Alarm Clock

3 // Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic
4 // A gorgeous small indoor plant for my bedroom
5 // Kroby table lamp from IKEA
6 // Gift card from Typo

Thankful

via

Also thankful for good health, great job, gorgeous weather, rare sleep and the ability to see, touch, taste and listen, and pretty much my life.

Thank you life, thank you world, for everything.
Thank you, I'm eternally grateful.

Lesson taught, lesson learnt.

Despite the title of today's post, there are lessons which can't be taught. While we can go to school and learn what two plus two equals or our abc's, there are just lessons which can't be taught. We have to experience, feel and learn them. Sometimes the things we 'learn' aren't the things we don't know, but rather things that we need reminding of. They're important, just like knowing our abc's.

Today, in between work, Mum and I visited an ex-colleague who has been battling with Stage 5 cancer for the past year. He looked so different from the last time I remembered him. There were a few people talking to us and himself - the social worker, a lady from the paliative care and his doctor. His condition was worsening, and he probably only has a few months left. Even though I haven't known him all my life, and only through the last year working with the company, it was heartbreaking to know that in a few months, he won't be here in our world anymore.

He's a funny guy, who used to joke all the time, and make all of us laugh. He has a great sense of humour, and.. my heart swells a little thinking about him and all he's suffered due to cancer. No, my heart swells a lot. I've come to terms when I was about ten that everyone dies, but it's a completely different thing watching someone who was once a laughing, joking guy become so weak.

Life is so darn precious, I've always known that. And today, I was so, point blank, reminded of that. We need to live life. More importantly, we need to take good care of ourselves. We need to become the people we want to be. Live beyond not only others' expecations, but our own. Lessons taught, lessons learnt.

the weird and wicked

the weird
- You never know quite how awesome you are until you give yourself a triple paper cut.
- Then proceed to peel your fingernail when using a peeler on a potato on the same day.
- Realising then of what an enormous clutzy missy you are.
- Or perhaps the fact that you really need some sleep. No, clutz it is.
- A quick glance at a new local restaurant's sign, realising that it misspelled 'Chiness' instead of 'Chinese' and wondering if you should tell the owner guy.

the wicked
- A lovely afternoon with absolutely lovely pancakes, with of course, absolutely lovely people to match.
- The just-on-time rainy days, with the beautiful swish swash sound of tires.
- The ahhh moments when having absolutely glorious coffee.
- Watching the little one on rollerskates, being oh so proud of herself.

A completely endearing train ride

It was Sunday. I was working that day, instead of Saturday. And boy, was I glad that I worked on Sunday instead, and got on that train, and became completely entranced by this little wonder.

This little wonder was a little boy, sitting in front of me, with his legs outstretched, looking out the window. He was wearing a red hat, and had this wonderous look on his face. He was waiting for the train to go, repeatedly asking his granddad when it would go. He was so excited. Then the train started to move. And at every station we stopped, he would say, "This is our station, Pa!" or "We live here, let's get off!" His granddad would remind him that they're not supposed to get off.

Throughout the train ride, he kept asking his granddad questions. He would ask, "why?" or "how" or "really?". Repeatedly. I couldn't hear his granddad's voice, but I could hear quite clearly the curiosity ringing in his voice with each of his questions. And I loved that so much. I loved his burning curiosity for every little small detail. He was so curious, and I can't help but love that. It was just so darn endearing.

It's no secret that I love kids, but this wasn't it. I realised that I miss being curious. I miss wanting to know about everything, just for the sake of it. I miss feeling like I'm on the top of the world, instead of feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. I've forgotten what it felt like. I've forgotten what it's like to ask questions all the time. To be a kid. I realised I lost that somewhere down the road.

I'm not asking to be a kid again, but I want to find that curiosity again. That spark of wonder. Those 'whoaaaa, really? Are you serious?' moments, that kept my ear peeled to the boy's voice the entire train ride. Somewhere on that train, I knew I was going to find that. Again. And this time, I'm not going to lose it.

11/11/11: Remembrance Day

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the '11th year', many of us today paused for a minute of silence to remember those who sacrificed their lives and left their loved ones in the service for their country. Today we remember those soldiers who have suffered and died in the line of duty during the World War I. Today we commemorate the day of the official end of WWI ninety three years ago.

Today we reflect. We reflect closely.

I know for a fact that the soldiers who put their lives on their line every single day contribute to the comfort that I have right now. I don't know them, and I don't know what war's like, so I can't imagine the day to day terror they braved every single day. Missing their families. The uncertainty. Every single day. And my heart goes out to those who are still in war, and their families too. On Remembrance Day, we remember, we commemorate, and we reflect. Lest we forget.

When a bird flies into your house and...

decides to explore your room. And by explore, I mean, imagine my delight when I came home, dropped my bag, and found that there is bird crap on my table, my wall and floor. Only explanation? A bird flew into our house, decides, 'oh yay, it's Michelle's room, let's give her a surprise when she comes home'. Such a simple explanation, really. Yes, a bird flew into our house. And decides to crap. In my room.

So I spent about twenty minutes kneeling on the floor, with my arms outstretched, shouting to the ceiling, 'WHY ME? WHAT HAVE I DONE TO YOU, WORLDDD?'

Seriously though, I don't recall putting people's houses on fire lately, or tripping people over on purpose, so it can't be karma. Yes, you may laugh at my expense. Really, I don't mind.

Learning from little kiddies, everyday.

There's a reason why I love children so much.

There are a few, actually. One, because they find everything so fascinating. Two, because they just say whatever they want whenever they want. Three, the way food dribbles off their mouth when they start to eat solids. Four, they ask the most innocent questions and see everything so simply. I love that. I'm not about to go all, 'my life is so complicated, I wish I was a kid' on you, but hanging with youngins makes me feel all warm inside. I love them for a thousand reasons, and a thousand more.

On the weekend, after giving her a piano lesson, my beautiful four-year-old cousin Phoebe asked me, in all seriousness, "Do you know your abc's?" Smiling, I answered, "Yes, sweeheart I do." She seemed very surprised and challenged me, "Well, do you know all of them?" I was so tempted to say no, just so she could be happy that she knew so much more than me.

With her sitting on my lap, we talked, and there was nothing more that could have made me happier after a full day of work. We just talked, and laughed, and laughed more. She's the type of girl I would've been proud to call a sister. She's the type of girl that any girl would be happy to have for a friend. She is, time and time again, the type of girl that charms her way into the heart of my heart; with her beautiful, colourful personality, she paints me with such clarity, with all kinds of colours.

Angels-Demons Parade in Melbourne

Right now, if you walk along Swanston Street in Melbourne, you will see these Angels-Demons sculptures displayed. On the day of these shots, some were given the finishing touches (hence the barriers), being unveiled to the Melbourne public for the first time. The imagery these sculptures represent are quite something, aren't they? According to this website I came across, they represent the forces of "light" and "darkness". What do you think? I sure haven't seen anything like this before.

the city is growing on me

I'm not going to lie, I used to dread the every-now-and-then trips to the city. I preferred quiet, and was much happier in my own home more than anything else. But going down to the city once a week for work has somehow opened my eyes to see more. Somewhere along the lines of the gorgeous architecture and lovely parks and children running around and having fun, I'm beginning to wonder why I disliked the city so much once upon a time, because it's growing on me.

Why do people do what they do?

Sometimes it's hard to understand why people do what they do. The only thing we can do and should do is respect it, and find some ground of courage and move on. Some wait patiently for better understanding. And I'm not about to put my hands in the air and say that it's easy. We only want to understand because we care. Because it doesn't make sense. Once upon a time, or even now.

What's important is that sometimes they themselves don't know what they're doing. Yes, that's right. In a world where expectations weigh heavy on our shoulders, where feelings tend to overtake our better judgement, our actions sometimes don't make sense. And I'm finally able to say, "that's perfectly normal". We don't always do the right thing, follow common sense or treat people well. We do the wrong things, go against that part of our brain which spells common sense and take people for granted.

When we happen to be the receiver of the wrong things done, we ask, "What happened to the person I used to know?" Or when we're with a friend who's been hurt, we ask, "What did she do to deserve this?" We, and our friend, have two options: Stick around and wait patiently for the person we used to know to come back or move on. I would say the latter is wiser, but neither is easy, and it has to be done one way or the other.

Incredible two weeks

You know what's incredible?

- Four hours of sleep at a friend's place, a night of movie marathon and not feeling a slight bit tired at all. In fact feeling awesome. (No caffeine, I promise.)

- Having the best laughs with said friend.

- Going to a Lego Exhibition with two lovely girls, reliving one's childhood vicariously through it.

- Treating your mum to a movie (Crazy, Stupid, Love)
- Realising that that is the best joy that comes out of working.

- Finally finishing that book you've never found time to read.

- The sweet sunsets and gorgeous afternoon walks among the crisp spring air.

And that, my friends, happened in the past two weeks.

A few months ago, I came across this quote:

If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don't like and like so many things that we don't do?

It's true, and the simple answer is simple "because that's life". What a typical answer, but it's true. However, from then on, I unknowingly decided that I'll try to do things that I like as much as I can.

It's not easy. It's hard, because we only have so much time in a day, where we are supposed to so many things, which leaves little time for much else. Somehow I have found it to be possible, which is why we should treasure all the free time that we get. I really did these two weeks, and may these two weeks become a constant staple in my life.

Royal Melbourne Show!

On a gorgeous day promising of warm sunshine, four friends met up and made our way to the Royal Melbourne Show, an annual event during spring break in Melbourne. Where all the kids go wild, even the older ones, spelling nothing short of adventure and fun.

Rusteze was the epitome of the coolest kid in town. He was quite the favourite with the youngins.

For someone who feels proud of herself when she bakes, say, a chocolate cake, imagine my 'lost for words' face when I saw these displayed. I assure you, they are nothing short of real.

Sore feet and all, we had an absolutely great time at the end of the day. There is just so much to see, feel and hear at the Royal Melbourne Show. It's not just a kid's idea of heaven, but a great place for a day's out for anyone, of any age.

With so many to choose from, my favourite part of the day was seeing these piggybacks from thoughtful daddies. I smiled as I heard one say to his child, "Now you can see everything, can't you?"

What a week...

This week I:

- Experienced the most unpredictable of days. A thunderous night, followed by heavy, heavy rain in the morning, then sunny, then down comes to heavy rain again.

- Had a good solid six hours of sleep amongst the thunder and lightning.

- Walked home in the rain, drenched, realising I haven't felt so good in weeks.

- Loved the weather, until headaches decided to surface. Still, no complaints.

- Realised what a true gift being healthy is.

And today:

- Marks the start to spring break.

- Oh, two weeks of break is just what I need. Am truly, truly grateful for it.

- Perhaps it's time that I give some thought to my bucket list?

The photos featured in today's post were taken in the city. The first few were of the historic Royal Exhibition Building and the rest are of its lovely surroundings and the spacious area outside the Melbourne Museum.