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.