question no. 13

the continuation of the last post, if you may.

someone asked, 'what did you do between 1st may and 31st may that you enjoy doing?'. that drew a blank. i did what i always do.. i think. like how friends will ask how have i been, and i'll always answer the same. things pretty much fall into routine, and one day is like the next. you don't think much about it, you just carry on living.

plunging into the question, i babbled the usual stuffs that i knew i would have been doing. playing with the kids, drawing, reading books, watching movies. very run-of-the-mill. wondering if there was more, i looked up the ever faithful calendar organiser on my handphone. then i remembered.

i went to singapore to watch cats, the musical. the music, the dance, the costumes, the very energy of the night made me feel alive, tingling with sensations, living, soaking it all up. i love musicals, i don't know why. the way everything is so beautifully choreographed, the attention to details, the beautiful harmony in the songs, it's a wonderful way to spend an evening.

i sat at the sidewalk in orchard road, watching people go by, a luxury that we do not seem to have time for in our day-to-day life. back home, we're always rushing somewhere, always something to do. sitting there, waiting for time to tick by, looking at the colourful kaleidoscope of people on their feet, with somewhere to go, something to do. sometimes we forget; that something so effortless, almost to the point of inactivity can bring such simple pleasure.

i had dinner with my cousin, had time for a little get-together; a little counselling; a little heart-to-heart. eventhough our schedules are no match for paris hilton's hectic socialising, sometimes we just get caught up with living our lifes and we have little time to say a little more, to care a little more. over the phone, over the causeway, it was cold, it was different. but there, then, i had a night, of letting her talk, and letting her pour out the heaviness in her heart. i can't do much for her, after all, it is her life and it is her road to walk, but i can listen. mr silly kept an eye on the kiddies so that i can do just that; listen. i am reminded why i married the man.

i cycled, along the beach, with the salty sea water in my face and the breeze carrying my hair in a little dance. it was a little stressful this time, with little batman learning how to cycle and kamikaze roller bladers, but it made me feel alive, blood pumping; seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, feeling, doing all that life should be about.

i met up with an old old friend, a friend whose name was only alphabets to me for a very long time. we talked, we re-acquainted, we remembered. it was closing of a yearning that have been long sitting at the bottom of my heart.

i watched dr bunhead at klpac. my favourite show, my favourite place. watching his show for the very first time many years ago, it was very entertaining, and it introduced me into the world of theatres and live performances. watching him this time round, it was almost like getting re-acquainted with the roots of my fascination, where my interest with live performances was sparked and it all began.

i helped to wrap dumplings for the dumpling festival. creating something with your hands, something that feeds into the stomach of your family and their hearts, something that is so steeped with tradition can be immensely satisfying. one by one, we see the dumplings hanging there by the raffia string, perfectly triangular in shape. it comes only once a year, the closeness whilst we talk and work with our hands, the rich smell of the ingredients, the rough feel of the bamboo leaves, the satisfaction whilst we tie the dead knot on each dumpling. how many years do we have in our lives to re-live this tradition? after that one day, only a few hours, we have to wait another 365 days again.

i attended a red carpet function. on and off i get to attend some posh functions, but i don't think i've ever walked down that red carpet. well, once, if you count the time that i walked through the vip entrance for a concert, but then the fans waving and waiting by the side were convinced i'm an imposter so i was trying to slink past as unobtrusive as possible. would have stuck my head in the floor like an ostrich if i could but i can't do that and walk at the same time. actually, this time i didn't either, walk down the red carpet that is. instead i walked up, the reverse direction, which really tickled my innards. me, always doing things the opposite way. for a girl, dressing up is always fun. especially when i had good company, champagne and fine food. only thing i had to concentrate on for the whole night was not to fall flat on my face, teethering around on those heels. the biggest challenge for the whole night, however, was trying to decide whether to hold on to that glass of champagne during photo shoot or to give it up. *grins*

i didn't realise it, without looking at the calendar, that i have been having a lot of fun. sometimes life passes without us acknowledging it, and we do things we enjoy but we forget. funny how a simple question from someone can serve as that reminder, that life has been worth living, that i've had my moments of fun, that life is good.