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From today on, purplelight will cease to exist.
After 10 months of rantings, this place will migrate to a new location, at intransit dot cynics dot info.
So point your mouse here from now on.
I'll see you there! =)
Wyoming is indeed beautiful.
Even if I never ever set foot there, at least I had the chance to see it through your eyes.
If you do forget the lyrics of Home on the Range again, just drop me a note.
Here's wishing that you are enjoying every wonderful moment of the beauty around you.
Thanks for giving me such an insight into your world and more.
It was unforgettable.
What's Playing on iTunes
100 Years from "The Battle for Everything" by Five For Fighting
Yesterday's posting has disappeared because firstly, I sounded like a spoilt brat. And secondly, my bad mood disappeared after the interview because the boyfriend waited half an hour for me to send me home after feeding me with happiness-inducing hot chocolate.
Anyway, the interview yesterday was really an eye-opener. It was with a local theatre company, quite a well-known one although a rather small outfit as compared to Singapore Repertory Theatre or Theatreworks. Had an interesting one-hour session with two lovely ladies who, as theatre folks go, were friendly, easy-going and outspoken. They quizzed me on many aspects of my life, from my ideal working environment, my opinions on local theatre to my take on balancing working and personal life. They gave me an opportunity to air my frank views and it was really refreshing to be able to engage in a debate with theatre people about theatre after being out of touch for the past four years.
We spoke about the Singaporean identity that is lacking in local productions, how companies can reach out to the three classes of people - the snooty arts lover who sips champagne, the arts lover who loves arts for arts' sake and the people who have never attended any arts productions before, how the arts is burgeoning in Singapore and how smaller groups, like VC, suffer from lack of recognition and funding.
What really struck me was their fervent and passion in what they are doing. From that one hour I spent with them, I could sense their drive and their love for theatre. And it felt good to spend that one hour with such passionate people because their love for their job is infectious. And it made me wonder how many of us out there will ever get to feel that sort of passion in what we do.
That sense of camaraderie was enough to make me take up the job as a publicist but sadly, reality bites and I realise that the pay is not enough to feed my family (and myself). The irregular and long hours would ensure that tuition is not feasible.
And so, my decision is made. Since Singapore's favourite publishing house is reportedly not hiring, I will take up the offer at the old company and try my luck there. I hope it's the right decision.
What's Playing on iTunes
Maybe Katie from "Everything To Everyone" by Barenaked Ladies
Sometimes, I wonder if others get assailed by insecurities the way I do.
And when I say insecurities, I don't mean superficial thoughts like the way I look and all.
They are more of deep, dark demons that exist in the very heart of my core. Thoughts that give life to themselves, abetted by my very flighty imagination. Thoughts that can turn me from a sunshine girl to one who is curled up in bed, tears wetting her cheeks. Thoughts that make me close my eyes, hoping that they would be banished to the deepest of hell when I open them again.
They appear at the oddest times, sometimes brought on by a song or a book. Other times, they appear when I am sitting in the car and looking out of the window. And when these thoughts start creeping into my mind, I wish that I could be like the characters in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (a film which I failed to catch, sadly) and erase the unwanted memories. Delete the memories of my feelings, the overseas trip, the mistakes.
And then, I would look over at him and tell him that I am feeling insecure.
About him, about us, about myself.
He would smile and put his arms around me and suddenly, the thoughts are chased away.
The world is right again.
What's Playing on iTunes
When I Look To The Sky from "My Private Nation" by Train
She asked, over ICQ, "i dun understand... how come u love each other but still broke up?"
I said that it was a long story.
She then said she wanted to hear it.
And so I told her. Not every itsy bitsy detail but a summary of our four-and-a-half years of history. Reasons why we split. Reasons why we decided to give it another shot.
Her response was, "Oh."
And then, "isn't it painful to breakup when u still loved each other?"
I said, yes, it had been painful.
She was so adorable when she said, "u all two so silly la."
And then, "but we prefer seeing u with jimmy.hah."
I'm glad she asked and I wished it had been as simple as she had made it out to be. But it wasn't. No matter what, I hope that she will remain as optimistic and innocent as she is now when it comes to love.
I don't know what this looks like to the people who are looking in on us and our situation, but as Terr says, only people who care about you will want to know the reasons and the circumstances before passing on judgment. And so, I am contented that my friends cared enough to know why I did what I did. Once they heard what I had to say, they told me, "As long as you are happy."
Thank you. You know who you are (yes, Hucks, this includes you).
What's Playing on iTunes
The Reason from "The Reason" by Hoobastank
Sleeping in on a rainy morning. Sitting snugly in bed with a good read. My iMac. Watching Sex and the City. Dancing under the skies with a light drizzle. Singing. Purchasing something I covet at a bargain price. The feeling of silk on my bare skin. Walking barefoot on the beach with the sand tickling my toes. Mango (both the fruit and the brand). Cuddling with the one I love. Losing myself in the movies. Driving down the expressway with the windows wound down and great music blasting. My mum. My sister. My family. Enjoying a good laugh with friends. Sharing a hug. Victoria's Secret lingerie. Giggling and flying through the air on a swing. Being in love. Plugging into my iPod. Exchanging fleeting kisses with my boyfriend. Trying on clothes. Taking photographs that turn out to be beautiful. Singing abysmally in the car. Lying on my bed and doing nothing. Talking on the phone late at night with my loved ones. Walking down the street arm-in-arm with my best friend. The feel of my nephew's little puckers as he kisses me on the cheek. Slurping up delicious chocolate at Max Brenner's. Catching a wonderful piece of theatre. Winning a competition. Swimming in cool waters while the sun is mellow in the sky. Holding hands with my boyfriend. Trading insults with my best friend and knowing that we only do it because we love each other. Reading the newspapers. Singing karaoke. Getting a massage from Yokie. The elation of a completed download on Bittorrent. Crying over the reel life, such as when Anna left the OC. Aragorn and The Lord of the Rings. Making believe that I truly live in the magical world that Harry Potter inhabits. Hearing the Squirt giggling and gurgling over some inane nonsense. Watching planes take off and wondering what the passengers are thinking of. Seeing the sun set in a blaze of glory. Being pleasantly surprised. Pretending that I am Carrie in her fabulous clothes. Tiffany & Co's Lucida diamond ring. Vintage dresses. Travelling. The feeling of my boyfriend's arms around me. Eating bak kut teh at Balestier. Being me. Hawaii. Playing The Sims. Making people laugh. The thrill of looking down from a cable car. The Evenstar. Being loved.
And last but not least, I love him.
What's Playing on iTunes
100 Years from "The Battle for Everything" by Five For Fighting
Life is good.
Not only do I have a job offer, which has good terms and sounds vaguely interesting, I seemed to have aced my writing test. Was asked to go for an interview next week, although I am still not exactly sure which position they are putting me. Will call HR tomorrow and check. Wish me luck!
Will be going to Germany in two weeks' time and I can't wait! Imagine the summer sales that are awaiting me. 70% off! Stuff that I can't get in Singapore!
And should I bum around tomorrow or should I bum around?
Go get myself a tan?
Japanese Story
Just caught the movie today and was absolutely blown away by it. I swear that Toni Collette is one of the most underrated actresses in the scene.
A story about crossed cultures, it tells of how two people from two different worlds met, clashed and connected. Well, there are some things that you cannot go through without igniting chemistry between two people and getting stranded out in the desert is one of them. The whole film is just shot so beautifully that you cannot help but be touched. And if you thought Lost In Translation was good, Japanese Story is definitely much more poignant and a better watch.
Euro 2004 - England vs. Switzerland: 3-0
Hee caught the match at Indochine Wisma after the show. Either I am biased or the English team's passing was really good. The crosses were well-executed and rather fluid and somehow, the players seem to read one another's minds well enough.
Or maybe I am biased.
Considering that I am most familiar with EPL, most of the other teams like Greece and Russia can be made up of Martians with two heads and five (sexy) butts for all I know. So when I watch matches with players that I am not particularly interested in, the element of excitement is simply not there.
But tonight, I yelled when Rooney scored twice. Punched my fists into the air when Owen missed a couple of chances. And got really annoyed with the crappy techno music that was blasting out of Aquadisiac (it was so irritating, I detest techno). Hmm, yah, I'm a tomboy.
Am so glad that the finals are held one day before we fly off.
Life is indeed good.
What's Playing on iTunes
Those Sweet Words from "Feels Like Home" by Norah Jones
And it's called blonking.
That's right.
B.L.O.N.K.I.N.G
Repeat after me.
Blon-king.
I love this word.
Amazing how my education continues even after graduation.
Sometimes in life, we need to take certain actions, even though we know that they might cause hurt to the people involved. But if doing these hurtful things and saying these painful words will right a wrong, then I'd rather be the villain at work then to hide under the pretense that nothing has changed.
I've said what I had been fearing to say.
I have no regrets. Because it was what I had to do, in order to be truthful. I have done what my heart and head told me to. I needed to be honest, not just for me. Because it would have been unfair to lie. I'm sorry about the effects of what my words might have caused but I am not sorry for saying them.
Eventually, we'll see that it was the right thing to do.
What's Playing on iTunes
Why Can't I - Liz Phair from "Music From the O.C. [UNOFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK]" by Various Artists
We learnt in school that the best type of communication to have is a two-way one. This is when the communicator will communicate his message to the audience, who will process the message and then feedback to the communicator.
But in life, the best method might not necessary be the method in use. And that is apparent in chorale now.
Jubilate was a big scare and a wake up call for us. As someone mentioned, he could practically hear the fear in our voices. If we had been confident of the singing, what should we be fearful about? It just exposes the fact that we are not as confident of our songs and our singing as we should be, with merely three weeks to Choir Olympics. It's a disturbing thought - afterall, I am not flying all the way to Germany just to reprise the scenario of 2000, where we came back with two silvers, our heads hanging shamefully and our egos busted. We should be focusing on the thought of getting golds at this point. Do we really need a pep talk from our assistant conductors to push ourselves in that direction? We are all adults here, we should know exactly what our goal is.
Today's session with Jonathan Velasco was interesting also, in that it brought up another problem - rapport. Maybe we haven't been working with the Man for a while but the certainly was no chemistry between the singers and the Man. He complained that we do not follow him but most of the time, it's also because we don't exactly know what it is that he wants out of us. In the three weeks that follow, we need to learn to listen and talk to him as much as he needs to do it with us. And it's no small task, mending rifts and changing attitudes.
Hopefully, with everyone's 100% commitment and hard work, we can get the gold medals that eluded our grasp four years ago. It's been a long wait.
Communication.
That's my major and one would assume that it's what I do best. But it's not. Sometimes, I know what needs to be said but I confuse myself and can't decide what is best for the situation. It makes me feel like a procrastinator.
Why can't I just learn to trust myself?
Why do I worry worries which may or may not come to life?
Perhaps I need to listen to my heart more and think less.
What's Playing on iTunes
If You Leave - Nada Surf from "Music From the O.C. [UNOFFICIAL SOUNDTRACK]" by Various Artists