Kickstart

My ceramic clock

Can't believe it's June already. In retrospect, what have I accomplished the past six months? I have to hang my head and confess, "not much". I have this sinking feeling I am wasting my life away as I leaf through my files.

Wait, tucked between sheaves of paper are two Groupon vouchers for art classes due to expire end of the month. Okay, it's now or never.

I had my first ceramics class last week, we were to make ceramic clocks. I thought it would be just that one lesson but it turned out we had to go back the second lesson to color-glaze our clay moulds. I wasn't expecting much from a discount coupon, but I had one-on-one tutor, free material and loads of fun.

I left class feeling exuberant. Happy that I have learnt something new and actually making something and I love being a student. You just have to bring a sense of wonderment with you. I have a painting class coming up, oh and my second ceramics class. I hope this excitement would kick start the second half of the year with some much needed momentum!!

Tea Drinker

I have been a coffee drinker for the longest time. I envy those who wake up feeling sharp and alert, because I usually wake up feeling groggy and dull. Even the kids know better than to get in my way before my cuppa.

I didn't really notice the change till I unbag my grocery a couple days ago. Chamomile tea, Forest berry tea, Lipton tea. Tea, tea and tea? I looked at my ground coffee, it couldn't be the same one from last month. There it was, almost full, untouched. 

I was mighty surprised with my little discovery, I could actually function without coffee? Somehow, I have migrated from a coffee-drinker to a tea-drinker. I agree both are caffeinated drinks but the change is still a shock.

I made myself a cuppa today. For some unfathomable reason, it tasted sour. What I enjoy nowadays is breathing in the aroma of berries, vanilla and chamomile as I sip my tea. Imagine that, some change!!

Lovely Experience

 

I have been neglecting my skincare routine badly and the condition of my skin really shows, oily and dry at the same time. Burning the midnight oil just adds to the already sallow and dull complexion. What's worse, the creams I am using seem to aggravate the condition.

I chanced upon the L'Occitane store some weeks back, lured by the flowery and feminine display in the window. There were a lot of people in the store. Normally I would have left, if not for a very broad grin from a young trainee. She was very polite and patiently introduced the products to me. She wasn't pushy at all (which was rare) and I got everything I needed, a whitening serum, an anti-aging serum, an eye cream and a face cream.

I remarked on how brisk business was on a weekday and she said it's because a limited-edition plum blossom line they were carrying was nearing the end of its promotion period. She showed me the gift set, a nice cloth bag with a travel size bath gel and body lotion. It looked like I had to spend a lot more to get the plush set, so I was all prepared to decline on the offer.

To my surprise, she returned with just a lip gloss. She said I only had to get one product in the line to get the gift. I glanced over to the perfumes and lotions which were much more expensive, but she brought only one lip gloss. It had a light fragrance and shimmer, I got two. *wink*

When I walked out with my shopping bag, the trainee was already attending to another customer. She gave me a little wave and a big smile. I walked out, very happy with my purchase and the lovely shopping experience.

I have been using the products for some weeks now and the condition of my skin has markedly improved. I think it's a combination of my being more regiment with my routine and using the right products.  I hope when I next go to L'Occitane to replenish my creams the trainee would still be there.

New Project

I started writing for an academic site recently, with two papers submitted so far, one on a play and one on art history. Although I get to choose the topics to write on, completing a paper is harder than I thought. First is the short deadline, second is the amount of literature you have to read, research and digest before even writing the first line.

Despite this, I really enjoy the lightness and satisfaction pressing "send" after hours at the computer. Aside from knowing I have met the deadline, I get to savor the new knowledge I have gathered from my intensive research. I am pretty well versed on the play "Fences" by August Wilson and the art scene in New York in the early 50's.

It has really broadened my horizons. I think I have found my vocation, flex time, solitary work, reading and writing. Only thing I have to work at is time management and my tendency to procrastinate, creating undue pressure. It's going to be a challenge since my brain only kick start when a sense of urgency is detected. Bad habit.

I am looking forward to developing a regular schedule with this site and of course to the remuneration it brings!!
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Lovely Workspace

Nice desk I am an avid follower of "Design Sponge", a design blog comprised of talented designers sharing insights about their different passions. My personal favorites are "we like it wild", with all things about flowers and a "before and after" blog about re-designing used furniture. The desk above has undergone major transformation from a plain jane to this pretty thing. I can totally picture myself working at it! You can check out the blog and be inspired by the lovely ideas, too. photo

Freak Accident

I had a freak accident couple weeks ago. Well, I slipped on the bathroom floor and landed on my back. It was a nasty fall as is, but what's worse, the impact was on the same side (left) as when I was hit by a truck back in 2004. Images of being stuck on a hospital bed at once flooded my memory.

Being immobilized is my ultimate fear, be it out of sickness, accident and worse, restrained. I have had my taste of every kind. The helplessness is overwhelming and the feeling of being at the mercy of other people, devastating.

The most humiliating experience happened in 2005 when I was bound hand and feet, carried onto an ambulance, put in a padded room and tied to a bed. I was suspected of committing suicide (drum roll please). Since then, individuals who have put me in that predicament have fallen out one by one. I wouldn't say it's a conscious act, but in retrospect I have never forgiven them. I swear to myself I would never let anyone override my decision, ever.

It was with this conviction I lay on the floor weighing my options. I told myself as soon as I could move I would head straight to the doctor. The next day and weeks after, I had to ingest loads of painkillers and move about bent with the aid of an umbrella. It's infuriating not being able to move freely but I have never been so proud of myself. I have stuck to my belief and it's liberating.

As of this post, I am recovering and I have to thank all the gal pals who have stuck by me and my stubborn beliefs.

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Unbridgeable Chasm

I have always had a tense relationship with certain individuals. It has gone on for decades and in recent years it has turned uglier and become a blame game with no end in sight. Early fissures and cracks have widened into a chasm.

A recent event has planted both sides on opposite ends of a broken bridge. The differences are just irreconcilable and well the break, inevitable. The surprising thing is there isn't any tinge of sadness. Instead, the closure has brought a sense of relief. The struggle is thankfullyand finally over.

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