阴天咖啡

双手握住妈妈泡的咖啡，站在窗边往外望。

身体冷飕飕，心里暖滋滋。

窗外阴天一片灰，喝口咖啡眼镜蒙。

回头看看妈妈的身影，清楚知道幸福是什么。

A friend like wind

I hear the wind from the rustling of the leaves

I see the wind from the flying of the flag

I feel the wind as it caress my cheeks

Like the wind, a fellow traveller of the way came and went

I looked at the lotus flower in the pond and smiled











A whimsical comment I made at my trilogy post Fundamental versus Technical analysis last year.

Has anyone seen wind? Does it exist even when we can't see it?

Does it count as friendship when someone you have never met made you smile?

There is a season for everything

The moon waxes; the moon wanes

The tides rise; the tides fall


So goes the fortunes of nations and man

Full of sound and fury; and then we are heard no more


There is a season for planting; there is a season for harvesting. 
When night recedes, the rooster crows it morning call

  

What is that?

Least we forget...

I had

On many occasions

Irritations and frustrations

Leave me alone!

Now I am home

I remembered

Thanks to the little bird 

3 Archers Meet

A good day, a glorious day!

Today is when three archers meet

Laughter all round as each has their say

Not gold or silver in what they seek

Only their true hearts they do obey

I love books!

Books

I love the smell of the pages as I flipped through them
dozing off with one on my bosom in bed
using it as my knight in shining armour to squash the scary spider (splat!)
the dust reminding me how long I’ve cheated on my promises

The yellowing of the pages and mildew spots mirror that on my face
nothing beats a friend that sticks with you through our trials and tribulations
never mind if the pages were dog-eared or if I’ve gone forgetful
it’s time to give you a hug my special friend!

My first article published! Another virgin experience!

I would like to share a most wonderful experience with you all!

Last week, NextInsight -  a hub for serious investors, invited me to write an article about my experience in Athens. Having a first person perspective here as the Greek tragedy unfolded...

Guess what? I wrote from the heart and it was published yesterday on Christmas day!

You should see me jumping around with glee! Laugh all you want. It's my very first time! And every "first time" is special. Don't tell me you forgot your first kiss?

Will print it out and show mommy.

I need your encouragement and support. And as always, constructive feedback is welcomed. Eh... it's the holidays, do honey-glaze the poke? A Merry Christmas to you too!

Do leave your comments at the bottom of the article what you think:

"My Experience Living In Athens As The Greek Tragedy Unfolded..."

I've learnt a lot from this writing experience. And will share my learnings after I've collected all the feedback :)

Stay tuned....

P.S.  Don't just look at the babe with the yellow Ferrari leh! (Click on the NextInsight homepage for the ice-cream)

365 days ago today, I embarked on a journey…

From that first shamelessly self-indulgent post, my journey as a blogger has begun.

Along the way, I’ve picked the flowers of humility; swam against the tide; glided with the wind; crashed into trees; and most of all, showered myself silly with the joy and pleasure of abandonment fun!

A gentle poke here, a satire there – always sugar coated with humour to dull the sting. Oh what joy to be able to let my heart roar! Hush to my brain, quiet now.

Manly words are lonely without the mistresses of melody, rhythm, and beat of music… What is life without song and poetry? All the glitter of gold will not light up the soul that’s empty, always seeking numbers to fill the void...  

A quick glance at my portfolio gains and misses for the past year:

1)     After 6 months of walking 2 hours to and from work, I’ve lost 3 kg. Still got a tummy, but at least now I don’t look like I am having my 2^nd trimester!

2)     I still look great! You sexy thing!

3)     No major injuries or illness, touch wood! I guess rubbing my head often helps! I blockhead?

4)     I’ve got to know a dozen and more “closer” cyber-friends. Some are very shy and I respect that. Let’s see how many will meet me for coffee next year? Lucky they include 1 lady! People may talk if I only meet men…

5)     My family wants me back. Phew!

6)     Oh, I’ve lost a job too.

If success is measured by what we have to give up achieving it, I think I’ve got a bargain!

曾心梅-天公疼憨人 - Lady Luck

A song dedication to OT.

Now a poem dedication to myself:


Lady Luck

I was a little dumb, a little slow, and a little naive as a child
Lady Luck would come and to pat my head with a smile
Whispering gently to my ears that I so silly, so cute!

As I grew, I got too clever for my own age
Always calculating this benefit, securing that advantage
Who needs Luck when whatever the mind can conceive I can achieve?

Fall I did but thank goodness I never cried or blame
I laughed myself silly at my stupidity and shame
A familiar hand picked me up and dust the dirt off my knees

Hey it's Lady Luck!
Why would she come to me if I am always so sure of myself?
Ah! It's good to be a child again

中島美雪 - 口紅 and 邝美云 - 容易受伤的女人 (I wear a mask and I still feel pain...)

No, I don't wear lip-stick; but I wear a mask...

Come on comrades! For the fatherland, let's charge! Right behind you! Go go go!

Yes, I sure can hollywood...

No, I don't wear lip-stick; but I wear a mask...

What a brilliant plan boss! I feel so charged-up! I am sure your plan we help us solve the problems we are facing. Let's go for it!

Yes, I can tripod...

No, I don't wear lip-stick; but I wear a mask...

Huh? Boss, you want me to execute your plan? I would love to! But I fear my competence may not bring out the full glory of your plan. I think XXX will be a better candidate...

Yes, I can taiji and arrow too...

I am no woman; but I still feel pain easily...

A remark, a look, a gesture, and I can be hurt.

Pain is good!

It means I still remember the face behind the mask...

What my original face looked like...

3 more months...

It's time to remove the mask...

No wonder!

Long weekend in Sofia, Bulgaria during the 15 Aug 2011 Assumption holiday

Girls smile passing by
I walked taller with a strut
Is my fly open?
              
              

Me and my scooter

Taken last Autumn Nov 2010 at Gothenburg, Sweden

Man, I feel frisky today!

Let’s take my scooter for a spin. Yes, it’s time we do the deed together!

As I approached my scooter, I whispered softly: How are you my baby? Don’t worry, you are in good hands. Leave the driving to me. I’ll be gentle.

I gently lift the cover off. Slowly revealing the front tyre… I gasped as the headlights are revealed. Heart beats fast. Breath shorter…

Ever so slowly, the handle-bars, then the black soft leather seat are revealed. I licked my lips in anticipation… Finally the rounded bottom of my scooter is exposed. You are beautiful my baby! I couldn’t hide my excitement any longer.

I lift my leg and stride across the saddle in one smooth action. Turn on the ignition and gently squeeze the accelerator. I am a man with slow hands. I’ll let my scooter warm up. I won’t ride her cold; that will be painful for her engine.

My scooter moans… She is ready. I kick-off the stand and with a jerk, I’m in.

Into the saddle, I gently gave the accelerator a few rhythmic turns. Off we go!

Attentively, I listened to her moans and groans. I will playfully ease off the accelerator each time her engine strains; and will accelerate hard again. This gets her into the next higher gear.

Perspirations start to drip from my forehead. Back drenched. Go baby go! Scooter and I are locked as one.

I see a hill approaching. I urge my scooter on. Let’s ride the crescendo together! I push hard at the accelerator. Hands clenched tightly at the handle bars. White knuckles showing. Thigh muscles tightened against the front of the saddle. Shoulders and spine arced backwards.

At the very top of the hill, we jetted off into the air. That brief moment of climatic joy seems eternal! I tilt my head back and released all my energy. Every muscle in my body relaxed. Wind blowing in my face. I am in nirvana!

We landed back to the ground with a thump. I slumped my limp body over the handle-bars. No more acceleration. We just let gravity take us down the hill. I am spent. I need to pull-over and rest.

What a ride!

Me and my scooter.

莲花山



Taken at Lian Hua Peak in Guangzhou, China Feb 2011

酒肉穿肠过，

佛主心中留。

名利以淡薄，

今身无他求。

The road less travelled



Taken during the recent Easter holidays in Heraklion, Crete 2011.
Did I follow the paved path, or did I went into the rocks and have some fun with the water? Sure, it's easier to look silly when no one knows me. But would I dare to do it in Singapore? Hmm.... why the difference?



A railway track makes travelling fun!

Just sit back at the window and bask in the sun

On the highway is not so bad too

Just need to stop once in a while for the loo

A dirt track is not really my cup of tea

All the bruises from the bumps are not what I want to see!

But ask me to braze a trail of my own......

I tend to freeze as my past experiences have shown. 

Ah! The road less travelled is better when others take the lead

I guess it's my fears and inhibitions that I have to beat! 



华山高处看天涯



Picture taken at Hua Shang, China July 2005

华山高处看天涯,

苦等黄昏现彩霞。

后知后觉才想通,

望天何需登山峰?



If I have one wish



That's me trying to soar in the padi fields of Guilin, China. Sept 2008


If we have one wish, what would you wish for?

Would you wish for long life, good health, or more money?

I have but one simple wish.

That’s the ability to fly!

How I would like to soar up high like the eagles to the mountain peaks.

To fly across continents like the wild migrating geese.

And to hover like the humming birds amongst the flowers.

Yes, that’s what I would wish for.

Why do men have such fascination for flight? Is it because we can be closer to our creator?

Or by having a bird’s eye view of all things, our mundane day to day troubles all seem so insignificant…..

Yes, if only I have one wish.

明月照古亭

Pavillion at Hangzhou's West Lake - March 2007




明月当空照古亭，夜深人静我独坐。

逍遥自在任我行，笑看昔日功和过。

Going home

Picture taken at Warsaw park Oct 2010. I missed home seeing all the families at the park.

寒风吹，秋叶飘
燕儿飞，院钟敲
离乡愁，涌心头
归家途，以背熟

The cold wind blows, and the autumn leaves flow

The swallow has flown, as the temple bell tolls.

Put not till tomorrow, the homeward path I shall follow

Eager is the lonesome fellow, to quench his homesick sorrow

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Count down to 2 more days when I fly back to Singapore this Friday.  Can't wait!

The Chinese version came to me in a flash last night.  Took some effort to come up with the English version 20 minutes later.....  A bit clumsy with the translation though.

It's my first time writing Chinese poem, and also first time in translatting from Chinese to English.  Double virgins night? 

When a man gets tied up to the ground



Photo taken at Greece's 2nd largest city Thessaloniki during Easter 2010.
It's a mooring by the waterfront


What's the saddest sound a man gives to the world when he's tied down to the ground?

No.  It's not the rants and complaints he makes; thrusting his fury at the world in desperation.

No. The saddest sound a man makes is the deafening silence of resignation.  When he hangs down his head and plods on.....

In the still of the night, when the mind is no longer able to suppress the true yearnings of the heart - the man sees his true self.

No, tonight there will not be silence of the lambs.  Tonight, the heart of the lion ROARS! 

And in the morning, the man smiles to himself in the mirror.

Missing you

Away from home for four years and more,
my heart yearns to reach your eastern shores.
Cycling along your curves in the gentle breeze,
in your warm embrace I shall forever squeeze.
Ah! How I miss you so!
Thinking of you shall never grow old.
For eternal is our sacred bond;
never mind even if I am vagabond.....
No distance shall tear us apart,
for you are always in my heart.
My Singapore! My Singapore!

------------------------------------------------
A poem I wrote in my first year in Athens (2009) to celebrate National Day - after spending 4 years in Shanghai previously.