good luck for the exam

A little kiss for the mighty student.

For now, all the best,

So that later you can rest.

Minha Musa.

4E&2D

my favourite quote of the moment.

"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close."

- Pablo Neruda, excerpt from "Sonnet XVII"

life and beyond

I won't lie. I'm scared of dying. The fear has a way of gripping me suddenly, the realisation smacking me in the head like a bucket of ice-cold water being thrown at your face.

Tonight I've been listening to some acoustic tunes - the album 'Dead Wood Falls' by Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea, and now I'm listening to 'Fall & Winter' by Jon Foreman. Both really good albums and I've never given them a proper listen until tonight.

This song just played then, and the lyrics struck me. I'm in an oddly emotional state at the moment so the music had a profound effect on me as it played out its melody.

I'm gonna miss you
I'm gonna miss you
When you're gone
She says, I love you
I'm gonna miss you
And your songs

And I said, please
Don't talk about the end
Don't talk about how
Every living thing goes away
She said, friend

All along I thought
I was learning how to take
How to bend not how to break
How to live not how to cry
But really
I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die

Hey everyone
I've got nowhere to go
The grave is lazing me
He takes our body slow

And I said, please
Don't talk about the end
Don't talk about how
Every living thing goes away
I said, friend,
All along I thought
I was learning how to take

How to bend not how to break
How to live not how to cry
But really
I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die
Die, die
I've been learning how to die
I've been learning how to die

- Jon Foreman, 'Learning How To Die'

springtime

Looking back and contemplating the ebb and flow of my emotions, it seems that the start of spring (September) has become a time of reflection and nostalgia. Certain songs and musicians evoke memories of yesteryear, moments locked in time, out of reach but still alive in memory.

For example - last week I was listening to "Boa Sorte (Good Luck)" by Vanessa da Mata and Ben Harper, and it threw me back in time, to the days and weeks prior to my current relationship. The sense of wonder and excitement, fear and the "what-if" factor... emotions that last only as long as the courtship. But I think they're important emotions. They help me remember how I felt when I first started to fall in love. They remind me how I got here, and the memories make me smile.

Currently I'm listening to Dave Matthews and was briefly lost in a moment of nostalgia about my friendship with Scott, because he's the one who introduced me to the music. And let's face it, sometimes I am completely besotted with the musical persona of Dave Matthews, illustrated through his music and lyrics. So this music wields a lot of emotional clout, and I have Scott to thank for it.

Rise and fall, roads divided, connections discovered, uncovered, and lost.

"Tolerance is the only real test of civilization."

- Arthur Helps

blue-oo-oo

if you're happy and you know it, write a poem

I love you whether you're near or far.

It doesn't matter where you are.

I love you more than life itself.

Your happiness is my greatest wealth.

Now my eyes are heavy with sleep,

I'm imagining your warm embrace...

While I kiss you full and deep,

My fingers stroking your handsome face. X

it's the thought that counts

Just lying in bed thinking what to say,

But nothing comes to mind.

I still force myself to write,

'Cause one day I will get it right,

And make you smile.

Don't bother looking for the rhyme,

As it's only random text you will find.

Try to look for the meaning in between,

And you will see that love is what I mean. :)

4E&2D

a midnight response

Finally falling into bed...

Your poem made me smile.

You're definitely improving,

It was your longest by a mile.

You want me to both rest and dance...

To multi-task in sleep, perchance?

Like Robin for Maid Marion fair,

Let my arrow fly so straight and true,

That my kisses fall into your hair,

And you hear me whisper,

"I love you." X

an alternative

Tonight I would write an epic email,

Had the wireless card not failed.

I'm left with the choice of a text,

For the chance to make you smile next.

And although it's coming out pretty shitty,

Not to continue would just be a pitty*.

Rest,

Sleep well,

'Cause tomorrow is a new day.

And it's going to be great.

Because I said so.

And sometimes...

Just sometimes, I'm right.

So come and meet me in my dreams,

And we will dance the night away. X X X

*Editor's note: I thought this spelling mistake was too cute to correct :)

... to infinity and beyond

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear,

too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice...

but for those who love, time is eternity."

- Henry Van Dyke

Meu Amor...*

No eyes to see your handsome face;
No ears to hear your calming voice;
No hands to brush your soft cheek.

My heart is denied so many pleasures...
But still it loves you
More and more each day.

---

I will come and meet you tonight.

We will dance the night away. x x x

---

And then I dreamt about salsa class.

animaniacs mania

Animaniacs was a fantastic animated TV show back in the 90s. I remember watching it after school on the "What's Up, Doc?" show - such a great variety of characters fielding the entertainment, headed by the troublesome trio Yakko, Wakko and Dot.

In a bout of nostalgia I discovered these superb videos whilst scouring YouTube for classic snippets of Animaniacs. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Yakko and the countries of the world:

An amusing cover of the original:

Wakko and the 50 states of America:

Yakko, Wakko and Dot sing a song about Magellan:

Dot sings the Macarena:



Slappy and Skippy enjoying a concert... but whose?

haunting and precious.

full

Fri 23 July

5-course meal and dessert by Chef Byron

Tonight I had a small "post-French students reunion" dinner with Melody and Byron (and J) at Byron's place in Kensington. It was also a farewell dinner for B as he was only two weeks away from a 2-year stint in Paris studying at Le Cordon Bleu, the famous culinary school.

It was fascinating to see B cooking - the kitchen was filled with pots and pans and dishes and bowls, but it was all under control (with all of us helping out on the easy bits) and the results said it all.

Dinner was delicious! We started with dumplings in soup, followed by raw beef salad ("yook-hwe" in Korean), then roast duck and finally beef steaks in a creamy mushroom and onion sauce with rice, with oysters throughout the meal. Dessert was a very professional looking and yummy tiramisu style cake, also made by Byron. To top it off, Mel had bought some tasty pastries from a shop in Surry Hills which we also enjoyed.

The conversation was good fun, and we were entertained with plenty of Korean pop songs and music videos throughout the evening. I was so happy to be seeing my French-class uni friends again - when I think about it, it's probably been close to 12 months since I'd seen them last, if not longer.

Sat 24 July

Lebanese banquet at Al Aseel

J and I had a pleasantly long walk to Al Aseel in Surry Hills for a dinner with Dave and Rebecca. It was my first time meeting them, and as far as my memory goes it was also the first time I'd been to a Lebanese restaurant. Funnily enough we also bumped into Byron on the way, who was running late to a karaoke date with friends. We were running late too, so we said a quick hello and parted ways.

The food was great - we had all kinds of dips, meats, felafels and salads. I don't remember any of the names, but the tabouleh and fattoush salads were quite tasty. There was so much on the table that even with a combined effort we weren't able to finish all the dishes. We definitely gave it a good try though - I knew there was a reason I didn't want to wear a belt tonight!

It was a night of good food and good company, just like Friday night, but different. There was even a belly dancer performing throughout the restaurant!

After dinner I also had a chance to meet Dani at the Sanctuary Hotel... well almost. There was a huge queue outside and of course there was no way I'd be getting into the venue. Sadly they wouldn't let out Dani either, so we had a phone conversation whilst waving and laughing at each other through the glass wall. Shortly after we'd started chatting on the phone, a bouncer rudely told us to line up or keep moving, so I waved goodbye to Dani while still being on the phone. That was a strange feeling, but despite the distance it was great to see her again.

Sun 25 July

Glorious dumplings and desserts at Din Tai Fung

Friday was a dinner with my friends, Saturday was a dinner with his friends, and tonight was a dinner with unknown friends. By this, I mean that we were seated at a round table with various other customers because the restaurant was so busy.

The walk in the rain was worth it. J and I had dumplings, a spicy wonton noodle soup and tasty hot desserts to finish off what had strangely become a very food-focused weekend. (To backtrack a little, we'd also had lunch at Baia earlier today where we sat outside and did a bit of seagull-, toddler- and people-spotting.)

The golden taro bread was as good as I remembered it. I feel lucky to have been to Din Tai Fung twice in the space of a couple of months. Maybe it's because of the constantly long queues, or maybe it's the efficient service of the bustling waiters and waitresses, but it feels like a special treat to be at the restaurant.

don't stop!

a little bedtime ditty

Don't want to wake you up,

But you're running through my head.

I'd prefer it if you walked,

So that I can go to bed... X

---

Ok. Taking it slow now. I will behave. ;)

See you in my dreams. x x x

a bit of backtracking

Tues 18 May

Had a great chat with Mat over coffee. Ooh that rhymes. It's nice to find somebody who you can talk to and you know the other person understands you, even though you never really hang out together or do anything together besides catch up over coffee. I have unusual friendships like that, but they feel like the most rewarding ones because you end up talking about some interesting subjects!

What a lovely dinner! Perfect company of course, and even better conversation. Serious topics, light topics, love and laughter. Went out to Baia San Marco with Joao for some yummy Italian food. Followed it up with a rich chocolate mud cake and ice cream... indulgence. Mmm.

It was such a good evening - after the ridiculous mood swings of last week, today I finally felt like I was back to normal again. I think I need to consciously maintain a healthy combination of spending time with friends and boyfriend respectively, and that's what keeps me as my happy self.

Wed 19 May

Had lunch with Eszter and Endre. Always have a good laugh and a chat with them - discovered Endre got engaged! Exciting stuff! It's all happening this year. I really enjoy hanging out with the two of them, the conversation is always fun and even though it's been so long since we last saw each other, there's no awkwardness. I function much better in small groups - even in a larger group I'm easier with one-on-one conversations.

Dinner at Takeru and dessert at the Chocolate Room with Joao, Mig, Dani, Kat, Diana, and cameo appearances by Colin, Calista and Ian Wang. As usual the conversation was nothing short of hilarious, and although half the group hadn't met each other before, the combination worked surprisingly well. It was such a fun evening, I was really glad that everybody was able to make it at such short notice.

Mon 19 July

Tonight's salsa class was great fun. Having not seen the class for two weeks made me realise how much I enjoy everybody's company. It's an hour of social refreshment for me. I feel familiar enough with the group to be able to crack jokes or make light conversation, and at the same time I know little enough that I still have plenty of questions I could ask everybody to get to know them better.

I feel like I don't often end up dancing with our instructor Oren, but it's always a good chance for me to refine my developing technique. Instead of having to reiterate the moves we're learning, he gives advice that according to him is 'just nitpicking'. It's a nice feeling to know that I'm progressing well. Having said that, I'm starting to feel sufficiently challenged by the moves we've been learning recently, so I know I've definitely got a lot of practising to do!

crazy monday!

Yesterday was one of those days where it feels like everything, really EVERYTHING is going on and you have so much in your to-do pile that it looks like a mess in your head. But the great thing about yesterday's nuttiness was that it energized me in an excited, happy way. I got so flustered at one point that I was shaking with adrenalin/nervous energy.

a good weekend in july

Sometimes I have some really nice weekends. These days, they are usually prefaced with beautiful winter sunlight and a productive train ride into the city, meaning I'm completing some work, an email, or some study. Or it's a peaceful ride where I'm listening to some great music that makes me want to sing or dance, or smile uncontrollably.

Highlights from the weekend that just passed...

* Home-made improvised lunch courtesy of J (don't know how it was made but I think I know what went into it.... oregano, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced meat, onion, wholegrain bread, diced olives), followed by yummy ice cream (not home-made)

* Enjoying a post-lunch movie - Disney's Hercules. Good fun!

* Actually getting some study done!

* Being wowed by some professional couples at the Australian Salsa Open and also getting some dance time in between, not to mention bumping into some old friends from high school who were performing that night!

* Lazy Sunday morning in bed, followed by a nice brunch at Jet Caffe... smoked ham & cheese croissant with peppermint tea to accompany. Delish!

* Getting a little bit more study done :)

* Late lunch at The Watershed in Darling Harbour... a small share plate for two, plus nachos. We were stuffed by the end of it!

* Interesting conversations on dog and baby names :)

* Another post-lunch movie - Disney's Pocahontas, which was made a little funnier than usual thanks to the added sound effects of J!

I'm exhausted but what a fun couple of days. As usual. :)

what's in a...

Charlotte is a beautiful name.

hehe.

‎"I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind, that I put down in words, how wonderful life is, now you're in world..." ♥

just ducky

What did one stressed duck say to the other?


"I think I'm going to quack!"


... I made that one myself :)

it's all you need.

Who knew that I could love so much
Your scent, your smile, your lips, your touch?

I've never been the steady kind
Where the heart came into play
But I know for sure, as you do too
This love is here to stay.

Fly with me, like lovers do
Into the night, so dark and blue
Let's dance amongst the stars tonight
Until the break of morning light.

thanks :)

You kiss my cheek, you make me smile,
So of course I want to stay awhile.
Forever and two days it's true,
That's how long I'll be loving you.
To look into your eyes each day,
Is a pleasure greater than I can say...*

he knows how to cheer me up

Last time, when I was feeling down,

I thought of you... and that brought me back around.

I truly hope that all your worries you dismiss,

With my promise of an early morning kiss.

her:

So despite all my annoying ways,
You'll still grace me with your gaze?
I have to say that's good to know,
And in return I love you so!
Now off to bed until the morning...
Remember the jersey, final warning!

him:

All the fun for the light in my sun.

Though the rhyme is lame,

You can blame it on my name.

For my love is strong,

And I know that nothing can make it wrong.

crazy (:

It's hard to dislike Blogotheque videos... I love the casual settings and the style of filming and editing. They really make me miss playing music with friends. A jamming session is much needed (birthday present, anybody?)!

I like this video because it's so ridiculous that they're carrying a synthesizer through the streets, in Istanbul of all places too.

great song, great video

This is the music video for "Rabbit Song" by the Aussie group Boy and Bear.

And I have to say it is awesome! Even better because it was filmed in Sydney CBD.



Thanks to my friend Pete for the link

a moment of musical insanity

Sometimes I feel so hungry for music, I'm overwhelmed with a desire to listen to many, many artists at once. Names and songs rush madly through my head, like a freight train running late to its next destination. I want to sing. I want to close my eyes and listen. I want to dance. I want to sit still and absorb. I want to feel the music flowing through me. At times like these I wish my body could be a giant musical sponge - if I could just pour the songs, like paint, into a giant tray, letting all the colours mix and mingle... then I would dive in, letting the sounds, the emotions, the textures seep through every pore of my being. Such an intense desire, and at times like these I feel as though there isn't enough time to satisfy the cravings. While I'm listening to one song, I'm already thinking about another song that I desperately want to listen to.

I don't know what it is that brings about these bouts of craziness. But it's clear that music is a deep part of who I am and what I desire to maintain in my life.

from she to he

I imagine your face and I smile.

I imagine your smile and I laugh.

I imagine your laugh and I'm happy.

Don't be blue, because I love you too.

MTW...*

from he to me

I look at the couch and it looks lost.

I look at the table and it's lonely.

I get into bed and it feels empty.

You are not here, so nothing feels true.

I love you.

4E&2D

Ben Harper - Skin Thin

This is a great, great song, and now there's an equally wonderful music video to accompany it.

Watching and listening to the song made me realise how long it's been since I've had a proper listen to the music of Ben Harper, and it reminded of why I fell in love with his sound in the first place. Definitely one to watch on full-screen with the volume cranked up.

Let the calm resonate in your room...



Notes from the Ben Harper subscription email (11 May 2010):
Friend and filmmaker Daniel Stessen was so inspired by the track "Skin Thin" off Ben Harper & Relentless7's latest album, White Lies for Dark Times, that he decided to make a mini film to tell a story of this moving song. The film was shot mainly in Fulton, NY, about an hour north of his hometown of Syracuse.

Filming the piece was a unique adventure in itself. Stessen describes the places they shot as "the type of places where you have to have three beers with anyone for them to trust you." He arrived blindly to each location with only the story in mind, shaking hands and making new friends along the way, and crafting the film with what was available - only staging the actions. The lead character was based on Stessen's best friend, who lives and works in the places shown in the film. The female lead was discovered working behind the counter at a pizza shop where the director had lunch just before filming began.

MOVITS! - Fel Del Av Gården

For the record, they're singing/rapping in Swedish.

The little dance number at around 2:50 is unreal. I lurrrrve this style of music and dance!



Thanks to my Melbournian mate Nathan for sharing this

words from a friend (circa 2005)

"The world is your adventure.

A million paths lie at your feet, just waiting for that first step. Hit the ground running Joan, not stumbling. Chase your dreams every second of your life, and never regret anything you do, no matter how bad.

Your dreams are your guide and your heart is your compass. It often hurts but it never lies."

Ian Worrel

Another great find, thanks to the crew at Drawn! (original post here)

Second Wind from Ian Worrel on Vimeo.

In fact, I was so enamoured with the concept and design of the above video that I had to run a search on Ian Worrel to see if he had any other videos. Thankfully there was one other! Also an enjoyable watch. I like the concept and I especially like the giant character who is eating all the fruits..

Icarus & the Tree Herder from Ian Worrel on Vimeo.

something good... *

Perhaps I had a wicked childhood...
Perhaps I had a miserable youth...
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past,
There must have been a moment of truth.

For here you are, standing there, loving me,
Whether or not you should...

So somewhere in my youth or childhood,
I must have done something good.

Nothing comes from nothing;
Nothing ever could...
So, somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good.

For here you are, standing there, loving me

Whether or not you should...

So somewhere in my youth or childhood,

I must have done something good.

Nothing comes from nothing;

nothing ever could...

So, somewhere in my youth...

...or childhood...

I must have done something...

Something...

Good...

i'm gonna make your toes curl tonight...

Discovered thanks to a post from Drawn!

yes, this is love.

I wanna love you and treat you right;
I wanna love you every day and every night.
We'll be together with a roof right over our heads;
We'll share the shelter of my single bed.
We'll share the same room, yeah! - for Jah provide the bread.

Is this love, is this love, is this love,
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
Is this love, is this love, is this love,
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
I wanna know, wanna know, wanna know now!
I got to know, got to know, got to know now!

I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I - I'm willing and able,
So I throw my cards on your table!
I wanna love you- I wanna love and treat, love and treat you right;
I wanna love you every day and every night:
We'll be together, yeah! - with a roof right over our heads;
We'll share the shelter, yeah, oh yeah! - of my single bed;
We'll share the same room, yeah! - for Jah provides the bread.

Is this love, is this love, is this love,
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
Is this love, is this love, is this love,
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
Wo-o-o-oah! Oh yes, I know, yes, I know, yes, I know now!
Oh yes, I know, yes, I know, yes, I know now!

I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I - I'm willing and able,
So I throw my cards on your table!
See- I wanna love ya, I wanna love and treat ya,
Love and treat ya right.
I wanna love you every day and every night.
We'll be together, with a roof right over our heads;
We'll share the shelter of my single bed.
We'll share the same room, yeah! Jah provides the bread.
We'll share the shelter of my single bed.

- Bob Marley, "Is This Love"

before thirty

You know I dreamed about you

for twenty-nine years before I saw you

You know I dreamed about you

I missed you for

for twenty-nine years

- Excerpt from lyrics to "Slow Show" by The National

(:

Smile, tho' your heart is aching,
Smile, even though it's breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky -
You'll get by..

If you smile through your fear and sorrow,
Smile, and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through -
For you..

Light up your face with gladness,
Hide ev'ry trace of sadness,
Altho' a tear may be ever so near..

That's the time you must keep on trying,
Smile - what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile..

- "Smile", Charlie Chaplin

a goodnight wish

Star light, star bright,

For ev'ry star that shines tonight..

I send a kiss to warm your cheek

Until the day we meet this week. *

Estava com fome... mas...

Balsamic vinegar and olive oil

In a plate, but not to boil

Bocconcini and tomatoes to share

Is that cheese, just over there?



A simple meal, but served with love.

Who could ask for more?

Day by day it's reaffirmed-

You're the one that I've been looking for.

a bit of magic

Out Of A Forest from Tobias Gundorff Boesen on Vimeo.

I always have a soft spot for a good stop-motion animation. I've just discovered this one but it's an immediate favourite. The characters are well designed and visually very lovable, and the music and the story put me in a reflective mood.

---
Thanks to the Drawn! blog for the original post: http://drawn.ca/2010/02/16/out-of-a-forest/

dreams

Music moves me in a way that is hard to describe. Sometimes it relaxes me, or it makes me want to dance, sing or jump around. I usually can't concentrate on anything else when I'm listening to music that really grabs my soul; other times, I use it to block out the distractions around me.

Some songs help me believe that my dreams will become a reality one day.

As I was listening to the song in the video above, I relaxed, I let go of the stress and the tensions that have been consuming my mind lately, and all I could do was picture the future, and how I would dearly like it to be.

More than anything, I'd like to travel the world. If I had the time, the money and the superhuman ability to achieve it, I would visit every single town in every single country to help me understand humanity, to discover the similarities and the differences between people all over the world, and to discover what it is in life that is truly worth cherishing.

writer's block

As I meditate

on what to write

Let me be in peace.

For if you stress

and shout out loud

My words won't flow with ease.

See? I told you so!

bons sonhos

Sweet dreams,
Good night,
Don't let the bed bugs bite.

Estou cansada
Mas vou sonhar
Com teu sorriso
Na manhã :-)

postscript: Apparently my Portuguese doesn't "rimme". Well then!

on trying to stay focused on my tax assignment

I sit and think of what to write
Lest this EP take all night.

Outside the clouds grow dark and fierce;
I see the drops that start to fall.
The air is warm, but Summer's gone
In the distance, Autumn calls.

Lightning strikes o'er yonder town
The rain begins to bucket down
I listen to Mozart's symphony
And continue my project peacefully.

this blog: a quick review.

Feeling inspired to write again. A quick scan over my previous blog posts in the last year or so makes me think that I was one troubled little kid! And it's probably not far from the truth. The human mind has an amazing ability to forget or move on from pain. At least mine does. That aside, it's probably also an indication of my bad memory.

In a previous post I noted that 2009 appeared to be the year of New Friends and Musical Experiences. Now that the year is over, I would like to correct myself and conclude that 2009 was The Year of Break-Ups. Almost every long-term relationship in my extended social circle was ended at some point during the year, mine included. I think only one of the couples ended up reuniting, and all other parties have gone their separate ways. It was a killer year in that respect. Never have I seen so many hearts broken and 'ships sunken.

But after the rain comes a rainbow, and a new lease on life. And for my new lease, it's certainly worth the rent.

Love is a fascinating game. So many unexpected twists and turns.

My last relationship ended on a flurry of sour notes. Reading through some of my earlier blog posts helps me remember that I was very much in love, and I tried my best. But now I realise that the cracks were always there. Nobody, especially the one you love, should make you cry as much as I seem to have cried. It's over now, so I'm not losing sleep over it. That chapter of my life is now closed and thrown to the winds.

My current relationship... what a whole different kettle of (cod)fish. It's hard to describe it without sounding over-the-top and cheesy and corny and all the rest, so I will summarise with "I am really very happy".

And now, time for sleep, for I seek rest and beauty.

mutual feelings

I was tired and stressed,

A little depressed...

But seeing your smile

Keeps me happy awhile

:)

from him, for me

I would like to be able to

Come up with a poem for you as well

But my artistic side is already

Sleeping as far as I can tell.

Your roses are red,

Your lights are blue,

I'm tired as hell,

But I STILL love you... *

a little lullaby

Hello little sleepyhead,

Time for you to go to bed.

Close your eyes and ease your mind,

For I am not too far behind.

In life and dreams this much is true-

You are my love, and I love you.