Seeking Solace

These few days have been mad. I know that I am going to lose my freedom (or to gain more freedom), so I shopped like mad and ended up with a badly strained back. But it was nice to meet up with people and do things that I have been procrastinating (despite finding more things that I have been procrastinating). Christmas left the poor poorer and the rich richer. But still, I am happy.

We went to the Hong Kong Cafe at Cineleisure finally. The food is not that impressive, but the ambience of the place sort of made up for it.

My company for the day ---> Huimin and Foodie

The Cock plates that bring you back to the 40s

The Mango and Watermelon Ice that made them so satisfied

We went to watch The Curse of the Golden Flower and it was heaps good. The plot is simple, yet the thoughts that are triggered were complex. And, yes, Jay Chou couldn't act. I hate the feeling of being pulled back to reality everytime he appeared. I still love to hear him sing though. Anyway, even with him, the movie was good because of Gongli and Chow Yun Fatt. My heartbeat was so loud even one hour after the movie ended. I want to get the VCD for Kenneth because he had a bad sprain on his ankle. And george fell down the other day. Poor Mum, much as we are handicapped, we moaned and sighed with our 'perfectly ok' mouth.

After the movie, they went for dinner after more shopping. Actually, just Foodie. Huimin refused to touch any food. I cannot understand this. What is wrong with these skinny people (Flo calls them 'shou zi') that complained about their fat bodies, fat arms (roll eyes), fat thighs when they are beginning to look like matchsticks (sfter being lit)??? I think I have given up on this whole notion of getting accepted only if you have the figure of a lolli or fishbone. We are beautiful in our own way. People, please be healthy.

We went Coffee Club, of which Flo was immensely displeased with the food. She had a bite and we went off after Huimin finished her dinner (Strawberry Smoothie). So we went to KFC.

Of course Huimin was acting, but gee, look at Foodie's worried face. This photo is a classic.

Happy Huimin and a relieved Foodie

Huimin loves taking photographs. Yes, we were on the train. Then Flo came over to my place. It was a long day. I think I have forgotten how to blog but still I want to, cos I know time is slipping fast.

Freedom, freedom...

Jacqueline
3:22 PM

Happy Birthday Cecilia!

Jacqueline
12:01 PM

Merry Merry Christmas 2006!

Jacqueline
12:38 PM

It seems like it was yesterday when everything seemed bleak and the journey seemed hazardous. I guess it takes years to figure out something. The years of very tangible pain, the haze that clouded my vision and mind, the years of endless questions that added on to the confusion and the feeling of neither here nor there all seem to have detached themselves from me. I have never felt more at peace.

I thought of how hard I strived when I was in college and thinking back, it is unbelievable. I thought of how whatever I did reap zero returns and suddenly feel proud of myself that I survived it all. Trust me, nothing hurts more than a bad decision that appeared so right then. I remembered a friend that once told me that nothing you do will gurantee the returns you rightly deserve except physical things like exercise and I thought it was so right then.

I was really bitter about life. Bitter enough to sleepwalk and hide all my certificates, birth certificate and testimonials in a place that I will never dream of. And so the certificates, birth certificate and testimonials laid undiscovered for 4 years much to my regret and endless searching, until yesterday when my brother chanced upon it. Then the thoughts just rushed to my brain and all knots seem to dissolve at the mere contact with my very potent brain juice. And that is how I regained my original self.

It could be the season, but I love this feeling and am treasuring every minute of it. It wasn't so much the number of presents, the greetings, the warmth of genuine concern and sincerity I received (though they made part of what I am feeling), but the very fact that I understand a little more about life.

For all the friends that I am unable to meet up with, I apologise. I still love you all, especially the SJAB friends that I have not been organising activities for a long long time, I promised, the next activity would be just for you people. It is going to be a long journey and I got past the first stage of life. I am psyching myself for the second stage. I am stronger.

Jacqueline
10:23 PM

Just for Flo to use as MSN pic. lol

Real one hor.

Cute!

Satish feeding the gigantic 70+ years old turtles

"Mum: Children, gather. Go and dive for sea cucumbers. I want to sell them ."

It is a dog eat dog world out there

Pollination in progress

Rich-coloured flower

Jacqueline
10:20 AM

Had I not seen the Sun

Had I not seen the Sun
Emily Dickinson

Had I not seen the Sun
I could have borne the shade
But Light a newer Wilderness
My Wilderness has made—

Jacqueline
4:12 PM

Air Mauritius, the plane with perfect landing and taking off...

At Le Meridien

The 7 coloured Earth

Waterfall

Our Rooms

Fireworks on Groundbreaking Day

Aftermath of sunset

Romantic eh?

First Dinner at Sands

My first photo when I reached Sands

My Morning Visits

My Room

My First Glass in Mauritius

Ken at Flic en Flac

Speedy

Beautiful Leaves

These photos are just taken by handphone. I have hundreds more in the other two cameras. till then ... Ciao

Jacqueline
2:21 PM

Neither was it a simple holiday nor was it a holiday to relax.

The trip to Mauritius will never ever be the same as anyone's trip to Mauritius because I was there for a different reasons.

I saw how high life could get and how low life could go. I saw how the world operates, how a day could be someone's night. The core essence of the country's culture from their language, behaviour, their way of greeting, their attitude to the food they eat and the way they seek solace in nature was all an eye opener. It wasn't the prime minister, the millionaires or the royalties that made the trip. It was the warmth, the passion and the sincerity.

If you want something to happen, you will find means to make it happen. Otherwise, you don't want it enough. When the plane touched down Singapore, I accidentally let out a sign and a 'SIAN'. I thought of just going home and sleep and when I woke up, I will be back in Mauritius on the beach of Flic en Flac. And when I was on the maxi cab, I ignored the absences of bumpy ride, closing my eyes hoping to recall every single thing and person I experienced and saw in Mauritius.

David the young fisherman that didn't have the opportunity to study, Kevin the hotel manager that looks like Taufik, Gills and Dorothy that understand the meaning of thrift despite their upbringing, Uncle Françoise's resilence and Auntie Marie-Claire's warmth, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Kris' charisma and his wife's Gung-ho attitude, Salvent's train of thoughts, Dennis' humility...

I can't dream of a better holiday that allows me to think, read and listen in the company of such pictureque surrounding. Life wouldn't be complete if I have never stepped onto Mauritius. There really is so much more to life than just work and education. Or even more to sports, religions and relaxation. So much more. I can't put what is missing to it, but I am sure of it. When I lose my bearing in life, I will get it back from Mauritius.

Life is a dream. It is passion that takes you further than you dreamed. CMT's belief. I will make it mine.

Jacqueline
1:40 PM

Jacqueline
8:04 AM

Actually, it is good to not jump into a job. It allows me to think sort out my extremely random thoughts. Everyone around me is so flustered and I have never felt more at peace. Its good to be in control and I like this feeling.

Jacqueline
1:12 PM

I still remember.

Jacqueline
12:01 AM