Not All Girls Like Pink

Come October, I always think about life (more than usual) and begin to reassess and evaluate the year I've had. I also have my medical checks in October, doing my bit to take care of this life God has blessed me with. I also look forward to posting an epic and memorable blog post which I've been doing every birthday since 2004. This year however, I decided to do something a little different. I wanted to appreciate the people who have made an impact in my life and who have really helped shape me. I decided to write 30 letter to 30 individuals whom I've had a life-changing experience with. The catch was, I had to hand-write these letters. It was no easy task as I've developed carpel tunnel over the years and I feel like I'm beginning to lose the ability to do the everyday things like turn on a tap, or open a bottle of water, and even to take notes at church has become quite agonizing. The more I thought about it, the more I knew I had to do this last bit of l...

The new year reminds me of a chemistry set. It feels like a time we get to empty out our dirty old beakers and throw its murky contents down the drain. We get fresh jars to start a new experiment and new process over as we add substance and ingredients and elements into this bottle. We fire it up again, testing its resistance and watch as chemicals react. Solutions change colour or bubble over while some pop, crackle and snap. And all the while, we write, cause a scientist always observes and takes note of each and every action and reaction they find. Every year, I write my promises for the year. What I hope to achieve at work, at home, with my family, in my relationships, for my physical health and for my spiritual well being. But this year, I figured, why write a whole page of promises I hardly keep. Good intentions but no follow-through. That's my problem!  hmmph . So this year, I only made one promise. I resolve to be present. Not like just simply living in the present a...

As you get older, you're supposed to get wiser...right? So I got to thinking about what I've learned over time. And taking my queue from Phil in Modern Family , I decided to write down my words of wisdom which I live by and to commemorate turning 29! Mel'osophy: 1. Talking to yourself doesn't mean you're crazy. 2. Papercuts happen. Often. So go paperless! 3. Everybody is somebody else's weirdo. 4. Always wear a spot of colour. You never know when you might need some cheer. 5. Look at pretty pictures. It helps you see the world a little differently OR it helps you stay disillusioned about the world. 6. Coffee is good. 5 cups... not so much. 7. Girls should sometimes indulge in chocolates and champagne. I said SOMETIMES. 8. Give hugs. Often. Great big squeezes which knock the wind out of people. People know when hugs are half hearted. 9. Have tech-free weekends. It helps to know you can survive if Revolution happens. 10. Sing out loud ev...

Today I celebrate my 28th year of existence. It's been a somewhat contemplative year where life has taken almost every sombre moment and turned it around. It's not like I've been a shining rainbow on speed but it's left me much more appreciative of the people and things around me. Many a day, I wake up and I choose 'Happy' . If I had to choose one word to sum up the year, it would be refreshing . After 27, life sped on and turned amazing. Sure there were glitches and down days and simply awful things and memories, outgrowing of things and lots of rainy days but amazing things still happened in the year of 27. The year of 28 feels NEW .  It's like a clean slate and miles and miles of hope. Today I celebrate my last year of single-hood. It's supposed to be a milestone which I'm writing down to remember. I know it's just a number and people stop counting and stop remembering birthdays after 21 or so. But I'm honoured to be given 28. I...

I've met a Lilly, a Hyacinth and I've met a Dianthus. Pretty cool ladies, which makes me feel like naming your kid after a flower ain't such a bad thing. Flower named ladies used to remind me of old people with cats for some reason. That is, until i met these three. This year, I'm hoping to meet more interesting people with interesting names and interesting jobs. That's all I wanna achieve this year I think. Well of course there are those dreams and visions. This massive puzzle called life is slowly taking shape and sometimes the pieces fit perfectly while at other times, it's like pffttt . I've now learnt that square pegs don't fit in round holes and blue comes in all shapes and sizes. Thank you 2010 for all the awesomeness and the blehh moments. Dancing on into 2011 ...

Dear Mel, Boy does it feel weird saying that. This is ME , writing to you from the future. So actually, this is really YOU and you have just turned 27! At 17, you're simply known as Melisa. You think your n ame is boring and spelt wrong. Well the good news is, 10 years from now, you love your name! You even win a book in a slogan-writing competition about 'what's in a name' . Right now, most people call you Mel. Even people you don't know - which is annoying! Everyone seems to have shorter names now - Jo, Jules, Fli, Jazz as opposed to Joanne, Julie, Felicia and Jessica. Maybe it's a KL thing. *shrug* At 17, you look pretty miserable. Studying's a drag and you hate curfews and being perpetually grounded. Ten years from now, you'll have all the freedom and time in the world that you won't know what to do with yourself. Standing up for what you think is right has got you far, but speaking in anger has led you into many hot soups. You sti...