Listen

I was watching tv when I saw the video for Listen by Beyonce. Throughout the video, my mouth was hanging half open all coz I was m-e-s-m-e-r-i-z-e-d. By the lyrics, by the melody, by Beyonce's charm, by the power of her voice, by the way she can bend her back backwards while hitting high chords... ...

Listen to the song here in my heart
a melody I start but can't complete
Listen to the sound from deep within
Its only beginning to find release
Ohh the time has come for my dreams to be heard
They will not be pushed aside and turned
Into your own, all 'cause you won't listen

[chorus]
Listen
I am alone at a crossroads
I'm not at home in my own home
And I've tried and tried
To say whats on my mind
You should have known
Now I'm done believing you
You don't know what I'm feeling
I'm more than what
You've made of me
I followed the voice, you gave to me
But now I've gotta find my own

You should have listened
There was someone here inside
Someone I thought had died
So long ago
Oh I'm screaming out
And my dreams will be heard
They will not be pushed aside or turned
Into your own
All 'cause you won't listen

[chorus]
Listen
I am alone at a crossroads
I'm not at home in my own home
And I've tried and tried
To say whats on my mind
You should have known
Now I'm done believing you
You don't know what I'm feeling
I'm more than what
You've made of me
I followed the voice, you gave to me
But now I've gotta find my own
You should have listened
I don't know where I belong
But I'll be moving onIf you don't, if you won't

Listen to the song here in my heart
A melody I start, but I will complete
Now I am done believing you
You don't know not what I am feeling
I'm more than what you've made of me
I followed the voice you think you gave to me

But now I got to find my own - my own

childhood

Just now, I saw a group of kindergarten kids doing arts & crafts and they looked like they were really enjoying themselves.

And I wondered... should I feel happy for them as they are having so much fun or should I feel sad for them because their road down the tedious path of education has only barely begun?

Save the Earth

I know this topic is kinda passe now that the concerts are over and the excitement is gone. But the plight of Mother Earth has always been one of my concerns so I shall put my 2 cents worth here.

Global warming was a topic I learnt in JC from Ms Ting... how the temperature of the Earth has shot up, how natural disasters are more frequent and more potent, blah blah blah. I knew something was wrong but the problems seemed very remote, living a protected life on the sheltered island of Singapore. The dire circumstances of global warming was, therefore, simply something that has to be memorised for the exams. Surely some smart award-winning scientist in some faraway country will come up with an amazing plan to save the Earth, yeah?

So the years flew by with the Earth still suffering, the scientists still clueless and her people still in delusion.

Well, the turning point seemed to be this year, or at least for Singapore. The government decided to tell its people they are using too many plastic bags and declared Wednesday to be 'plastic-bag-free day' in all supermarkets.

I certainly applaud the government's efforts to educate the public BUT I do not think the message have gotten across AT ALL. The 'plastic-bag-free day' turned out to be 'pay-for-your-plastic-bag day' and no one really cares what happens to Mother Earth as long as they can get their groceries back safely.

Just yesterday, I was queuing to make payment at a supermarket when I saw the cashiers use the plastic bags a tad bit too gernerously, when they are wearing a badge that says 'USE LESS PLASTIC BAGS'.

The ban of plastic bags has long been implemented in other countries and more rigorous green policies have also been in place. The seemingly very BIG step that Singapore has taken towards being a green nation is, compared to developed nations, a minor one.

Yeah, it seems like plastic bag consumption is only one aspect of going green but it just reflects the attitude of self-centered Singaporeans towards global warming -it is none of my business. Look into the recycling bins (if you can find one) and see what crap people stuff in them. That is why I feel that unless something drastic is done, such as a total ban, our 'efforts' will contribute absolutely nothing to save Mother Earth.

Yep, and I am heartened to see the live earth concerts and that celebrities are stepping out to drive the message home that Mother Earth is really sick. Yeah! Finally a call for help and a glimmer of hope for Mother Earth!

Well, maybe not everyone who attended the concerts knew that their idols were there for a much more noble cause other than to perform. And even the stars themselves may see the concerts as another publicity act. But I like the fact that the concerts organizers have made clear that Mother Earth belongs to us all, not just people of the developed nations and that everyone, you and I, can make a difference. Ok, I know that sounds cliche, but I think that the concerts have actually served their purpose of creating environmental awareness.

For me, I have showered with cold water since I was back (I am not sure how long that will last though). Hmmm... and maybe I should get a bigger bag to store my buys when I go shoppping to cut down on plastic bags yeah? A reason to buy another bag --> wwwhhhhooooooppppeeeeeeeeeeee!

unpacking...

things that were indispensible during the past 52 days:

1. MY TRUSTY SUITCASE (also my portable wardrobe) which performed a stunning feat of not failing me at all despite the 20kg load and the annoyingly uneven streets.

2. MY DURABLE WATER BOTTLE which stored a precious liquid that kept me hydrated, called tap water. Here is a last shot before saying my final goodbye at Malpensa Airport Terminal 1.

3. MY SLEEPING BAG which shielded me from the who-knows-wat evil elements lurking in dirty budget hostels beds.

4. MY MONEY POUCH which did a good job of protecting my money and passport, especially in crime-ridden areas like Italy.

5. MY PUMA SHOES which took me to the beatifullest and wonderfullest places from the top of Europe at Jungfrau to the near-sea-level-places at Venice. Here is a really cool pic of my shoes looking v happy hanging from my feet in Austrian air.

6. MY SLING BAG, courtesy of Eileen Big Babe, which stored my daily belongings from money to food and is somewhat waterproof, wearproof and dirtproof to survive the grumpy weather and land conditions.

7. MY NIVEA HAND CREAM, ops! courtesy of Eileen Ultra Big Babe again, which did their best to make my 22 year old hands look their age, considering the frequent lug-20kg-suitcase-up-and-down-metro-stairs ritual, near-endless handwashing of laundry and perpetual super dry air.

8. MY 3 SWEATERS which gave all they can to fight the cold and wind, together with their hoods to hide from the rain and pockets at the tummy area to warm chilly hands. I remember someone saying 'you never know tt these pockets actually serve a practical purpose other than an aesthetics one.' Brrrr.. true.

H-O-M-E

After 52 days of wandering around on very expensive land, I am back.

It is unbelievable.