Words that enlighten my world.
It’s a matter of choice, we just need to open our minds to see the light.

chinese version here.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• 080808 Once in a hundred years
• Pathway
• Light
• Light
• First of June

Click to see full images.

Your voice behind the garish light
It’s the loudest silence echoing in my heart

妳繁華里的滄桑  無言的  沈寂在喧囂里
幽幽的訴說著  前塵往事

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Pathway
• Light
• Light
• Touched by an angel
• This too shall pass

It is still the same, the bright round sphere,
shining behind veils of thin clouds.
I gazed upon the illuminating moon, looking for that wonderland
In that faraway land where mystical tales live long,
Where dreams are realised and smiles beam bright.

千古明月依舊
中外人事已非

It’s been cloudy with occasion showers throughout the day, I thought I wouldn’t be able to see the moon tonight. Just a little after midnight I gazed upon the sky, and there it is, rays shining through my window sills. The photo is taken just after midnight. The positioning of the moon seemed to be somewhat different from this time last year. It’s funny how the moon almost always brings out feelings of melancholy and notalsgia for me. Must be the occasion. It’s the season of longing and love, it’s the season of whole.
Now tell me, did you see the moon tonight and how did it make you feel?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Moonlight rendezvous
• Colours of autumn.
• Pathway
• At the dawn of light
• Idyllic bliss

Smile blossomed on your face, like a river flowing deep into my heart.
We laughed, cried, simply being silly together.
This winter . two souls . one heart
We’re finally home.

妳看到花，笑了。然後，我也跟著笑。 一切盡在不言中。

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Good things come in small ways
• Window of innocence
• Going home
• A song for you
• A lazy Sunday afternoon

It is funny, how quickly you move
Flowing through those happy moments in the blink of the eye
It is merciless how slowly you drag on
Through the dark and hollow hours

I am lost
In the waft that is time…

It is moments like this I shall persevere
Resting like a bear in hibernation
Long as I could I wait
For the idyllic days won’t be far
Longing for the psychedelic lights
Shinning upon me once again

我拼命想抓住那 時間的沙流
卻怎麼只有 空洞的風
陪我漫步欄柵

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Masquerade
• Daze
• Haste
• Blossoms
• Season of whole

It was the perfect way to start the day. I woke up to a knock on my front door.
A box of delights was sent from afar, by an angel who’s close to my heart.
It is little delight like this that makes life beautiful.

What was the delight that made your day?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Touched by an angel
• Ugly beautiful
• Masquerade
• Going home
• Tenacious light

I was touched by an angel
In a sunny afternoon

The innocence in her eyes
It touches my heart
So pure, so full of hope.

I wish to grasp the moment
Hold it close to my heart
Still, it starts to diminish, as time goes by

Though, I’ll never forget that beautiful encounter
The sunny rays from an angel

希冀

在妳眼中閃爍的希冀
有一種純真的感動

我想把它緊緊地抓住
放進口袋裡

但那些真摯的年歲
終究還是  漸行漸遠

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A quaint encounter
• Feeling
• Morning delight
• Window of innocence
• Hold

It was a beautiful moment, all 11 and a half minutes of it.
I wished the moment would never end,
not because of the grandeur and excitement of it all,
but simply, us being together;
A family, a circle,
hearts are completed.

Happy Chinese New Year my friends, I wish you a very fabulous holiday.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• 080808 Once in a hundred years
• Light
• Singapore trip – CNY lion dance part 1
• A hell of a roller-coaster ride.
• Where I was

Where has she gone, you wonder.
To the grandeur of an adventure or in the mist of mysterious waves;
To the depth of hidden treks or the exotic land?
Where, where has she been to?
To the grand central of the world stage or that neverland where dreams are made of?

It’s grand, it’s dense, it’s a jubilant of magnificent.
All great things are worth a little wait.
Don’t you agree?

Oh the things you’ll see when she’s back,
The great tales she’ll tell.
She promises it won’t be long, just a little while longer.
Here, she bids you good night, for the first time in this new beginning of visual explosions.
‘I’ll be back’, her voice echoes over and yet again.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Where I was
• Little things in life
• Birth of a remarkable woman
• Dream holiday
• Tagged: One Word

夢想的旅行，可以很近也很遠。對我來說，那是一場回歸根源的旅程。

許多人都跟我說過中國人給他們的衝擊，現在到我親身體會一下。
或許是因為自小在華文教育的背景長大，對這片華人的祖地總有一分微妙的感情。
那片我們祖先生活的土地悠遠流長，一直都是我想去的地方。它牽系著我心裡最深處。

要去看看上海的繁華，蘇東坡口中初晴后雨的西湖，見證明清興滅的紫禁城，
依紅樓夢裡的描述而打造的大觀園和被英法聯軍洗劫焚毀的圓明園遺跡。

中國於我來說，是根的所在和中華文化千年歷史的依歸。

Where’s your dream destination? For most of my friends, it’s Japan, Europe or the Pacific. For me, it is the home of my forefathers, China. It’s been said that one must always treasure his culture and heritage. Those are the key factors for one to define oneself with. This oriental land of wonder has always been my dream destination. My Chinese educational background must have something to do with it. I’ve yearned to witness the many historical heritages I had read as a child. The metropolis city that is Shanghai, the beautiful mystical West Lake, the grand Forbidden City that witnessed the prosperity and decline of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

To me, this long-awaited trip is a journey of discovery, a chance to get to know my roots.

Photos to come soon. (Gazillians of them, please give me some time to edit ok! )

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Singapore trip – Chinese New Year fireworks.
• Long time no see
• There she goes again…
• Where I was
• Colours of autumn.

As I slowly strolled between the majestic red walls, trying to imagine the days that were
A quaint feeling arose out of nowhere
A mixture of sorrow and grandeur; almost a weird sense of belonging
For a minute, I lost myself in the overwhelming rushes of emotions…

Stay tuned, more to come soon!

My apologies for the lack of updates lately, I’m having a grand time traveling at the moment. Thousands of photos have been taken, but this little laptop is simply not fast enough to process them all right now. Here’s one for your viewing pleasure. Can you tell where I was?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• There she goes again…
• Little things in life
• Dream holiday
• Haste
• Feeling

The little things in life
Ones worth savouring over
Those that seem so mundane and ordinary
Those worth a second look on many occasions

Time and again, we make choices
Decisions that mold us into the people we are today
Some righteous and some wicked
Of all we come to embrace
Of which we grow to love

Life can be an eccentric witch
Along come sorrow
But laughter is always not far away

Ain’t it grand!

note: You haven’t seen my expressive self over dropping comments because I’m busy planning an upcoming holiday, but I am reading via my reader. Stay tuned to find out where I’m heading!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Where I was
• Of love and broken hearts
• Blog-hopping
• Idyllic bliss
• Lone star

When the glistering lights are finally quenched and darkness creeps in,
you will see the eloquent beauty of life.
Darkness can bring out the tenacity in us.

But are you afraid of the dark?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Masquerade
• Ugly beautiful
• At the dawn of light
• Light
• Time

Wishing all my muslim friends a prosperous Raya and happy holidays to the rest!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A complete moment
• 24/7
• Light
• Euphoria
• Time

The path we choose to walk on
It can be a lonely one sometimes
Doubts and dispute, they creep in like a sneaky thief
Take heart, light is always not far away

I wonder between the good and evil
Trying to grasp that centre point
The delicate balance of life
It’s fragile like a bubble sphere

We live in a labyrinth, walking around the intricate maze
Taking in the scenery as I figure my way around
I see the light shining towards me
When will I reach there, I will never know
I just keep striding on
Letting out a resounding roar

When choice is a way of life, do we make them from our heart or the scrutiny of society?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Season of whole
• Going home
• Flames of emotion
• My mountain
• Light

We went to this little Italian restaurant called Invito which is located at the Chancery in Auckland CBD last weekend. The restaurant provides both indoor and outdoor dining. Lovely place to relax and enjoy fine dining on a lazy spring afternoon. We were there late afternoon and opted for the open-air area as it was quite a sunny day, the ambiance was quiet and nice. The food was exceptional with great service. I especially love their tiramisu, it’s probably one of the best I’ve had in a while, very rich yet not too sweet. This place is definitely one of my favourite hang-out places, absolutely divine! Drool away people!

It’s happy Friday again! Have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Hold
• Night out at Cock & Bull.
• Touched by an angel
• A night to observe
• The night that was

Happiness exploded into a jubilant of reds
I let my feelings run free
There’s no need to justify how I feel
Letting go is incredibly liberating
No matter what that might be

I hope you’ll find your sea of reds too

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Flames of emotion
• Feeling
• Light
• Living life
• Euphoria

I always feel a strong sense of harmony when I’m atop a mountain. The winds, the view and the calm air all form into a feeling of enchantment. The pensive thoughts diminished and I’m able to find the inner-peace. Mountains have that magical spell on me. Here, I can set myself free in the oasis of serenity. The world of hustle and bustle is left behind, I can hear my innermost thoughts and hear the rhythm of my soul. No fancy frills and thrills, just magical moments with me and myself.

When I take in the serenity in the air
I hold on tight to my heart and soul
Embracing my live as it is
Rediscovering the charming moments in life
My world as I see it, can be as wonderful as I want it to be

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A quaint encounter
• Lone star
• Idyllic bliss
• Of love and broken hearts
• Haste

It was a quaint encounter
I saw you moving along slowly with your pals
Pausing every other step to savour the rich lush green
Right to the top you went
Lazing away the steps
Not a care in the word

Trailing along in the chilly winds
I walk up to the top behind you
Suddenly, you turn, looking right at me

For a moment I lost my self staring right into your enthralling eyes
I saw a soul behinds those eyes
A soul so old and battered
A strong sense of empathy rose from my innermost thought
What it really was, I couldn’t tell
I just set myself free in this captivating moment
Letting the feeling wash over me

In the complete silence between us
In this beautiful and fateful encounter
Just you and me

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• My mountain
• Touched by an angel
• Where I was
• Hold
• Good things come in small ways

Nice food, pleasant company and a few laughs over drinks.
Isn’t that how we spend most festive seasons?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A night to observe
• Early reunion dinner.
• Little things in life
• Idyllic bliss
• Enthusiastic cut short

I spent the mid-autumn festival afternoon on Mt Eden. It is always very windy up there. I started snapping photos while waiting for the moon to come out. The temperature was freezing and my fingers seemed to have taken on a life of their own after awhile, but still I kept on snapping. Funny how our passion almost always enable us to push through unfavourable conditions.

Standing atop the once volcanic mountain braving the freezing winds, my mind wondered off to those days where festive seasons spelled out fun and laughter. As a kid, I anticipated every traditional celebration. I remember walking around the suburbs back home with my colourful lanterns every mid-autumn festival, prancing around with my friends. The laughter and colours are still fresh in my mind. Those picturesque moments are permanently locked in the precious corner of my memories.

Life may throw me a curve ball ever now and then, but I soldier on the passages, continue to search for the buoyant nature in me as a kid, the simple bliss of life.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Moonlight rendezvous
• Colours of autumn.
• What a wonderful world
• Shadows in the sun
• Let’s talk about weather

The moon was beaming, stars twinkling across the universe
When I looked upon the sky, I thought of my loved ones
Though we’re miles apart, our hearts never felt so close

The rounded moon seemed to speak wonders
Illuminating scrolls of tales and dreams
Tales of love and togetherness
Songs of mellifluous melodies

I caught a spark in the dazzling light
and immersed myself in the majestic mist that is the night
I heard a quaint melody, coming from afar
From the land of mystical tales
Where dreams and emotions intertwine into a beautiful weave of symphony

明月高挂
悠悠地訴說著憂怨往事
幽思千古情恨
故人是否仍舊 孤寂

當我望向青空
憶起遠方親朋
人月是否 依舊

* Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese Festival. It is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon in lunar calendar. Read more about it here.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Season of whole
• Idyllic bliss
• There she goes again…
• Colours of autumn.
• Pathway

Everyday I wake up with happy thoughts
There’s someone behind the fountain of joy
How I remember the days we’ve been together
All the secrets we shared, silly things we’ve done
It only seems like yesterday where I meet this big boy with the kindest smile
Who shook my hand and brought me to the wonderland
They are all fond memories I hold on dear to my heart

Oh my love, you’re the one
The one who holds my hand when I despair
Be by my side and assures me hope
Reminds me of dreams and love
I dedicate this to you

I love you, for being the friend you are, for being the lover you are, for simply being you.
When it all comes to an end, I’ll still hold on to you tight, for the memories will live on forever.

You make me live with no regrets.

Happy Birthday to my Mr K, the very source of my dreams and happiness.

I present you my husband, Mr K. The heart and soul of my life, the sweetest and kindest man I’ve ever met, and the very person who introduced me to photography (heh, now you know my secret! ).

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• My guardian angel
• Happy parents day!
• A special birthday greeting.
• My mountain
• Happy Birthday, happy birthday, happy happy birthday to you! :)

When the buzz is over and crowd has dispersed
A lone star is left at the stale scene
In its dreary state it stands alone
Months and years it awaits
Reminiscing the old glorious days
While awaiting its future to be made

There’s a bittersweet taste lingering in the air
Is it something new or an old familiar scent?
When all is done and said
What is left to savour
What is left to behold
Hope or despair?

When we say we are the owners of our destiny,
does it include those bleak moments in life?

********

I apologise if the sense of sorrow in this writing affects you. They just poured out of me when I was standing across the street snapping this scene. I believe that sorrow shouldn’t be something we repress but rather, embrace. It’s only when we truly face up to our demons and accept the dark places in us can we achieve true happiness and be totally content with ourselves.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Idyllic bliss
• Of love and broken hearts
• My mountain
• Haste
• Little things in life

Sunday night. The Observetory. A quiet night out with my significant someone.
Delightful companion and delectable food. Life should be such blissful joy.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Orakei Marina, Auckland
• The night that was
• Lone star
• Invito
• Haste

Oh my child, hold on with your little hands.
One day they’ll be strong, strong enough to build a castle of your own.

It’s Friday Friday Friday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A child’s innocence
• Touched by an angel
• Window of innocence
• My mountain
• Wintry Domain

Why does the sky seems so grey
Is it because of me
There’s no one left in sight
I feel the world closing in

Of all the places I’ve been to
All the people I’ve seen
People come and go
But memories, the memories of them cast footprints in my heart

As time goes by, I learn it’s all the grand plan of life
Of all the love and broken hearts
Of all the victories and battles
We’ll rise and shine again

*I notice Akismet is recognising some regular comments as spam. Don’t be alarmed, I’m keeping an close eye on it.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Blog-hopping
• Little things in life
• Idyllic bliss
• Light
• Happy parents day!

I took a moment and stood there in the middle of the busy street.
People passing by, quickly in their paces.
Of tourist, students and people in their business suits, none of them seemed to have a minute
to spare.
People rushing here and there, trying to fit in as much as possible in a day.
Steps so cold, life so hasty, in the fast lane of metropolis life.
As the steps advanced, precious moments are left behind.
Is it, worth it?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Lone star
• Little things in life
• Where I was
• My mountain
• 5:52pm

Waking up just before dawn, feeling a little drowsy.
I was standing in front of the window, waiting, staring into the morning darkness.
It always seems so calm and serene this time of the day, with birds chirping and the refreshing light breezes gently blowing to my face.
Slowly, threads of light emitted from the horizon.
I looked up and there it was, the glorious rays of sunrise.
It seemed like eternity, all 10 minutes of it.
My mind was perpetually stuck in this amazing freeze frame.
The dazzling moment stayed with me for the entire day.

How can I complain, when nature has empowered me with such privilege,
To see the brilliant colours, to feel the flow of emotions;
To sense the wonders, to appreciate the beauty that is life.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Good morning, Monday
• 080808 Once in a hundred years
• Where I was
• Light
• Land of the long white cloud

A match of light can illuminate even the most impermeable darkness.
Where there’s light, there’s hope.

Happy Birthday my homeland, the place that always tucks my heartstrings.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Light
• Tenacious light
• At the dawn of light
• Light
• 24/7

56 winters ago, an angel came to this world.
She carries such grace and love;
Fairies dodge away in shame.
She touches lives with her kindness and smiles;
Her warmth flows deep into souls like a refreshing creek.
She has touched many lives;
She bestows me the ability to love.
She’s the star, the very person I look up to;
She’s my mama, the reason I live everyday with love.
Happy Birthday mama! I love you very very much!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A song for you
• Touched by an angel
• Happy Birthday, happy birthday, happy happy birthday to you! :)
• Feeling
• 24/7

Music is playing, people dancing around
I turn and turn, hoping to catch the tunes
I see wonders, in the smiles and laughters
I see sorrows, in the hesitations and pauses
Are they a facet or emotions from the heart
One couldn’t tell, we just take it on and dance away
I strike along, looking to grasp that pace of life
In the world of a big masquerade, going round and round…

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• What a wonderful world
• Tenacious light
• Flames of emotion
• Living life
• Pathway

Words unsaid, but we know they are there.
It’s understood like the many subtle things in life.
You blink, and I return a tender gaze.
Not a word uttered, but it’s louder than ever.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Ugly beautiful
• Feeling
• Flames of emotion
• Little things in life
• A quaint encounter

I love -
Breaths of fresh air in the morning, sound of child’s laughter.
Tinkling sound of wind chimes, flows of clouds on blue skies.
Sights of dazzling colours of nature, smells of freshly brewed coffee from the cafés.
Smiles on strangers’ faces, melodious sounds playing round and round in my mind.

I love this beautiful day. I love this beautiful world.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Masquerade
• A beautiful feeling
• At the dawn of light
• Yesterday once more
• Colours of autumn.

5:52pm . Sunday . Queen Street
People hurrying away home, preparing for the week’s start.
A stray of orange clouds appear in the sky, over the heritage Civic Theatre.
I stroll along the street, observing the beauty that is the city.
Sunset came and went away, so beautiful, yet so quickly.
Like many things, it’s gone before we even realised it’s there.

Carpe diem! Seize the day!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Light
• Haste
• Land of the long white cloud
• My mountain
• Silver lining

Let the emotions run wild, it’s a beautiful thing.
When things go your way, cheer away;
When things go awry, let out a roar;
When your heart is broken, cry aloud.
It’s what sets us apart, the ability to feel and express.
One of the many wonders of life.

I hope your weekend is plentiful!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Feeling
• Masquerade
• A Jubilant of reds
• When thank you seems to fall short
• Going home

Walking along the path like a thousand times before,
My mind is muddy and body so worn,
There’s only one place I want to be,
Take me home, take me home.

A brown roof and a tall tall tree in the horizon,
The familiar blue door in sight, quiet light shining through,
I see you standing there, through an open door,
Arms spreading, with a smile.

When I lost my heart and the road seems to be leading nowhere,
It’s good to know there’s someone there,
I’m here now, it’s good to be home.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Pathway
• Light
• Flames of emotion
• Feeling
• Shadows in the sun

ParisB tagged me on this interesting meme over a week ago (see, told you I’m a terrible procrastinator!). Somehow, the word worm sends a chill down my spine, but I am indeed one when it comes to books. Here goes.

Do you remember how you developed a love for reading?
Coming from a house of worms (so to speak, heh!), reading has played a big part in my life since, well, as long as I can remember. Books are the one thing in our house that is more populated than anything else. One of my fondest memories of childhood is my parents reading me one fairytale story after another. My father’s animated gestures that accompanied his story-telling are still vividly etched in my mind. Great times!

What are some books you read as a child?
Coming from a Chinese educated background, the books that I read in my early age are mostly in Chinese, with a few Enid Blyton’s books in between. Most of the books I read are about popular Chinese folktales. I also read a lot of China’s history and Chinese literature. Among the mountains of books are stories from the book One Thousand and One Nights as well. I guess that’s where I developed my vivid imaginations.

What is your favourite genre?
My favourite genres span across thriller, horror, Chinese literature, comedy and true crime(!!) just to name a few. From the likes of Stephen King to Sophie Kinsella. I love them all. No fantasy books though, I’m one of the rare people who doesn’t enjoy the Harry Potter series at all.

Do you have a favourite novel?
Without a doubt, The “Torrents” Trilogy《激流三部曲》from the great Chinese writer Ba Jin 巴金. the trilogy consists of ‘The Family《家》’, ‘Spring 春》’, and ‘Autumn《秋》’. I first read them back in high school as a requirement for my Chinese subject. The first volume ‘The Family’ is simply one of the best realism literature of all times. The series greatly depicted the struggles of the modern youth against the age old dominance of the incredibly feudal Confucian family system back in the 1930s. Ba Jin took over ten years to complete the three volumes. It is the early years of his life that fueled his denouncement against the ugly persecution and feudalism happening in that era. The trilogy totally blew my mind away and formed the fundamental core of my love for Chinese literature. For me, it will always be the great literature to read time and again. It is also one of the very few books that reaches deep into my heart and vibrates my world.

click photo to enlarge.

Where do you usually read?
Anywhere really. On the bus, plane, couch or in bed.

When do you usually read?
When I’m free of course, normally in the dead silence of night time or a relaxing afternoon.

Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
Sometimes, when I want a change of pace or emotion, I will stop and pick up a book of different genre. It rarely happens though, I like to finish a book in one go if possible.

Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
Not particularly. Only when I read nonfiction, I sometimes do some research online as well, to get a little more insight into the stories.

Do you buy most of the books you read, or borrow them, or check them out of the library?
I am a little germophobic, so not really into borrowing books from the library. When I love a book, I just have to own it.

Do you keep most of the books you buy? If not, what do you do with them?
If it turns out not to my liking then yes, I sell them online.

If you have children, what are some of the favorite books you have shared with them? Were they some of the same ones you read as a child?
No kids yet, but I will most definitely instill in them my love for Chinese folktales and literature. Especially those I read as a child.

click photo to enlarge.

What are you reading now?
I’m reading some of the books that I bought from my Taiwan trip back in February. I bought one whole box of them! LOL. Amongst them are series of books from 鄭華娟, the Taiwanese author cum singer/composer. She writes about her life in Germany with humour. Also re-reading Stephen King’s Carrie. This early creation of his is still my favourite.

Do you keep a TBR (to be read) list?
Not really, which book I read really depends on my mood at the time. I keep a TBB (to be bought) list though. Heh.

What’s next?
Finish reading the books I bought from the Taiwan trip, over 20 of them.

What books would you like to reread?
If I have the time, some of the Stephen King’s classic, like The Shining. If you found the movie adaption creepy, wait till you read the book!

Who are your favourite authors?
So many of them! Ba Jin 巴金, Lu Xun 魯迅, Zhu Ziqing 朱自清, 鄭華娟, Stephen King, Sophie Kinsella, just to name a few.

In conclusion (eh, am I writing a thesis?!), books are a huge and crucial part of my life. Can’t live without them! So, what do you think? Wormy or not?

Now, I’m interested to know about your reading habit,
sasha, che-cheh, zewt, gina and jeremy. Have fun!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Tagged: One Word
• Those were the days
• Singapore trip – CNY lion dance part 1
• Headless chicken on the run.
• A song for you

This photo disturbs me a little, but it’s also one of my favourites.
It seems so much like life. At times, it is like a bed of roses, but there will always be thorns lurking in the most unexpected corners;
When we thought things had hit their lowest, the lights often present itself during our most
forlorn state.
Sometimes. that little bit of imperfection is what makes it perfect.
That very shattered bits are what we need to put things back in perspective.

Disastrous yet hopeful, such is life.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Tenacious light
• Little things in life
• Masquerade
• The sound of silence
• A beautiful feeling

Strolling down the busy street, I found a corner in a café and sat down leisurely watching the day goes by. It was fascinating to watch people passing by. They all seemed to have a story to tell. There’s the little girlie with her lollipop, the teenager with a frown, that middle age man with an emotionless face, and an old lady with an amiable smile. Time and again, I found myself deep in my thoughts, wondering about their life stories.

A sip of latte. A taste of the mellow cheesecake. My fair share of loot from winter sale.
Life, as of this moment, is great.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Blossoms
• Haste
• Window of innocence
• Insomniac
• A hell of a roller-coaster ride.

What is that little delight that brightens up cold days like this? This of course, my little winter comfort food. Yes, it’s kiwi season again! No, not that bird! The fruit! The green sourly fruit that makes our mouth water. Winter is the best time to savour this sour sweet fruit. The season normally starts in late May, early June. (I know, I know, I was meaning to write about this in June, terrible procrastinator that I am!)

Golden fruits of heaven! click photo to enlarge.

The kiwifruit is originally named Chinese Gooseberry that is native to Shaanxi, China. New Zealand popularised and renamed it the kiwifruit after its national icon, the kiwi bird, for export marketing purposes. The green kiwi fruit is the more common one, but the gold variation is widely available too. The gold kiwifruits are sweeter and hairless, it is also my favourite, so delectable! During kiwi season, prices can go as low as 99 cents per kilo. That’s about 6-8 fruits, nice huh?!

This is how the glutton devour her kiwis. click photo to enlarge.

This is how I enjoy my kiwifruits. I use a teaspoon to scope half at a time and have a mouth full. Very satisfying and refreshing to have that sourly sweet taste in one big bite (ok, now you know I’m a glutton with a big mouth who likes to procrastinate, heh!). It’s heavenly! Now, tell me, how do you have your kiwifruits?

*****

Here are some photos taken with my good old Sony Cybershot T30 point-and-shoot when we went down to Kiwi360 way back in 2005 (See what I meant? Incurable procrastinator strikes again!). It is a kiwifruit orchard that opens for public. They operate tours that bring you around the orchard in cute karts to explain the whole production. It’s great fun and a very educational experience!

click photo to enlarge.

Kiwi360 is located at Te Puke in the Bay of Plenty. It is about 3 hours drive from Auckland. A great detour from Rotorua if you’re in the area, it’s about 35 minutes drive from there. The place is extremely easy to spot, just look for the giant 4-storey high, giant Kiwifruit slice by the roadside! We certainly had lots of fun taking silly shots with it. Other tourists around must have thought we were a bunch of crazy people who had escaped from the psycho ward. LOL. This is certainly a nice place to visit if you’re planning a trip to North Island, New Zealand. It comes with cc’s seal of approval! (but please don’t come chasing me down with a stick if it didn’t turn out to be as nice as I described. )

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Land of the long white cloud
• Let’s talk about weather
• Colours of autumn.
• The night that was
• There she goes again…

It’s been raining on and off the whole day, gloomy clouds and blue skies alternate in the space up above. Sitting by the window, the droplets of rain caught my eyes. Every single one of them seemed to be the same yet so different, forming dots that dazzled under the rays of the occasional sunshine.

As I was mesmerized by the psychedelic dots, a song started to loop in my mind. It’s not particularly special, yet seemed so fitting on such a day. The melody brought me back to those innocent years of youth, when everything was much simpler and free of worries. For a minute I lost track of time and space, I seemed to be back in those days, feeling the droplets of rain falling on me once more, round and round I twirled in the rain like I used to, into that golden year that seemed so faraway.

coming soon:

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Masquerade
• Yesterday once more
• Land of the long white cloud
• What a wonderful world
• Time

After what seemed to be two days of sunshine, the rain resumed. Gloomy clouds roam the skies once again. Although the greyness can turn one’s emotion to be melancholy, it certainly has done some good to my much neglected garden.

Isn’t that how life is? There’s always two sides to a story, always a silver lining in sight, although sometimes we need to really pay attention to see it. Much like the faint rainbow in the picture, it is there, just subtly, waiting for you to discover.

Sometimes, perception is everything.

UPDATE: The answer is here. Did you spot it?

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• 5:52pm
• Light
• Of love and broken hearts
• Land of the long white cloud
• Good morning, Monday

It was not a particularly eventful day, just one of those days when there was so much on my mind. I just wanted to get away. So off I went for a walk around the neighborhood, randomly snapping away. Along the way, I saw a familiar red van parked by the roadside. A postie was clearing the mails. I contemplated whether to approach him. It was then our eyes met and a smile greeted me. We struck a conversation and he kindly let me take some pictures. A few clicks later, I thanked him and we parted ways. As I saw the van disappear into the horizon, a smile blossomed on my face. It’s amazing how a kind gesture from a stranger can affect us. The brief encounter certainly brighten my day.

Fresh air, friendly souls. It’s wonderful how little it takes to put things back in perspective. On the way back, I saw the most breathtaking scene. Thus the story behind my previous pictorial post ‘Shadows in the sun‘. It was also the very same day I took the picture in the post ‘Window of innocence‘.

Let’s slow down our steps to do a second take, to admire the things around us. For good things come in small ways.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A quaint encounter
• Window of innocence
• Ugly beautiful
• Touched by an angel
• Hold

I’ll let the pictures do the talking here. Hope the many photos brighten up your Monday!

Wait for the photos to fully load then click the main photo. Move your cursor to left/right side of photo to go to the next or previous photo.

p/s: If you missed the Olympic opening ceremony, there are some amazing photographs here.
Special thanks to narrowband for the link!

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A night to observe
• Good morning, Monday
• Light
• Good things come in small ways
• Shadows in the sun

For generations to come, today’s going to be remembered as the day. A great day for all Chinese around the world. The Olympic has finally arrived in China. I’ve been looking forward for this day to come. The show is starting as this post is published. My heart pounds with excitement. China, the mother land of Chinese around the world. May you shine your dazzling rays and show the world the greatest game ever!

Candlelight flickering. click photo to enlarge.

08.08.08 8:08pm

I took a minute to savour the moment. For I probably won’t be around the next time it comes around. I wonder what would the world be then. In a hundred years time, would my descendant find the day special?

Update: Just finished watching the opening ceremony. What a stunning display of pageantry! There’s simply no words to describe the amazing scene, I’m blown away.

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Wedded bliss – Part 1
• My best friend, my rock, my mother.
• At the dawn of light
• Orakei Marina, Auckland
• A quaint encounter

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

It is so very true. One quote that applies to all, the old and young. How many times have we let something slip at the heat of the moment that hurt another person, only to regret it later? Is it worth that moment of verbal victory, especially when it comes to those we love and care about? The same goes for good things as well. When is the last time you gave your loved ones a hug and tell them how much you love them? Don’t wait till tomorrow for it may never comes. To live in the moment is to let those around you know they’re loved. Do it now!

My affirmation for today, never go to sleep without letting those you love know that you care. I shall hold on to this as a reminder, always.

The ability to love, that’s the greatest thing of all.

讓你愛的人感覺被愛，沒有什麼比這更幸福！

coming up next:

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• A game of hide and seek
• Going home
• Flames of emotion
• Of love and broken hearts
• A quaint encounter

The panoramic view outside my window, on a beautiful winter evening. click photo to enlarge.

The Maori named New Zealand Aotearoa for a reason. It means ‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’. Sky like this is a common scene all year round. With the cotton-candy-liked clouds hanging low and extending into the distance.

As you know it’s been one hell of a winter, with continuous rain and strong winds. Yesterday was surprisingly a pretty clear day.The above photos were taken then.

I marveled over the beautiful sky, looking forward to the good days to come.

當輕風吹來，當白雲飄過，我心中輕輕響起典典韻樂。

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Silver lining
• Let’s talk about weather
• 5:52pm
• Shadows in the sun
• Wintry Domain

Let there be light,
to brighten the day; to shine away the darkness;
to chase away the shadows; to lighten up my soul.

Sitting in the middle of the room, darkness surrounding me.
The faint light coming from the lamp looks surprisingly luminous, irradiating my face.
Looking into the light, I feel mesmerized. Something so simple yet so illuminating.
The night suddenly feels so bright.

在黑夜裡尋覓絢麗的光環。期待，火花。

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Light
• At the dawn of light
• Light
• Season of whole
• Tenacious light

The sun finally came out Monday afternoon, winds blew away the gloomy clouds.
Rays shining through tall trees towering from a distance, casting long shadows on the emerald field.
Walking along the familiar path, relaxing myself in the lush atmosphere,
I detected a mist of sweetness in the air.
The storm didn’t come, it’s a good day after all.

Share with me, my friends, your relaxing moments of the day.

當我獨自漫步，聽風的歌，看影子舞動。生活也就如此，悠然。

Post from: quaint melody | A Malaysian's life in the bungy land

• Idyllic bliss
• Lone star
• Going home
• Euphoria
• Of love and broken hearts