Of music & magic

'... The word conservatory sits soft and warm on my tongue. I love how it's almost always exclusively related to music. When I hear the word, I think of an underground labyrinth; a dimly lit place, with people tucked into cocoons and breathing in thick curls of music.'

I've been skipping meals and sleep and social activity of every kind, writing through the days for a creative writing fiction assignment. It took three days, but it was worth every second. I like the process, the creation of words on a blank page, the breath of satisfaction when your strings of words finally become a story worth telling. It's such a wonderful feeling.

Where the rain gets in.

My voice may not be loud

but it certainly carries far

A single note carries forth

Into the cavern

Out of the same mouth

I sing love and spite

Think less and live more

For this we are sure

Do you remember the faces

And how they melded together as one

And how he used to part the air with his tongue

And how the words used to flow endlessly

Into, from, down, around (a paper cup) 

To psychedelic dreams

And we will follow you to the depths of the aquamarine,

In a brilliantly-coloured yellow submarine.

Call it what you want!

CNY is coming to an end! There are a lot of essays to write. Some times I lie in bed at night and have mini panic attacks, just counting off the list of things I have to do. Then, the moment passes and I go back to reading the latest Marquez novella or scrolling through pages of 9gag. You know, just saving the panicking for future me.

Also, you know the dream where all your teeth fall out? I had that for the first time yesterday and it was tres frightening. It was terrible because in addition to the teeth falling out, my jaw broke into two and my dad refused to take me to the dentist. I don't know why he was a douchepacker in my dream. That is all!

The light in your eyes

I think that it's nice sometimes to watch people do something they love, even though you might not understand it very much yourself. Like watching people who love music talk about it, or listen to their favourite piece. The way their hands move, the nuances in facial expression, a creased brow slowly seeping into relaxation. It's like watching the truest form of happiness.

Be not inhospitable to angels

On Wednesday, 14th December 2011, George Whitman died at home in his apartment above his bookshop at the fine age of ninety eight. He will always be remembered as the man who brought fine English literature to the Parisian masses, as the angel who lead many to the joy of reading, and as the Don Quixote of the Latin Quarter. I, for one, will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to experience the magic of Shakespeare and Company. You will be missed.

Just like I knew you would

'For our last number, I'd like to ask your help. Would the people in the cheaper seats, clap their hands? And the rest of you, if you'd just rattle your jewelry.'

This is what I'm doing at 2am on Chinese New Year; watching old Beatles videos and falling in love with them all over again.

Oh, the places you'll go

School doesn't really feel like it has started with CNY holidays just around the corner! Explored Chinatown for a bit today and started to really get into the holiday spirit... Of course, the slew of new year shopping and anticipated haul of moolah doesn't hurt.

Besides the odd book sale or cup of tea with friends, going for Foster the People last Saturday was pretty amazing. It was an eclectic mix of fist-pumping beats and headbanging moments. Looking forward to Laneway next month hurrah!

On another note, I'm really enjoying the creative writing module I'm taking with a friend this semester. We read an excerpt from Letters to a Young Poet written by German Poet Rilke (whose series of beautiful poems about Angels I remember vividly) during our first lesson and discussed the reason for writing. We write, because it is a baring of souls, because it is the depth of human nature, and because we can't help but spill our thoughts into words. It was such a peculiar, yet pleasant feeling, just sitting quietly at a table and writing whatever comes to mind.

Somehow, I've got a feeling that this semester is going to be much more enjoyable than the last :)

Colour on the walls

Rodarte 

Chanel

Burberry

Not usually into haute couture, but reading Hywel Davis's Fashion Designer's Sketchbook (Thank you, Page One Warehouse sale) has proven to be mightily interesting.

It's awards season across the globe and everyone is looking absolutely gorgeous, flaunting 2012 spring/summer collections that were showcased last year during fashion week. Especially adore Rodarte's lovely floral summer dresses; a hot red carpet choice for stars like Kirsten Dunst, Natalie Portman & Elle Fanning in the past few years. Shouldn't be obsessing over five thousand dollar dresses, but hey, a girl can dream right?

Cannot wait to see 2012 autumn/winter collections! Burberry's prêt-à-porter menswear is particularly stunning.

The Dangerous Blues

This was 'winter' break in a few pictures. Wrapped a lot of presents, caught up with dear friends, read a stack of books and cooked A TON! I loved every second of it.

School starts tomorrow and I'm already missing the holidays to death! Stressful times and big decisions lie ahead. The dangerous Monday blues indeed.

Seven semesters more of this, God help me.

Phoebe in Wonderland

'At a certain point in your life, probably when too much of it has gone by... You will open your eyes and see yourself for who you are. Especially for everything that made you so different from all the awful normals. And you will say to yourself... But I am this person. And in that statement, that correction, there will be a kind of love.'

Lately, I've been watching a lot of Elle Fanning movies. It sounds strange, because you wouldn't expect such a young actress to have had a tremendously prolific career and an extensive filmography. The thirteen year old Elle, however, is certainly going places. She was absolutely brilliant in Sofia Coppola's Somewhere, shone in J.J. Abram's Super 8, and was a regular Jerry Spinelli-esque Stargirl in We Bought the Zoo. It was her first lead role in Phoebe in Wonderland, however, that remains the most special of all.

I love this movie. I love it because it tells all of us (and to a point, reassures me) that it's alright to be different. It's okay to feel disconnected and distant and a little bizarre. It's perfectly fine to delve into another world of looking glasses and talking rabbits and tea parties, and completely lose yourself in the magic. It's comforting, to know you're not alone :)