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 :)

More

You show up like a hurricane

All hungry eyed and weather stained

The clock forgets to tick,

and I the same

I died the day you disappeared

So why would you be welcomed here

Ride the wind that brought you back away

I cannot stop my rebel hands

From pulling out the pots and pans

I left you in the cold until you shook

You're gentle now but I recall 

Both tender fire and bitter squall

A history so deep it hurts to look

If the sea should swallow up my house

I will turn the rooftop inside out

And the wind will be wailing

But I will be sailing faster

Oh the elements I do not fear,

But I fall apart when you are hear

Because you are the greatest

The greatest disaster

Elements

A Fine Frenzy

___________________________________________

Well, I've never felt so small in my whole entire life.

Is young a word for fun

Christmas is truly the most magical time of the year! I love the feeling of walking down a quieter orchard road in the morning, with a belly-full of breakfast food and someone special, just before the flurry of last-minute Christmas shoppers flood the streets. The feeling you get when you're sipping a warm chai and listening to Pink Martini's rendition of Auld Lang Syne from the nearby record store. The lights, the smiles, the festive chill in the air.

The days leading up to Christmas were wonderful; full of cookie-baking, cooking, and church rehearsals. We even managed to squeeze in a trip to Universal Studios, and it was absolutely magnificent, although the severe whiplash and bodyache from riding Battlestar Galatica six times lasted for several days. It's been so busy I've hardly had a spare split second to catch my breath. Although I loved giving and receiving gifts (LOVED ALL MY PRESENTS THIS YEAR) and feasting and seeing friends and the three Christmas services, I'm kind of glad it's over. Now comes the time for recuperation and enjoying the last couple of weeks of holidays. Had a blast cooking dinner for my extended family a couple of hours ago (pictures up soon!) and looking forward to end today with the best Christmas film of all time... Love Actually.

For now, at least, my schedule will look something like that: Sleep, eat, telly, eat, repeat.




And Jesus is the reason for the season, y'all. Don't forget!

Maybe I Will, Maybe I Won't

*

Every morning she wakes up

Sharpens her tongue

to face the world

 and sing of a love aggressive

*