My family has this practice of exchanging presents amongst ourselves for Christmas. It started maybe 3-4 years ago. With nieces, husbands and wives, we have 12 people in all. Each will draw a name from the hat for whom one must buy a gift. The Christmas tree also acts as a wishing tree with wish list from each person posted there. So far there is ( Read more... )

I have been away for only 4 days. A quick glance at my mail box and LJ suggests all sorts of happenings. While we are in it, we don't quite realise. Things move very quickly in Singapore. Which would you prefer? A quiet small town (I can't tell you where) where people wrapped in scarves and woolies stand around small stalls buying christmas goodies ( Read more... )

There is a certain restlessness that must find expression. And so I strive. Yet striving does not bring rest. I am one tired man.

I was like a little boy in a toy shop, completely thrilled by all the displays I couldn't wait to lay my hands on. So I was told. Except that it was not cars or guns but dresses I was looking and touching. I admit I used to wear my mother and sister's dresses and shoes when I was young. Yes, I used to play the female roles in plays in my all-boys ( Read more... )

'So what brings you here today?' That's my usual opener said in a casual but interested manner ( Read more... )

I was once upon a time a resident in a foreign land. It was merely a year ago. Yet how quickly I have forgotten what it was like living amongst strange peoples and tongues ( Read more... )

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I always share a cab with oliverchan after cell. On the way home last Tuesday, we talked about belief in a life-long relationship, and why most people (quite understandably) hold a more pragmatic(or skeptical) view. In his brilliance, he said 'You mean believing the illusion ( Read more... )