Here's one to you babes

Today's a day full of prepping and attending a little girl's 1st birthday party.
The lesson I learnt was that, if you intend to give a sincere present - plan plan plan!

Because I didn't, I spent a hectic entire day sourcing and procuring an ideal gift.
I also outsourced some part of the work to Pushy, who's been the kindest to ferry me around and provide the legwork that I couldn't do myself.

The party was at dinner, and a huge one. The place was spilling with familiar faces, and their babies, and the babies had the faces of their parents' familiar faces. It was a successful gathering of old friends.

I was a little zonked and blabbered nonsense to some of them. That's how my brain works these days. Can't go without my 10 hours worth of sleep. Still I'm glad to have been able to catch up with so many friends! Left, right, up, down, full of conversations between which I hopped around. Oh, the social butterfly side of me came out alright. The not alright part was my ability to talk proper.

I wish all the little kids of my dear friends would grow up strong and healthy, and be decent people like their folks. So bab-ified today!

❤

Imagine Wild

Well, well, well.

Right after I thought of writing this short entry, I went and did myself a little googling on the topic.

Looks like it's true.
A sleepy brain thinks more creatively.

It seems when you get sleepy, you get more insightful. Your mind stops minding you thinking nonsense.

I don't quite mind this state I'm in now. It's rather enjoyable. Happiness comes easily. Just by closing my eyes I derive much comfort and feel so relaxed. Satisfying a sleepy me by shutting my lids actually feels pleasurable. Got no place for work stress in this brain fog.

Writing seems easy too I don't feel like I'm not getting the usual writers' block as I begin the entry. I'm not saying the quality of writing is better - perhaps I'll judge my own literature on another day.

They say getting tipsy brings on the same effect. It's no wonder people enjoy drinking when they are bogged with problems. Those guys are geniuses!

Just as I'm writing this I've got another 2 product ideas edging their way into my brain. Nice. I'm going to get them sketched and documented down into my sketch book. (It's a book that's actually named 'Sketch'!)

Well if the book insists, I shall obey...

<3

The Bluez

Some days I think I lose myself. 
My esteem runs really low and I keep feeling inadequate.

I think I've got the bluez.

I know I have the power to change myself. To change the way I doubt myself. The only way to deal with this emotion, as quoted by Pushy (most likely stolen from an old movie) is to Follow Your Heart.

When the mind, the body, and the heart are all aligned, then happiness will ensue.

This emo-potato will go and sleep off the bluez now.

❤

Air tickets booked!

There's nothing quite so exciting as planning for a long holiday. Especially for one with the entire family.

Expect drama, but what's a family without some drama?

Ooh boy, ain't it exciting.

<3

Paws-to-Ponder: The Calling of Names

My sweet-pie of a tiny little niece is in Sg-land to visit. At the age of 5, she's rather discerning of people, way in advance of her age. Each time we meet, her mom reminds her to greet me with the title 'Aunt', and GooeyGecko 'Uncle'. She's usually uncomfortable to do this on her own initiative, and she can tell that we don't actually mind when she doesn't.

Speaking to strangers is already a little task for her to accomplish. Calling strangers 'Aunty' and 'Uncle', and then being hugged by these strange people is way out of her comfort zone. She stares, wide-eyed, with curiosity when we chatter animatedly in an unusual Sg accent. Observing her expressions, you can tell she's trying to tune-in to the conversation.

Half an hour into our rendezvous, the princess warms up and gets her dance engine going. Grabbing the mic, she stands up front and shakes, shimmies and stomps her feet in tempo with the latest American pop hits. With half naked men and women flashing up on the MTVs, my mind goes - Aiyaiyai, why's a 5 year old watching Taylor Swift making out, and then singing well-rehearsed to the lyrics of Call Me Maybe?

But truth be-told.. It doesn't matter. There's full of sex and gore on American TV anyways. And guess where's the little one gonna grow up? 

So back to the calling of titles in the family. Should I be bothered if the little lady doesn't address me as 'Aunty'? I would like that, but it really doesn't matter. It will already be a great thing for me if she remembers me in a year or two to come. If she remembers the time we spent together singing and shaking our booties, that would be really awesome.

It doesn't matter that we have different cultures and habits, or like different things. The fact is we live 12 hours apart from each other and there are bound to be differences. So I disagree with the thought that my sweet-pea niece ought to be taught how and always make it a point to address the elders. 'Aunty', 'Uncle' calling doesn't even mean much. Not addressing elders this way doesn't equate to disrespect. More importantly, I just wish for her to grow up treating everyone with equally good manners, and being a kind and useful person.

Good night, sleep tight,
And don't let the bed bugs bite,
My sweetheart L.
With a heart full of love for dear L, 
Polly.

❤