19 February 2007

une aventure sentimentale

like an epic of every great adventure, I began my own story... so long as I could remember, my story started when strings of musical notes streamed into my life at a young age.

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow

Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true
Some day I'll wish upon a star

And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemondrops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Somewhere over the rainbow

Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

('somewhere over the rainbow' by Arlen-Harburg)

a song that still rings a bell from those choir days... what I didn't realise is the great significance of the lyrics... a time when discipline, strictly no-nonsense and stubbornness overruled a twelve year-old, with a desire to grow up & see the future.

like all surprises in life, I too became a creator of music... the symphony, melody and life of music touched me. slowly but surely, it called out a part of me that woke up my inner self...

from self-consciousness to self-sensitivity, I found traces to a path as intuition would find me.

at a time when all are susceptible to influences, I am grateful that I was not addicted to anything but radio. as the sequence of events afterwards would allow a naive mind to follow through that dream fantasy world of exploring the often-thought impossible, it took me on a journey like Alice in Wonderland. I met the rabbit who took me on an extraordinary voyage. times when I learned to be bold and outrageous and did things I could not have imagined. he taught me to believe. belief became a strong conviction in my life. To take charge and lead my own life. To trust and have confidence. a different confidence that I've had. one which taught me strength.

I fell in love in the most interesting manner. infatuation as people would have called it. but I went ahead with my gut feeling & experienced the most fruitful ride on the road of emotions.

and I thought I found my passion... something I would want to do, love to do and enjoy doing. so I walked on, on my own, to pursue the way. yet also a time when I felt lost and aimless... when I thought I wasn't me.

if I've found the greatest lesson, it's falling in love with life itself. where seeking happiness is my only fulfilment. to find joy in the moment of living. to live for the moment. breathing life into every moment...

Labels: , ,

14 February 2007

21st Birthday Bash

(with credits to my sis for designing the flamboyant poster for my party)

just weeks of scrambling and last-minute planning... drawing up guest list and finally, invitations sent!

one minor regret about the guest list, I couldn't have everyone on the list! drawing up the list was a real headache even up till the day itself, I'm still deliberating on some good friends I haven't invited!

some poor planning to talk about and working within a tight timeframe - I only managed to book an available chalet 3 weeks before!

RETRO THEME!


My party concept... I wanted something different, an experience for everyone who was there.

Ideas... inviting romanian pizza chef, have a chocolate fountain, cuties from cupcake momma, etc! awww... how about having chef emmanual? in my dreams!

anyway there you have it, a blend of french and retro flavours! a wacky combination!



THE BIG DAY (4 days to my actual b'day)




Reception: guest cards, guest book, markers, 'twistable' ballons



my first guests arriving & leaving their mark on the guest book!


It's retro in the house!




Specially ordered french pastries and mini tart canapes!


my birthday cake... courtesy of my sis!



great thanks to all my friends who are there!



pop the champagne!
champagne of the day: sparkling rose by Jacobs Creek
p.s. lesson to learn: you don't need a wine opener, be prepared for loud popping sound!



unveiling of presents...
well, for most, there weren't any big surprises as I knew what I was getting!

Thanks Weling for getting the french literary book for me! It's a beautiful book! Great motivation for me to master the language and be able to read the book fluently one day!

Thanks Weishu, Eileen and Xiuting for your gifts and cards!

Thanks Wenxin and Shernee for the wonderful radio... music is my life! & all other petite gifts you have put in to add colours to my working life!

Thanks Liwei for that "surprising" gift & yes let's have a bikini photoshoot someday once I get into shape! Time to workout!

Most of all, thanks Sijia for the best gift I have received! I love that scrapbook you have done for me... containing our photos and so many memories! It's the most precious present! Thanks for all the effort and time that you have put in to make my day all the more special!



Sijia was the most authentic retro-dressed at the party!

And thanks to everyone who has written a few phrases in french to spur me on my pursuit of the language! French is my passion!


great thanks to all friends who have been part of my life, one way or another!


and my family for their unwavering care all these years...


my lovely sisters!



thanks gals for the wonderful times we have had and more to come! thanks for the company in this journey of growing, learning and self-discovery.

I'm grateful for friends like you all!

Hope you gals enjoyed the french singing as much as I do!


and finally, a time for me to take a step forward... embracing life at the very fore-front!


with love,

hui_squared




Labels: ,