Romancing ∙ the ∙ Prose: February 2006

This year, CNY was celebrated in the most unconventional of ways, according to the standards observed in my household. For one, my parents and youngest brother flew all the way from my hometown to be with us for the festive holidays. One could only imagine how elated I was.

Instead of the usual scene of a huge gathering with other relatives, and tables ornamented with nice food but otherwise off it, bits of rigidness and increasing tension, our reunion dinner on the eve of CNY this time was in a chinese restaurant somewhere in USJ. There were only 5 of us, 5 of the most important people in my life; and albeit the noisy atmosphere, the air was cosy, feelings care-free and most of all, it truly felt like a family to me. I have not felt like this for years in row, and I missed the feeling of relaxation and closeness being around the people I care and love so much.

Now that dad is back at home tending to his work, while mum is getting lunch ready downstairs, I suddenly felt the urge to pen this down so that I can always come back and visit this entry whenever I am off working elsewhere not so close to home, and feeling lonesome.

That one of the greatest joy bestowed on me this early barking year, were the moments of loving tenderness between my folks - the occassional sling of my daddy's arm on my mummy's shoulder, the holding of their hands, even my daddy buying mummy a coconut to quench her thirst... These strings of images fell right onto the fovea of my eyes and engraved in my mind like those happiest moments one can ever wish for in a lifetime.

Perhaps the only drawback in our blissful gathering this time is that our new humble abode was not ready yet. But then again, does it matter, really? I am sure that this is just the beginning of many things wonderful to come in this new year and that there will be many opportunities for my family to regain those many many stolen months and years of togetherness. And perhaps, this is also a beginning for myself to rediscover the layers, the wholeness, the sacrifices and such, of the notions of journeying a lifetime with someone, and to recover my faith in that sacred union between 2 souls.

This is for you, mum and dad: I wish you both 365 days of loving tenderness and many more sweet golden years to come.

|| Present Indulgence ||

Marley & Me

His tail hung flat between his legs, the first time I could remember it not wagging whenever he was touching one of us. His eyes were turned up to her, and he whimpered softly. She stroke his head a few times , and then with no warning, buried her face in the thick fur of his neck and began sobbing. Hard, unrestrained, from-the-gut sobbing.

|| Athenaeum ||

The Woman of Rome

Both of them loved me very much, and certainly would have preferred to possess me by legal means if they could, and would have secured for me that modest form of happiness that I have set my heart on. Fate, on the contrary, had led me, in my beauty, to the very men who could not obtain that kind of happiness for me. Unfortunately, even if there was no one to blame, there was most decidedly a victim, and that was myself.

The Historian

"My dear and unfortunate successor:
It is with regret that I imagine you, whoever you are, reading the account I must put down here. The regret is partly for myself - for I will surely be at least in trouble, maybe dead, or perhaps worse, if this is in your hands."

Rhadopis of Nubia

"The sight of her had everyone enthralled and stirred the waning hearts of tired old men. Fiery looks rained down on her from all directions, so hot that they would have melted slate had they encountered it on their way. Sparks of loathing flew from the women's eyes, and in whispers the discussion went from mouth to mouth among those standing around her: 'What an enchanting and seductive woman she is'.
'Rhadopis. They call her the mistress of the island.'"

By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

"But love is much like a dam: if you allow a tiny crack to form through which only a trickle of water can pass, that trickle will quickly bring down the dam, and soon no one will be able to control the force of the current."

Greek Myths

"So there was Helen disembarking the ship, faced by Greeks with stones in their hands. What then? Desire, beholden to no one, overtook them. They dropped their stones in awe and longing."

The Silmarillion

"Far beneath the ruined halls of Angband, in vaults to which the Valar in the haste of their assault had not descended, Balrogs lurked still, awaiting ever the return of their Lord; and now swiftly they arose, and passing over Hithlum they came to Lammoth, as a tempest of fire."

Lolita

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta."

Romancing ∙ the ∙ Prose

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Family Ties

|| About Me ||

Phantom78PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, Malaysia

I am a multi-layered onion still unpeeling itself; and trying to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, to demand with all his might that which he desires.(more mundane details)

|| Present Indulgence ||

Marley & Me

|| Athenaeum ||

The Woman of Rome

The Historian

"My dear and unfortunate successor: It is with regret that I imagine you, whoever you are, reading the account I must put down here. The regret is partly for myself - for I will surely be at least in trouble, maybe dead, or perhaps worse, if this is in your hands."

Rhadopis of Nubia

By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept

"But love is much like a dam: if you allow a tiny crack to form through which only a trickle of water can pass, that trickle will quickly bring down the dam, and soon no one will be able to control the force of the current."

Greek Myths

"So there was Helen disembarking the ship, faced by Greeks with stones in their hands. What then? Desire, beholden to no one, overtook them. They dropped their stones in awe and longing."

The Silmarillion

"Far beneath the ruined halls of Angband, in vaults to which the Valar in the haste of their assault had not descended, Balrogs lurked still, awaiting ever the return of their Lord; and now swiftly they arose, and passing over Hithlum they came to Lammoth, as a tempest of fire."

Lolita

"Lolita, light of my life, fire of my loins. My sin, my soul. Lo-lee-ta: tip of the tongue taking a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. Lo. Lee. Ta."

|| Past Tales ||

‧ Goodbye...

‧ Moving On

‧ World Ebook Fair 2006

‧ Coldplay Singapore 2006

‧ 2668

‧ The Historian

‧ A Worthy Place to Dream of

‧ Researchers

‧ A Life to be Celebrated

‧ Remember, Remember

|| Archives ||

‧ January 2006

‧ February 2006

‧ March 2006

‧ April 2006

‧ June 2006

‧ July 2006

‧ August 2007

‧ April 2008

|| Mi Amigo ||

‧ Noodle - Stir-fry or Boil?

‧ The Soothsayer's (Wet) Dreams

‧ Jo-Dolly-Girl

‧ Reader's Shack

Phantom78
PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR, Malaysia

I am a multi-layered onion still unpeeling itself; and trying to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, to demand with all his might that which he desires.

(more mundane details)

"My dear and unfortunate successor:
It is with regret that I imagine you, whoever you are, reading the account I must put down here. The regret is partly for myself - for I will surely be at least in trouble, maybe dead, or perhaps worse, if this is in your hands."