If you do not find this video beautiful, then you truly have no heart to love.

RIP Yasmin Ahmad.

#1 Graduation Paraphernelia

As we are, thankfully, approaching the end of university, times are now consumed by students organising graduation week events; while impatient waits by the mailbox for job spots steepens the excitement. I suffer from neither because, being me, my application is confirmed in August and social events are always better handled by others.

But the discussion of what slogans to put on the Grad t-shirts/jumpers did amuse me and just this once, I will put in one of Danny’s suggestions, because not only did it make me smile all day, it reaffirms my belief that Danny and me are quite often on the same page: “Bacteria… it’s the only culture some people have.” Hooyah, you nerds!

#2 The Visitors

A cousin flew in from Perth (he had visited my uncle there).I had to struggle with the notion that he is no longer a little boy, that he is now A MAN because his voice is broken and that he has just finished his national service. Now, he is an amazing chef waiting to advance his studies in a prestigious culinary institute. It was rather fitting that we watched the MasterChef finale with his perfectly executed roast chicken for dinner, juices running down my arm, a creamy leek side dish gracing each biteful.

A ‘family friend’ from South Africa was our house guest over the weekend. It was quite an experience to discuss customs and culture from a place I had always longed to visit; dishing out insights from growing up during the cruel apartheid period - a topic I had always been fascinated with. From her personal experiences, she gave advice that life is a huge lesson, that I had more learning to do still. The visit ended with an early wake-up call - 4am to be exact - as we said our goodbyes and made our hugs, as I sleepily stood at the driveway, the icy cold piercing me, final words she uttered warming me still, as the car pulled out of the driveway to head to the airport.

I am able to write this as I have successfully pilfered some time out of my busy (hah!) holiday schedule to inform you of what’s happened since.

#1. I did my clinical elective, and it was a WASTE OF MY TIME.

#2. Exam results. Everyone was blogging or FB-ing about it, but I wasn’t in Singapore so I wasn’t inclined to. I’m not in a discombobulated state, so IT’S A RELIEF!

#3. Which thus made my stay in Japan less anxiety-driven. Just over a week in Tokyo and about 4 days in the Kansai area. Stayed with an old friend and met Hans for lunch.

I just got back from Japan actually, still unpacking bags and re-organizing the little bits we bought from there. We’ve got some house guests staying over for about a week. I’m going to Batam (virginal trip!) over the weekend. And two weddings sometime after.

I’ll do proper updates soon, hopefully pasting some Japan photos up. In the meantime, I’ve got to get ready to go out for lunch.