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patience
Thursday, Oct 15, 2009 10:38AM / Members only
t gets terribly confusing at times and very trying. I honestly cannot really justify myself as much as I would like to.
Guilty guilty guilty. As charged.
She was/ is sick and extremely volatile, but she has never ever been that easy to get along with anyways. Yet, I fell for it. The inability to be more tolerant, more patient, more understanding, more compassionate, less reactive, less angry, less volatile led me on a path of curt, caustic retorts.
You see, not just am I splitting image of my mother, I resemble her in other areas. It is almost like a leaf out of another cheesy chick flick movie or another greek tragedy. The mother-daughter tirade.
And almost as automatic as always I feel deep remorse, guilt and sorry for having retaliated.
I was devastated when she said I caused her to become ill. Amongst many things which I have been responsible for, and cancer being my specialty, I supposed 9/11 was my fault too as well as the forest fires in California, the problems of global warming or human trafficking. Yeah right, I wish I was THAT important.
But I know deep down those were taboo lines that had been crossed. It would sink deep heavily into my soul every time I thought of my mother suffering, or her being in pain. I would cringe just knowing it was me who might have erected the memory of irritation,hurt or annoyance to some level that had ledl to her stress in turn leading to her writhing in pain. At times like these, I want to take a cold shower and breathe in logic. I have to be calm to deal with problems especially since people who are sick have every right to be grumpy or unhappy.
But every choice not to be too. I just have to try harder.
Close your eyes. Pray. Breathe to the calmness and peace within your soul. No matter how tough it is to swallow your pride, it can be done. Your positivity will cheer her up, not your anger.
I know at the very core, she was elated for the things that I had worked for. I know that no matter what she was always on my side not against me. I know it would really sadden her if I stopped talking to her. I know I have to dig deep to find genuine sincerity to communicate again. I know I need to improve on being an improvement.
I need to be more patient.
"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."
-Victor Hugo
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warm tears
Saturday, Oct 10, 2009 10:29AM / Members only
The night is very very long.I'm showing cred to Katy Perry's Hot and Cold by living that experience. The fever comes in waves grasping my neck and bare back before a tingling chill literally sends shivers down my spine. Hot and Cold, Hot and Cold.
What is missing from this equation essentially is the incessant, boisterous nagging from mum. She lies forlorn in her sombre hospital bed as dull as Jack who concedes to "all work and no play". Did you find that sudden interjection of a mini jingle alienating?
" All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy".
Only because my mother is always working. Her meticulousness in managing the affairs of the household is unrivaled. Dull is but an illusion, no, delusion from the actual core. My mother is dullest because she is also unable to stop making things spic and span or taking neatness and tidiness to the pinnacle. And that is why I am influenced. With a genocide and holocaust of all germs and dust in sight, who would not be swayed? I would be kidding if I grew up without a care for hygiene. When I lived out on my own overseas, I noticed the indoctrinating effects creeping up on me. I noticed myself cringing when I saw dust collecting on surfaces, hair conquering the floor or dirt culminating in areas between surfaces. It's no surprise that I react in this manner though, because I stand proudly etched to that fact:
" I am my mother's daughter."
I will have you know that mothers are rare, exquisite treasures who love you with arms folded neatly across chests, undiscerning scowls decorating their faces, pursed lips and terse countenances. Usually the frowns become wider when a child such as thee or me decides to review the popularly favored themes of "Indifference" or take the idea of "obliviousness" to heightened levels.
Of course we all know as mature, intellectual thinking people that being just a little obtuse is human nature. Being resistant to persistent nagging and consistent obsessive compulsion and just a little less amorous in face of asia's unrelentless humidity and temperature is but perfectly logical. Yes, how did I even implicate a whole continent's tropical heat into this? I deserve a medal for my insurmountable excuses.Ha.
I really should be more tolerant, more patient, more understanding, more amiable, more trusting, more friendly, saccharine sweeter,more polite,more selfless,more respectful,less quirky,less tongue-in-cheek, less judgmental,less mental,less vengeful, less angry and altogether more filial. I should really stop being annoying me, actually.
But the point is this woman has efficiently put up with my volatility all these years. Of course sometimes with violent opposition and less desire to withstand the constant teenage rebel within me. But who can forget the hugs at the airport, the teary goodbyes as the realization dawns upon her that peace would be irrevocably restored in the house when yours truly was gone.
I learnt during the growing endearing years that some people will never understand you, but those who do understand even your tears.
And these are the people you know love you with their hearts and not their minds. Do you love a person because the person is perfect? I think logically we all want to love an easier to love target. Who doesn't want a more manageable child, a less quick tempered wife, a more doting husband, a more modest boss, a more selfless best friend, a less indolent domestic helper? That's called calculated love with risks attached. I love you instinctively more IF you can be more of these things.....Bring on, the pre nups.
Regardless most people cannot help it, neither you nor me either. Because it really gets sufferable when a person falls to a distasteful level of lovability. I know I find it difficult to love me sometimes, well most times, hence why would anyone even courageously attempt? And yet my mother told me that despite her wronging me in my growing years when she did, in spite of the unfortunate unfairness when she did bestow, she did love me very much. I remembered I quipped and asked her if loving me with difficulty meant she could make it up later (which was now and the future) by being sooooooooooo nice to me. And she laughed and said
" Am I not doing that already now?"
Yes you are mummy. That's why you'll live to a 100 and more. You have no idea mum, but every tear I shed when it gets difficult to have faith in people, in friends and relationships, I automatically want to crawl back to you. Sometimes I start accusing God for being mean but always I eat my words again when He blesses me with a windfall of genuine friends, faith givers and amazing opportunities. And you mum, for raising me and teaching me these values of being good to people at all times. I know I have more room for improvement, much more than five football fields and state of the art olympic sized auditoriums but I assure you that your words were/are never strewn aside with indifference even when I do show THAT face.
Please get well soon because I've had my dream come true. Now let me thank you every second for it.
"One good mother is worth a hundred schoolmasters". ~George Herbert
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Oh yeah.
Thursday, Oct 1, 2009 9:24AM / Members only
I've been brought up by my mother in the typical extra-- traditional asian environment. Except she added one more clause. That I've to be sincerely nice to every single person. When people wrong you, she says, be extra nice. I remember when I was a child and and was given a new pencil case by one of them grown up aunties or uncles, and I was twirling my new rainbow colored pencil box merrily, one of the other kids came over and snatched it. She would not return it to me and also yanked my strawberry hairclip from my hair. This enraged me, my entire 6 year old body sprung with a sudden bout of vivacious energy and I ran and shook her. All hell broke loose.And when the parents came, her mother and my mother stood sheepishly facing each other. My mother roughly took me by my sleeve and delivered the mother of all slaps on my face. Then came the "series". Slap, slap,slap." Ma, she snatched my pencil case! She yanked my hair clip, she hit me first!"Slap, slap slap. When I got home, I was still screaming, angry tears pouring down my face. You see, I'm THAT kind of a kid who had no closure until I undersood "why" I was being treated that way. As promised Mum took the cane with her cold, silent demeanor and rained the strokes on me.As years went by however, her indoctrination worked. Maybe it was indoctrination, or I grew tired of resisting. A hundred other similar incidents taught me one thing. If I went against my mother's laws, I was dead meat. In her line of judgment, her justice prevailed as long as she deemed fitting within the parameters of that school of thought she came from. The school of thought that encourages you to beat the living daylights of your own even, to always apologize first. To be the bigger person, and to give way. Even when others were blatant scumsBecause that is the right way.I wish I could say my brother was equally affected but he wasn't. The reason was simple. I clamored and screamed, fought for reasons. WHY Ma, but why must I say sorry first? Why, when she kicked my face. Why ma, why did I have to give my watch to that boy? And perhaps my brother did as told, got into less scrapes than I did or challenged authority less.You know I could write a book about "Caning behavior." Because for the life of me, I never shut up even as I got flogged. Even as one flimsy cane splits after multiple usage and Mum would replenish A FEW and tie them in a neat, pretty bundle for my special treatment. My cousins can testify to this. Ah cousins. Even with cousins, I would not be spared. In every little spat, yours truly got my mother's wrath so bad even our domestic help at that point used to plead ceaselessly with Ma to please let me off. At one point, no, a few points, our domestic help came and covered my body as I refused to apologize and got the brunt of Ma's discipline.As the years rolled by however. The indoctrination indeed proved to be valiantly successful. I convinced myself that the only way I could survive was being that "bigger" person. It worked to a certain extent, not too well at times because the "natural" me would still feel upset inside and there would be a need to justify myself or retaliate. But soon, even I brainwashed myself into thinking, the only way I could ever be a good person was to be nice. Be nice even if I felt like absolute garbage inside. Be nice even if the other person is not nice. Be nice, because that way I'm doing what Jesus would want me to, and I'm following my mother's rules. Be nice because that way the world will love me. Be nice because that way your friends will never leave you. Be nice and your sweetheart will love you forever. Be nice because if you're not nice, something bad will happen to you, your family or whatever little treasures you had. Be nice because you don't have a choice. At all. And if you're faking it, God will inflict His great justice upon your sad sad sad soul and you'd rot for eternity. Be nice, you artistic fool because if you're not nice, then you will have no friends, nothing and be a sad pathetic loser forever.And then I met this girl that went the extreme other way and my world became wrecked with chaos after our friendship fell apart. The girl I loved more than my own sister threw the whole God-my mother's justice system-my own belief system- into such confusion, I retreated my sad pathetic being into a part depressed, part autistic world." Duncha know L, you keep your friends close and your enemies closer? You think you're nice, but you're so nice sure, until it's fake. Either that or you're stupid as hell."She was right in a way. I was both. I was kidding myself, brainwashing myself thinking I had to earn my worth into the world. I stopped wondering about what fairness was. If my mother inculcated the fairest justice system in the house, it was that "you beat your own brood" thing. But lines get blurry between my brother and me. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure the asian mentality on that one. Oh yipee yay. Here's a GIRL who tries to understand those rules, live by them, thinks she successfully got them down, and then gets confused all over again at home when the brother gets into the picture.So you see, I have so many seedy, beady words on my blogs. So much sentiment, so much emotion, so much to express. You'll never find the typical blogger thing going on here. No narcissistic cute as hell poses, no pouty lips nor widened bambi eyes, nada. You want those, go look under photos. In my written things, they are an amalgamation of me, the Platyus and Thisbe. These guys are my alter egoes, the caricature of my other "me"s. In a world of creativity freedom is power. Because you don't have to be apologetic anymore. Or no. Essentially you could act phony and try to win people with sugar icing written. But always, someone smarter will outwit you, expose you and shred you to tatters if they find the ample opportunity. That is why really, by being frank, I put myself out there. But it's also a plus because it's really what makes me me.These positivity blogs I write are always filled with a slight ironic twist. I love to share what turned a cynical,hurt unhappy person around to become something that can rejoice and grow each day to deal with situations. If I wrote all the positive blogs in the world, and stopped becoming upset, annoyed and irritated still, then I'd bag the biggest liar or pretender of all time. Because as people you live with a world of many other people and events still occur everyday. The day you received your key on why you need to be positive in spite of negativity raging in your face, you sort of receive an armor, a shield and a bullet vest around you. You definitely still can get hurt, still can hurt others but because of this "positive" rule, you know it's a process, not an answer.Transformation takes a steady pace of a lifetime. So, while you live with your previous flawed judgment on life, you also have hope now that things can get better and become the best it can ever be. But because life is life, the next time there is a downward spiral, you know what to do.I guess the definition of "nice" became increasingly clear to me as I grew up. It's not always an outward graciousness in being giving or being that suffering person. Because you can often do those and feel that you've done a right thing and still go to bed wondering why you feel slighted, hurt or insulted when you've "done the right thing". That is the point when you start thinking, gee, I forgot that I have to be nice to another person.Me. Yes me. I've to be nice to me. Because I'm going to have to love me since I'm stuck with me forever. And since whoever met me and love/loved me later will still not outnumber the years I spent with me since kingdom come, I think I'm pretty important enough to be nice to now.So, it isn't that Ma was wrong in her methods. It was unfortunate because she never explained and I had to figure it out. It isn't that God is such a calculative God because He did love Ma too and those kids that snatched my hairclips and stuff. I don't need to earn love or friends by trying to be nice. Or be a long suffering victimized schmuck just to play the sad victim.Oh. That's because I'm now confident of something. I'm awesome. I'm nice. That's a bit hard to really say as if I'm doing my modesty a disservice but I'm not saying am I? I'm just uh...typing. :)You should say it to yourself too.Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.
Thomas Paine -
warum
Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009 12:44PM / Members only
Thisbe in her unknowing guise stood facing the world, a drop of sorrow on a camel's back. Packed her tears, every glistening drop to the sync of fallen hearts. Then it happened, as if a comet had struck her as it would deadpan earth, to the snare of those revolving beats. It was a song that died. Thisbe's song has died. -
The poison
Sunday, Sep 27, 2009 2:40PM / Members only
The poison
I drank from that foul,vile spring
Hungry, swirled my tongue deliriously
Drops that trickle in toxic dance
Inundated with the fervor of thirst
Drink, drank I, drunk in petulant delight
Every scruple of my fallen insight
Drink I did in willing ignorance
That fountain sprung of bewitching guile
As pellets fell so did drops, dressed
Prettily streaked upon my lips
No rancorous tirades nor a chalice
Kissed with the mar of loving malice
Poison may and poison be
A loveless cheer, a squandered heart
Debasing minds of bitter shards
Fall, drunk in valiant stupor then
Victim to a tainted spring
Than a soul that cannot sing.
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I wrote this when I recalled the days of absolute sullen melancholy I was swimming in previously. This is a poem that talks about a character that dies after drinking from a poisoned spring. But before u start shaking your head and wondering why anyone would drink even out of thirst from a poisonous source, u should check the negative thoughts that enter your heads each day. Sometimes they may not even be thoughts conjured by u. They may have been criticisms or hurtful remarks from others. Those are the "poison" that we drink of so much that we may actually believe them enough to start conjuring our own thoughts of negativity. Obviously when we were born, we must have heard something that taught us how to think, believe and absorb. As time went by, we start to register the events of unhappiness or hurt from outside into our systems and then we start to lament and sink in melancholy. How much more poisonous is a negative mind than a spring of contaminated water? Because if we're not our best cheer givers, then we depend on others to give us that cheer we need. The energy sapped upon this dependence is like a running stopwatch, before the most optimistic person in the world becomes too drained to provide anything.
These days I struggle with the lure of "artistic dilemma". I would be enticed to watch a great movie or listen to a great song but it could be filled with so much pain and anguish till the very life of me becomes sapped by them. It gets worse when you produce a piece of work which requires you to zap into the characters of pure pain. But as I shared with a friend who's very senior and experienced in this aspect, he tells me when he sees or watches things with great catharsis, he takes it upon himself to cherish his happiness and his life more so than ever. There is a stronger incentive now to cherish. It means, when faced with great negativity you double up your positive power. I thought that sounded very insightful, but often when we hear things, we really hardly listen to them. :)
I admit that I wrote this poem after I saw Leaving Las Vegas. It was one of the most morose films ever that literally eats u up in those 2 hours. But none the less, an excellent piece of work.
Hmm, recently a friend who used to be so negative changed and I'm stoked to know that because previously whenever I saw him his pet phrase would be "life sucks.same old same old, can't seem to get better". I remember that his dampening spirits made me a little sad because I wished he could lean on to a glimmer of hope that didn't make it so heavy, so cloudy and gray. It occurred to me then that I must have drained so many people out when I was sullen and melancholic before. So now in face of anything that's pulling me down, I must double up the positivity! Yeaps!
God bless u and have a brilliant week +++++
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My guestbook More comments >
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Michael Chanposted on Thursday, Oct 22, 2009 12:22AM [Report]Hi Lydia,
Thanx for your lovely comment! Im glad you like these pictures! :) Cheers,
Michael -
Ee Hoon Khooposted on Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 2:58AM [Report]Just arrived home from Japan. Brought my iphone there and pre-ordered a sim card from softbank in Tokyu Narita Airport, but the sim didn't work in my phone so I was not contactable for a week. I hope your mom is feeling better. -
Eric Sanchez Tanposted on Sunday, Sep 27, 2009 8:30PM [Report]Hi Lydia,
I had a thought about the taiwan show and I'm afraid I'm not yet ready to submit materials. Recently the band has changed drummers and we are still looking to gel. Rather than just give you stuff, we much rather hold back.
Sorry to have lead you on but do keep in touch. We should be in better shape after we do more gigs by year end.
Thanks again. -
Eric Sanchez Tanposted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 9:51AM [Report]oh one more thing Lydia, do you have an email address that I can send the song files on to? -
Eric Sanchez Tanposted on Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 7:51AM [Report]Cool stuff Lydia, will give you a sample of about 2 songs of my EP (work in progress) over the weekend? -
Eric Sanchez Tanposted on Tuesday, Sep 22, 2009 11:36PM [Report]Hi Lydia, saw your posting about bands for the Taiwanese TV show. My band, a blues trio will be interested in performing.
Would the show be interesting in having us? And what is the process for applying? -
elle75posted on Wednesday, Sep 9, 2009 5:18AM [Report]I'm doing great, trying to practice your positive exercise and apply a few things I learn from your blogs here and there (^_^) I'm not doing such a good job with it but trying is the first important steps right. Thanks Lydia. I hope whatever that keep you busy is good change. -
Chen Tian Wen posted on Wednesday, Sep 9, 2009 12:06AM [Report]Yup. it was me...
ai ya.. no luck lah...haha..
let me know if u back in town again..
enjoy 同志 -
Marie Jostposted on Tuesday, Sep 1, 2009 7:04PM [Report]I get me hair trimmed every 12 weeks! I've been growing it out because it was cut way too short last spring. Soon it will be shoulder length. Soon I'm going to have some new headshots and you will be able to see for yourself. :-) -
vincent_phoonposted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 6:07PM [Report]You're welcome!
Sorry for the lated reply! -
Ee Hoon Khooposted on Monday, Aug 31, 2009 12:01PM [Report]Yes I did, I told Carl, he was contemplating going to Taiwan to look for you... so I thought better let him know... then he might consider flying to Singapore instead. - More comments >
My Music
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- Lydia took her baby steps into music after being on stage as a church pianist when she was 14...Lydia took her baby steps into music after being on stage as a church pianist when she was 14. Her interest in the arts became apparent after she started dabbling with poetry and prose early in the mornings on her way to school. She would soon involve herself in hosting for her junior college events,being an active debater and naturally extending her theatrics to the stage as an actress. She also became a key figure in her university's theatrical programs and activities and graduated with a degree in Theatre studies and English Literature.
Born in Singapore,Lydia decided to involve herself with the local theatre scene. A chance encounter where she took the role of Hermia from a modern twist of A Midsummer Night's Dream (42nd Action Theatre's Festival) led to a talent scout spotting her for tv and screen. At the same time Lydia's passion for creating and composing music led her to become a student of Jodi Sellards from Los Angeles where the latter developed Lydia's penchant for singing rock ballards. Lydia has had the fortune to work with Tian Deseta,from Lointersounds and produced a few tracks of which u can locate at www.blazebeats.com.Lydia was/is also schooled in musical theatre under Wu Kun,a famed Beijing Opera teacher for two years.
Currently,Lydia lives in Taiwan and is working on her album and writing the instrumental music for independent films in Singapore as well. This lass has a love relationship with performing and will be in Tw/La/Singapore wherever the tide and passion take her. - Occupation: Composer , Singer , Actor
- Gender: Female
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