Fruits

Playlist

Birds chirping (I have a balcony and I stay on the 10th floor and there are plants and flowers and...)

I'm usually pretty apathetic about government policies and comments, but I'm incensed by what I've been reading recently. Yeah, yet another blogger jumping on the bandwagon, but what is unfair is unfair. Personally, I respect my government for what it has done for the country and the population, but recently, it seems as if there has been an increase in loaded comments. I'm not one to wear my affilation on my sleeve, but I honestly like my country. Its quite safe, generally clean, the people are kind-hearted, although not always considerate. On the whole, its a decent place, and I'm honestly appreciative. Nevertheless, I think comments that all of us need to work at double our capacity without providing statistics is ridiculous. I'm not sure about everyone, but from what I can see, we're a pretty hardworking bunch. We work the assigned office hours, we try not to surf the Internet at work, we try to meet objectives, we obey the rules... In a way, we're a little like sheep, not that its a bad thing. Sheep gives you wool at least. I've never heard of productive herds of lions. Sheep will only give you as much as you feed them and take care of them, so if you think we aren't producing enough, you need to invest more. I'm sure you can import various other breeds and types of animals, but will they fit into the herd? Will they want to follow you? Are they going to keep producing at the same amount? How long will they be as productive? It is the same as comparing apple and watermelons. Both are fruits, yes, but the circumstances are different. You can't say that the apple is 'worse' or 'less productive' than the watermelon because it has lesser seeds. You can eat the skin of the apple, but only the core of the watermelon. Apples grow on trees, and watermelons on the ground. Its a fundamentally different fruit, and unfair to compare them directly.

Sigh. I wonder if anyone who reads this will be someone who can do something. People often discuss about the effectiveness of online media, with many applauding its efficacy. I think the writers of these articles must live in the 1990s or something, because we all know that online media is a hit-and-run thing. Its a lot like the real world, with each website a little store. Blogs like this are smaall shops in large shopping malls, while there are big sites who take up the whole of a certain street or have a building to themselves. So yeah. I'm not likely to be heard at all. But its okay. At least I said something, and this is better than a tree falling in a forest where no one knows a tree fell.

"To the wind I scream my heart's desire; where will it be heard, I wonder..."

Day

Playlist

The news on TV.

I feel lonely. Was walking home from the MRT after Japanese class, while listening to Stay Away by Laraku, and this overwhelming sense of loneliness swept over me. I guess I'm still... Injured, for a lack of a better word. A bit afraid of getting hurt once more. I tentatively open up, but I guard my heart with barbs and landmines. I know that I am being unfair, and I know that there are people who are actively trying to approach me. Most probably, they mean no harm, but there is no way I can just let them approach. Its really childish, but I'm hurt, so I bite anything that comes my way to scare things that might hurt me away. Its to keep myself safe. Something very instinctive and basic. Yes, I know that I am a member of a civilised community and society, so I should conduct myself in a manner that is more befitting of my social station but... To these people, I am really very sorry, because its not really your fault. I need some more time. Let me get used to you again. I need emotional therapy. I'm stubborn. Pig-headed. When I give, I don't expect anything in return. But I'm human, and I have a limit, so if I keep giving... I run out. I burn myself to the ground. And then I need to reconstruct myself again. Like how I'm doing now. I'm lonely, but what else can I do?

Its been a month since school started, and the workload is exponentially increasing. I think I'm less stressed then I make myself out to be. I happen to be a very vocal person, so everyone knows if I have a problem. But whether or not it is a serious problem is a different matter. I am busy, but not I'm not absolutely neck deep in aligators all the time. Some things just need me to sit down for a few hours to think and work on, and then POOF! I'm alright again. At least that is what I think, simply because a friend told me that I can cope better with stress than the other people that she knows. I'm not sure if other downplay their problems while I go around broadcasting it. I have to say that I describe my problems exactly as I perceive them with as minimal exaggeration as possible. I don't enjoy entering into a 'I'm more busy' pissing match with anyone; in fact, it makes me sad that others can't have fun either. Sigh. I think the description of university that I get from my elders is a joke. PLAY. Have FUN. SLEEP in CLASS. Make FRIENDS. Either university culture has altered so much that the truth they knew has become a lie, or they were deluding themselves all along. I will never know for sure, but I can say this at least. UNIVERSITY IS A VOLUNTARY PRISON. You pay money to slog your guts out with no guarantee of any benefit when you graduate. Ridiculous, but its the closest to the truth anyone will ever tell you. Or maybe its just my school. RIGHT~

This part will be completely random to many people, but I don't think its inappropriate for my blog. Am I batting for the other team? Most probably not. So both ways, I suppose. I want to learn to play a musical instrument. I should sign up for Muay Thai or something. I ought to trim my fingernails. I want purple nail polish. Chinese New Year is still so far away. I can't believe that the first day of Chinese New Year is also Valentine's Day. I wonder if I will get anything this year. Nah, that guy doesn't like me that way. I'm superbly anxious about the Business Law and LTB presentation next week. Daddy will be back tomorrow! Happy birthday Daddy! And hyde-san! Yes, I do remember! I want to watch the Winter Olympics. Why aren't there any new songs available? The JUBILEE scans are beautiful. But Kamijou is ancient, I mean, he's from Lareine! That interview with Gackt was so funny! Should I limit who can follow my Tumblr? Twitter is boring, and it seem slike one extended MSN coverstaion. I should do something about my MSN display picture. Should I update my Facebook display picture as well? Oh yeah, Facebook is getting utterly boring. I hate people who just add me as a friend on Facebook when they don't even know me well. I should periodiacally purge my non-friends from Facebook. I can't wait for the photoshoot!

"I'm an idiot, but I'd rather be an idiot than to be a stupid idiot."

Dehydrated

Playlist

La Verite Fermee by Lacroix Desperes

I'm so tired. I'm dehydrated too. Had a photoshoot on Sunday. Not a smart thing to do in the middle of term. Not that I seem to have learnt my lesson, going by how I just agreed to another 3 photoshoots, all within term time. These are for another place and time, but just to let you know, I'm not really complaining, in case I seem like I am. I'm just a bit tired, so all my sentences are structured in a more weary manner. I'm actually pretty excited to be working with my favourite photographer again. Yes, my favourite. If she ever sees this, I think she'll be pretty happy. No names; not the right place, but yes. Photoshoots are a delicate balance of relationships. Between the helper and the cosplayer. Between the cosplayer and the photographer. And between the photographer and the helper. There needs to be mutual trust and understanding in order to achieve something decent. You need a special spark in order to achieve something awesome. I'm not sure if I can say that there is that special spark between my photgrapher and I, but I do know that its not nothing, at the very least. Which is, for me, something in itself and something that I am proud of.

Sighs. I have no idea what to say here without coming across as an angsty teenager. First and foremost, I am no longer precisely a teenager. Secondly, I do not have much angst left. After I decided on my New Year's resolution, I have been working hard to keep to it. However, there are many who feel that I seem to be kinda angry at times? Not really. Today was tiring, but fun. Laughed non-stop during my group meeting. Its fun when everyone tries to play their part. And when people say really retarded things and can laugh at themselves.

Sometimes, I wonder if the things I gave up to make others happy were really worth the sacrifice. I wonder if they even know what I did for them. I guess not, because I don't even know that I did it for them until the time for decisions is long past. Its not a really concious effort to do something. More like, an instictive decision. Sigh. I guess I did whatever I felt was right at that point in time, and I should content myself with the knowledge that I have done whatever necessary that could have possibly be given during those circumstances. After all, we can only do what is right for that point in time. We can hardly be expected to do what is right for all time all the time. Oh well, at least all of us save those in politics. YAYness. We should be glad that we are not at the tender mercies of the American general public, going by how the media paints the task awaiting Obama. Good luck nyan~

"I plucked a star from the sky, and buried it in the greasy darkness of the Earth."

Book

Playlist


The wind


I just noticed something rather sad about my life. I'm a very lonely person. I'm not trying to squeeze you of pity, Heavens NO, but its just an observation that I had while I was showering just now. I like water, in almost all its forms. The sea. Ice. Snow, though I've never seen any real snow. Its a relaxing element. Well, to me its generally a relaxing element, probably because I interact with it in the safety of my shower. I've never been a sailor nor fisherman, so I can't really speak for anyone other than me, this urbanite who is unable to swim. So yeah.


Back to my realisation of loneliness. The thing is, I tend to participate in solo activities. Yes, I'm in cheer, but even in cheer, I'm very much alone. I don't have a partner. There's a group, but I'm not close to them. I do what I have to do out of duty and responsibility. Not out of my overarching love for my team. ANYWAY. You see, I like reading. Reading is a solo activity. I'm not particularly interested in being read to, though I bet I must have loved it when I was a child. I like sitting on one of the chairs in the library and reading book after book after book. Its okay if I'd read it before. New books hold pleasant surprises, while old books are a comforting and familiar friend. Sometimes you discover something new in books that you've read, and these are like uncovering something precious under your bed. AWESOME.


I like listening to music too. But I don't like noise. Which effectively means that I can only listen to music alone in the silence of my room, far away from raucous crowds that do nothing to aid my enjoyment. I'm happy to lie in bed and listen to my playlist until I fall asleep, serenaded by the bass, guitar, drums and the occasional screaming vocals. Rock music is my addiction. One day without listening to my music will send me into a bad mood. I've been a complete bitch for an entire day when I forgot to bring my music. I guess I need music to charge up my social tolerance. When dealing with idiots and faced with daunting projects... I need the tolerance to stop myself from getting expelled from school. Strangely enough, books and music do not mix. I can't read a book and listen to music at the same time. Enjoyment of both would be mere shadows of what it could have been if I were to do both separately. No such thing as 'the more the merrier' here.


These are very introverted interests, and I know of quite a few people who would comfortably put me into the category marked 'extrovert'. I'm not sure if I'm truly an introvert, but I do know that I need my own space to recharge. Being with people is fun, but I tend to feel more lonely after sticking around people for an entire day. Its the feeling that you're surrounded by people, but inside, in your head and in your heart, in your soul and your spirit, you are very much alone. Of course, the more religious individuals will, at this point in time, promote the various benefits that come with faith. Unfortunately, I don't buy into the idea that god, on purpose for some VERY vindictive reason, CHOOSES to create the disparities that we see all around us. As if all Americans were blessed and chosen to enjoy freedom and binge on MacDonalds while the poor African people suffer from starvation, carnage and whatnot. And god, our very loving father, CHOSE to do this to them. WOW. Cruel eh? So no. No religion that I can truly believe in.


I like blogging. I'm often told that my blog is a rare example of a personal blog that is not peppered with abbreviations and sound effects. It seems to me that it is more appealing to read a blog that is, in general, made up of grammatical sentences and makes an honest attempt to vary its vocabulary and tone. I know I'm trumpeting my writing style, but can you honestly fault me for being proud of something which I've invested so much in? Not money, but time, effort, sweat and tears. I remember reading Enid Blyton numerous times to get my pronunciation down pat. I remember the massive tomes of English exercise books that I ploughed through to improve my grammar and vocabulary. I remember the pages after pages of essays that I wrote to practice everything that I learnt. I remember the hundreds, maybe thousands of books that I read to improve sentence structure and cohesion. If there is something I am proud of, it is my relative linguistic ability.


I wonder if I'll ever be able to read everything available. Unlikely, as even if I were to have the luxury of time to read one book every day of the week, there a centuries worth of books to read, in so many languages, just waiting to be read. But should this time ever come that I actively seek to read every single book out there, it would be a sad day for me indeed. After all, if there is one thing that my shower today made me realise, I turn to books when I have no one to turn to. I hang out at the library when the silence in my head is especially jarring when I'm in an area bustling with activity. At least in the library, I can, like Alice, escape down the rabbit hole. I can delude myself into thinking that the silence in the library is causing the silence I hear in my heart.


We all need our delusions to cope with harsh reality.


"As the crows flew overhead, their black wings and cawing was an ominous harbinger of darker things to come."

Noh

Playlist

Inner peace. Yeah, its also music.

Just came back from a Noh performance staged at the National Library's Drama Centre. It was awesome. And it was free. Okay, as close to free as I could possibly get it to be, as I was running late and had to pay a freaking $12 to the cab driver, daylight robbery I know, but yeah. The performance itself was free. Even if I had to pay $20 for it, I would have gladly forked that amount over for the spectacular time that I had. No, it was not the company, because I went solo, as mentioned in my previous post. The entire experience was very positive and superbly entertaining.

I probably should go into detail about what Noh is all about, but I'm not inclined to do so. Simply because everything is just a click away at Wikipedia. You can even Google Noh and get some pretty decent links. So I shan't waste moonlight in telling you the long sob story. Rather, I'll just plunge into my review and opinion of the performance. Note that the perspective is that of a 20 year old girl, educated and brought up in a rather conservative environment. While I do cosplay and will readily admit to being a great fan of the Japanese language and culture, I am, in no way, an expert on Japanese society and culture. So yes. As a worst case scenario, you should treat my ramblings as that of a Westernised Asian girl.

The first act was Kocho. I'm not sure if this a very popular set piece, all I know is that its about this butterfly spirit that attains enlightenment. Personally, I felt that it was rather muted for something that was suppose to be a joyful piece. I mean, the dance was made up of the actor shuffling across the stage, with the occasional light stomps. The fan was opened and closed, the sleeves of the kimono was flipped around. That was about all I could see. You need to understand that this is my virgin experience with Noh. The closest thing that I've seen is Gasaraki, and that is an anime. We all know how reliable animes are, don't we? So yes. Don't take me too seriously.

The intermission was a Kyogen entitled Obagasake. This was absolutely hilarious! It was so funny! And I could actually understand a part of what was being said! The story is something everyone would understand regardless of culture, as its to do with family relations, stingy relatives and wine. It was performed by 2 members of the Jiutai, and it was a sharp, and rather welcome, contrast to the heaviness of the previous act. No instruments, no chorus, which might have been the reason why it was so light hearted, other than the lack of a more sombre plot.

Everything ended with another Noh performance, that is supposedly a classic, titled Shakkyo. Quite energetic, with loads of movement. There was lesser singing, this time done only by the chorus, as I guess it was too tiring to dance and sing at the same time. Hmm. I really like the wigs worn by the actors! It was so cute and fluffy. Think Fuyu no Semi style, but much more fluffy. The strands would flop around as the actors shook their heads (they were supposedly lion messengers of Buddha or something). It reminded me of Chinese New Year. The lion heads that were supposed to drive away bad luck? Yeah, it felt like that.

On the whole, the costumes were fabulous! I think I saw gold thread used so liberally that I wonder at the price of the costumes. Very very pretty. The fans look like they were painted with gold as well. No expense spared eh? Costume changes, so-called transformation, was done on stage! Quite cool, as the stage hands hold up the previous kimono as a curtain while someone helps the actor change. Oh OH! I saw two girls! On the stage as helpers, wearing the 'uniform' of the chorus and the musicians. I was under the impression that Noh theatre was the domain of men, and Japanese society being very very patriachal, I was rather surprised that they brought girls along on a tour. Hmm. Another thing I noticed is that most of the actors have the samesurname. I suppose this hints at possible Noh families, much like there are political, police, Kabuki, flower arrangement and tofu selling families. The family unit is very much alive and influential I suppose.

To the uninitiated, I think Noh may seem like a marionette show in certain ways, but I personally feel that it is infintely more interesting. Definitely not meant for kids though, for its a more abstract form of art that may be difficult for children to sit through. After all, I was there to watch the show. Not to listen to kids ask their parents why the actors walk so slowly, or start laughing when the chorus starts singing as it sounds more guttural than English and Mandarin. The masks are a wee bit disconcerting at first, especially the mask of the female aristo, with its rather sinister blankness (I have no idea how its suppose to look HAPPY like THAT), but they are strangely compelling, as you soon forget that its a mask as you internalise the plot and the character. At this point in time, I think a disclaimer is in order. I have no clue as to what the actors were singing, except that it was some form of Japanese. I was reading the subtitles, that were not reliable, and trying to interpret meaning from their actions and nuance. Not like their dead-pan expression helped me to understand.

The instruments were simple. Voices, a flute and three drums. The actors tend to stomp on the wood to create a certain beat. I'm not too sure, like I said, I'm a newbie honey!, but I think it was very interesting to see how an entire play can be conducted with these simple elements. The backdrop was a simple canvas painting of a pine tree, and their stage props were far lesser than that of a typical Western play.

ARGH. Just read my post and realised how weakly I'm describing Noh. I suppose its because it is an entire experience. Audio, visual, kinaesthetic and all. Words on a webpage can hardly do it justice. Sigh. If only you were there. I wonder if you would have been able to appreciate it. Nevertheless, I had a fantastic time. Attending art events alone make you think harder than if you were to go with a friend. With someone else, you'd only prattle about superficialities, and miss the larger experience. After all, its all about the experience, and the little insights and meaning that it adds to your life.

"With this bridge, I shall connect you to a fantasy wilder than anything any human mind can conceive."

Discovery

Playlist

The wind...

Its been a long week. Not that I did not have fun now and then, but the week has been long. Full of discoveries. Full of changes. Some changes were god-awful. others were inconsequential. And then there were some which might be rather promising in the long run. Nevertheless, it has been a long week.

I'm not particularly overjoyed to be back in school, although the shit has yet to hit the metaphorical fan. Driving lessons are picking up again, my Japanese lessons are drawing to a close, but I feel as uneducated as before I joined the class, and I'm dreading the inevitable increase in presentations and homework. Of course, there is the whole fiasco with my CCA, which, I think, by now, you have heard me moaning about it so many times that you would much rather I not talk about it. I know. I'm complaining a lot. But if there is something that I have come to admit, if I don't sound out my problems, people will just take it for granted that I'm happy and contented and will gladly take all the nonsense that they dole out to me. Unfortunately, no matter what delusions you have of me, I am very much a normal human being, prone to faults and whatnot. So yes, please just ignore my ramblings. I don't think they'd add to your quality of life or anything. Its okay if you don't get my humour. I've been told I have Inuit humour. Must be from eating flying penguins. OKAY. No more jokes!

Sighs. Its not becoming better! Its not improvong. Nor rotting. Its stagnating. Which, according to Eliot, is a sin. Its fine if you don't understand the reference. HAHA. Not funny. I think I shall never get married. Or if I do, I will never marry an Asian. But since I don't like Europeans either... I think I'll grow old with my pictures of tropical fish. Sigh. I will never get a mother in law if she is anything as crazy as that crazy woman in the lift. Sheesh. I'm a stranger. And you should not be messing around with your son and his wife. I need to marry flying penguins.

Attending a Noh performance later, as per advised by someone. Solo, but hey, beats sitting at home swearing at that idiot who asked me to read over a hundred pages and the other idiot who wants me to fight with propositions. URGH. May I live in peace.

"One wish is all I need. I'd ask for world domination~"

First

Playlist

Haru Haru by Big Bang

The first day of school was utterly depressing. First, my wrist was hurting like SHEEET. It has been hurting for quite a while after last week's training, but I must have slept on my wrist or something along those lines, because I woke up feeling as if someone was trying to saw off my wrist with a blunt saw. Next up, I showed up for school for a brief 1.5 hours for a seminar with a sexist Irish MCP. To save my ass, I shall quantify this. He is the first male middle-aged Irish teacher I know. Maybe most Irish guys are nice, leprechaun loving people. Maybe most Irish people are kind and considerate. I truly have no idea of the generic demographic stereotype. Whatever. He was sexist as HELL. So the guys can get away with buying him beer and the girls need to fuck him to get an A grade? Most disgusting joke I've heard in a classroom yet. Can't girls buy him a beer either? Or does he secretly want to fuck the guys in my class? Pardon the wonderful language. I'm quoting his terms. Gives my post more versimilitude. I don't care if he has a doctorade in Philosophy. He can have a doctorade in ant breeding for all I care. I do not appreciate being put into the box that says 'For Fucking'. Maybe drinking too much has addled his brains or something. Nevertheless, I think the people with problems are those who told me that they love him as he is funny. I'm okay if you recommend him for his teaching or his liberal A grades. If you recommend him for his female depreciating humour, as an upstanding member of society, you have failed. Even if you're a guy, I'm sure you have a mother, a grandmother? Or a sister? A female friend? If none of these can convince you otherwise, I would ask your mother to have drowned you in your bathwater.

As if all these were not enough, I find out that my group has been scrapped for Nationals. Oh JOY. This all because of the previously mentioned commitment phobic group mates of mine. Its ridiculous, the excuses they provide. They're always sick, injured or something or another came up. They schedule group meetings during training. Lack of interest and commitment. Sigh. So now, I only have trainings once a week on Thursdays. So that I can 'keep in touch' with the other teams while they train. Like WOW. I'm supposed to do physical training while other people are training, and I'm supposed to be all nice and enthusiastic about it, when Thursday happens to be the only day that I do not have to SCHOOL. So yeah. I'm stuck commuting to school everyday. Sure, I have more personal time. Sure, I can slack at home and turn into a couch potato. SURE. Damn it! This is more depressing than I thought it would be.

Sigh. The world seems to be working against me to ensure that I don't keep to my New Year resolution. And the dark circles under my eyes seem to be growing in size and getting darker in colour. I'm not sure why, since I'm clocking around 7 hours of sleep every night, thanks to my awesome timetable that usually starts in the afternoon. Sigh. Lets see how things go...

"Don't look back and leave. Don't find me again and move on. Because I have no regrets loving you, take only the good memories."

Term

Playlist

I Was Deceived By You - Brown Eyed Girls

School is going to start! HOMG. I am not prepared for the term to start. Not at all. I'm too used to waking up and sleeping at any weird time I fancy. I'm too used to going over to my grandparents' home for my meals. I'm too used to doing whatever I want at whatever time I want. I'm too used to the holidays. Sigh.

I used to find holidays a bore. There was always not enough things to do for the whole month that I got. I was always secretly wishing that school would start soon, never saying it aloud as I was afraid that others would hate me for being a spoilsport. I love school, you see, no matter what I was forced to do. School was where the library was. School was where there were fun new things to do everyday. School was where all my friends were. School was fun. Of course, when you're in university, things are less... Enjoyable. The library is full of references and and research papers that you're too lazy to read. The new things that you do are usually not fun at all. Your friends, if they're still your friends, have no time for you anymore, running after deadlines, boyfriends and CCA commitments. School is far from fun now.

Its not like I HATE school. Its just that I would have really appreciated a longer holiday. I need to recharge a bit more. Then again, I doubt that the holiday will ever be long enough to recharge for the ultra-competitive and super-mugger environment that is my school. Maybe the summer holiday may be enough. I won't know sure until the summer break is here, which is a very distant 5 months away. Yeah, what is 5 months in the decades that are our lives? Nevertheless, the human mind is not capable of emotionally anticipating the far-off past and future. Which is good, because all the pain and sorrow of the past is buried in memory. Similarly, the happiness that we had is drowned in the noise of all our experiences. Double-edged, but I'm not really complaining. After all, sometimes, the happiness you had is what makes your pain even greater. I shall not continue. I want to start this year on a positive note.

There are so many things to do this year. Really a lot. Leftovers from my cosplay ideas. New plans before I quit. Need to improve my GPA. New CCA. Need to start planning for my future. Need to think about CIP for school. Need to think about exchange and interships. I need to grow up.

Asked Boonie to help me calculate my horoscope chart. I'm Sun Sagittarius, Moon Aquarius and Ascendent Gemini. HAHA. Its only a small section of the entire natal chart, which is currently beyond my understanding though I'm actively engaging Boonie to try to correct this. You can obtain your chart here. Yup. You should try yours too! We can check our compatibility~

"On and on and on... Round and round and round in circles..."

Beginning

Playlist

妄想日記2 by SID

In the Anglo-Saxon calender, its a new year in a few more minutes. In this very eventful year, I thought I ought to put something very meaningful up here. Ok, I find it very meaningful at least.

Go placidly among the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and truthly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, for they too have their story. If you compare yourself to others you may become vain and bitter, for there are always persons greater and lesser than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Be yourself. Do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perenial as the grass. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness, so beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace, whatever your labours and aspirations may be, and in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. Finally, with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful, and strive to be happy.

What do you think? I feel that this is something that is still very much relevant to us, although it was written some 80 years ago by someone known as Mark Ehrmann. People have not changed much in their emotional needs throughout the decades, although our material desires have most certainly increased.

Well, Happy New Year and take care!

"Meeting you out of the 1 billion other people in this world is a miracle in itself."