Simple Pleasures

Today, I want to pay homage to simple and guilty pleasures. Arent they the best? Its been so long since I indulged in mine that I was beginning to forget what they were, even. Here they are in no particular order (A few have probably slipped my mind, though.ooops.)

Playing sad love songs. Right on top of my list would probably be My Immortal-Evanescense and Hallelujah-Jeff Buckley. Coupled with freezing temperature (airconditioners are miracles), pyjamas, and fruit juice, this is my perfect remedy for a less than cheery day.

Fashion- Thankfully, I dont go beserk everytime the stores update lines, but, I do enjoy mixing and matching separates, playing dress up, trying new hairstyles and just planning outfits for fun nights out. I'd like to describe my style as romantic chic.

Art- This may not strike you as a guilty pleasure, but you have to trust me when I say that my drawing/craft skills are constantly mistaken for preschoolers work. Still, I love indulging in craft projects, creating cards, colouring with oil pastels and viewing art here.

Reading blogs- I have been naughty, just a teeny bit, because this is the first thing I do once I get to work. You have to start the day right, yes? Some of the blogs I love are listed on my page. I particulary wait for updates from Dionne and Popculturelibrarian.

Catching up- Yummy chats over coffee, juice or freshly baked pastries with family/friends. Nothing like it in the world. I mostly like funny stories. This is by far my most favourite thing in the world. And in case you're wondering about the pastries, I am utterly and completely partial to banana breads.

Dreaming- This is one activity I indulge in most. I just curl up on my sofa and stare out into my garden and dream of the future, possibilities, art projects, sinful desserts, and happy endings.

Can you reveal your simple/guilty pleasures? What are they?

Pic: Raquel Aparacio

Laugh... No, Guffaw Through Life

Sometimes, all you need is a good laugh. And boy, did I get one. I met up with 4 of my bestest friends and it was a laugh fest from the word go. Recounting past mishaps, (mis)adventures and our drunken antics.My tummy still hurts and I am still beaming. Although, to be totally honest, I am trying very hard(but unsuccessfully) to keep it under control and not appear ridiculous/insane in public. Its been a longest time. Mental note to self: Repeat this as often as I can.

So tell me, what makes you laugh?

ps: Am coming up with a reasonably long post soon. This post couldn't wait, though:)

photo credit: Tamara Gazer

Through Rose-Tinted Glasses

I took some time off this weekend to reconnect with family and friends. Oh, and what a treat it was! From the warm conversations to delicious meals and the swirly fuzzy feeling afterward, this weekend turned out to be one of the more memorable ones. Also, rediscovered (I was a fan in my teens) my love for Jeffrey Archer novels. I was clearing up my drawers, when I found the Sons of Fortune novel nestled in a corner, all dusty and yellow, but bringing back memories of many, many lovely rainy nights and me tucked under warm covers devouring every word.

Time and again, I am reminded that every single day is indeed beautiful. Today, I witnessed the most beautiful speech by Paris Jackson. And today, I spent a whole half hour playing with my 4 year old cousin. For breakfast, I had the most delicious cookie and cream muffin. I ate only a quarter, but it was well worth the indulgence. Speaking of indulgences, I also rediscovered my love of iced lemon tea. Nothing like it in the world.

Its been positive and uplifting, these 5 days. It feels spiritual.

Why I Havent Written in a While

I needed the time off. I am not even ready to think of anything at this moment.Ever since the bleak diagnosis, my mind has turned towards little else. I am delving deeper into disbelief, guilt ,shame and an inablility to respond to the current situation. I glanced at my diagnosis sheet 18 days ago and have not gathered the courage to read the whole three pages till now. Everytime a mealtime approaches, I visualise my fatty liver , am instantly disgusted and afraid, yet still am tempted to binge to numb the pain. I manage to resist. Most of the time, at least. I dream of strawberry shortcakes and tiramisu all day long. I sleep to numb pain and thoughts. I have not jogged, walked or performed any form of exercise to counter the problem.

I read inspirational blogs every single day. Mari, the strongest person I have encountered, who despite having unbelievably difficult days, manages to savour and turn each moment into a blessing. Nina, who has the ablity to see beauty in cute mugs, hot summer days, and exercise. Dionne-who is her every reader's sunshine (from what I read in the comments section) and Anu, the spirit who rises up again after every blow thrown her way. All of you, I salute and honour you.

What baffles and defeats me every day is my inability to draw from your strengths. I hope I will soon.

Sifting through the information

I am finally back from the hospital today, and boy was I in for a shock. I initially got admitted for for stomach surgery (really awful gastritis) and found a host of other things including:

1. very VERY high stress levels

2. fat in my liver (which I am told is usually found in people over the age of 45- I am 28)

3. an inflammation in my intestines

4. and high cholestrol levels.

I have been prescribed a drawerful of medication and told to exercise and meditate.

I need to change my lifestyle for myself. Starting now.

ps: Anu, looks like I will be joining you on that no alcohol plan for an indefinite period.

When I Grow Up

This will be first dream/vision board that I am working on. Numero uno. Which might sound daunting to some folks, but frankly, I was raring to go. Arts and crafts are totally my thing. Bring it on. I love assembling pretty pictures and talking about myself. Plus, I googled 'vision boards' and have seen some really amazing samples. So, easy peasy, right?

Wrong!!:):)What started off as a fun project has now forced me to reflect and re-evaluate my goals, the person I want to become and really what my purpose here on earth is-short and long term. It's a tad overwhelming, simply because I realised very quickly after that I dont have clear goals or objectives.Which I now know is the perfect opportunity to deciphering my dreams. One dream at a time. How much more fun can you ask for?

Heres a snapshot of what might be on my dream/vision board as of this minute. Unfortunately, I seriously lack the ability to collate images on my computer-even with photoshop, but I hope this inspires you to create your own vision board and turn your every dream into a living reality. Cheers to the adventure!

Note on Picture 1-5

1. Living Well

2.Landing My Dream Job

3. Meeting a man like my secret crush, Dr. Oz

4.Visiting the Taj Mahal

5. Getting a bedroom makeover

Off to Decipher Dreams,

Dash.

Viva L'Amour

Im enjoying my spritual journey. The peace, harmony and most of all acceptance I feel for myself, is liberating. I confess that I struggle to meditate or even be still if my day has been particularly tough. Even so, the mere act of taking time out for myself is giving me an obscene amount of joy. Reading for half an hour,absorbing the words written on page, blogging every couple of days or sipping from a cup of mint tea whilst allowing my mind to travel. I just never knew! Isnt that amazing?

This Valentine's Day, for the first time, I will be celebrating me. I havent quite decided on my activites for the day yet, whether I'd be up and about or just hanging in my pyjamas reading. I'm leaving it to my gut tommorrow. And yes, that does mean I will indulge in some chocolates.:):)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Paint Me Red

As I sipped my sangria, stretching every last drop in efforts to delay leaving, it became painfully clear that it was inescapable. We were going. And it was final. No exit routes without looking like a total party pooper. I steadied myself on the chair, struggled to erase any expression coming thru and forged excitement. Still, I could feel my fingers slowly becoming numb, my heart racing ahead of any thought, and my feet clamping to the floor.

See, I'm a closet party hater.


Let me explain. I party fairly often, yet I don't quite like the the prospect of losing control during a drunken stupor, I fear mingling, and honest to GOD, I can give William Hung a race for his mega celebrity with my dance moves. So, after we arrived, I did the next rational thing, Dash style. I flooded my raging nerves with more than a couple of glasses of whisky and contented myself watching friends dance from my little corner. Just the usual, in my party diary. Everybody was having a whale of a time except for me. And just like that, that was IT. I decided to have fun, no matter what. Plus, the alcohol kicked in.:) I wanted in on everything.

Oh, I danced like no other night. Hung beating moves included. I was completely sloshed. Absolute anarchy staged a coup in my mind. I waved my inhibitions away. I smiled at perfect strangers for the first time. I smoked a full cigarette. I laughed so hard, my heart hurt. I blurted out so much rubbish, I have undoubtedly incriminated myself in every negative situation; past, present and future.


Still, the morning after arrived. You might be inclined to think I was ready to hang myself from a ceiling fan but the total opposite happened. I am convinced thoroughly that I will do it again. In a heartbeat. Repeat performance absolutely mandatory. Because, despite the less than desirable consequences, it was exhilarating. I was living. I could sense life. I could smell it, feel it and touch it. I can remember it. I lived for that couple of hours. It was friggin' FANTASTIC.