Of Cigarettes and Smoke

I have a scar on my right hand from playing with a lit cigarette when I was a child. I grew up in house with three smokers. Well, four, if you include the uncle who frequently visits. Two of my aunts quit smoking now but back in those days, a smoke free day is rare.

When it doesn't come in big puffs of smog, smoke can sometimes be so beautiful. I enjoy the sight of its fluidity - the way it swirls and dances in the air. Dipping my stained paintbrush in stirred water gives that same effect, leaving me staring in awe and admiration.

Having said that, the smell of cigarette smoke really puts me off, especially in the morning. The whole second hand smoker thing doesn't bother me that much. Sure inhaling the smoke is bad but in an open area, the overall effect is a bit like dumping a bucket of salt into seawater. Breathing in smoke when I'm walking behind a smoker or when waiting at the bus stop annoys me. Last week, I had a conversation about this with a customer over the takeaway counter at the restaurant. She shared the same sentiment and told me that soon, people who smoke in public areas may be fined. I heard this over the radio this morning too and I really hope this new law will come to pass.

As much as I despise the smell of cigarette smoke, there's something about the smell of unlit cigarettes that I really like. Yep, I'm talking about the smell of a freshly opened pack of ciggies - the smell  of cured tabacco? Ironic?!

My roses aren't red...

...but I love them nonetheless :) We were going to pay our respects to Steve's grandma at the temple, so I thought I'd bring along some flowers from our garden.

Kuachicken

The eating of kua chi, the lack of interest in socialising and the sudden urge for art:





Reminder to self

'Everything happens for a greater reason.'

Amongst all quotes, I don't think there's any one that I hold closer to my heart than this. Stay positive and give thanks, for life is good :-)

Poison

My words are poison,

maybe I should've been mute;

and perhaps then, I'd listen again.

These tears that I cry,

I don't understand why.

It got me thinking,

would you cry them for me?

My words are poison,

yet I still speak.

Let me eat my own speech,

so as much I hurt you,

I feel my own poison too.

Hahahha I wreak of emo-ness again.

Blood Donation #3

This is the third time I've head to the blood donation centre - and the second time I came home disappointed. In my second visit, it was cold and I didn't have enough liquids so my tiny veins become somewhat microscopic and the nurses didn't want to risk it.

Fair enough.

This third time, I ensured I did some exercise and drank lotsa fluids. Fate has it that I got a trainee nurse, brand new. She got the right vein but entered it wrongly - so I bled. Lost about 30 mls of blood. The more experienced nurse told me that it's going to bruise so I came home with a free tube of bruise ointment - which I intend to use on the enormous bruise on my leg.

I shall attempt to donate in 1.5 month's time again.

Another weekend!

I love Fridays. I always look forward to Fridays and today, yet another Friday, was surprisingly more eventful. Interview with Red Cross went ok, hopefully I get to be a volunteer and get that greater sense of purpose when I wake up (instead of playing Bejewelled or Solitaire). I also had lunch with Andrea, which was very enjoyable and we walked around running each other's errands. Thank you for the mango cake, lovely! :)

And just like many other Fridays, I get to see the boyfriend! But tonight, Adrienne is gonna... meet the parents. Hmmm perhaps it's a good thing that my Cantonese is limited to the Dim Sum menu. Don't know. Sigh I'm shyyy.

"Ah, that's a very fine looking char-siu"

"Oh My har-Gao!"