-
Friend: A timely reminder
I met an old university friend for a morning coffee today. The sun shone brightly outside, and the wind breezed, signalling spring. The police horses ducked their heads into the water fountain, one horse playing merrily, splashing its hoof inside. At the same time, tourists gathered around, watching from the sideline. Inside, we chatted about…
-
Spring baby
And just like the movie, it is Spring. Gone are the dreadful wind, heavy clouds, and suffocating air, allowing new prospects to emerge. I was born a day before spring. My constitution is also like that new fresh air; some people saw me as the sun shining brightly—a human sunshine. I can’t help it; people…
-
Winter to Spring feeling
This winter is not much different than the winters before. Dreary. Cold. Uninspiring at times. Each year, I struggle to leave winter and into spring. Don’t get me wrong, this winter, I have been creative. I finished painting an old mirror, mending the shower room and the dishwasher, clearing more space and organising my home,…
-
Dawn of a New Day
Here in the West, spring brings people outdoors from the cold and into the warmth. The sun, symbolised by the God Ra in ancient Egypt, lures people out of their comfort zones and into the light. Our association with light is no rocket science. Light is a part of us, as is darkness. In my…
-
Tolerance & Unity in Diversity
It is now the holy month of Ramadhan in my country, a significant month for most Muslims in Indonesia and around the world. This month is a time to surrender to God’s will, accept and forgive those who wronged us, and seek forgiveness from those who wronged us. It is the time to return to…
-
Riding the Spiral
It is the end of February, and the year is 2025. I feel both relief and despair. Looking at the state of the world today, I can not stop myself from feeling burdened, tattered, and even slightly broken. I often wonder how far humanity has to fall before it rises back. Or whether I will…
-
The case of missing half dish: fact, not fiction
Almost a week ago, I bought one of my favourite dishes: rice cake with fried egg, tofu, bean sprouts, and oozing peanut sauce. I immediately dug my head in and savoured each bite; given the size, I could only finish half of the dish, so I decided to keep the other half for another day.…
-
Age of the feminine: has the table turned?
In a cosy cafe, insulated from the mini storm outside, my friend, her dog, and I enjoyed the quiet joys of an early spring morning. At one point, she asked me a personal question: “Do you feel useless or incomplete as a woman?” I looked at her with my mouth slightly open. “You know that…
-
Moving: a key to longevity
This morning, a condition I inherited after an accident I experienced many years ago revisited me. I was so uncomfortable I decided to revisit my old habit. Why did I choose to revisit my old habit? When our dog was still around, I visited the parks every morning without fail (unless London’s weather was too…