The Little Prince.

星の王子さま：The Little Prince

It is my favourite book to date. It explores the mind of a child through adult understanding. The story has a comforting interpretation of death and friendship, I guess it makes it is then, a suitable book for children. Antoine Exupery intricately crafted how he perceived death in a rather beautiful manner. It is like returning home. The essential bulk of the book is about how a grown person slowly learns how to have a different perspective of life. He is ironically, taught by a child to do so. One puzzling thing is how the Prince is seen as a matured young man. From what I gather, maturity, in the book, is portrayed by a child who is so fascinated by his surroundings. A child so inquisitive. A child who wants to explore. I would really recommend the book to those who have been so caught up with life and lost their inner-child (my parents?).

"Miharayasuhiro Spring/Summer 2010"

I guess, I am not the only one who likes this book. A up and coming Japanese designer, Miharaya Suhiro, was too inspired by the book which lead him to create one of the most dazzling collections I have seen. Now, where do I go to get that crown...

Tsumori Chisato.

"Kiyomizu Temple"

"Kuruma 車,car"

I miss the times I spent the day wondering through Japan like a child. With child-like wonderment at everything in a land so foreign; especially in terms of culture. My trip to Japan has opened my eyes to come to appreciate little acts like greeting and a smile. It really does go a long way in modern day Singapore - a place where one occasionally gets cashiers that don't even bother looking into your eyes when they serve you. I miss the times in Japan where I would walk down the chilly street. It is a funny feeling to walk amidst the Japanese because one can't tell the difference between who is local and who is not until one hears words that escape the mouth. Until one carefully notices habits and mannerisms. Until one hears that familiar sing-song accent we so fondly remember as Singlish.I love Singapore, I am random, I contradict.

Now to make sense of Tsumori Chisato. She is a rather interesting Japanese designer who is under the A net group - a subsidiary of Issey Miyake. Her pieces are somewhat, similar to that of Rei Kawakubo's legendary designs. To get to the point, I saw a piece from Tsumori and liked it so much I bought it.

Exam anxiety.

Oh, may I have the strength to pull through the year. I can't do this on my own but I know that I have you. I shall not falter for I cannot afford to do so. I have to do reasonably well for my future depends on it in a very practical sense.

Sounds like a prayer does it not?

I sometimes marvel at how much a person can actually write on a blog. I am lazy, period.

Crash on my shore.

"Great Wave off Kanagawa"

This has got to be one of my favourite pieces to date. The deep hue of the waves that curls into crests that become foamy whites is beautifully juxtaposed to Mt. Fuji. Looking at this gives me peace and serenity. Why do I say so? Well, the fact that Mt. Fuji is pictured to be standing behind the waves undisturbed by what is transpiring in the foreground gives a person the sense of stability. That stability to face the harshest conditions, the turbulent waves, the rage of the sea. The ability to remain calm in one's darkest moments (as how the background of Mt. Fuji is darkened and to look at the better days that is to come (as how Mt. Fuji reaches towards the bright and seemingly peaceful sky), it all comes together as a message in life.

image:http://www.omohide.com/TheGreatWaveOffKanagawa.png

Exams.

It's coming! Exams... NAPFA... How critical, how crucial, how difficult. How am I to pass?

It is mine!!!

"Pictures do speak a 1000 words."

CNY.

It's amazing how a JC is able to find the conscience to forgo curriculum time and celebrate Chinese New Year. (It sounds like I am lamenting, does it not.) Truth is, I find such celebrations purposeful. Not only does it give us a temporal relief from all that work, but also, it the CNY celebration made me really thankful that I am Chinese. Although, my Chinese may not be really perfect (I certainly cant pull off any QinShiHuangnian Chinese (like how we say Victorian English, get the pun!)) I really like the culture, the values, the richness of the whole Chinese society. It is sad to stereotype China and her products as unreliable and her people as loud unruly beings. China is not decadent. The urbanised population may have altered their value systems, but there are parts of China that still holds on dearly to traditional Chinese belief. I really hope to experience the Chinese culture of China soon. So, as Chinese New Year approaches, I am really happy to be able to wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year!

School.

School drains the life out of me (period).

"By the way, happy chinese new year..."

Pinstripe Shoes!

"Paul Smith Toluca Espadrille"

I seem to have something for pinstripes or stripes for that matter. Things that are stripy apparently appeals to me. Well, there goes my Red Packet cash...

Paul Smith... It reminds me of the time when I was in Shinsaibashi, Osaka doing my shopping (bought a coin wallet from PS)... Ran up and down the old street trying to find Comme Des Garcon. I tried asking for directions but the Japanese have no clue if you pronounce it in the French way. You'd have to go 'comb-day-garoooson' to be understood.