Something about Melayu

Today I watched 'Something about Melayu' with Angie, Tham, Clem, and Jimmy. It was really good. They covered so many issues about being malay in Singapore. There were a great number of scenes that just killed me with the funniness! Like the Malay Taxi driver, the subconsciously gay malay guy. I can't describe it, i wouldn't do justice to it.

The delivery was amazing. There was this scene where the Mother was talking about her frustrations with her daughther and her useless drunk of a husband, and there was so much emotion, i mean, real emotion, in her voice. I didn't have to look at her, I could just listen.. it was like really listening to someone sharing her troubles with me: for awhile, the stage disappeared and I was right there with the angst-ridden and tired mother, listening to her pour out her heart.

I really wish i understood malay, then i would get the jokes and other parts of the play so much better.

This is probably the best play i've seen in ages...so far there's been nothing quite as genuine, honest, bitingly funny and as refreshing as this play. I guess coz' the actors were working with what they knew, rather than re-enacting some play written by some big-name angmoh playwright from somewhere like America or the UK.

I liked the penultimate line in the play, it went something like, 'you thought this play would be about malays, but actually, it's about Man, who just happens to be Malay.'

So true.

Goodbyes are never easy

When you go
don't you know
a piece of my heart goes with you

When you say goodbye
don't you know
my mouth says 'see ya'
but my heart says.. 'please, don't go'

When you turn around
and wave before walking away
I know that
someone special is leaving me.

I'll see you soon,
in less than 8 years
I hope! =)

Brother

Did you know I care for you?
Did you know that it makes me sad to hear you're sad?

Today your heart is bleeding
Today your head is aching
with painful thoughts of what could have been
what is, and what it should be
what is lacking.

But tomorrow
you'll feel better
just let this moment pass

Life will get better soon
Trust me
Just let it ride
I know how you feel

I know how you think that it's never going to get

any better

But it will

Coz' i'm here today.

And i know it's so.

Birthday schtick

Your Birthdate: November 11

Your birth on the 11th day of the month makes you something of a dreamer and an idealist. You work well with people because you know how to use persuasion rather than force. There is a strong spiritual side to your nature, and you may have intuitive qualities inherent in your make up, too. You are very aware and sensitive, though often temperamental. Although you have a good mind and you are very analytical, you may not be comfortable in the business world. You are definitely creative and this influence tends to make you more of a dreamer than a doer.

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

morning

i'm easing into the morning
the birds are chirping
i'm eating my papaya
and dreaming of popiah

did i tell you i love mornings?
when the sunlight streams into our rooms
and the temperature isn't too hot?

If an entire day had to consist of
just a couple of hours
I'd choose mornings

with the beautiful sunshine
that guides my heart

in these blessed hours.

Dinner

I had dinner with Dad today. He told me that when I move out, my mom will call me alot. And i flippantly said, 'I'll change my number', half-meaning it almost. And he said, 'Don't be like that lah, be good to mom even when you've moved out'

And then he went on to say... 'another thing, don't blame mom for the divorce, i'm also to blame. When I was younger and married mom, I didn't know how to treat her to make her feel secure. If i had the wisdom that I have now, I still would have married mom, and the marriage would have worked. She's a fine woman, and I enjoyed the time i spent with her.'

'A fine woman'

Tell me what a fine woman is
Is she someone who supplicates
pleases, bends?

Is she someone who would cleave to
a man?
Is she someone who blends, chops, stews, purees?
Like the kitchen-aid helpers
they used to sell on commercial TV?

What is a fine woman?
is she someone refined?
who does not say 'FUCK IT!!!!' even when she's in despair
and ready to pull out her hair?

What is acceptable?
For her to work, and clean and bear little
cookie-cutter images of herself and the man?

What is a fine woman?
Is she like wine? Does she grow more beautiful and full-bodied
with the passage of time
or does she turn sour and old and ready to be thrown out
with the trash?

I just want to be me
Can't you see
It's all a masquerade

I just want to be who
i am.
Not a girlfriend,
not a wife,
not a mother...

not a citizen,
not a student,
not a teacher,
not a christian,

I just want to be me.

Not a fine woman.