Monday, January 2, 2017
That Familiar Feeling
Suddenly I remember hearing a few of them were whispering, someone was saying, "I think he is here already." And others nodding in agreement. A couple of moments later, I noticed a young chap walking towards the pool with an older guy which looks like a swimming coach due to his attire. Only then I figured out, there was a video recording of the young chap swimming to promote him for representing the region to some international competition overseas.
The chap, about my age or maybe older a year or two, is tanned, with broad shoulders and a chiselled jawline. He has an average height and good features. He somehow caught my attention because he looks confident and knows his shit.
Somehow along the lines of this shooting, I came to know him. I was in charge of getting him ready for the shoot and such. After the shoot, he came over to ask me, "Want to meet up sometime? Maybe for dinner?" I eventually agreed to that. We went out for dinner two nights later, and also for a movie 'cause he needed 'comedic relieve' from the stress he had been accumulating from swimming. "Why don't I get you from my next swim practice next week? And we can hang out after?" I somehow know I agree to that too.
The next Monday, he came to my apartment to get me. He was in his normal Tee and shorts, along with his bag of stuff. We took the bus to a nearby swimming pool for his practice. While he swims, I looked after his stuff. His practice was about 2-3 hours without stopping, but I somehow found it mesmerizing watching him do laps after laps. By the time his practice ended, I knew from his face he looked exhausted.
After a change of clothes and a shower, he said he was ready to go. We hopped on the bus and left. In the bus, he was still adamant to go somewhere to hang out, but I remember telling him he should go back and take a nap, he looked extremely exhausted. "Let me take a nap while on the way to the place, I really want to hang out with you." And he did, he took a nap there and then. While waiting for our stop and for him to wake up, he decided to sleep on top of his bag, which was on my lap. He was already unconscious with sleep by then. I remember myself just petting his head, that still smelt of Chlorine. His hair had turned from black to brown due to discoloration from the pool's chemicals too.
I hear his mumbled in his sleep, "I think I love her..I think I love..." and he said my name. Its weird to hear that from him. But I knew he was sleeping still, I planted a kiss on his head, and lay mine on his during the bus ride,
In that moment, I had a familiar fuzzy feeling min my gut. Familiar, and somehow I missed it very much actually.
Then after that I woke up, to find out that what I experienced, was just a dream.
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Thank you for that, my love
As the music started and the curtains rolled open, your hand slowly crept up next to mine. Elbow literally just next to mine. You placed your hand on top of the back of my hand and just left it there. Not sure if you ever remembered that I was a tad claustrophobic and terrified of physical contact, you just left it there, just letting me get used to it being there. Halfway through the first act, your fingers slowly crept into mine, intertwining yours with mine. I remembered you asked, "You alright?" The same phrase you had always asked whenever we talked on the phone, you text me, before I go to bed, and the first text in the morning after "I love you..." I didn't trust my voice to speak, I just nodded.
Not sure if you sensed it, but I was still nervous around you. You started to draw circles with your thumb on my palm, and I'm not sure why, that actually soothe my nerves a bit. I remember in between the second half of the show, I had a migraine from trying not to cry. I remember just not wanting you to worry for me at why I was crying. Only towards the ending of the show, I felt more like myself, much more comfortable around you.
I remember very well that you leaned in towards me, wanting to kiss me, on the lips. I turned instinctively, and well, your lips landed on my cheek instead. I remember trying to stifle a giggle after that.
I remember I hated pictures at that time, but a friend of mine insists that I should take a photo with you. I remember hating but also loving that particular photo. I remember after you've gotten a copy of the photo, you had it in your wallet and you mentioned that your mum asked who was I when she saw it. That photo is still somewhere in my safe keeping, but I do not plan to look at it now anymore.
I remember before I left the venue of the show, you whispered into my ear "take care, I love you..." and planted a kiss on my cheek. I remember giving you one last hug and also a kiss on the cheek and left.
I never ever been so quiet in my life actually, thinking back right now. No doubt, this had been nearly 5 years already, and that you've broken my heart rather badly that it took me nearly 2 years to heal it. I doubt after you, I would have closed my heart to everyone and build a wall around it again like how I used to. But, I didn't. I am just happy I can use this particular memory that I remember everything in detail when I sing now. How much so I wanted to forget what had happened between us, but I think, it will never be forgotten at all as it is rekindled again whenever I sing about love.
Thank you for that, my love.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
End Semester recap
As for singing, I actually lost my voice during that crazy one month of constant rollercoaster rides. From so many different stress and exhaustion, sleepless nights, stressful academics, too many repertoire to learn and finish in the semester, and also personal struggles. I lost my voice because I couldn't let myself rest, I couldn't let myself be happy, and I was always comparing with myself each week constantly. I know comparing isn't good. In the last post, I swore to not compare myself with others anymore. Then, I shifted my whole mindset into knowing, get the right technique out. It was still a killer to me in the end.
But I am so happy to have met new friends who helped me throughout these four months. They changed my perspective of singing and I think its best to be in that way for now. I am still young, and very young in my singing journey. Four years, it isn't very long comparing to others. I should stick to stuff that suits me and help me to improve. Singing what I want or what I like, is going to kill me into an early death. Choosing the things I should constantly work on now, and also learn to enjoy the stage fully without a care in the world. Which in the end brings me to joining competitions just to enjoy the stage, whether or not I get any outcome, is useless. Its killing to think that I must gain something as a prize or as recognition. It just feeds the ego. I just want to learn to enjoy the music and enjoy the stage. Whatever mistake or whatever things that I need to change to improve, I will do it after the performance, that's it. No more comparing, no more trying to feed my ego, no more trying to improve at a quick pace.
-learn the healthy way of singing, regardless how long it takes. My voice is young, it can't take a lot of stress and drilling.
-learn to enjoy myself on stage and in the music. Submerge myself into it.
-learn to rest when I need it and not push on. It will burn me and tire me.
-know when my voice need rest too.
-refrain from being egoistic and act as if I know so many things. It won't help much in the learning process.
All and all, learn to just enjoy the moment and your own instrument. And let all negativity out of the door.
Let the new semester be a healthy and yet fruitfull one! =)
Thursday, December 10, 2015
As motivation
But all in all disappointments, I am praying and hoping my voice recovers and returns to normal soon. I am afraid of becoming depressed in these few days or weeks of vocal rest, because I can't practice and give myself motivation to forget the disastrous performance. A part of me wants to continue vocal rest until I know my voice is back in shape, but the other part of me just wants to take any random score I have fallen in love with, and just sing.
Let it be a lesson and also a motivation, to do well in the competitions I am competing next year. And to be able to get top 4 in the finals, so I can just retire in competing locally, and pursue more overseas.
I honestly do not want to compare at all. Comparison to others is very very poisonous, now I noticed. The most I could do is to compare myself with my own past performance. I shouldn't be so hard on myself, that I, of all people should understand that a vocal injury needs time to heal, and that performing with it is not good and won't be good. But I can't believe I am that bad on stage.
God, I should really just find ways to make me heal not only my vocal injury, but also emotionally.
Sunday, November 15, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Happy Birthday, love.
Gotten a cake or two, and a cup of green tea to share, we sat across each other and just enjoyed the slightly chilly weather. I look over at the young man sitting in front of me, thinking, "Damn...I have known him nearly all my life since I was 8. I have dated him for more than 3 years. And here I am, sitting in front of him, thinking back of the past. I remember being so depressed after we broke off. I also remember the times we had when we were still together. It was many years ago, but its still fresh, but I decided to forget it and just enjoy this short getaway.
After the cooling weather of Cameron, we decided to go down to Ipoh. I decided to take a nap while he drove, most probably I might get motion sickness and all. I remember him trying to hold onto my hand, and just pressed onto my wrist, to relieve certain pressure points so that I won't get dizzy. I pushed him away, and told him, "I really do not want to die in Cameron ya'know?" He chuckled and let go of me.
When we reached, both of us decided to just walk around town, and have a bite or two. It was really a nice lunch, and also a nice sight see around. I decided to take a few landscape shots around the town. "What are you doing?" he asked. He put his head on my right shoulder. Mind you, he is a tall dude. I just shrug him off. "Doesn't your back hurt if you do that?" I opened up the gallery and showed him. "That's beautiful..." he replied.
I decided to book a hotel room for myself and not bother his family about my presence there. I did not plan for him to stay over for a bit. We decided to watch some tellie when he suddenly asked, "Hey, what if I decided to come over back here once in awhile?" I looked at him and said, "No...I don't want you to do that. You know very well, that we both aren't what we used to be...and I don't want you to waste anymore money and time on me..." I lie on his shoulder and mumbled, "You need to find someone else..."
"Fine. But, I have something for you..." He took out a burgundy red velvet box from his jeans and opened it. Sitting inside, a dainty necklace with a small crucifix as a pendant. "Happy Birthday love..."
I looked at him, couldn't help but to give a toothless smile. I remember many years back, we both promised to get each other a birthday gift for each other for our 21st birthday, something to signify coming of age of being an adult. I remember last year, I got him a pair of cufflinks, with the letter "J" for each side. Only because, of our chosen middle names, Jude and Joan, something we decided to use as our confirmation name, and also by chance, it was of the same initial. I never thought he remembered my birthday.
I remember him as the young idiot who used to bully and taunt me, scrapped my knee, kinda hurt me emotionally in the past, the young lad who used to be a pain to me, and also become the love in the past. But he was also the one that broke my heart first. He was the one who showed me so much, and I was also the one, who could help him with his temper. Looking at him now, those familiar dark eyes. Without knowing, I actually grazed my fingers on his jaw line.
I removed my then current necklace, which was also of one he had given to me. I pulled my hair aside to let him help me wear the necklace. I looked into his eyes, and just whispered, "Thank you..."
Just after that, I send him off, telling him to go back home to his mum. I remember telling him after that night, no more gifts, no more presents. He gave me a hug, and I closed a door on him.
Sitting on the bed, and stared at the spot he sat on just moments before. I remember very well, that I wanted to kiss him, but refrained myself from doing so. Because I know I can never stand myself from going through the distance again. And also, I cannot let him leave his mother alone, after his dad passed away. I want him to settle down there with his mum.
I looked at the mirror, and not to look at myself but at the pendant he had given me, and the one thing he had said that made me shiver, as if in the past: "Happy Birthday love..."
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
I remember.
I remember being really pissed at myself to have finally come into realization that I have fallen for you. I tried to actually avoid it. But I know very well it won't work that way. So, for once, I actually let it just go with the flow. If it was meant to be, it shall be. I may be an idiot to have done that. But I was already an idiot trying to avoid something that I will eventually falling even harder.
I remember that I somehow actually enjoyed your company, conversations I had with you, the stuff that we share. I may just be a sentimental person, but little things just somehow get me. But me being me, I won't say a word at all. People who knows me well something is different. But I still will keep my mouth shut about it. I may just be the type of person who just want to see how it all unravel.
I remember actually thinking why all of the sudden, we had been rather close. But me being me, after many heartbreaks and tears, I actually braced myself for what I am putting myself into, because I want to at least be ready if whatever I am feeling has to stop.
I remember being very careful, treading on the thinnest ice. And slowly putting up the walls around me, higher and higher. I know I have to be like this. Because I know he was not the one at all, even though I had fallen.
I remember, very well in fact, when whatever I have felt, needed to be stopped. Because you've found someone already. I was actually ready to stop. To stop feeling, to stop finally being a lil happy. Its really just one sided, just me. But then, for some odd reason I did fall for it.
I remember being happy for you, even till now. But, I also remember, having some tears in my eyes too.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Despite the fact...
"Yeah, as if I want to. You know I don't..."
Honestly, I hate listening to conversations like that. I have had those before. And it hurts.
I remember sitting across him, on the day of his departure, while sharing a cup of coffee or two. We had been together for quite some time now, a couple of years here and there. But once I found out he plans to further his studies overseas, I knew it had to end.
"People always says its mutual. But we all know it isn't always that."
"But, is ours mutual?"
I am not even sure. I remember being utterly happy to know he got into the school he plans to further his studies at, but deep inside, a part of me just died. Because he and I know very well, I do not take long distance well. I remember sitting down, just telling him, "I think we need to talk..."
And whatever I said after that was long gone. I could remember how his eyes turned from being puzzled, to surprised, then those sad eyes come next. I remember myself crying, even though I was the one who decided to end it.
"I guess, you could say ours is mutual..."
It hurts to break up when you know very well you are still in love.
"Maybe, I could come back during the summer and the holidays?" he said.
"Yeah, maybe I could do that too, after I finish my final semester, I could fly over and spend the holidays with you..."
I could see his eyes lit up when I mentioned that.
"But...Maybe we shouldn't see each other anymore...it will be good for us anyway..."
An awkward silence looms for awhile after that. His hand still holds onto mine, across the coffee table, like how it always has been.
I remember how he just suddenly, by accident, tells me he loves me out of the blue. And how he tries so hard to take whatever he has said back, but fails rather miserably. I also remember how he respects my personal space and how I am just so terrified with physical contact, and decides to just kiss me on the forehead. And how he knows me for me, and not how I wants others to see and know me as. That is what I love about him. And still do, despite what the future holds for us.
"Maybe when you get there, you might find another girl who is better than me in so many ways...and maybe I might start dating again..."
"Why do you say that?" he looked at me with those really sad eyes again.
"I mean...what would we be doing then?"
He just looked at me sadly with a side sad grin.
He drew tiny circles on my palm with his thumb, like he always used to.
We both heard the flight announcement for his flight, gates were open and he needs to board soon.
I remember being a daze for both of us walking towards the departure gate. But little did I noticed, he was still holding onto my hand.
In front of the gate, both of us didn't want to let go. "Hey...you know you need to go..." He just nods. "You knows its for the best right? For us to not be attached? Since its not going to work out even if we ever tried..." He lets out a sigh, and nodded. I gave him a hug, he gave me a kiss on the forehead, it may only be just a couple of minutes, but, its felt long enough for me to take back my words and asks him not to leave.
Holding his carry-on on his left and his passport on his right, he dragged his feet towards the departure gate. I see him trying to catch glimpses of me before he no longer could. I tried to smile as long as I could and just wave him goodbye. But once I lost sight of him, I felt tears just constantly streaming down.
Despite the fact I know how much I love him still, but I know it would never work, this long distance relationship of ours. Not because we won't work hard for it, but that we may stepped onto the wrong footing, and eventually break off on a rocky path. Which is something I will never want. It sucks to break up while still being in love.
*Honestly, this had been bugging me for a couple of weeks to pen this down. Or maybe a couple years since my last break up. Had been constantly trying to not feel down and just try as hard to be productive. Despite being off the dating scene 3 years ago, I still feel a certain way, only because I dig deep into my subconscious mind to find memories and feelings to be used for my interpretation for any particular singing piece I am working on. Maybe that's why I can never let go of my past truly. But this is the only way I can put genuine emotions to whatever I am singing. And the fact I do not write much anymore during the last 3-4 years, is also rather tough for me to handle my emotional level. But nevertheless, something after a long hiatus.*
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Emotional Pain
Now, for some apparent reason, I feel pain. From anxiety.
For so long I have not felt panic attacks, sudden emotional breakdown or anything of the likes.
For months, I tried feeling genuinely happy. And I did. Even when there was stress.
I had no relationship stress issues, nor any suicidal thoughts, or emotional breakdown.
And yet, I feel like this now.
I feel only pain. Since I drove back from home.
I feel only pain.
And it sucks.
Why do I feel like this again?
I feel as though I want to break down and have a good cry, but my mind is not letting me do that.
It sucks when this happens.
Now I just feel like crap.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
I see no future.
I remember this boy, the one who lives a blocks down. When we met, we were just 8 years old. We would play on this exact same swing all day, he pushes me, and I pushed him. It was so innocent, and yet so much fun. We were friends for so many years, until at 16, we kinda fall more from a basic friendship, to really best buddies. And well, it went odd for me, I began falling for him. Hormonal and all, I did fall for him.
But I could not imagine having him in my future, no doubt I like him. But, I just can't see it.
All I have with me is my own feelings, and a mind telling me its just a phase.
Even now, I feel that way.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
I'm sorry
Saturday, December 20, 2014
The Future
I always wished that I will be in a relationship,
Full of roses and rainbows,
I was young,
But to me,
Love was just a bed of beautiful roses.
I had my wish,
I had a boyfriend during that time,
I was happy.
But,
All puppy love ends.
I was blessed enough to have been in another at the age of 16,
It was never a bed of roses at times,
But there were some moment.
But again,
It ended very sadly.
Now,
If I were to find someone again,
I don't want it to be a bed of flowers,
But to be my future.
Monday, December 8, 2014
That wall
But...
All I could say is, I lost all real feeling by now. I am pretty sure about that now.
Oh well, that barrier is up again perhaps.
And I am now nearly 4 years of abstinence of hard alcohol. Which is good. Right?
But now, I really want a good bottle of smirnoff, or a cup of wine.
SIgh
She is the type of girl, whom many thought they know her as herself. Truth is, nobody do. Only the ones who could see her as her own. Does that even make anymore sense?
She is the type of girl who wants to be herself, but it feels as if it was never meant to be.
I guess maybe she has been too much during the past 5 years. I guess I had been through a lot the last 5 years.
I always refer to myself as she, is that weird? Maybe because I am always away from my own mind at times.
She sometimes still cries herself to sleep. Or even tries not to.
The pillow is still the one that feels good to hug, that varsity jacket is still the most comfortable, as if he was still hugging me.
To be honest, I don't think mentally, she could handle anymore of this.
I know for sure she can't, but how to let her know that?
All I could do everyday, is to make myself become very tired with various things to do.
Before this ends...
I guess my last relationship had taken away what I really love, writing. I remember writing every single thing, turning every single memory into a page length story. I remember every single feeling I had with the past relationships, the simple love, the feeling of a hug, the simple peck of a kiss, all onto a piece of paper. I guess its all over now.
Before the year ends, all I know is:
- I still have problems with physical touch, whether from friends and all.
-I saw my voice improve throughout the semester (even though not as much of an improvement compared to last year, but my voice have finally stabilized a few weeks ago).
-I have already given up in love now.
-I finally come to terms with my own enemy, myself.
-I am still as clueless as I am.
About the giving up in love part, its true. I don't bother about it anymore now. I see no point in even looking.
I used to believe that 'if it was meant to be yours, it will come back to you'. Now I see a new phrase, 'chase for what you think should be yours'. I give up in chasing anymore.
Now, I chase for different things. I am chasing my dream. My dream ever since 11, was to be an educator. What educator at that time, I was not sure. Now, I know, to be an educator of music. To nurture the world about music. To even nurture myself about it.
I have improve in my musicianship skills this year, but its still not enough.
I want to become a musician, not a pianist nor a singer.
I am growing a lot as a singer, and still growing. I don't feel I am growing as much as a pianist. I plan to teach both instruments, and maybe some sideline singing in the future, but more towards teaching.
I hope to fulfill my current dream, and hopes too.
Till then.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Get the fuck out of my life
Your sour attitude do not define who I am,
Your lies and rumours of me do not define me,
Your mindset about me,
Doesn't show who I truly am.
Get the fuck off my life.
And don't be such a lifeless fuck,
Who expects me to respect you,
When you are like this to everyone.
I am avoiding not because I am scared,
But because I feel I shouldn't see such a scumbag like you,
Everyday,
And make my life so miserable.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Panic
That was how I felt when I am in the midst of noise and people I am either not fond of or strangers. Or when I feel utterly alone. This can happen when I am with people I know, people I love, with strangers, or even when I am alone. I can go into silent panic attacks, sweaty hand, sweat all over. And I breathe heavy.
I hear nothing, just nothing. I can't even see anything. But I hear one thing, I feel one thing. "Are you okay? Wake up! You alright? Mabel, can you hear me?" I felt calm, I felt right, I felt normal.
Sometimes I can wake up from everything, sometimes I can't.
I feel someone's arm around me, breathing with me.
But now that I am dependent, I have to wake up. And never fall back again.
I saw his bright eyes, his ruffled hair, his worried frown. "Thank God you're alright!"
Oh how I wished I could just fall back knowing I have someone to look out for me.
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Saturday, August 9, 2014
LDRs?
I salute those who went through a long distanced relationship, and succeeded.
In LDRs, physical contact is never there, that's why we don't fall in love with looks, sexual attraction or other materialistic stuff, but on the stripped down personalities of each other. No kisses, no hugs, no way of finding the other half when you need them. The only thing you would have, is communication.
Isn't all love and relationships should be based on communication? I think it should be. LDRs test this. You only could look at each other through a screen, hear each other's voice through the phone, but can't feel the beside you, holding you and such.
To be honest, I thought I despise LDRs. But, both of my past relationships are based on that. I only could meet my first boyfriend once a week, or even once a month because we stay in different parts of the state and we were just 14 and 15 then. But he left for the land down under, and I thought I couldn't take LDRs. The second one, was basically 99% communication through the phone, social media and letters. That 1% was when I first met him face to face. Isn't that considered a LDR? To me at that time wasn't, because we were still in the same country. But when he left for his studies in the UK, I couldn't stand it. Wasn't 2 of those scenarios both a LDR? What was I thinking? Because of the fact I thought I could not stand a LDR, I had to break it? I was in one all this while.
What is wrong with me?
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Sweet dreams
I remember having to read that same text, hearing that same line, hearing that same voice every single before I sleep:
"Sweet dreams my darling..."
"Sweet dreams my sweetheart."
"Goodnight my love"
Where has that gone?