Gratitude and Showers of Blessings

I just finished setting up my workspace and I hope to be more consistent in updating my sites and pages. This time I have better and well organized desk. I should be able to work more peacefully. Even though it's just a small space with few items, I've arranged it in a way that almost everything is reachable whenever I need something. I'm quite excited to continue pursuing the works of music and media which I have started almost two years ago, so often delayed by other activities and programs. The one thing I've learnt from past experiences is that to be always grateful. Grateful for having the moments to learn and create things. It's not so much about getting quickly into the end result but to appreciate every moment that I have and be thankful about it and just live a simple life showered with many blessings. 

Time and Space

I have been coming back and forth  between my hometown and where I live now for a decade. I have learned the ups and downs, pros and cons of living in a different continent. At this point of the journey, I have acquired the strengths, valuable experiences and knowledge I needed to understand the kind of lifestyles here. Now, I seem to be ready for the next adventure ─ of moving out and to stay focus on my calling. But it's not until I have completed an album of twelve action songs and an EP. 

Last Sunday, I had some moments spent in Gaslamp, having breakfast at Hard Rock Hotel, Black Forest Cherry Sundae at Ghirardelli Chocolate, taking a walk around the district and capturing a view of Little Italy. I was telling myself that this could be my perfect place to live as a song composer and writer ─ at least for a year or two.

Now that I have a long list of song-writing task-flow plus a novel which I managed to write three chapters so far, and a desire to come up with some artwork designs, I definitely need my own ─ quiet and peaceful time and space. Yes, it's so easy to wish on having something but to go through the details of moving out and renting is a challenge ─ but not impossible.

I know what it means to get up at 4 a.m., getting ready in a rush, being stuck in traffic  jam, loaded with bunch of paperwork, coming home late and still doing some works before going to bed ─ having that experience for more than ten years. It was all right for certain period of years but it has left me stagnant. Now that I have hired my own self, staying focus on my writing tasks is like being a captain of my own boat. I'm fully responsible for most of my administration but the sense of 'freedom' is awesome. I can tell myself to get sick leave on weekdays and to resume work on weekend. I can show mercy and compassion towards myself when I need it or push myself to work until I hit the target score of the day. Good thing that I have learned a lot in managing time and work during my working years. I have built that trust between employer and employee within me. So, I'm fully hired! 

Any type of good job which helps someone to earn the food that he/she eats ─ is a blessing. 

Missing Him

Whenever I gaze upon the sky and green nature, I remember Ivan ... missing him a lot. It has been more than a month and I'm looking forward to see him again soon.

Home Sweet Home

Taking a break in the evening with parents ...

Our watchdog Thursday and his companion Frodo a puppy we bought at the farmers' market for MYR15 or around USD5 ...

Taking a break with Nature

It's away from busy towns. It's just pure nature outside the house ...

The Wild and Tame

My dad caught a bat in the house. It's rare but common ...

 

Our watchdog Thursday still recognized me. He didn't bark when I came and was jumping on me. It's an amazing dog... 

Getting Ready

Have few more days to get ready for my trip and travel to my hometown. At the same time, I had to do some other chores. Today was tiring with cleaning here and there around the house. I'm kind of a little nervous that I may not be able to finish what I need to do. Well, I'm planning to travel light as usual and spend most of the travel gaps reading. Feeling comfortable at home right now but will have to get ready for more hectic weeks to come. 

On a Hot Weather

Today was extremely hot. I looked at the temperature and the needle pointed somewhere 93 F / 33 C. We stayed in most of the time since it was cooler inside the house. The fans were on all day. I tried to be more productive by doing some readings and computer works but my body just wanted to kick back. On a hot weather like this, I tend to feel a little weak and sleepy. Ivan bought ice cream sandwiches from the ice cream truck to cool ourselves. With more hot days coming as shown in the weather forecast, we can't wait for autumn to arrive.  

Last year's autumn

Wooden House

I'm often fascinated with wooden house such as cabin, cottage and manufactured or mobile homes - plus a small yard or garden. For me they're more homey and pretty - and I always dream of having one for here and another one there. 

I'll have to divide my time between two continents. I would like to focus on one, but having two families and inseparable attachment with my homeland, I finally decide that I'll have both of them though may not be equally...

I just love wooden house.  

Good for the Brain

These few days had been all books and music. I guess it's good for the brain as I grow older - to be fed with something nutritional and healthier. No time is wasted for nothing.

Well, we all have ups and downs - it's not just roses all the time, but we need to use our time well - for ourselves and others. Be creative at home, be creative wherever we are. Life is full of waiting and anticipation of tomorrows but just savor what is now. 

Responsibilities and Worries

I found that as we grow older, we tend to have more and more responsibilities and worries. As little children we didn't worry that much. But can we maintain being not too worried about life as we age each day? Can we escape or get rid from undertaking responsibilities? As grown-ups and adults, I don't think we can run away from big tasks but we can lessen our worries and anxieties by simplifying our lifestyle and have the rest of our moments spending good times with family, friends and loved ones. Sometimes I tend to anticipate too much of the future - but my 'right now' is happening and I should appreciate and savor it.

Hoping to Get Well

It has been extremely hot these few days. Have been sneezing, feeling a little tired and unwell. I'm not sure if my catching a cold in the summer has been caused by the changing of temperatures in one of the evenings. So, we had meat balls & vegetable soup in the afternoon hoping that my cold will go away. It was really good and appetizing. At least I didn't lose it.

I took a bottle of bird's nest after supper. Ivan told me to go to bed early after checking my temperature - glad it was normal. It was only 9 o'clock - but I was still up checking on my planner.

I'm sleeping in the TV room facing the sliding door and the outside view.  It's relaxing. Just like a nurse and mother, he came later to get thicker blanket for me. 

I don't want him to catch a cold. Hoping to get well the next day since there are works to do and I need to be healthier.

Cabin by the Countryside

I used to live in this cabin by the countryside, in the Land Below the Wind, for two years, when I was working as a teacher. I still cherish a bunch of good memories - living by myself, having friends to come over for tea, watching my favorite TV programs, phone and online chatting with my future husband, writing, cooking, playing guitar, etc ...

A country heart

Had some pictures of our home surroundings. I'm thinking of a more countryside location ..