Looks like I've fallen out of the habit of this daily regurgitation my mundane life.

I'd completely forgotten about the Lunar New Year until this morning, at the farmers market, I heard a Chinese woman greet in Cantonese the old Chinese gentleman I was buying tofu and tau pok from; after a 'good morning', she'd added, "Gong hay fatt choy."

Later in the morning, as I traipsed past a Chinese restaurant, I saw a number of Chinese families having their dim sum. Then it occurred to me: Perhaps they'd take the sight of me - in a red t-shirt, carrying a rice-cooker (was on my way to New World to return it) - a rather lucky one ... No?

The settling down takes a bit of time, I think. A number of items have been unpacked; others, not. I received my 11 kg box (mailed by my Dad from Melbs) yesterday but he'd neglected to include my speakers so ... =( But he did text to say he'll mail it when he returns to Sg.

Maybe I'll spend the rest of my summer (before enrolment and start of school anyway) cooped up in the flat with my books and dvds.

Have yet to set up a landline and internet, which is a bit of a puzzle for me here. Unlimited internet access is almost unheard of, save with an exorbitant price tag running to the hundreds.

Oh well ... back to research.

Gah.

Since I got to NZ, I've been putting on weight. Yes. I believe that happened the very minute I stepped off the plane. Why? Aside from all the dining out, it's the coffee. I should stop the 1 flat white a day habit; I'm getting fat from the milk (not to mention a wee bit of lactose intolerance), but I refused to get the soy or skim milk option ... is yuks.

Also have been getting sunburned; now getting a bit under the weather, prolly from too much sun. And the southerlies.

But mostly the sun, I think.

(And all the fried chicken and sausage rolls and chips, etc. that I've been ingesting.)

Went to see Ghajini last night. Aamir Khan looks pretty good, but he's aging, no longers as boyish.

The show's okay, maybe a little better than the Tamil one I saw on telly some time ago, and I quite like the music by AR Rahman.

But I really doubt I'll watch another full-on masala in the cinema. It takes so long my butt started aching after the intermission ... =|

I find myself spending less time on the internet after arriving here.

Had a fantastic weekend with a drive up to Palmerston North (the place I'd've been at if I had enrolled in Massey; so glad I didn't) where I ingested a 350g piece of sirloin and some lambshank, and then to the Wellington Zoo and surrounding suburbs on Sunday.

Gearing up for the move this Sunday. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly.

I can't believe I haven't been posting daily entries because ... I forget to. (Wait, wuh - right?)

Also, it's sad I've forgotten how to bum. I've been spending this week fretful and guilty about not being at work. I'm a hamster that has lost its wheel ...

Have been thinking about getting a new blog since last month for the new year - I just want the time print to be correct and I don't want to change the time for this one because nearly all entries were made in Singapore.

Hm.

Also, it suddenly struck me how lonely it could be being in NZ because being 5 hours ahead means most of the people I know aren't necessarily online the same time I am.

Am sitting out in C's room because I don't want to freak out the Elusive-Flatmate-Heard-But-Never-Seen. I think he doesn't know he's not alone in the flat and has been singing as he vacuums his room.

Erm ...



(11:18)

Still packing.

Sigh.

Last minute packer ...

Buy buy buy. Pack pack pack.

Sigh.

I tend to overpack. I'm packing my speakers. Seriously. I feel like I need those things. Can't do without music.

Had the most ... inexplicable dream last night. Definitely not from stress.

Started packing today ... a wee, wee bit.

Then I went to SY's house (pole) party. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would, even with my little accident (dress slipped and my boob popped out - Joey assured me only she saw it, but I seriously doubt it).

At the end of the party, the girls that were there surprised me with a farewell pressie - a personalized (pole) calendar! That really touched me; I worry they'd forget me.

It's kinda sad - with my leaving, Daphne's (unplanned) pregnancy, and Jessy's transfer to private classes, the class might be too small to run. It'd be awful if everybody had to split up and joined different classes ... =(

Meena Kumari ft. Khayyam - 'चाँद तनहा है'

चांद तन्‍हा है आसमां तन्‍हा
दिल मिला है कहां कहां तन्‍हा

chaaNd tanhaa hai aasmaaN tanhaa
dil milaa hai kahaaN kahaaN tanhaa

बुझ गई आस छुप गया तारा
थार-थराता रहा धुंआ तनहा

bujh gaii aas chhup gayaa taaraa
thar-tharaataa rahaa dhuaaN tanhaa

जिंदगी क्‍या इसी को कहते हैं
जिस्‍म तन्‍हा है और हां तन्‍हां

zindagii kyaa isii ko kahte haiN
jism tanhaa hai aur jaaN tanhaa

हमसफर कोई गर मिले भी कहीं
दोनों चलते रहे तन्‍हा तन्‍हा

ham-safar ko'ii gar mile bhi kahiiN
donoN chalte rahe tanhaa tanhaa

जलती बुझती सी रोशनी के परे
सिमटा सिमटा सा इक मकां तन्‍हां

jaltii bujhtii si raushnii ke pare
simTaa simTaa sa ek makaaN tanhaa

राह देखा करेगा सदियों तक
छोड़ जायेंगे ये जहां तन्‍हा

raaH dekhaa karegaa sadiyoN tak
chhoR jaayeNge ye jahaaN tanhaa


Translation:
Moon is alone and sky is alone
My heart goes alone on the journey
Day has brought the light but the hope is lost

My existence trembles alone
Is this the life
Where body and soul walk separately

Though I found companion during my journey
We kept walking separately

Far away on other side of that dim light
I see a small, closed and confined heart
It will wait for me for ages

After I walk alone from this world

Try as I might, I couldn't locate this CD in Singapore, nor my Dad in India. I can't even begin to explain how and why I love Meena Kumari so much.

'Tis true I've always been attracted to sorrow and melancholia.

Stupid Blogger wouldn't give me access last night.

Last day in the office today although I asked that my email account not be deleted until Jen starts. I leave in a few days and haven't packed! Yikes!

Was stressed earlier on thinking about the move, but am feeling more optimistic now. There's a number of things I wanna do next year in addition to my degree. Hopefully I'd have the resources and time to do them all.

Realized today that Mephisto is my new hero, the closest one to Stephen Fry - Mephisto can be witty, speaks 4 languagues, and had studied Latin. My hero! I want to be like him when I grow up - minus the abrasive, caustic, and emotionally unavailable bits.

Also, I don't think I wanna grow old alone ...

Watched (in this order): Being Cyrus (sorta funny, nice twist - Dimple! Kapadia!), Woh Kaun Thi? (sorta interesting; nice music), and Chak De India.

I totally love Chak De India! It's the Bollywood feel-good - enough tension and tears-swelling (with pride) moments to make it a thoroughly enjoyable ride - and as soon as it ended, I couldn't wait to watch it again, especially one of my favorite bits.

Women. Hockey. Kicking ass. 'Nuff said - what's not to love?

Well ... maybe the role of the coach could've gone to someone like Rahul Bose or Aamir Khan. SRK's tears-in-eyes shtick should be restricted to his family/rom-com movies. Every time I saw tears in his eyes in the movie, millions of Rajs and Rahuls, nightmares of assorted Karan Johar flicks, and SLB's Devdas flashed before my eyes.