Poems

Found this while scrolling through FB and it brought me joy. I didn’t realise that I missed reading good, beautifully written poems.

Everything now is short, concise and precise. We don’t write letters anymore. We write emails and messages.

The art of storytelling. There is such beauty in the images that words evoke in our imagination. Something only the written word can do.

The piece that I found:-

In English, we say: “I miss you.”
But in poetry, we say:
“I trace the shape of your absence in the spaces where your laughter used to linger,
and let the echoes of you fill the hollow hours.”

In English, we say: “I don’t know how to let go.”
But in poetry, we say:
“I carry you in my chest like a stone—
heavy, unyielding, and carved with the sharp edges of what once was.”

In English, we say: “I feel lost.”
But in poetry, we say:
“The compass of my heart spins wildly now,
its needle drawn to places it can no longer call home.”

In English, we say: “I wish it were different.”
But in poetry, we say:
“I water the garden of could-have-beens with tears,
waiting for flowers that refuse to bloom.”

In English, we say: “I hope you’re happy.”
But in poetry, we say:
“May the sun that warms your days
be as kind to you as the first kiss of dew on the dawning light upon the leaves of the laurel that we once made love under”

In English, we say: “You hurt me.”
But in poetry, we say:
“You planted thorns in my chest with hands I once trusted,
and now every breath feels like an apology I shouldn’t owe.”

In English, we say: “I wanted to stay.”
But in poetry, we say:
“I lingered at the edge of your world,
a star burning quietly, unnoticed in your vast, indifferent sky.”

In English, we say: “I’m trying to move on.”
But in poetry, we say:
“I untangle your name from my veins each morning,
only to find it woven into my dreams again at night.”

In English, we say: “I’ll be okay.”
But in poetry, we say:
“I gather the shattered pieces of myself like broken glass,
knowing someday, even scars can catch the light.”

With poetry I write paths through gardens of grace with words in ways my body dare not go as a whole.

Written by : Larson Langston.

A week in…2025

It has been a week into 2025 and it has been quiet. Not much fanfare welcoming 2025 as I was sick and we were up in the Dolomites mountains freezing our asses off welcoming the new year. We literally just left the hotel and made our way to the town centre piazza at Campitello about 20 minutes before and by 20 minutes later we were back in our rooms and under the covers. Quite a contrast to last years’ new year celebrations where we were in Slovenia holed up in our room as it was raining cats and dogs out. It was also too cold and not worth getting ourselves all drenched just for a 10 minutes welcome of the new year.

So far, for me 2025 is going to be one of the best year yet. Not only do I believe so, I know so. Also, I am manifesting for it to be one of the best yet and out of this world amazing year. For manifesting to work I also need to have it written down in black and white and reminding myself daily like a mantra. Sending the vibes out to the universe and wait for it to come back to me with an answer.

I also always think it is more of a mind over matter thing. Which is why I believe it is and will be a great year. I have always felt that I am lucky and have been blessed in my life. Being a mostly positive person, sure helps matters. Even the worst year in recent times, definitely referring to the dreaded COVID-19 times, I felt that it was a blessing in disguise in many ways. Of course, financially it wasn’t a great year or even a good few years after but what came out of that time for me personally was a moment of discovery and personal growth that otherwise wouldn’t have happened.

Planning on continuing the journey on personal growth, I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for me. With the few things that we have already planned, I believe it is going to be one hell of a ride and I am going to enjoy riding the wave of 2025!

Happy New Year to you peeps and sending you positive vibes for a great 2025!!

Toodeloos!

Life in Photos – Day 46

A few weeks back, after my class, as I was making my way to the parking lot to get my bike, I happened to glance at the sunset, something I don’t usually do as I am mostly rushing home, and I caught sight of the sun gently setting behind the lighthouse, the Lanterna, a symbol of Genoa.

In all my years here, I can truly say, I have never seen this sight my my own eyes. Of course I have seen the sun setting over the horizon out at sea, but never from this vantage point. Also because I don’t live at the historic centre, so to get this exact view point would be quite impossible for me. I had to act fast as I know the sun sets pretty fast and I had all my groceries hanging off both arms. I didn’t want to miss the chance to photograph it. So, with groceries hanging off both arms and zooming in to not take the steel grills fencing where I was, I tried to hold my phone steady and get the sharpest picture possible. Though still quite out of focus, I managed.

I posted a few weeks back on my Instagram, wondering how many more sunsets I would get to enjoy, I am glad I managed to get this one. I don’t usually get any sunrise photos. I am not much of a morning person, if I can help it. I am a night owl, I tend to stay up late and if I can, sleep in. Kids, have changed things a little but being busy with the morning school run routines, I don’t even realise the sun rising. Wake up when it is dark. Wake the kids up. Morning routine, breakfast and then off to school. By that time the sun would have risen and it is all bright and bustling.

Getting carried away. Back to the topic. Photo of the day, sunset behind the Laterna. The Genoese lighthouse harking back to its glorious seafaring past, where its navy was the domineering force in the Mediterranean sea.

Always at the back of my mind.

Everything starts with a first step. So, today, I am taking that first step in starting my blogging back up.

I have the app on my phone, on my tablet, on my computer and I stare at it from time to time. Sometimes, I even “compose” my entry in my head and tell myself that I should sit down and post. Never got round to it. Another year has passed. I also realise that I haven’t been posting much as well on other platforms. I shall just give the excuse that life got in the way. However, we all know that I am just a lazy ass. No excuses. Everyone can make time when they want to and obviously this lazy ass here has not made time for it.

If you have been following me on Instagram, or Twitter, you would probably know that I am now back in University and I should be graduating by this academic year. I am a year behind as I divided my last year workload in two. I realised that I would need time for my final thesis and that I didn’t need to rush things as, unlike the other younger students who needed to graduate and move on to further their studies or get a job. I, on the other hand, am doing it for my own satisfaction. A personal goal. A personal achievement that if something came out of it in the future would be just an added on bonus.

Although I got to say that I previously had reservations on posting as my life revolved around my children so much that I practically did not have a life outside of children, home and work. Work is sometimes boring and not really something I would want to post here. Would probably be better suited to be posted on the company Instagram or LinkedIn.

My kids are a little older now, so in theory I have more time. I just need to now get a routine going to dedicate time to posting. Just recently, I had a reminder of an old post on FB and I clicked on it and went down a rabbit hole of my old posts. It reminded me that I should, one way or another start to document my life, especially my travels again. It was good to read about my travels and my thoughts and reflections on it. Places I have forgotten that I have even visited. Food that I completely erased from my memory.

Re-reading the posts, brought those memories flooding back. The emotions – the awe that I felt, the anger, the disappointment even my taste buds were tingling as I read some of my food reviews. This flood of emotions has swept me up and floated me back here.

It is now almost the end of the year. Would it be the same if I try to make a new year resolution at the end of a year? I guess, a resolution is the same whether at the beginning or at the end of a year. Starting the resolution and keeping it is the key to making resolutions.

I am such a procrastinator! Here is to keeping to the resolution and keeping it consistent.

Toodeloos!

.

Happy New Year!! Hello 2021!

Leaving behind 2020! Happy New Year!!

Hello 2021!! And bye-bye 2020! You won’t be missed but you will be remembered for all that you were. It is not easy to forget what 2020 was but it was also hard to remember as all the days blended into one. Homeschooling, staying indoors, 24/7 with the kids bursting with boundless energy. All in all, a very unforgettable year.

It was also a year where I finally lost 10kgs from all the weight I put on over 15 years here. Though I have only managed to lose the those from my pregnancies and none from the gluttony after moving to Italy. Such is life! 😅 I got to work harder on this.

I can also say, I have gained a lot too in other areas of my life. I finally used my kitchen to the fullest extend since we got it 13+ years ago. It was as if 2020 knew I had to make up for all the lost years. My kitchen told the universe that they felt underutilised and wanted to do more. Wanting to be used for what they were made for. 😄

I upped my cooking skills. Managed to finally bake bread, cakes, biscuits and cook up a storm. I have also finally learnt to cook Malaysian food with whatever I could find and all its substitutes. My saving grace is that I am cooking for Italians and even if I don’t do a good job, no one is any the wiser! 😆

Then there is an international Tabata group going on since lockdown and it is still going strong. It was actually helpful for me on my weight loss journey. The girls are amazing. Very motivated and they re going strong. Germany, Italy, the UK, Australia, Malaysia and occasionally Singapore and Japan all log in at a specific time to exercise our fats away and build camaraderie. I hope this goes on for as long as it can.

After these trying months, I am ready to say goodbye to 2020 and welcome 2021 with open arms. All ready for all it has to offer and all its possibilities.

So Happy New Year everyone!

P/s: Watch this space as I have something planned…fingers crossed, it comes to fruition.

Care package with love

My happy package

Look what came in the mail today!! An amazing care package arrived with all my favourite goodies sent with love 💘 all the way from the UK. 🇬🇧

A little of Malaysia in a box making this Malaysian a very happy Malaysian. 😄

Best of all I get my Ipoh white Coffee!! Because of the lockdown on international travel, I couldn’t stock up this time but a good friend with a huge heart got me my fix. Am super happy!

Sending my care package angels lots of love, hugs and kisses!

Thank you Lyn and Vikki!

Popcorn success!

Caramel popcorn

So, why popcorn success? Well, I have tried many times over the years to make caramel popcorn but I have never been successful. Don’t get me wrong, I can pop normal popcorn and add salt but it doesn’t always turn out well either but always edible. However when it comes to caramel popcorn, I suck at it! I have no idea why.

I will always manage to even burn the popcorn. It will be all black. How did I do it? I don’t know. I just do. 😅

The only type of caramel popcorn I can manage not to burn are those prepacked ones that you pop into the microwave. Those, I ace! 😆

Then, while browsing through Instagram videos I came across a video of a mum making caramel popcorn for her kids and suddenly it all became clear. I have been doing it wrongly the whole time. It was such an epiphany! The next day, I promised the girls I would make them caramel popcorn and they were so excited! Poor girls, they have tried all my failed popcorn. 🤣 yet, they are still so excited. Bless them!

I wonder why I have never attempted to even Google how to make caramel popcorn. I mean, we now live in a wired world and we can get any type of information online, any time, anywhere and I just never tried. How strange was that. Maybe making popcorn is so simple that I didn’t think I needed any help. Obviously I did but ignorance is bliss, isnt it?

Anyhow, I just wanted to record this moment of useless glory for my own benefit. To remind myself how I triumphed over popcorn! I take my victories where I can. 😁

Hmm….maybe I should go make some popcorn now since I am working from home and I can have the whole bowl to myself! Hmm……toodeloos!

Upgrading myself

Photo taken from Pinterest

It has been a while since I have blogged. This time, things have aligned for me and also thanks to Nowrid I have rediscovered a part of me that I have put on the back burner to be a mother. Between work and motherhood, everything else was not that important. Then, Covid happened, everything came to a halt and my youngest is now in school. I find myself with more time to re-evaluate my life. Things that I couldn’t do before I could now look into.

When I said things were aligning for me, I really meant it. An Italian company approached me before to work with them 3 years back but I couldn’t as J was not even a year old and she was with me most of the day. 2 years later, J has just started kindergarten and I was getting used to the free time when they approached me again. This time, I was very interested. I was also very excited and nervous. Though I am on social media, I have never done any social media marketing of this kind (cosmetics and beauty) and my main business of exhibition design and construction didn’t need the same type of marketing. Also my main business has been in business for almost 30 years, and we have ties and experience in the business that supersedes this new company.

I was looking around. Checking out social media of similar companies. Doing online research on similar companies to figure out a way to market this company and to see where we fit in the grand scheme of things. All this researching open my eyes to the power of digital marketing. I was intrigued but I didn’t know where to start. I was also searching online for more info to learn about it. All this researching made me feel helpless.

So when my sis sent me a message and asked if I was interested in a course for Malaysians offered by BAC, and for free too, I jumped at the chance. This course, has been the best thing that has happened to me in a while. Also the best investment of my time. Nowrid‘s easy going, straight forward explanation of how digital marketing works was a godsend. He made it look easy. He was also open to answer all our questions and doubts. What was more interesting was that he taught from his experience and gave alternatives and brought in other experts of other platforms that he might be so conversant in.

He gave me hope that I may one day actually know what I am doing with digital marketing. All I have to do now is to apply all this knowledge and learn as I go along in my new venture into the world of beauty.

I am a strong believer in that everything happens for a reason and I know that things aligned in such a way that I was meant to take this course by Nowrid and will grow from this. Thank you Nowrid for opening my eyes to the world of digital marketing and a making it less scary for novices like me. Lets see where I will be in a year or so.

Till the next time, Toodeloos!

A Tribute To Genoa

This video was sent to me in a WhatsApp group. I couldn’t help but tear up when I was listening to this. *Sniff*

Genoa is genuinely crippled by this disaster. The city is literally divided in 2. So many areas are closed and so many families have been evacuated and so many businesses affected. Even giants like IKEA are feeling the pinch in just 20 days from the collapse of the bridge. You can only imagine the damage to smaller businesses.

Some big companies had to layoff or rather suspend some personnel indefinitely as well some parts of their building is right underneath the bridge so it is not safe for them to work.

Now the city is also at almost a standstill especially during peak hours as traffic that usually passes by the city via the highway has now got to go through the city and back onto the highway. Good thing is that highway is free for now. Even the Telco companies are waiving this month’s bill in solidarity to businesses within the vicinity of the bridge. Our business is one of them.

Some places are so dead…it is disconcerting and sad.

I hope we bounce back soon. I hope that the displaced families will have everything sorted before winter comes.

I ❤️ Genoa!!

2017 just flew by…

Where did 2017 go? I remember it just like it was yesterday when we were braving snowstorms that grounded our flight in Istanbul for days. I remember the havoc that the airport was in after many days of flight cancellations and delays when we finally got into Istanbul. We were lucky to be diverted to another town, Elazig, and set up at a newly opened hotel (literally opened the day before we arrived) for 3 days before we got the clearance to finally fly into Istanbul and make further arrangements for our next flight home. Finally in Istanbul we waited a whole day for our flight that kept getting delayed till it was finally cancelled and I insisted that I do not want to be on the next flight out but in 2 days time as it was after midnight and they are finally flying people out and I know from my experience, that the airline will do its best to clear its backlog and we might still be bumped off the next flight we thought we were already booked on. With children, I rather we rest well and check out the city and finally get to really fly out instead of waiting around in the airport. By this time, the airport was already out of many things. A family was stranded so long that they ran out of diapers and couldn’t find any on the airport and they couldn’t get out of the either. Luckily I had enough to pass them some. Poor family. We finally got in on the 12th of January when we left on the 6th.

It felt like it was just yesterday! Now it is already the 19th of December!! 2017 has been a beautiful year and seeing that it just flew by it must have been a good year too. Because only when you are having fun, is when time flies. Little munchkin has grown so much and is a little tornado. The hashtag that I gave her on Instagram is #TornadoJ. I can actually say she is living up to it. Little bumblebee is not so little anymore. She is only 3 but taller than most 5 year olds. She has always had a strong character and I can also say that she is also living up to the hashtag that I gave her on Instagram, #HurricaneZ. My little forces of nature. I am so lucky to have them.

So, thank you God for a wonderful 2017 and for my family and all that I have been given and for keeping everyone safe and bring on 2018!!

A very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate and a Happy New Year to all!!

adding hashtags here #feelinggrateful #feelingloved #thankfulforeverything