Ropes, Passion’s Grace 18/4/2014. Model: Annabelle Lee
“If this would be your last breath Would it change a thing?
Dive head first into the fire“
In Flames, Ropes.
Annabelle occasionally told me last year that I am too nice to people. What does that mean though? When I give, I give expecting nothing in return. I want to receive satisfaction with myself, or just happiness. So when does it become too nice?
Maybe it’s when I no longer take the initiative and when people starting assuming that I will do these things for them, then it is overboard, and I am bring too nice by saying yes. I don’t know, but I am certainly feeling worn out these days.
I could do with some company. Some genuine company. Call me, or text me. Help me.
“Astral dreaming Rise of Saturn Lucid Dreaming Of no return.”
Passion’s Grace, Atmosphérique IV – Libra
Nothing lasts forever; everything is temporary. I am well aware of this and am putting in the best effort to appreciate whatever I have right here right now. It is however difficult to identify what really matters at a certain point in time.
Life is cruel, but with the right people, it isn’t so bad.
The final day in Melbourne was a day to remember. We started off the day visiting yet another farmers market – the St Kilda Farmers Market, which is way smaller than Launceston’s Harvest. It was nice though, Isabel bought truffle salt and I treated her to some chocolates. Breakfast at the same coffee place in South Melbourne was also enjoyable. It wasn’t surprising we paid another visit there since Isabel liked it so much, plus she wanted to buy more stuff anyway.
The biggest event was the Oz Comic-con. Yeah I’m blogging at a time when the San Diego Comic Con is now on and is the biggest convention ever, but the Melbourne one was still awesome and enjoyable. It was our first time going to such a convention and we certainly had fun looking at the booths and taking photos with the cosplayers. Isabel bought some cards and stuff while I bought some decals and a small badge. We both bought matching tshirts as well which will serve as a wonderful memory for our Melbourne trip.
Waiting at the tram stop after that, my legs were aching from all the walking but Isabel’s keen eyes spotted many people carrying shopping bags as if there was a factory outlet store nearby. I may have way better vision than her, but there are still things a girl can spot better than a guy. It was meant to be her day anyway, so I relented and we soon discovered a place with mad sales for brands like Adidas, Nike, Converse just to name a few. Didn’t buy anything though, we both burst our budget already lol. Headed to Manchester Press after that. Isabel liked that place so much, I couldn’t say no to bringing her there again. We headed back for a rest (I took a nap hee hee) before we headed out to town again. We met Chai and Wayne for dinner at Fukuryu Ramen (Thanks Lei Kuan for the recommendation!). It was certainly nice meeting up with a UTAS friend in a different city. While I got to know Wayne, Chai got to know Isabel. Isabel got to know 2 more people and so did Wayne. Yeah confusing haha. It was a good dinner. We talked and talked and laughed and laughed; as much as this trip was meant to be just the both of us, these meet ups are also essential to a well rounded holiday.
Back at the hotel for the final night, we both did our own reflections of the entire trip together and we stayed vigil in each other’s presence. We opened up our feelings one last time. We both agreed that it could work between us. We both agreed as well that it wasn’t the right time. We both agreed that it was best to keep our options open as well for the time being and see what the future holds.
We both agreed that this trip shall be the first of many memorable trips together.
Melbourne again. The next day started off with a visit to the Prahran Market. We were supposed to take the tram towards the direction of Kew and alight at Balaclava Station before hopping on the train to Prahran Station, however we instead took the wrong direction and ended up at Flinders St Station. Checking the train routes and running to the correct platforms was certainly thrilling in its own way. There’s probably a maximum of 4 platforms in Singapore’s MRT stations. At Flinder’s St, there were (at least) 13 platforms.
We finally ended up at Prahran Market which has a more peaceful atmosphere as compared to the Queen Victoria Market. It felt similar to the Harvest Market back in good old Launceston, only bigger. We enjoyed good coffee there as well before heading to Richmond to have a walk around. There wasn’t much there disappointingly. There were little small hipster artsy shops, but that was about it.
I spontaneously brought Isabel to the South Melbourne Market and to Chez Dre later for a late lunch date. I would say South Melbourne Market is an in between of Queen Vic and Prahran. There was a tea shop that I just fell in love with. Even the surrounding shops and coffee shops were amazing, Bel just fell in love with the area.
We took a night walk along Southbank. It was nice walking along such a nice strech of urban space with someone you’re close to. Being ourselves with each other in a place where no one knows us, what more could we ask for?
Just one more full day til the end of the trip. Time flew in Melbourne, it has to be said.
I have always been a big fan of Sasuke/Ninja Warrior since my poly days. I tried watching American Ninja Warrior, but the original Japanese one has always appealed to me more.
So anyway Yusuke Morimoto became the newest competitor to achieve complete victory at just the age of 23. That’s just crazy. Congratulations. I have always been intruiged by the crazy obstacles that the game has conceived for the competitors, however ever since I have started watching the original Japanese version instead of the G4 english dubbed ones, I have also begun to feel emotions and affection for the competitors and their family who support them.
Hioki Masahi always has the funny side and though he never looked like a favourite to win it, I think his dedication and passion has won everyone’s hearts anyway. I remembered him struggling at the Drum Hop the previous competition but yet able to survive it. Although being beaten at the Crazy Cliffhanger both the previous competition and this one, he has earned a fan vote for me. He is those kind of guy who puts on a brave front but yet can hurt inside. That’s what I feel at least.
Hitoshi Kanno failed the Crazy Cliffhanger 3-4 times previously, never getting past that before. Watching him complete that obstacle made me punch a fist in the air and cheer for him. And just look at the joy on his face and his wife’s face. He was so overwhelmed with emotions that he just broke down at the rest point. He ultimately failed at the Vertical Limit Kai, but you can tell that he was still proud of defeating a nemesis of his.
Back to Morimoto, joining Sasuke at 15 years old and slowly improving his game til complte victory is just amazing and inspirational. Whenever the camera pans onto his family, I can’t help but observe how proud his mother is of him.
It makes me wonder if I will ever do something in my life that will make my mum that proud of me.
Faiseurs De Mondes, a photo series by Passion’s Grace.
Models:
Annabelle Lee
Andrea Koh
Tarcia Wong
Teo Liwei
Nicco Homaili
Namira Rasman
Amanda Er
Joey Teh
Shangee Cheok
Sze Yun
“Cette réalité qui nous entoure Est celle que tu as choisie Et tes rêves habillent notre sphère D’un tableau idéal qui se déploie A la lueur de nos regards, Au son de ta voix.”
(Translate) “This reality around us, Is the one you have chosen And your dreams cover our sphere With an ideal painting, Unfolding in the light of your eyes, At the sound of your voice.”
Alcest, Faiseurs De Mondes (translate: Makers of the Worlds)
Right now I am in my room thinking of big decisions. I have discussed stuff with my parents last night and I thought through some of my own personal matters as well. I could barely sleep. I now wonder if all of this is worth it, if the choices I make now will actually benefit me. I am afraid that I might make a mistake and I lose it all.
Back to Melbourne trip.
I brought Isabel on a date, which dragged on til the end of the holiday. We headed to the Queen Victoria Market. We are market people, we love the ambience and vibe in each market although they sell mostly the same stuff. Touristy places like Federation Square and Shrine of Remembrance were a pretty sight too.
It was also fun roaming around to random gardens and eatieries, although Manchester Press was planned as a surprise for her all along. It’s fun that it isn’t just me showing her around like in Tassie, but we are both exploring the places together.
We had an arguement at night though. It got resolved pretty quickly, but it did hurt me as well. What matters more is that it is over and we grew from it.
Back to today. Friends like Andrea are back in Tassie and i’ve been helping them move in and stuff. It’s nice to see old friends again but at the same time there’s a lot of things running through my head now and I don’t know what to do. 😦
Adam 