some observations at the park

sometimes it becomes a paradox...

why do joggers take short cuts?

why do some men puff away at their cigarettes one after another at the park where others are trying to enjoy the fresh cool air ...

why do inconsiderate people walk or jog in the opposite direction to the majority, thus being such an inconvenience... and disturb the tranquility of someone else's beautiful brisk morning walk ...(the path is roughly circular)

why do teenagers ride bicycles and even motobikes on narrow footpaths and jogging trails where others, even the elderly, are either jogging or brisk walking... when there are special lanes solely for them?

why don't people remove obstacles like fallen branches, twigs on jogging trails as they go along? surely it is not too much trouble to do so...

the way of rabbits

it is such a pleasure just watching little kiko and koko each day. ebony and ivory at play, chasing each other around, moving the toy lorry she bought for them here and there, or nibbling at fresh green water spinach leaves, jumping high onto the roof of their cage ...

it seems that rabbits eat a little at a time, but return to their food a few minutes later to eat again. they love carrots, cabbage, water spinach, lettuce, certain grasses, water chestnut, ferns, pandan and galangal leaves. and would crunch with gusto their much loved crisp, dried keledang leaves.

they are very quiet animals, hardly making any sound except when provoked. they communicate with each other in whispers at a decibel level much below that of man's range. they are happy, carefree, playful ...

they are quite inquisitive and curious by nature as koko demonstrates on his journeys into the kitchen, dining area, the lounge and up the stairs... even stretching up to peek at the english classics on the bookshelves...

kiko and koko love to rest in shady burrow-like corners on hot days and spend cold nights on the roof of their open cage.

they can jump quite high, koko managed to clear a 900mm high board one day!

although rabbits are not noisy like other animals, they are very sensitive to the least discernible sound. their ears prick instantly at the chirping of a faraway bird. at her soft voice calling out their names.

kiko is toilet trained, answering nature's call in the cage while facing the door as if he is sitting on a pedestal wc!

rabbit droppings are hard round balls which do not emit foul smell and can be easily removed.

kiko looks so cute when yawning and stretching after a nap ...while koko runs and hides under kiko when scolded ...

trust

after being with kiko and koko for a number of months, she learned the meaning of trust.

between animals and man.

she is touched to be so trusted by the rabbits she loves. it is such an honour .

kiko and koko quietly accepted her unconditionally into their world. both would go about their playful ways as usual whenever she is with them. hopping merrily about her feet. chomp-chomping on the carrot slices they so love. closing their little eyes in a nap even though she is sweeping the floor right next to them.

kiko and koko would rush to her when she calls their names softly (especially when she brings them their favorite snack!)

they do not flinch a muscle when she caresses their cheeks, in fact they close their eyes as if loving her touch. it is a reciprocated love.

even adventurous koko now listens to her when she tells him not to foray into the kitchen and beyond. 

gentle kiko .... and funny, mischievous koko.... oftentimes sniffing her toes and then snuggling at her feet like 2 sweet, fluffy black and white balls ....

sometimes animals make the best of friends ....

alma mater

her alma mater finally moved to a new location. from the top of a little green hill to a vast educational hub.

the new buildings look nonchalant. anonymous. huge. new.

well, nothing is permanent except change...

she heard that the new campus is large with a river running through it. there will even be a park there. she hopes it will be a lovely one. where the girls can indulge in beauty, fragrance, sight, sound. where the 5 senses will blossom. a beautiful oasis...

she still remembers evenings by the fence looking down into the green valley. an open book in her lap. she'd wonder at the ever changing hues of the western sky. she'd smile as she saw villagers going about... it was serene, it was lovely, it was magical...

every evening before dinner she'd be there...sometimes alone, sometimes with a close friend. to enjoy the sweet sweet eventide.....

those schoolgirl days.....

a bowlful of mist ....

she was young then. full of ideals. full of dreams.

the future lay in front. a path strewn with roses and the occasional thorn. there were hills and vales. there were stars and rain. butterflies and honey. and strong dependable trees.

but it was the mist that alas captivated her. 

the enchanting veil of vapour that hung tantalisingly down a shady dale.

she threw caution to the winds...

she even forgot the boundaries of logic...

she was lost in the rhapsody....

she could touch the cold cold beauty....

she lingered at the periphery of wonder...

but

she couldn't  catch a bowlful of mist....

roads less travelled

the trail went through primary forests, up hills, mountains. along rivers.... then she saw a rustic settlement of a number of houses on stilts. made of bamboo. dogs and hens were almost everywhere. contented looking buffaloes lay in mudholes next to terraced padi fields.

in the cool mountain air, scantily clothed children ran hither thither.

men were smoking pipes in a corner. women with babies huddled on open verandahs. the evening was breezy. mountain ranges loomed blue-green in the distance.

the air was cuttingly fresh. mist curled amongst sparkling green leaves.

she wish she could build a house just there. a tiny abode on that beautiful mountain. be a part of the indigo people. a simple life. simple wants. simple needs.

to wake up each morning with the dew upon the grass. and each cold nite to gaze upon a star studded sky.

if wishes come true....