Crying Times

OK, so the packing is kinda turning out to be the least of my problems.  It's the good-byes that're proving absolutely heartbreaking.

Maya's friends threw her a big surprise farewell party, with lots of sweets, presents, and a handmade Minion cake(coz she dressed up as one in one of the school's charity events).  They also crafted up a video montage of all the best pics with her at various school trips, class-clownings and sleepovers, set to a couple of Taylor Swift songs.  A right riveting tearjerker, I tell you.

Maya's Farewell presents

And this afternoon, Ruhi said her last good-byes to her BFF, Hettie.  After a tearful hug-and -"bye-bye" at the door, Hettie stood by her window sobbing and waving to us at the bus-stop, for a whole 5 minutes until the bus came along.  Needless to say, Ruhi, too, was sobbing her little heart out.

Ruhi and Hettie, pre-sobs.

It's so heartbreaking to see the kids' hearts breaking... :(

End of a Chapter

Our time in the UK is coming to a close far too quickly.  We moved over from Singapore in November 2011, and now it's time to head back...

And so the complete and utter nightmare of packing begins.  The movers have come and done their survey, so the reality of what needs to be done has set in.  Painfully, it involves a lot of sorting, throwing out and giving away, stuff.

But those are just Things.  Even more difficult to deal with are the attachments and friendships and connections we have made during our 2 years here. It's especially hard for Those Two, who are lucky enough to have some of the sweetest girls I have ever known, whom they can cite as BFFs.

As for me, I will sorely miss the family friends and relatives who live here, the fact that world-class museums are just a short train ride away, the slower pace of life that allows me to literally stop and smell the roses, my lovely yoga teacher Emi who has helped me grow and progress in ways I never knew I could...

Gah! It's just too depressing for me to go on.  So I shall leave you with a pic...

Singapore Zoo, WE'RE BA-ACK...!!

M.I.Y.A. (Missing In Yoga Action)

I cannot believe I have been so neglectful of my beloved blog.  I blame it entirely on yoga.

I have been pretty much obsessed, to be truthful.  I have been devouring yoga magazines religiously, and have acquired a considerable amount of hardcore yoga reading material, including Kino MacGregor's lastest, various Iyengar classics, yoga philosophy favourites, as well as yoga anatomy references.

I have also gathered up courage to rejoin society.  Yoga society, that is.  You see, up till last month, I have been practising all on my lonesome, with my best friends: YouTube and Yoga Journal.  I have to say, they have served me very well.  In fact, so well, that one of the teachers I have been going to lately commented that I have "a very lovely traditional practice".  Cue Dance of Joy...

Balki Bartokomous and Cousin Larry - weren't they just the funniest!  I digress.

So, I've signed up at a new yoga studio that's opened round the corner from where I live, called Samsara Mind and Body, a fabulous little place that's given me the opportunity to lesson with some really amazing teachers...

Naz Khakoo is an amazing teacher with a truly heartfelt practice.  Her style of yoga is known as Hridaya Yoga, where the focus is on engaging and exploring the Heart chakra.  She is encouraging, nurturing, and ever so in tune with her students.  It is an absolute pleasure just to be in her presence.

Michaela Olexova is another amazing teacher I have had the honour and pleasure to practise with. Her style of yoga is called Baoli Yoga, and it involves a slow, contemplative flow (which by all means breaks you into a sweat even if it doesn't look like your'e doing much), rounded off with a meditation topped with Reiki.  How fabulous is that!!

I also had a taste of a rigorous Vinyasa flow class courtesy of Austin Ince, whose animated, chatty style proved effective, 'coz you don't realise how much work you are actually doing, until sweat starts dripping off you and onto your mat.

And yesterday, I had my first ever session with the great Mark Kan, whose sessions are known as Dharma Mittra yoga, a style that is pensive and very challenging, based on the wisdom of the yogi Sri Dharma Mittra.  What can I say - you know how you take a piece of meat and tenderise it with a studded hammer...? Yep, that's how my body is feeling.  But I've got to hand it to the guy.  'Coz he got me into Full Pigeon, and Pincha Mayurasana!  And this is without any pulling or pushing.  He is ever so gentle with his cues and instructions, it is just mind-blowing.  I was absolutely gobsmacked - with myself, his unassuming, quiet, yet super-effective ways...  Happy is I!!

Full Pigeon (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)

Feathered Peacock (Pincha Mayurasana)

 
So, for good measure, here is Mark Kan in action.  So inspiring! *happy sigh*

*Update/13 Sep* I have not been able to Pincha Mayurasana on my own since... :S.  But I shall persevere... :)

New Acquisition

My new tattoos. Finally got them, a couple of months back.  I had been wanting them for the longest time, and I finally got round to it.  I am SO happy!

I knew I wanted old skool swallows with Them Two's names on, but I was waiting for the right time, the right artist, and the right "Go on! You know you want to!". So I scouted around a bit online for London artists' portfolios, saw Jaclyn Rehe's work and was immediately smitten. And then I decided this was the perfect way and time to collect some super lovely art as a souvenir (of sort) of my stay in London.

The great Jaclyn Rehe working on me.  2 hours of whirring, buzzing, bleeding and idle chit-chat...

This is Jaclyn Rehe.  She hails from Australia and currently works out of Good Times Tattoo up in Shoreditch, fronted by Nikole Lowe of Discovery Channel's London Ink fame.

Jaclyn is the cutest little button in the entire button shop, but is one mean old skool tattoo artist.  Her work is curiously timeless, because the theme, subjects and form are so traditional, yet her slight cubist lean gives her art that little handsome quirk and a modern edge.  I mean, how cool is it that my traditional swallows match-but-don't-match?!  Check.  It.  Out!

Fresh from the shop...

... and, some days later, in full scabby glory.

It was a tad tricky, and  bit of a pain (to say the least), that these had to heal under full sleeves (this was February/March), and through days of school runs, cooking and cleaning.  But look at them now, and you know it was all worth it. *happy sigh* :)

Getting My Yoga Needs On YouTube

Every day, I scour YouTube to watch yogis and yoginis do their thing.  There is so much yoga YouTube material out there, you'll never run out of inspiration.

My favourite is Kino MacGregor.  She is Da Bomb.  I love how she can chatter on while she throws her leg behind her neck, or floats up into a handstand.  She makes it look super easy, but lets you know it is not, and that it's OK not to get it right for a long time to come, because it's the journey that matters (Yes, Kino).  She has done so much stuff for sharing, it is absolutely amazing.  Just look at her go about her stuff.  Remember to breathe.  And prop up your jaw...




Isn't she a goddess... *happy sigh* :)

Another yogini I like to gather inspiration and instruction from is Shana Meyerson.  She is funny, bubbly, and super-precise with her instruction.  Such an amazing teacher!



She's SO cool! :)

And then there's Meghan Currie.  Her flow is just so awe-inspiring.  Don't be fooled by what looks like a smooth, fluid and chilled-out workout.  It is actually an absolute killer.  Just try this one.  I dare you to.


 

Other than a proper yoga teacher on the well-stocked My Yoga Online, she proves herself to be a raving goofball on her own YouTube channel, where she posts videos of her home practice in fast mo, how she and best friend make honey face masks, and how she cuts her own hair.  What a kookie! (And I mean that in the fondest way)

So, this is how I get my yoga fix.  I watch, I take notes, I keep in memory, and then I roll out my mat, and give my Self some attention. :)

New Acquisition

The Dr Martens Pascal Boots in Shiraz.  I got me a pair of these lovelies coz my current boots are so worn on the outer side of the heels that they're making me tip.  I realised I was walking with a slightly contorted ankle to make up for the tip and prevent my ankle buckling.  Which kinda explains how I managed to sprain my ankle twice.  Tragic.

I was a bit torn between the uber-cool Navy and this super Shiraz.  I then figured the Shiraz looks a tad more feminine, and therefore, flattering - considering I am constantly in buttoned-up Oxford shirts and high-cuffed jeans.

Anyhoo, I am wearing my gorgeous new DMs in.  Though I must say, they don't need all that much wearing in, coz the Buttero leather is oh-so-soft.  I am surprised how snugly they fit, because, you see, I have extra skinny feet, and usually my foot is swimming around in any normal shoe.  These fit like a glove.  And in this deep oxblood red, my cool factor just hit the roof, I swear. ;)

She's Not Kidding

Ruhi's schoolmate, Hettie, came by to play the other day.  While we were having dinner...

Hettie:  Pearl, why do you wear a ring in your nose?

Me:  Because I think it looks nice. :)

(Pause.)

Hettie:  No, I mean, SERIOUSLY, why do you wear a ring in your nose?

Me:  O_O *sob*

Yarning Along

I'm still at it - my garter-stitch scarf with the wonderful colourway.  Yup, I'm a slow knitter.

But I must say, it is coming along very nicely. A few minor irregular-tension type of thing going on here and there.  But that's the beauty of "handmade", no? ;)

So this will quite definitely not be in time for Christmas, but it's OK.

And I am reading this fantasmical book, "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.   It's no literary masterpiece.  But, boy, what a story!  It takes a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but you get used to it by the 1st chapter, and then you are hooked!  It's so good, I am high-five-ing myself (sometimes on the inside, sometimes aloud and physically - which constitutes an audible "Wow!" and me putting the book down for a second to give a self-satisfying clap.)  My family is used to it.

Scenes from a Frosty Morning

Wimbledon Common is oh-so-gorgeous on a crisp and cold morning.

Just a few days ago, I was cursing and swearing all the way across it because a cold rain was beating down, and the ghastly wind just about blew me off the gravel path.  I had visions of me rolling helplessly off course, nails digging into the gravel in a futile attempt to get back on my feet.  It was pretty hellish...

But look at her today: a completely different take.  No wind, no rain, just a calm, crisp cold.  All pretty with her vast green muted by a light frost.  Frozen puddles trapping little leaves and stones in a seemingly timeless in-situ.  Absolutely heavenly...

 

                  

Makes Me Yoga

Yesterday, I yoga-ed for the first time in a very long time.  I spent about 45 minutes stretching and resting on the yoga mat.  I thought I should be really gentle on myself, seeing that my shoulder and arm is not 100%.  So I was mostly down on the mat doing back bends and twists.

And then it all came back to me - the joys of yoga.  The stretching and relaxing, the contorting and the unravelling.  It felt really, really good.  So good that I confidently went into Shoulder Stand, and then into Plow Pose.  After some deep breaths, I unravelled and rested. And then to counter the deep forward bend of the spine, I went into Bridge Pose, and then The Wheel.  Gosh, it was rejuvenating!

I used to do a mean Staff Pose, and a rather magnificent Crane Pose.  But that was before the bad shoulder.  I don't think I will be attempting these all that soon.  But I will, maybe in a couple of months.  In the meantime, I have super-yogini, Briohny Smyth, to keep me inspired. :)




Contrary to what you might think as gratuitous semi-nudity, it is actually a very good idea to practise in your underwear. No restrictions, no fabric folding awkwardly while you're going in and out of poses, and absolutely at one with the atmosphere...

Unless, of, course, if you're practising in the living room of a Victorian house that's 17 degrees C inside, and not sure if the postman might ring the doorbell to deliver the books you had ordered off Amazon a couple of days back.

But this underwear-yoga thing, I will try one day.  Maybe when I am back in good ole Sweatypore. ;)

Yarning Along

With the Big Square Baby Blanket done, I am going to start on my next woolie project: a scarf for my acupuncturist, Silvio Andrade, a practitioner of Classical Five Element Acupuncture.

I had been having terrible aches in my shoulder and upper arm.  It was basically a super strain.  The type that was beyond "muscle pull", and well into "ligament damage".  It became so bad I couldn't carry on with daily chores.  Hell, I couldn't even fasten up my bra without wincing in pain.  It was that bad. :S

Well, to cut a long story short, I am all better now.  All thanks to Silvio.  For 6 weekly sessions, I had needles up my spine, in my ankles, wrists, and arms (thankfully, no, not all at one time O_O).  And contrary to popular belief, acupuncture does hurt.

And at each session, Silvio was the perfect listener and counsellor, offering little nuggets of wisdom for every dilemma, confusion, worry and doubt I had.  From my having second thoughts about MAYA & RUHI's Spitalfield's gig, to being true to my Self as an artist.  From realising my sense of self-worth as a wife and mother, to admitting the fact that I drink far too little water a day (which is seriously bad.  Coz all I ever drink is coffee or decaf coffee. Tsk tsk...).  So all our sessions are filled with meaningful chit-chat, punctuated with "OK Pearl, needle in..."/ "OUCH!!".

Anyway, I am now able to cook without cutting corners, carry reasonable amount of grocery back from the supermarket, and vacuum almost all of the house at one go!  I am so happy. :)

So this is a scarf for Silvio.  No, I haven't quite started, as you can see.  But the intention is all set.  And I wanted to show off the yarn's lovely colorway.  This is Bouvardia by Moda Vera, color 104-07. For my lack of knitting skills, I thought this gorgeous colorway would make the scarf look quite fab.  I'm only good with garter-stitch scarves, you see. ;)

And I am reading "The Cat's Table" by Michael Ondaatje.  So far so good - I'm about a quarter though.  A lyrical little story written in the first person of an 11-year-old boy.  Reminds me a bit of "The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel.  I like it. :)

 with Ginny at Small Things.

At the Royal Albert Hall with Benoit Viellefon & his Orchestra

Last night, the husband and I, along with our best friends, were treated to a night of nostalgia at the historic landmark, the Royal Albert Hall.    

We had a rather magical experience watching Benoit Viellefon & his Orchestra perform in the intimate little Elgar Room, lovely gorgeous-golden oldies like "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "It Don't Mean A Thing (If it Ain't Got that Swing)".  So many have done these iconic tunes, from Benny Goodman to Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett to Diana Krall.  But none like Benoit, with a French accent... ooh la la!

Gosh, I must admit, it was difficult to sit still.  Swing music was simply made for dancing.  Plus, I dressed for the event - a tartan 40s-inspired secretary dress, grey round-necked cardi, dark bronze brogues, topped with heavy and winged upper-eye liner and cat's eye glasses  - so I was looking rather appropriately time-warped, I must say.  No pics to prove, unfortunately. :S

  

I Heart Art

Over the weekend, the husband and I went to the Affordable Art Fair at Battersea Park.

Yes, that's what it's called, "The Affordable Art Fair".  Not a very snazzy or creative title, considering it's for an event to do with creativity and the appreciation of it.  But, hey, at least we all get the picture. :)

All works were priced between GBP40-4000.  All you have to do is set your budget and take your pick.  It cost GBP15 to enter the giant marquee, and it was an eye-opener to see people seriously shopping for art, walking away happily with bulky, brown-paper packages tied up in strings.  (And all together now: "These are a few of my favourite things!"  Sorry, I digress.)

So inside the giant marquee is a slew of art galleries setting up temporary shop, flaunting their best and favourite pieces, as well as a small exhibition of recent art graduates' work.  Original paintings, sculptures, photography, prints... we had a field day.  It was enjoyable just to see what's out there.

Vanessa Cooper.  Sun Bowl.  Oil on board.  60X60cm. 

Trevor Price.  Noah's Ark.  Etching with chine colle.  Edition of 100.  30X36cm. 

The atmosphere of the entire affair was so relaxed, so casual, which made appreciating art refreshingly accessible.  And I was thinking to myself, what is the Singapore  leg of this event like (where art is a bit of a conundrum/struggle for the government to develop/non-existent phenomena.)?

In Singapore, I find art appreciation seems to be somewhat confined to 1. those who can afford it (which gives it  a factor of snootery), and 2. those who have some far-out new-fangled concept/medium (art is not art if it's not hyper-creative).  Basically, with reference to the term "arty-farty", it takes a lot of fart to make it Art.  The more inaccessible it is, the more artistic it is, and that's what makes it Art. Which probably explains why the government is having such a hard time convincing people to appreciate the Arts.  Simply because no one has a goddamned clue of what Art is.  Plus, few people find it not-very-profitable most-of-the-time.

Kheng Li-Wee.  Bamboo Grove.  Archival digital print.  Edition of 35.  61X77cm. 

Ron Lawson.  Struan Cottage.  Watercolour and gouache.  13X20 inches.

There always seems to be this need for "success", and by "success" I mean financial gain, be it in terms of making a living as an artist, or buying art as an investment.  It's this obsession with monetary gain that is the bane of art in Singapore.  Which probably explains why everyone (including the government) try too hard.  I mean, what good is it to say "Right, we're gonna get into art, and get people into art, and I'll give you the money for it.  Do it.  NOW.  And remember what you can say and cannot say." (I shall not elaborate on the last sentence, because the government is not very happy about any critical information concerning Them.)

Alice Sheppard Fidler.  Nasturtiums in a Small Bottle.  Oil on board.  13X18cm.

Work of recent graduate, Esmeralda Dominguez Pueyo

Whether it's big or small,  realist or abstract, paint or print, cheap or expensive, we all don't just like what we like, and make/paint/buy something just because we like it.  We are hardwired to calculating "What's in it for me? Ka-ching"/ "How can I make this worth more? Ka-ching"/ "Excuse me, exactly how many dollars??"/ "OMG, are you sure it's OK to say that???"

More importantly, I think the government has failed to realise that the Arts is more about self-expression than about having the funds to be creative. In an environment with as much censure as there is in Singapore, Art basically has a snowball's chance in Hell.  I'm not saying that we all become libertines and dance around stark naked with body paint tomorrow.  But if you're constantly being checked and guided, guided and checked, there is no way a people is going to be truly creative, and/or learn how to be appreciative of creativity.

Honestly, there should be a less stolid perspective towards Art, and simply more of a "hey, I really love how this looks!" and "ooh, I like the way you think!"  After all, Art is, well, just Art. (The word is looking a bit weird now, isn't it? Hehe.)

No, I haven't said anything substantial about what art is.  And the fact that art in Singapore is a tad too strangled, and too attached to being "successful" isn't really new.  But, hey, at least I got it off my chest. ;)

Scenes from Richmond Park

The husband acquired a new camera a couple of weeks back.  An Olympus PEN Lite E-PL3, and a Lumix lens.  So here are my adventures with the new cam at Richmond Park.

The effects settings are fun!  They make me look like a real photographer!! :) 

Of Swaps and Squares

I've put my name down for some fun via the lovely blog oh, hello friend.  If you haven't been round, you've got to.  Danni shares some of the most wonderful ideas and inspiration for simplicity and gorgeousness.  Plus, she does loads of fantastic deals and yummy giveaways! :)

Anyway, what happens with this shop/swap is that, if you are a crafter with a shop, you sign up for the swap, and Danni will pair you up with another crafter with a shop, and you send each other a surprise-something!  How fun is that! :D

 

On another note, my Big Square Baby Blanket is coming along nicely.  A few more rows and I should be done.  I just hope there is enough of this baby-soft cotton yarn to go round.  Coz I bought this yarn in Singapore, and I don't even have the labels to search for it online.  Silly me: should always keep yarn labels...

Big Square Baby Blanket

I am in the throes of crocheting up a baby blanket for my cousin, who is due to give birth in about a month's time.  It's basically one giant granny square, but I like the fact that it has a round centre, which makes it look like an Evil Eye.  A talismanic, protective blanket of sorts. :)

Many thanks to Angie for sharing her crochet pattern at her gorgeous blog, le Monde de Sucrette.

Scenes from MAYA & RUHI at Old Spitalfields Market

Glad to report: all went with MAYA & RUHI at Old Spitalfields, without any major hitches or squabbles.  Although the day's takings weren't fantastic, we all had great fun!

Maya the Muscle.  Doesn't look like it, but this girl can lug the shop-in-a-suitcase up and down flights of steps in the Underground.  O_O!

Before...

... and After. :)

Lots of gushing-over, and tryings-on, and a few sales.  All in all the day went really quickly.  It wasn't as busy as I expected, but at least we managed to cover cost.  I suppose it's still a little early for Christmas shopping.

Lunch break for the hardworking.  Chicken Chow Mein!

 As such, there's a whole lot more I will be putting up at the online shop.  As soon as I get round to photographing all of them, and sitting at the computer for a couple of hours.  Watch this space! ;)