My brain is amazing. The somersaults it does... its ability to disperse and check.

Relocation, relocation, relocation.

My brain could be amazing, or I'm fooling myself.

I used to balk at orientation pamphlets for international students which warn of re-adaptation to the country of origin. Thinking that it was impossible for 4 months of living in a foreign place to erase the elements that I've been exposed to for the past 20 years (after all, I'm born and bred in SEA), I was struck by the brashness and lesser intellect of my fellow countrymen. Initially.

As the days passed, however, I realized that my perception was flawed. To quote Denny Crane of Boston Legal,

"This country works Alan. You Democrats don't want to admit it. Oh, I'm not saying there aren't kinks! Foam chips off the occasional space craft, we start the odd war on false pretenses, but by and large...America works! That's why I'm completely nuts about it."

Oh I wouldn't go so far as to say that Malaysia works, but by and large the community certainly does, in its rudimentary yet charming little ways.

The semiquaver dances across the keys
To no particular tempo at all
Each tentative note resounding
Yet concealing the fate that might befall

Over the sharps and flats
The semiquaver quivers
Approaching the blacks and whites
With necessary and newfound cautiousness

The semiquaver continues dancing
Bar to bar it has to follow
There is no rest in the horizon
The tune is meant to be prestissimo

Oh dear, what could the matter be?

I'll find out soon enough.

Read a friend's blog. She had written, "I like myself more everyday", and I wondered if the same could be applied to me.

I know for sure that I am a nice and mild individual, but a daring persona has emerged of late.

Whence came this irrational part of me, I cannot tell.

Daylight saving ended, and a blissful darkness begins.

It's Thanksgiving's today. Terese had invited Dustin, so he and I bought a bottle of Martini for the dinner.

The spread was nothing less than awesome. After a hearty meal that was topped off with pear and pumpkin pie, and gelato, we formed a cozy little circle and took turns sharing what we are thankful for.

Most of us were thankful for the usual blessings: family, friends, health, a new job... Among us was Gilbert, who was born in 1923. He simply said, in his softspoken manner, that he was grateful for being able to wake up the next morning. Once again I'm amazed by his vitality and outlook in life. I have a soft spot for silver haired people.

As for me, I said "I'm thankful for being happy and lucky", which just about summarizes what I feel and have experienced.

I am truly thankful for all that I have, although I want more sometimes :)