Monday smells different. :)

Saturday's project exhibition was amazing. We showcased the semester's work done by all levels (toddler - kindergarten). This year's project theme is on The World of Books. The centre is focusing on classic books - the children and teachers have done them brilliantly. It's mindblowing.

entrance banner

Toddler class'

Toddler class' - Little Red Hen (Egg Project)

Nursery level focused on Jack and the Beanstalk. They made giant beans, with books in them!

Hansel and Gretel - children's discussion on how the witch looks

puppets - Gretel, Hansel, the Witch

Three Little Pigs - Brick house

Three Little Pigs - story twist

House made from sticks - children's work, believe me

My journey has ended, but... not really. :) I strongly feel I should discuss about Term 3 and 4 with the team. There must be a way into Asian classics. I hope to find some time in June to go back and discuss about the project flow. I'm no longer in the centre but I feel the need to help pave the flow of the project...

...Monday REALLY smells different.

Resume Update

I've an interview tomorrow. Again - on the other end of the island.

Wish me luck. :)

I've been wondering where I could get tjanting tools. I've always wanted to explore batik making. I found that I'm really not into crochet work (I did try... but it turned out tad... uninteresting for me *sorry, mum!*). I love batik art. It's an ancient Asian artform which I feel I should explore and learn more about.

I passed by several batik shops, and homes where ladies did solitary batik work back in Djokdjakarta. They told me that the process in making batik cloth is long and tedious. The process includes designing, colour fixing, drying, and washing... which explains why some genuine batik textiles out there can cost hundreds and thousands of dollars.

Hopefully it is an artform which I can explore, God willing. First - find a tjanting set!

Djokdja Dec 2010. Lady with a tjanting

Djokdja 2010. Tjanting and batik work

http://blog.georgeweil.com/2011/10/tixor-malam-wax-melting-pot.html

"The knowledge of the heart and of the real nature of its qualities is the root of religion and the foundation of the spiritual wayfarer's path."

Imām al-Ghazālī

The Invitation

The Invitation
by Oriah Mountain Dreamer (The Invitation, 1999)

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon...
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life's betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
"Yes."

It doesn't interest me
to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn't interest me who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

I love Thai basil.

Thai basil - they say it's a "better kind of basil"

Tastes extraordinary, like liquorice. I did a bit of online reading about it, and found that it's a medicinal herb with a lot of health benefits. :)

Fulfill rights, do not demand them.

This Friday evening's:

Taman Negara Rainforest and Tembeling River, canopy view. Acrylic on canvas.

Struggle and Liberation

"...Our idea is our strength.
Our weapon is our unity.
The square says the truth.
It always says no to the oppressor.

The *Square is like a wave.
There are people riding it. Others are pulled in.
People outside think it's chaos.
And what has been done is now written..."
*Referring to Tahrir Square

Ya El Medan - Cairokee ft Aida El Ayoubi

Friday, blessed night.

Song for tonight: Athair Ar Neamh (Enya Tribute) - Taliesin Orchestra


Today marked the end of a journey. I don't know what to make of it but I feel very blessed, alhamdulillah.

The night air seem to carry much peace and what fills my heart? The Most Loving knows. It calls me to prayer...

I spent some time alone in the evening, just hours ago. I felt like painting acrylic on canvas, and so I did. I was inspired by Blexbolex's (French comics artist, illustrator) Seasons - there's this illustration on fireflies and I loved the feeling it brought forth in me.

The night air - if only I could capture a fraction of this night and present it to someone. It's a very special night, I really feel so.

Fireflies and stars. Acrylic on canvas.