Chapters ~ by Lee Ling

第一百八十四章：来自心底的笑

好久没有打从心底地笑。这次的笑真的是所谓的“眉开眼笑”，简直是笑得见牙不见眼。

手里握着钥匙，脚下踩着的是一个家，叫做“我们的家”。

接下来应该有的忙了，但我深信我这一笑将会持续下去。

不久后，我就可以对你说“欢迎光临”！

~

Chapter 182: The "unsinkable" Legend - Titanic

http://www.starway.org/Titanic/

A century ago on this day, the largest ship of that time set off on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York, bringing with her 2,224 passengers, each with his own story, life and dream.

5 days later on the sea, a collision with an iceberg took the ship down to the cold ocean bed, putting a close to everything except for a legend that goes on for another hundred years.

Titanic. The "unsinkable" legend.

~

Titanic & me

I have always felt a strangely close connection with the Titanic. Sometimes, I ponder upon the possibility of me being one of the victims on board who died in the cold sea and hence now reborn to live in Singapore so that I won't get cold anymore.

My first encounter with the massive liner and its tragedy was from my primary school Chinese textbook, where there was this short passage narrating the incident briefly in short, simple language.  I wouldn't know exactly why, but the painting of a half-submerged Titanic left an imprint in my memory that just wouldn't go away.

http://www.thepaperwall.com/
wallpaper.php?view=cbd5756166f04a05bcba4a3671444aa8eff0b7a8&fol=vintage_historical

Perhaps it was the unbelief that such a grandeur piece of human work could be totally defeated by the power of nature that had me feeling overwhelmed every time I think of it.

In 1998, Titanic was made into a movie and I submitted my first ever thousand-words review to 星期五周报 after watching it. And it was then I earned the first $6 in my life. Quite little, maybe because they only used one-tenth of my work. :S

I fell in love with cruise ships after that though every time I board on one, there is always a mixed feeling of excitement, fear and uncertainty.

~

Titanic - The Artifact Exhibition
100th Anniversary

For many years I haven't been thinking much about Titanic, until the exhibition comes along to Singapore and it was then I realised the connection hasn't been lost after all.

A fantastic exhibition with apparent effort put in, I would say. Each visitor was handed a "Boarding Pass" with real passengers details, where at the end of the trip, we could find out if the passengers had survived then.

It could be the extra powerful air-condition, but every once in awhile during the exhibition, I experienced that shiver down my spine. How could I not? Every artifact I was looking down was taken from the real Titanic that was sleeping somewhere 3,784m deep in the middle of the North Atlantic. Plates, door knob, nuts, each had their own function on the ship. People and their belongings, each had their own story to tell.

Camera was not allowed in the exhibition so photos will be scarce in this chapter. Below are some facts and stories worth mentioning:

#1 Because of its 16 watertight doors, the Titanic was believed to be unsinkable that time.

#2 Captain Edward Smith had planned to retire but decided to accept the invitation to lead Titanic for its maiden voyage as his last trip. (lesson learnt: when you decided to retire, do so and do not accept any final task. Same thing if you are a cop)

#3 A coal strike happened just before the departure of Titanic. As a result, many crossings were cancelled and coals were transferred from other ships to Titanic so as to ensure it could depart as planned. Many passengers initially taking other ships were also transferred to Titanic.

#4 Safety boats were reduced from 32 to 20 due to aesthetic reason as 32 safety boats were believed to have made the promenade appeared to be over congested.

#5 It was a rush departure for many of the crew and binoculars were left out in the packing. Hence, the crew could only rely on naked eye for lookout of ice bergs.

#6 Most passengers had died from hypothermia due to the freezing water instead of drowning.

#7 Crews were not properly trained for emergency evacuation, hence many of the safety boats were barely half-filled.

~

Having submerged in the deep water for a hundred years, the Titanic now was covered with red iron-eating bacteria, and it was believed that all that will left between 40 to 90 years could be just a pile of rust.

Yet, if that really happens, I believe the legend of the Titanic will go on. Unsinkable, it was believed to be, and it really is.

~

Chapter 180: My dream within a dream

It has been a long, 3-year wait. Just when I almost thought I won't live to see my first home to call my own, I heard the sound of keys tingling. Yes, key collection is soon on its way.

There isn't a day I don't daydream (or dream) about our house, slowly building up somewhere in Toa Payoh. It isn't just a shelter over my head, it is the entrance to a paradise. In my dictionary, paradise is a place when I can simply be happy anytime. It will be the biggest luxury I will ever get.

And then suddenly, I feel I was the least prepared for its arrival. So I started jumping into the world of home furnishings, interior design, and all that are related to home, flipping through magazines and scanning online photos for inspiration.

There are a heap of messy ideas in my head but there is one thing that I have been holding on for the past 2 decades. A dressing table that I believe every woman deserves to have. Yes I don't deny, it seems to be an idea of the past. As time passes and rooms becoming smaller, we chunk away a dressing table to make space for a TV or even an extended wardrobe. Yet, in any possibility, I'm still grabbing onto this little dream dearly.

A complete set of dressing table with 3-way mirrors, many drawers and compartments and a swivel chair seems perfect for me :D

It's time to give my legs a rest as I squeeze the blemish balm cream to my freckles-invaded face. :)

image from
http://homeinteriordesigninfo.com/furniture-inspiration/beautiful-dressing-table-mirror-girls-room/

第一百七十八章：留下的是谁？

昨日与2位好友一起拜访了Mr Seah,距离2年后又再算了算流年运。去年如果也有算，或许可以避开一些吓人的事。既然错过了，今年就别再错过，还是算一下，好知道哪里该注意。

这一算，真是值得。或许现在才是我人生的真正起跑点。过去9年过得太辛苦了。我可能真的有机会过一下顺利的人生。

这阵子感慨也多，在想为什么周围会有那么多想让我辛苦为难的人？工作是这样，私下也是这样。或许我前世真的欠了你们，但抱歉我不打算要用这一生来还。

感谢大肚扬和几位友人在我人生低谷时始终给予支持。至于轻易放弃我的朋友，我能够理解。既然可以轻松地放弃我，想必我并不是一个重要角色，因为尊重你们，所以我也不该在介入你们的人生。也许我真的卑微渺小，但也没有人可以任意践踏我。

9年的辛苦日子虽然很难熬，但至少我看到了留在身边的，是谁。

~

Image: supakitmod / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

第一百七十三章：平安夜，平安快乐！

这一年，无可厚非，是难以置信的一年。

从年头就已知道自己今年犯太岁，相信是难熬的一年。不过，又不是没犯过太岁，应该还好吧。

结果，错，错，错！这年可说是糟透了。

是事业不顺？我事业好像从来没顺过。

是财源非滚滚？事业不顺，哪来的财源滚滚？

运气不佳？这我早已认命。

唯一庆幸的是健康方面这么多年以来，还算过得去。

结果今年，连这方面也败下阵来。从下半年起，健康方面频频出现大小问题。

伤风感冒也就不提了，跑个步既然还会拉伤脚筋。连被蚊子咬一口，也烂了许久。

再来的便是数不清的‘吓死人不偿命’的意外事件。不是差点给车撞，就是差点给铁绳打中脸。

虽然都属‘差点’性质，但这种连续性的心惊胆跳，让我时常在想不知过不过得了今年。我又不是精英份子，想必该不会‘天嫉英才’吧。

现在，终于熬到了年底，也谢了太岁，感谢他始终让我延续渺小的生命。

周围的好友也过了难关，让我欣慰不已。

这一年让我意识到健康的重要，毕竟只有健康地活着，才能实现生活中的各种可能性。

本来想要平淡地过完这年，哪里都不想去。结果意料之外，大肚扬被派前往苏州公干，我就也跟着去了。短短3星期的通知，我们明早就得飞。这阵子，忙着购买冬装，不安之余也参杂几分期待。

平安夜，祝各位友人圣诞快乐，平安幸福！

得要明年见了！

~

Chapter 171: Been through hell and paradise

I survived despite the mad rush in the last 2 weeks. Till now, it was unbelievable that so much could have happened in just 14 days.

#1 My biannual dreadful 2 weeks where I just wished I was a soft toy with short legs, sitting beside Eggy (my panda) and Cheer (my carebear). I could make myself look cute without too much deliberation. No doubt. Whatever it is, as long as I could skip my exams, the 2-hour that i'm sure did enough damage to my brain cells to shorten my life span, I sometimes really believe I wouldn't mind being a soft toy for a day.

#2 My grandma passed away after fighting strongly for half a year. While it was upsetting to see her leaving, I was glad that she was being relieved from all the torment. If the saying of "被贬来人间就是受苦" is true, then she was now promoted.

#3 I received an editing job that was supposed to be quite urgent. It was really great ... and g..r..e..a..t.. Amidst my exams and accompanying my granny for her last journey, what timing can be better? I guess not.

#4 My never-like-travelling parents were going to Genting, again! At least they were going after my granny's funeral because the trip was arranged months ago. If not, I will have to say "great" twice again. It was only a short 4-day trip but it was paradise to me. I cooked, I worked, I do house works, I went out, I threw myself on the sofa whenever I wanted to. There wasn't any stress or rules to follow. I'M THE RULE! Luckily, I managed not to burn the kitchen.

Only 14 days and I had been through hell, agony, paradise and now back to the mortal world. At least, it was no longer hell. Being a mortal wasn't too bad still.

~

Chapter 166: Enlightened (in a wrong way)

I do not want to be enlightened in such a way. I guess I do not have a choice.

I was strolling along the path 2 weeks ago, feeling extremely Zen after dropping off my borrowed books from the library. A lovely peaceful evening as I hopped to the nearby bus-stop to meet hubby from his reservist service. Being a very careful pedestrian, I'm always on high alert mode when it comes to crossing the road. So there I was, waiting for the cars to stop at the zebra-crossing before I skipped across the short 2-way lane. I'm so careful that I almost raised my right hand.

Being careful obviously wasn't enough, unless I can make sure everyone is as careful as me.

Having crossed only half the road, one of the drivers decided that I was perhaps just a shadow, and decided to step on his accelerator. The car jerked toward me and I released an uncontrollable yell that I swore came from the bottom of my heart. With that, the driver must have realised that I, though petite, was a 100% living creature, hence immediately braked his car.  

In any normal circumstances, I may have given the almost-killer a glare that sent a chill up his spine. But then it was hardly close to normal and I couldn't even have a clear view of the driver with the reflection on his car screen blocking out his face. I did, however, saw him raising his hand up a few times which I sincerely hope he meant apologies for nearly running over a woman-who-wished-she-has-at-least-moved-to-her-new-home-and-have- more-achievements before dying.

Thinking that it was too risky to remain in the middle of the road, I trembled across to the safety of the pathway, only to find that the driver zoom off almost immediately. He must had thought I wanted to take down his car plate number.

Breaking into cold sweat, I'm being thrown in the reality that death could be so near and easy. Even though I'm pretty sure I haven't being doing much evil, I may not be let off by the guy who wears a hooded robe with a scythe too.

With this near-accident, I'm enlightened. Be it whatever that I want to feel or be, I must first be living and kicking.

阿弥陀佛。

~

第一百六十二章: 十五岁的 Dancing Queens

人生中，有一些时刻总是无法忘记。

1995 年，我念中二。中学时期，我是舞蹈团的成员，活跃于舞台，充满青年的动力。

那一年，老师带着我们整团小女生登上游轮 Star Aquarius，说是旅行，也是练舞。那时我第一次与同学同行旅游，每一刻都难以掩盖愉悦的表情。

短短的海上旅程，全在美食，舞蹈，和孩童般的欢闹中进行。

其中一晚，我们一票叽叽喳喳的女生挤进面积挺小的KTV，中间有个小舞池。说笑中，突然播起一首歌，让我们都high起来。我们涌上舞池，手牵着手，没有约束开始跳舞，乱成一团。当时播的是Dancing Queen。

我们当时都是 Dancing Queen，年仅十五岁，和歌里的芳龄十七岁相差也不远。

虽然现在回想起来，旅程中许多琐碎的事已不记得了。但当时与同学在舞池上跳舞的时刻却是格外清晰。记得的，是当时年轻时对未来所拥有无限的憧憬，是一份无邪的童心，是没有别人干涉而最单纯的欢乐。

人生中，有一些时刻确实总是记忆犹新，仿佛一切只在昨日。

P.S. Qiuyan, if you are reading this, I often recall our fun moments in dance club. :)

~

Chapter 159: The waiting game

The time to test our patience has come.

Everything has been done. Every effort has been made. The waiting game has officially started. I'm waiting for:

~ a steady rise in business.
~ a hopeful twist of luck in my career.
~ my studies to annouce its completion.
~ my braces to say goodbye to me. I won't miss you definitely.
~ my home which is more than just a shelter over the head.
~ the life I deserve.

I am certain it will be a long game. But i'm prepared to finish it.

 ~

 

第一百五十八章：我们的乐轩网

过去的两周，忙得有点不可思议。

友人一个两个，给我戴上'taitai'之名。仿佛只要是呆在家里，就算忙得差点毙命，也还是个'taitai'。如果做'taitai'做到像我这样又穷又忙，那我宁可做个普通人。

抛开这点不谈，我其实忙得非常愉快。从零开始，赤手打造一个网上乐轩。也许它并不属于我，但我所学习到的，领悟到的，却将永恒地跟随着我。网页让我尽情地发挥创意，我用文字填满它，用颜色使它精彩，用心意来展现它。而我所得到则是莫大的满足感。

开幕首两天，天意弄人，我们整组人都碰上技术难题。慌的慌，烦的烦，撞墙的撞墙。幸好，两天后在一个细雨纷飞的早晨，灰暗的天空却夹着一道彩虹。持续两天的难题终于解开。

乐轩网这艘小船，算是成功举行了下水礼，开始它未知的旅程。歇了一口气，却其实只是个开始。我祝贺它可以一路顺风，经得起风吹雨打。

随着乐轩网的起航，我很想感谢：

1. Peiying， 劳苦功高的建筑师，乐轩网是她建起的。不但感激她承受我一再的炮轰，我更欣慰这份Project能让我们曾经分叉的道路再一次碰面。

2. 表姐，谢谢你让我有机会参与。我希望我没有让你失望。

3. 大肚扬，承担我变幻莫测的情绪，借出你的大肚让我猛撞头但不会受伤。

4. 不曾对我抱有一丝迟疑而选择立即支持我的好友们。

乐轩网是个以家为主的网页，希望它可以成为大家的网上乐轩。

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