"So, it should come as no surprise that To Kill a Mockingbird was always a book about the character of Scout for me. It is the mark of a great writer in Harper Lee that she made Scout so real, so believable. Although I do not believe I could ever be as great a writer as Lee, the art of developing honest, brave characters is what I have learned from reading Mockingbird. In many of my songs, I have tried to create characters who struggle to maintain their innocence and integrity when the world around them seems volatile and ever-changing. They seek redemption in the face of loss and persecution. Maybe in my own life this can sometimes be a challenge, but in the imaginary world of writing, I can make it so. And this brings comfort." -Lisa Cerbone
If ever I spot a copy of this amazing novel on someone's bookshelf, I reconsider them as a friend. I hope I write something as tried and true as that some day. Leaving for Singapore tomorrow morning, the night race is on again. I may finish this post up from the hotel off Garrick's computer, because am a little pressed for time all of a sudden and have to pack.
Am back from Singapore on a Tuesday and whole team is out and about without me. I found two wedding invitations on my desk this morning, and also a DVD copy of Coraline. Found myself signing up for baby newsletter's because of all the research I am doing, so I have created an imaginary baby with the name Kendra (which I love.) And I will be getting a baby milestone growth track calender, parenting tips & tricks and development articles of interest (according to my child's 'age') all sent directly to my BlackBerry. I am sure other writers do this too, you simply can't get more customized information than this!
A month. A whole month. 31 days and there's no denying it, I am officially not a smoker. I can't be sure when this is really over; only that God is at work. Life is different, in the smallest of ways. I haven't been able to write in my journal for ages, until now because it was just something I always did with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth, and the moments I'm stuck waiting somewhere outdoors are a little frustrating. But nothing beats feeling like you're going to lose it over being late or something equally trivial, and needing that cigarette. How much has changed.
I can run twice as long now, I can think ever so much more clearly, and food just tastes better. The dreams are coming back to me now, and the progress is sweet. My passion for work has been re-ignited this past month as well, though tested I realized I do not necessarily have to adore everyone I work with madly, but that I at least ought as much as God commands us to love our neighbors. Before I was a Christian, being a bitch was without a doubt an easy default mode, without any concerns or consequences, really. And now I actually have to face the facts about the impressions I leave on people who think I am unkind when it comes to working together. I have been reminded by Le Peaux's Dad yet again that I am the salt and the light of God, and that I should always try to represent that better, I know. No one said it would be easy, but they did say I would have to let go of my pride. Ego will kill your talent after all, and I'd do well to remember that. It's been three years. It's been one month.
It's Friday and I am awaiting news about the charity idea I had with Carrie and Hank over lunch on Wednesday. In the mean time praying for all the countries in the region that have been affected by the recent earthquakes and tsunamis. Let's hope it's over, with the last of the typhoons coming soon.
Am listening to another happy Mika album and waiting for another brief about babies to commence shortly.
It's late Saturday as I finally get the chance to get back to this post. Parma hit the Philippines in the afternoon. Smart, D'cruz and I are re-thinking our trip to Bali early November as I woke up concerned about the tsunami watches and crazy weather we've had this year. Everything is being shaken, as Carrie reminded me the day after the earthquake at work.
This big news Sunday morning is D'cruz has arrived in Singapore! We are in the same time zone now and a one-hour flight away. At Church today, we were reminded how blessed we are to not only have wealth, but the health enough to enjoy it. It's funny because Garrick and I had just discussed over the phone the day before: how lucky we are in Malaysia to be safe from the calamity of natural disasters. And here we are the following morning being told just how blessed each one of us sitting in Church are. It's something I forget every day, when really it should govern my every moment. I am blessed to have what little I may have in my pocket to give, and I am blessed to be given the opportunity to accumulate even more wealth in my lifetime. The question is not how much you have, but what you do with what you have. God is not man's debtor and he shall repay us with wealth we can enjoy in the short days (70 years or however long you figure) that we are here on earth. The important thing to remember, whether we are rich or poor is that God looks at our hearts. That phrase has always been a great comfort and discomfort to me at the same time. Because what it means is that nothing can be hidden when God will look right through us. And all I want to be is clean in that moment.
If ever I spot a copy of this amazing novel on someone's bookshelf, I reconsider them as a friend. I hope I write something as tried and true as that some day. Leaving for Singapore tomorrow morning, the night race is on again. I may finish this post up from the hotel off Garrick's computer, because am a little pressed for time all of a sudden and have to pack.
Am back from Singapore on a Tuesday and whole team is out and about without me. I found two wedding invitations on my desk this morning, and also a DVD copy of Coraline. Found myself signing up for baby newsletter's because of all the research I am doing, so I have created an imaginary baby with the name Kendra (which I love.) And I will be getting a baby milestone growth track calender, parenting tips & tricks and development articles of interest (according to my child's 'age') all sent directly to my BlackBerry. I am sure other writers do this too, you simply can't get more customized information than this!
A month. A whole month. 31 days and there's no denying it, I am officially not a smoker. I can't be sure when this is really over; only that God is at work. Life is different, in the smallest of ways. I haven't been able to write in my journal for ages, until now because it was just something I always did with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth, and the moments I'm stuck waiting somewhere outdoors are a little frustrating. But nothing beats feeling like you're going to lose it over being late or something equally trivial, and needing that cigarette. How much has changed.
I can run twice as long now, I can think ever so much more clearly, and food just tastes better. The dreams are coming back to me now, and the progress is sweet. My passion for work has been re-ignited this past month as well, though tested I realized I do not necessarily have to adore everyone I work with madly, but that I at least ought as much as God commands us to love our neighbors. Before I was a Christian, being a bitch was without a doubt an easy default mode, without any concerns or consequences, really. And now I actually have to face the facts about the impressions I leave on people who think I am unkind when it comes to working together. I have been reminded by Le Peaux's Dad yet again that I am the salt and the light of God, and that I should always try to represent that better, I know. No one said it would be easy, but they did say I would have to let go of my pride. Ego will kill your talent after all, and I'd do well to remember that. It's been three years. It's been one month.
It's Friday and I am awaiting news about the charity idea I had with Carrie and Hank over lunch on Wednesday. In the mean time praying for all the countries in the region that have been affected by the recent earthquakes and tsunamis. Let's hope it's over, with the last of the typhoons coming soon.
Am listening to another happy Mika album and waiting for another brief about babies to commence shortly.
It's late Saturday as I finally get the chance to get back to this post. Parma hit the Philippines in the afternoon. Smart, D'cruz and I are re-thinking our trip to Bali early November as I woke up concerned about the tsunami watches and crazy weather we've had this year. Everything is being shaken, as Carrie reminded me the day after the earthquake at work.
This big news Sunday morning is D'cruz has arrived in Singapore! We are in the same time zone now and a one-hour flight away. At Church today, we were reminded how blessed we are to not only have wealth, but the health enough to enjoy it. It's funny because Garrick and I had just discussed over the phone the day before: how lucky we are in Malaysia to be safe from the calamity of natural disasters. And here we are the following morning being told just how blessed each one of us sitting in Church are. It's something I forget every day, when really it should govern my every moment. I am blessed to have what little I may have in my pocket to give, and I am blessed to be given the opportunity to accumulate even more wealth in my lifetime. The question is not how much you have, but what you do with what you have. God is not man's debtor and he shall repay us with wealth we can enjoy in the short days (70 years or however long you figure) that we are here on earth. The important thing to remember, whether we are rich or poor is that God looks at our hearts. That phrase has always been a great comfort and discomfort to me at the same time. Because what it means is that nothing can be hidden when God will look right through us. And all I want to be is clean in that moment.
