Pygmalion

It is clear that Rafael Nadal is far from normal, beginning with his deliberate left-handed playing. He undeniably lacks Roger Federer’s graceful poetry on the court, but his technique, which I can only liken to the Spanish Armada, has nonetheless earned him a very good season in 2008.

So, why fix what is not broken?

Young and restless

I want Jon Favreau’s job; better yet, I want to be Jon Favreau:

1. Who wouldn’t?
2. He gets to create alongside Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod and other great names – all delicious and brilliant in their own right.
3. To have Obama speak the words he writes… Come on!
4. He plays around with the written word of our time – I like that.
5. Starbucks gives him wings…

Great expectations

How befitting and equally rousing – a day after MLK Day, Inauguration Day also signified a turning point in American history. And it’s about time.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends – hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyaly and patriotism – these things are old; these things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded, then, is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility; a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather, seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

Just when I started to regret putting Barack Obama on such a high pedestal and thinking that he’s akin to a rockstar, for fear of being disappointed, he reminded me why he won the Election in the first place – he is downright inspiring. Forget the fact that his African-American heritage symbolised a shift in racial politics, which warrants enough celebrated pride – among other qualities he embodies within his je na sais quoi, Obama’s honesty and rapport with even the most common of folk will mark history in a profound and prolific way.

Having travelled to the United States and witnessing the capacity and spirit of the American people, coupled with the fact that they are behind a President like never before, I truly believe that this will be an epoch of promises kept.

Uh-huh

For the inconsequential age (I kid – being over the hill is very momentous) and the black woman that resides in this Peranakan girl…

Sometimes, I think you are in my life to push me to my limits of just how much silliness I can tolerate. Then I remember that, out of all the people with whom Kay-Lene has ‘broadened my world’, I am most thankful for you.

Delayed reaction

A word to the wise: Do not talk or ask questions about Japanese, Korean or Taiwanese television series in my presence – you will send me into a tirade of squeals, kawaii actions, made-up Japanese and Korean phrases and laughable conduct in general (please observe).

I blame this behaviour, unworthy of an adult, on the deprivation suffered during my teenage years.