Constancy

From Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns...

There is a part about the parents of Laila (one of two key characters) - Babi and Mammy - and their relationship after the death of Laila's two brothers fighting for the Mujahideen. Mammy goes into a sort of self-imposed shell and becomes completely detached from her day-to-day obligations, while the war is becoming worse all around. Babi is really worried about the family's safety and wishes to move them out to Pakistan and a new life, but his feeble entreaties get him nowhere as Mammy is set on staying behind in the watan where her sons lost their lives. Babi resolves to stay on by Mammy's side.

Laila remarks to herself that Mammy has always accused Babi of being a man of no conviction. If only Mammy would look into a mirror, she would see Babi's one conviction right there - herself.

To say that an absolute belief in the constancy of a marital relationship, and an immutable devotion to the spouse irrespective of the circumstances are commendable ends in themselves...

Lingua

The Sardar lunch dude is originally from Pakistani Punjab, but now Singaporean. His mother tongue is Punjabi. Mine is Tamil. So, we use Hindi, when I order.

Today, a local Singaporean Tamil was ordering lunch. In Malay. Many years in Singapore, and they have both picked up their share of Malay. That's the wavelength where they connect.

Nations

I actually know a guy from Hutt River, though I'd really like to get to know someone from Sealand.

Tussle

Boss is good. Work is great.
Am lazy. Not thinking straight.

Restless

A strange listlessness overwhelms me. It's driving me crazy.

What's my place?

And this too shall pass?

Unbound

Done. Six years.

Twelve years and 201 days. Since it all started.

Religion

Of any kind. Exasperates and exhausts me.

Dreams

Every night since that awesome roadtrip around Turkey, my dreams have all been about roadtrips. Every single night. A bedside copy of Down Under (Bill Bryson) has helped me along as well.

She has no memory of her bedtime dreams. The lady of my dreams, I mean. Now that we have sent out the invitations, so many well-wishers have reminded me that I could well be the luckiest person alive or have threatened me with dire consequences if I ever thought of letting go.

Marathon

Can I train to run a marathon by Dec 6?

Critics

Photography needs two kinds of critics.

One that goes, "Overexposed a little. White balance is way off. Try a faster shutter speed."

Another that goes, "Wowww! Awesome! Amazing!"

And slowly, my photos will improve, and my photography will thrive.

Harvest

Here is a sneak peek.

Postmortem

It was a memorable vacation. Just awesome.

And, most of the time, this is what it looked like to the third member of the squad.

Happy

The most important people in my life have all gotten in touch and wished me the very best.

We went on a hot air balloon flight over Cappadocia first thing this morning. We have been driving around unbelievably beautiful Turkish country roads for the last five days. We move on to Istanbul tonight for three days of culture.

Sitting in the living room of a cave hotel to escape from the heat, listening to Norah Jones.

Perfect. Touchwood.

Here is one from the road.

Stretch

I woke up to find out that once again, someone managed to outlast Lleyton Hewitt in a marathon five-setter (Andy Roddick, this time). Somewhere, the statistics surely say that he is the guy who has played the most number of five-setters in his life.

I have never particularly liked his brand of tennis. An entertainer, he surely is. Of the let-us-dig-in-and-play-for-a-while kind.

Deals

Last night, I got sucked into the shopping vortex created by the Great Singapore Sale - Recession combo.

Levi's jeans, two for the price of one.
M&S t-shirts, at Giordano-like prices.
Free ties if you bought enough underwear.

(Not sure how they came up with the last one)

Check it out. Vivocity. Or, any mall near you.