Pandemics bring out interesting phenomena in people. Scrolling through social media, one might easily believe the apocalypse has arrived. “Doom! Doom!” They seem to shout. “It’s the end of the world!” One would think the world had already ended. In the face of such panic and pandemonium, it is easy to become afraid. We are […]
Bouncy
I love jumping castles. As a kid, I recall going into transports of delight whenever I saw the giant inflatable marvel at a fair. I would take off my shoes, methodically placing them on the side (shout-out to my fellow anal-retentives, hello?) and throw myself about the castle with abandon. Now that I am an […]
God, Are You Deaf?
When I was single, I wondered if God was deaf. I mean, I was praying fervently for a husband. I prayed long. I prayed loud. I prayed often. When fellow Christians suggested I pray more, I was like, “You’re kidding, right?” I was the most praying person around. If my prayers had been money, I […]
You Are Here
Do you remember those theme parks we used to go to as kids? For me it was Australia’s Wonderland. It was a city of wonder indeed, filled with fast rides, and rollercoasters, and water rides, and chilled rides, and fairy floss, and every other kind of kiddie delight. That place was a maze. It had […]
Alone But Not Alone
I was recently in hospital. I will not divulge all the details, but suffice it to say it involved an overnight stay, a transfer and a lot of tests (no surprise on that one). While there, I was struck by how alone one can feel in a hospital. Even in a crowded ward with doctors […]
Surviving Valentine’s Day
Ugh. Not another Valentine’s Day. The Day when all romance is celebrating in a seemingly never-ending stream of chocolates, red roses and plush teddies holding cute little love hearts. Makes me wanna barf. (And I am its target demographic. Go figure.) And it is not just the rampant commercialism. Sure, I hate the overflow of […]
As A Guilty Mum
I have just watched an ad selling iPads to children. Well, not to children, obviously, to their parents who actually pay for them. Part of the back-to-school marketing onslaught, presumably. The ad appeals, like most parent-targeted marketing, to the importance of giving children a head-start in life. On the surface, this sounds positive and desirable. […]
Shared Spaces
I recently went to a certain nonspecific health centre for some. . . uh. . . woman-related tests. My female readers will probably know what I mean. (My male readers may possibly know as well.) I showed up for my appointment, checked in at reception, and went and sat down in the pastel-coloured waiting […]
Our Days Are Numbered
Why did the calendar get depressed? Because it felt like its days were numbered. Creatives are plagued with a sense of time constraint. They worry about getting things done, or not, as is often the case. This can be particularly problematic if you have a deadline to meet with money or other important things at […]
Big Ugly Spider
When I was a kid, I lived in a house with a big ugly spider outside the front door. We had a front verandah with a few concrete steps leading up to it. In front of these concrete steps was a lovely tree. Big Ugly Spider set up permanent residence in a web stretching high […]