Dear Sleep

Photo: Jem

As a child, I never wanted to go to sleep. Being awake from such a tender age meant being in the now. Yes, they say "early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise". But as a child I could watch TV for days. In college, I learnt to appreciate sleep because of project deadlines. Bleaching to reach a deadline sleep would just shut down my system. As a working woman, sleep makes me functional and less cranky. I like going to sleep now and I don't ever want to miss out. Sleep makes the difference between a productive day or a cranky un-nerving one.

"Paint the Town Red & Kiss the Sky Blue"

Photo: Jamille De-Andra Chin

We live in a modern contemporary high tech digital world. The order of the day for most youngins trying to make a life is that of the world of work. The good book says by the sweat of your brow you shall eat bread. However, what is life if we are consumed by our work from Sunday to Sunday? Yes, it is important to be successful but in the same breath we need to balance our lives and get back to basics. We can live our whole lives and forget to take time out to enjoy the simple things. Even when some of us take the time out we are still connected to work and then some other distractions by our cell phones that possess us. We go to dinner for two, a party with friends or just lounging with the family and our cell phones are our second heartbeat. Frankly, some people would die without their cell phones if there comes a times they had to live without it. Laughter is good medicine, watching the sunset soothes the soul; watching TV with the family is good covalent bonding and responsible partying is kool. Life is short and we should learn to live in every single moment.

Misfits

Photo: Courtney Chen

It has always been said that, "people will always be people". This adage couldn't be more true. Each person is one in seven billion with their unique genetic makeup. What makes each person unique is their individuality or what I would refer to as style. As individuals, we all view the world outside our windows differently and that's what makes each person unique. I candidly remember giving my first speech at ten years old and it was entitled "We are people too". At ten, I was reminding other children that it was OK to stand out and be different but most importantly, we are people with rights, opinions and have minds of our own. This childhood memory has never left me as it still resonates with me as a grown up. People are quick to label and  judge harshly other people who don't observe or interpret life the way they do. Frankly, that's the beauty of being human. If we all thought the same and did everything the same, there would be no diversity, creativity or art in life. No one is impeccable or will always get everything right in this place called life. We must try to appreciate people for who they are and not crush their spirit because they are different. Life is for living and we can co-exist amidst our differences with tolerance, patience and  lots of love.