My Grey World » 2009

Archive for March, 2009

Mar200931

Don’t Write. Talk.

I started writing this entry around 1 month ago and forgot to finish it.

I watched The Curious Case of Benjamin Button some days ago (it was a midnight movie). I intended to write this after watching the movie but I was too tired.

Anyway, this is not a review of the movie. If you want to read reviews, there are tons of blogs or websites out there.

In one of the scene, Benjamin Button visited his sweetheart to New York. She just finished dancing, and he approached her in the backstage. Anyway, in that particular scene, I saw vintage looking telephones behind Benjamin. On it was a sticker that said “Don’t write. Talk”.

Remember that the scene was set in 1940s, when telephones just started to be used widely (more information : timeline of telephone).

I was just thinking how ironic it is now. People that time were desperate to get in touch. Before telephone, people can only send mails and perhaps some greeting cards. Even before that, messages can be only delivered by couriers, and it took days, weeks, even months to reach.

Think about the situation now. Telephone became passe and internet came along. Soon enough everyone is using it as the primary communication tool. Why do we need to punch in numbers when a double click can start us to talk?

And we communicate basically on writing. We use emoticons sometimes to aid in expressing emotions (and that’s why they’re called emoticons no?), but, you know, it’s still just writing.

And with this writing misunderstandings occur. People say you’re flaming, but you’ll say you didn’t, and people shouldn’t infer anything from written things.

I think it’s just ironic. When people have finally invented a device to let use hear and even see each other despite great distance, we chose to retreat behind written words. Yet again.

Are we going backwards in evolution?

Perhaps in near future, even words won’t even be needed anymore. Perhaps we’ll use sign languages to communicate. Perhaps later language is not important anymore, since we can so-called read minds to know what people are thinking and we don’t need to voice out our opinions.

Mar200916

Sylvia Giacinta

6

You’re Still Alive

At least in my mind.

I still think you’re still alive, though hardly….

I still think you’re still existing, though on a bed, unable to move, or speak properly.

I plurked so many times about how I didn’t feel like going back to Singapore.

I talked about how I didn’t feel like going back to everyone I know.

But I had to go back. Though to watch a musical play so close to my heart which unfortunately brought disappointments for me. And school was going to start again.

Do you know that I cried when I reached Singapore?

I was in class when the news about your demise came. I tried so hard to contain my tears. I was in class, FGS. But then I went for choir practice, as normally as possible, as if nothing ever happened.

Perhaps I’m not over the first stage of grief yet.

Or perhaps the pain was so great it numbed me.

I’m sad, I’m very sad beyond belief.

I still remember how you always bring my lunch to school when I was in primary school.

I remember all your funny and sarcastic remarks over any gossips – celebrities or family members alike.

I remember your grief when your beloved husband died after fighting a cruel disease. Oh yeah, sometimes I still think he’s still alive too..

I remember your annoyances and peeves about your kids – and your unconditional love for them.

I remember various business stints you did – from selling bedsheets, curtains, your home-made spring rolls and otahs, to the ever successful stationery shop.

And for that, I declare you’re still alive.

In my mind.

Rest in peace………….

Your niece,

Sylvia a.k.a Vivi/Ah Vi