About Rose: I grew up in Singapore, lived in Melbourne but currently call London home. I love gastronomic adventures, especially while travelling. I stated writing at 17 to remember how it all began.
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30 September 2008
tuesday; 10.07pm
I've been thinking a lot about the past year lately, maybe because I've been thrust into this working life (albeit inadvertently) but on those tram rides to work, I find myself reminiscing and taking pleasure in those moments that were so significant to me this past year. And I suppose you write about these things when the year's passed and you wax lyrical before the new year looms and resolutions are abound. But like Dean Martin said- memories are made of this.
I was walking through the city the other day with the strong winds blowing and the cold rains falling down ever so lightly. Cold weather like that instantly reminds me of Paris. It is always the memory of all twelve of us dragging our luggage along the cobbled stone lined Rue de Bastille. As I walked on with the rain heavier and wind stronger, the song came on the iTouch "how would you like to be, down by the Seine with me, oh what i'd give for a moment or two, under the bridges of Paris with you". I immediately had such vivid images in my head of those amazing bridges passing overhead the four of us which would cast amazing shadows onto the deck of the boat we were on. And as soon as we emerged from under the bridges, I could see the Notre Dame and it was such a sight. I remember the laughs rome, phil, jen and me shared, running for cover when it got too cold and spending one of the nicest afternoons you could have. When we got off the boat the winds blew sand into out eyes so there we were walking backwards, with our backs against the wind, our coats flapping and scarves twirling all over.
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Today I was in the Federal Court to listen in on a matter that is relevant to our case. I found myself in court 8G and it was strangely familiar. It hit me then that just a couple months ago, along with my team mates, I was sitting at that very bar table, adressing the federal judge on the bench. I heard the arguments counsel for the Applicant's made and it was so surreal for him to be making comparisons to letters written and how "on a natural and plain reading, a reasonable, ordinary person" would take such a view... That letter of course had to be read in conjunction with another. I could hear myself making those very same arguments before Goldberg J just six months ago. Everything was hypothetical back then and how strange that I should be dealing with such similarities only this time, things are far more real! There was such a sense that everything was coming full circle- even if in this seemingly insignificant moment in Counsel's submissions.
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It's officially spring and the flowers are in bloom which is lovely as. Soon enough, my favourite flowers (peony roses) will be in bloom. I pass the Carlton gardens every morning on my way to work and always think to myself, I must take a walk through it soon. I long to find a garden I can walk through as I did in Toronto. I can't even remember the name of the garden but I do remember fondly the way the paths led me under an archway of overgrown vines and to a little pond which was initially hidden from view by tall shrubs and boulders. There was such clarity and peace in the moment. It was all very simple.
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Mostly, it is in the times I find myself pausing to recognize the absolute beauty and unadulterated happiness in my travels that have given me so much pleasure this past year. But like meeting special people and having those moments, you find yourself aching for them when it is gone. They are such fond memories and if you're lucky enough, letters longingly written or dinners shared, will remind you of those amazing experiences. But mostly, you hanker for the next time you get to take in the manhattan skyline from the grassy knolls of liberty island or walk through the marbled halls where mozart played his first concert at.
So you plan for the next trip that you know will happen soon but you're not sure where to. You yearn for the stability that comes with permanency of being home but realise that there's no one place/ country you find comfort in. I overhear a conversation when I'm at the hairdressrs and someone says he is off to travel for the next 12 months all around the world. I hardly know this person and yet if he'd ask me to join him in his travels around the world, I would find it incredibly hard to say no to.
But right now, it seems it is far more important that I am admitted as a solicitor in the next few months. And after that, it all begins.
"take one fresh and tender kiss and one stolen night of bliss one girl, one boy some grief, some joy memories are made of this" - memories are made of this, dean martin