Recently, I was told the reason we need to pen down our thoughts and feelings is just so that in going through them, we can keep an objective mind and self-reflect. Since young, I love writing. My parents got me reading at a very young age, before I even started school. Then when I started doing compositions in schools, somehow my imagination started running wild and I wrote about things which, to my teachers, were highly inappropriate to be part of the school curriculum.

I must say I have been lucky to have good English teachers, who emphasised on the correct grammar, did activities to enrich our vocabularies, ensured we have perfect spelling, and gave us time and encouragement to read as widely as possible. I remember in primary school, there would always be silent reading before assembly. Anyone caught without a book or talking would have the names written down and punished.

In secondary school, there would always be a library period once a week. English Literature is compulsory in my school all the way until the 'O' levels, at least every class and every student was taking English Literature, even for those in the science classes. We read books which I would otherwise never be exposed to.

Then comes tertiary education. I remember a certain law lecturer who told me I was the "perfect" student she would like because I love to read and write. Well.... I beg to differ because reading law reports is simply NOT the same as reading novels and essays! Then I went into the education sector after signing a bond with MOE, and ended up doing Literature and History, with other curriculum subjects, where there is lots of reading and writing.

I used to write diaries, before I started going online. Through the years, due to time constraints and commitments, I read and wrote lesser and lesser. But I still do write quite regularly. Some people who have read some of my more pertinent works, ask where I get my inspiration. Honestly, I have no idea. I just write whatever that comes into my mind, however I feel at that point in time.

But there have been some people who have inspired me. Dr Catherine Lim, my favourite local author of all times. I just love her books! Adrian Tan, the author of the Teenage Textbook and Workbook, and whom I had the priviledge of meeting some time back when I attended a course. Colin Goh, Singaporean in New York, I love reading his columns. Andrew Koh, the author of "Glass Cathedral". There are many others of course, like my favourite writers William Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, Katherine Mansfield, J.K. Rowling, John Grisham, even Enid Blyton! There are many more who have inspired me, some established writers, some who have never published a book but love writing all the same.

So why do I write? Initially it was to just pen down my observations, and some ravings and rantings of the hiffs and jiffs of life. But later I write simply because I love to. Part of me dream of being an established writer with some published works, but I wonder if that will ever come true? Meanwhile I write because I enjoy it, and will continue writing as long as I still enjoy it.

Moonlight
The moon after dark
hanging gracefully abound
Like a sinking ship

Sunlight
I see the sunshine
heating up over the field
Frying everything

After The Rain
By nature abound
the stars, sun, moon and the sky
Thrive after the rain

Of this journal, that is. This started out as a generic extension to the other very detailed online journal, which has been going on since May 2005, and have seen me through my more pertinent moments in life.

This came about when I thought of updating my life to long-lost friends and new friends, but did not wish to go into too much details. Hence, this was created to go into Facebook, where anyone can access.

Since it is just generic, there is nothing much to say, except little snippets here and there, of things I wish to share. Being totally impartial and general is not an easy feat, since those who are familiar with my main online journal knows how emotional I can get when I start blasting out at everything and everyone.

Still, I gave it a shot, and even though everyone said this is not as "smooth" as the other one, I have not given it up. What matters is to be happy with what you are doing, and not keep swaying to other's opinions.

So, one year later... more than a hundred entries... hopefully this can still go on, long after my other online journal has gone, since I do have plans for a "retirement" sometime in the future.

Today marks the third anniversary of my other very detailed online journal. I have been keeping a diary since young, but did not update that regularly. Through the years, as one gets older, with more things to do, more activities, things like writing journals simply lapse. I realise that when I stopped updating my diary, my temper went from bad to worse, I got frustrated all the time and my disposition was overall, not very positive.

When I took up writing again after an on-off hiatus of like ten years or so, my disposition became better. I was able to rave and rant and then look at things from a more objective view. I became a happier and calmer person, as if I have found inner peace. It is true, writing itself is pretty therapeutic. And at times, what greater way to look at things from a different angle than to note down whatever and however you feel at that moment in time?

Which is why I continue to write. It is a good way to let out frustrations, relieve memories and reflect on my life so far. A good way to remind myself of mistakes made and improve on what I have done wrong. Most importantly, it serves as a trigger to events in my life, that my life is not exactly that mundane, and makes life all the more worth living!

For a while now, I have been thinking of a space where I can do some random writings on observations around. Many people know the existence of my very detailed online journal, where I do most of my deepest writings and musings, and which I update pretty regularly and frequently, but that is not for all and sundry to see.

Hence this space. Just random thoughts here and there of general issues which I observe. Nothing detailed, and nothing fancy. Just musings of a simple mind, without any trace of a deeper emotion attached to it.