Do you still remember what were you thinking when you were a 12-year-old? Maybe you were thinking what would it be like, when you grew up to be an adult one day? With all the freedom that you would have, you would think that sky would be your limit. And each passing day, you would pray that, the day would come for you to become an adult and take on the world.

Well, you are most probably an adult now (don’t think my blog is suitable for kids). So what’s next? Is being an adult really that fun? Are you being troubled by all the work stress, politics, family issues and most importantly money problem? Do you have the feeling that….how nice…if you can reverse the time and be a kid again? Trouble free life ~

The thing is, nobody can turn back time. Not until someone comes out with a time machine that works….but even then, it might not be a good thing. So what you can do now, is to live in the moment. Do what you have to do NOW. You can no longer be the 12-year-old you. Yeap, no point complaining how nice it would be if you can live as carefree as the 12-year-old you.

Also…bear in mind that….when you were 12-year-old….you wanted to be an adult….and when you are an adult…you look back and think of all the nice time you had back then. Now my question to you is….20 years down the road, when you are 40, 50 or 60….do you think you will look back at the you NOW and think “how nice if I can reverse back the time…and be the me back then…and work hard enough to pursue my dreams….and treat everyone around me kindly” ?

Think about it.

No matter how old we get, part of the small boy/girl within us will never go away. We still like to play some of the kiddish games we used to play when we were kids. Guli, layang-layang, hide-n-seek (it’s much harder to play that now though), etc. Those games never get old! And by just talking about it with some friends actually bring back all the sweet memories….memories which happened 20 years ago when all of us were just kids – kids who felt that we’re ready to take on the world!

Take on the world eh? I’m sure 20 years after that, most of us would say that reality is harsh and it’s not easy to take on the world at all. All those dreams and ambitions we used to have as little kids are fast becoming our past. Some of us have actually forgotten ourselves – the “us” from 20 years ago, the “us” that used to think we can take on the world and the “us” who wanted to become scientists, artists, lawyers, etc (policemen and teachers for some).

What happened to those dreams and ambitions? Are you actually living those childhood dreams and ambitions? Or reality is so harsh that you don’t think you can ever achieve those again in this lifetime?

Yes, reality is harsh, no doubt. Many people are jobless and poverty is on the rise. But I also believe that many of our childhood dreams and ambitions are not that difficult to achieve. Things like spending time with beloved parents (yes, that’s one of my childhood dreams), visiting Old Trafford, going to UK, being a comic artist, etc. All those are achievable. They just require you to work a little bit harder than usual. Not that difficult right?

So the next time you think about your childhood and the fun you used to have, do spend some time to think about the dreams/goals/ambitions as well. Some of those things are the things that actually make you come alive. And by working towards them, you might actually bring in a whole new meaning to your life now.

Last but not least, I want to say that line again – “those childhood dreams and ambitions of yours, most of them are achievable. So go and make them possible”.

It’s Mooncake festival again (well, the actual name is Happy Midautumn….but…maybe the mooncakes are becoming more popular than the midautumn itself especially for Malaysia…a country with only 1 season?). This time last year, I was in London, alone. Unable to celebrate with my friends and family.

And this year…my family members are away. Parents have to attend a wedding dinner in Singapore, my sister in Canada and most of my friends have their appointments. I’m left alone again. Hmm…I did have a short chat with my 2 kura-kura though. Hahhaha.

Then I started to think about my past mooncake festivals, especially those I’ve spent during childhood. I still remember taking a stroll with my electronic lantern, with my family, around my neighborhood in Kluang, Johor. It was still quite safe to walk around in the 1980s and early 1990s. I don’t think I want to do that now. It’s not that safe anymore. Anyway, those electronic lanterns are meant for small kids since they’re not flammable….and have those irritating music. Hahhaa.

Few years later, I upgraded myself to use the so-called “glass paper” lanterns which are quite rare nowadays. Even my grandmother’s grocery shop in Batu Pahat stopped selling those. Those lanterns look very beautiful at night due to the colourful “glass papers” and they are not THAT flammable and fragile. As long as you’re fast to extinguish the flames, you might still be able to reuse the lantern since the “frame” is still there.

Courtesy of Mycen.com.my

You can also check out more about such lanterns here – http://www.chanlilian.net/2006/09/14/of-mid-autumn-festival-lanterns-candles-and-little-arsonists

I’ve stopped playing lanterns after that and started playing…..candles. To be honest, mooncake festival should be associated with lanterns and mooncakes (and tea with mooncakes)…….and not candles and mooncakes. I don’t think there’s any uniqueness in using candles for the festival. Hahaha. But well…I didn’t want to look too childish with those lanterns with animal shapes….and the traditional lanterns (those with colourful papers) were quite costly.

I did go back to use those traditional lanterns, but that’s because they look nicer than the other lanterns…….and more suitable for my father to take photographs. Hahhaa.

Ah well, those were the days huh.

How about you? Which kind of lantern do you prefer and play most with?

Last but not least, Happy Midautumn festival to everyone…….eat more mooncake, and become like mooncake. hahah.