Let's Create!

Yes I know this post has been a long time coming... So finally, after thinking about a few words for my One Little Word {OLW} for 2013 and my 31st year {with "live" being a close contender}, I have selected the word... *drumroll*... "Create". 

Create is quite a common word and I know that many people have used it in previous years but to me it is not a deterrent  Besides, OLW is not a contest to pick the most unique word and we don't really have to compare your OLW with others because the selection of that OLW is so special to each and every person. All of us have different experiences and are in different stages of life with varying wants, viewpoints and goals. So what made me decide on the word Create?

For one, I realised that I needed to concentrate more on a number of things and in some ways, they involved  the word create. Here are some examples of how I shall see my OLW coming into play this year.

Creating Memories ~ How can the word create not feature prominently when memories are concerned? I plan to create more good memories, not only ones that I store in my mind but also memories that can be taken out on days when it is needed - think photographs, mini albums, scrapbooking and etc. 

Creating a Business ~ I have already started Hearts & Crafts for about 10 months and it has been developing steadily but not has fast as I would like it to. I am setting myself some business goals for the year in the hopes that this keeps me disciplined to manage my business {however little it is} in a more organised manner.

Creating a Home ~ I would love to create a nicer more comfortable home for myself and B. I want to really work on Project Love Nest and organised, colour coordinate and pretty up my home. There are so many interior design ideas {just look at my previous posts and pinterest boards} whirling around in my mind and I can't wait to try some of them. And since we are maybe getting a new home, I can't wait to decorate it and possibly have a nook for my craft stuff *smiles smiles*

Creating a Improved DW ~ I love myself. Every part of myself for that matter but I have noticed bits that need some work. Be it physically, mentally or emotionally, I am going to improve. One of my main goals would be to be much better manager and to really try and do the best I can at work.

Creating Handmade ~ I have started making things again. Slowly but surely {me and my baby steps}. I have some projects up my sleeve and quite a number of ideas are already taking shape so its more of a 'lets get the party started' kind of thing and off we go creating! This year, I will create more handmade things. Things that I can proudly say I made *smiles* I have also started to join some card swaps which will be fun to do and I am always participating in Post Crossing 

And of course I am sure there will be more opportunities or things that I can tag the word 'create' to such as creating a family {God willing when we are ready}, create ways to help others who are less fortunate, creating new and lasting friendships and creating new adventures of the awesome variety. I hope you enjoyed reading about my OLW for 2012 and my 30th year 'explore' and my new OLW 'create'. Here's to creating a wonderful and memorable 2013 and 31st year!!! *smiles smiles grin grin* 

Seen here

a teacher & a student

Seen from DW's instagram page

Encik Rahimy taught my brother when he was in primary school 

and later he taught me as well for two years. I was 10 and 12 

when he taught me and I remember him to be a very inspiring teacher 

in the sense that he nurtured my love for design, drawing, 

colours and anything related to art. He encouraged us to participate 

in colouring contests, he brought music to the class, he gave us 

rolls of coloured paper and without a pair of scissors asked us to 

create a backdrop, he yelled as us when we were rowdy and 

disorderly, he brought us for adventures to explore, he gave 

us prizes when we did well with his own money, he allowed us 

to explore acting and so much more. 

When I left primary school, it was difficult to say goodbye to 

him and my other classmates as we were all going to 

different schools and do we made promises and wrote

in our autograph books that we would be friends forever,

we were all still afraid of what our new adventure would

hold for us. Encik Rahimy however, was quick to tell us

that we would be okay and that we would all do well

and that we should not worry.

I didn't see Encik Rahimy for many years. I thought about 

him every now and then when I heard a song or when I passed

by the old primary school I attended and then just recently

my friend Soorian who was coming back from LA said that

we should try tracking him down and so I did. It was fairly

easy and as luck would have had it, he was visiting Kuala

Lumpur as well. So long story short, I got to meet with him.

It was a surreal experience in some ways. Almost 18 years

had passed and here we were, teacher and student.

He remembered quite a number of things about me and in

particular he remembered how I loved to draw, to colour,

to create. He said he kept the cards I made him {and in 

fact several people did mention this to me... about keeping the 

handmade cards/bookmarks I made for them yonks ago.} 

I was happy to hear this because somewhere

between then and several years ago, no one bothered

to encourage me much in developing that part of me.

It was always about studying, getting good grades, not

failing in my exam, vying for scholarships, part time work,

writing, more writing and then getting a good job, and then

performing in your job to get bonuses, increments and 

promotions. Then there was the endless dramas of boys,

men, friendships, death, love and everything in between. 

There was hardly time for creating and colouring.

And seeing him there, older, quieter, married with a

daughter of his own I realised that it was always in me

this desire to create, to colour, to draw but I had forgotten.

It was a good affirmation to meet him and have him 

remind me of the girl that used to be, the girl that actually

still is *smiles smiles* I am so thankful that I got to meet

him with B and I like the pink soft toy snake that he got me.

I am going to be planning a reunion for me and my primary

school friends 'cos when they saw this photo of us on FB,

they too wanted to say 'hello' and to thank Encik Rahimy

for being such an awesome teacher. Some of them were as inspired 

as me as well and I hope that Encik Rahimy knows how 

many lives he has touched and how we all 

remember him for his awesomeness.

And yes, I am going to keep on crafting and creating.