Love From All Around The World

There were days when staying home for too long without contact with others can be stressful. No, I am serious. Isolation is extremely scary for me. I am actually a "people" person and I enjoy a company or two. Not the huge crowds kind but just a few close friends or even one can do. I enjoy a chat, a sharing of experiences but mainly it is just me "monologuing" most of the time. I think that is how the conversations usually go for me. I always end up talking non stop. I have to constantly remind myself to shut up and let the other person speak. Maybe that's why my girlfriends are leaving me one at a time. 

But today, I feel love. Distant love. 

SINGAPORE

First thing in the morning at around 11am, our door bell rang. I thought it was our guests visiting us today but it was the postman. I got my weave. This beautiful weave my very close girlfriend from home mailed to me. I genuinely love this girl's work. They are fabulous and pretty. Scarlett LOVES them too much too. If I have the money, I wish to commission her to make a huge piece for me to frame up. But again, Hong Kong flats are small, I can't even think of where to hang it if I were to get a huge one. Besides, I am broke. Oh well. This little piece hangs on my entrance door to greet visitors. Not that I have that many but still, I'd like to think this piece is the hard sell. Makes my home more cool instantly. Scarlett has one that hangs outside her room door, a room which she shares with Chester, which then made her ask me if I will be getting one for Chester too. I'd love to someday. 

UNITED KINGDOM

I got a text this evening from my other girlfriend from the other part of the world. "Hi babe, just to share with you, we are on our way to France (her husband is French and they used to live in France), Les sable d'olone. Just entered the Euro tunnel, crossing over soon." Photo followed by video. It is so heartwarming, to send a piece of her life to me. She thought about me. Our text conversation ended with a voice recording of her little girl saying, "We are leaving, see you soon. Muak muak muak!" Oh how I miss that little Frenchie beauty of mixed heritage. She is very passionate and warm, very different from Scarlett. Nevertheless, Scarlett and her got along so well when they hang out back in Singapore several times. They are pen pals now. Sending each other letters and gifts occasionally. This girlfriend has been proactively text-ing me lately. WHY? Because I told her I am not doing well emotionally and that I feel like I have lost all my girlfriends and I feel isolated here in Hong Kong. I guess this is what girlfriends do for each other when you cry for help. I feel lonely. Not in terms of having nobody to be around with here. Gosh, I have this toddler who clings on to me most of the time. I feel lonely as a stay at home mother. Motherhood can be lonely because you are doing it alone. This girlfriend gets it. She has done it. She understands.

UNITED STATES

My flight attendant sis-in-law texted me last night and asked if I wanted some awesome cherries and that she wants to get some for us. It's funny she doesn't text her brother but me. I guess I am lovable in some ways. Yes, I do want some awesome cherries. She touched down this evening with my second sis-in-law from Toronto and we got this pack of cherries on my dining table. They are truly "The Sweetest Cherry You'll Ever Eat". This is so good that it becomes so bad. I have no idea how to come to terms with the normal cherries. Is it goodbye or okay, I will try to love you again. I feel like I have cheated on normal cherries. 

CANADA

My second sis-in-law lives in Toronto but always tries to visit the kids a few times a year. Gosh, imagine that flight. If I were to love these kids (well of course her parents too) any less, I won't be traveling that much, that hard. Each trip, they get goodies. Scarlett mentioned to her before about this author and she got her a set. My daughter reads at the speed of light and I always think she should borrow books or we will eventually have a huge mountain of books someday. But no, she is still collecting a lot of them. In 15 minutes before bedtime, she has finished the thinnest book here, The Wreck of the Zanzibar. These books won't last her a full week. Fortunately, she likes to re-read all the books she has. I was suppose to get these for her but now I don't have to. It was a surprise gift. A very sweet and thoughtful one. Scarlett was so thrilled to have them.

I write with visuals partly also to remind myself that there are always blessings around me, there are always those who truly care for me and love me and don't bother about those who doesn't, and that when I have a shitty day, think about these blessings. Last but not least, think about these two healthy and cheeky monkeys at home, take a deep breath and move forward. I am a stronger person today than I was yesterday and tomorrow makes me even better.