Melody of You

Lyrics of "Melody of You" by Sixpence none the Richer

You're a painting with symbols deep, a symphony soft as it shifts from dark beneath a poem that flows, caressing my skin in all of these things You reside and I want You to flow from the pen, bow and brush with paper and string, and canvas tight with ink in the air, to dust Your light? from morning to the black of night

[Chorus]this is my call I belong to You this is my call to sing the melodies of You this is my call I can do nothing else I can do nothing else

You're the scent of an unfound bloom a simple tune I only write variations to a drink that will knock me down on the floor a key that will unlock the door where I hear a voice sing familiar themes then beckons me weave notes in between a bow and a string, a tap and a glass you pour me till the day has passed....

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Words are powerful. Twenty-six letters -- mere scribbles when they stand alone, empty symbols. But thread them together in different combinations and you create meaning and richness. Words don't exist in solitute on paper, but rather, trigger a domino effect of emotions and ideas. Take for instance the word "mother": its techinical definition refers to the biologically female parent, but on a deeper level, "mother" also evokes thoughts of love, warmth, comfort, discipline, and many others depending on a person's personal experiences and life story.

The lyrics of the above song are so beautiful. The phrase "You're the scent of an unfound bloom" sent tingles up my spine. =)

Dear Online Journal,

Yesterday night, my suitemates and I had dinner at a new Japanese restaurant across from Asian Ghetto. The sushi was expensive but also rich in flavor and color, and the restaurant kept serving us free dishes-- free miso soup, fried tuna, and ice-cream! I feel happy and warm just thinking of us sitting around the table, telling stories and regaling in shared laughter, watching chopsticks dart across the table as sushi slowly disappeared from the plates. =)

I watched a film in Asian Studies 10 about factories workers in China. I had always known that the labor conditions in some regions of Asia are dismal, but yesterday my heart broke several times as I watched the documentary follow the life of a 17-year old Chinese girl working as a thread-cutter in a denim jeans factory. Her plight made me reconsider how I perceive standards of "wealth". The young girl was happy just to receive $65 dollars per month, a sum which is viewed as paltry in the society I inhabit. Also, I realized more strongly than ever that the richness of a life can't be measured in terms of material wealth. How do I personally wish to determine the "wealth" of a life? By the number of smiles, the morals a person holds onto? By cherished memories and loved ones and difficulties which eventually transform into valuable life lessons?

This weekend will be a busy one of studying, studying, and more studying!

Happy Autumn!

Happy first-week-of-autumn! Autumn, my favorite season with its crisp air and rose-tinted leaves! The sun sleeps earlier and earlier, forcing you to appreciate the waning light--the precious last rays of sun-- before night settles over the cityscape. And plus, there's always the promise of Christmas lingering in the brisk winter air! I'm already looking forward to Christmas carols and pine trees and shiny ornaments and white-fudge oreo cookies. =)

Happy Sunday! Today is the most cheerful-breezy-blue skies-golden sun type of day, and I'm already looking forward to all the little adventures that make up my daily life! I'm looking forward to bites of creamy chocolate, to laughter with Keith and my jolly suitemates, to slow walks and happy hops, and to snuggling up in my bed after a wonderful day of music, sunshine, food, studying, and meaningful conversations. =)

I really like my classes this semester, especially my European history class. The professor has a scholarly, gentle humor that makes me chuckle quietly to myself during lecture. There's so much reading to do, but I'm actually glad since I need to read more anyway. Beneath all the tedious dates and names and geographic places, history consists of a series of dynamic stories which converge into the most fascinating tale of all -- that of human triumphs and tragedies. I never used to appreciate history before, but now I do! That's one of the best parts of college life: learning to appreciate different fields of study. =)