Friday, March 18, 2011

A time for Japan...


I have never been into your arms Japan,
But across the seas that separate us, I feel your warmth and comfort.
From the view of your alleys lined up with the cherry blossom trees,
To your picturesque shores, hills and valleys.
I only get to see your beauty on TV shows and free calendars,
But time is yet to allow us to be together.

I admire you from a far my dear Japan,
Wished I could be there to breathe your air,
Swim the pools of your cozy water,
And taste the authenticity of your culture.
You inspired me to express love and sadness in Haiku,
And somehow taught me to bow when I say thank you.

Your grief may last for years Japan,
But in my mind I will only see a beauty so everlasting.
My heart grieves for you, just like a child to a weeping mother.
I yearn to hold your hand while your tears wash away your trauma.
Though the miles keep us apart, I will send you prayers,
And light a candle through your darkest hours.
Rise again Japan, rise.
For out of the storm is always the sun.

Friday, March 4, 2011

L'anniversaire de l'amour

I just love anniversaries! Don't you?

The memories of love and life together of a couple, who through the years have prevailed and withstand the tests of time... just makes me fall in love over and over again :-)

Well, my sweet readers, today me and the handsome mister will be attending a 10th year wedding anniversary celebration of a new found friend (at least for me) the Mrs. is my new found friend =)



During Alphie's 2nd birthday celebration last year, I met this lovely woman, who had become a friend and a fan (to my creations) and so today, I will come out of my shell and attend their party. I usually am very shy and uncertain going to parties but today, I feel I should go out there and mingle *wink, wink*

As I do not have an oven to bake them some yummy cake, I have decided to make the a card instead... =)



I hope they like it as much as I liked putting it together. It was such bliss, although I didn't have much time to design.

So folks, I leave you with one wish before I end this post... that may your anniversaries and celebrations be filled with joy and love, and be stronger as the years pass.

Love more!

Jacelyn Darelam

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Wisdom

As I celebrate becoming 32, I recollect and reflect on the things that brought me peace and taught me wisdom from the past year.


The year that was was a struggle for me; to remain still, to listen, to wait, and most of all to love in the most unconditional and simplest way. But then again time tested my wisdom, and without faith we lose our wisdom, hence we lose our peace and joy.



I always ask this question, where does wisdom really come from? Is it from the experiences? From the older loved ones and people around us? Or is it from deep within? Last year, I have made some decisions in fear of not being able to provide for my family, I failed to search for the wisdom, I failed to listen. What I thought was the right move, the right moment, took away my peace... and for the rest of the year I was always worried, tired and confused.

And so this year I am determined to listen and find wisdom and as much as I could to avoid making impulsive decisions.

I am not a very religious person nor do I have the habit of reading the Holy Bible, but on my birthday, I felt I need words of encouragement, divine words of encouragement. So, I picked up a book I bought for my self sometime in 2009, this book was by Joyce Meyer - "Hearing From God Each Morning" to somehow check if there is anything that would helo me answer my questions.

On my birthday the word for the day from Joyce's book was about "being open to hear a fresh word from God each day"... I am not so spritiual either but I can say that there are times when I needed to talk and complain to Him, he somehow answers me back... I dont realise that soon enough but I feel it after the dust has settled. Over the years, these answers come to me in a dreams or thru someone. or something that I would thought would be able to deliver His message.. and it's funny but in my mind I will say to myself, "okay I get that God, now I understand".

So this year, my ultimate goal is to always find and have wisdom in my heart and in my mind. To learn to listen and be still. In whatever I do, there must be wisdom in it, may it be crafting, writing or taking care of my family.

I know this year will also have its own set of struggles and tears, disappointments, laughter and happiness. But with wisdom, I know I will always have the right amount of peace and joy in my life.

I am just thankful.

Jacelyn Darelam

Julie & Julia et Writing!

Today morning, I saw this movie - Julie & Julia... I was fascinated how these two women were inspired to write. For Julia she wrote a cook book out of passion for food and cooking great food and to share the passion across cooks and women in America who may never be able to go to France and taste French cuisine, and women who don’t have much to spend for cooking lessons. And for Julie, a writer at heart who found the inspiration to pursue a dream, a calling... these two women inspired me today on my "B" day to look back on the day I began to write and how I fell in love with writing (and reading, and creating, and cooking!), and reflected on what inspires me to write and to pursue a dream.

What drives me to continue to write penned letters despite of my ugly handwriting, and to continue writing and sharing on this little blog in the little corner of the web... to share and learn and maybe somehow, in return... inspire someone out there to write and dream and pursue and prevail!



But first, I want to ask you this question my sweet readers (whoever you are, if there is any out there)...

How do you write?
A poem? A letter... or lyrics to music? A prose, a novel or even a blog?
What inspires you to pick up that pen or open you word office tool in your pc and start typing?

As for me, a little history on my writing... I started to write when I was in grade school, yeah you might say I first learnt to write my name... sure that counts! But really wrote something creative and out of inspiration began when I was in fourth grade. I wrote a letter to my mom, as she used to always travel for work, I used to write to her or make a card for her... while I was writing on her birthday card, I noticed that the words just seem to rhyme... and that is when I discovered, I can write poems and love writing poems!

We had a small library at the public school I went to and every week I would volunteer to help clean or stack the books at that library so i could get free hours reading poems and nursery rhymes and short stories and literature. I continued writing letters to my mom, to my friends from the many different schools I went to and to my cousins. The prose, the verses I read inspired me to write and write and write.

In high school, I joined the school paper "The Clarinet". I was in my first year, I focused more on writing poems, our English teacher introduced us to writing “Haiku” and I was addicted! I continued to write in college, for a college paper I was in the creative and features section. My dad, gave me his typewriter so I could have more time to write my short stories and poems... until slowly withou going unnoticed... the computer age came.

No more typewriters or penned letters, the internet age has taken over the missives we used to send via the snail mail... there came the sms or text messaging... and admittedly, i did stopped sending penned letters and I have neglected writing for a time... I was so busy with my work, with some other things in my life and forgot about that passion. But I never lost the habit of keeping a journal... yes despite all that techno influence, I still write from time to time in my dusty old journal... kept underneath the bed or at the bottom of my closet. I may have forgotten about writing but I didnt lose that passion.

I may not be as dedicated as Julie or Julia, but I can proudly say... I still write and able to... and promise to never lose that passion and make time to write... either a short note to my Mister or in my journal dedicated to my daughters. I will write.

So I encourage you sweet reader, whatever it is you want to pen down... do it. Whatever method. Whatever style.

And oh, it's fun to write with a good cup of coffee and a slice of cake!

I wish Julie is here, I would love to taste that delicious beef bourguignon =)

I also love to cook for my mister, but that's something to write for another day...

Happy writing!

jacelyndarelam
03 Mar 2011

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Oh hello March, we are 32!



oh hello March, you have come!
You brought me flowers, cakes and balloons.
Summertime is your season just like spring, we hop and dance and flutter our wings.
All month long we will celebrate, although I will be spending days and nights with the solitary moon.
Your soft breeze will hum along while I strum with my constant companion,
And labor with me while I sew them buttons.

oh hello March, you have come again.
I welcome your wishes and the rain now and then,
While I spend rainy days pouring thoughts on my tea cup and brewing coffee like creative ideas.
We will wait for the Easter bunnies to come and bring us chocolates,
And for good news to come knocking on our doorstep.

oh hello March we are 32!
The year that was may be rough and old, but with faith we have seen it through.
Our journey together was bittersweet, but warm little hands hold me tight while on the ride.
And now, it's time tol cut ribbons and slice some cake, and start to sew our dreams, send out hand written notes and pretty packages.
We will take on our journey with small steps and continue to give thanks and find joy in the smallest of things.
So I toast to you and to the path ahead, but first let's blow the candles and breathe our 100 wishes!



jacelyndarelam

01Mar2011