Jan 27, 2012

Now And Then

It had been quite awhile I didn't go to the beach. As I'm now in a short break, this afternoon after lunch, I headed there and breathed the sea air once again. It's still monsoon season here when we get plenty of rain and windy weather so the sea is quite furious, rolling in waves. I enjoyed watching the waves coming and going, bringing along the sands and back again releasing them on the shore. The weather wasn't really fine; for awhile, it was drizzling. I wasn't worried about it as I was safe under the shed. It was really amazing being able to appreciate the breath-taking beauty and gazing far at the horizon which to me is mystifying knowing not what lies at the other side.  It's just my fantasy.

My mind flashed back to what I used to do when I was a little girl.  My late father was working at the water pump station quite near to this beach. But the station no longer exists as there is now a bigger and well-equipped station further from the old site. The place where it used to be has been made into a big golf course, acres of it.

My siblings and I used to play on the beach. Like any other kids, we had lots of fun and every day seemed a day filled with joy and freedom to soak up the sun or taking a dip in the sea. While our parents would be near by watching us. Sometimes, my father put out the fishing net and when pulling it in a couple of hours later, we could enjoy our meal of roasted fresh fish. Such was a great time, running around with no worries on mind. It was only during school holidays we could have all the fun. When school re-opened, we had to be back home in the village to be near to school.

Childhood memories, once in awhile they come back and thinking of them makes me smile.

 The three photos here were taken by me and they
appeared in my old posts. This one was taken in the evening.
This is part of the beach where there are rocks.
Sunset at Tanjong Batu Beach, Bintulu.
The LNG tanker at Tanjong Kidurong deep sea port.
Today, the sea isn't as calm as this.
Watching the ripples on the shore, I just couldn't help admiring its beauty. The sounds of the waves seemed to be the music in an orchestra complementing each other and forming such a beautiful sound, one of its kind. All around, casuarina trees were dancing with the breeze, gently swaying and producing another unique sound, as if the breeze was whispering romantic words among the little leaves.

My mind was flying far away, across that blue sea which later crossed over to oceans. I had a beautiful thought and I just wanted to be lost in it, longing it to last forever. It was just a beautiful thought of how great to be able to fly, spreading my wings and gliding over the surface of the sea and oceans leaving behind my worries, my pain, my disappointment ..... which I wished making no return.

I was brought back to reality by the sounds of flipping pages of the novel I brought along. Yes, apart from wanting to see the beach again, I had wanted to have a tranquil moment enjoying the novel I had just bought at the mall. This morning, I bought 4 more books for my collections.
 They are :
 1. the Japanese thriller phenomenon, The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino.
 2. Girl, Missing by Sophie McKenzie.
 3. The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley.
 4. The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim.



I was reading the Japanese thriller up to the 40th page when two university students approached me for a short interview on what should be taken on forest conservation at the Similajau National Park here. No,  there wasn't any appointment whatsoever. The two of them were carrying out their research and just randomly interviewed anyone they met at the beach. As a nature lover, I was glad I played my part  by voicing out my opinions and suggestions on how best nature conservation could be carried out for the sake of future generations.

Back to books, I must say they are like the air that I breath; I need them everyday to keep me sane!  It might sound like an exaggeration if I say, I can't go through another day without books. And today, I bought 4 at once because I could buy at a discount price! Apart from that, I'm a member of the Popular book store and that gives me the advantage of buying books at 10% discount.The girl at the counter said it's the end-spring promotion. Well, may be that's the term used to clear the stock. I was thinking we don't have Spring but the usual tropical weather;  rain and shine through out the year though now in the monsoon, it rains almost everyday.

Today, I renewed my membership to enjoy another year of buying books at a discount rate.

Balqis
Jan26'12


**All images taken by yours truly. 

31 comments:

  1. Hey Balqis,
    I love the smell of the sea, and the way it sparkles as the sun light bounces on the water...So beautiful ^.^ In my country, Cyprus, has got so many beaches...lovely post.

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    1. Hi Dana! Your expression is so beautiful. I could feel it. :)

      I always love the sea. Its beauty is captivating. Nice to know, there are many beaches in Cyprus. Surely, you have a great time there.

      Thank you for your comment. :)

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  2. Holy moly! It's an ideal vacation. As I read this post, I start imagining how it would be. You have great tastes or perhaps it's because I dream of similar holidays. Reading books close to nature is a very rejuvenating experience.

    The reminiscence of your childhood days are so sweet. I feel pleasant after reading this.

    Enjoy!

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    1. Hi Sui! How nice if you could spend the time at the beach. I always love it. You know, sometimes I just want to relax at the beach watching nature's beauty all around me or reading a book. It's great!

      Childhood memories will always come back. I treasure it. Thank you, Sui. :)

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  3. this is the first time i read your writing besides those poetic lines. very well done. thanks for sharing. and oh those pictures are breathtaking indeed. i knew it, Sarawak is well known with the beauty of its nature :)

    it is good to reminisce our childhood moments, and somehow everything becomes sweet and it always end up with a smile.

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    1. Hi Inspector! I understand it's your first time reading my writing. Actually, at the initial stage of blogging, I wrote more on what I went through. That's the reason why I named this blog "Part And Parcel Of life..." As time goes by, I'm more on poetry but what I write are also related to life. The difference is only in the way I write it. You can check some of my old posts.

      Thinking of childhood memories, indeed it brings smiles. Thank you for being here. :)

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    2. oh really ? i guess i have to find some suitable time to stalk your previous posts :)

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  4. Hi Balqis, thanks for sharing beautiful pictures and the beauty beyond those pictures. I was thinking,is Sarawak far from KL? Maybe if I only knew that place before I got chance to visit your beautiful place over there, hope I can "again" .:)

    Bringing back old memories that are part of happy moments with our loved ones was really relaxing, especially if you are in that beautiful place. I love reading this post, thank you so much Balqis, :) Wonderful day to you! :)

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    1. You're welcome, Ros. Sarawak isn't really far. It only takes 2 hours flight from KL. Actually, Sarawak is not too far from Philippines. You can check it out in the map. You're always welcome to Malaysia and to the state of Sarawak on Borneo island.

      Childhood memories are always sweet. Thank you for liking this post. :)

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  5. hi balqis, thought i landed at the wrong site.. wow, never seen you write such a long post before..usually its only about 4-6 very short poetic lines. ha ha.
    i love the sea and the wind chimes and i also like reading books, but much less avid than you.
    good to know you had such great childhood days.
    have a nice day

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    1. Hi Wan! You've landed safe and sound at the right place. Hehehe...I was telling one of my friends that I used to write posts at the beginning of blogging. Only lately, I'm more into poetry. It's obvious if you check my old posts. Sometimes, I feel like writing more lines than the usual 4-6 lines of poetry. And I did it for this post. Taking a break just awhile from my poetic mood. Knowing me, pretty soon I'll be back again to Haiku and the sort.:)

      Thanks for coming. :)

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  6. Just like my immersion on Siberia. :)
    From which book you took the text?
    Still having problems to comment. Could you go back to the pop-up?
    I have already reported go Blogger but you know they don't care.

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    1. Hi Ana! What text is it?

      Sorry about the problem. As this is a new threaded comment, may be it's not that smooth yet. Looks like in a trial period. This one easier to personalized comments. :)

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  7. I'll take a picture of what happens.

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  8. wow Balqis..this is the best way to relax and be far from the bustles and hustles of life..just being close with nature relaxes our minds and gives us peace..oh I bet you have packed with you many haiku poems after your vacation hehehe..passing by ;)

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    1. Indeed it is, Sie. Nope, I'm not packed with Haiku. Actually, my mind is now very free from it. :)

      Now, what do you have for me at your blog? New post! "blink"blink" Will be there.

      Thank you for passing by. :)

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    2. *waving at Sie*
      hmmmm..i can't post below so..*blink blink* i have to stay here beside you *wide grin*

      hey Baker bee! I love beaches too! I talk to the waves and I listen to them as well. Hmmmmmm...i used to hang with my friends at night at cottages in the beach, and my favorite part is the star-gazing while we are lying on the shore and you can only see the twinkle twinkle little stars in the dark sky--have you tried that huh? huh?

      and..and..my hon and i will be having a beach date too! hmp! and..beach wedding *giggles*

      oh! i almost forgot!--i have a note for you at Dana's site, seen it? *chuckling*

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    3. You can't post comments? Oh!What happened? Glad to know you love beaches, the best place to be at any time and doing all sort of wonderful things. How nice to hear what you and your hon plan to do. Wonderful! :)

      Thank you for your note at Dana's site. Got it. *chuckle*. Nvm, I can be the young grandma to your kids-to-be. *Smiles*

      Oh..thank you! :)

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  9. While going through this post, even i was also lost in my childhood, landing back in those moments, which has now been wrapped under the name of "MEMORIES"! Here, at my place, i use to go by the river MAHANADI,and my father use to explain me how constructions and irrigation work is done by the river side!
    One thing, i heartily want to point out is that,the explanation of breeze with leaves, which u have done in the para just below the first three pics was awesome! This imagination of breeze, whispering romantic words among leaves was very adorable! :)
    This is a very beautiful post Balqis! :) Keep sharing! :) Lots of love! :)

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    1. Childhood memories are always sweet.Thanks a lot for sharing yours. Let's keep them glowing in our hearts! :)

      Thank you so much for your words of appreciation. It means a lot to me. Lots of love for you. :))

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  10. I live near the ocean---it's so beautiful and powerful1 I especially like to watch the storms roll in. You have a very nice blog here and the pictures are gorgeous. thanks for sharing!

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    1. I love watching the waves and listening to the sound of the sea. Really amazing!

      Thank you for your sweet comments. You're always welcome! :)

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  11. Hello Balqis. Happy Saturday!
    There's something so serene & calming about just looking out to sea, the vastness of the ocean, the beauty of the horizon, the sound of the waves against the rocks...just reminds me of the greatness of the Almighty's Hand. Sadly, life is not always this calm.
    Thanks for the wonderful trip down nostalgia lane.

    Today, I'm also celebrating...it's my 1st Blogoversary! To show my gratitude & appreciation for your loyalty, I have a special gift for you. I hope you will honor me by accepting it. Please come to my blog to see.

    Wishing you a very happy weekend, my dear friend!

    Special Celebration (Part.2):It's My Blogoversary!

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    1. Hello Andy! Happy weekend to you, too! I agree with you. The serenity and calmness of the sea are simply wonderful. Yup, life isn't always calm but that's how it is. :)

      Congratulations on your 1st Blogosversary! Wishing you the best in days to come! What's the surprise you have for me? Will visit you. Thanks in advance. :)

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  12. Beautiful pictures, especially the sunset. The beach is my favorite place (one in particular but all beaches are cool too lol). Cool blog! :)

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    1. Hi Saujana! Welcome to my blog! Thank you so much for your beautiful words. I'm happy! :)

      I always love nature and the beach is one of my favourite spots. Yours, too. :)

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  13. One of my favorite is to go to the beach every time I have a free time. I feel relax and it refresh my mind and body, just sat down in the seashore and all the good memories brought back by simply listening the tunes created by the waves, it is awesome... I love all the snaps u shared...

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    1. It's really relaxing sitting on the beach and listening to the waves. You have a cool way of spending your free time. Thank you for liking the pics. :)

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