Or a more appropriate title would be ‘the memo book’. I just came across the only one I kept back in my school days. That’s some six years ago! Seems longer than that though. I don’t know where half the people who have written in it are right now. Some are married, so literally no contact at all! The rest is, well, around!

Somehow now it does not matter. I mean you can’t possibly keep in touch with everyone! But still, it was nice to read those little words. Really touching in a way, to remember those people. At one time in your life, they meant so much. Like, my best-friend back then (now she is married, with a kid) wrote:

‘…I won’t miss to kiss this beautiful miss…’

It sounds so utterly ridiculous but wow, the memories of such times gone by are amazing.

I think after all, that’s the purpose of a memo book. To remember. And it is important to remember.

Lately my fashion sense has been aiming for skirts! I always had them in my wardrobe, but just ordinary ones which I would wear just occasionally. The trend was more set on those little princess dresses, jeans, pants and long tops. Now I want skirts! Long flowing ones. A-lines. Wrapped.

I have given so many of my clothes away during the past two months that I even have one shelf free. Out with the jeans. I don’t like wearing them anymore!!! I don’t even know why. But i have kept some that I used to like. The outdated turidars were second to go! Duh! I couldn’t stand the sight of them anymore!!! Much to my mum’s chagrin, I must say.

Anyway, now, my wish is to fill that empty shelf with new skirts! and matching or clashing tops! Skirts are so feminine! Imagine a long flowing one with high heels! *Ewww*

And it is a great feeling, to change wardrobe!

I’ve come by a song by Martina McBride: Concrete Angel.

It is so poignant. It shows how child abuse is sometimes ignored, or how it can just get out of hand.

In Mauritius, despite having many laws for the protection of children, some are still mistreated and beaten. Right now, one case comes to mind. The father who killed his baby because the latter was crying. This is very sad indeed.

So anytime you witness any such thing, do not hesitate to stand up for these children. Be a voice for them. Protect them. I know many organisations out there stress on this but it can never be said enough!

Stop Child Abuse!

She walks to school with the lunch she packed
Nobody knows what she’s holding back
Wearing the same dress she wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with the linen and lace, oh

The teacher wonders but she doesn’t ask
It’s hard to see the pain behind the mask
Bearing the burden of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was never born

Through the wind and the rain she stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can’t rise above
But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place

Where she’s loved

concrete angel

Somebody cries in the middle of the night
The neighbors hear but they turn out the light
A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate
When morning comes it will be too late

Through the wind and the rain she stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can’t rise above
But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place
Where she’s loved

concrete angel

A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot

Through the wind and the rain she stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can’t rise above
But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place
Where she’s loved

concrete angel

No, I am not here to criticise this new branding. It has got its fair share of bashing already.

Thing is I am just fed up with all the critics, the jokes and the way people, including myself, keep using it ironically. I have made it a point to stop. Cause, finally, ain’t we just making fun of something that is supposed to be representing our country?

‘Mauritius, C’est Un Plaisir’ has been called weak, bland and even ridiculous as branding. But what now?

Either we finally accept it, try to make it sound better,try to put the meaning that it is obviously lacking behind it…or the branding must be changed, which I doubt will happen anytime soon. We are talking about millions spent on this thing.

On a personal note, I would opt for my first suggestion. Let’s give meaning to what seems to be a meaningless phrase. Impossible task, you say? The Tourism Minister said there was more to it than just this slogan:

“Par ailleurs, dit Xavier Duval, ” c’est un plaisir ” est ” multifaceted ” dans le sens qu’à un niveau simple, c’est une expression de service ” that comes at the end of having given or done something “. C’est un sentiment de plaisir que ressentent investisseurs et visiteurs dans leurs contacts avec Maurice et les Mauriciens ” either through a call centre or in a hotel or shop or to deal with professionals in our offshore sector “.”
Extracts from :
http://lemauricien.com/mauricien/091028/po.htm#1

So let’s just stop with the sarcasm and give it time. Maybe it will work out in the end.

Spare my lungs. This is my prayer every time I have the misfortune, which is quite often, to have a UBS bus in front of me in traffic, or to have them pass me when I am on the streets.

Ok, factors contributing to air pollution are many but these buses make you think that they contribute to 90% of air pollution in Port-Louis. They give off a constant thick putrid black smoke! and they go at such a slow pace! It is so horrible! That is why driving behind them is such a pain. I have to roll up the windows. I who enjoy driving with them down!

On a more serious tone, I believe that those buses need to be removed from traffic! Seriously! Nearly all UBS buses are the same! And also, either they end up being on fire right on the motorway or they break down in the middle of nowhere! So unreliable!

Don’t these buses go through some fitness check-up? where are those people from ‘police de l’environment’?

I really don’t understand why some people always compare Mauritius and other countries when they want to illustrate why a certain change must occur in Mauritius. Ok, granted that we must follow good examples and do the necessary to bring positive changes where we can. Specially in this fast moving world.

But what I don’t get is that why when a certain something is being done in Europe, America or Australia, for some people, it automatically means it will be good for us Mauritians. In these people’s opinions, absolutely everything must be done to follow in those ‘advanced’ countries’ steps, foregoing the difference of cultures and mindsets of the citizens. Within Mauritius itself, the differences are great, even if we have learnt to accept them, in most cases.

Caution must be exerted when dealing in such situations. Mauritians are still very attached to their cultures. And I don’t believe they will let go that soon.

Before even thinking of introducing any kind of change, I think it will be safer for the authorities or the change ‘bringer’ to do a feasibility study and check the state of mind of the people before taking a decision. And also, it will help in coming up with the best way to bring about the required change.

Well, many people disagree with me already. I, for one, am saying this only because Mauritius is a special case, as it always is.

Mauritius, C’est un plaisir…

In most big things we set out to do, we have in our mind that we are going to do our best and reach the goal. We give our heart and soul. All is good if everything goes as planned.

But what if doing your best just is not enough? and you try and try and try to figure out what is missing but you can’t find it? what if you think you need just that one piece of the puzzle but it is lost? what if you don’t know what the next step is? what if you keep changing stuffs so as to find a way out but you are just turning around? what if you keep fighting to maintain a positive attitude but in vain?

What do you do? Give up? Let some time pass and try again?

Just pray…and keep on doing the best you can…

Sometimes the truth stares right at me and I refuse to acknowledge it….

Sometimes the truth plays hide and seek when I need it the most…

Sometimes the truth just is not there when I am lost…

Sometimes the truth relieves me when I am in pain….

Sometimes the truth changes color when I don’t know what it means…

Sometimes the truth is sweet and I smile…

Sometimes the truth is bitter and I cry…

Truth for me may have all these sometimes…but Always, always, always give me nothing but the truth…

Hmm no, I am not going to write about romance. Actually I’m having some lemon juice and it’s quite bitter. So no, romance is not on my mind right now.

Thing is I have just come across one of those books in my drawer. I got that as a gift back when I was in f5. Yeah quite some years have gone by. Well, seeing that book reminds me of how much I loved to read the series back then. I would go to the Municipal library every two days or right before my tuitions just to get those books. And I had my brother’s library card too. So in a week I was reading an average of 6 Mills and Boons books. And loving it.

But seeing that book tonight also reminds me of how much I despise the series now. Don’t get me wrong. I still like romance stories but those Mills and Boons series really give a too-good- to-be true view on romantic relationships. So much so I even think it is twisted!! And my, nearly all the stories resemble each other. Like one writer takes another one’s book and tries to improve the story in another setting but which eventually ends up just the same. ‘I love you. I love you too.’ Duh!

One can argue that you can read the book just to enjoy the story. Believe me, you can’t. You can’t read those books objectively. Or in a mature way. Little by little, you’ll get *influenced* and build a certain rosy image of what a romantic relationship should be like. You have *Expectations*. And when things don’t turn out the way you expect them to, you end up feeling disappointed.

So I am totally advising people not to read those Mills and Boons books. Don’t even try one. It is addictive. It’ll grow on you. Really. It is not worth it.

The Talia Tanga have been specially designed to fit your G-Strings. Their silky soft and ultra thin cover becomes one with your underwear, ensuring maximum discretion. So start your day feeling clean, fresh and confident with Talia Tanga!

That’s how the ad is for this new type of sanitary pads. Really, I didn’t know this stuff existed! Way to go uh!

PS: I think it is hard to feel confident with those! *-*