The Color Purple - Alice Walker

An epistolary novel which consists of the main character Celie writing letters to God and later, correspondence between her and her sister, Nettie.
The book was an interesting enough read but probably nothing mind-blowing. Celie was raped by a man she thought was her father, and eventually gave birth to two children whom she gave away. She was forced to marry an older man who was in love with Nettie and so began her life of abuse and unhappiness. Celie never found her self-worth because the men in her life never saw any of her goodness that was hidden by a plain face. Then waltzed Shug Avery, a beautiful singer, and her husband's ex-lover, into her life. In Shug, she finally found her strength and beauty, and left her husband to build a life in Memphis with Shug (after finding out that her husband had hid all the letters from Nettie from her). We saw how Celie was transformed from someone who felt she was not worthy of anyone or anything to someone who was sure of her place in the world. I guess that's how love can change someone, lends strength to someone, help someone realise their self-worth. In a twist of fate, Nettie ended up living as a missionary in Africa with Celie's children, who were adopted by a local pastor. Nettie wrote Celie letters for decades, never giving up even though she had not received a single reply from Celie. At one point, Celie thought Nettie had perished after receiving a telegram that the ship she was travelling had sunk. The family was however, finally reunited at their old family home and when both sisters had greyed. 

This is the first book I had read in months. I guess with no more classes, I will have more time for books. What to read though...

You made your choice and your pushing to see it through, means your heart is following where it wants it to go. The bells will ring, the voices will sing, and a new chapter will begin. There is no need to hold on to hope, hiding behind the childish games, feigning ignorance, denying the truth that is in your face. It's the end of the story and we have milked it for what it's worth.

We are afraid to deal with alone-ness
why?

Greek Food

my mind has been pre-occupied with greek salad and hummus and pita bread.....the hummus+pita bread at Moosehead are seriously excellent. After having the greek salad (Horiatiki) at Blu Kouzina, I am just blown away by how tasty a simple dish like this could be. These dishes are simple to re-create at home, just that block feta might be hard to get in Singapore.

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a54226/best-greek-salad-recipe/
https://www.inspiredtaste.net/15938/easy-and-smooth-hummus-recipe/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/traditional-greek-pita-bread/

Even JAMA approves... yeay!
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2679958

The Heart and the Bottle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj5lSmhUhhM

A beautifully written children's book but I wonder if children would appreciate or understand its meaning or maybe it's the adults who wouldn't understand.

I think it becomes harder to face your emotions and take the time to understand them as you age. Sometimes we sweep things under the carpet because we just can't deal.
How many times have we said it's ok, it doesn't matter, I don't care, when in fact it does.
How many times have we neglected to sit down and examine things, the root of the matter, and chose to busy ourselves with other more "important" things. We busy ourselves to forget, to brush things off to the side.
How many times have we chosen to hide our deepest feelings, sorrows, because we do not want to be seen as weak, as emotional? Why is it so hard to talk about these things? Why is it so hard to be vulnerable?

and i feel you slipping away
into a life where i'll not be a part of.