Week 3: Saturated/Unsaturated

Saturated (left: Sarah)

When I think of saturated I think of the maximum, the full capacity, the most vibrant hue or the most intense feeling:

Dear Jinu,

I clearly remember the day when your eyes met mine, caught in a moment of recognition - you knew that I was your mother, your 'everything' at that point.

I remember feeling a moment of overwhelming tenderness then too, knowing that you were my son, and MY everything from that point forward.

I can recall when you first rolled over from tummy to back - you stared up at the ceiling with wide-eyed disbelief - a stunned starfish basking in the claps! and hoorahs! and general delight of your audience.

I remember your belly crawl, and your Casanova stance.

I remember your first steps, wobbly and unsure, to your 'I've had one too many bottles' swagger.

I remember the first time you got to run around the park. You were covered in dried grass and leaves and squealed with glee at the balls flying past and the puppies that stopped to sniff your hands.

I remember the feeling of horror the first time I saw a goose egg rise up from your beautiful face, and the many subsequent bumps and bruises.

Now, here you are - from teeny helpless baby to my rough and tumble toddler in just a mere 15 months.

Time is relentless, and these moments, unless you manage to capture them - go, go and are gone...

Thankfully some things are not at all brief and fleeting, and as the big hand points to 12 and the little hand to 1, on Thursday March the 25th, I couldn't be any heavier, and fuller, any more saturated with love.

xo Mommy

Unsaturated (right: Mary)

Tomorrow, Saturday, March 27th at 8:30 p.m local time, the annual Earth Hour event will take place all over the world. Taking the colour out of your walls by turning off your lights is such a simple act to stand up against climate change and promote a sustainable future.

Watching some of the world's most famous landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the CN Tower shut off their lights is quite profound and it sends such a powerful message: we care!

Let your voice be heard tomorrow.

Desaturate your homes and turn off your lights.

Week 2: Open/Close

Open (left: Mary)

Oh, to be open, wide open... how wonderful it sounds, yet, how difficult it can be. I tend to be very open when it comes to new places, friendships, experiences. I'll try (almost) anything if the opportunity presents itself.

But when it comes to creative or artistic endeavours, it's another story entirely. Insecurities play such a large role in how willing (or unwilling) I am to open myself up. I want to change though. I like this little fern, slowly unfurling, and I'm trying to follow suit.

How is it people come to a place where they are comfortable expressing themselves openly, or putting what they’ve expressed out there for all to see? How do you do it? I'd love to know!

Closed (right: Sarah)

How many doors could a closed mind close, if a closed mind could close doors???

You know that old saying, ‘when one door closes, another one opens.’?

Well what if your door is permanently closed? I mean, isn’t there a door to your mind? Maybe yours is flung wide open? Or perhaps a screen door, a filter? How about a French door- shut, but with enough windows to let the outside in? Or, perhaps yours is open just a crack, with a hint of light peeking through???

Then there are those doors that are closed completely, no light, no keyhole, dead bolted and rusty. Those doors that leave people outside in the rain, pounding on the frame – “let me in!”, “open up!”, "have you found Jesus?", "I'll huff and I'll puff..."

I just wonder how many opportunities or chances, relationships or explanations people miss out on because they choose not to see or hear them.

I've always tried to keep an open mind, to be receptive and to allow myself to be challenged.

How is the gateway to your mind? Open? Closed? Somewhere in between?

Week 1: Arrival/Departure

Arrival (left: Mary)

As I sit here on the 11^th floor of my hostel and peer out at the city lights, reflecting on arrivals fits perfectly. In addition to having just arrived in Singapore, I have also arrived at the end of an accomplishment.

My time in Korea taught me that I am capable of doing anything I put my mind to and work hard for. Through moments of inspiration, desperation, wonder, craze, and awe, I found a new part of myself. I am looking forward to five months from now when I will have arrived at the end of another accomplishment and perhaps found a little bit more.

So, here's to arriving and singing your heart out when you do.

Departure (right: Sarah)

On any other week (and at many points in my life) I have been able to look at departures in a positive and even exciting light - a new adventure, something out of character, or a break from the norm. But today, just a few days after my brother and best friend left Korea, I can't help but view departure as a void, a place where something or someone used to be, an empty vessel, an empty space...

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to photograph a long deserted film set... as I looked back through the pictures I felt a spark of emotion with this one - a sense of loneliness, or of something left behind.

So instead of a literal photograph, I'm going on feeling this week.

What do you think about when you hear the words arrival and departure? What do they mean to you? Please share your thoughts in our comments. We would love to hear what you all have to say.