I was surfing Wired.com when I came across an article so intriguing and inspiring, I found myself googling and wikipedia-ing articles on autism. (This topic isn't new on my search engine, I just found the urge to re-equip myself with information on it.)

Click here to read The Truth About Autism: Scientists Reconsider What They Think They Know, a feature on Amanda Baggs, who has provided insights into her world and her way of communicating - something she refers to as her "native language" - via a video solely produced by herself.

As I watched her video, I felt a mixture of emotions. Her eerie hum gave me the creeps. Yet, I watched with fascination as she explained her "conversation" with her surroundings. And awe that, as her finger swirled beneath running water, it made no sense to me but complete sense to her.

However, she clarifies on her blog that some parts of the interview were skewed, even managing a little (humourous) sarcasm here and there. I love her writing. It's so powerful, it stops me in my tracks, and starts trains of thoughts in my head. Sometimes, I even forget she's autistic.

I highly recommend you guys to read it. I discovered a whole new perspective. That autism isn't something not 'normal', but just a different way the human brain works.

Below is an extract from her blog, which left me thinking alot.

I know it sounds strange, but I could deal with the concept of extinction of the human race a lot better if I knew the cats were going to take over. I know that’s unlikely to happen — anything that would affect humans so drastically would affect other species as well — but if cats survive it seems less depressing.

As most of you might know, I did a short but interesting internship at Nuffnang last year. It was tons of fun meeting bloggers and advertisers, organising events and helping myself shamelessly to freebies whenever I can. This is why I'm still helping Ming out here and there after about 5 months since my internship ended.

Anyway, recently we had an addition to our new family. Meet Scott, our new intern!



OK you can't really see his face because he was busy getting bitten by Estee's shark.

Anyway, Scott's pretty cool, easy to work with and fun! Haha yeah my first day working with him and we're already having fun in infested waters. Whatever.

So Ming introduced Scott to the rest of the staff over in Malaysia via email, so listen to what they have to say about him.

Boss Stewie: Welcome Scotty!

Skyler: Please don't call him Scotty -____-

Tim: You do realise Ming forgot to include Scott in the email

Lee Meng: Created new email account for new intern!

Su Ann: hello scotty! beam me up!

Michelle: Eloo Scotty!!!! Attach your photo!!! HHAHAHAHA show us what you look like!!

Nicholas: Welcome to Nuffnang. P/S: FYI Skyler is cute.

Firdauz: Hi Scott the one and only

Wenqi: HMPH!!!! why was i not cc-ed in this lil convo?!?!!? I anger now..


HAHA. Don't you just love all the Nuffnang staff??!?

One day while I teaching my tuition kid how to write a summary for a long passage, I found him staring at me curiously the whole time.

"Try to omit fanciful adjectives and phrases...[STARE]...Remember to answer the question as you summarize...[STARE]...Use conjunctions to make your sentences short but fluent...[STARE]"

Then he started offering me food. Mentos. Maltesers. Lollipop with a greasy wrapper. When I refused, he protested vehemently. And he started narrating this story about how his previous tuition teacher fainted in their toilet because she didn't eat before coming and she was REALLY hungry.

OK, stop right there, I said. What has all this gotta do with me?

"Cher, you must be really hungry. You're eating your NAILS!!"

I think it takes guts to admit some things.

There are two types of people: People who recognize their goals and ambitions, and work towards them; and people who are contented with just dreaming big.

I can't say which person I am, because I've noticed that I shift from one ideal type to the next throughout the cycle of my life. They're triggered by huge transitions, changes that usually make me upset and determined to change who I am.

A few months ago I was at the highest point of that curve. I needed a fresh start. I needed to take control of my life, which I felt was going limp. I was passionate about school, got to know a great bunch of people, and dated someone new. I was really busy, but everything was in order. I don't know how I managed, but I did. And it was great.

The irony now, is now that I have my life under 'control', I feel it slipping away again. It's exhausting to maintain things when they're all up there. At such a stage, I can't help but feel I've lost my zest and sense of direction. And I have no will to recover, since well, the world still revolves without me, right?

So. My mind has been screaming for me to seize control again. I've had a couple of failed attempts, but I'll continue trying to get myself out of this dreamy state.

When people ask me how I spent my Valentine's each year, I give them my standard reply:

"I'm a Marxist."

Each time February 14 falls, I go around telling everyone how commercialised it has become, and how Capitalists infiltrate our ignorant minds with images of bouquets and expensive chocolates. And I do the whole "I don't like flowers" thing.

So. I haven't been spending the occasion for 3 years now. And it's getting a little boring. Or maybe the propaganda worked.

Either way, I just want to announce that for the record, I can't resist lilies.

I've taken care of my intoxicated friends so many times that I've realised people have pet phrases when they are in a drunken stupor.

Last night, I learnt that my friend, E's pet phrase is "Betcha didn't know that!!!"

Me wearing Dad's fishing hat; Adora and I; the woman who makes wonderful porridge; complete portrait of cousins; my narcissist sister

When I ask people how many kids they would like to have in the future, I usually get these answers:

"Enough to form one football team" or
"Enough to form one basketball team, with reserve players"

I've got my perfect answer ready when I get asked that question:
"Enough to form a table of skilled Mahjong players"

It spells "same old".

The traditions that we embrace in our home year after year:

The string of Chinese lanterns lining both our neighbour's and our corridors. Dashing to buy new clothes two days before new year. Mum screaming at us to clean up our rooms. Peeling the dried skin off the buds of the pussy willow. Attacking the CNY goodies even before it's come, and feeling no guilt because it's the Chinese New Year.

I can't stop biting my nails!!


Argh.