What's done is done

Treated my parents to their first Shakespeare in the Park experience where the Singapore Repertory Theatre was putting up a "modernised" Macbeth at Fort Canning. Overall play was well-paced and performed though some of the contemporary touches fell short, e.g. Macbeth using a gun (ok) but a mobile phone camera? Seriously.

The play took me back to my English class stint in Canada as a rather over-the-top Lady Macbeth.... and I just realised the OAC Grade 13 was phased out in 2005! In remembrance, here's quotes from Shakespeare's most tragic drama queen:

Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it.

Screw your courage to the sticking place.

Nought's had, all's spent
Where our desire is got without content.
'Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than, by destruction, dwell in doubtful joy.

Out, damned spot! Out, I say!

What's done is done.

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

(For you smart alecks, yes, the last one was said by Macbeth)

Trust His heart

All things work for our good
Though sometimes we don't see how they could
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth
Our Father knows what best for us
His ways are not our own
So when your pathway grows dim
And you just don't see Him
Remember you're never alone

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart

He sees the master plan
And He holds our future in His hand
So don't live as those who have no hope
All our hope is found in Him
We see the present clearly
But He sees the first and the last
And like a tapestry
He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him

He alone is faithful and true
He alone knows what is best for you

Asian aging

Haha, so tongue in cheek but true! (Click on original post to view)

My father died for Pakistan

Shehrbano Taseer, a fellow Smith alumna, wrote this New York Times op-ed in memory of her father, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, who was assassinated on January 4, 2011. Excerpt below.

My father believed that the strict blasphemy laws instituted by General Zia have been frequently misused and ought to be changed. His views were widely misrepresented to give the false impression that he had spoken against Prophet Mohammad. This was untrue, and a criminal abdication of responsibility by his critics, who must now think about what they have caused to happen. According to the authorities, my father’s stand on the blasphemy law was what drove Mr. Qadri to kill him.

There are those who say my father’s death was the final nail in the coffin for a tolerant Pakistan. That Pakistan’s liberal voices will now be silenced. But we buried a heroic man, not the courage he inspired in others....