Of Cigarettes, Ghosts, Whisperings and the Jinn

The old rusty chair stands solitary on the wide grassy lawn in front of our farmhouse. The melancholic wail of the night bird echoing in the distance like a haunting lullaby shatters the silence of this secluded tranquil setting. A cool gentle breeze caresses my weary face. I light a stick of L&M Blue, deeply inhaling the surging smoke inside me and puffing a lungful of contentment. The full moon is finally rising. The empty chair offers a perfect welcome to rest my tired and hurting limbs.

I flick the ash off the tip of my cigarette. I take a deep puff and gently blow out a smoke. The past days have been very exhausting. There is no way to avoid pain when you lose someone you dearly love. All of a sudden, life takes a different turn. It changes your world. It is already the third night since my mother was laid to rest. My aunt used to tell me stories of departed souls coming back at this time to bid farewell to loved ones. A whiff of a perfume, a flitting shadow or a sigh, usually imply their presence. I wait desperately for the signs as I gaze at the moon coming out behind the old trees casting eerie silhouettes of knurled limbs and outstretched arms. I take another puff haphazardly and flick the stub away. I lean on the chair and close my eyes. It seems like eternity…

As the swirling noxious smoke drifts away into thin air, I hear a faint whisper. So faint, like a light breath passing through my ear. I look around. The stillness of the night overpowers me. My heart starts to quiver. A few feet away from me stood a motionless gauzy outline of a tall slender figure in long black clothing. I squint my eyes to grasp a clear view of the mysterious entity. It looks human but pale and bald with ram like horns curled back inwards. A feeling of wonder strikes me. Who is it? Is it the enchanted spirit of the woods our farmhands tell us about? What does it want from me? Then slowly, it turns toward me and starts talking in garbled speech, not a single word I understand. It reaches into my ears like a faint whisper. And then again. I open my mouth to talk. But no words come out of my lips. I struggle to reach out. I want to shout. Just when I am about to sit up and stretch out my hand, it vanished.

The moon is now in its full glory. Bright but pale. I stand up and walk straight to the spot where the spirit entity appears. Nothing. Is it a dream? So I walk back towards the house. I pull another stick from the flip-top box and look for my lighter inside my pocket. It’s gone. I look back at the old chair and take a deep breath.

Probably the spirit wants me to quit smoking…

The 4 most important features in life

Not to be superficial, but we all know that looks are important in this world. Some people are famous based solely on their appearance. For us average Joes, appearance is vital for many reasons. First of all, the opposite sex judges us on our looks right off the bat. Before you can utter a witty opener, he/she has already sized you up and formed an opinion. Appearances are also important in the business world. A presentable and desirable individual stands a much better chance of closing a deal or of keeping the attention of someone relevant. We have come up with the four most desirable features on both men and women. Now, we obviously had to choose features that both sexes possess, so please don’t write in asking why boobs weren’t on the list!

Smile
A good smile can electrify a room. Throughout time, people have been either captivated or duped by a person with a good smile. If you are a fortunate individual who can flash a great set of teeth, then your life is probably much easier to live than someone who is afraid of smiling for fear of scaring small children. A smile can convey many things. You can show someone just how genuine and sincere you really are with a good smile.

Eyes
The eyes are very subjective things when it comes to appearances. Some people will think you have great peepers that shimmer and sparkle in the night, while others may just deem them to be average. Generally, blue-eyed people receive more compliments on their eyes than any other color group. The eyes can also demonstrate the amount of warmth you offer. Men and women with “deep” eyes are considered mesmerizing, while those with “cold” eyes are considered scary.

Hands
Clean hands are something that many people look for during a first impression. Those with clean fingernails and well-groomed cuticles are instantly considered more desirable than a person with greasy fingers and dirty nails. As you use your hands to gesture during speech, they are important tools in grabbing the attention of another party. Furthermore, don’t underestimate the importance of the handshake. Some even judge man on his ability to deliver a good handshake.

Waist
Like it or not, the size of your waist is a factor in your everyday life, especially with the opposite sex. Keeping yourself in good shape shows that you take pride in your appearance. Certain professions can be made or broken by appearance. A fit person will always have the advantage over someone who is a little long in the waistband. Why? Well if you are in great shape, you give off the impression that you have more energy and are more self-confident.

And so…
While it’s impossible to change certain things about yourself, never take your appearance for granted. Looking after yourself can only help you in life. It never hurts to be more presentable, no matter what you do or where you are from. Accept your flaws, embrace your strengths and maximize your appearance.

A Friendly Quote

Doctor's Rx

"So love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said that it'd be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Eventually feels a lot better than actually."

Grey's Anatomy

Shifting Sands

It took a while for me to choose a blog title. But somehow, Shifting Sands really stands up in my list of choices. Maybe because the Arabian desert has inspired and captivated my strong passion of the vast and empty wilderness, its mystery and romance. Where the endless sea of sand bury the secrets of its past and the present. Only the brave would dare tread its uncharted borders without any promise of a reward at the end of the journey. Nature rules supreme. Hot days and cold nights, human is under its mercy. Even the footprints you make. It too will be wiped away by the shifting sands. Just like the desert, life’s journey in this word is a struggle. Like its sea of sand, it welcomes you with arms wide open. But who can stop a man’s thirst for pleasure and fulfillment except himself? Who would embrace him in comfort in times of failure and despair when he’s cold and alone in the dark? Life is as vast and empty as the desert. Only the brave dares to tread.

What's next...

My first serious attempt to write an essay was during secondary school when my teacher asked who do I want to be when I grow up. That was ages ago.

As the blog has now become the "in" thing, I am contemplating of honing my blunted neurons and just "go where the wind blows". I am pretty sure I got lots of dusty memories and rusty ideas in my mind that might be put into good use.

See you soon...