Barack Obama's letter to his daughters

This letter brought tears to my eyes. His reason for wanting to be president is truly a cause worth fighting for not just in America, but everywhere in the world. I wish we are all a little bit more like him in this respect.

Barack Obama has written a letter to his daughters, explaining how he has missed them during his campaign for the White House, why he wanted to be president and what he wants to achieve. He was asked to write the letter by US magazine Parade. This is what he wrote:

Dear Malia and Sasha,

I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I probably shouldn't have let you have. But I also know that it hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for all the time we've been apart. I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.

When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me - about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want. But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day. And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore. I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours. And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.

I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential-schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them. I want them to have the chance to go to college-even if their parents aren't rich. And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer. And I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us from seeing the best in each other.

Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war and other dangerous situations to protect our country-but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe. And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free-that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.

That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.

She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better-and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us. It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.

I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had. Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so much-although you do have that obligation. But because you have an obligation to yourself. Because it is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.

These are the things I want for you-to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.
I am so proud of both of you. I love you more than you can ever know. And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.

Love,
Dad

How to feed a tired monkey

Believe it or not, these dishes taste much better than they look! :)

The philosopher is in!

Mmmm... I am thinking... of a solution... to the global financial crisis!!
Come disturb me at your own risk... unless you have bamboo... in which case, you are welcome... mmm.

The lady is in!

This was a portrait that I started a few months back and didn't quite finish. Well until yesterday, that is! I'm so pleased with myself for finally finishing it. It's hanging happily on my office wall now.

I think the reason it took me so long was because I procrastinated a lot towards the end. I got distracted with other things for a while, then got a little paranoid about screwing things up when working on something I haven't touched for a while. Let me show you what I mean. Here's what it looked like after the first layer:



Pretty scary, eh? I thought so too, but then we're only laying down the groundwork of shapes and shadows. Nevermind the jolie lips. :) Here's what we've got after the second session:



I'm beginning to like this girl. Prim and guarded and intent, she makes me wonder what (or who) it is she's looking at.



Dressed up and adorned with an intricate headress now, her gaze softens and innocence shines through. I fell in love with her look and dared not touch her face for the longest time! Though finally, everyone needs to grow up. She's more matured and confident now, having found her place in the world.



I hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did! :)

Drop your weapon!!

Okay, okay..! Look, it's just bamboo, alright? I chew on it. Chill, man...

St Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

Life is too short, so ...

Kiss slowly... Laugh insanely... Love truly... And forgive quickly

dance like nobody's looking...

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

heard today

Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes...your destiny.

Winter Cuddles

The last 8 Wednesdays have been so special because I get some quiet time to sit down and paint for 3 hours each time. What a wonderful gift! Each time I'd walk home with a big smile on my face. It feels so good to be painting again after all these years of passive yearning.

Sometimes I feel like I'm baring my soul through my paintings, which makes each one so personal and valuable to me. That's why I wont make a very good professional artist I guess - I love my work too much it would be heartbreaking to part with any. :p

Here's one that I worked on for 12 blissful hours. I took a photo after each 3-hr session. They weren't all taken at the same place though, so you can see some color-distortions from the different lighting conditions.









Incidentally, this is the first painting where I played with certain areas using a pallette knife. Check out this sky detail. I love the element of surprise!

Dramatic lemur - with surround sound!

baby laughs

Laughter is contagious... this proves it time and again! :D

Prayer of St. Francis

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in you

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness ever joy

O Master, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved, as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving of ourselves that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal life