Inspired by the font Apple uses.

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::LEON HA::

KUCHING – a multicultural city with million of stories brought back home from abroad.

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::LEON HA::

“Son, I promise you I’ll be back home safe and sound,” Sergeant Chase Stone hugged his son firmly in his arms.

“Daddy, can you please don’t go? It is not safe over in Afghanistan,” ten-year-old Vincent pleaded. Teardrops started to stream down from his almond-sized eye.

“Son, it’s my duty and honour to serve for my country. My mates need me over there. Terrorists are turning Afghanistan a safe haven for them. We can’t just sit here and do nothing,” he added.

“But Dad, you and mum just divorced. All I have is you now. And I don’t want to lose you,” Vincent bawled as he refused to free himself from his dad’s arms.

Chase’s tears fell. Torrential rains made it even more difficult to bid goodbye to his son.

“Come here son, sleep with Daddy tonight,” he lifted Vincent in his arm and brought him into his bedroom.

Few months ago, Sergeant Stone was still doing his very best, staying focused and concentrated as he led his mates through all the battle fields and war zones. On usual days when there was not any explosions, bombings or attacks, Sergeant Stone would be sitting in his office, reading emails from his officers, catching up with Australian news, exercising and training. At night, he would sit outside his camp, holding a glass of hot tea as he looked into the sky.

It was usually a new moon night that made Chase felt even lonelier. As he held his glass of tea and looked into the dark sky, he could not stop helping himself thinking about little Vincent jumping with joy everytime when he saw his daddy marching back from tours, cheering with happiness as his daddy played footy with him in the backyard or even laughing happily when his daddy brought him for barbeque at the local park.

“Dear Vincent, you know I miss you, my little man,” he prayed silently. “I promise you, Dad will make it back in one piece. Don’t worry about me. Take good care of yourself.”

He took out pen and papers, sat near the bonfire and started to write letters for Vincent.

Dear Vincent,

How is my little man doing? I reckon you’re definitely growing everyday, having fun with your mates in school and eating healthily. Remember what Daddy told you, no snacks or junkies after 2000 and be in bed before 2200 every night. Why am I still talkin’ to my son in an army language? Anyway, it’s new moon tonight. Daddy can’t see neither the moon nor the star tonight. However, there is always this bright star living in my heart and that is you. Daddy loves you more than anyone else in the world.

Daddy promises you that I’ll be safe. Daddy’s mates usually have my back. In the army, we take care of one another like a big family. Whenever someone’s injured, we nursed them like our own family members. If someone is emotionally unsteady, we help them through the worst. We always have each other back, just like your fellow mates in school. Remember, cherish our Australian value. Mateship will get you through obstacles in life.

I know you always love listening to some fighting story. Yesterday, Daddy and my troupe were patrolling in a village. We suspected that the terrorists had implanted a bomb so we were assigned to investigate the place. Daddy was so close to the bomb. The bomb was literally just in front of Daddy and I did not realise that! Thank God one of my mates were just in time to pull me away and saved me. We evacuated everyone in the village. The bomb experts were there on time and deactivated the bomb. Sometimes I do believe in miracles. If it wasn’t for my mate and for the experts, we could have been blown away! The innocent civilians were so happy that they were alive. Life is so fragile Vincent. Promise Daddy one thing. No matter what may happen in the future, don’t let go and don’t give up.

Daddy loves you as always. And it is always these dark nights that make me miss my little man even more. Send my regards to granny. Love her each day as she takes extremely good care of you while Daddy’s on tour.

Love,

Daddy

The letter reached Vincent eventually. The tour had ended in Afghanistan. The valorous and courageous army should be back by then. Vincent stood on the military post impatiently with his granny.

“Granny, why isn’t Daddy here yet? He said he’ll be coming back,” Vincent grumbled. “He promised! He said that in the letter he sent me last week!”

Sometimes, words are unsaid. Promises are shattered. Lies are told. But would you go all that far, in order not to break a ten-year-old heart?

]]> http://leonha0325.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/a-shattered-promise/feed/ 0 -LeoNn- -HaA- image004 http://leonha0325.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/a-beautiful-mistake/ http://leonha0325.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/a-beautiful-mistake/#comments Sat, 02 Jul 2011 14:52:37 +0000 leonha02 http://leonha0325.wordpress.com/?p=416 ]]> Travis walked to the radio in his kitchen and turned it on. Soft country music filled the entire room as he sat at the dining table with his pot of hot coffee. As he poured his own cup of coffee, he could hear the soft rainfall outside. Occasionally there was the wind whispering through the soft rainfall. He walked to the couch and sat down there.

Travis allowed himself to be carried away in his own fantasy and imagination. He carefully picked up little details that he had always left out in life. Indeed, it was all those little details he had always neglected as he paced through his everyday life. Lying on the couch with a black suit, all he ever wanted was some time alone after the incident.

Travis Hill is a thirty-year-old salesman working at a medium-sized company situated in the heart of Sydney. Thirty years old and he is still single. He has never thought of settling down with someone or starting a new relationship ever since his high school sweetheart left him for another man. Sometimes, his parents wondered would Travis still go out with girls. He has practically given up hope on dating after he went to numerous unsuccessful blind dates and dates.

It was yet another ordinary day that Travis was out of his company selling his company’s latest product. Like any other working class, he was always sandwiched between people in the trains and buses during busy working hours. That day it was just not his day. His charming appearance, convincing words and eloquent speeches had always worked. However, his magic failed that day.

The time on his wristwatch showed few minutes to six. As the streetlights were turning on, the grey overloaded clouds began to burst into torrential rainfall. He needed to catch a bus to go back home. He ran in the rain towards the bus stop and by the time he reached the bus stop, the bus had just left and he was soaked and wet.

“Damn it!” Travis punched his fist onto a solid concrete wall nearby. He never imagined himself punching the wall so hard that his fist started to bleed.

“What else could have gone wrong today!” he yelled.

“Are you alright?” A familiar sound came from a distance.

“Oh hey Ryan. Bad day I reckon. Lost a major client and hurt my fist.” Travis replied. “What are you doing here alone? Aren’t you supposed to pick your girlfriend up?”

“I’m sorry to hear that. And does your fist hurt?” Ryan extended his hand to his bleeding fist.

“Need some medications and probably bandage it when I’m home,” he tried to keep his coolness and control his anger.

“I can help you with that if you don’t mind,” Ryan offered. Travis nodded.

A few minutes later a bus approached the station and both of them went back to Travis’ home. Being Travis’ best buddy since high school, Ryan had always gone to Travis’ apartment during the weekend to talk, eat and drink. Occasionally, when Ryan sparked an argument with his girlfriend, he may end up sleeping at Travis’ place. Upon arrival, Ryan quickly went to the cardboard and reached for bandages and medications.

Travis sat on the couch. Firstly, Ryan applied some Dettol on his wound before he put on some medication and wrapped it up with a bandage. When Ryan was done and about to leave, Travis suddenly pulled his best friend over, gave him a hug and broke down.

“Life’s always have its ups and downs bro,” Ryan comforted. He was shocked to see his best friend bawling so loudly for the first time ever since he knew him. Travis had always been the one who was least affected by emotions, one with strong and determined personality. “Come on bro, what’s wrong?”

Travis pulled himself away and tried to compose himself.

Both brotherly friends meet one another eye’s for the first time. They both looked at one another in a different way they used to. Ryan made the first move to pull Travis back into his arm. This time, they both exchanged a passionate and long kiss. As both of them loosen themselves and casted away their pressures, problems and worries, Travis helped Ryan to undo his suits.

Travis and Ryan made love twice on the couch that night.

The soft country music was still playing when Ryan walked out from the bathroom the next morning. Ryan wrapped his arm around Travis who was drinking his coffee. Travis turned to kiss him.

“What are you thinking Travis?” Ryan asked.

“About us. About what happen last night,” Travis feeling a little nervous and was trying to find a way to explain what had occurred. “It was a purely a mistake, Ryan.”

“A beautiful mistake Travis,” Ryan remarked. “It was spontaneous. The feeling is mutual. Further more, I have broken up with Beatrice.”

“What did you say? Why did you never tell me you broke up with Beatrice?” Travis was shocked by the breakup.

“We broke up last week. I saw her with another man,” he turned away as he tried to hide his sadness and dismal.

Travis hugged Ryan from the back and said, “I’m sorry Ryan. You should have told me.”

He turned and wiped away a tear and answered, “No worries Travis. It was all over now. And about last night, it was a beautiful mistake. It was wild but I truly enjoyed it.”

Travis wiped the tear away from Ryan’s face and gently pressed his lips onto his. Ryan took off his bathrobe and Travis led him into his room. They both passionately made love to one another, trying various positions and new things they never experience before.

Late in the afternoon, Ryan woke up in Travis’ muscular arm and found himself laying his head on his broad chest. As Ryan ran his fingers across Travis, he gently whispered the message of love into Travis’ ears.

“Travis Hill, I love you. I have always loved you since we first met in high school,” Ryan Scott confessed to his best friend, and now also his partner for life.

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::LEON HA::

As we were enjoying the scenery, I came across this inspiring scene. I quickly took my iPhone and snapped this inspiring picture that has inspired me to redefine, rediscover and reemphasize that, WE ARE THE SAME. Racism should not happen in any multicultural society.

This picture is truly wonderful. A little Aussie kid having fun by the lakeside. He was running towards  and chasing after the flock of ducks and swans. However, the thing that captured my attention is not the mischievous and hilarious actions. (I used to do that too when I was young) Instead, I was stunned by how these ducks and swans blend together. Among each species, they have their own feather colour. However, both different animals from the same family, different colour, different appearance yet they make good mates. They had fun hunting for food together, swimming in the lake together and even flying together.

Truly amazing and inspiring.

Man has the most complex brains of all living souls. Man thinks maturely.

In this context, we should be like the flocks of ducks and swans, despite our different skin colours, races, religions and backgrounds, we can still be friends for we are the same. There isn’t much differences between you and me. Scientists categorise all of us as one – homo sapien. We are truly one. We are human beings. We are the same after all. We do not want to be discriminated neither we want to belittle others.

There is the message: After all, we are the same. There is no reasons for us to let racism roam freely in our society.

Live well, laugh often, love much =)

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::LEON HA::

My little hand that my grandpa used to hold when I was young as he gently explained to me little fine lines on my palm.

My little hand that my grandma used to grip firmly when she took me out for window shopping and lunch at All Joy or Hong Kong Noodle House.

My little hand that my maternal grandma used to hold and hit gingerly if I was her mischievous little grandson.

My little hand that my dad used to hold firmly too when he allowed me to sit on his lap and drive his car illegally.

My little hand that my mum used to grip when we were outside the house.

My little hand changes so much ever since then as time elapsed.

The little hand gradually increases in size as each day passes by. The little hand grows to be stronger as life marches on. The little hand learns to do more thing and becomes skillful as life sails on. The little hand is magical now, it can do so many things which I cannot imagine myself doing when I was a little kid.

I miss having my little hand being hold by my loved ones. My little hand teaches me to touch and feel everything around me. I learn beyond touching a hot kettle and bawling loudly subsequently. My little hand teaches me to feel the love as my loved ones touch me. I wish both my grandmothers can still hold my little hand. I know no matter how much I have grown up, my hand is forever a little vulnerable one in theirs. And it feels so heart-warming.

I know someday it is time to extend this little hand to someone outside the family.

I will use this little hand to touch and feel your hand and love you. Life is about growing up.

I am in search for your little hand to hold and feel in the ocean of strangers, in the midst of labyrinth, in the middle of tropical forests, in the middle of nowhere. However, someday I will find it and I will extend my little hand and in return, I hope you will extend your little hand to me too.

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::LEON HA::

I can’t believe this! I meet Neil McNab for the first time in 2011! I am totally over the moon. Honestly. Frankly. Seriously. I am overwhelmed. I am on cloud nine! I meet Neil McNab.

It is awesome to catch up with a close mate, a mate whom I can spend hours talking to. We are close mates. It is perfect to catch up with a good friend whom I haven’t seen for more than 3 months. And I am truly honoured, to have such a friend. Neil McNab, a truly remarkable Maths lecturer, a typical Aussie friend and definitely a truly honourable mate for life.

Keeping up with Neil is awesome and fabulous. We have endless or infinite topics to talk about. I reckon, in life, close mate can come in different sizes, ages, races and background. Yet, we still hit off very well. It is the kind of genuine friendship you will not want to give up, for life!

So, here’s a humongous cheers for our friendship!

When Julia Gillard mentioned that “You have a true friend down under.” and “…real mates talk straight.” during her speech to the Congress of United States in Washington on 09.03.11, I knew she is right. Indeed, I have a true friend down under whom we can talk straight. And he is NEIL MCNAB.

I am very honoured. Indeed, I am truly honoured

To have such an honourable mate

Who extend wonderful and great mateship.

Life’s never more interesting without you.

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::LEON HA::

Dan gently turned the front cover over and began to scan through each photo carefully, photos taken, collected and carefully kept over the years. As he ran his fingers gingerly through the photos, his perspiration and tears gradually fell down and hit the protective plastic layer on the photos again.

The photo album meant a lot to Dan. It was a priceless collection of photos of himself and his girlfriend, Daphne through the years. Vibrant and sporting spring outfits, sexy beach wears at the beaches during summer, casual and trendy autumn clothes to cozy and warm winter outfits, the photo album was a bank to where all the little moments of Dan and Daphne’s life were deposited. However, the bank offered no interest over the year. On the other way, to Dan it returned him with hurtful feelings which he could never forget.

Spring brought about new hope. Dan and his college mates were all looking forward to the summer holidays despite they were still three months away. Dan was in the school library, putting his greatest effort to pass his semester in order not to be sent to summer school by his parents. As he was searching for Accounting revision books, he accidentally knocked into a blonde-hair with slender figure. All her books went all the way down.

Dan immediately picked up the books and as both their eyes met, Dan knew it was mutual attraction and the chemistry was reacting and sparks were igniting. Before his next breathe or before he could utter his apology, he knew she was the one.

“I am so sorry,” Dan apologised as he picked up the books that were scattered all around. “Heh I’m Dan, Dan Scott.”

“Oh hi. Daphne Roberts. People usually call me Daph. And don’t worry about the books. Are you ok? Are you hurt?” Daphne reached out her hand and felt Dan’s arm. The touch was definitely electrical. Dan lost his breathe and his heart beats skip an impulse.

“I’m.. alright. How about you?” Dan uttered the words. His face had definitely turned as red as the freshly picked tomatoes from the garden. Dan carried the books for Daphne and walked her to the library.

After the revision session, both of them started off well. They found both of them had a passion for accounting so much. Both Dan and Daphne shared the same big dream: going to Australia National University when they graduate from Year 12. And from ANU, they wanted to graduate as the nation’s leading and well-established accountants. Dan loved French food so much and by coincidence or rather fate, Daphne was taking up a French cuisine course at TAFE during weekends.

The incident in the library led the two to start dating. Dan was more than eager to meet Daphne everyday after class. Daphne could not wait to bring him to her house to sample her newly learnt French cuisine. Both of them walked to college and back home. Dan would surprise Daphne with a bouquet of pink roses on occasion and Daphne would be totally over the moon.

On one spring evening, Daphne brought Dan back to her house. Daphne passed Dan a can of beer and they both started talking away as the sunshine gave way to the darkness. Daphne laid herself on Dan’s chest as Dan slowly kissed her on her forehead for the first time. Daphne told him everything she knew about stars.

“When I was young, whenever I saw bright twinkling stars in the dark sky, I was so happy. And I reckon you must be wondering why,” Daphne said.

Dan just nodded as he brushed his fingers through Daphne’s straight blonde hair.

“My mum used to tell me that bright twinkling stars are like miracles. They can shine despite the darkness. And whenever I am feeling low, I will stare at the stars, telling myself miracles can and do happen,” Daphne closed her eyes and reminisced what her mother had told her.

Dan remained silent. As Dan stared upon the dark sky, he saw one particular star that was so bright that it caught his attention. He pointed on that star, and said, “Heh Daphne. Look at that star, that one, the extraordinary bright one.”

Daphne compelled herself to move away from Dan’s warm chest and sat beside him. She looked upon the direction where Dan was pointing his finger.

“I witnessed my miracle, and that miracle is you, Daphne. I love you, Daphne,” Dan whispered.

Daphne threw her arms around Dan’s neck. They both kissed passionately and during that instance, Dan did not want to let go and he wanted that moment to last forever. That humid spring evening, Dan gave his first time to Daphne. Eighteen-year-old Dan was anxious and excited then, but he had the whole evening to himself as he gently made love to Daphne. That night was an unforgettable night, a night both of them would never forget.

When Dan woke up the next morning, Daphne was still in Dan’s arms and she was sleeping so sweetly. As Dan watched her sleep, he saw the inner and outer beauty in her. She was so beautiful that Dan had inadequate of vocabulary to describe. First love was hard to forget, indeed when one truly put everything into it.

Some say first love never last.

Two years had elapsed. One summer day, Daphne left Dan without a word. A sudden bushfire killed the entire neighbourhood. No one was savaged. The inferno was beyond control and the firefighters failed their tasks although they tried their best. Daphne was gone, gone into thin air like ashes after a hazardous fire.

Twenty-nine now, Dan was still single. Ever since the incident, he had never been remotely interested in any other girls who stepped into his life. He still worked as a taxation accountant for he believed he wanted to realise their big dreams. He would never forget the dreams that Daphne and him talked about. During his leisure hour, he worked voluntarily as the community firefighter. Deep down inside, he never wanted the same misfortunate incident to happen on other people. He fought the fire valorously although he knew no matter how hard he tried, Daphne will never return.

As he turned the photo album back cover over, he knew and accepted the fact Daphne was dead. As he embraced the refreshing breeze that lapped onto his face, he knew his relationship with Daphne would always live on, as long as his heart still beats.

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::LEON HA::

I was browsing through my iPhoto ’09 and found this picture. Reckon that it is very nice but I haven’t got any inspiration to photoshop or write something based on the snap shot above. Perhaps it may come one day.

Anyway, just in case many of you are wondering, I am back in Perth and ready to sail through the ups and downs of 2011!

I LOVE PERTH!!!

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::LEON HA::

This is the original picture which I have found from Google.

.

…

…..

I then open my Photoshop CS4 *Yup, it’s good to use an old friend occasionally*

…..

…

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And my old friend gave me this astounding result! Yay!

Part II

As we grow and further apart from childhood, we find ourselves pacing in and out daily. We live in a society where we demand the fastest, easiest and most convenient out of everything. The hectic and busy life in bustling cities has manufactured unseen pressure on us. It is an unseen force compelling us to move faster and further until some find it hard to gasp for air.

Time tickles and so life marches on.

There is time where we should give ourselves some space and time to recollect fond childhood memories. And in the midst of the busy lifestyle, we should find our own safe haven, a place where you truly deserve to be pampered and spoiled in a good way.

Life is not always about competition, it is about how you live it to the fullest.

Part III

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!

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::LEON HA::