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In this industrial flood-prone slum located near one of the world’s most polluted waterways, children faced poverty, chronic illnesses, early deaths, and violence. This little girl wrote poems, composed songs, and drew endlessly to escape her daily reality in Dayeuhkolot, Bandung – Indonesia. And yet was labelled “naughty” because she asked curious questions, made funny comments, and occasionally skipped school out of boredom (then went to public library instead). The little girl on the left loved book, excelled in school, and exceptional at math and science. The day to remind us on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights. Also to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11th. This was originally written in response to Inspiring Girls International’s invitation to participate in #ThisLittleGirlIsMe campaign. I was truly in doubt whether to post this or not, but eventually I promised my students that I’d do it. (terjemahan dalam bahasa Indonesia di bawah) Tagged snow, solitary walk, walk, walking, winter Leave a comment My favourite is when it is just about zero. I consider the winter is gentle when it is warmer than -5 Celsius degree. In fact, Ottawa winter isn’t comfortable. It isn’t about a comfortable walk on a magnificently beautiful weather. * *This writing is largely about a walk, my own solitary walk. Top: on the last day of 2021 Bottom: on the first day of 2022. Photos from my walks over the Mooney’s Bay Park, viewing the same bridge. I become one with its solitude and quietude. The plants and shrubberies are in deep slumber, hidden under a soft snowy blanket.Īt that moment, my whole universe seems composed of one thing and one thing only, the snow. Trees that once had leaves are bare, stand like skeletons against the sky. My footprints follow me like a shadow as I walk. Treading on the snow that is as white as powdered chalk. It never fails me.īut there’s nothing more solemn than a solitary walk in the snow on gentle winter days.* I simply walk on the field, looking at the vast space of emptiness. My feet follow a near-identical circuitous route. I walk the same walk in many seasons of the heart. In the winter, when every breath I take is turned into a tiny drop of misty cloud, embraced by frigid-fingered air as cold as death. In the autumn, when the leaves are in their last line of life, and my heart leaps into a sombre mood as they wither and drop away. In the summer, with the warm sun casting on my bare shoulders and grass needles crunching under my feet. In the spring, when little birds begin to sing, and the buds are bursting out. I walk the same walk in all four seasons. I have done the walk, Merlyna’s solitary walk, over a thousand times. Walking over the same bridge and climbing the same hill. Crossing the road at the same intersection.

Making the same turn on the corner of a small neighbourhood park. Passing small streets and rows of houses. I walk following a particular route in my neighbourhood three times a week. My Edoens soulmates Fani, Rino, Bram, Ben, and Novel l thank you not only for helping me checking off my bucket list’s item and harmonising with me, but also for creating our quiet space together and emboldening me to embrace each day as a new day with love for all mankind. To add sparks of hope and beauty to life, to the world. To let yourself love others and be loved in return. Thus, there’s more reason to be kind and loving to each other. It is a place of love, kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in my heart that I always go to, especially whenever my soul is crushed, and my hope crumbled.

My quiet place is neither religious nor sacred. And, yet, as I started singing, I found that place. But this time I struggled to find a place to sing it from. Typically, it’d only take about 8-10 minutes to do such a recording. Beyond that, its altered chord progressions are not only eargasmic, they also fit the message and the lyrics so wonderfully. But once all voices are put together, they culminate in richly textured and exquisitely woven harmonies. To sing each part alone does not make sense, it comes with much suffering for those who overhear it. But what makes Take 6’s take extraordinary is its marvellous arrangement. The original music of the song itself is simply beautiful. For most a cappella singers, singing Take 6’s song is likely an item in our bucket list. The day I heard about what happened to Josée, I planned to record my part of “A Quiet Place” from TAKE 6.

Her entire family moved from Lebanon just 6 months ago, to build a new life in Canada. Several weeks ago, a beautiful 11 year old girl named Josée died in a sledding accident at the hill at the Mooney’s Bay, a park where I walk regularly.