memory joggers.

You know how some people cannot re-visit places they used to spend time at with their loved ones... especially when they've lost them now?

Well, I can stand to re-visit places because it hardly affects me. And sometimes you NEED to go to these places- like school, for instance? Can't afford to get too emotional.

You know how some people cannot stand wearing the same clothes which their lost loved one used to adore seeing them in?

Well, I can stand to re-wear those clothes because it'll make me feel like i look good.

You know how some people cannot stand to do anything at all that reminds them of time spent together with their lost loved one?

Well, I can stand to do all those things because I probably won't even notice myself doing them.

You know how some people cannot stand listening to music that was once their "couple song" or just that particular song, because it brings back such painfully good times that they no longer experience?

Well, I don't connect very well to songs because I enjoy shallow, poppy songs that can hardly bring back weighty memories worth remembering. Plus, i tend to shrug off songs alot, because I just can't wait for the next one to start playing.

There is one thing that I cannot stand... and that would be familiar smells.

Smells take me places. When I smell something, it'll automatically connect me back to some memory, somewhere. I remember vividly Ms Alice Ek's perfume when she walked into my class, back when I was in Pri 1. I re-call that sick smell of shit- yes, even to the degree of pungency in all accuracy... of a fellow classmate's back during mother tongue period when he shitted in his pants. If i smell something like that now, it would definitely bring back the grossed out expressions on the faces of every kid. Heh, NO ONE spoke to him after that.

Then there are those smells which brings back all sorts of experiences.... mmmmm. I have different shampoos to mark different periods of my life. If i went out on a date with someone I think I'm interested in, I'll use a certain shampoo (i'm not gonna mention what). When I was still going out with Abdar, I was very particular about the kind of soap, facial cleanser and perfume i used. He's got a whole range of scents...dedicated to memories of him, with him and now, without him too. OH THE IRONIES. It was all light, fruity and peachy, if you must know. I still can't bring myself to use Marks & Spencer's almond and peach wash products. The perfume i still use, cause it's my favourite (DKNY'S Be Delicious). But I should get a new one to mark the end of all ends- A'levels. Hehe.

Chanel no. 5, for example, reminded me of my secondary 4 school prom. Pet shops have this distinctive sawdust mixed with pet food smell, which reminds me of Jon's gf's house and their pomeranian Baby & Bambam! Pine wood reminds me of afternoon at Cristofori where i used to go for piano lessons. Cheap "Impulse" body spray reminds me alot of Guides, after our marching sessions. LOL. The list goes on.

I guess to me, smell, is a rather intimate sense. Sometimes, you can only smell something/someone, when you're close enough. I think everybody's skin smells different (weii, not that i go around smelling people okay!) and I think that's really really awesome.

What about you? What does it for you? Your achilles heel that can lead to an avalanche of memories? A certain play or poetry? A song... or nursery rhyme? Weekend breakfasts? Or maybe that couch, even. Or perhaps like me, you're sensitive to scents too.