Milk 'n' Mango

Stories. Photos. A game between two friends. --- Manu likes to write stories, Bee likes to take photos. So one day, they decided to challenge each other. When Bee posts a photo, Manu has to create the story. When Manu posts a story, Bee has to respond with a photo. The content of the story/photo is not revealed to the other person until it's posted on the tumblr.

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Bee,

At the end of this semester it will somehow have been 1 year that I've been in med school, here on the island. I've gotten a bit better at being less depressed and missing you guys tons, but I still always do think of you guys so much. I decided to log in today and write you a letter since I'm drinking a Starbucks Refresher Via, that a friend of mine here gave me a packet of, and suddenly I just remembered one of our birdie summer adventures.

This might be a letter you could respond with a photo with, and who knows when you'll actually see these letters, but anyway. It might have been last summer, before I left for med school, but the birdie group went out, and we were walking to China Town from Union Square, and along the way, we passed a fair type thing in SoHo, and all the restaurants had tables out, and we wondered why we hadn't seen this before, and eaten at one of those places - we always have so much trouble deciding what to eat! Anyway, I was super thirsty and hot, and had forgotten to bring my water bottle from home. We were looking for a Starbucks near China Town, because I probably could have drank a whole Venti or Trenta Refreshers right there and then. But we ended up going to the Ice Cream Factory and Vivi Bubble Tea first, and bubble tea it was! By the way, they're opening up a Vivi Bubble Tea in Union Sq this summer! But yeah, this moment just popped into my head now, as I'm forever the nostalgic person, and I thought I'd write another Letter to Bee.

Love you mucho, and I hope everything is going well, and that you're feeling well.

Manu

P.S. I better see yo face in August insha Allah!

P.P.S I still have not tried the pomegranate ginger ale!

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Bee,

This letter is my response to your beach picture. Because I logged on again and realized I have yet to write a response. Because after seeing the picture, I miss you guys some more.

Here on the island there is water everywhere, because the island is pretty small (and well, duh, it's an island). My studio overlooks the sea, as well. I went to the beach for an incoming party for first years two weeks ago, thrown by the president of the school, but I didn't have much fun. All I could think about was how much better it would have been if you and the rest of the gang were there. Honestly though, if you've seen one beach, you've seen them all. Some are just cleaner than others. Some have parks. All have food. But they're only fun if your friends are there.

I can see Y and S in your photo. Oh how I miss Brooklyn. Luna Park memories and Coney Island (ha, I haven't even been there all the times you guys went). Remember the time we went to the aquarium and you took photos of the jellyfish? Those photos were awesome.

It's getting to be Fall back home, while it'll basically be summer here, all year round. I love our summer adventures, but I love the winter ones too, and I just can't wait to see you guys again over the break. We won't be able to fly kites (or maybe we can because we're so crazy), but I want to try that pomegranate gingerale with you! And your favorite, pumpkin spice lattes :) Remember our zoology class adventures and freezing in the cold while we observed pigeons, hoping Starbucks would sponsor us young scientists?

Well, I hope your rotations are going well. I can't wait to get to that point already.

Much love,

Manu

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Bee,

I just happened to log in to this Tumblr today and lucky me, I got a surprise!  I didn't know that you replied to the Phone Call post, and wrote me a letter back. I thought for a while what you were congratulating me on, and I think it's on my Master's Commencement, right? That's the only recent thing I can think of, ha (and it's already a month and half into summer already). It was supposed to rain that Wednesday, but lucky for us graduates, it didn't.

Yes, I do remember jumping in puddles with Yas while you took our pictures. Good times. I've actually thrown those boots out now, along with 2 other pairs. Time to go boot shopping again!

Well, I shall start working on writing a post to the beach picture!

<3 always

Manu

[milk-n-mango]

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Manu,

I super miss you and <3 you! & Congratulations on today! I hope the rain isn't messing up your plans. (Remember that one day when I made you and yas jump on puddles over and over again? Miss rainy days in Brooklyn!)

Can't wait to see you in the summer...a day when it doesn't rain, so we can enjoy all the ice cream we want. There's actually this one spot in Astoria with crazy flavors. Plan ahead so we can see each other there!

Also, I had milk and mango last night. It was good...but I made too much. Also, I've got mango mochi in my fridge...along with like 10 other mangoes. :D

Anywhooo, I'll post  another pic. Sorry for being lame with this! :(

Loveeeee,

Bee

[milk-n-mango]

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Bee,

It's been a long while since we posted anything here. A very long while. I know you're busy with being busy and all, but I thought I'd write you a letter. Perhaps you will see this and be surprised. Perhaps you will post a reply. Perhaps you will start your Flickr posts again too.

I think I shall just write you letters. Maybe you can post pictures in reply to them. I haven't written much anything recently either. How sad. Creative juices need to start flowing again. I'm in this weird mode now. Writer's block I guess? Let's motivate each other again. My thesis is taking up all my time right now, and all I've really been writing is historical criticism...

Anywho, I miss this. I miss us! I miss pigeon hunting for our zoology class and ice cream. Most of all, ice cream.

Well maybe you'll see this from your other Tumblr. Or maybe I'll just post on your facebook.

Good night, or good morning - however you look at it.

Love, peace, and chicken grease,

Manu

P.S. The last two days I had milk and mango for desert. Last Saturday also was like Mango day - I had raw mango chutney (salad?), mango pickles, mango ice cream, and ripe mangoes. Om nom nom, mango season has arrived! Next up, mango smoothies.

[milk-n-mango]

Phone Call

The phone rings.

“Hello! How are you?”

Silence.

“What?”

Silence.

Heart stops.

Heart starts.

Lump.

Heart beats.

Beats very fast.

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Bee,

I've certainly outdone your record of two months, haven't I? I'm extremely sorry, and even more sorry for such a crappy story. How cliché is it? Ugh, but I really needed to just put something there for now.

I always say the writing is a work in progress, so er, here's another work in progress (again).

But now it's summer and at least we won't be bogged down with our studies, so can we get that exhilarating feeling back again? The one we both had when we first started the project? Please and thank you.

Much love,

Manu

[milk-n-mango]

The Doll

     The antique shop on the corner of the road had it all. Banned books, old picture frames, furniture and more. But there was only one thing on Clarissa's mind. The doll. The doll in the red dress had been sitting on the same shelf in the same position ever since Clarissa first came to the shop five years ago.

     The doll struck her right away. There was something uncanny about it. It had chubby cheeks like those of a child, but the smile was the most interesting - a mix of a child's innocence and a grown woman's sins. The shop owner didn't care much for the doll. He didn't even remember where he got it from.

     Lies, thought Clarissa. There was certainly something demented about the doll - why else was the owner always wanting to sell it off? Clarissa wouldn't buy it though. She had the feeling that she'd bring some type of bad omen onto herself if she brought the doll home. It certainly was the most intriguing item, but Clarissa had a feeling she could not quite put her senses on.

     Clarissa would come into the store often to look over the books. The oldest books were the best books in her eyes. And every time she passed by the shelf with the doll, she felt it's eyes staring at her, which she knew was silly since the doll's eyes were closed.

     But still...

[milk-n-mango]

dolls on Flickr.

Posting from my flickr account. Dolls and old shops.

[milk-n-mango]

Friday Evening on Flickr.

I'll be posting from my flickr account from now on :)

[milk-n-mango]

Your Time Is My Time Is Our Time

Why are you in love with melancholy? he asked.

Because I’ve been dipped in folly, I answer.

How so?

I should have just been a pair of ragged claws.

Scuttling across the floors of silent seas?

Yes.

Why?

I do not think they will sing to me anymore.

Sure they will. I will for sure.

You don’t know. Everything is just so wrong.

Perhaps. But all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.

No dreams. Only reality.

Why? Why this sadness? This lack of empathy?

Because.

An explanation of cause is not a justification by reason.

In that case, I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.

Let me help you.

You can’t. No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.

Then arrange whatever pieces come your way.

I’m trying. But I’m failing.

You do know that all that is gold does not glitter.

That’s not all I seek. I’m wandering for happiness, but I can’t find it.

Not all those who wander are lost. The beauty of the world is cutting my heart asunder.

You need the edge of laughter again.

How do I get it back?

All shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.

When?

Give it some time.

It will take forever for the fire and rose to be one.

Don’t you understand?

What?

My love for you.

No.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

Nay. So that I end up saying my noon, my midnight, my talk, my song -

- Don’t say it.

I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

Not with me.

That’s what they all say.

If I could take your troubles, I would toss them into the sea.

Why?

Please don’t love melancholy so.

I’ve been dipped forever.

But sweet springtime is my time is your time is our time.

And I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep.

Then let me come help you choose the road not taken.

Wherever I go arbitrary blackness gallops in. Oh I should have –

— Shh, stop measuring your life in coffee spoons.

Let us go then, you and I.

And be one acquainted with the night to bring back your day.

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Bee,

I've been trying to think of something soothing for a long time now. This little piece here isn't as soothing as you wanted, I'm sure. But I promised I'd get something done this weekend, and all I could think of now was a message going out to sea. And at least I'm not two months late right? Haha, just kidding, you know I love you tons.

I've re-blogged another one of my poems for now. I have a bunch of ideas that I'm working on that I would love to put up. Also, I love these letters we've been writing to each other now. It's like a mini-series of it's own. Love it.

Just like I love you,

Manu

P.S. I hope those last few lines don't sound too lovey dovey :p

[milk-n-mango]

Message in a Bottle

I wrote everything down on a sheet of white paper. The printing paper without any lines. No borders. No lines. No limitations. But now it was contaminated with my words. Black ink. Black thoughts.

I folded the paper carefully and put it in a clear bottle. I then drove to the beach. My apartment was close to the serenity of the blue sky reflected on the water. The weather today was beautiful. Perfect for my mission. The waters were not raging as on days of a storm.

I took off my shoes and left them in my car. Walking through the sand, I got to the edge of the shore. I walked into the water. The cold of the water seeped through my feet and my whole body. I shivered, excited for my mission. When the water was no longer shallow, I swam as far as I deemed necessary.

I then let my bottle go. My message. My message in a bottle.

The black thoughts were now swimming in the clear bottle. Perhaps someone would find the paper one day. Perhaps someone would never find it. Perhaps that bird flying above would guard my message, or carry it away in its beak to another place.

Either way, I was now free.  

[milk-n-mango]

[milk-n-mango]

Dear Manu,

Apologies that my response is late!

Also, the photo was rushed because of a promise...it didn't turn out the way I expected. I'm not too keen about the colors of the floor. However, the next time I get a chance--I'll replace it with something better.

However, for now. Your next challenge!

With lotsa love,

Bee <3