It's hard to be true to yourself in a world full of people wearing two (or more) faces, but it's even harder to be true to yourself in your own mental landscape; that internal hall of mirrors we must each confront in our solitary moments. To face the grotesque distortions that frighten us, distortions of ourselves that we cannot even recognise sometimes...she has been trying to keep those at bay and her resolve is faltering, but she nevertheless tries. "We'll both be true to ourselves this year." A resolution for 2008; she keeps her half of the promise that means so, so much.

She has always been herself, never putting on a facade to deceive him of her true nature: she's very emotional, high-strung, not lady-like and speaks a combination of good standard English, a smattering of Chinese and some choice Hokkien phrases. Madness? A bit of that. But ultimately a friend, just wanting to listen and hopefully, advise. A house on fire, and then pop, sizzle and fizzle.

Boom.

Last night, she felt the coldness of a blade.

Wake me up when it's over

Wake me up when it's done

When he's gone away and taken everything

Wake me up

Wake me up when the skies are clearing

When the water is still

Cause I will not watch the ships sail away so

Please say you will

If it were any other day

This wouldn't get the best of me

But today I'm not so strong

So lay me down with a sad song

And when it stops then you know I've been

Gone too long

But don't shake me awake

Don't bend me or I will break

Come find me somewhere between my dreams

With the sun on my face

I will still feel it later on

But for now I'd rather be asleep

Only for today, Pearlyn. Only for today, please.

The dam burst, and the floods came.

Why is this happening to us?

Don't force me, please.