Nostalgia Tokens: Items of Memory

“Hand knitted beannie” (April 2016)

My late Wife, she has been my inspiration, best friend and my soulmate, my feelings for her has never change... I miss her soo much... She made me this beannie for my birthday. It took her a lot of effort and practice to make this gift and sent it to me.. we have been away to each other ever since... but we know we love each other and miss each other very much... she made this token cause she knows that its cold here in New Zealand and wants to make me warm even in the small things that she can make...

Varsity Jacket (2016)

We were good friends, and good friends still.

It was a chilly night. We just finished drinking at our favorite bar. We decided to take a walk from Session road to wherever our feet takes us. The busy town during the day turns into a ghost town at night, so we enjoyed our stroll. We sang our hearts out, laughed out loud, just enjoyed every bit of the moment. We were like kids. It was around 2AM and I was getting cold so he offered his jacket to me.

Pounamu Necklace (2016)

My boyfriend at the time, now fiancé/father of my child :)

My partner gave me the necklace when I was pregnant with our son. It’s the first pounamu (green stone) I’ve ever received even though I’ve been in NZ for more than 10 years at the time. It holds a very significant meaning not just because it was from him but also for the reasons he chose the particular design.

Handwritten Note (2010)

My mom! I would always try different diets and mom is always very supportive. She wrote this letter of encouragement :)

Rubik’s Cube (2011)

Mother No change in our relationship, we’re ever the same if not closer.

Back when I was about 11, my childhood best friend brought her Rubix cube to school and taught me how to fix it up. I would come home and make little illustrations of the steps so I’d remember how to do it the next day until my mum went and bought me my own. Together, my friend and I were the weird nerdy girls that’d spend lunch timing themselves on who could complete it the fastest. Even now, long after those school days, I find myself picking up the cube and those short 45 seconds (hell yea) take me right back to that time in my life where my biggest problem could be solved with a simple; up, down, left, right. It reminds me that the person I am today is a compilation of all the relationships of my past and present. I’ve picked up so many little things from people I love - whether that was the actual cube, my mother noticed and bought for me, or being taught how to fix the cube by my friend. Those 45 seconds are a much needed breather, a few moments to stop and regroup, to know that there’s always a fix.  

Cat Plush (2005)

My mother, and my relationship with her hasn’t changed. I feel more closer to her as I’m getting older.

There was no special occasion. It has high sentimental value to me, because I remember holding it where ever I went when I was little. And it has been with me to many of my journeys overseas.

"Best Friends” (2011-2012)

Sadly, I can't exactly remember who gave me these BFF necklaces but I know that they were probably one of the most special people at a certain point in my life.

I think back then, I really liked the physicality of having an object symbolize a friendship. It meant showing everyone a strong and palpable bond - it was something to be proud of. Even though I don't remember the people who own the other halves of these necklaces, I still kept them because of the memories they hold.

Ring (2013)

For our anniversary one year Bogs [my husband] gave me a promise ring with the date we started going out and the words I love you engraved inside. I wore that ring every day, even to work at Movenpick. Of course in hospitality I had to wear disposable gloves when serving. On one of my shifts I accidentally threw it away with the glove. I was so sad! 

“Vaku” (that dumb nickname you gave me when we were 10) (2011 - 2012)

She was my best friend. She’s still very, very dear to me now, but our lives have grown so far apart that we don’t share the same childhood best friend relationship anymore. I still reserve the best friend title just for her though, she’s such a special part of my life <3

It was a friend-niversary gift! We had this dumb and cute annual friendship day and we would prepare gifts for each other and celebrate every year for it. One of those years she made me these cute little heart shaped boxes.

“B” (2015)

Ex boyfriend.

His graduation picture used to be in this spot.

“When you’re sad” (April 2016)

She was one of my closest friends at the time, one of my best, then we fell out for a few months, and now we're back to rebuilding our friendship together!!! So rollercoaster - up and down and back up again. Hope it stays this way.

This was a birthday present - on my 18th. She gave me a jar of personalised notes and doodles and quotes to make me happy for "When I'm sad". Super cute and thoughtful.

Birthday Card (Feb 2017)

She was and still is one of my closest and best friends. I have so much love for her 💕

This was a birthday card that she wrote me back in high school. I keep it as a token of how much I treasure her and how she has always been there for me through thick and thin.

Watch (Dec 2012)

My aunt gave this to me back when I was 10. She gave it right after her plane landed from  UAE and that was the first time in a while that I’ve seen her. My relationship with her isn’t as strong as with my other relatives given the fact that she lives in a different country. I’m still extremely grateful for her.

Early Christmas present. Back when I was 11, I didn’t find it as special probably because I was more interested in receiving toys rather than expensive watches. Now, though, it is extremely special to me knowing that it has been with me for a decade. It still works fine and it’s something that completes my outfit.

Blanket (1999)

“MYLOVER” (2016)

This person is one of my most missed friends. We were very close and shared a lot of good memories, however, our paths separated and now we don't talk much anymore.

I think my pencil case had broken recently and I was stuck carrying most of my stationary in my pocket for a couple weeks. One day this person offered me one of their cases that they do not use. It is special to me because it reminds me of the memories we had together in that particular year of high school.

“Mr Panda” (2014)

He was just a friend at the time but after a few years we started dating.

There wasn’t really any occasion for this present. It was more of a souvenir from his holiday but I did know that he liked me at the time so it could have been a representation of his feelings.