Monday, April 30, 2007

Sibu

So, I had been up and into the town of Sibu. It was not all that bad. I mean, I did get to see my friend, the one from KL, and see another friend, that one was from Kuching, and finally, I got to make myself a new friend.

The story went like this.

It was finally Saturday morning, and I was all packed to go to the airport. It was silly of me, though not unfortunate, to think that my flight leaves one hour before the actual time, and arrived at the airport two hours earlier. I rushed to the check-in counter thinking that I was late, yet was absently wondering to myself why were there not more people checking in.

It was only when I went down to the lobby for a cup of coffee and some breakfast, that it hit me. My flight was not until an hour and a half later!!!

I took my time having my sandwiches, and reading the free "Eastern Times". They had it at the AirAsia check-in counter in the Kuching International Airport. Nothing very prominent or outstanding for the day. After a while, I got bored reading it.

I roamed around the area for some time, and took some effort to find the Mandarine fish in the tropical aquarium set in the departure hall. I could not see it. Morning was not their time of daily outing.

I was walking down the corridor towards my boarding gate when a girl seated to my left lifted her arm and waved enthusiatically at me. I looked at her and registered a familiar face, yet recognition failed me. She had a big smile, and a girlie character. I sat down beside her, out of politeness, and started talking.

The wonder of small talks, is that it allows you time to search through your mind the net of people connections, finding that one key name or identity, yet not offend the very person that you are having a animated converstation with, as though you know her from the very first minute your eyes are set on her. Ah, the art of communication, it never fails to save relationships!

Anyway, We were talking, and she found out that I was alone on my trip to Sibu, with no car to take me into town. This kind little lady offered me a ride down to town with her father. I was absolutely blessed!!! Why, thank you very much!!!

So, down into town I went with her family, in her wonderful white Toyota. It took her parents some effort to find the place where I was supposed to stay for the night. But we finally found it. And her father was absolutely kind and helpful, even reminded me to call them if I ever needed anything. Thank you, again. :)

The teacher of my friends came to the door and let me in. I looked at her and raised my eye brows. Teacher in her teacher's outfit. It took a little getting use to.

We sat around for a while, and she took me out for lunch at one of those kopitiam in the town centre. We ordered, and talked about life and people back home. It was nice, sometimes, to be able to just talk, a little deeper, a little more quietly.

We went for a hair wash later on. It was her favorite way of passing time. Oh, no, to her, hair washing was not a pass time for her. It was a neccessity. It was a part of life itself.

We were bewildered though, for that particular saloon that we went to, had their customers laid down for a hair wash. Imagine that.

The girls that did our hair talked to us, and asked us where we were from. I said that we came from the jungle. Teacher started to shake her head when I started my story. I told those girls the very details of my home origin, and Teacher would just sigh with a laugh and shake her head. Later on that evening, Teacher would tell me that I was really fooling people around. I retorted, asking her whether there was one word of a lie that I told those girls. Teacher was silent for a moment, and finally said no. I did not lie to those girls. I was just merely having some fun of our own with them. Harmless little fun.

That evening, we had dinner at a restaurant near the bus terminal. It was good, but the meal was too large for just two. We did not complain. Teacher was happy eating. I was just being careful not to overeat and had myself a stomachache later.

On our way back, my other friend, this one from KL, whom I came all the way down to meet, had finally called. She wanted me to come to her hotel to spend the night with her. And I was glad later that I did not, for I had to share a single bed with her, and a room with two other women.

Furthermore, it was late, and Teacher was tired. I could not possibly ask her to send me back into town just to meet her. That would just be too unfair and inappropriate.

I mean, respect me a little. I had come all this way, and you had not spare a single minute for me, nor the effort to arrange for the meeting, even accused me of not making the effort to meet up. What do you expect? Me to be your on-call friend and come to you only when you please?

So, We got back, showered and changed, and sat lazily in front of the TV. Teaher was sleepy. So, I asked her to go to bed.

We went to bed. I slept on the floor in a sleeping bag. I could not sleep the whole night. I listened to the dogs howled thrice in the night. The third time they howled, I knew that it was morning.

I spent only an hour an a half with my other friend the next day. Then, I asked Teacher to send me to the airport. So, there, my Sibu trip ended.

But it was not a lost. I spent quality time with a quality friend. I met another friend on my way back, and I totally allowed myself to relax during this whole trip. I mean, since I was there, might as well make it into a holiday!!

I was happy. Things may not alway work in your favour, but learn the art of turning the stakes around and make things work towards your advantage. Be open, and be smart. Life is beautiful.

In the end, I gained more than I thought I would lose.

Friday, April 20, 2007

Virginia Tech Shooting

It was a shocking news to hear about the shooting spree in Virginia Tech.
33 deaths, including the shooter, Cho Seung-Hui himself.
This was a piece of saddening news. This is a maddening world.
But as quickly as the incident came, the whole issue ended as abruptly. For one moment, the whole world was looking at the shooting. Now, there was not even one article telling the aftermath of the event.
Oh, well. Life moves on.
But, my heart goes out to those who have lost someone to the shooting. I dare not say that I understand what it is like to lose someone you love in a split second, but I try to feel for you.
Please be strong, and may God blesses those souls lost.

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Stupid

You know how it was like when you had done something really stupid, yet there was no turning back? And while you were feeling stupid all the way, someone came along and started to laugh at you. That, made you felt even more stupid and the act worthless.
I had just paid RM200.00 for a trip down to Sibu, for less than 24 hours in town, to meet a friend. A friend who had been a mate to me during my time as a houseman in Kuala Lumpur.
I know that she is my mate, and that we have spent some really good times together. But that does not mean that she could use our friendship to threaten me to go into town to meet her.
I mean, it takes money and a day of leave to do just that.
Furthermore, she could be so busy with work that she might not have the time to really talk to me.
Now, I'm feeling really stupid.

Thursday, April 05, 2007

To Trust, Or To Believe? What Should It Be?

I have not been here for a month. My life has been busy, busy picking up things where I have left them before. Old friends to gather, new friends to meet, and my work. Everyday starts with me picking up the unfinished ends of yesterday and continuing with what should be done for the rest of it, and starting the whole cycle all over again.
Once in a while, something new would pop up. And that would most certainly disturbed your routine.
These surprises, they could be pleasant, or not.
But whether they were angels, or devils, they most certainly would leave you with a mark. Something for you to remember them by, be it a spot where you smiled at once you laid your eyes on it, or a scar that was just too ugly to bear sight.
Some scars may be ugly, but they are your medals that honour your growth and maturity. Some scars are just there because you chose to trust the wrong person.
I do not trust easily. People lie. This is a plain fact.
Never trust easily, nor fully. Always leave some space in between so you will have time to bulk. This was my lesson.
But once in a while, if it appears in front of me, I will choose to believe.
And once I believe, I hold on to it fast, and will never let go.
Trust and believe. They are not the same.
I may not trust a person's character to accomplish certain things, but I believe in the good in him, that he is capable of being kind to others.
It is hard to trust, harder still to believe. Yet believing can be so easy, the moment that you see it, you will know what to believe in.
It is hard to trust, but believing makes things easier. At least it makes living with that person more bearable.

有关距离的一篇书

不知道这是谁, 从朋友的部落客找到的。觉得他那关于距离的文章有趣, 所以特将那篇文章连接过来,请各位看官读读:

http://lyh79.blogspot.com/2007/03/blog-post_30.html