Step into the daylight and let it go.

Monday, July 27, 2009

#10 Burnt Notice

"Before I knew it, my maid rushed up the stairs and asked me to take all my important things with me as there was a fire."



Thanks to H1N1, my college got closed down and we suddenly had 1 week of holiday. The day before I flew home, Rahman, SweeHow and I went to Sunway Pyramid just to kill time. We watched Ice Age 3: The Dawn of Dinosaur 3D and went to Sushi King to have our dinner. It was my first time to eat Japanese meal since I got back from Adelaide. Gosh, I missed the sushi in Adelaide so much.

In FCUK in Sunway.
Two of my best friends in INTEC: Rahman and SweeHow.

Just after I flew back to Alor Star, had my dinner with Grandpa, got back to Papa's shop, and started chatting with Zitheng on the phone, I heard sirens coming from every direction and the sound got louder and louder. Before I knew it, my maid rushed up the stairs and asked me to take all my important things with me as there was a fire. Consternations filled my soul. Without much thought, I grabbed my bags and ran down with her. The minute I got down, Mummy told me that one of the shops nearby was on fire. Grandpa and Papa had collected all the money and cheque from the cash desk as well as all the important documents. The fire brigade owned by the government poured a pail of water and told everyone that they had run out of water. My parents and all the neighbours stood rooted to the ground, gripping with fear. If the fire was not put out in time, it would raze down all the shops in the very same row. I held Granpa's hand firmly, my parents urged him to go home first, but he refused. How could he when the shop was his effort of a lifetime. His Shop. Papa's Shop. Mummy's Shop. Our Shop. I prayed to God that everything would turn out to be fine.

As time passed by, the thick black smoke grew thicker and the fire grew bigger, illuminating the dark sky. Soon, it became like a towering inferno, raging on furiously. A large crowd had gathered around the burning buildings, most of them gaped at the fire with their mouths wide open. In the end, my prayers seemed to be answered. The voluntary fire brigade arrived and worked efficiently in no time at all and got the fire under control in about an hour. We sighed with relief, glad that it was finally over. My hand never left Grandpa's from the beginning to the end. I was also glad that no one was hurt and thank God for that.
^^
Mummy later told me that she nearly fainted when one of the firemen rushed into our shop as she thought that our shop was on fire. Luckily, the fireman just wanted to borrow the phone. I suddenly remembered the song "Fire Burning" by Sean Kingston that had " Somebody called 911.." in its lyrics, except this time someone called 911 because of a fire and not a hot girl. It was also my first time to witness a fire. I couldn't help but think about all the obstacles and incidents that happened to me this year, as if I was living in a television drama because it seemed like every day there would be a new surprise and challenge for me. Seriously, I was tired of it and I did not want any more drama in my life. I just wanted to live my life just like the past 17 years-simple, easy and peaceful.

I took one last look at the red and blue flashing lights of the fire engines and left the scene together with Grandpa.
Firemen directing their jet of water toward the shop. (Thanks to CM who provides the photo.^^)

Friday, July 17, 2009

#9 Riding Out The Hurricane

"Logically, it must be easier to get used to the lifestyle in your own country rather than that in Australia. However, it was not in reality. "


It had been 3 weeks since I got back from Adelaide and many things had happened in this period. They happened so fast that I lost track of them. However, I felt that everything that had happened to me was so surreal, like I was in a dream, a dream that had no end, and no beginning. And that everything that had happened to me had not happened yet until I told my friends and family.

I flew back to Penang with Alvin and met him at LCCT after searching the whole LCCT for him as his mum lost contact with him after he reached the airport from Melbourne. Then, his parents gave me a treat at a restaurant, invited me to their house for durians before sending me back home to Alor Star. Grandpa, Grandma and Grandaunt took them to a restaurant and we really had a great time together.

Laming on the plane from KL to Penang.

I lived my life as if I were a zombie. I paid no attention to class, nearly hit by a motorcycle when I crossed the road, lost my room key just after I got it and what’s worse was that I didn’t care at all. I was oblivious to everything that was happening around me, until I told myself I had to stop being like this, or at least get some enthusiasms towards life back. I tried to fit in, tried to open up and chat with my new friends, but I couldn’t understand them. It was definitely English, but at the same time it seemed like another kind of language, a language that I had never heard of, that I would never be able to fathom. The only friends that I had made so far were all of my roommates. Luckily they were all very kind and thoughtful.

Mummy asked me the reason why it’s so hard to start a new life in Shah Alam. I couldn’t answer her. Logically, it must be easier to get used to the lifestyle in your own country rather than that in Australia. However, it was not in reality. It was much easier in Adelaide. Then, it suddenly dawned on me that when I first got to Adelaide, I had William and Alvin with me. And in my loneliness, I began to miss them a lot. And now, I had to start a new life on my own, which was definitely harder without any companion around, without someone to talk to.
Alvin, William and me.

Luckily, Michelle came to KL for her IELTS test and I got to catch up with her in Sunway Pyramid. Thank God for that and that day I got back to my normal self again. I got to know 2 of her friends which were in INTEC also, Joann and Jiching and of course, Michelle’s family. And it was really nice to get to know them as they were so friendly. Sadly, Michelle had to leave early and we just spent a few hours together.
Nice, but only with honey!
Michelle and me in Sunway Pyramid.
From the left: Joann, JiChing, me and Michelle.

I also went to Midvalley to watch movie with Ily, Wan, Mira, Farah, Rahman and SweeHow. I met Alvin and his mum there and chatted only for a while as the movie would start in a few minutes. And thank you for the Espirit watch too, it was really cool and I like it a lot. I also met with WeiXiang and KeeiWei and they passed me the Ipod Touch MingWei bought for me. It was exactly what I wanted and began to love it once I saw it. This was my first exception for not believing in love at first sight.

Laming while waiting for Rahman's sister to fetch us to KTM so that we could go to Midvalley. Wanna say a big thank you to his sister for giving us a ride.

The watch Alvin gave to me.
The Ipod Touch my bro bought for me. Thank you to both of them.

Yesterday I took the KLIA express to the airport to send Michelle and Jasmine off. It was so good to get to see them again. Jasmine asked me why I came to send them off. I said I had nothing better to do back at the hostel but the real reason was I couldn’t find a reason not to come. Both of them were 2 of my best friends in Adelaide and how could I not come. Compared to the innumerable kindness they had done to me, this was nothing. By the way, Jasmine's parents were quite funny and warmhearted.

At last, I wanted to thank God for giving me the opportunity to meet with my Adelaide friends after I came back to Malaysia. And I wanna wish Grandpa who had his birthday this week Happy Birthday. I really love you and grandma and thank you for everything you two have done for me. I would try to pay you two back your love and kindness to me but I knew that a lifetime of effort couldn't fully discharge the debt that I owe you two. Happy birthday also to Michelle and Eugenie, 2 stupid but pretty girls and definitely best friends. To a friend who had lost his father, you have my deepest condolences.

I love you, Grandpa and Grandma~


*Sorry if it is a bit too long, but I have got a lot to tell.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

#8 Through The Rain

"In the end, I mustered all my courage, glanced back at all my fellow friends, put on a smile and bid goodbye to all of them. "



After the crazy night, I woke up to Azizul’s knocking on Chiew’s door. He said he wanted to say goodbye to me in case he didn’t see me again. I went to have my shower and then went up to Jamie’s room again. Jamie and Serene were eating Indo Mee when I got in. Later in the afternoon, they would have to sit for their Physics exam. I said goodbye to them and Serene commented that I wanted to cry by then. However, Jamie said that my eyes were born that way and that there was nothing wrong. Then, I went down to pack my things and left. On my way to the bus station, I received Jamie and Serene’s messages and I couldn’t hold my tears anymore. The passer-by must thought that I was some kind of freak but I didn’t mind.

When I got back to my homestay, I rearranged all my stuff as Jasmine’s mum told her that the entire luggage might get quarantined for 5 days due to the swine flu. Before long, Rob, my homestay father, came in and handed me a letter. Inside the letter were some cash and a name card. He said that on the name card there was his email and that I could email him anytime I wanted. Then, he fetched me to the airport. He said that I could always come back to visit him and he would have a barbeque for me. When every of my luggage was finally unloaded from his car, he wished me all the best and his eyes were wet. We waved goodbye to each other and I checked in my luggage.

I wandered around the airport aimlessly until HuiRen called me saying that he had reached the airport. He gave me the gift Weechen, Alvin and he had bought for me. We chatted a while before Chiew, Michelle and Brian arrived at the airport. Then, Zhaofarn, Chiew and Sophia got to the airport also but Sophia could not pass the security due to the knife her father had given her. So, Jasmine and I went out to meet her. I nearly broke down after waving goodbye to her and Jasmine pulled me back to the direction I should be going. I broke into a smile after Jasmine teased me that I still did not have any sense of direction even until the time I wanted to leave Adelaide.

The time had finally come. I was required to move into the departure lounge. I lined up together with the other passengers and I had no courage to turn around and looked at all my friends. It was so sad at that time and my heart was breaking. I knew if I looked back I sure could not control my emotions. In the end, I mustered all my courage, glanced back at all my fellow friends, put on a smile and bid goodbye to all of them. Inside the departure lounge, I read through the “Leaving” card thoroughly and was so touched by then. At that time, I suddenly remembered Eugenie’s saying that sometimes we have to smile with tears.

From that moment onwards, I know that I am embarking on a whole new journey alone, leaving all my friends and memories in Adelaide. And everything will never ever be the same. I have gone through the winter, but where is my spring? Time surely would heal everything but along the healing process surely follows the aching pain. Would I be able to make it through the rain and embrace the warm sunny day that awaits me? It was still too soon to tell.


The plane that flew me from heaven to hell.
The teddy bear that comes with the choc given by HuiRen, WeeChen and Alvin.

The Country Road bag that I love so much given by Chiew, Michelle, Jasmine and all the others.

The "Leaving" card signed by everyone.
Original airdate: 26June2009

Monday, July 6, 2009

#7 The Dark Night

"Thank you everyone."



It was twilight. Michelle, Jasmine and I were heading towards Hungry Jacks. It would be my last time to visit this place, and most importantly, the last time to have such a nice chicken wrap. Jasmine and Michelle came up with the one-minute-in-heaven-ten-years-in-hell theory, but as a boy I didn’t have to worry much about it. Haha.

After we bought the washing powder, we went back to the lodge by bus. Michelle and Jasmine said something very touched on the bus and I really wanted to cry on the bus at that time, but I still managed to hold back my tears. I went to Jasmine and Michelle' room first. Stupid and childish Chiew deliberately spent 2 minutes waiting behind the door just to scare Jasmine and of course Jasmine who is (not was) so naive was scared until colour drained from her face. It was so funny just to watch their stupid behaviour. Then, I got the chance to meet Michelle's Tweety before I left. Jasmine and I threw the fugly Tweety around and Michelle was yelling and jumping around just to try to save the Tweety. It was so much fun.

Then, I went to Jamie's room. Serene and Buddy were there at that time and later we were joined by Sophia and ZhaoFarn and took some pictures. Serene still put on the "HOTLINK" T-shirt and I was sure that advertising Hotlink in Adelaide was surely futile. Haha. However, Jamie they all had to sit for the Physics exam the next day so we couldn't spend too much time laming together. But I believed that some other day some other time we would still get to hang out together. It was fun, relaxing and light spending time together with them.
Jamie, Serene, Buddy and me laming in the room. Jamie, Serene, Me, Zhaofarn and Sophia and Mashimaro (not seen caz blocked by fat Serene)

After that, I went back to Chiew's room. Later, Eugenie, Priscilla, Alex, Jasmine and Brian came in and Brian handed me the big "Leaving" card signed by everyone. It was so nice and I just simply glanced it through as I scared that my tears would not listen to me if I really read all the words in it. Priscilla also gave me a small DIY card made by her, Eugenie and Alex. The card was so fine and I love it so much. Thank you everyone. Later, we played some card games and we really had a nice time. I really forgot all the problems when I was with all of them and it felt so nice. We played and laughed so loud until the officer on duty came in and scolded us. But, who cared and we really did not give a damn about what the next door neighbour was complaining about. Sometimes, it felt so good to be bad.

Stupid Chiew holding the "Leaving" card.

Jasmine, me, Eugenie, Priscilla and Alex.

The DIY card

All of us playing "Indian Poker"

Thank you everyone for making my darkest night so much brighter.

Original airdate: 25June2009