Early 21

Another year has almost passed and this time, I am celebrating my 21st. I still remember being eight wondering how long it would actually take before I would turn 12 (because my dad promised to reveal his magic secret when I am 12). Fast-forward a decade plus later, and all of a sudden 12 is like.. meh.

My birthday this year (in)conveniently falls at a rather peculiar time.. what with my dad being away, me having exams during that period, and right after my exams, I will be whisked off to China for almost a month! So my family didnt really have much choice but to give me a birthday dinner TWO WEEKS in advance. But it was, nevertheless, a touching and happy dinner tonight.

Mom planned it at Chilli's, Bangsar. Was looking forward to seeing the German Shepherd that normally does its rounds there at night but unfortunately tonight, I didnt get a chance to even catch a glimpse of it. 

Going back to the dinner, I felt very blessed spending dinner at a posh restaurant with my family and everyone giving me their own little memorabilia for my 21st. My mom and dad got me a necklace weeks back AND an iPhone 4 today. Grandma and second aunt gave me angpaos while first aunt got me TWO sets of earrings. Something I actually wanted but did not have the heart to say it out. I was honestly very very happy to receive her gift as I dont normally get pretty earrings. 

Having said all that, more than anything else, I feel really grateful to have my mom and dad. They have raised me thus far to be the person that I am today. I am no perfect being, but I am aware of that, and that is one step closer to working to be the best person I can ever be. There are still a lot of things I need to work on about myself.. and I wish my parents knew how much I appreciate them for being patient and tolerant with me. I take them for granted so very often, and they still forgive and love me just the same. 

My aunts, my grandma and my brother are equally appreciated for being there to celebrate my 21st tonight. 

I still remember my brother being an ass, a thorn under my skin, back when we were kids. Looking back now, I am beginning to be grateful for having a brother like him. Though we may not like the same type of foods, and we do get jealous at what the other gets, he is still my brother and nothing can change that. We were raised in the same house by the same parents in somewhat the same manner for 18 years and it is no surprise that we have so much similar thoughts and views. Although we dont talk much because of our own 'busy' lives, but when we do talk, I know my brother is someone that I can count on and understand me. 

I admit.. there is a part of me that feels missing, but really.. I cant ask for more. 

And here's to being an adult. Like finally. 

  

Life is Short

Apparently, one of my seniors passed away this evening. It was a car accident.

Goes to show how people can be in your life one moment and be gone for eternity, the next. Your life can disappear in a flash. Maybe if i was closer to him, his death would affect me even more. But even as it is, his death is still nevertheless, a shock to me. I wonder how I would feel if that person who left this world wasnt him but was someone closer to me. People whom I had shared good and bad memories, people I wish I had that one last chance to talk to with, people who I wish knew how important they are to me, or even, a simple apology to every one out there whom I have shown a black face to, or got pissed off at.

And then the thought lingers to.. me.

What would I do if I die tomorrow?

Have I done everything I want to? Can I be certain that I would die with a smile on my face?

Then you realise that when life is short, your priorities in life change. You arent going after that job promotion anymore. Stress is just a word. Getting the recognition or a certain status, be it social or work, suddenly doesnt matter so much anymore.

For me, I think I would regret the other more candid stuff in life.

I wish that I didnt miss that opportunity to go up a hot-air balloon with you.
Going for another trip somewhere, just my mom and I.
Telling my mom I love her.
Making a change in the lives of others, no matter how small.
Eating my hearts content.
Living life, instead of rushing life.
Hugging Metta every single day before going out.
Swimming in the sea.

Maybe if I realise that life is short and that it is a gift given to us by God that can be taken away from us anytime, maybe I will realise that sometimes we just have to let what's bothering us go. Just live in the moment. Take risks. I dont mean being rash, but rather.. grabbing any opportunities we have that comes along our way for we never know when that opportunity may ever come round again.

Appreciate those who love you and love them back in return.

Laugh out loud.

Take breaks off from work just so you can do something random.

Forget grudges.

Accept your feelings, embrace them.

And maybe that's what I shall start to do. Live a little more. Play a little more. Laugh a little more. Hopefully I will have no regrets when MY time comes.



P.S. I hope you rest in peace. I might never have spoken to you in person but I know you were an awesome person in life. 

The Metta Frenzy

Just as quickly as it commenced, the pet contest thingy ended today.

I would have posted a fb status to thank everyone but to be honest, I really feel that a status alone would not have been able to depict the amount of gratitude I felt towards everyone who was involved in getting Metta his 250 likes on fb as well as the people who voted for him as the cutest among the top 5 in the faculty today. It goes to show how much a little effort by everyone can make a big deal to a person.

When I sent in Metta's picture, it started off with just doing it for the fun of it. I didnt imagine myself going about trying to get people on my friends list to 'like' Metta's picture nor imagine attempting to make Metta's picture the most popular picture. But the competitive feeling started to kick in especially when I saw how other people's pets were reaching 120+ 'likes' while mine was just maintaining the feeble, measly 30+ likes. How sad for such an adorable boy like Metta, right???

So the frenzy began.

The rest of the story does not need any further explanation. You know how fb works, you know how competitions like this annoy the hell out of people when random friends start msging you just so you can like their pet's picture.

I honestly tried to avoid that. Initially I started by just telling those who I chatted with on a regular basis. But when that wasnt enough, I got more into it. So.. so, if I did annoy anyone whom I havent spoken to over the past year by asking them to like my doggie's picture, please forgive me for being getting too into the whole game. If there is one thing I learned from this event, I will never brush people off when they ask me to like their picture in future because I now know how precious each and every 'like' is. I dont approve this business of liking-photos-to-win contest but I dont think it can be helped.

Yet just as how challenging it was for me to overcome my normally quite "un-thick face," I want to thank everyone, from the bottom of my heart for all your genuine likes and support. Those who liked it even without me going around promoting Metta to you, to those who shared Metta's picture without even me asking for you to do so,( I had a stranger who even shared Metta's picture for me!), to a particular person who asked his close friends to like Metta's picture and as well as those who told me that Metta is adorable. Thank you to all of you. You have no idea how much it means to me, even if Metta did not win in the finale.

Anyways this is another equally adorable picture of Metta. Wouldnt be participating in these type of popularity contests for some time. :p

Smiles

Very often I tend to forget this.. but when you smile, most of the time, the world will smile with you.

When you talk to people, when you open up to others, you are giving a chance for people to step into your world. And perhaps, that is the way life should be. It's about giving everyone an opportunity to be a part of your life. No man is an island, we can never survive in this world alone. It is the people around you who makes things worthwhile. Dont discriminate, dont judge. Just have a good time and laugh at the simple things in life! :)

A picture of Metta and I from a few months back.. look at that big wide smile of Metta. Always smiling and happieee...

Some people are worth waiting for a lifetime. But not all. You have to know who is.

On a separate note, I have been consistently taking Metta out for runs everyday since Saturday. The day that TJ came to my house and taught me a few tricks on how to handle my furryball of fluff. Today, I decided to give the bike a rest since I kinda feel like it's a little too exhausting for Metta. Walked him instead. I love Metta to bits right now. The story of 10 Promises to My Dog comes to my mind. When Metta was a puppy, I spent all the time i had with him. Played cops and robbers with him, gave him tummy rubs, taught him how to climb staircases, fed him milk etc. But as he gradually grew bigger and harder to handle, and along with my increasing busy life, I began to neglect him. Even then, Metta never gave up on me. He continued to treat me with just as much love as always and still trusted me enough to give him tummy rubs. And now, 10 years later, after 5 years of secondary school, 2 broken relationships, a year away from home, countless fights and tears.. Metta is still here with me. As forgiving as ever. I promise I wont take you for granted anymore Metta.

haha, now I just hope i dont end up suffocating him with my love. Just as I always do with the people I choose to love.