The Black Jack Club

27 March 2009

With Age comes the realisation

Yesterday I was at one of the RMIT computer labs where I decided I would sit there alone and reflect about the week’s assignments. Before I knew it I was already looking at my watch. Reflecting seemed to be a lot of work for me. But as I sat in that silent lab by myself, listening to the ticking of the seconds on my analogue watch, it suddenly hit me, like a brick through a window that I just turned 21 last week and I am getting old.

My recent initiation into the black jack’s club was unforgettable. It is not everyday a person turns 21 and I thank my friends for making it a memorable experience. It has been awhile since I received a birthday present and this one was definitely a special gift. As you might already know, the bike I lost not too long ago is now a distant memory. I got over it with my brand new bike I got from my friends. Hoorah! Mobility is mine again!

So far it has been good to spread my wings of manhood but sometimes it gets clipped down when my mum calls. When she calls to check up on me, I would still be out, at a time that parents might consider the zero hour. Safety is an issue that most mothers are concerned about. I think that my mum would dread to see an article with the headline “International Student Killed in Late Night Brawl,” when she reads the morning paper. Thus, I will try my best to be home early, or choose to not to pick up my calls. Oh, Jimminy Cricket won’t you be my guide? (reference to Pinnochio's conscience)

Time seems to run faster for me now that I am 21. I find myself trying to keep up with time before it outruns me. Before I know it I will be 22, 30 and then just a memory on a gravestone. For now I will live my life with my mortality in mind so that I will remember to not waste my life on regrets.

A Lost Friend

Have you ever had someone that you used to always hang out with, go places together, just somebody who would be right at your door step just as you walk out of your apartment?

Well i have, actually "I had". I lost that friend recently. I still recall all the good times we had together. We would travel around together. We would go around the city and even go over to my girl friends place. She was always there when i needed her but she was never that clingy to actually follow me everywhere.

When i would go to Big W, she would acknowledge that i want to get the groceries on my own and she would wait outside for me.

When i went back home she always respected that i was not that type of guy and she would never come up to my room.

She respected that i needed time on my own to hang out with my other friends and she gladly parked aside, feeling like an outcast as i selfishly clung to my own social peers.

She was my best friend who always stood by me, got me from A to B and she never ever made me feel like i owed her anything. Then one day, she vanished.

She was not waiting downstairs as i came out the door.
There was no one waiting outside the grocer for me, ready to accompany me home.
I feel lost without her. Who could replace that pillar of strength and stability as well as she could. I cant go from place to place as quickly and joyfully as i used to.

I know i only knew you for a couple of weeks now, but i feel that the connection that was much deeper than just a friendship. When i needed to get to places, you were that point of contact you were that moving grace. Unfortunately you were mercilessly stolen from me, but i forgive that person. Who could resist the magnificence that is you and they would probably want to keep magnificence for themselves.

I will miss you dearly my dearest friend, my bicycle, my black hawk with Dunlop tires and a red frame. I will keep the key to your lock and the helmet that came with you with the hopes that one day i will find you again.

Here is a picture of me and my dearly departed. Rest Easy where ever you may be.

I will go on ahead and dream of what might have been and where we could have traveled T.T

Will update you guys next time.

Memorabilia

In Australia

The most obvious memorable moment for me within the past month (considering the fact that i am an international student)would be, leaving home to come to Melbourne.

The memory of that moment starts all the way from when i started packing my bags, checking the itinerary list: Clothes check, Toiletries check, (at least enough to last the month)Plane tickets check and Passport double check (i do not think the Australian immigration would take to kindly to illegal entry into Australia)

The memory of the moment continues as soon as i reach the airport. Mum was there of course, a couple of friends and my bags. I arrived late at the airport (it was a weekday plus the rush hour traffic was horrible) Checked my bags only to find out that it was overloaded by 4 kilos.

Opened the bag got out a few things (one of my favorite pair of Jeans didn't make the flight to Melbourne unfortunately but mum was nice enough to send it over).

I didn't get a wink of sleep in the plane. I was to busy putting on the headphones trying to drown out that the cries of this one particular toddler who seemed to have had a caffeine trip by the way she was wailing and not wanting to sleep throughout the flight.

Anyway just as i touched down at Tulamarine airport, as soon as i got out from that plane and out through the doors of immigration, that was probably the most memorable moment of my life. New people, new environment, crazy weather and basically a brand new chapter in my life away from my home in Malaysia.

What you have just read was ultimately the memory of the preparation, the moving and the arrival into what would be (hopefully) the best damn time of my life.

Cheers.