I have been thinking a lot about my school days lately, how it was and trying to remember the things I did, the friends and “puppy love crushes” that I had, and those who are still in contact with me. It felt just like yesterday that I attended my own graduation, and how it was also probably the last time, I gathered with some of these precious friends of mine. Today, we are scattered all over the place, with careers in our hands, responsibilities on our shoulders, most of us are proud parents, and most of us share a similarity, which is little memories of the past, unfortunately challenged by the passing of time.
Today, we have things like mobile phones, the internet, emails .. to keep in touch, unfortunately, we have nothing to keep these memories alive, apart from our own abilities to store all these precious moments, with the help of photos, videos.. and other written mementos. We have social network sites like Face book, friendsters and myspace to re-connect and reestablished contacts with people of whom we thought we’ll never meet again.. our long lost friends.. and perhaps making some new friends too. Therefore, making the whole process of restoring friendships and memories, much easier and simpler than before.
If you ask me, I can’t remember much of my primary school days, except that, I was a lonely soul. A few names were carved permanently; these are the friends who stood with me, all the way to my high school years. There were Bani, Nas & Mis. And the list adds on, when I started high school, with some great friends like Seit Loong, Smeeta, Eng Eng, Manjit, Pun, Sandra, Marie…., Pat… and many more. Most of these friends are in my FB contacts, and the rest, are still out there, .. but am sure, our paths will cross again.
And when I was in Uni, I met up with a few more,. ..but among all of these friends of mine, I was more drawn to a friend name Pyan.. .. he was probably one of the kindest people I’ve ever known, and is truly blessed to have him as a close friend. What made it even more meaningful to me is that, despite all the peer pressures around campus, he could still walk with me, talk to me, and be with me, rains or shines. Today, this special friend of mine is a successful police inspector, a loving husband, and a proud father of two beautiful children. I just wanna say.. if I’ve never said this.. Pyan.. thank you for being there for me, and thank you for being such a special friend of mine…..
Time flies.. it really does… I used to feel that .. time stands still when I was in school. I dread waking up early and force myself to classes, although I didn’t mine doing something similar during my uni days. And apart from the friends who added colours to my academic life all these years, I must say, I have met some great intellects along the way, who taught me, not just academically.. but in many aspects of life as well. Mr. Fuad, Dr. Suriani, Ms Dzurizah, Mr. Bala, Mr. Hasannal…..list goes on, .. they were all there, all those years.. and I am indeed very grateful of that.
My special appreciation to two great souls that I know, Fuad & Hassanal. I don’t even have to say it here, cause you both know why you are indeed special to me, and I am sure to million others.
And although this chapter of my life is now temporarily closed, I believe there will be a time, that I will go back to the academic world.. My little playground.., and hopefully, I will still have these great mentors to guide me as I share the bits and pieces of what I have learnt and am still learning, in the real world of the corporate life..
