Dis-Connected

Everytime I'm in the car with my dad and when James Blunt's High comes on the radio, both of us will race for the radio. His finger landing on the 'change station' button and mine on the 'increase volume' button. Dad despises James Blunt - he thinks he sounds like a strangled cat when he sings, but I on the other hand, have developed quite a liking for that song in particular. After a brief finger-wrestle at the radio, dad would usually give in. But on that break of dawn, when we were on our way to KLIA - the roads were empty and the moon was still bright and huge, that it made me want to reach out and touch it - that song came on. Both of us raced for the radio. This time, he beat me to the 'increase volume' button. I laughed and looked at him and he said, "Hope it won't be too long before we see you next." I thought, sigh....ditto.

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This break was extra special for me in many ways. It's the first time in awhile where all of my favourite girlfriends were around (in the same continent, at least). Many times before this, either Lyn would be partying it up in LA or Sara would be engrossed in a book in a coffee shop somewhere in a city down-under - leaving the group incomplete. Boy have we all grown up, huh? Talks on engagements, weddings, career changes - who would have thought? Everytime we meet, it's like makciks getting excited over a cheap bargain at a pasar malam. With them, it's always laughs and laughs and old jokes that never go stale. But underneath all that chaos, is this calming sensation that come what may, I've got their backs just as much as they've got mine. These faces are my angels. These faces are the ones who will accompany me at my death-bed when my time comes.

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I concluded a chapter of my life recently. Figuratively or literally speaking - it doesn't matter. All that matters is that everything's done, dusted, locked and tossed away. Thank you :) - I never thought it was possible. Starting on a new page, new book. Took a plunge at the preface - I think I kinda like where this one's heading.

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I look around and all I see is most people being caught up in the race for the riches and status. The quest within many is to get to the top of the ladder and be named Dato' by mid 40s. Despite whatever altruistic motives you remind yourself of each day, more often than not, money is both the drive and the goal. But one day, when everyone's luxury is no less than that of the next person, what distinguishes one from the other? To me, it is character. In a swarm of wealthy and beautiful people, good character prevails. I've seen pretty people, I've seen rich people - but now, all I want is to meet (more) people with good hearts.