Sorrowful Lesson

The mall was overcrowded, shoppers rushed from store to store;
Nobody paid attention, as she crouched there on the floor.
She didn't look in trouble, and she didn't seem afraid;
Apparently, she stopped to rest, she did not need my aid.

A little girl of eight or nine, and cute as she could be,
I wondered, should I stop and ask, if she needs help from me?
I wondered if her mother had just left her there alone,
I thought, as I walked by her, in my haste to get back home.

As I left the mall, I could not get her off my mind.
Did that little girl need help? Was I just acting blind?
It bothered me so much, I had to go back in the mall;
I had to get this settled in my mind once and for all.

The mall began to close, I heard some chain doors coming down,
But, as I looked, the little girl was nowhere to be found.
Is it my imagination, that again is running wild?
Thinking I had lost my change to help this poor lost child.

I guess she must be fine or she would still be sitting here,
I get way too emotional at Christmastime each year.
I had to leave and get back home, where it is safe and warm,
The weather forecast for that night, a chilling winter storm.

Late that night it happened, as the weather station said,
Frigid cold and heavy snow while I was snug in bed.
In the morning, I awoke to winter's nasty caper,
The only place I'd go that day was out to get the paper.

Cozy in my kitchen, with my news and cup of tea,
But as I saw the front page, it just devastated me.
On the front page down below, a little headline read,
"At a local shopping mall, a little girl found dead."

It was 4 A.M. this morning when police received the call,
The caller said a little girl was dead behind the mall.
It was the chilling elements that brought her close to death,
As she lay down, she fell asleep and breathed her final breath.

I could not read the rest of it, as I began to weep,
While I slept safe, a little girl had frozen in her sleep.
Many years have passed me now, but it still haunts my dreams;
Was the little girl they found the same one I had seen?

I can't forget that little girl, no matter how I try,
But now when someone seems in need, I never pass them by.
The lesson I have learned from this was difficult but true,
The last chance that someone may have could very well be you.

-James Kisner

Rafting at KKB

Parents are back. It's all good. I was running out of cash anyway. Daddy felt particularly generous this evening. I believe it's the first time he's given me more than 4 notes at a go. Oooh.

Went white water rafting at Kuala Kubu Bharu with the sushis yesterday. The experience is indescribable! At the time, I thought I would never make it out of there alive, but now I feel at the top of the world for surviving! It was nothing short of fun! There were 7 of us, 11 including the guides, and I earned the award for falling off the raft the most times. Four! The first time, I pulled Milo down with me. The raft almost tipped over the second time, sending 4 of us into the water. The third time, I pulled Patricia down with me, and I was the only one who got bumped out the last time 'round. Twas hilarious! The third time was the worst cuz I fell out at the beginning of the longest rapid. I earned my battle bruises there, slamming into countless rocks and being constantly pushed underwater. I felt like I was in a washing machine filled with stones. Hmm, stone washing?!

The number of bruises I got in one day was more than I have in the past 5 years! No kidding. The parents, sister, and her other half stared at the bruise on my right thigh in horror. It's slightly ovalish, 4 inches in diameter. And that's only the bruise, the swelling area is much greater. The bro-in-law said it looks as though I was paddled by a pingpong racket. Oooh yeah, I'm masochistic!

=.=''

Since I survived, I would proudly say that white water rafting is awesome! Painful yes, but definitely awesome! The thrill of riding the rapids was super! Daddy said that he's interested to try it out. I laughed. Hey, but who knows? He's strong and healthy ... and daring; most of all, daring!

Tips for first timers: Go thirtsy!

Expensive Lesson

Alas, the weekend's here! It has been quite an eventful week. Parents were away and I have been taking full advantage of the opportunity to hangout without the guilt. I've been packing on the extra pounds while my wallet's been losing weight. Sigh. Wouldn't it be great if it was the other way around?

I have to extend my endless gratitude to a particular friend from Perth; without her help, my social life back here in Malaysia would be zero. Why? Because I had been so overwhelmed with the joy of returning home that I so densely forgot to carry along my Malaysian identity card and driver's licence. It wasn't until a few days after my return that I realised their absence. Silly really, I was sorting through the cards and currency in my wallet, removing everything Australian; and ended up with a wallet with only Malaysian currency, and no cards. I frowned, confused, then a couple minutes later, eyes-widened, I started cursing repeatedly like a broken record. Anyway, thank you sooo much for sending them to me so promptly, and I apologise for the conveniences I've caused. I owe you a huge one! You know who you are~

Two Souls, One Heart

Results are out. I did better than expected, but not what I had hoped for. Not complaining. Honestly, I'm overly pleased that I'm now officially in my third and final year. A step closer to my bachelor's degree! Wootzers! I'll need to work alot harder next year. It's always a risk that I laze off and lose concentration in the middle of the teaching term. I've been slacking so much it's a blessing that I've been rather consistent with my grades so far.

Would like to thank everyone for your kind sympathies during my grandmother's passing. The memorial went well, and I delivered a eulogy at the end of it. I thought that I'd been too emotional and would once again stir up some tears, but when I finished, everyone clapped and cheered. Holding back my tears, I took a deep breath; I smiled.

Holidays have been awesome! It's great to be home. I've spent a few weeks with mom before she started to ditch me to spend more time with her hubby. First, they went trekking at some lake, and now they're at the Big Apple where it's snowing. They'll be heading for Stockholm next, and yes, that leaves me alone at home! Anyway, the time I've spent with mom so far is priceless. I like how we'd be in either her room or mine and we'd laze on the bed or on a chair. Then we'd both gaze blankly at the ceiling or the wall and talk about everything. Money, power, sex, jokes, food, family, celebrities, school, the future, la de da...

It's great to be able to talk to mommy about stuff.
So really, I think my mom's kinda cool! :)

The Return

*Peeks*

I returned to PJ last weekend and have been hiding at home since. Only managed to meet up with the bbff and Fendy for earthquake on Tuesday, and the sushis for mamak the day after.

:)

Everyone's been complaining about how hot it is in Malaysia. Typical. When it's winter, people wish that it was summer; and when it's summer, people wish that it was winter. But me? Summer all year round please!! Yes, I love the weather. I absojollylutely love it! Sweat! I'm sweating! Yeay! I can't stand the bad air quality though. My nose has been all stuffy since the night I arrived and it's just so difficult to breathe! Eurghhh...

Reverse culture shock. Really. Never leave home without cash. I have to remind myself that there's no eftpos. I haven't driven at all, due to some unforeseen circumstances. Blek~ But being a passenger while daddy's behind the wheel has scared me enough. I can't believe how aggressive and uncourteous the drivers are; even daddy! Pedestrians have no right of way at all. Not even on the zebras. Wth?! And this evening I went to the night market with mommy and the brother. Bro bought a drink and when he finished, he threw it into the nearest bin at the housing area...and got told off for it! Apparently it was the house's bin, so he couldn't use it. Seriously, wtf?! So would it be more commendable if he just tossed it onto the street? Perhaps that's exactly what they would do. Fucken' ridiculous! (S'cuse me)

Anyway, I was too late to see grandma. I found out that she passed away exactly a week before my return, and that my parents hid it from me cuz my exams had just commenced at that time. *sniffles* I'm just very upset that I didn't have a chance to bid her my final goodbye. We'll be having a 2-week memorial for her this weekend. Don't worry, I'll pull through.

I will cry because she's gone;
But more importantly, I will smile because she has lived...