Nothing is what it seems.....

Returning back to university brings about certain emotions like having to go through the same routine day in and day out. This time we were in for a shocker. The store room had been broken into and my roomies had lost most of their belongings like clothes etc. I lost a few of my clothes, but the bulk of my things were stored in a separate place. We had a hopeless feeling before starting the semester. It was feeling displaced and terribly at the wrong end of the stick. Even the hostel authorities were reluctant to take any action in the matter.

Where the hell is justice when you need it most?? I felt very appalled by the treatment given towards this matter by the authorities. One even told me the obvious by mentioning it was a break-in. NO SHIT!!! Tell me something I didn't know already?

I must say, what a way to start your final semester, eh?? Its no point screaming my head off because those idiots have never done anything, which I would call 'sensible.'

I have a lot of things going over and over in my mind. The financial crisis sure has good timing. I mean, what are the chances of a bomb shell like this being dropped in the world economy just before you graduate? It does a lot for your employability, that's for sure. I hope you people get the sarcasm.

I just cant get all my thoughts in order. They are fragmented into many domains, areas and situations. I also have to mention a few escapades during my holiday in lanka, which were good times.

I hope to get my 'shit' together, as in, by this weekend. Changing your mood and inner thoughts that would go parallel to uni life does take time. Well, to me anyways.

Flight UL 316

The day came for me to depart the shores of Lanka, and I was quite ready. I always face reality, most of the time anyway. But I must confess, living in a dream would not be half as bad. A holiday that manifested into many memories of all kinds is what lingers in my head. As I made my way to the airport, I made my final calls to those who are very close to me. Life 4 months after would be much different and seldom give you the opportunity to be complacent. There was a small part of me giving a meagre fight to stay back, but it was drowned.

Upon reaching the airport I met up with MB because we were to check-in together. Obviously, spreading the weight made sense since we knew both of us would be flying heavy. Time taken to check-in in the Colombo airport is ridiculous considering a handful of counters. Then an officer walks up to us informing the flight is overbooked. We were supposed to fly-off at 1.25am, but now the only option would be taking a flight at 7.25am via S’pore. This meant spending about 6 hours in the airport for which the airline assured we will be accommodated in a hotel. Number of people stranded amounted to 9: 3 Lankans, 4 Malaysians and a British dad with his sleepy daughter. The British dad started talking to me, and I replied in the same accent. In need of a demo please ask for it next time you meet me. I sure hope he didn’t think I was mocking him.

Hotel facilities were very satisfactory inclusive of a wake up call. You know, just in case!! Sleeping for 2 hours hardly gets you refreshed, but something better than nothing eh?? All the people were very groggy with the sole expectation of ending this travelling nightmare. It was a good thing I speak the local lingo, if not the poor foreigners would have been a bit lost. Local immigration officials never learn to have more than 4 or 5 operational booths. I mean, are these people retarded?? How hard could it be for them to expand their manpower without having snaking queues? Final minutes in the motherland were ticking away as the suns rays kissed the runway. Did I mention that our baggage's were cleared despite it being overly overweight? Well, maybe its not a bad thing being delayed.

I was to land in KL via S'pore, which meant that there would be a stop-over for about 2 hours. By the time we reached S'pore all the people were tired and doing their best to ridicule the airline. I joined in too because its the only justifiable thing to do. I mean, they messed it up at the start, in it?? In Changi airport walking was not welcomed, but there was nothing we could do about it. I thought KLIA was big, then here I am in Changi and its gigantic. I found a table were people were placing papers and colouring. The child in me emerged and I went to it, ending with about 3 different coloured portraits. There is a lot one can engage in while waiting in Changi, which is a good thing. Landed in KL at about 4 pm on 20 December fully exhausted.

But it gets better, as in, the airline gave us a free ticket for their error. More of my adventures in due time because I haven't had time to settle into campus life as yet. I'm still in the holiday mood to be very frank.

Let me take the memories, for it is all I have...

I have not written a shred in this blog for more than two weeks. There is a sense of guilt, but that is easily masked by the many things that kept me occupied during that time. I have been going to a lot of places visiting many people, most of whom happen to be my relatives. I visited one of the last surviving brothers of my grandad in lanka, the other is in England. While I was there something amazing happened. He shoved a great old folder to my hands, and it contained pictures of our extended families going back over 70 years. I even saw pictures of my great-grandma and great-grandad. Leafing through all those pages were simply glorious. There was even a new born picture of bapa with loads of curly hair. Those pics are the bomb!!! No doubt in that at all.

I make it a point to visit all the elderly relatives of mine. I don't know why, but I feel its my duty to pop in and see how their doing. I think old people have a lot to tell, especially stories of the bygone days, stories relating to our family. I like to listen to them, and how we have come this far to modern times.

My days in lanka are numbered, and time seems to be sprinting faster than Bolt. How about that eh?? I'm in the process of saying my goodbye's to all the people I know. As for the second holiday, I shall give a detailed version of our exploits in due time. I cant do something half way and leave it to rot. Might as well do it properly, or not at all, so do bear with me. They say patience is a virtue, after all!!

This holiday has been the best I have ever had, hands down. I would give it two thumbs-up. I made it a point to renew lost ties with some of my friends, and also search for relatives whom I haven't met. I also have a very good idea about my family tree now. When your grandad has 12 siblings, keeping track of the 3 generations becomes an arduous task.

My heart feels happy and content. I tried to get the best out of my holiday. I have all the memories stored within me, which I will later look back upon with much joy and fondness. Memories are what keeps you going, they bring a smile to you when the chips are down, or even when sharing a light moment. Thank God, for all those good times I had this holiday. I'm certainly grateful for His mercy and blessing throughout.

24 years strong

Today is my parents anniversary, 24 years down the road, they have been through good times and bad, through thick and thin. Looking back, I must say, making a marriage work is no piece of cake, and neither the effort involved. It takes immense sacrifice, perseverance, tolerance, understanding and a sea of patience from both people. Emak gave up trying to be a chartered accountant to raise my bro and I, and that has definitely not gone to waste. She imparted a world of knowledge, culture, ethics and manners, which hold me in good stead today. I can't repay that debt. Bapa still does his best to provide for the family, and soon it will be my turn to take over the baton. I pray for strength that will enable me to sustain their needs in time to come, Insha Allah.

As the saying goes- behind every successful man there's a woman- that phrase is very true and I see it in the shape of emak. She holds all of us, bapa, adik, and I together, like a circle that has no beginning neither an end. To refer to her as the 'rock' of our family would not be fitting, rather an understatement, it wont do her justice. Throughout bapa's career as a lawyer, politician, social worker, and now a Principal's wife, she has been nothing short of supportive. Frankly, its hard to handle bapa's popularity over here. Here surnames speak louder than words, and when I told MB's dad who I am, the answer was "I know all about your father." I kind of picture bapa doing the dance in MC Hammer's song 'you cant touch this.' No sir, it will sure take awhile. It is very much a tall order, indeed.

One thing is for sure, if there is to be a God fearing man of sterling qualities, of decorum, of integrity, and of chivalry, it needs a woman. Or should I say a lady more than a woman because the task is so great not all women succeed at it. I'm forever grateful to God for being blessed with my mother, a lady of immense proportions, and thus far the only influential woman in my life.

Celebrating the anniversary is always going out to lunch, and while there MB gives a call. It was about 2.30 pm and I thought results wont be out for another hour. MB wanted to know my results as his usual routine- talk about a nerd, eh!! I told him to check it for me, which in seconds he agreed. Every second passing from that moment on felt like eternity. The food I was eating felt very different, but good thing the call came after we had soup tom yam, and it was awesome.

I was happy the results turned out well, which brightened up the day. Bapa shook my hand giving the usual 'well done, my boy!' phrase, while emak gave me a big hug and kisses. I was very happy about business law; after being on the fence for mid term, I had done well in the finals. Alhamdulillah, I managed to break the jinx of having bad results when I was here last time.

I feel like on cloud 9, and now I can abuse the fame a teeny tiny bit when going out with my mates. Hope all you folks got good results, and don't worry, if you know you gave it your best shot that's that matters.

Peace yo, ciao ;)

The old night owl days and……. how to shake it!!

The past week certainly was a stomach full for most people around the world. With militants playing havoc in Bombay, Indian security establishments were caught unaware to the severity of being complacent in fortifying key establishments in the country. One thing that the terrorists in lanka don’t do is take prisoners. They’d rather blow up the entire place than deal with a hostage situation. It looks like no place is safe anymore.

I felt like shooting those militants myself given the chance. I swear!! It made my blood boil to volcanic proportions. How can a group in their right mind ender a public area and start firing a hail of bullets? These people must be seriously brainwashed beyond repair, or hearts that are of stone.

Yesterday, I met with another group of mates. After most of the guys departed, I and another two, set off to a really magical place. My friend said that there would be a friend’s party, so I thought why not. We got there by about 10 pm and met a few people who had come for the party, none of whom I knew. Then the three of us went off to have a quiet session of catching up, and update ourselves on the latest gossip. Yes people, we do indulge in the occasion gossip, although showing no interest of it in public.

The place was by the sea, and we had to cross the railway tracks that run in front of the restaurant. It was lit by lanterns and candlelight; furniture was purely of wood giving it a very rustic aura, while the wooden pillars of the two large huts were wrapped with coir rope. Sea breeze wriggles through the drooping branches of the coconut trees in the premises. As you go beyond the fenced perimeters of the restaurant, it opens out to the sea and to huts made for a smaller company of people. As we sat there, listening to the sounds of the sea in its never-ending waves, the skies flaunted its scores of stars for us to look upon. Tilting your head towards that clear night sky was nothing short of breath-taking. Orion seemed to be shining bright as ever. I think we were the only same sex group in that entire place, sad indeed.

I was also thinking what if Miss. X was here to take in the ambience of this place. Hmm!!

Then, I got a call as to what time I would reach home. Emak called at 12.30 pm sounding a bit worried, but I calmed her in minutes. The place was too good to leave!! I reached home an hour later to find my bro opening the door. It has been a long time since I stayed late, and it felt somewhat like old times.

At lunch, emak after giving me a peck on the cheek reminded me that there’s only 19 days more for me here. It suddenly dawned on me that the countdown has begun. I can hear the clock going tick-tock, tick-tock. At the supermarket emak taught me how to choose coconuts. The secret is to shake the coconut and be able to hear the water inside it clearly. Thus, the next time you folks go to buy a coconut, I hope you know what to do.

Yea baby, that’s right…… SHAKE IT!!!!