Train of Life

My birthday gifts from my gf : A FCUK T-Shirt and a DKNY perfume + A Braun Buffel Wallet for Valentines.

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When my gf was here, she read to me an email of hers which was quite meaningful...

My train of life started exactly 23 years ago in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Many have I met many along the way who have brought me much joy or sorrow. The first that comes to my mind is obviously my family.

The nucleas of this small family consists of my mum n dad, my maternal grandmother,my paternal grandparents and my great grandmothers. At this point of time, as a child, I was the king of the world. As the only son and grandson (at that point), I would like to think that I was the apple of their eyes.

My early childhood was spent mostly in Melaka while my parents had to work their socks off to earn a living at KL. My paternal grandparents and my greatgrandmothers were integral foundations of this early budding phase of my life. I have to say, at that time, when being youthful did not yet bring me the worries of the world, I was very contented to just play in the small field near my grandparents house or to amuse myself with my first few childhood friends. I have to admit I did not learn to cycle until much later. Therefore, while my friends took off on the bicycle, I counted heavily on BUS NO. 11 ie my legs.

Some one once told me that every meeting has a parting. The first person who stepped of the carriage of my train was my greatgrandmother (my paternal grandfather's mum). She had died of a ripe old age. I was told that she loved me a lot during her life. How sad that I can remember so lil' of her as she died when I was so young. But, I still do remember the warmth of her embrace. I still remember how I disliked the journey to meet her because her house was so far away into the rural suburbs. I also remember how much I disliked going into her room because it reeked of medicinal odours which I could not stand. And yet, I still willingly went to her whenever I was called, for....I guess....the simple answer was...... I loved her.....

But, the pain of her death did not really affect me. I do not want to think I was cold hearted but I think there are ample mitigation factors on my side. The first is I was so young then that I could hardly have known the significance of her parting. The 2nd is since she stayed so far, I did not see her that often.

If there was someone getting down the train, obviously there must be more getting on it. People like my kindergarten teachers, primary school friends, neighbours have all boarded the train and went down at some time or the other.

However, 8 years after I boarded the train, I got another passenger onboard, MY SISTER.

What a naughty lil' critter she was too! She shrieked and cried and screamed as though her life depended on it. But, somehow no one could get angry with her for a very long time. People said she was blessed. I do not know about blessings. But, I guess she just had a charm about her which made people feel comfortable around her. The last time I checked with home, it appears that she STILL does.

However, the train moved quite quickly after that with not many significant stops where anyone got off or got on.Somehow along the way, there were a few passengers who have still stayed on the train where others have left. These are my close friends, Fui, Yu Jin n Chii Shyang (Bobby, Michael or whatever he calls himself these days). They have stayed on the same train with me for more than 10 years and it looks like they may stick up with me for a longer journey ahead, TOGETHER. Well, the more the merrier!!

Sadly, around 7 or 8 years ago, another passenger of the train had to step off it. She was my other great grandmother (my paternal grandmother's mum). As I was already a teen when she left the train, she had made quite a mark on my life. Even during her last days, she was an epitome of strength and independence. She was always inspirational in the sense that she was always selfless and did not want to burden others with her troubles. I knew I should not be sad when she left the train because she had came off at a very good stop and I'm sure she would have been very happy to get off then. She was becoming ill and I knew it would have pleased her so much that she did not have to be a burden to others around her. She was an inspiration to those who knew her and she is still an inspiration to me. Whenever I think I will give up, I remember her struggles and I fight on....I bleed...I suffer in pain...but....I will survive....She was the teacher of life and I was glad that I was the student.

The others who later came and went were of the romantic kind. They were passengers of a brief type who came and enjoyed the cocktail and left when the carriage was feeling a lil' too humid in the Malaysian weather. Some have left without a trail, others have managed to keep in touch via long distance while a particular one is like a virus, long gone but is still causing much damage to the train system. Well sometimes you just let the wrong people board the train...Sigh....

Thankfully all is not always good or bad. It depends on how you look for it.If you look for sorrow, you will always find it even in the summer. If you look for joy, even the bitterness of winter brings promise.

MY newest addition to the train is hopefully a long addition. She is my newest gf of course. Hopefully, like others who come and board the train,she will enjoy the ride. Of course, it would be better if she will be accompanying me for the journey ahead.

Adventure beckons and let the train move on........

(Looks like a lil' lonesome birthday for me...but what the heck...I'm getting some ang pow from my parents soon and I'm treating myself to a birthday present, a trip to Barcelona.Well...I gotta stop crapping and back to working on my assignment...till the next post!)