Bite me!

There I was, deep in the hostile territory , dressed in my striking blue uniform, with shiny badges that shone under the morning sun. My bright blue tie only helped advertise my presence, only a pure dimwit would miss me. I stood out like a sore thumb. Little did I know that it wasn't my thumb that was going to be more than just sore. I felt like a veteran, trained and hardened by the best of the best, eyes peered down into a line so thin down to a line that I'd put Chinese from China to shame.

I was on a mission.

It was like playing hardcore hide-and-seek, only I was looking for prey , only the stakes are much much higher, where emotions tense up so badly you'd do some crazy things if you lost, some very crazy, unorthodox things. Sweeping across the area, I met gazes with the people, trying to spot the guilty amongst the innocent is harder than it looks. It was like trying to spot an ant amongst grass, long, brown reddish grass that drifted along with the wind. But sometimes those ants grow so big, it'd be impossible to miss, even if you wanted to.

And there! I spotted it, the panic in it's eyes made it stick out so badly, I had to put it down! It was my job, one I have been trained and trusted to do. I tried to ask nicely at first, but it started to rebel, battering me with endless questions. And so, I was forced to resolve the problem by force, wrangling and strangling with it, using my superior power and height to grab the goods. But then, in it's last ditch of desperation, it resolved to it's last and most secretive attacks, one so potent and poisonous that I nearly lost my wits.

It bit me, hard.
Strangely enough, I'd like to thank you for that.

It's not as bad as one would think really, I mean initially yea, I had to visit the medical quarters to have my wound properly sterilized and was given a jab on the shoulder to fend off the deadly poison in it's bite. But everything went uphill from there. I received unless praise from my commanding officers, telling me that I did a good job and that I had done what's right. I felt that nudge or warmness inside, that I didn't give in to corruption and took the easy way out, where my fingers would remain intact and I wouldn't have to go to all the trouble.

But what really made this incident worth all it's fuss, is strangely not the praise, nor the recognition that I got from my superiors.

It's the laughter.
Pure and unfiltered laughter.

Anyone that was human who heard about my little incident would give a positive response. It ranged from slight giggles to bellowing screams of joy and excitement. For the past week, everyone who heard about the incident laughed, absolutely everyone! It brings me a deep sense of fulfillment to know that I brightened up someone's day, even if it was a little chuckle. In a world where people are brought down by the smallest things everyday, I'm glad that I made that handful laugh, heartily, even it lasted for that one second.

If 100 people laughed for every finger of mine that was bitten, i'd give them my other nine :D
That way, I don't have to do any homework, and people would serve me like I'm a cripple.

Losing part of the team.

Plunking down my Biology textbooks, I lazily pulled up a lab chair and sat myself down. While waiting for my other classmates to arrive, I flipped open some of my notes and tried to make sense of the human circulatory system in all it's complicated splendour. After what felt like 2 minutes, I was given a light tap on my shoulder. Usually, my pals would just shove or slap me in the back as a sign of greeting, so I knew this was someone else. It was Samantha, with a casual jerk of her thumb, she said :

"Hey, did you know that Adeline's crying?"
"Where?!" I snapped.
"At the pejabat, I guess."

Without another word, I immediately stormed out of the class in a hurried walk, my arms flinging up and down like a robot as I went. Mr. Lxx, our discipline teacher asked me where she was before, it didn't take a genius to piece the situation before me. In my hurried stride to the school's office, I tried to piece together the possibilities. Right past the canteen, I spotted LY, one of our fellow prefects, and decided to ask her if she knew what's happening. She knew.

Worried for our fellow comrade, both of us headed in the office to see if there was anything we could do for her. Once there, I immediately cast my gaze at Mr. Lxx's room, it was locked. Knowing there was nothing much to do for now, I decided to listen to LY as she explained what happened to our dear friend. It was one hard pill to swallow, if I wasn't standing right there in front of the office, staring at Mr.Lok's locked front door, I wouldn't believe it myself.

Dear Adeline,
Do you remember the second day of our training camp last year? Yes, that camp where I cried myself silly. It was that activity where Hafiz placed those stack of papers in the middle of room and we failed horribly and I was punished. While I was down there, doing those push-up's for you guys, I could make out the faces of the others. Some of them were laughing, amusing themselves as my tears and sweat dripped freely on the ground from all those push-ups and Hafiz's horrendous yelling.

My emotions reached the breaking point that day, I was ashamed for crying in front of many of people, I literally lost all my pride. Most people made fun of it in their hearts, the sight of me crying wasn't one you'd see everyday. Honestly, I'd laugh at a 16-year old crying like a baby too. But there was this sole girl that cried for us, for me and Deanna, who sacrificed for the whole team. Then and there, I realized that my efforts didn't go to waste, that at least, all those push-up's got to somebody. It was you.

Dear Adeline,
No words could possibly describe what sort of feelings you went through that day. I wish I could tell you that I knew you felt, but no, I doubt anyone could take an emotional hit like that and still walk with pride and glory the way you did. To have 4 years of hardwork and effort all go down the drain all because of a slight slip of the tongue, a slight slip that led you falling off that tower you've built for the past 4 years with all your brain juices and sweat.

Such strength that you have is what makes me baffled, even after a hit like that, you were still able to laugh and joke about what you did, like everything was alright, even when you knew they weren't. Telling it calmly and smoothly, narrating to your friends about what happened in a manner that I could never pull off. If I were you at that moment, I'd break down and cry like I've lost my genitals.

Dear Adeline,
I believe I speak for most of the team when I say we will miss your presence dearly. You were that jug of iced water that kept everything cool when crisis was at stake, coming up with rational solutions when we needed it most. You were the voice that sounded out what the rest of the team was afraid to say, and that itself, steered our team clear of bigger problems, even if you had to take a hit yourself.

I will miss you Adeline ( as a Prefect, jangan salah faham arh! xD ). I will miss that sense of security knowing that you'll handle a block properly, even though it's filled with the most stubborn of students. I will miss that voice who speaks words of truth, even if none of us wanted to hear it. And most importantly, I will miss that ONE prefect who danced with me when jivvy indian music played in the background.

And so here I stand, in salute! No fret though, the death of one comrade could possibly mean a new beginning for both parties. Until then, cheers!

Walking The Dog.

On a normal school day, I'd peel myself off the bed at 5.50 sharp to the sounds of both my blaring alarm clock and musically Indian-themed phone alarm. By 6.00, I'd have taken my morning shower and be headed downstairs to turn on the lights in my living room. The very next thing I'd do is pry open the thick wooden doors that secure my home. Every morning, without fail, I'd see Kilo right outside the door staring in disappointment at the sight of me.

Now, such disappointment is clearly not the work of my actions. He doesn't hate me. In fact, I'd say he quiet adores me. It's because he's always expecting someone else. Because my father walks him in the morning, Kilo always looks forward to the sight of my dad shambling down the stairs, one leg at a time. His anticipation sky high as he awaits his morning walk. He seemed to disdainfully cast aside the fact I was there, even when I was staring him in the face.

Such was my quirky habits as I prep myself for school every morning, a bit of melodramatic rejection to start off the day I suppose. After gobbling up my daily serving of bread and Milo, I'd head outside to sit on a conveniently placed ceramic elephant and await my transportation. Even after all this time, Kilo would still be staring right through the door, neighing occasionally at the absence of my father. If I was lucky, my father would come down before I left. At the sight of dad, Kilo would go berserk, jumping around and whining uncontrollably, like an eager child awaiting his treat of candy. I'd laugh in amusement.

After a rough day of do-witty at school, I'd usually return with a rm 6.50 cab fare. The sound of the slamming car door would shock Kilo out of his nap, as he looks up in alarm, the look on his face suggests that there was something that needed barking at. The second the spotted me, he's pricked ears would immediately slop down followed by a rhythmic shaking of his tail. As soon as I entered the door, he'd start his morning routine all over again, as if I was dad, jumping and frolicking like a beast being released from it's cage.

For all the fuss that I have to go through, walking Kilo is more than what it seems. When I was younger, leashing him out for a short 300 metre walk around the curb of our street seemed like a daunting chore that I had to slave over everyday. But as the years progressed, it grew into more of a liking, something that I would be glad to do. You'd think that walking a hunking 50 pound rabid ball of fur would be horrendous, would you? Don't worry, I felt like that too, the dragging that he did used to give me aches on my shoulders.

I grew to enjoy our walks more and more, doing it almost everyday. Walking with him gives me a sense of escape, escape from the many mind-numbing routines of study and training. To this day, I've walked him so frequently and so many times, that I know exactly where he'd place his excretions, which tree and which pole he'd pee on and his favorite spots for bowel movement.

And no, studying the excretion habits of my dog isn't gross, it's observant. Right, Kilo?

Up high in the Highlands ( part 3 )

It was an unpleasant experience to say the least. The biting cold that bit us every morning while we ran down the slopes of Cameron's. The aches and sores that inevitably came with such rigorous training. The heavy eyebags and drastic lack of sleep that made all our tasks that much more daunting. All these took a heavy toll on all of us, I could feel it rippling amongst us, that wave of negative energy that comes with hard training.

Our thresholds were being tested.

But something kept us going on. At first, I couldn't quiet put my tongue on it, it was surreal, like an ingredient you couldn't identify in a delicious dish. There was this... magic ingredient that kept us going on, that kept us fighting, even when all those gruelling workouts and injuries took a heavy toll on our spirits. It truly baffled me to see the pure determination and guts that some of us had. It was as if nothing could stop the momentum of our team, not cold, not wind, not rain, not pain.

As the days treaded on, I slowly what that magical invisible ingredient was. That magical ingredient that held all of us together, when everything else wants us to crumble and fall down right where we stand. It was him, I was certain of it. It was him that united each and everyone of us with his strength and reassurance. He made everything so much more bearable for us, in fact, training up in the Highlands felt easy when he was with us.

It was Sir.

Every night, he'd sit us down and hold a meeting with us. It was a small room, barely enough to hold all of us in. We had to sit cross-legged on the ground and shuffle around with the people next to us. Normally, I'd consider this torturing, but through some mystical arcane magic, Sir was able to grab so much of my attention and focusing it on bigger things that all these petty things didn't seem to matter at all. He gave us all something to focus on, something to look forward to, something to be happy about.

Even after weeks after coming back from the Highlands, I can still feel his influence on all of us. His reassuring tone and witty jokes would make everything so much better, even when everything else feels wrong. For a very rare moment in my life, I'm lost for words, lost for words to describe this man. To describe his determination and passion for us would be an understatement to his abilities if I said it here.

And so, a sum up my adventures of those 12 days up in those highlands:

1. Ran around a field under blistering cold winds and light drizzles.
2. Taking cold showers every morning.
3. Enjoying cheap and delicious food.
4. Discovered a family outside my own :D

Cheers, everyone!

A new year, a new you?

I'm terribly sorry for interrupting another part of my highland trip, but this festive season calls for a few blog posts of it's own. It feels fresh today, like there's new hope radiating through the blinds of my room as I woke up. Something that I haven't felt in awhile, probably because of the endless monotone of a life I lead. It's a new, enthusiastic feeling you get when you're nervously waiting for something you know? Aw, what the hell, who am I kidding? I practically slept through last night, while everyone was out there partying all the good-will out of themselves.


Rolling in my bed, I stared stiffly at the clock, the digitally presented numbers "23.00" seemed to mock me endlessly. " Why aren't you out partying like the rest of your friends, huh? You big wuss " he seemed to say in his hillbilly tone. All the more reason I love smacking the top of him every morning. I didn't sleep well that night, waking up periodically in the middle of the night at the mocking tone of my clock. Damn, I should get out more.

I believe I speak for everyone when I say "It's 2012 already"? Why do I feel that time is moving faster and faster as I grow older? It's as if the essence of time itself is seeping right through my very fingers, never to return, never to be relived, never to felt again. All the more reason I should live everyday to my fullest! In fact, it's all the more why we should all live our lives to the fullest, instead of fussing over the things that never matter, things that get us all tensed up. Life's too short for that.

After reading a few pages of "The Happiness Advantage" by Shawn Achor, I realized something. I've much more to learn, and that I should never stop learning. Shawn's book tells us about his revolutionary study that goes against the society's mindset, especially us Asians. We all believe that after we achieve success, then, and only then, would we achieve happiness right? I mean, who wouldn't be happy when they have tons of cash and fame right?


Well, it seems that our dear friend Shawn has proved that it works the other way around. That successful people aren't always happy and that those among us who are happy tend to succeed more. A brain teaser, wouldn't you say? It goes against everything that society has brought us up to believe. Then again, since it's the new year, maybe it's time to inculcate the change we've all sought after all this while.

Maybe it's time to change.

Anyways, I hope this year new year, brings more adventure for everyone.
Happy new year :D

Up high in the Highlands (part 2)

The road was long and winding, much like how your earphones magically tangle into mess whenever you stuff them into your pockets. Early into the run, most of us guys would have overtaken the girls already. They tend to run in a tightly packed group, finding their resolve in numbers, honestly, who could blame em'? Lamp posts come far and few in between, giving the road a sort of malicious atmosphere.

With every step I took, I couldn't help but let my imagination take the better of me, thinking if dark and hair-raising figures hiding in the bushes beyond my vision could reach. It was scary really, running in the dark like that. But after 11 days of going through the same road, I've actually grown quite fond of it, other than the pitter patter of my feet and my heavy breathing, there was utter silence. I really felt like I was in a world of my own, where I could run endlessly without obstruction.

That road took us from our apartment in Brinchang down all the way to Tanah Rata, with two routes to choose from. A leisurely 3km stroll, or the gruelling 5km path. Tanah Rata is as the name implies, a level ground area where there's a field surrounded by a stretch of road. Where one lap would equate to a fair distance of 700m. I'd usually reach there at around 6:30, when the sky was still quaking in the absence of it's sun. One stretch of the field had a river to it's side. The trees stretched along that river were beautifully decorated with illuminating lights. Like millions of fireflies in the light.



There and then, I'd do my workouts every morning without fail. It was especially hard for me to keep up with my friends on the first day. The thin mountain air and blasting winds, seeped the very energy out of me, forcing me to pant heavily as I did my usual laps. Even so, the chilly temperatures up here allowed me to run longer, as my muscles wouldn't overheat easily. Back in KL, I'd fry like a fish doing workouts like this. Fortunately, the temperature up here proved to be abit more comfortable once my body warmed up.

This regimental way of training and working out lasted for 12 days, with a couple of days break in between. What's more, the training session would often stem off into another session in the afternoon, allowing us only 3-4 hours of rest. Which, in my book, was hardly enough. These legs were crying by the time we headed back to the apartment.

These chicken legs.

A jolly intervention.

First of all, allow me to wish all my dear readers out there a very Merry Christmas. The festive season always brings me a sense of nostalgia as I remember my childhood days when I used to celebrate Christmas running around with a bunch of friend setting off Pop-pop's at each others feet. Even though I'm celebrating this Christmas season by doing my usual runs and relaxing at home.

*sniff* *sniff*

It still feels good to see that everyone is pitching into this joyous occasion. Eager as ever to usher in the new year and with it, a new start.

As the title implies, this will be an intervention of sorts, an interruption if you may. The parts of my Cameron Highland trip will be broken by this post, as I feel the need to express my festive feelings. Worry not, the story of our trip to the highlands will follow shortly after.

Hopefully, they'll have a laptop and some internet for me there in Singapore.
Until then, Merry Christmas :D