Sunway Lagoon

After two weeks of OFFICIALLY the saddest and gloomiest weeks of my life, finally, I had the best day of my life since a long time.


It all started with the idea to go to Sunway Lagoon's Scream Park. Honestly, I've only heard of this park once or twice but what the heck, I just wanted to get out of the house. So off I went to meet the rest at Sunway Lagoon Theme Park. While we were queuing up, there were voices behind me saying how they wanted to get out of the place *cough*including me*cough* But halfway through Diana started singing with the ghost-inmate. How can you not laugh?


After we got out, which is like barely 20 minutes later, we were all very...unsatisfied! We paid RM45 just to hear Diana sing with the inmate? So we decided to pay the RM50 to upgrade our ticket to ALL PARKS. The first ride? The Wagon Wheel! The one that Diana, Rassyid, and I rode 'twice'.


Next, we went on the Lost City of Gold which is a mini roller coaster. The best part of the ride? When I saw the picture of us. All of us were screaming except...me! It wasn't that scary, in fact I think it was one of my favorite ride. Especially because my partner was hiding behind his bar.


Next, the Buffalo Bill Coaster. "Permainan kanak-kanak," said someone. Huh! Who's the person hanging on the rail looking as if the next thing out his mouth is vomit.


Okla, I admit I really thought even I could not go on another ride after that. So I sat and watched and took pictures as they went on the spinning thingy.


After that it's the wet Grand Canyon River Rapids. I so couldn't wait to get 'into' the water since it was so hot. The best part, we still screamed, but it's not because of adrenaline but for our cameras.


After that Diana, Rassyid and I went on the Colorado Splash...I think that's the name. It was just to pass the time and I wanted to prove to him that I am not scared of coaster-like rides. We wanted to go on the Niagara Falls Flume Ride but because of the heat and the line, Diana suggested we should go to the pool. See, we did not plan to go to the Wet Park but since we've paid for ALL PARKS, why not maximize our RM95. So, we all (except for Sofiya) agreed to jump into the water for a while to cool our legs. From legs the water went up (or we went down) till, let's put it this way, my tudung became a swim cap. We went to the Sunway Surf Beach and swam as if we were wearing bikinis and trunks.


Lastly, we went to the extreme park. Time is limited, so we settled on the Target Shooting, Swan boat and Flying Fox. Well, only Diana, Rassyid and I were able to do the Flying Fox.


At the end of the day, we did make full use of the money. Minus the wildlife park, which I've went to, today was actually worth it. Worth the money, time, energy, and everything else for it's been a long time since I do something as spontaneous as today.


It's been a long time since I be me.

-C-

Anniversary

I remember the first time I saw you, and I like to recall this to you on every chance that I got. It was in SAT English class. You were sitting at the back row and empty seats were only available next to you. I chose the one exactly beside you. However, after the break you went and sat in front of me, instead of next to me. The one and only thought that went through my head then was, “God, these asrama boys really have something against girls.” Since then I gave no special attention towards you.

But slowly your character started to show in class and you, as an individual, started to shine especially in the eyes of us girls. You are intelligent and charming.

I remember the first time I sat facing you. It was at the dining hall and both of us were having fried rice for lunch. You didn’t speak a word, and nor did I. We ate quietly and you answered politely to any questions thrown your way by the girls. I, too shocked over the close proximity between us, could not even finish half of my rice! I remember how surprised Pia was.

I remember the first time we found out you went to Japan in form four. The girls were so impressed and I…I felt inferior. It was the same day you told us of your musical preference. Elly was especially excited for she found a ‘geng’. I acted as if I did not hear the conversation but I went home later that weekend practicing ‘Delilah’ on my guitar over and over simply because you said you like the song.

I remember once, one person asked me who I think is the hottest guy in INTI. Instead of the answer he thought I would give, I said, “Believe it or not the first person that came to mind is Rassyid.”

However, I remember thinking, “I will never get this guy because there is simply no reason for him to choose me over the other girls.” Because of this, I kind of ‘backed off’.

I remember the first time you actually started a conversation with me on YM. You started with, “apalah dosa katak-katak itu…” referring to my attention-seeking status. It was the first time you attempted a joke with me, by the way.

I remember making a huge deal over physics class because none of the other girls were in the class; therefore, less competition. *evil laugh* It was the perfect excuse. I used to look forward to Tuesdays because of the four hours straight of physics. I used to wear the nicest outfit I brought that week on Tuesdays. One day Diana saw me after class and asked, “Why so pretty?” and before I could answer, Elly monotonously said, “Physics.”

I remember both of us using physics as an excuse to chat till late at night. Either I would complain, or you would ask for assistance. I remember once I was on the edge of giving up and I told you. Suddenly Zaim buzzed me, “Rassyid kecewa you nak tukar college physics.” Oh by the way, at that moment, you did not know that my friends were all conspiring for me to ‘get’ you.

I only told Zaim at first that I had a crush on you. He thus became my eyes and ears. Day after day he will report to me on his ‘findings’. I remember one day after physics he pulled me into an empty class and started convincing me that I should make a move because you obviously has a crush on me. Naim was the person that first tersasul to Zaim and let out that the picture of the cat for your display picture was actually ‘me’. Then, 30 minutes before your 19th birthday, Zaim called asking what I plan to do for your birthday. Thinking that it’s just an innocent phone call, I put it on loud speaker. Suddenly Zaim blurted, “By the way Rassyid kata ade 60% chance korang couple.” And after that it was no secret to the girls either.

I remember the first thing ever you ‘gave’ me was your Globalization to Poverty book. An intellect, you are. An enthusiast in economics then, I was not. So instead of reading the book, I slept with it.

I remember the first time you called me “babe” online. It was on January the 20th, 2008, a Sunday.

That was also the weekend I received a text message from Elly, sounding something like this: “Zaim beritahu yg Rassyid berkata lps balik dari US kalau Syaza xde boyfriend die akan masuk minang. Maka jgn cr boyfriend!”

After that events after events led to us.

Monday, January 21st 2008: We chatted until we got disconnected at 2am, I think. You texted me saying we’ll continue our conversation tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 22nd 2008: No one can get online that night. I was anxious, afraid if you can get online and find me not there you would think I did not take your words seriously. Sofiya was sick so she went home that night. I went to the neighbors’ room and started jumping on their beds. They told me to text you. I did and you didn’t reply. I was so embarrassed and angry. To calm me, the girls decided Palma would be the right place to spend our Internet-less night. Bad move. The guys came to Palma too a few minutes later and I started swearing. You're awake yet you did not reply my text; what does that say? Zaim came over. Zaim told me to relax, he’ll ask. I objected. I went online from Palma using my phone and saw Nasaai was online. The connection was back! I rushed back and left them. When I got back, the connection was lost, again. I decided to sleep in my frustration. Fifteen minutes later I heard a soft knock on the door and came in the girls.

“Zaim is going straight to his bedroom after this,” one of them said.

“No, he doesn’t need to. It’s okay,” I lied, half-shouting.

I remember Diana patted me when suddenly I received a text from you. I ignored it. Thinking if you can ignore me, I can do the same thing. A few seconds (I swear!) later, you called. It turned out you were reformatting you phone. So, we talked. It was the first time. The next day was Thaipusam, you asked if I was going home. I said I may be driving Elly and Ali to Midvalley but ‘I won’t have anyone to hang out with when they go watch some movie’. Silence. Then you, out of nowhere, asked me, “Tak nak ajak I ke?” I was so relieved that I almost cried. I said coolly, “Sure, if you want.”

Wednesday, January 23rd 2008: Too many to write now.

Thursday, January 24th 2008: A guy friend of mine wanted to hang out with me for a while. I started jumping on a bed again. “What if Rassyid sees me? What if he thinks I don’t like him? What if he’s not interested anymore then? How? How?” I asked my girlfriends. One said, “Then you don’t have to go out.” But I insisted because of personal reasons. So the solution is to ask him of our ‘status’. So I did. I took a deep breath and texted him:

Syaza: Rassyid, can I ask you a question?

Rassyid: Sure.

Syaza: Rassyid, do you like me?

Rassyid: Yes..I thought you knew.

Syaza: I did guess. Hey, is it okay if I want to go out with a guy friend?

Rassyid: No problem.

Syaza: Thanks! Talk to you later then.

Rassyid: ________ (the last part will be a secret)

So that’s the story of us. After that, it’s been countless of ups and downs; perhaps more downs than anyone could guess. But it is okay, it’s part of living, isn’t it. To grow together, you have to be with each other, and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. I read once that in order to find your true partner, try being on a bus with that person for three days straight. If you can stay seated with that person until the end of the ride, you might make it. We haven’t tried that yet. But all I know is I have never ever met a person who truly understands and is sincerely patient with me; and that’s the hardest part I think.

I remember on February 23rd 2008, I wished you a happy one month anniversary. But you rejected it. You said that - as one of you many philosophies in life – you do not believe in counting the days. You related that people in jails count days because they can’t wait to get out. So if we started counting, the days would seem short. You do not want to feel your time with me as short. But this time, I could not help it. We’ve been together for a year. I know it’s nothing, really. But as how people celebrate another year of living during birthdays, let us celebrate one year of loving on our anniversary.

Happy One Year Anniversary.

We made it. And may we make it through many more anniversaries to come.

-C-

='(

This is OFFICIALLY the longest and worst week in my life so far.

-C-

Dr Renuka

I remember that day in second semester like it was yesterday. It was a Thursday. I had my Politics class as 10. And on the way to class, I met the other three: Diana, Lils, and Wenli. They were giggling like mad, walking like three drunken teenagers. I asked them what's up. And one by one they started recalling their History II class, or more specifically the lecturer. "Our history lecturer is so funny. You're going to meet her soon because she's the World Religion lecturer too," Lils said. And true enough, after politics I went to religion with Lils and sat anxiously while waiting to see how this funny lecturer looks like. And soon enough came this small Indian lecturer with henna-red hair walking through the door. She didn't struck me as funny at first, but cute, definitely. I don't remember if she smiled that first time I saw her but based on the person I got to know later on, I think she must have.

After that, Dr Renuka definitely succeed in getting me to class. No, in fact she actually made me look forward to her class. She's funny not because of her jokes, but because she tried to make light of everything and her demeanor is just funnily cute! Especially after 10 minutes or so of dry learning, there was always something that would come out of her mouth that made us laugh and it would rejuvenate us again. Therefore I would never call her a dry lecturer. She's always smiling, and when she's not, we know that something really bad must have happened. But usually her frown didn't last long. She's like the godmother everyone wants. In fact, there was once that I fell asleep in class while she was showing a video. I thought she won't catch me in the dark but it turned out she did and after the video ended she came up to me and said, "You look reallly tired. Why don't you go back?" I sheepishly smiled and shook my head. No other teacher I know of ever allowed me to go back in the middle of a class...and without a hint of sarcasm! At the end of that semester she brought sandwiches for all of us. How can you not love someone who brings food for 30+ people? Besides that, she will always be remembered as the only person to ever call my full name (Seyazafarrhana) up until the last class I had with her.

If that 2nd semester was like an introductory between us, I would say during the next semester we got to know each other pretty well. She can even joke about him and I always wanting to be together, again, without a hint sarcasm or irritation in her voice. I took history with her and I remember laughing over everything she said during the first day of class. I missed listening to her! She's always nice to me. But I guess sometimes she would also get annoyed with me always nodding off for 5 seconds every time during her 8am class. She always tried to make things comfortable, nonetheless. I think I can sense that somehow she did not enjoy that class as much as religion. Maybe it's the subject or the students, she's just not as jolly as before. So when her antics showed I would always be one of the persons laughing most. I love her!

After teaching me for two semesters straight I asked her to do my recommendation letter. She of course did not object and she also put quite an effort in both his and my letters. I can tell from the way she described me that that was exactly how I acted in her class and with her. I remember the second last time I met her when we waited for her to finish class near FOLA. And when she saw us from afar, she actually shouted, "I haven'tt write your letterr yet!" and rushed to her room. I giggled like mad. We followed to her room and she showed us the other students that asked her to write for them too. We told her that we're there not to pick up the recommendation letter but simply to remind her. She looked really glad after that. She said she'll work on it and we can come by two days later. So we did. And that was the last time I talked to her.

I know I am a bit late to write this entry. But the truth is I was in denial before. I know she was in a coma but I didn't want to think that she's really gone. I told him that until I hear it from an INTI official, she's very much alive to me. But then today Dr Lim told us that she passed away last Friday and today her body would arrive in India to be cremated. I really cannot believe it, but that's the truth. Someone who wrote and thought of nice things towards me is no longer with us. She was such a marvelous person. Everyone kept asking why does something so tragical has to happen to someone so beautiful. Fact is, when the time comes, it doesn't wait for a 'right' situation.

Dr Patilla Puzhankara Renuka Devi, you will be greatly missed.

-C-

A Girl I Know

Once upon a time I was a form one student. A student at SMK Seri Keramat to be exact. I had a best friend, her name is Fayyadhah or we simply call her Fay. We were inseparable. And then around March a new student joined our class. She just moved to the AU4 area. At first not many wanted to befriend her because of her very thick English accent. It turned out she had been living in England till a few years back. She hadn't mastered the Bahasa Malaysia language well yet. Since she's new, she sat at the back of class. And guess who loves to sit furthest from the teacher...yours truly.

So my friend and I decided to be nice to this new kid. We talked to her, got to know her, and even invited her to some of our 'outdoor' activities. One Monday, after the weekend we invited her to join us to the National Library, she suddenly distant herself from us. Being typically me, I wondered of it out loud. She then confessed that she felt 'a bit' left out during the excursion, as if like the third wheel. I felt like patting her on the back to reassure her she's not but at the same time I also felt like slapping her. Fay and I had been best friends since we were nine, so of course we are very close and whatnot. Couldn't she appreciate the fact that at least we ASKED her to hang out with us? After accepting my explanation she apologized and we continued as before. But then it got worse. She was suddenly like the tahi hidung in your nose. You want to pick at it, but fear of disgrace if others see you at it. She annoyed me too much not because of her dependency on us, but also because slowly I saw her wanting to become...me. The day after I brought my first ten paged fiction to school, she brought a draft of hers. One day I showed Fay a picture of Rob Bourdon I drew, the next day she has a picture of Christina Aguilera - signed the previous day. I play guitar, suddenly she's all interested in it too. It's fine if I 'inspire' her, but to do EXACTLY the things I hold dear? I just want to get rid of her.

It was then that someone told me about a story of a friend back in college. The dude, like this girl, was trying to imitate this person in every sense even when he is not as smart or as cool. Whatever this person does, the dude wants to do too. EVERYTHING including academic stuff. Guess what? The dude went to the extent of becoming almost EXACTLY the same as the person he imitated up to the point that he's now more successful. Fine, people can say it's his luck and rezeki and maybe he did crack his brain to be as smart later on. Hey, even that person holds no grudge against the dude now. But it's the annoyance of the moment.

I told my parents about the girl at the start of my story and their advice was a typical parental advice: be patient and be nice.

But I also remember of another advice my mum always tell me - always take care of yourself first. It means, before you start helping others or care about another being, make sure you have covered yourself first. It makes sense, doesn't it. Before you tutor another, you must be a master first. At times it does sound selfish. Why can't two or more people learn together without one being better? I guess you can if you want. But my mum knows her daughter better than anyone else. She knows how competitive I am. I don't want to be better, I want to be the best. What's my 'best' is of course relative. But the point is, my mum, being a mother, is afraid - and I think she will always be afraid - if someone starts taking advantage of her daughter. First of all, she knows how disciplined I am when I am working. I don't stray or procrastinate, I'm focused. A few bad qualities I do posses, but the basis I have covered. So if someone takes advantage of me doing more than 50% of the work and ends up getting better (or more, or earlier, whatever) of what I worked for, she knows I'm going to beat myself up over it. Extreme it is, but fiction it's not.

Oh by the way, the girl at the start of the story, she finally woke up from her state of 'finding herself' and left me alone. She realized that she can't and never will be me however many research she does on my interests and settled for being the academician that she is. Both of us had a fair share of being top of our form. She then went to a boarding school. Three years later I saw her name above mine in the SPM 2006 100 Top Students. She is actually very smart so I know she worked hard too for everything she had gained.

She work, she doesn't depend.

-C-