leaving on a jet plane...

My last night in Malaysia and looking back at 3 months worth of summer break, I can safely say that it wasn't an unexciting one.

For the past few days, I have been bidding good byes and farewells to my college-mates who were flying back way earlier; around this time tomorrow night, I will probably be already flying over the Straits of Malacca.

I would have thought that leaving Malaysia the third time round should have become easier on me but I guess Malaysia - for all its faults and shortcomings - still has a strong pull upon my psyche.

But, it doesn't help either that I've spent a week of Ramadhan back at home this year; after all, Malaysians do have a weakness and intense longing for their own foods.

Add that to the almost daily occurences of pasar malams during the fasting month in Malaysia and you will be hard pressed to completely pick yourself up and leave the country.

However, a comforting thought for me this time around was that my family have had the chance of travelling all the way to London, experiencing the city for themselves and visiting the places, sights and sounds familiar to me this summer.

And from that shared experience they now have, I am drawing my strength to cope with my inevitable departure to London.

But for what's its worth, it was an engaging 3 months back home - more so than usual.

And as my stay nears its end, I came to the following realizations...

It is a funny thing but during this summer break, I felt that I was slowly reciprocating the deeds, kindness and help that my parents and grandparents had done for me in the past.

I guess what I am trying to say is that there was a strong sense of 'giving back' or the need to 'look after' them and I felt compelled to be there for them as they had generously done for me.

Somehow, I think that this is what the phrase 'circle of life' is all about - literally that is.

That said, I pray for the strength to protect the ones I love, the ones I am close with and the ones who have contributed much to my life.

I wish to discover my aims and purpose in life in other people, especially in those that matters to me.

Finally, I would like to know or at the very least believe that my stay here in Malaysia for the past 3 months have manage to leave an imprint, induce some change or make a difference on someone or something.

After all, that is the best thing any person could hope for - the ability to affect change.

Facing the challenges of 3rd year, I say that this entry should not be read as the beginning of an end; rather it should be read as the beginning of something truly wonderful...

Hujan emas di negeri orang, hujan batu di negeri sendiri;
lebih baik hujan batu di negeri sendiri.