:: Tossed Salad and Scramble Eggs ::

:: Monday, June 06, 2005 ::

On Farewells

One of the things about being in an offshore university is that you'll have to accept that people come and go, and when they go, you know that its your last parting.

I suppose I didn't miss JC much apart from the routine because I knew that I could come back and see friends and teachers as and when I liked (- I do have the convenience of living 5 mins away). After all, there are always reunions to reminisence about 'good ol' days'. But here, a farewell, is said in its essence. I know I won't see Marco and Valentina anymore when they go back to Milan. I won't see Helen any longer when she goes back to Paris. I was looking forward to seeing her this summer, but it wasn't really feasible considering that I'll be in the US. I'll probably miss having cook outs with her and hearing her passionate philosophy on food and having to remember her many authentic French recipes. The last thing she said before we bid farewell was, 'I hope you'll come to France, then I can make you practice your French!'

Then theres the 3rd Yrs Singys, but I suppose it isn't so bad saying farewell since its easy to meet up in Singapore. I will miss their presence here in Warwick. Won't see Shi ling and Wee Teck on Sundays, won't have Deqi to humour me with his bout of retardedness, won't see Weiliang tirelessly running off for another Christian Uninon event or in cell group meetings, won't see Jean to hang out at the piano room in the art centre. I just wonder whether there'll be enough next year to fill the vaccum.

But it made me think about what it'll be like in another two years time when we graduate and say our farewells to our international friends. I probably won't see Rainbow, Eric and Soph. I won't see the Thai guys, I won't see Leor, nor Anjili or James or Tina or Mukul or a whole bunch of others.

The thing about reunions and gatherings. It is a mechanism which lets the memory fade over time, so it cushions the impact of having a sudden void. This is different, because when you get back, your environment changes and everything that has been going on for the past three years has been a distant memory. Sometimes I fear it will seem like an inkling of a surreal sub-reality dream.

Still, I guess the most fortunate thing was having had a passing glimpse of knowing so and so in your life and having appreciated their time with you for that mere moment. I suppose the constant linger of reunions does sometimes kill the image that is bygone when people change and get along in different ways. It is nice to keep up with everyone and see how they get along, but its nice too that you leave that chapter behind and get on with life, just remembering them as they were in that moment.

:: Stuffy 6/06/2005 04:13:00 PM [+] ::
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Notes and Keys

Was killing time at the art centre piano rooms with Janice before watching a play after we ended our papers. Taught her a few notes here and there, or whatever I could, after being such a failure as a teacher for the past few months.

Played that simple song in C major when the pianist in the room beside me started playing the song as well ( you could hear what the other room was playing because the walls are so thin). It amused me quite abit, and since it was a duet, I played the accompaniment. I didn't know who the pianist was, but his appeggios reminded me of my paddling partner Eugene- another gifted pianist.

And then I played a piece from The Phantom of the Opera, then I stopped, and he played where I left off. Janice and I were just laughing and commenting how nosey (Kpoh) he was. After awhile, he stopped, and then someone opened our door, looked at us two chinese girls and then said 'Oh sorry', then slammed the door shut and walked off. And then the playing continued again, he played on of my favourite pieces, Rhapsody in Blue.

We had another 15 mins to kill, so we thought we'll just go knock on the neighbouring door and see who it was. We just said 'Oh sorry'. But I couldn't help but compliment his playing, so I told him he played beautifully and asked him if he was in the Warwick Big Band.

It became awkward because he started turning red, and being a white, it was quite obvious - this I know from my own experience. He flustered and stammered, perhaps quite annoyed that he was interrupted from his playing, perhaps it was just the sudden compliment. Anyway, I said that we won't disturb him any longer, but just that I hope to hear him play sometime again at the art centre.

And then we left the awkward moment to linger.

:: Stuffy 6/05/2005 03:28:00 PM [+] ::
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Today I walked with someone in the rain...

Started to rain just before I stepped out to take a paper at the Butterworth Hall, so I took my umbrella with me before I left. Noticed a lad infront of me without an umbrella, so I quickened my steps and then offered him to share my umbrella with me. I can't remember how he looked and never asked his name, but from my conversation with him, hes Swedish, in his final year in mech E and wants to find a job in London, and plays badminton. Got a little drenched since my umbrella wasn't really large enough, but it feels good when you take the initiative to help someone. I suppose its the least I could do for all the help I've always been so blessed to receive.

:: Stuffy 6/01/2005 11:44:00 AM [+] ::
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