Game of Tag

20 years ago: 1985

I was 5 and living in Tmn. Maluri with my parents and grandparents. Mum and dad mostly worked 7 days a week close to 365 days a year. They often picked me up from school to go spend the day at their store where I would take an afternoon nap under their desk. Once or twice a year, we'd all take a trip to dad's hometown which happens to be Penang. We'd go swimming all day in the ocean/ hotel pool, play and take pictures at the beach, eat the yummy food that Penang is known for and watched 'vision 4' on tv. Bliss. This of course pulled me out of school lotsa days, but mum and dad were so good at coming up with excuses for the teachers. Apparently my relatives were always sick and almost dying. A week later, I'd be back with my nose and shoulders peeling from sunburn.

10 years ago : 1995

Age 15, let's see...high school. It was all about boys, boys and more boys. My friends and I were obsessed about our latest crushes. And I do mean crushes. Every week it could be someone different. We'd flip out if we thought that some guy was looking our way. Silly, silly. Having kept a journal since the age of 13, I have all this documented. It is simply hilarious. Someday I'll cut and paste sections to share.

Also beginning this year, many of us got really into extra-curricular activities. We were eyeing positions on the comittee of the different clubs in school. Got a bit power crazy there for awhile and I believe this was the point in life where letting my grades slip was an option.

Everything else was still good. Mum and dad still worked close to 365 days a year. However Chinese New Year every year, we'd take the annual family vacation. In 1996, the entire family got hooked onto diving. Even mum who is actually afraid of water.

5 years ago : 2000

The first half of this year was full of goodbyes. In July, we left Malaysia for good. It was tough saying goodbye to everyone who had been my life up til then. Lotsa tears to say the least. Why we left? I'm not sure really. At this time, I had just completed A-levels and was scheduled to go to Uni. I figured dad wanted us to all stay together, so instead of sending me off to god knows where for school...he moved the entire family. Dad had always wanted to live abroad anyways, so this was as good a time as any. In hindsight, I must say that it was really good planning on their part.

The second half of this year was all about learning new things. For the first 2 months we were in Vic, all 4 of us in the family shared a 2 bedroom apartment. It was tough as you've prob figured out, growing up...I did not see mum and dad an awful lot. For the first time ever, we spent 24 hours a day in each other's company for quite a few months. For comfort, I would take long walks alone while listening to my discman and writing long, long letters to friends everywhere. College started in September. The first two years of which I was so fascinated with being spoilt for choices when it came to picking courses. The flexibility of taking 'anything you want' is simply unheard of in Malaysia. At this point I believe my career goals still involved becoming a marine biologist. I was torn between sticking to the sciences vs. taking soc/psyc courses. Soc courses were interesting because for the first time ever, I was introduced to critical thinking and thining outside the box. Apparently everything is not as they appear.

3 years ago : 2002

The dumper had just arrived in Vic not long ago. I've often felt that the circumstances to this part of our history threw us into a serious relationship way to fast, way too much. We lived together from the very beginning. It was all very exciting, mind you. But for a first girl-boy relationship, I was in way over my head. The years between then and now have taught me so much about love relationships that I somewhat feel like a war veteran at times. Been there, done that. Having had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, I feel tired.

This year : 2005

Once again this year has been all about new beginnings. Early 2005 found me in Malaysia having a blast. Then came India and now here. School's out...now what? There is nothing out there holding me back from achieving my greatest potential and that's somewhat scary.

While working at this new place has been fun, I am fully aware that it is temporary. In looking for a better job, just the idea of sitting in an office all day doing meaningless paperwork is beyond bearable. How would that be a 'better' job?

*note to self* ---- be patient, you've promised yourself a life less ordinary and you're alredy half way there, it's just a matter of taking time off at half-time to plan for the rest of the game...

Next year : 2006

Who knows

10 years from now : 2015 (and beyond)

Since we're speaking in hypothetical terms now, I shall indulge in a little bit of daydreaming. Ideally, I would have done way more travelling than I have now. Speaking of which, whatever happenned to my plan of saving as much $$ as I can these couple of months. Sheesh. So conveniently forgotten.

By then it would also be nice to own a chain of hotels, possibly on an island in Malaysia. Work there for 8 months of the year and take the monsoon months off to go places. Although, am not sure about living on an island for THAT long. The thing about working in hospitality and tourism is that, you're part of the memories that people are creating for themselves. You have the power to create good memories for people, ones which they will remember and draw strength from throughout their lives. Sure as hell don't get that from filing paperwork all day *grin*

Back to reality:

Murni, thanks for tagging me. That just wasted an hour of my life :P But it was fun. I'm tagging everyone on my list, if you should be so inclined and have the time...fire away.