This time last year

Joshua has an elephant memory. One of his favorite hobbies is to remind me of what we did, where we were this time last year/ week/ month...etc. I marvel at his great memory.

This afternoon, as I was talking to him, once again he reminded me what we did exactly this time last year and how August 2007 had been an eventful month for him. Gosh. It suddenly dawned on me how fast time flies. I am already in August 2008.

Thinking back, many things have happened ever since last August.

This time last year I was still the Children Ministry Administrative staff, very much clueless of my future. This time last year, I didn’t know that I will be assuming the post for the Youth Intern for ISCA, let alone enrolling ,myself in MBTS to further my studies.

This time last year, I had friends who were very close to me, treating me as their brother and friend. But not anymore. On the contrary, this time last year, I also had friends whom I barely knew but now ended up being very close.

This time last year, I remember visiting Ian at the hospital with Marcus and Joshua, holding his hand, assuring him that we will walk this difficult journey together. Ian passed away shortly after that. It has been a year ever since. I take comfort knowing that he is in heaven now, enjoying the embrace of our Heavenly Father.

This time last year, Marcus, Oon Feng and Jeremiah had to go through a tough time coping with Ian’s death. I know it’s painful to bear the fact that your classmate who used to play and fool around with you is no longer here; especially at this tender young age. I thank God for carrying them through this tough time.

This time last year, Joshua was down with denque. I remember sitting with him outside the clinic, waiting for his turn to see the doctor. It was very disheartening to see how an energetic, bubbly brother of mine suddenly became so weak and restless. I see how he summoned all his energy just to sit up on the bench. Thank God for His healing grace. Joshua is back to normal in no time.

But life goes on. All these this time last year taught me one thing; that time and tide waits for no men. Seize the day and make the best out of it. Treasure your friends and your loved ones as if there is no more this time next year. Serve God as if there is no this time next year. Study as is there is no this time next year. Do it today and do it now.

I can’t change the things that have happened this time last year and I don’t know what is in store this time next year, but I know I will do what I can today, and make the best out of it.

Cruise

Many months ago, I had the opportunity to go on a personal cruise. Being a “kampung boy” and never had stepped a foot into a cruise in my entire life, I gladly accepted the invitation by that family, though it was just for the night because I am working the next day.

We had to wait at the pier for a small speed boat to come and pick us up, and later transport us to the cruise. According to Uncle Michael, the cruise will not come to the pier because of her size. But I don’t mind. There were many other smaller yachts parked alongside the harbour, so Sarah and I wasted no time and started to take pictures. We posed as if we were its proud owner of the yacht.

The view of the cruise became clearer as the speedboat drew closer and closer. Oh my! It was really a gigantic cruise. According to one uncle, this cruise ranks 10^th in the SEA. Our Prime Minister and former Prime Minister have also used this boat for their holidays before.

We were taken for a short tour around the cruise. Everywhere we went was filled with Oohs and Waahs as we marveled at the beauty of the cruise. Sarah and I were busy taking pictures at every bent and corner. Actually, I was the one who wanted to snap as many pictures that I could. Sarah visited this cruise before so most of her pictures have been taken before this.

Everything was so nice. The master bedroom, the cabins, the lounge, the dining hall…everything. Well, what do you expect? It’s a personal cruise of a tycoon in Malaysia. By the way, the cost of maintaining this cruise is RM100 000 per month. This is what I called a rich man’s world. I wouldn’t spend that much money to maintain a cruise which I only visit once in a while. Haha. But anyway, I also don’t have that amount of money la.

I also went fishing for the very first time in my life! Thank God that at least, I caught some fishes. Really thrilling. But I didn’t get to eat the fish. According to Sarah, they cooked it for lunch the next day.

Dinner was served and this time, we had Thai food. Authentic Thai food because most of the staff on board are Thais. Haha. Sarah and I were both deceived by the clear colour soup which turned out to be very spicy tomyam soup. Haha.

I continued my fishing adventure after dinner. Sort of getting the hook of it. Sarah couldn’t resist temptation and joined in as well. Uncle Michael, who happens to be very good in fishing, was beside us giving a tip or two on the correct way of fishing. There was so much to learn in fishing.

After that, it was time to go home. I really had a lot of fun that night. Too bad, I couldn’t stay until the next day. But I thank God I had the oppurtunity to even come, even just for that night.

It was really a chance of a lifetime.