Twenty Four

A song sang. Candles blown. Cake cut. A celebration of another year. Another year of life on this earth.

A day spend with family. Relative from Kuantan stopped by at grandparents. It was great to have the family celebrating this auspicious day though Jess would have made in complete. Mom was the first to send her wishes. Messages buzz into my phone from friends. Amazingly it was friends whom I never expected would remember. Silence from my supposedly close friends. The irony of remembering which I am equally guilty of.

Spend the day visiting the Shell chairman house in Shah Alam. There was an occasion organise for a group of children from the orphanage. Quite a small group, 11 to be exact. It was a volunteer service I decided to participate after a collegue of mine which I meet at an orientation programme invited me. Curiosity was one of my main reason for my participation. Interested to know where the chariman stayed and probably get a chance to meet him in person.

As I reached the residence of Shell Malaysia Trading Chairman, I was surprised by the simplicity of the house he live in. My initial thought was he would be living in a grand house situated in a gated community similar with those found at Country Heights. As I entered the house, I was greeted with great hospitality namely from the chairman's wife, Betty Saw the supposedly famous chef in Malaysia. What was interesting was I got to savour Betty's cooking which was presented well as a buffet table with small cards indicating the type of food in display. There were many people present during that function mainly people from Mr. Saw' church members. It was great to see a Christian in Shell main leadership role. It was a really interesting affair getting to know people and also savouring great food. One of the highlight of the dishes prepared was safron rice where a pinch of safron, the most expensive herb in the world would cost around RM10-12. Imagine the number of pinches needed to prepare a dish.

Coming back to the children from the orphanage home, these group was slightly dfferent from the rest I visited. I believe this group was very well taken care of. Shima, Nora and myself entertain the group with myriads of games namely "Finding Chocolate" around the garden, "Mummy" (Toilet role wrap) and Shell logo bean art. It was interesting to see them enjoy themselves. However, time was short and they had to cut short their last activity. The short visit did remind of the wonderful experience I had in previous homes. I do miss them yet had not had the priviledge of going back and visiting them.

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As I set and recollected this day, I was brought back a year before where I was celebrating this day Down Under. It was this day I received an interview offer to Shell. The only interview for my only application. Seems like one of the best birthday present I had received and I thank God for his priviledge. It was also a time when I had one of the best encounter with God during the Hillsongs conference. How I miss those time.

Turning a year older, looking ahead of my future. Many thoughts overwhelmed me. The thought of building a succesful career, getting involved in things that are close to my heart, building a closer relationship with Him, meeting someone and getting married. It may seem abit too early for such thoughts but I do think of it. I do look forward for the day. The day where I will meet someone whom I can share my dreams and vision that will one day become a reality. Working together to help one another achieve one another's heart desire. Companionship seem to be a priority I seek to build upon. A life partner. As I began to mingle around, there are some individuals I had come to have a liking towards. Attempts of trying to build a relationship are often met with mixed responses. My actions are usually subtle unlike many who would just reveal their true intention openly or grab the attention of their suitor with various ways. Though my actions may not truly reveal my intention, my hearts does. At times I feel like a tortoise stuck in a shell slowly coming out from his hiding once I feel the environment is safe enough to. Fear often grip my heart yet I cannot let it grip me forever less the chances before me slips away. It takes courage and at times will pover to conquer one's fear especially when you come to a point where you meet someone whom you can find love, joy and peace with. I hope that when the time comes I do not succumb to fear like in the past and destroy the very thing I look forward to accomplish. Four more years to build a long lasting relationship. It may seem like a long time but at times time can pass you in a blink of an eye. Its a thought that still looms over me yet I'm still waiting. Waiting for what I wonder.

Happy twenty four. A courage to step out in faith.