It's drawing nearer and nearer. I never thought I'll come to feel this way about leaving Adelaide. I remember just before I came back this year.. I was so reluctant to want to come back and to a certain extent dreading to come back to Adelaide and even to a point of nearly accepting a job in KL so I didn't have to come back. But since day one I arrived back here. Adelaide has become nothing but like home. I realised that I've finally settled in to Adelaide and saw everything and everyone from a different light. I felt such a strong attachment to Paradise this year, a sense of belonging like how I belonged to YC. I was willing to sacrifice more for the church. I've learnt to accept all the "orang putihs" around, found myself relating to all of them so much better this time round. And just when everything is going smooth sailing... God calls me out of my comfort zone again. 1 full year to make Adelaide a comfort zone, and I am out of the boat "walking on waters" again.. literally walking on waters to another Island, a much smaller Island called Singapore. It's so funny, I make fun of orang putih's so much in the past, God brought me here to Adelaide to be among them and become great friends with them. I make so much fun of the Singaporeans and now God is calling me to Singapore. Now, I just pray that I won't take too long to settle into the lifestyle of the rich and the "kiasu". The materialistic world of Orchard Road and people who see poor Malaysians like me no up. I guess God really has a good sense of humour. I mean how can you be mad at God??
I look back over the year I was in Adelaide and I must say thank you to everybody who have contributed into my life. Adelaide certainly has made me a different man. Even though I don't show it but Adelaide has certain made me into someone I never thought I could be. I will always cherish the memories I've had in Adelaide. I was so touched. Gracie made a huge album for me... she collaged all the memories of Adelaide for me.. I was so blown away by it..the amount of work put to it.. "Thanks Gracie, I'll really treasure it". Thank you to all who wrote on the album book... it means so so much to me even though almost everyone just thanked me for my lameness.. honestly.. I didn't know I was so lame. Well, at least I can be remembered for something. I was really touched to read all the notes. My eyes turned red when I read David's note, it became more red when I read Ben's and finally started to tear with I read what Zie wrote. Thank you boys.. you really made this year in Adelaide ever so much more fun and exciting. I really look forward to coming home everytime!!You boys Rock!!! I'll remember all our escapades that we've had, from titanic, to home videos to breaking into the girl's house and off course the crack on the wall. I guess this year has been good too thanks to the Raj's being here. Unc Mike and aunty Chiew Har has really been here for me. And getting to know the Raj kids has been good lar.
This year has been a year of building closer friendship too. Got even closer with the girls (Sun, Grace and Anne). Thanks for the fun time and sorry for the times we scared you by breaking into the house. It was fun, I have to say
I hate saying goodbyes.. so I want to say I am sorry to those who had to find out second hand, third hand or even forth hand that I am leaving. Guess, I just don't want to announce to the whole world I am leaving because believe or not.. I just don't know how to say goodbyes.. so please don't think I am a stuck up who's just leaving without saying goodbyes.. I guess I am just bad at goodbyes and that's why I avoid it, can't help it.. it's just me. Honestly, my intentions was just to tell key people I was leaving and just quietly make my way to the airport and fly off without anybody knowing.
"chiong hay" as it may sound, but I've come to regard Adelaide as home, off course it can't replace good old Petaling Jaya, but it has become such an integral part of my life. The people, the surroundings, the food... I am going to miss it all. So that's why.. as the day draw closer and closer to my day of departure. Sadness fills me, sad to leave the life I've had here but at the same time, optimism fills me too, excited (or at least trying to be) at what God has installed next for me. It's like going to another level after finishing level one of "Double Dragon". Stepping out in faith is not easy but it is worth it.
So at this time.. I bid farewell to Adelaide in 5 days and say hello to people in KL and say hello to YC once more... before heading off to Kiasu land Singapore. Guess that's the only I'm looking forward to.. going back to family, friends and off course YC, FGA!! Here I come!!
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