Six Stupid Seconds

Haih... WHAT was I thinking man?

I was in Centro today to do some quick shopping. I had 1 hour in between classes and wanted to be the first few to get my hands on some great bargains since today was the first day of the BRANDED CLEARANCE SALE - 3 words which make me go 'WOAH!' everytime.

So I quickly locked up the centre and drove 5 minutes to Centro. There were quite a lot of people there as expected but not as many to make it impossible to shop. I browsed through some t-shirts and was pleasantly surprised to see that they were ELLE HOMME. I've never owned an ELLE product before - not when a t-shirt costs RM 199! No way! So imagine my excitement when I saw the sign - '70% DISCOUNT'. Woo hoo! Shop! Shop! Shop! I picked out 4 Ts and tried them on for about 5 minutes before deciding to buy 3 for RM 83. Not bad I have to say!

Happy with my bargain hunting, I decided to walk further down to see if there were any more sales. And then it happened - the six stupid seconds.

My eyes immediately caught sight of the sign - 'G2000 - 70% OFF!' OMG! I couldn't believe it! I rushed into the shop and immediately took up a coat off the rack. I put my plastic bag down as I freed my hands to check out the design and cutting. I've always wanted to own a G2000 suit but as I pondered about whether I should buy one, my eyes caught sight of another sign - 'Pants - RM 49'. That's something I've always wanted too! I rushed to check if they had my size and tried it on. Perfect! Happily, I walked around the shop to scout for more bargains and that's when I realised something was not right...

Oh SH#@&$%!! My plastic bag! My orange plastic bag with the clothes I had just bought! I went back to the coat rack and searched frantically for my plastic bag. It wasn't there! I went round and round in circles. I asked the cashier at the counter, I asked the staff working there - nothing. I circled the shop again, rummaging through piles of clothes and searching the floor - again, nothing. Someone had taken it! WTH! Disappointed and frustrated with myself (and also the inconsiderate person who stole my clothes), I dragged myself to the counter to pay for my pants and then rushed to my car as I had to get back to my centre for my next class, cursing myself as I did. I didn't even have time for dinner anymore.

I shared my stupid (and expensive) mistake with my students hoping they won't make the same mistake as I just did. I managed to get over it momentarily and compose myself to teach. After class ended, I decided to call up a friend to pour out my frustrations (Thanks Doc!). After having a long chat with my friend, I locked up the centre and walked slowly to my car still thinking of my 83 ringgit. Later, at the food court while having my dinner, I was still thinking of my 83 ringgit; and as I was driving home after dinner, the 83 ringgit was still haunting my mind. Now, sitting here... I can still feel a heavy sigh in my heart...

Staring at the receipt, I calculated that even though I bought my G2000 pants for a discount at RM 49 from the usual price of RM 159, the fact that I lost my ELLE HOMME Ts worth RM 83, means that I actually spent RM 132 on my G2000 pants! This equates to only a 16% discount. Argh! How could I be so absent-minded? I don't know whether I should laugh or cry?

The Boys Are Back!

I've waited 3 weeks for today. It was the date we'd more or less agreed on, that was best for everyone to meet up again. Tonight would be our 4th official reunion and we were going to karaoke for the first time as a group. And so we did... all 6 of us... all guys... Yay! We're going to have a 'gay' party! Haha!

To Kelvin, Wei Keong, Hao Jie, Eric and Bestian, thanks for showing up. It was great fun hearing you guys sing for the first time although I have to admit, a bunch of guys singing emo love songs sounds very gay to me. Haha! Anyway, here's a toast to us guys. Cheers!

Back home after 3 hours of eating, drinking, singing, shouting and screaming our lungs out, I feel a little empty inside as I scroll through my cell phone and delete the messages one by one.

- "Sorry, I have tuition"
- "I've got plans tonight. Sorry I can't make it, Sir."
- "Sorry teacher, I can't come."
- "I can't come tonight. I have family gathering."
- "Sorry I'm not free to go. I have assignments and test next week."

These were just a few of the reasons many of them couldn't make it tonight. I'm not blaming any of them. Rather, I'm blaming the situation. Not that I expected everyone to show up for our class reunion in the first place but neither did I expect so few to turn up.

Nowadays, when I organise class reunions, I think more along the lines of 'I wonder how many CAN'T make it?' instead of 'I wonder how many CAN make it?'. It's a little negative but it's realistic. Everyone's so busy with their own lives, it's impossible to get everyone together in one spot. The days of seeing everyone together is long gone... since the very last time I said to them, "See you next week."

Well, should I keep trying? Regardless of all the text messages I repeatedly send out or the calls I make, should I keep trying to get everyone together? Sometimes, I wonder if I'm organising class reunions for myself? Maybe I am... I don't know... but I'd sure like to think that I'm organising it for us. At least that's the way it should be.

Not One, Not Two, But Three

I drove to class today filled with a sense of curiosity and anxiety. Last night, my student texted me, telling me that I was in for a surprise.

Everything seemed normal as I stepped into the centre. It was only when I approached my class that the surprise revealed itself. A familiar face greeted me and in his hand, he held out the orange envelope I'd only given him two months ago. I was stunned to say the least. Surprised, elated and overjoyed, I tried my best not to run around like a madman. Qao Shaun had returned - like something precious I'd lost had found its way back home.

I could barely contain my joy, smiling from ear to ear as I opened the door of the class when I was hit with yet another surprise. Sitting there, as she had always used to, was Tiffany! Amazement struck my face. Was I dreaming? As I slowly convinced myself that this was indeed real, I could hear my students talking among themselves, saying that I looked so happy today. I guess it really showed.

I have to say, the two surprises threw me off-balance and I had some trouble putting my words together as I started the day's lesson. It was just too good to be true. But it was. And then, for the third time today, the stunned look was etched on my face as I saw Yan Wei walk into class. I guess my expression was of such great shock that she wasn't sure if she could join us today. "Of course you're welcome to join us." I reassured her as much as I was reassuring myself.

Watching them express their creativity today was a treat. There's nothing like having a roomful of young minds showing that they can produce inventive ideas - as long as they're given the chance and the trust of someone who believes in them.

For the first time in weeks, my heart smiled again...

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TAGGED BY Heart & Sweet

1. What have you been doing recently? Hanging out with my students.

2. Do you ever turn off your handphone? Well, do you ever sleep? :p

3. What happened at 10am today? I don't know. I was sleeping. Haha!

4. When did you last cry? Today.

5. Do you believe in Fate/Destiny? I believe that our lives are not in our own hands.

6. What do you want in life now? I want to spend more time with the ones I love.

7. Do you carry an umbrella when it rains or just put up your hood? Neither. I just get into my car. Haha!

8. What's your favourite thing to do on bed? What? You mean MY bed? :p

9. What bottoms are you wearing now? Orange football shorts.

10. What are the nicest things in your inbox? Heartwarming messages from my students.

11. Do you tend to make relationships complicated? No. Unfortunately, it's usually the OTHER person who does. Sigh... I believe love can be easy if you want it to be.

12. Are you wearing anything borrowed from anyone? By 'borrowed', do you mean 'stole'? :p

13. What was the last movie you caught? Monsters vs Aliens.

14. What are you proud of? My students.

15. What does the oldest text message in your inbox say and who is it from? Caleb Kor Kor, did you eat my Choki? (My 10-year-old cousin ) :p

16. What was the last song you sang out loud? Right Here, Right Now.

17. Do you have any nicknames? Do I HAVE any nicknames? You have no idea.

18. What does the newest text message say and who is it from? Caleb Kor Kor, did you eat my Choki AGAIN? (My 10-year-old cousin) XP

19. What time did you go to sleep last night? Technically, it should be this morning. Haha!

20. Are you currently happy? Yes! =)

21. Who gives you the best advice? My best friend.

22. Do you eat whipped cream straight from the can? Do you have any table manners?

23. Who did you talk to on the phone last night? Oh... just this girl I met recently ;)

24. Is something bugging you right now? No, I use Ridsect.

25. Who was the last person to make you laugh? Oh... you know... this girl I met recently :)

26. Do you like yourself? If I don't like myself, then what's the point of being ME?

27. Do you think you are stupid sometimes? Oh yeah... lots of times actually... Haha!

28. Who is your best, best, best friend? Wah lau, no need to repeat 'best' so many times lah. Satu cukup. Joyce.

29. What will you do if you like that boy? Huh? Which boy? I like girls lah.

30. Who are your favourite stars? Wang Lee-Hom, Hebe, U2, Stephen Chow and Jim Carrey.

31. Do you hate your mother sometimes in some way? Eh, how can you say hate? My mum has sacrificed so much for me, I can only love her.

32. Have you had even stead before? What is an 'even stead'? Huh???

33. What type of boy do you like? OMG, this question is so gay!

34. Now, are you single/attached? Single and loving it! (Well, most of the time anyway) ;p

Pass this tag to 10 people:

1. 10 people

OK, done! Hee hee! =)