He glanced at the clock. 2.11 p.m. He gasped. More than half a day has passed.
Pondering for a few moments, he turned his attention back to the laptop monitor that lay before him.
He paused. contemplating the things that needed to be done before his flight to KL the next morning.
It was hard to swallow the fact that 2 months of holidays have come to pass so quickly. Time and tide really does waits for no man, he thought.
Heaving a sigh, he browsed through his computer and an icon particularly caught his attention. It said "Age of Empires 2". Double-clicking it, he waited eagerly for the application to load. It was an educational game, he thought, for he could learn of the background behind some of the most famous battles ever fought in history and world-altering conquests engraved in time.
Surprisingly, though, as soon as the start-up menu appeared before his eyes, his desire to lead his virtual army vanished almost as quickly as it surfaced. Instead of clicking on the "Campaign" button, he instead went for "History". A list of articles appeared on the left hand side of his computer screen. Slowly, he clicked on one that was entitled "Medieval Age Warfare" and began to fill his bucket in the well of knowledge.
After reading several more articles, he decided that it was enough for the day. With the mouse in his hand, he rolled it across the table until he saw the pointed over the "Back" button. He clicked once and he was brought back to the Main Menu. Another click and he was back at the Windows Desktop.
Collecting his thoughts, he reflected on the numerous events that had transpired throughout the 2 month holidays. Though it was only a brief moment in history, they were riddled with bittersweet memories.
He recalled some of the most vivid memories that had collected in the chambers of his mind. Among them:
- The AUSMAT Grand Dinner
- His trip around West Malaysia
- His Christmas celebrations in Shah Alam
- The times he struggled with his university and accommodation matters
- His return to Shah Alam for his last CA and for JPA briefing
- His Chinese New Year celebrations with his Sandakan friends
- Attending a triple church service in Sandakan, each of different denominations and of different languages
Recomposing himself, he started to make arrangements for his flight to KL. He would be taking the 10.35 a.m. flight to LCCT. Upon arrival he would take a cab to the Akasia bus stop, where he would be picked up by Pastor David. This practice was hardly an aberration for the pastor, as the pastor had fetched so many other students back to his house previously.
He would perhaps spend a few days at the pastor's house while waiting for his flight to Australia, which would be at 10.40 p.m., 19 February 2008. The flight would take him to Sydney, after which a Qantas flight would fly him the remainder of the trip to Melbourne.
His mind raced ahead to picture the lifestyle and living conditions in Melbourne.
Would he be able to cope with his studies?
Would he be able to make new friends easily?
Would he still be able to serve God as he did in INTEC?
He wished he had answers to those questions, but for now, he could only pray and hope for the best. He could only place his hopes on the Almighty, praying that He would guide him through all the hardships and peril that awaited him in the lands of Australia.
As the day drew closer and closer to an end, anxiety began to suffuse him. It was normal to have such feelings, he thought. Perhaps he was right.
Preparing to bid farewell to this stage of life, he looked up to Heaven, closed his eyes and muttered a prayer. Feeling slightly comforted, he focused his thoughts on the day before him and left his worries of the future for another day...
Brian Chee
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