My Boyfriend CK

I realize I will be eating my words with this blog, but the flash of inspiration I’ve had while riding the bus home just was too hard to resist. So, here goes…

I have decided to take the risk of naming my laptop. I know that taking this new “relationship” to the next level means more emotional investment on my part…but I’m hoping that this will help me move on from grieving over my iBook, which still holds a special place in my heart (which goes to show that NOT naming it didn’t make it easier to cope with the loss…sniff, sniff.)

Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you: “CK.” Nope, not for Calvin Klein since I’m not really a fashionista…but Clark Kent! Why Clark Kent? Well, it flew in to save me when my iBook crashed, just when Superman was (and still is) all the rage. My laptop has a bit of the “superman” feel to it with its handsome steely look and sturdy feel.

So why CK and not Superman? Well—it’s simple, I would like to go for some subtlety with a dash of style. I realize that unlike the real guy, this one isn’t bulletproof and won’t be able to leap tall buildings but I do hope it will love me as much as Superman loves Lois Lane…sigh!

Now to make sure there’s no Lex Luthor or kryptonite around…

On Goodbyes and Hellos

I looked at this dear couple whom I have come to know and love for the past 6 years, and felt a lump form on my throat. This evening could be the last time I’ll ever see them. They are leaving for their home country soon.

I’ve never bothered to keep track of how many times I‘ve said goodbye. And at the rate I’m going, I don’t think I can anyway.

But saying it often doesn’t make it any easier, obviously. It actually makes it harder.

In saying goodbye, I realize how much power we give to people when we say, “hello,” and open our hearts to them in friendship. In so doing, we give others the power to hurt us even if they don’t mean to, like when they say goodbye.

I wonder sometimes why I bother to open myself up to hurts. Why not just keep people at arm’s length and protect my heart from wear and tear?

Then again, what’s life about if not about the rich experiences with people around us? The things we learn about life, love, joy, tragedy are all in the context of relationships. Life without relationships is not a still, peaceful pond but a stagnant, murky cesspool.

I think I’ll choose to risk the hurts that goodbyes bring for the joys that I glean from the relationships. Anyway, one day soon, we’ll meet in the eternal hereafter and never have to say goodbye again.

‘Til then, I guess we just have to move on, cherishing the memories goodbyes leave behind and embracing each “hello" that comes our way.

Airport Blooper

I consider myself a semi-seasoned traveller. You would think that being in and out of several Asian airports would make figuring out the ETD a piece of cake..BUZZ! Wrong!

I had just breezed though the check in counter and immigration. I gleefully received some money back as tax refund for the computer and software I bought. I also got a nice tote bag full of freebies since I happen to be flying on the 25th birthday of Singapore's Changi Airport.

What perks, I thought as I counted the money I got for my refund. The I checked my boarding pass which says boarding gate closes 10 minutes before flight, then I checked my ticket and did my maths and thought Omigosh! I have 20 minutes left before boarding!!

So I tried to figure out all the signs and decided where Gate E4 was. Halfway down the great long hall, I checked the gates...E22....E24....E25...E26....It took a few more gates down the hall for me to realize I was going down the wrong hall. (Duh)

So after a quick u-turn, I careened down the hall filled with travellers going the other direction (THEY got their directions right!). With my hand carry stuff rattling on the cart, I sped off....

When I got to gate E4, it was closed and after a momentary panic, I noticed the row of bored passengers outside the gate, throwing puzzled looks at me as I tried to catch my breathe and wiped the beads of sweat on my forehead, then realized...ooops...I was one hour early (ie. boarding was 145, that is 1330 and not 1230 as I thought.) *blush*blush*

So I guess there's no sense in me faking that bored air of a seasoned traveller.