Meeting up with old friends

It has been a long time since I met my friends who hailed from Kuching. So, upon hearing that I'll be going there, I called Terry, the offshore medic whom I got acquainted with during my last 3 hitches offshore Kerteh. Unfortunately, he had to attend to his sister-in-law who was 500km away from Kuching. She had just given birth to baby who was born pre-maturedly by 2 months. The mother was healthy, but weak. The baby was still in the incubator at the time of call. Terry would only be back on Sunday night. By then, I would have been flying halfway above South China Sea, anticipating my journey back to the city of Kuala Lumpur. So, I promised to meet him next year during the Kuching Music Festival.

Next, I emailed Lesley, my senior in university. Happily, she agreed to come out to meet me. I was elated. The last I heard, Lesley was married, with 2 kids! Hence, I decided against calling her to see if I'd be able to crash in at her house for 2 nights. Instead, I spent 2 nights at Amelia's parents' residence.

Hence, on Saturday, the 8th of August, I went out with Lesley for dinner. The first thing that Lesley said was, "Sorry for keeping you waiting, Jean. I should have called earlier.. but you know, I have bad time management skills. Do you still remember you gave me a book on time management in Mandarin for my birthday last time?"

"Well, you know what? I still have bad time management skills.hahaha! " Lesley rattled off as she laughs gaily.

I struggle to remember what kind of gifts have I given Lesley for her birthday during my years in university. Unfortunately, not a single item passes through my head. I smile in disbelief. and shake my head. It has been a long time since I gave gifts. Lately, I seem to be receiving more than I give. Suddenly, I realize that my heart has gond really cold and it needs to be severely warmed up all over again.

"You forgot??? Honestly, you have no inkling at all? Oh no! How could you forget?" Lesley jokes.

Ahh... It feels really good to hear Lesley talking in person. Real concern and love resonates through her soul. I feel connected to her once again. God, how much I've missed her.

Over dinner, we catch up about our church mates in university. I learnt that some of them were married, some were single, and some already had kids! One of her course mates who used to be the tallest in our university, married a Swiss who was taller than her! I was amazed.

Then, I followed her to her weekly cell group which was holding a Praise and Worship night. We prayed for a number of things such as their upcoming church camp, trip to Mount Kinabalu, youth group, church members, etc. I listened to the leaders' testimonies on faith and philosophy on Christianity and being a living testimonial. I was humbled. It was there that I re-kindled my love for Christ and resolved to visit the church the following week.

I think in the suburbs, it is easier to feel tranquil and loving. Somehow in the city, I tend to get caught up with the busy rhythm of life, thinking only about work, nothing else but work.

I wish I had more time to socialize and learn to talk with people who are not from the same industry. Nevertheless, I find it quite hard because nobody understands our nature of work better than the people who are engaged in the same field. Therefore I end up disinterested in most conversations and tend to tune out a lot of topics in most conversations. I am ignorant about marriage, investments, sports, finance, property; things that people my age are talking about when we meet. All I know are how to produce oil, predict its production and identify problems and solutions.

I am getting more and more impatient in listening. I want to talk so much more. I want my opinions to be heard, out loud. Whenever somebody sounds unreasonable in their suggestions, I interrupt them. My colleague says it's normal in our field. Not all suggestions are logical because the others have a good understanding on the fields that we are taking care of, other than ourselves. We ought to raise our questions whenever we're in doubt.

I realize then, at this moment, I am developing my opinions, moulding my personality. I told my senior production technologist, "I think that people who study overseas are very outspoken. That's why I want to study overseas."

My senior thinks otherwise. She has been overseas, to work and to study. "Not necessarily, Jean. You can learnn to be very outspoken at work too! It takes time to be sharpened. Be patient."

"Jean!" Lesley calls me back to reality. "Let's go for supper!"

So, I follow Lesley and her church-mates out for supper at Bukit Song. I have my 2nd taste of 3-Layer tea in Sarawak and I think of Miri.

Ahhhh.... Holidays and meeting up with old friends.... I just love these magical moments.