Life

Life is a seemingly endless journey. Every step you take, the path in front of you changes unknowingly. Every step, every choice is your own call. You roll the dice, you play the game.

Life is a natural teacher. From the first moment we step into this world, life begins its lessons. We've learnt to stand up by ourselves when we fall. We've learnt not to repeat history's mistakes. We've learnt, to make the right choices, to decide the correct things.

Life has its surprises. Whatever it is, good or bad, we must learn to accept it, and live on with it.

Life is like a watery journey on a boat, a voyage. Imagine, you're the captain of the ship. Imagine you're looking for a treasure. The main goal of your life. On the way, there might be sharks, there might be pirates, there might be storms. All those are like obstacles in life. We must learn how to deal with these obstacles. Then theres your ship crew. Your friends. When there's a leak on the boat, they repair it for you. Just like how friends mend your heart when you're sad, down or depressed. Not to forget, your treasure map, your compass and your telescope. They are like your family, providing guidance all the way. Giving you ideas of your next step.

My dad told me:

Life is not always flowery and sometimes, life will throw us a lemon or two just to make us feel the taste of sour. But if we can turn that sour into lemonade, then life can be slightly sweeter.

And that is definitely true.

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Here are some quotes about life:

Live every day as if it were your last, because one of these days you will be right. ----Unknown author

Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep. ----Carl Sandburg

Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. ----Marie Curie

Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent. -----R. D. Laing

Life is just one damned thing after another. ----Erbert Hubbard

Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead. The consciousness of

loving and being loved brings a warmth and richness to life that nothing else can bring. -----Oscar Wilde

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Lastly, my favourite quote about life:

Live life to its fullest!

Dad

Daddy,

I've been thinking a lot lately. I'm 18! I'm legal, I'm an adult. But then I've been thinking. What have I done for the past 18 years of my life. One thing I know, I've been slacking a lot. Waaaay too much. I haven't been serious about anything, happy-go-lucky, just like you said, wondering around aimlessly. I'm in form 6, yeah, so what? Frankly speaking, I really have no aim, whatsoever. I don't know what I'm going to do about my life. I never expected anything out of myself. I just took everything the way it is, SPM comes SPM goes, now its STPM. Now I'm in Biology stream, but I don't really know what the hell is going on. I pictured myself in the future, but I can't get a glimpse of anything. That's the shitty part of Malaysian Education, you don't get to learn what you like in the secondary stage, only in college.

I'm asking myself, what do I like most? I don't know. Computers? Science? I have no idea at all. And why am I taking Biology in form 6? But now, I'm trying to find out what I want. I'm on a quest, a mission to realize my dreams. I promise, I'll make the most out of my life, I'll get what I want. I'll take on those subjects even if its not on my favourites list.

Another thing, I've been thinking. I'm missing those old times, when I was a child. I still remember the times you spent time with me. Hanging out with me, buying me Snickers and playing ball with me. Teaching me new things, you've shaped what I am now. Then there's this gap in the past few years. A void. Is it the generation gap? I don't think so. I've always wanted to talk to you, treat you as a friend. I wanna tell you lots of things, things that happened in my life, crazy stuff I've done. Have some man to man talk.

I'm 18 now, I'm an adult. I wanted to tell you how much I love you. You've been working hard to your bones, to feed us, to give us shelter, I wanna tell you how much I appreciate you. I'm not an introvert, I can do all sorts of shit with my friends, talk all kinds of crap, but then I'm thinking, why can't I do the same with you? You're my dad, for heaven's sake. Maybe you're too caught up in your work, to provide us with the best comfort and luxury. I appreciate it, I really do. I've been stupid, unappreciative for the past few years, I'll make up to it. I promise.

I wanna do all sorts of stuff with you, to go out in the night with you to have a coffee, or even a beer. To talk about your work, and anything at all. I'm not complaining. You've given me all the best in my life. There are lots of things I used to feel like complaining about, small things, big things. How I've always wanted stuff that you never bought me. I truly understand, we're not born with a silver spoon in our mouths. I'm perfectly fine with that, thats why I'm always keeping those complaints to myself. I remind myself of how hard you work to keep us healthy, to keep us in comfort. I'm contented with what I have. Really. You've always been my childhood hero, my idol. The words you tell me give me inspiration. Whatever you do, I take into account as a great thing.

And I remember those surprises you gave us, small surprises or big surprises, it doesn't matter. Whether its a book or a toy car, I remember I was always happy with the surprises. Where did all those go? I missed those times. I know you've been working hard these few years, I'm really sorry I didn't give you a hug, or tell you I loved you for so many years. I understand how hard it must've been, to be working all alone. Come to think of it, I haven't hugged you for so long, I haven't told you I love you for so long, I'm sorry, I really am.

I'm shedding tears the moment I'm writing this, I wanna tell you how much I love you. We've been missing out a lot lately, I mean a LOT. And I feel foolish that only now I've thought of that. How hard it must've been for you. We need to make some changes, life is short, we must live it to its fullest. I wanna go out with you, grab a beer, have a smoke, crap about all sorts of shit, laugh about it. Once again, I'm really really sorry I haven't lived up to your expectations. I'll make it up to you. I promise I'll make you proud. I promise you'll be proud to have a son like me. I want you to know that I appreciate you, as I know how much you've appreciated me.

I love you, dad. I really do.

Nigel.

Humans

Humans are mysterious. Why do I say so?

Because humans are the ones who are able to invent new things, innovate technology.

Humans are the ones building skyscrapers on natural land, while other creatures can only flee from their destroyed habitat and look back at their 'homes' in awe and despair.

Humans are the ones committing bloody and deadly crimes, neglecting morality and religious teachings.

Humans are born actors, lying and deceiving their way to achieve what they want.

Humans have the ability to make another human feel bliss, love and happiness; but also the ability to make another human feel despair, depression and melancholy.

Some say humans are the brightest and most intelligent beings in the universe. I doubt so.

Suddenly I lost the idea of what I was about to say. And I'm too lazy to think about it. I'll post again once I get the inspiration.

Responsibilities, responsibilities

I'm always curious. Okay, lets picture this situation. You're among a group of people. The group faces danger. A critical situation. Everyone panics, what is your role?

A. Panic like everyone does

B. Move all the way behind so you're safe of the danger

C. Ponder a way to save yourself

D. Just keep quiet, wait and see whats going to happen

E. Stand up front and say "I'll take charge"

Honestly, my choice would be E. When it comes to a situation like this, do you think it is best to have a leader, or to just scurry around and panic like ants on hot sand? I'm not trying to brag, but having the initiative and will to be a leader is very important.

At this stage, if you are still the one hiding behind, you'll definitely and eventually lose out to others. Let me give you a simple, personal example; morning mini-assembly in school, I'm so surprised to see students of my form, of the same gender as me, to scurry behind the line when the teacher comes. Like, what the hell? Is it such a herculean task to even stand in front? Pre-U students? I'm not surprised if something like this happens when we're in form 1 or form 2, or even form 5. The reason may be that we tend to chatter along during these formalities, but in form 6? 18 years of age? Embarrassing.

Whats so good about being a leader? It's tough, it's challenging, but what you learn during the process of being a leader is priceless. Honestly, I WANTED to be company leader during National Service. And, I volunteered. And I learnt lots of things through that. Although I may not be a perfect or even a good leader, but the experiences were precious. Heck, if I was given the chance to be CAMP leader, I'd take it. Now THAT is one heavy job. Besides, being a leader is quite fun, at times. =D

Learn to be a leader, TRY to be a leader. Who knows? You might have the talent to lead, and you were concealing it all along.

"With great power comes great responsibility."

Legal

Yeah, you read it. I'm legal. Officially 18. Nothing much to be exhilarated about, though. Birthday comes, birthday goes. Its still a day. The only thing which is special on this day, is that the woman I love most brought me into this marvellous world, 18 years ago.

Annnnd, I've finally stepped into the world of blogging. (Not that I never blogged, just not often) I hope my enthusiasm doesn't fade like it always does.

Sometimes I wonder, what have I done for the past 18 years of my life. It seems as though my presence is barely significant to the world, yet, there are numerous things which make a difference to me, in my petty little life. Humans are special beings; we cry, we laugh, we love, we hate. As a mere speck in the universe, what is my role in this world? Shouldn't I just eat, sleep, live my days and die? The answer is no. Humans may be small, compared to the universe, but each and every one of us, impacts each other greatly. When we feel sad, it feels as though the whole universe crumbles on our skull; when we feel happy, it feels as though the bliss can carry us over the clouds to the heavens. I say, we shall live life to the fullest, if we can be happy, be happy. If we are sad, I'm sure there are other precious beings willing to lend a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, or a warm and simple hug.

Anyways, enough of the philosophies, thanks to everyone who came into my life; my friends, my family. You all make a great difference to my life, immeasurable by mathematical units.

I love you all.