The Escapism

Today I bought a new cellphone for dad, since he’s been asking me how to call mom like what I did when he was still with mom. The CDMA I’ve been using is half-dead, so I need to buy him a new one, just like the one he wants, shell-mode. I taught him how it works, but I’m not sure he quite got it, maybe I need to teach him few more times.

It rained like hell again this evening, as I went off to DATE. Many didn’t come at the DATE, and the dinner wasn’t tasty at all. I had fried rice, too much salt that the other flavor’s gone. Ko Ihsan shared about his experience with drugs and how he wasted his youth in foolishness and wished that if only he hadn’t made such stupid decisions in his life, a friend of his wouldn’t have to die in a car accident, with him being the driver. I didn’t expect his past was such a chaos, being sent to prison twice, and finally reached a moment of “the prodigal son”, and then decided for the first time in his life, to quit and make a turning point: repentance.

At the end of it, I felt blank but I’ve got a question in mind. I discussed it with Fifie in the car, but decided not to prolong it since I wasn’t sure about my own thoughts.

I’m feeling very sleepy right now. There’s one thing still bothering me but I’m quite over it. I’ve still got the flame, but not the heat. I’m drawing my self from the fire, for I’m scared if I get too close, I might get burned. ’til when would I get the answer?

Sleepy mind thinks in a rush. I’ll put my mind to rest.

I arrived at the airport to pick up my dad today. 30 minutes late.

That’s my dad. Yeah, he looks much older than the last time I saw him exactly two years ago, his face is brighter though. His eyes look tired. He was upset because I waited for him at the wrong exit gate. I felt confident waiting for him at the gate where I used to pick up my brother, and didn’t ask the information centre. He called kukuh at the public phone, and told her that he was waiting for me at Dunkin Donuts. Kukuh called me right away and I ran to Dunkin, but then I found out he’s not there, I asked the Dunkin guy is there a chance that they have 2 outlets at the airport. He said yes, I could find the other outlet right at the next hall. So I ran again as fast as I could, looking around for him. Finally I found him, and he gave me that disappointed look. Well, I don’t blame him. It makes me laugh now to think how reckless I was to let my old man waiting for almost 2 hours, with 2 huge luggages, a violin case exhaustedly. I didn’t say sorry.

We arrived home safely, and the most favorite part having a family member who has just arrived from abroad, is when they unpack the luggage. I got so many clothes from mom, shirts, gloves, socks, necklaces, magnetic pins, and many other small things, including ashtrays and tablet cracker. I plan to give the ashtrays to my brother, since he’s the only one who smokes, but I doubt it, since I want him to stop smoking. Dad brought so many vitamins!!! I’ve never seen someone so obssessed with vitamins like my mom, of course she gave them to my dad to bring home for us to consume too.

Then I went to Sunyin’s new internet center. I surfed for 3 hours and his aunt cooked me fried noodles, but no discount for the internet It’s a nice place really.

I’m so glad about many things today. From the German lesson this morning, which supposed to end at 11.30, but we ended it at 12.05. I got carried away by the lesson, it’s amazing how Frau D could draw my mind totally to her words, explanation, story, and a little spice of humor here and there. I’ve got tons of materials waiting for me to learn independently.

I postponed blogging, that’s why I forgot many other things I wanted to post today. Before I forget, I currently am thinking of two things I hate from people:
1. Not replying my message in cell even until the next day. I think that’s rude.
2. Asking me where I am when calling to cell in the first place. Sometimes that’s private. It’s better to ask: do you have time? or what are you doing? Next time when I don’t like being asked that question, I would answer: why?

Beep…beep… I heard the familiar sound as it woke me up this morning. I opened the message, it says, “Sorry, I’m late. I’m otw now. C ya.” I looked at the clock above the bed, it’s 9.15. I jumped and cursed myself, I was supposed to be on the way already. There’s seminar at 10. Dena thought she was 15 minutes late, haha… Shame on me.

We went to the seminar, finished at 12 and went to pick up Fifie. Then the three of us went to Gading for lunch, treatment and dentist. I read magazines in between, at the treatment and at the dentist. Talked to Dena about many things. Waiting for hours could seem so short when you have someone like her around.

After that? thought of where to have dinner. We went to Abuba to have steaks. I was so hungry and kinda disturbed sitting between them, because they tend to pass everything to each other, everything! including the dish. Talked about teachers, school teachers, bad and inspiring/unforgettable teachers. We finished eating long before we finished talking at 10.

We continued the convo in the car. Dreams. Passion. Goals. Interrupting each other, agreeing, and disagreeing. Healthy conversation.

I arrived home, at around 11.15, and decided to clean the turtles aquarium. It was so filthy and stinky, the water was green, gross! It took me about an hour to finish, I scrubbed their shells with toothbrush before I put them back into the aquarium. They must be so relieved. I’m a mean master, since Doris died by electric shock, I decided not to be too attached to pets, then it became a habit of ignorance.

Hmm, I’ve cleaned the aquarium. That’s the most profound job I’ve done today. Now I can rest and sleep with a peaceful mind, remembering that I dreamt of my turtles two nights ago, haunting me in my sleep. I think I’ll bathe Benji tomorrow, it’s Sunday.
Dad is coming home on Monday, will pick him up at the airport