Breaking My Promise

Here I am, going back on my words. I am supposed to be on a month long hiatus from blogging. But due to the new year and the tsunami calamity, I just have to chip in a few words. Alright then, so I am lousy at keeping promises but I am going back to the cave after this two-in-one entry.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
First the new year: I would like to wish everybody a Better and Better New Year. I guess you are all busy reviewing past year's resolutions and making new ones for 2005. New year resolutions are just like setting goals; if you don't fix time limits to them, they are just wishes. So if you're making new resolutions, make sure there are target dates for you to achieve them by.

And while you're at it, don't forget to include one about making somebody happy this year. Whatever little good deed you do matters. Flash a smile, pat someone on the back, wave at the schoolkids, say a courteous thank you; anything at all to make people feel good. All these will make you feel good about yourself too.

It is said that when you move one step towards God, He will move 10 steps closer to you. At the sub-concious level, the gurus preach that when you do something good, you are actually sending out positive energy which will be reflected back to you many times over. That will make you feel really good. Smile and the whole world will smile with you.

TSUNAMI IN SINGKIR
Talking about doing good, have you done something to help those who survived the tsunami disaster? If you have been to my Chronicles, you'll know that I live on the western coast near the sea; yes, we felt the effect of the earthquake that caused the tsunami tidal waves too. In fact, Kota Kuala Muda -- one of the worst affected town in the country -- was just a little south of where I live.

On that fateful day, my mother, who was outside the house, felt the tremor and thought her blood pressure had shot up again. Our house shook a little and my youngest daughter thought she must have taken too much of an afternoon nap. The resulting tsunami waves hit most of my home state's rivermouths -- including that of Singkir River in Singkir Laut. Although it wasn't as bad as the other places, but the Imam of Singkir Laut who is a friend of mine, nearly perished in the disasater.

He and another fisherman was fishing out in the open sea that day when they noticed the giant waves rushing towards them. They quickly pulled up their fishing net and headed home as fast as their outboard powered boat could take them. The waves overtook them halfway and they were thrown out while their fishing boat was flung to the rivermouth where several other boats were parked.

On its return journey, the waves carried debris and other bits and pieces of broken boat parts from the rivermouth out to the sea. The young Imam and his fishing friend had to keep underwater to avoid from being hit by the floating missiles. As luck would have it, the good Imam fell into a large formation of coral reefs where a school of ikan sembilang (dogfish?) was taking refuge from the raging sea. The poor man didn't stand a chance; he was stung by the surprised school of fish on most part of his lower body. One sting from the sembilang could make a grown man cry in pain; I don't know how he could stand being stung multiple times including there too!

As the raging sea subsided, the Imam and his fishing mate swam back to shore with much difficulty. He was in great pain and the water was thick and muddy. But they made it and the Imam was quickly whisked to the hospital by the villagers. I met him the other day -- shopping for school supplies with his kids. He was just glad he didn't take his 11 year old son along on the boat.

p.s. I got some tsunami pix which I'll upload later.