“Two roads diverged in a wood.
And I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference.”
The immortalized poem by Robert Frost reminded me of many things: God, Love, Family, People, and Friends.
March 12, 2012
12:40 PM
I packed two bags and I’m ready to go, but then I hated the idea of waving my hand and saying “good bye”.
Yes, I waited for the jet plane and I don’t even know when I’ll be back again. One year? Two? Perhaps more, who knows.
So why did I hurriedly leave?
Far from the digest of what everyday people see things the way they are, the myriads of reasons that floated on my mind when the opportunity to leave for KSA presented itself were farfetched and crazy. First, KSA means isolation: total and partial. It’s a world of its own, yet there is freedom to be alone, away from everybody else – a drastic change of life. Second, whatever it is to be gained, can be obtained where I was (in fact, I was already reaping silver. READ: Money). I left with a heavy heart yet full of hope that I shall return where I once stood, assimilate, and find my way home once again. My reasons are too personal, too complicated and beyond ordinary explanation that I give up trying. A line from the book “A Perfect Spy” befits my position perfectly: I’d rather let God make plans for me. He is better at that department.
But I have a goal. And I will toil until I will attain it.
How blessed I was (thank God!).
Over the years, I accumulated a bunch of friends, fellow travelers who also secretly dream to live curiously and explore the world around them. We made a team, a core group so dependable and coordinated that things happen: planned or unplanned (the shoot we had says everything). Of course, people had differences, but then I was never ashamed to show what I am. However I brag, sound arrogant fool or too loud (most of the times), I came to rest fully at night knowing I was with my friends and it’s a different world with them. Who would forget that ‘Punta Bulata Experience?’ ( the Writer and the Doctor showed up, albeit late. Catch this: A lawyer is never late at court. Much as a writer is never late in taking his Pulitzer, and the doctor SHOULD never come a second late in the operating table, unless of course it’s a morgue (you will have all the time, dude). Waiting was never fun, but if it’s worth it, why not? (Of course it should not be too long a wait).
Punta Bulata became a stepping stone for me to plan one getaway: parasailing (never happened, of course not here in KSA. Sandsailing is never fun, if it exists at all). I could not forget the body pains and the sunburned skin (result when doing something in excess) but most of all, that captured moment of Good Friends, hanging around, having fun, and living life together (memories made me wish for home again).
However we made it, if you didn’t notice, we have captured ourselves, in our candid, unguarded moment at times in those photographs and in the memories of all the things we did. All the subject matter we discussed, the whispers, the secrets, the silent look made up of the powerful medicine against Alzheimer’s (READ: Some people choose to forget the person rather than the event). Yes, I will never forget the person.
As we traverse our chosen path, we come to crossroads. We decide where to go and what to do. There are many crossroads along our way and several times, we come to join fellow travelers. We make introductions and from there, relationships blossom (everything starts with a simple “Hello”). Some succeeded to make it together, some fell apart. Others became fierce enemies while some became competitors. Take your pick, but keep going.
Virus has declared “Life is a race. If you don’t compete, you die”. Made sense to me if you compete wisely (Chatur was miserable in this aspect).
We compete, we race, and went on our travel. But then at some point, we come across gaps, rivers, and everything else we generally call “Problems”. That’s where we need a friend. And this is where I’m proud to say “I found one in you”. I was never afraid to cross my bridges in the presence of my friends. Just imagine how many would lend a hand to get things done (Scrap booking was fun but it gave me backaches under a prone sitting position!). If you are looking for a bunch of guys who will pull you out of a sinkhole, this is the A-Team.
The idea of speeding up appeared to be a consequence in our fear for aging. Perhaps human reason could not accept the argument that perpetual life is simply beyond human experience. We hear “quick buck”, “Fast Cash”, “Light year”, and of course, “Quickie”. If one of you guys will give me a Cadillac, I wanted the Escalade SUV (Silver metallic grey). I’m sure that Escalade can make my sandy travel in no time.
So who do you want to call when you want to party?
The six people who touched my life so much will surely be there. If we can agree that parties are much more than food, but are also a selection of mood and presence, then there are a lot to happen. How can I express my gratitude? Beyond words, I know not but I hope my sincere “Thank you for being a Friend to me” is enough. We may be miles apart but we’re all in the Grid, so let’s keep in touch.
To wrap it up, was it ever mentioned by someone that I was wearing a watch in most of the photos we had?
I pondered hard on why I didn’t take it off my wrist until it dawned to me that I am the kind who wanted to move on my own time (I was late in many things). I let God planned for me, and when He allows it, I move my way. I have the inclination to behave like Jack Reacher, or Quin “The Negotiator” ( I hope that like they do in their stories, I’d end up useful and fulfilled). I wanted to pace the events in my life whenever I can (I know you will eventually understand why, don’t push it hard because it will come in due time). I missed you all. There will be no more Kri, Bamboolo Resort, Bravo sanctuary or Gabby’s for now, but I will not stop raiding coffee shops ( when I can). I would miss Jutz Café (I like Boston Café better) and that lately discovered Coffee shop/Breakfast hangout was something I wish near me right at this time.
Yes, I do miss you all.
I came to pass that one day, we would come together again. We could then brag a little. Yell some of the time. Take pictures of anything remarkable in our judgment. Eat. Stroll. Live the way we are in another level of life. We factor in “change” by then. And I will be looking forward to see my best friends again!
And most of all, I’d come back to the one among the many (I look forward to it.)
All the things we had made me wonder, Is that what are friends are for?
Truly, it is. Amazing Friends!
-I wanted to hold your hand for many sunsets. I wanted to hug you tight for many sunrises. At the twilight of our time, we smile and thank each other for the time.
And I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference.”
The immortalized poem by Robert Frost reminded me of many things: God, Love, Family, People, and Friends.
March 12, 2012
12:40 PM
I packed two bags and I’m ready to go, but then I hated the idea of waving my hand and saying “good bye”.
Yes, I waited for the jet plane and I don’t even know when I’ll be back again. One year? Two? Perhaps more, who knows.
So why did I hurriedly leave?
Far from the digest of what everyday people see things the way they are, the myriads of reasons that floated on my mind when the opportunity to leave for KSA presented itself were farfetched and crazy. First, KSA means isolation: total and partial. It’s a world of its own, yet there is freedom to be alone, away from everybody else – a drastic change of life. Second, whatever it is to be gained, can be obtained where I was (in fact, I was already reaping silver. READ: Money). I left with a heavy heart yet full of hope that I shall return where I once stood, assimilate, and find my way home once again. My reasons are too personal, too complicated and beyond ordinary explanation that I give up trying. A line from the book “A Perfect Spy” befits my position perfectly: I’d rather let God make plans for me. He is better at that department.
But I have a goal. And I will toil until I will attain it.
How blessed I was (thank God!).
Over the years, I accumulated a bunch of friends, fellow travelers who also secretly dream to live curiously and explore the world around them. We made a team, a core group so dependable and coordinated that things happen: planned or unplanned (the shoot we had says everything). Of course, people had differences, but then I was never ashamed to show what I am. However I brag, sound arrogant fool or too loud (most of the times), I came to rest fully at night knowing I was with my friends and it’s a different world with them. Who would forget that ‘Punta Bulata Experience?’ ( the Writer and the Doctor showed up, albeit late. Catch this: A lawyer is never late at court. Much as a writer is never late in taking his Pulitzer, and the doctor SHOULD never come a second late in the operating table, unless of course it’s a morgue (you will have all the time, dude). Waiting was never fun, but if it’s worth it, why not? (Of course it should not be too long a wait).
Punta Bulata became a stepping stone for me to plan one getaway: parasailing (never happened, of course not here in KSA. Sandsailing is never fun, if it exists at all). I could not forget the body pains and the sunburned skin (result when doing something in excess) but most of all, that captured moment of Good Friends, hanging around, having fun, and living life together (memories made me wish for home again).
However we made it, if you didn’t notice, we have captured ourselves, in our candid, unguarded moment at times in those photographs and in the memories of all the things we did. All the subject matter we discussed, the whispers, the secrets, the silent look made up of the powerful medicine against Alzheimer’s (READ: Some people choose to forget the person rather than the event). Yes, I will never forget the person.
As we traverse our chosen path, we come to crossroads. We decide where to go and what to do. There are many crossroads along our way and several times, we come to join fellow travelers. We make introductions and from there, relationships blossom (everything starts with a simple “Hello”). Some succeeded to make it together, some fell apart. Others became fierce enemies while some became competitors. Take your pick, but keep going.
Virus has declared “Life is a race. If you don’t compete, you die”. Made sense to me if you compete wisely (Chatur was miserable in this aspect).
We compete, we race, and went on our travel. But then at some point, we come across gaps, rivers, and everything else we generally call “Problems”. That’s where we need a friend. And this is where I’m proud to say “I found one in you”. I was never afraid to cross my bridges in the presence of my friends. Just imagine how many would lend a hand to get things done (Scrap booking was fun but it gave me backaches under a prone sitting position!). If you are looking for a bunch of guys who will pull you out of a sinkhole, this is the A-Team.
The idea of speeding up appeared to be a consequence in our fear for aging. Perhaps human reason could not accept the argument that perpetual life is simply beyond human experience. We hear “quick buck”, “Fast Cash”, “Light year”, and of course, “Quickie”. If one of you guys will give me a Cadillac, I wanted the Escalade SUV (Silver metallic grey). I’m sure that Escalade can make my sandy travel in no time.
So who do you want to call when you want to party?
The six people who touched my life so much will surely be there. If we can agree that parties are much more than food, but are also a selection of mood and presence, then there are a lot to happen. How can I express my gratitude? Beyond words, I know not but I hope my sincere “Thank you for being a Friend to me” is enough. We may be miles apart but we’re all in the Grid, so let’s keep in touch.
To wrap it up, was it ever mentioned by someone that I was wearing a watch in most of the photos we had?
I pondered hard on why I didn’t take it off my wrist until it dawned to me that I am the kind who wanted to move on my own time (I was late in many things). I let God planned for me, and when He allows it, I move my way. I have the inclination to behave like Jack Reacher, or Quin “The Negotiator” ( I hope that like they do in their stories, I’d end up useful and fulfilled). I wanted to pace the events in my life whenever I can (I know you will eventually understand why, don’t push it hard because it will come in due time). I missed you all. There will be no more Kri, Bamboolo Resort, Bravo sanctuary or Gabby’s for now, but I will not stop raiding coffee shops ( when I can). I would miss Jutz Café (I like Boston Café better) and that lately discovered Coffee shop/Breakfast hangout was something I wish near me right at this time.
Yes, I do miss you all.
I came to pass that one day, we would come together again. We could then brag a little. Yell some of the time. Take pictures of anything remarkable in our judgment. Eat. Stroll. Live the way we are in another level of life. We factor in “change” by then. And I will be looking forward to see my best friends again!
And most of all, I’d come back to the one among the many (I look forward to it.)
All the things we had made me wonder, Is that what are friends are for?
Truly, it is. Amazing Friends!
-I wanted to hold your hand for many sunsets. I wanted to hug you tight for many sunrises. At the twilight of our time, we smile and thank each other for the time.
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