Pipe almost over…

Pipe is almost over.. We’re now free till tmr morning, and then off we go to Batu Rakit in Terengganu. One more week in Terengganu and that’s the end of Pipe.

A bit of mixed feelings about leaving and coming bek to Kerteh. This has been such a sweet “vacation” that I don’t want to end it so fast. But I guess vacations are not meant to be forever and so Lala-land has gotta stop one day.

Sigh. I’m already missing Permata.

A little kindness goes a long way..

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.

I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprizing a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes, but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas.

I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

“Hello Barry, how are you today?”

“H’lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ them peas. They sure look good.”

“They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?”

“Fine. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time.”

“Good. Anything I can help you with?”

“No, Sir. Jus’ admirin’ them peas.”

“Would you like take some home?” asked Mr. Miller.

“No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ‘em with.”

“Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?”

“All I got’s my prize marble here.”

“Is that right? Let me see it” said Miller.

“Here ’tis. She’s a dandy.”

“I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?” the store owner asked.

“Not zackley but almost.”

“Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble”, Mr. Miller told the boy.

“Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.”

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile said, “There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.”

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.

A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.

Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.

Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men.

One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts…all very professional looking.

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband’s casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket.

Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband’s bartering for marbles.

With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

“Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim ‘traded’ them.

Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size….they came to pay their debt.”

“We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,” she confided, “but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho “.

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn’t make yourself.

An unexpected phone call from an old friend.

Green stoplights on your way to work.

The fastest line at the grocery store.

A good sing-along song on the radio.

Your keys found right where you left them.

Send this to the people you’ll never forget.

I just did…

KLCC Tower?

I’m so enjoying Pipe here.. The people are really nice, the programs are fun, the food is somewhat good and I’ve met alot of new people here. Really really enjoying it to the max. (If you know what I mean )

Those tak tau, tak per. I dont want to elaborate also.

And today we had a game where we hafto build the KLCC tower from some really cool Lego set. We came up with a few designs and after 40 mins, pronto! We had our tower done! Hehehe.. it was reli fun but I wished we had to compete to build the tower, instead of working together.. den only we can see the creativity of both groups. Anyways, me and a few others were building an extra tower.. kinda higher than the initial ones.. and then one girl said, “Wah, nih mesti mase kecik tak pernah main lego, so now nak balas dendam.. main tak habis2″. Hehehe..

*Thanks Sharon for the photos*

Btw, bismo ask me to mention his name here.. perhaps he thinks he’s like, popular or sth, ppl will google his name.. He’s expecting me to say, I miss him ke.. haiyohh… Let’s just say, for time being, he’s not exactly THE ONE in my mind.. hehehe..

Gotta go… lunch break almost over and will update once I have time and the mood as well. Tahhhh~

PIPE!

I’ll be away from office for 3 weeks for an induction program in Permata Bangi and INSTEP, Kuala Terengganu..

“Lamernyer nak pegi blajar pasang ‘pipe’”

Yeah, I know.. hehe.. PIPE is in short of Pet Induction Program for new Execs.. Yeah.. can’t wait to step in the plane off to KL, doing nothing for 3 weeks (and still earning the bucks! ), staying in a 3-star hotel AND getting free food 6 times a day for 3 weeks.

And oh nonono, I’m not gonna indulge myself into food although its free. I’m very much happy with my current weight and I intend to keep it or shave off a little fats. Will, of cuz, try my best not to succumb into temptations of food.. (it depends how good the food is la anyways..)

Okay den, gotta prepare to go soon… will update once I’m not so lazy.