I know I should really really be updating more often...but a lot has happened...
Interesting to see more than a thousand (can you believe it...ONE THOUSAND VISITORS!) hits to this...sort of a mini achievement I guess.
We're going to bury a friend of mine on Wednesday. Read the following Obit from the school's website. Paddy wasn't one of my close friends, I'll admit that, but I was there for some significant events during his time at Stannies, none more so than that of his Graduation. I was one of two photographers for the evening, and yea, I was close to most of the guys in that year too...many of them since when I first arrived in Australia. It's kind of hard describing the camaraderie that "just happens" in a boarding school, but when one of those guys that you've lived with dies, well, it's kinda like losing a member of the family, one of your brothers. Since I've lived in a boarding school, away from all the creature comforts of house and home, for nearly half of my life, I sort of relied on guys like Paddy for support at times of need and angst, such as with the death of my dad, relationship problems (more on that later) and the times of losing a brother. Paddy was my brother, still is, as is every other person that I've lived with, and yea, there will be fights, but isn't that what siblings do normally? But the dilemma still remains; how do I write a letter to the parents...?
I did say that I was having relationship problems, not that of a fight, but the fact that I don't have the guts to ask a girl that I like and respect lots...in all seriousness, now is probably not the right time anyway, but yea, I think she knows, and apparently so does most of the St John division. I might if I could buy her her coffee this coming Wednesday night...I donno...it could be me just having cold feet...
Speaking of Wednesday night, I'm getting promoted from Probationary to Private! Whoohoo...I can get sued now...*roll eyes* I was going to write six months of training, but then, in our line of work, everyday is a training day...
Hmm...I've got to go do an assignement, and study for a test tomorrow...we'll chat again...
Who Is The Black Chinaman?
- Nick
- Kuala Belait, Brunei
- Saving someone's life is like falling in love. The best drug in the world. For days, sometimes weeks afterwards, you walk the streets, making infinite whatever you see. Once, for a few weeks, I couldn't feel the earth - everything I touched became lighter. Horns played in my shoes. Flowers fell from my pockets. You wonder if you've become immortal, as if you've saved your own life as well. God has passed through you. Why deny it, that for a moment there - why deny that for a moment there, God was you? I realised that my training was useful in less than ten percent of the calls, and saving lives was rarer than that. After a while, I grew to understand that my role was less about saving lives than about bearing witness. I was a grief mop. It was enough that I simply turned up. Living and working back in Brunei, after a 14 year absence... Also known as: Brunei, NASA, Bruise-Eye, Bru, Cheesecake, Nick, BruNick, BruMedNick, Two Step etc etc etc
1 comment:
You should just ask the question! then you will know the answer
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