The Purpose Driven Life

After 5 days stuck in Taman Negara with a church group (I'll save my comments for church groups to myself) and nearing the 25th of which I intend to quit my job, I've come to think that I've really been VERY VERY (I cannot stress how VERY) lucky I've been to get this job. Sure, the company administration is terrible, the hours are shit and the wages aren't spectacular, (just to sidetrack: I just got tips of S$70 and S$100!!), but what I really love about this job is the chance to meet all sorts of different people. I've come to realise that what I enjoy about travelling besides eating and nuaing, is meeting people. Not sightseeing, not activity-filled holidays, but really connecting with people, developing a relationship albeit how brief it might be.

I've met alot of interesting people, of some which I would like to highlight briefly: An ex-con scuba diving instructor moonlighting as a shopping mall security guard who rejuvinated within myself some ideals which I used to feel strongly about but eventually mellowed through the years; An amusing old Malaysian Chinese lao lian (60 - 70years old) on the train living life smoking and drinking and even challenging me to drinking; A group of freeloaders who posed as Christians to join in the church camp to Taman Negara who constantly amused me; A clarivoyant female nature guide (50yrs old) who showed me how to live life in the wilderness, took great care of me, who shared with me her tumultuous life story and realized how sheltered I've really been, and for some strange reason I really feel a connection with. Chong might understand slightly, but really it's a totally different level of interaction that I've experience compared to random occasional brief exchange of words which Chong might have had. It's really all about connecting with people.

I've come to realize that interacting with people is something that I've really enjoyed subconsciously. Being in the travel industry really brings this out because in Singapore you can't just go up to a random person on the street and make conversation without feelin awkward, especially for those around our age, whereas once you're overseas everyone feels liberated from all the shackles created by our social stigmas. I wouldn't call it an epiphany, but more of a gradual realization. I am going to be the person that can talk comfortably to anyone anywhere, and make anyone laugh anywhere, simply because I thrive on their happiness. A simple wave to people by the streets and them responding with a smile or a wave already makes me happy. I've got a clearer view on life now, and what I really want and what I couldn't care less about. I really think these few months will be something I'll cherish greatly.

I wish I was more eloquent and articulate in a way that I could pen down my exact feelings, but as we all know I'm nowhere near that standard haha. These few weeks have been a blast. I hope that where I have forgotten things like homeruns and match details, I won't ever forget this job experience.

Give me a few more days balls, and we can live life back to days of Sierra and Tira when I'm back since you bastids are all too nua to organize.