The Big 4-0

This April, I celebrated my 40th birthday. Yes, I've hit the big 4-0.

So much white hair have appeared on my head that I've given up looking for them. But no, I've yet to experience mid-life crisis (or maybe I'm there already?).

I celebrated my 40th birthday with my colleague Kenneth Lok and some of my swimmers and ex-swimmers, namely, Weng Tatt, Eusoff, Elyas, Sean Pang and John Lee. We had an excellent dinner at Seoul Garden in Queensbay Mall, and then we spent the time reminiscing about the past, about PISA Swimming Team, and about absent friends.

After dinner, we adjourned to Starbucks for a drink and some cake, but had to end our activity early as the following day was a school day.

That night was an wonderful night for me. It was the best time that I've spent with my swimmers in years. For once, I felt loved and appreciated by my former and current swimmers. For once, I felt that my existance on this planet actually impacted other people's lives.

When I got home, I opened the birthday present these guys got for me. It was a Casio Edifice analog wrist watch.

And it even has my name engraved on its casing.

 

I was so very moved and touched by this gift.

As corny as it may sound, but I've always wanted a wrist watch like this. All the wrist watches that I've ever owned are imitation and fakes bought from Jelutong market or the Lorong Kulit flea market. By far, this is the most valuable wrist watch that I've ever owned, not only because of its cost, but also because of the sentimental value and because of the love and gratitude packaged with it.

To top it off, the watch's bracelet actually fits my wrist perfectly. This shows how well my swimmers know me. My only regret is the enormous cost it must have set these non-earning kids back to get this expensive present for me.

To all of you, I say "thank you, thank you so very much".

I must also express my appreciation to the Chang family, who although had only known me since a few months earlier, took the trouble to organize a birthday-do with cake for me in their apartment. I was thoroughly embarassed but admirably touched by your kind and thoughtful gestures.

Here, I've learned and experienced something new: "Swimmers come and swimmers go. But as long as you're appreciated and remembered, you'll live in their hearts forever."