till den.

This post is especially dedicated to my one and only sister, Susan.

SISTERHOOD & MARRIAGE

Lets begin with when we were much younger..



The both of us are so different in so many ways. We dont exactly resemble each other; with you resembling more to dad and me, the photocopied version of mom. We dont exactly have the same qualities; with you as the talkative social butterfly and me as the one who would rather just observe. We dont exactly have the same talents and interest; with you being more talented with singing and the musical instruments and me with the fine arts. Straight to the point, we are completely different and God must just think its funny to make the both of us siblings.

We irritate each other, make each other cry, make each other laugh, lived under the same roof, shared some stuffs between us. Our sisterhood came a long way and will have a longer way to go.

If I am not mistaken, I am the first in the family to know that you are in a relationship. Perhaps because I am not a nosy sister and I seldom leak out secrets, I was a safe choice for you to tell eh? Your secrets would have a lifespan of 3 minutes before becoming public if you would have told it to either of our brothers. Victor was and still is the 'mulut celupar' brother while Fabian was a clown who dont even know how to keep it a secret when mom belanja him KFC.

I remember how our parents are against it and thats when the true challenge begun. What the both of you went through was not ordinary obstacles couples would go through. Yes indeed some couples might face some problems if the parents dont like the other half but in your case, I can safely say it is more than that. In all the obstacles that you have to face, I am sorry that I cant help much but just be an audience. Mom thinks that I would be siding you but you know well that I wont side either of you. Its never because I love either of you less but its because, how can you ask me to choose? But in all, the both of you persevered through it and still remain together and thats what I truly admire.

I remember when you told me that Paul proposed. I was happy that finally my old sister is getting nearer to marriage. Day in day out, we both chat about it on how you broke this news to our parents, how they reacted, your plans, everything under the sun. And as usual, I am that helpless audience because I cant understand the logic of half of whats going on because I know nuts about relationships. Heck, I didnt even know its considered a communication breakdown if a couple dont call each other for 1 week straight. No wonder couples I know are always hanging onto their handphones..

I remember when you announced that you will be getting married by the end of the year. The preparations that you went through, that silly smirk on my face, the excitement of yours when choosing the design of your wedding dress. I was really honoured to have you ask me to be your witness but I dont agree to one thing. Why do you have to get married when my exam is near? -______- As usual, the very on time Lee sister but bad timing eh? :P I took a really long time thinking bout it before I had to turn down the honour of becoming your wedding witness. Like hello, my exam was calling T.T But luckily you have decided to do the wedding meeting in Ipoh which would then be easier for me to reach. Then I thought about the two neurotic brothers in Kajang and asked how are they attending it to which Victor replied; Dont worry. If we start walking right after Christmas, we will reach Ipoh on time for her wedding. Yeah I know, he is not stupid enough for that. He is only stupid enough to attempt riding his motorcycle all the way to Ipoh -_____- Thank goodness he never did that. Everything was on the way of getting prepared but we were still lacking one thing. Our parents confirmation to attend it.

It was the end of November when you told me that you caught chicken pox. In all the rush, you were 'shipped' back to Kajang so that our mom can take care of you. I would say, this was the turning point that we were all praying for. That chicken pox attack was a blessing in disguise that had open up the relationship you once share closely with mom. I was really thankful to God that it took place at such a good time and everything just fell (sort of) in place after that. So it was back to my books for me and the day dreaming (dont deny it, Im sure you were) for you.

It was the night of the 26th December when you called me and told me about my godpa's death. It was also the same night that you had some issues with the wedding veil. I know about it because I am keeping in contact with Victor just right after we ended our conversation. I know you cried too although it was for a different reason than mine. But I am glad the issue was solved in the end. Your wedding registration was on the 27th and I am so sorry to disturb you with the matters of the flight tickets even on your important day. But what really matters was that it was carried out and you finally had the blessings of both our parents.

1st of January was the day I cant stop the smile in my heart. I was with my noisy family, everyone is happy and getting prepared for a joyous occasion and my longing to see and hear you all gathered together and laughing was fulfilled. The night ended with me happily tossing around on the bed to keep you awake. Hey, this might just be one of the very last time I get to irritate you by sharing the same bed :P The morning of 2nd January sees us going abuzz for the big event and you became the bride and I became the bridesmaid. It was no longer the 'masak-masak' play like we did when we were younger. This time, it is for real.

 

The symbolic wedding veil was put on you for the first and the last time and after the tradition was carried out, we were on our way for your wedding meeting. And perhaps for the first time, the both of you took center stage and it was all about the both of you and God from the start to the end.

It was beautiful.

I have no great gifts for you and although I said that I will prepare an album for your wedding meeting, I cant promise how soon I will get it done :P I cant wish you a fairy tale love life or a happily ever after ending or even a splendid one like the movies because it didnt even started out dreamily like a movie. But keep in mind that the love stories in those movies are written by script writers but your love story is written personally by God.

I cant give you any advice because heck, you really want me to give advice? But I have only a song to share with you. After thinking for some time and searching around, I think this song represents what we really wish for you. I hope you can still remember how it goes;

I could wish you joy and peace
To last a whole life long,
I could wish you sunshine,
Or a cheerful little song,
Or wish you all the happiness
That this life could bring

But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
More than anything.

I could wish you leaves of gold,
And may your path be smooth,
I could wish you treasures,
Or that all your dreams come true,
And I could wish you paradise,
That ev'ry day be spring,

But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
But I wish you Jesus,
Cause when I wish you Jesus,
I've wished you ev'rything.

Just a few hours ago, I was ransacking moms closet for some photos and I came across a lot of sentimental ones. Pictures of the both of us, the family and everything. Quite a lot made me laugh and the rest brought smiles to my face. Apparently, I was (still is) more tomboyish than you were but amusingly, I was attached to my high heels or other feminine looking footwear despite my short hair, jeans and tees look. We were always pictured close together, hugging or holding hands and that same smile we each had since we were young still prevails just like the latest pictures during your wedding.

So remember well that you may be a part of another family now but you are still my annoying sister.

From,



Your one and only (still a sugar addict but cute) sister :D



to be continued.

Dear younger Helen,

Its been a great year in 2010 wasn’t it? hell yeah, you sure know how to have fun in a serious way :P im sure by now you are wondering whats in store for you in 2011. Will it be kind to you just like in 2010 or will it be rougher on you. Now let me tell you what will happen…

On the 1^st day of January, you will spend it worrying that you turned older by another year with the CUS-ers who are already here in penang stuck along with you for the beginning of sem 2. You will have fun poking at each other especially regarding the ‘last years meal’.. ya, lame but well, its still funny :P then nearing the 14^th of jan, you will get busy preparing for the CUS camp, so much so you will end up brushing off your birthday just like any other normal days because you have to discuss with your sexytary secretary to finalise on the CUS camp. Now stop complaining because you chose to be born on this date when its usually the starting of the school term or a new sem and just like how you always forget about the others birthday,  everyone is too busy to layan you either (padan muka).

Come end of jan, you will decide to chop off your previously long hair that you had faithfully kept for the past 6 years or so. It will be a very impulsive move but its for your own good. like 6 years? Time to move on bebeh! Your brother, victor will be in a bigger state of shock than anyone else and will ask you stupid questions as to the motive of you cutting your hair like; did you just got yourself a boyfriend? Then why did you cut your hair like that? O_o which you will coolly reply; why, did all of your girlfriends dating to the current one cut their hair too when they accepted you? but well, we both know you are just too unpredictable for a motive, doncha ? ;) you are officially slightly past the legal age of 21 and your mom will start worrying about the single status of yours that you maintain since forever. You will have a good laugh teasing your parents about this issue and continue being the cool single you throughout 2011 ;) but of course, you cant bear to see that (funny but) worried expression of your mom so you will reassure her that it is in God’s hands. He will send you the right man when you are ready or He will provide you if you shall remain single forever.

come march, you will be ‘partially’ retiring as the dictator president of CUS and surprise, surprise!! Guess who is succeeding you (hint: your immediate family member). You will have an emotional retirement (well, maybe its just you feeling emotional). Its as if all the burdens have been literally lifted off your shoulder but at the same time, you will be wondering if you did a decent job as a president, how you will miss those crazy moments at exco meetings, the special bond you shared with the excos.. but don’t worry, you will adjust fast and find that retirement is VERY ENJOYABLE. Cheers to the old woman who made it! ;)

April begins with a prank for you especially by the newly formed excos replacing you (move over, old woman!) and for the 1^st time in your president-ship, you will openly get angry at them. but not for long. Because you know they mean well and at the same time, it’s a positive indication of them getting along with each other well (perhaps too well at times). and then as usual too, you will be drowned under those piles of lab reports to do, tests, assignments, quizzes and exam. Life just doesn’t sound complete without them eh? ;) but fret not, just like any other sem, you will whine and claim that this sem is tough and different from the previous sems but still manage to survive it somehow.. so learn how to relax before you grow more wrinkles yo! And another thing, by now you would have figured out that you got fever twice every sem ever since you became a president and would be wondering if your successor will be facing that kind of stress/ health problem. God bless him :P

Come may, just right after you finish your final paper, you will move back to kajang to begin on your internship with sime darby. Yes, I said SIME DARBY. Now pick up your jaw and put it back in place. I know you didn’t expect to work with such a good company but trust me, you will get it. working in it will be a pain in the ass experience for some parts but pleasant and fruitful for most of it. it will loosen up your once bad trauma with the‘adults working world’ and you will meet a lot of respectable great people and hear many stories which you will thank God for them. oh! do remember to keep yourself in check with the presentation time limit. You talk too much sometimes even when you are presenting… ok actually, you talk too much for this whole year. I wonder how did your friends manage to stand you..

In july, you will be bound for a trip to sabah. Travel bugs bite hard on you. You will have a seriously great time in sabah and on that 10 days you are there, you will be treated to the best hospitality and food. Now watch what you eat, woman. You don’t wanna gain some extra ‘baggage’, do you? :P

August is synonymous with autumn for you (for some weird reasons) but of course, this season does not exist in Malaysia. we both know Malaysia have a lot of seasons and the 2 notable seasons were the raining season and the durian season. One makes you feel nostalgic and the other makes you dread passing by the fruit stall. Go figure which is which. But this time around, you will be starting on a deadly 3 lettered commitment that has sent a lot crying and make the rest pee in their pants. Behold; FYP. Now don’t look down on it. this will be the cause of you losing your cool and day dreaming off for the rest of the year. It is potent enough to even cause you to lose appetite and drop some kg (which you will quickly gain back). So brace yourself. The storm mau limpas.

Come September, the sem officially starts and you will be known as a final year student. new sem, new challenges, new courses, new tests, new assignments (do I need to go on?) new exams. But the same old direction blind you. You will end up at the wrong building on the 1^st week. One new thing you don’t quite like will be the new room facing the guys dorm. And then you will curse them about some camel fleas and short hands. Weird combination, I know but you will know what it means when the time comes ;) And oh! you will take one last drastic move for the year by chopping off your hair again thus removing any trace of similarity with your ancient hairstyle; the perms. And your CUS brother will walk past you without realizing its you because of it. but you will like the new hairstyle because its breezy at your neck now :P

Throughout September and all the way to the end of the year, you will face a lot of frustrating moments with your FYP. Internship prepared you for the workload but you are not prepared at how frequently the equipments die on you. But rest assured, you will persevere through it with the grace from God (Amen). You will have this sem so occupied that you will forget how to keep your hair in place. But don’t worry. You will still remember to take showers everyday (thank God!). come November, you will be bound for another trip with the CUS-ers. This time to Malacca and you will reminisce quite a lot of memory from when you were back in Vietnam (I know, great place it was there T.T) but with a different bunch of humans and thankfully, the locals still speak BM or English. It will be very enjoyable for you. That I can assure ;).

Finally comes December. You will go through it filled with test and quizzes and assignments (as usual) and you will get frustrated at the frequency of it. You will have it so often that you wont have time to shop for Christmas or CNY clothes although you have extorted some shopping allowance from your sister earlier on. Along with your crazy monday bf as a partner in crime, you will have fun being a lead role in prank-ing your CUS brother which could just be the craziest side of you the CUS ever saw to date :P Then, you will join the CUS for the Christmas celebration as it coincides with the tradition of going for a sleepover in the FM house every end of the sem. It will be a very different Christmas for you and you will realize this as you ponder it on the strike of midnight on Christmas. You will end it with a study week and this time around, you will feel even more uncertain with your exams. Seriously, when I say this time its different, I mean it. by this time, you might be so worn out from all the studying previously and the emotional conflict in you because you want to be sad but your head says ‘no. you have to study so keep focused’. I cant tell what will happen but unfortunately, it concerns people whom are dearest to you; family. But just as how you have handled a certain incident 3 years ago, you will handle this one the same. If not, with more determination.

Come new years eve, its back to the CUS-ers who will accompany you with through the mass, then the strike of midnight but this time around, you will remember to cheer unlike the early of year 2011, where you blur-ly missed the countdown. Not your fault entirely because the CUS-ers with you then were also clueless :P

With this, I have revealed to you all the great things that will happen to you on 2011. But unfortunately, I have played down on a lot of sad events that will come your way. In 2011, you will have a lot of tears to shed but mostly silent tears because you try not to get emotional. It will be tough to do so when you are trained to have emotions especially when you have a passion for painting. a lot of incidents will hit you hard and you will burst out crying for a few times on that year. In that same year, you will learn the meaning of satisfaction, contribution and would have brushed up a level or two on your endurance, perseverance and hopefully, maturity. But at the same time, you will have a new definition for hope, lost hopes, betrayal and delusion. You will lose your temper even more easily this time around and you will get hurt more easily too. there will be a lot of time you will thank God but cry to God the next moment but rest assured, it will make you grow older into a better person. What doesn’t kill will just make you stronger. And finally, you have accepted that you are by definition; a young woman. In terms of age that is (yes, you are old! Hahahaha~~). You are still clueless as to what are the responsibilities and correct behavior of a young woman because you will still be spotted walking around like a gorilla tomboy. You can take the girl out of convent but you cant take the convent our of the girl eh? ;)

Come 2012, you will have your hopes renewed. Your faith, strength and endurance renewed too. but in all, your trust in God will become stronger than ever. You will anticipate 2012 with caution this time because 2011 will serve as a good reminder that hoping too highly makes you fall down harder. That deep down, you still love your family more than anything. That sometimes, we have to break our own rigid but useless principles. And most importantly, God is a genius of all genius and He knows what is good and right for you. Will 2012 spell more smiles and laughs, more tears or both? Will it be kind to you or will it be rougher than 2011? Whichever it is, I have only one thing to give you to bring into your life and I think you will need it a lot.

 

ok just kidding. its the next picture..

This is the picture of a man who is madly in love with you although he saw every single flaw you have and will ever have. But trust him, alright? he will provide the rest that you will need and walk with you hand in hand to make the future sound less scary to brave through.

And with this, I bid you all the best.  A toast, to a new year!

Love,

The current Helen.

p/s: please study harder and smarter too!

Till den ;)