Brethrens in Foreign Land

Being far from home, we as social human beings will always try to create a new bond in the new (foreign) place. The closest to a family, perhaps. It may be considered as the natural instinct of survival. It becomes more prominent when we live in a struggling condition, a rocky and stony paths instead of a paradise. Friends are people who will always be around. They can be our pillars. With them we share both joy and sorrow. We, the fragile and the vulnerable, can unimaginably be the source of strength for others, in ways we would never know.

Six years ago, the tiny hills and valleys in NTU welcomed me to be one of its residents. It was my first time to be permanently away from my family. I was not scared, I was not worried, but there’s something missing in the daily cycle of my life. You were physically detached from your family. Surely it would have certain degree of impact into your life.

Luckily, not only the hills and valleys were welcoming. Warm smiles were also there, offering friendship and... a family. We were bonded as brothers and sisters, though without blood ties. We were there for each birthday, each celebration, each post-exam euphoria, each Chinese New Year, each Christmas, each new year… And now the time has come for a farewell.

Today, we said our temporary goodbye to one of our dear friend who will pursue her higher study in another part of the globe. It was like a wake up call for each of us, to come and gather once again, just as what we used to have in our younger days.

We have now lived different lives, we have gone into different directions. Some have achieved their dreams, some are still searching, some are still studying. We are not just a bunch of foreign students anymore. Most of us have already settled down, have a good job and steady income.

How different it was back then. We were students in this foreign country, pocketing our own problems. Financial difficulties, relationship problem, problem in studying, etc. The list can go longer. We have similar worries, some identical fears. We held hands and united in prayers during exam period. We cheered for each success, we gave each other a pat on the back. We went crazy in post-exam euphoria. We panicked with each other for study problems, and tried to help as best as we could. We were definitely there when somebody brought some Indonesian food along. We found solace and peace in as simple as the presence of each other.

Some of us have now had a smooth path to the future. Some may still have uncertain path. Some wedding bells will be ringing. Somebody will start deserving a “Happy Father’s Day” greeting soon. Some additional degree will entail some names. Some might pursue other field of study. Some might start their own business. We don’t live in the same frequency anymore.

And yet, the bond that we had will always synchronize our hearts.

The BBQ pit in one condo seemed just like one of NTU hall’s common ground. We gossiped just as before. Splashes heard from the swimming pool sounded like Nanyang Lake/ Nanyang Pond. Our first reaction to hear the word “birthday” is to throw the person into the water (no, no it didn’t happen today). The gastronomical appetite doesn’t change. Those who were always to finish the food still do the same duty until today. The one who usually became our treasurer still count the money today. The one who was always bullied is “almost” to be one again today. The one who stood as our MC and confetti-popper today is the same person as before.

As simple as an exclamation “cieeeeehh…” (with our special intonation and context) can even bring back the memory. It seems years we don’t really say the word in our special way =P.

We have gone through a lot, in our own way, during these six to seven years. Some friends that I see today, I haven’t seen from years. I haven’t even heard any news from some.

The bond that ties, will always unite us. When we meet again, we feel like being trapped in a time-capsule and catapulted to our younger days. We are just brothers and sisters, who need each other. We might not do what we did last time and we might not help in the same way anymore, but definitely time will not dilute the bond that we had woven, the friendship that we had cultivated…

When the fallen darkness reminded us to call it a day, the condo is now just a condo. No more NTU hall, no more NTU trees, hills and valleys. 10 pm was the time we used to start back then, but now it is the time to start packing up…. May be we are just getting old =)

I do hope that we don’t need to wait for another farewell to have a gathering. Reunion is good you know, it will make you feel young. You can save away those dollars that you may splurge in antioxidants….

Thanks for being there, in the past, present and future!! I will surely wish you all the best, in each unique direction that you have decided or will decide to take.

God be with you all!!

Keep in touch, friends… and don’t forget to share the pictures =)