So, it has been months since I came back from Malaysia. I know, getting back onto the wheel of life and having to go through some difficult times early in the year was not really a great start at all. But for now it is well. Back at the old job and hopefully it will play out.
I know it is rather late but happy belated birthday to my dad. And for a treat my sister dug up this picture from the old photo album, and guess what, it is still awesome.
When I went back to Malaysia for my brother's wedding, I spent a considerable amount of time with my dad. Sharing music together and just listened to his life's story. Hopefully one day I will write something about it, but for now this will have to do.
I know he doesn't really express much of his emotions, but all in all the vibe hits you pretty neatly. I have to say I am a chip off the old block. I am not really well with my emotions, and it is difficult for me to express them from time to time. I am however indebted to him in a lot of ways, and I know I am not really the ideal kid to have either. I am a delinquent for most and still have childish tendencies.
But as far as stories go, I am really amazed with what my dad went through, and considering the wisdom he shared in his life's story, I fall utterly short compared to what he has accomplished. So here's to you, my dad.
After high school he worked as a geologist, land surveyor so to speak, where they would go into the jungle and dig up soil for samples and studies. That was his job before he got involved in the oil industry. And I remembered the first question he was asked in his interview, "What is geology?". Which he answered, "Study of the earth." And just like that he was hired.
In a way I felt the same when my boss told me, "I like the way you work." and I got hired. Over the years things turned sour, though, I have to say. I am not how I was when I first started this job. I suppose the people I worked with had something to do with it. But this post is not about me.
So, my dad's first job is to study the earth as a land surveyor/geologist. And they were stationed in remote areas in the jungle. They would spend a considerable amount of time out there and of course, camped out in the wilderness. He would have a radio and that was when he listened to Dr. Hook and all the old songs on the radio. So it was basically survivors in real life, nothing set up and no cameras. Only the self, couple of other people, and the jungle.
For this part of my birthday wish I would like to remember how my dad's story hit me. Dealing with death.
It was his friend, a colleague he worked with. While they were scaling a cliff near a waterfall, he slipped and loose rocks fell and crushed his head. Unfortunately he did not survive. In a spur of the moment, my dad handled his body. The man's clothes were soaked in blood and there was nothing else that could be done, except to bring the body back into town. There were two other natives with them, and due to superstition they would not handle the body. So my dad did most of the carrying.
Just to imagine that sight. My dad, carrying the body of a colleague out from the jungle they were in. Into the morgue for autopsy, and trying to keep the body from rotting. By the time they came out it was already too late. Due to the elements, Malaysia, of course, is near to the equator where it is always hot and humid, maggots had already invaded the body. A shiver just ran down my spine from imagining the sight, and this was what my dad went through. When they reached the morgue my dad tried to give him a change of clothes, but the body was already stiff from the journey.
After that event my dad felt down and out. I mean, who wouldn't? Anyway, from the ordeal, his boss, gave him time out from the incident, and soon after he applied to Shell. With a couple of friends whom I have met back when I was younger.
So here it is, my heroic dad. Someone whom I look up to. Someone whom I want to become in my lifetime, chivalrous, sturdy, and heroic. Here's to you dad. Missing you lots and always remembering you as my dad.
*cheers* Happy Birthday Dad!
