a little more than a year ago, i left the philippines for a strange land as a brave, confident, aspiring middle-aged professional. i left new zealand as an immature, dense, broke but happy (that’s for alanis fans) normal person.
My life may be little and boring, but at least its mine–not some assembly line, secondhanded,hand-me-down life.
- C. Palahniuk
in an attempt to bring life to this blog, let me tell you what’s been happening for the past couple of days. i want to start this story about the day i got extremely lucky, and that was yesterday. waking up saturday early morning is so unusual as i usually sleep until 12pm, or until the early hours of noon, but i’ve been planning to get this tetenal chemical for c-41 process for ages (okay i know half of you understand it, so it’s just some important thing i have to get) so i woke up, with uncooperative body heading to kitchen for breakfast (yes i take breakfast now), a quick shower and off to tao payoh by train. the place i was going to is very much off the map of singapore i have in my mind and so i wanted to just walk my way ’cause i suppose it was easier to find it and not get lost, but i was wrong. rain started to drop from the sky, and then it was heavy downpour. i was running to and fro while talking to this local lady over the phone how to get to their stock building under the drenching rain for half and hour! eventually i gave up, soaking and a bit frantic, i decided to go back to where i started and take the bus. getting off the bus, i still have to run a few meters circling the block and then finally finding the spot. i really hate myself for not bringing a raincoat as i highly suspected it would rain while still back in the flat, and getting lost is alright if i dont have a restricted time, but the factory will be closing at half past 12. they waited for me until 1pm, which evens it out, and obviously, i realize it’s not their fault if i don’t have a clue about my directions. the building was old, elevator creaking with a stripper-pole-like in the middle of which i have no idea what it is for, i went inside, walked the eerie hallway, and was greeted by the lady i was talking to over the phone earlier. she was apologetic about her misdirection but i told her never mind, i know it’s my fault really and my stupid desire to process c-41 on my own. and so, i spent a total of $32 for the chemicals($10) and thermometer($22). they don’t have a developing tank, so i took a bus going to city hall to their commercial store in peninsula where i spent another $33 for a 500-ml paterson tank, making my total investment to $65. i saw they sell the very same chemical for $23, and moments ago i just bought it for $10! so i remain quiet.
i know i’m hungry then and despite spending so much already, i headed for a kfc lunch where here, started the very lucky day. i found 2 folded-together-crisp 50 dollar note, lying on the floor. i was in queue, it was just slightly on my left. i did not see it drop from anybody, because if i did, believe me or not, i will return it to its righteous owner. so i looked around, stepped on it, and fish it in front of me, bend down, and pick it up. i felt guilty and shameful and happy (for my personal gain) and sad (for the loss of the other person), but hey, as much as i want to return it, i don’t know to whom! it is out of the question that i won’t be giving it to the cashier or the person ahead of me in line, so i pretended nothing happened, although my face at that time completely betrayed me i know. i ordered my meal, sat on furthest empty table i spot, and then i found myself eating hurriedly, perhaps deep inside i want to get out of this place the fastest possible for the reason that i hate the true owner to show up and look for it. i would feel entirely guilty and devasted believe me, haha. i’ve lost other valuable things before and i know it’s not the most pleasant thing to happen to anyone.
thinking back, i know i did the right thing. the money was designed to be lying on the floor the moment i lined up to get my food. it has been there waiting for me because you don’t run after things. it comes to you, and so it’s mine.
