21st Birthday Anniversary Theme

As has been customary for me over the past few years, a week before yet another birthday anniversary I took a moment of reflection to consider the year that has passed and the challenges that are yet to come.

The past year has been coloured by unprecedented trials, from the journey of 16,000 km to come and study in the United Kingdom to the task of having to set up and maintain a life overseas, in circumstances unlike any previously seen. Many of the difficulties that were faced at this point last year have now receded into the wisps of time. Some, like the hurdle of A-Levels and admission to university, have by the grace of God turned out very well. Others have been less so, but on the whole 2004/2005 has been a year to cherish for the rest of my life.

Friends and family have left indelible marks upon the course of my life, mostly pleasant ones as you continually surprised and touched me with your comradeship, support and solidarity - inspiring me to do the same for the people around me.

This is not to say that I have not experienced the betrayal of false friends, the grief of losses and the bitter fruits of defeat. These have all had their place in the year gone by, and although I don't agree with the cliche that "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger", I have resigned myself to accepting these as part and parcel of life.

Around this time I also look with trepidation to the future and the challenges it holds. In the year ahead there will be very stiff tests to overcome in the personal and social spheres. Past friendships will face the renewed tests of time and distance, promising to wear down all but the strongest and most sincere of relationships. The opening of new vistas of education will bring with it the challenge of examinations, in a relatively new style and format. The task of sustaining and enriching my experience here in the UK is also expected to grow more ardous (albeit interesting) with the shift into private accommodation and the onset of elements such as vacation placements and course dissertations.

In view of the challenges ahead, the theme for this year's 21st birthday anniversary is "Strength through hope, courage through tenacity." It is recognised that strength and courage can not be acquired merely through individual resolve and theoretical understanding, but by venturing out and living the life; savouring the joys and enduring the failures, desertions and setbacks.

The Story of Budin

Budin* is your typical Malaysian 20-year old. He goes to college, hangs out at mamak stalls and spends a considerable amount of time lepakking. But there is one difference. Budin will not go anywhere near an Internet-connected computer, certainly not in the near future.

You see, Budin made a terrible mistake when he was last connected to the Internet. Offered an innocent-looking file over MSN Messenger 6.2, supposedly from his trusty buddy Mamat, Budin accepted the file. He failed to notice that the file was of a fishy type, for instance .pif or .@$$, probably because the file had some groovy sounding-name such as "Hahaha" and "Laughalot", or whatever. Besides, whoever wrote that file had also learnt to present encouraging statements such as "you'll love this!" and "very funny! LOL" alongside the file on offer.

As it turned out, the file was a dastardly new version of computer virus that soon replicated and sent itself to everyone on Budin's MSN contact list. It also caused permanent damage to the host computers by preventing operating systems such as Windows from starting up on the PC. Forever.

Budin's circle of friends - Ah Beng, Muthu, Singam and even the innocent Ah Lian, thought that the file had genuinely come from their kaki gayut/kaki lepak Budin. They also accepted the file transfer. As a result, their PCs were also doomed forever.

Budin was lucky. His computer was covered by the Endsleigh TM ComputaCover insurance scheme. So he received some compensation. But his friends were not so lucky. Being also typical Malaysian college students dependent on sometimes erratic PTPTN study loans, they could not afford to replace their stricken PCs. As a result, they were deprived (at least for the near future) of a valuable educational resource of vital importance in their studies and coursework.

Budin now blames himself for his carelessness. As a result, he will no longer go anywhere near an Internet-connected computer or cybercafe in the near future. At least, as long as his friends continue to be deprived. This is a lesson to be wary of files that claim to have been sent by friends on your Contact List.

Be wise when you surf. Guilt haunts ...

*This story is fictional, although partly based on fact. Any connection with any person/s, living or dead, is purely coincidental.