The Beginning of An Exodus

All those times we've spoken about leaving this country. All those times we've spoken about what adventures lie ahead in countries foreign to us. Its finally on the horizon. For some, its better than that.

So Lai's the first to leave among our little group. He's gone to University of Sheffield, doing Chemical Engineering for the next 4 years. Its a little surprising that he's the first to go, he's always been the shy one among our group. But this will do him a world of good, being in a foreign country with no close friends, out of the proverbial comfort zone. Maybe he'll come back, outspoken, loud, and maybe even with a British accent.

It feels weird when one of your friends leaves. Its the same when Luther and Soon Yi left for India and China respectively. As if they weren't populous enough already. At the airport, it feels like a happy occasion. He's smiling, you're smiling. All the laughter, the jokes, the prodding and nudging. Then the walk to the departure gate. The slow footsteps. The caring questions. The quick responses. Then it sets in. As he steps pass the gate, you're not allowed to go in. You only watch as he walks in. You try your best to hold back the tears, he does too. He fakes a smile, you yell his name. But you haven't realised that he's leaving for 4 years. Up the escalators, and into the sunset.

It doesn't really set in, till the next time you want to meet up. He's gone.

The fact that he'll be back in a couple of years never does much other than remind you, he's gone.

But all in all, its a great thing to have the opportunity to study overseas. Many crave it, few often obtain it.

So here's wishing Lai a safe trip, have a great 3 years there, make plenty of friends ( or poker kaki's as Choo prefers) and come back soon!