A birthday, 3 trips and 3 angels.

Firstly; happy birthday to myself (Nov 5th)

Then, happy birthday to my pops, who's born on 5th Nov.

Then happy birthday to Chee Meng, who's born on the 6th November.

And a moment of silence and vigil to commemorate the passing of the Guardian of the Baha'i Faith, Shoghi Effendi on the 4th of November, 50 years ago.

Done? I did mine.

For many years in my life, the literal term of “angels” doesn’t make any sense to me. Yes, I’ve heard that angels are female creatures with wings, draped in white, and there are many similar creatures in the same “class” as angels. Valkyries, (defenders of the Valhalla realm) for example are a different breed of angels, but they serve their purpose by physically protecting the realm, as well as being empowered to be able to help others to do so.

But let’s not detract too far out from the topic, shall we? After all, I’m just making some muses. However, yesterday was a very special day for me. Yes, I went and did some research for SEDS-UM, (Social & Economic Development Services – Universiti Malaya) for the program SRD (Science & Religious Discourse), and we were the few selected to fulfil the grant by literally making surveys. But let’s also not concentrate on that, shall we? So I went to UIAM, and contacted some friends, and we went to an Aildilfitri open house in Rawang. (That was in noon) That morning alone I made a trip from Klang to Kuala Kubu Baru, where the future site of the South East Asia Mashrikul-Adkar (The House of God) laid.

So, traveling, and angels, what is the connection? Literally put to say, I drove some angels around from UIAM to Rawang. However, my “mission” failed as after one accident the car that I drove refused to start and we could not reach the destination. The battery was so weak that the mechanic said that it needs to be replaced. Mechanics are like computer technicians. They do their trades based on techniques and skills available to them. It is just like tweaking a computer, just that one is mechanical, the other is electrical (or electronic) in nature.

And so, yes, I went do did a survey with the 20 or more students that I got from UIAM. I got to know them from TCW (read below for the post on “3 Days in UIAM” for more info). So this time I got to know 2-3 more individuals better. Nevertheless, it was fun. I came back home quite bitter because I couldn’t complete the trip, and I felt responsible for the damage of the two other cars (although I just can’t stop helping to think why some of my friends who heard what had happened could be so irresponsible if they were in my shoes).

However, at least we made it safely, and no one was injured. But when I look at the same gang of UIAM students, it was really fantastic. The three angels that I rode with told me that we’ll all share the cost, but as fantastic as it sounds, no. I don’t want to. I’m the driver, and I wanted to send them to have some fun. Not to fork out cash for the crash.

If that’s a birthday present from God, I’ll gladly take it. Heck, this incident IS one heck of a present. I think I want to know these people further. I really want to.

Thanks for the birthday present, God. Now I wish I could contribute back to the society more. =)