Time rules over us without mercy

We never turn our back on it and we never ever allow ourselves the SIN of losing track of time.
– Cast Away

fuck i'm late

I am very particular about time. It harks back to an incident where I got locked in the public library when I was a kid coz I went to the gents near closing time. We didn’t have cell phones then so it took a while for my mom to realize I was missing and even longer to get security to open the grill. Needless to say, that experience was rather unnerving since I still remember it.

ellesse time

Ironically, I’m not much of a watch person. I keep track of time by using the computer’s lower right clock feature when I’m at work and a cell phone when I’m out. However, I can appreciate having a fine timepiece. A lot of people consider a watch an important accessory for men – a status symbol of sorts. Personally, the importance of a watch can be summed up with one word:

HINT

This only works with watches. Let’s say you have an important appointment to go to and you’re in a similarly important discussion. Dilemma! You wouldn’t want to be late for the next meeting and you ALSO don’t want to offend the people in the current discussion.

Solution:

michelle watch

Make sure you discreetly glance at your watch when the other person is watching. This will generally project a hint that you’re in a bit of a rush and allow you to exit gracefully without a social faux pas smirk.

This won’t work with my Blackberry since people would assume I’m just checking work emails.

That’s the importance of a watch and now I know why so many working professionals wear one. πŸ˜‰

I’m not in the habit of wearing chronographs so it surprised my friend Michelle when I had the ellesse Sportivo on. I have to admit, it looks very nice and she was rather impressed with it as well.

ellesse

ellesse started out as a sports apparel brand from Italy but have since expanded into timepieces with ellesse TIME. I got one of the Sportivo collection for men. This stainless steel ellesse watch contrasts well with the black textured PU middle links around the bracelet. It has a very cool black dial too – large and stylish with three separate counters and a date display.

ellesse sportivo

This watch has all the features a good timepiece would have, like a tachymeter, but the best thing about the ellesse Sportivo is that it looks good and feels solid. The black/silver color scheme works very well – the red highlights is a real attention grabber too! It’s also water resistant up to 100 meters so you won’t have to take it off when you’re in the pool.

underwater

1 SECOND. YOU. THE WORLD.

ellesse is running a contest where you share a photo and story about a touching moment in your life. It’s really simple to join and here is my entry:

mom pre op

If I have 1 second with the world, I won’t give the usual Miss Universe crap about “World Peace”.

I don’t exactly have a very close relationship with my mother. We were always at odds for as long as I can remember and truth to be told, I used to secretly blame her for a lot of my personality traits. She worries a lot, over small and insignificant matters and somehow that passed on to me during my formative years.

She expects nothing less than perfection from me, using the rotan and vacuum cleaner tube liberally when I got anything less than 90/100 for my school exams. 90 would get a disapproving frown and a scolding. 95 would get a nod of acknowledgment, not approval. 99 got me a slight smile in the form of an almost insignificant upwards twitch in the corner of the mouth, which is quickly replaced by the oft repeated comment – “It’s just 1 mark short of 100. You could have done better.”

I remember that very well coz my dad wasn’t around when I was in primary school so all the insane expectations kinda left me with very low self esteem. I figured I just wasn’t good enough for the world. I was never going to be exceptional. I will always be mediocre.

I don’t blame her now though. I guess time and age changes perceptions.

It’s hard to be a parent.

(I also don’t want to be like Eminem – constantly whining about his mom for causing his problems smirk)

My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple of months ago and had to undergo an operation. I flew down to New Zealand before she went for the surgical procedure and one thing that surprised me was how well she handled everything. She trusted in God and was never fearful.

She was strong.

The trip also made me realize how estranged we’ve become.

She made it through and is recovering now, and I think my newborn niece had a lot to do with that. I wonder though, would I ever forgive myself for not setting things straight if she didn’t make it through?

mom post op

I’m always closer to my dad and although my mom nags a lot, she does it coz she loves me in her own twisted way (and I mean that in an affectionate manner). πŸ™‚

I’m not going to pretend to be magnanimous and go on about stopping poverty, helping starving kids in Africa, or somehow magically cease the tense situation in the Middle East when the UN couldn’t even accomplish it in decades.

If I have one second with the world, I would just like everyone to be happy about themselves. No anxiety, stress, or self doubt. I want everyone to accept themselves and be proud of who they are.

I’ve learnt to appreciate all the things in life that I have now. The important things – my friends and family. Especially my mom, since our relationship has always been strained and I aim to improve that. I’m just thankful that it’s not too late for that.

ellesse watch

Do you have you own story to tell? Join the Touching Moment contest and stand a chance to win an ellesse watch!

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89 thoughts on “Time rules over us without mercy”

  1. debbie: Hey no worries! πŸ™‚
    She’s recovering well now, the Big C is not really that big a deal in this modern times.
    The watch that I have is about RM 1,000. Pretty nifty especially when you lose you cell phone to the seas (not waterproof) so I relied on the watch for time in Krabi. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. That is 1 cool watch. Well written and heartfelt entry :’) Im not so worried bout her illness but rather the relationship between the two of u. Hope you and ur mom can resolve any unsettled issues (if got la) and be close to each other as possible. She would be really happy.

    Reply
  3. KY: Thanks bro, appreciate the kind comments! πŸ™‚
    She’s doing well. πŸ™‚
    chrisblitz: Cheers mate! Yeah, we’re trying to resolve that. πŸ™‚
    Yup, the watch is pretty cool, got a lot of comments about it. Looks good. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  4. “It’s just 1 mark short of 100. You could have done better.”
    Dude, you are supposed to spell your name correctly, aya. Ha ha ha.
    Being a parent is hard work, man. Seeing your child spelling his name wrongly every time, really makes your blood boils. But alas, you are grown up now, and mum-dad have done their job.

    Reply
  5. i think i teared abit reading this *sniff* good to hear that you and your mom are working things out πŸ™‚
    and that’s a really nice watch in case i haven’t told you already πŸ˜›

    Reply
  6. I am sorry to hear about your mother having lung cancer. It is a serious illness. My dad had it. One of his lungs was removed. He fought the illness for 2 years. He weighed about 80lbs when he died. It was heartbreaking to see him suffered. I don’t mean to frighten you. I hope your mother will recover from it. All the best.

    Reply
  7. rocket: Yup, and they did it pretty well. πŸ™‚
    Parenting is not a science, people learn as they go. I will too. πŸ™‚
    fresh: Thanks Fresh! πŸ™‚
    Appreciate the kind comments.
    Yeah, it’s a pretty nice watch, kinda looks good on me, if I say so myself. πŸ˜‰
    Simon Seow: Good luck in the contest bro! πŸ™‚
    beautifulnara: Thanks bro! πŸ™‚
    Yeah it is a good looking watch, kinda suits me. Haha! πŸ™‚
    Meng: I’m sorry to hear about your loss Meng! πŸ™
    Thanks for the support, yeah I’m sure she’ll pull through, she’s recovering very well. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  8. I disagree with you. Parenting is actually not difficult if kids do what they are told, instead we are real pricks and won’t do what we are told, ergo, parents have to belt us till our arse bleeds.
    I bet you were real naughty when you are in school and can’t spell your name correctly, ha ha

    Reply
  9. Dude, hottie with black nail polish….finally, ditch the innocent looking girl next door and go for Gothic chick, the Sixthseal adventure…I am sure those jet black fingernails leaved some bloody trail on your back.

    Reply
  10. Best wishes to your mom. My father was away often, and at odd hours (a cop). we were not rich, by any standards, and my mom worked quite often to make ends meet. and belive you me she could be a right.., the point is she was the backbone of this family. When she passed away it was only the second time I had seen my dad cry. Time and tide wait for no man ( or woman). Remember that quote. Despite race creed or color, there are only two types of people in the world. those that know it is true, and those that are about to find it is true. Glad things are well. tom

    Reply
  11. Blah, blah, blah, zzzzzz. Your blog is becoming a black tie function at the playboy mansion. What’s happen to my old pal HB who delivers tofu in this dad’s AE86?
    Tell us something exiciting or at least rounchy. ha ha ha.
    As for high school, come on. you don’t need to do well in high school. It’s who you know that matters.

    Reply
  12. rocket: Nah mate, gotta disagree on that. It’s all about being at the right place at the right time with the right ideas. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  13. That’s true too. If only we are good friends with Mr Najib. You and I can start out own gun running enterprise and make money come out of our backside.
    So how is holiday in Thailand? Meet any girls who are just a bit too butch for your liking? Hint, hint, they are not girls. ha ha ha

    Reply
  14. Hi, Brother..
    Our parent has not learn a lesson before they become one..To forgive and to accept is a good way to grow.. I am glad you are not too late to realise it..

    Reply
  15. rocket: I went with a friend and I went to Krabi/Ao Nang/Railey/Phi Phi Islands so it was pure vacation. πŸ™‚
    ahngao: Yeah, I totally agree. Thanks for that mate! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  16. Have you realized that each time when you make a ‘confession’ of your past, you are becoming stronger? Should I say, you are looking at things in a colourful angle because unknowingly you have welcomed peace in your heart?
    P/S You will be a good parent some day. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  17. Yvonne: Thanks Yvonne! I used to think that revealing too much of my feelings is a sign of weakeness but I’ve long since realized that’s not true.
    Appreciate the vote of confidence! πŸ™‚
    I hope I’ll be a good parent too. πŸ™‚
    kimberlycun: Thanks Kim! πŸ™‚
    Yeah, she’s recovering well, thanks to all of your well wishes. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  18. I feel for you, my friend…I’ve always had.
    Much as we would like to forgive and forget, it is not really so easy but one thing’s for sure, time that has passed is past – what has been done can never be undone; it’s beyond our control. But we can have control over the time that is and that is to come. We can take control of our lives and try to make it better, God willing.
    There are people who love you; learn to love yourself too.

    Reply
  19. suituapui: Very wise words indeed, my friend. Yeah, I that’s my shortfalling, I need to learn to love myself more.
    Thanks Arthur! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  20. hey, nice to hear you’re doing so ‘good’ in life lately… bad to hear about your mother but nice to hear she’s doing better now..
    i can relate to the time-paradigm of getting older, time is a powerful force indeed..
    wish you all the best on your way to a more self-assured life too and take care!!

    Reply
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