Recently, I had an assignment in Brunei. We are currently involved in improving the customer experience for their national telecommunication agency.
We had to use the KLIA since we are using their national carrier. As I checked my luggage, I noticed a buddy of mine who I've not met for the last 5 years. He is currently working with the Emirates and flys frequently to Dubai for work. He was sharing with me the difference between the Emirates and our national carrier, which he was serving before this. He feels that the grass is much greener on the other side. I was happy for him since he feels that he is being rewarded fairly. Since I had to get to my flight, we exchanged numbers and decided to catch up again.
Then, I left for my flight and as I left the imigression for the hand luggage scanner counter, I met another friend of mine that I've not met for about 8 years. He is currently working in Singapore. He was sharing with me that he is going to get married soon and he wanted me to attend his wedding. Quickly we exchanged numbers since we were heading to different boarding gates and decided to catch up again.
The next day, I went for my work and after work I hit the gym to get my circulation flowing. As I was working out someone noticed me and approached me. It was a friend of mine that I've not met for about 12 years. Firstly, I was completely surprised because from all the places, it was a gym in Brunei that I had to meet him. We were so happy to meet each other until we decided to stop working out and decided to talk about the old times. We had so much to talk about, obviously since it was 12 years however time was running short so we exchanged numbers and decided to catch up again.
2 days after that, I finished my assignment and was heading back home. After reaching KLIA, I had to take the train to get to the main terminal. In the train, I notice someone familiar. It was a buddy of mine that use to study with me and it has been 19 years since we last met each other. I couldn't belief that it's been 19 years because time just moved so fast. He was telling me that he is now working in Singapore and travels frequently due to work. Since we were in a hurry, we quickly change numbers and decided to catch up again.
Here are some of the lessons that I learnt after traveling back 19 years in the 4 days:
1. I have got some catching up to do.
2. Many Malaysian buddies of mine are working abroad, which means that talents are moving out of the country probably at a higher rate compared to the past.
3. The world is getting smaller. With advancement of the transportation industry, we can travel further with lesser. So, if you ask me, I'm really waiting when Sir Richard Branson is going to launch the first airline trip to space.
