Okay.. next, I’m really bad at this predicting thing. In fact, I kinda suck at it! But oh hell, if it turns out as well as it did tonight, I’m glad I sucked. Lets check back at what I predicted, shall we?

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Entertainer of the Year: I wanted Carrie to win.

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Winner: Carrie Underwood

I’m sooooo happy! You have no idea how happy I am. Not only did she win this twice running, she is also the very 1st female to do so in the show’s 40 year history! What a way to make history! Love you Carrie!

=

So far it’s 1 for 1

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Top Male Vocalist: I thought Brad had a good chance of taking it.

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Winner: Brad Paisley

Booyah! There’s really no surprise there..

=

2 for 2 (looking good)

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Top Female Vocalist: I was pulling for Carrie but thought if she lost, I’d rather be it to Miranda or Reba

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Winner: Miranda Lambert

No surprise. Actually I’m kind of glad. Like Carrie said, it was a long time coming. Miranda has had a great year. So glad she took it home.

=

So, it’s 2 for 3 now..

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Top Vocal Group: Hands down Lady A will take it.

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Winner: Lady Antebellum

Yep! I was right! Love them soooo much as much as I love Carrie and Miranda.

=

Score: 3 for 4 (not bad, actually)

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Top Vocal Duo: I predicted Brooks & Dunn will take it.

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Winner: Brooks & Dunn

Oh yeah! I’m on a roll!!! Whoooo!

=

4 for 5

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Top New Artist: I thought that Jamey Johnson would take it, but he didn’t even win Solo Vocalist.. So yeah..

Winner: Luke Bryan

So, yeahh…

=

4 for 6

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Top New Solo Vocalist: I predicted Jamey..

Winner: Luke Bryan

-_-”‘

=

4 for 7

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Top New Vocal Duo: I pulled for Steel Magnolia

Winner: Joey + Rory

After I made that prediction, I kind of realize I was wrong.. If that counts..

=

4 for 8

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Top New Vocal Group: I predicted Gloriana.

Winner: Gloriana

This was a close one..

=

Score: 5 for 9

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Single Record of the Year: I knew Lady A was gonna take it home..

Winner: Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

Not really a surprise.. So yeah!

=

6 for 10 (hmm.. not too bad)

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Top Album of the Year: I was leaning towards Lady A or Carrie’s Play On.

Winner: Miranda Lambert, Revolution

Ahh.. should’ve known..

=

6 for 11

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Song of the Year: I was sooo sure Carrie’s “Cowboy Casanova” was gonna win it

Winner: Lady Antebellum, “Need You Now”

*sigh* well, at least it’s not Taylor Swift..

=

6 for 12 (Man… it started out so well!)

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Video of the Year: I thought Lady A or Brad would take it.

Winner: Miranda Lambert, “White Liar”

Kind of surprising, but not in a bad way..

=

Current score: 6 for 13

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Vocal Event of the Year: Once again I was sure Carrie and Randy would win this.

Winner: Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins, “Hillbilly Bone”

Not really my 1st choice.. But not my last either.. I’m neutral about this decision.

=

This is bad.. 6 for 14

—

Okay, it wasn’t that bad.. I know I’m happy with most of the wins.

Oh yeah, Carrie took home the Triple Crown Award. An award given to an elite group of artist who has won the Top New Vocalist, Top Vocalist and Entertainer of The Year award. Did I mention Carrie won it TWICE!! Just making sure..

No, I’m not forgetting Taylor “not-so” Swift. I’m just saving my comments about her for last! I am soooo glad that she got shut out of the awards.

It was long over due especially after the sting of undeserving awards she had won last year. Carrie, Miranda and Lady A deserved to be recognized as well. I hope that this shut out will “shut up” those haters for a while.

Let us savour the victory before the hatred posts and blogs and comments etc from the Taylortards appear online.

Allah is Great!

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Vocal Even of The Year goes to Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins

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Video of The Year goes to Miranda Lambert

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Looks like Country’s hot couple are starting the ACMs on a bright note!! Anyone nervous about the ACMs tonight?? I am…

I have been waiting FOREVER for the nominations! It seems like ever since Taylor Swift undeservingly won most of the awards the past year/month, I’m hoping other DESERVING artists get their time to shine.

When I first read that Lady Antebellum leads the ACM nominations with 7, I was ECSTATIC!! FINALLY! Someone who deserves to be recognized! They are AMAZING! Love them! Of course, my excitement only doubled when Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood both got 6 nods each. Now we’re talking. Both these ladies have been overshadowed by Taylor-not so -Swift. They deserve their break.

Carrie also got nominated for Entertainer of The Year for the 2nd year in a row. If she wins this, she’ll be the 1st female to win 2 ACM Entertainer of The Year Award, ever!!!! Crossing my fingers! But I’m okay if she doesn’t win this.. So long as the winner is not Swift.

But happiness short lived when Swift got 5 nominations. I’m not bitter (okay, maybe a little bit) but come on! I’m actually fine with her being nominated for Video Of The Year and Song Of The Year, but Female Vocalist Of The Year?! Come on!! Was the Academy deaf?

Wasn’t the Grammy performance enough to show that she REALLY CANNOT SING?! I mean, yeah she has nice songs and she sounds decent on CD, but a female vocalist should be able to carry their VOCALS live too!!!

Don’t get me started on Entertainer of The Year.. This is, as my fellow country fan said, BULLSHIT. Okay, fine, if they think that shouting the lyrics, ‘dancing’ around, tossing her hair around like a mad woman is entertaining, God help them. Their loss. Here’s to hoping that people actually votes on TALENT and NOT publicity and cd sales and what not..

Okay, now that I’ve finally got that off my chest… On with the other nominations. I’m going to try to predict who’ll win what..

 Here is the list:

Entertainer Of The Year

• Kenny Chesney
• Toby Keith
• Brad Paisely
• George Strait
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Keith Urban
• Zac Brown Band

My thoughts and predictions:

Okay, here, it’s a little tricky.. I REALLY want Carrie to make history once again, I hope she does.. But it may not be her.. I can’t predict this. It’s a close race between all of them.

Top Male Vocalist Of The Year

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• Darius Rucker
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

My thoughts and predictions:

I think that Brad has a good chance of continuing his reign.. But I think Keith or Darius could take it home.

Top Female Vocalist Of The Year

• Miranda Lambert
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood
• Lee Ann Womack

My thoughts and predictions:

Carrie has a chance to continue her reign. I’m hoping she does. She was robbed of this title at the CMAs and AMAs and Grammys. If anyone ends Carrie’s reign, I’d rather it be Reba or Miranda. 

Top Vocal Group of The Year

• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Randy Rogers Band
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band

My thoughts and predictions:

I think that Lady A will win this hands down.

Top Vocal Duo of The Year

• Brooks & Dunn
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Steel Magnolia
• Sugarland

My thoughts and predictions:

Wow.. tough.. But I think that either Brooks & Dunn or Sugarland gonna win this one.

Top New Solo Vocalist of The Year*

• Luke Bryan
• Jamey Johnson
• Chris Young

My thoughts and predictions:

I think that Jamey Johnson is gonna take this.

Top New Vocal Duo of The Year*

• Bomshel
• Joey + Rory
• Steel Magnollia

My thoughts and predictions:

Don’t know much about them but if I had to go with my gut feeling, I think that Steel Magnolia is gonna win it.

 New Vocal Group of The year*

• Eli Young Band
• Gloriana
• The Lost Trailers

My thoughts and predictions:

Last year, with Lady A, was a sure win.. however, this year it’s kinda hard to predict. But if I had to choose, I’m gonna say it’s gonna be Gloriana.

* The “TOP NEW” winners will go against each other for the TOP award for Top New Artist.

** Top New Artist of The Year **

My thoughts and predictions:

Out of my 3 predictions, I’d say Jamey Johnson will win this.

Album of the Year

• American Saturday Night – Brad Paisley
• Lady Antebellum – Lady Antebellum
• Play On – Carrie Underwood
• Revolution – Miranda Lambert
• The Foundation – Zac Brown Band

My thoughts and predictions:

I’m going to say it’s gonna be a toss up between Carrie’s Play On and Lady A’s Lady Antebellum. But I’m leaning towards Lady A. However I sooooo want Play on to win it.

Single of The Year

• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
• People Are Crazy – Billy Currington
• Red Light – David Nail
• Toes – Zac Brown Band
• White Liar – Miranda Lambert

My thoughts and predictions:

Tough fight, but I think Lady A’s Need You Now is gonna win it.

Song of the Year

• Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood
• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
• People Are Crazy – Billy Currington
• White Liar – Miranda Lambert
• You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

My thoughts and predictions:

I’m predicting Carrie’s CC is gonna win this. If Swift win this, it’s freaking rigged!!!

Video of The Year

• Boots On – Randy Houser
• Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
• Welcome to the Future – Brad Paisley
• White Liar – Miranda Lambert
• You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

My thoughts and predictions:

I’m kind of bitter that CC ddin’t make it on the nomination. But I’ll be happy with anyone winning VOTY if it’s not Swift. That video has too much recognition already. I’m predicting Need You Now or Welcome to The Future will win it.

Vocal Event of The year

• Hillbilly Bone – Blake Shelton ft Trace Adkins
• Honky Tonk Stomp – Brooks & Dunn ft Billy Gibbons
• I Told You So – Carrie Underwood ft randy Travis
• I’m Alive – Kenny Chesney w/ Dave Matthews
• Seeing Stars – Jack Ingram ft Patty Griffin

My thoughts and predictions:

I’m rooting for Carrie to take it. And I predict she will.

So that’s pretty much it for the nominations. I sincerely do hope that the DESERVING people win the awards. I cannot mention that enough. I’m not a hater, I’m just a fan who thinks that TALENT awards should be give to those with the TALENT. Like for VOCALIST awards should be given to the BEST VOCALIST, one who can actually SING.

Okay, enough of my rambling.. Maybe I’ll blog about AI later.. We’ll see how my mood turns out.

Ciao!!

Rein

IBP pitch

These past 3 years have been the best and worst of my life. I know it sound cliche but it’s true. I’ve always heard the saying “High school will be the years you’ll never forget”. I finally, really understood what that meant. Don’t pretend that today (26 Feb ’10) wasn’t emotional for you guys.. especially the IBP-ers..

We’ve been through ups and downs, conflicts after conflicts.. I have lost count of how many times we’ve said, either in our heads or aloud, that we’ve had enough.. ‘I’m quitting’. But hey, guess what? We didn’t. We kept pushing through, trials after trials and we did it.

Location recce

We actually did it. I dunno, maybe the past years had said the same thing, they got through IBP too.. But I honestly feel that for our batch, we have a really close bond with each other. I really do honestly believe that. This parting will be the most bittersweet and heartbreaking partings I will ever face.

Stories

I have never met people like all of you before.. you guys are the most amazing group of people that I’ll ever meet. It’s was a privilege to have been called your friend. Who knows, maybe after graduation, our paths may never cross again. But if that happens, I’m still thankful and grateful that at least I got to experience having the most amazing time of my life with the most amazing group of people. Life goes on after this..

If you know me, nothing is ever complete without a ‘small’ mention of my favorite artist ever, Carrie. As I quote from one of her songs, titled ‘Starts With Goodbye’:

I know there’s a blue horizon,
Somewhere up ahead, just waiting for me,
Getting there means leaving things behind,
Sometimes life’s so bitter sweet.

I guess it’s gonna have to hurt,
I guess I’m gonna have to cry,
And let go of some things I’ve loved,
To get to the other side,
I guess it’s gonna break me down,
Like falling when you try to fly,
It’s sad, but sometimes moving on with the rest of your life,
Starts with goodbye.

I don’t believe in ‘beautiful goodbyes’. Every goodbye hurts. So, I’ll choose to say.. I’ll see you soon..

Lots of love,

Rein <3

P.S. Carrie’s singing that National Anthem at the Super Bowl!!! Go Carrie!! Go Saints!!

Okay, let’s start with the pre-telecast wins!!

Big winners are Beyonce with 4 wins, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga with 2 wins each. Of course I wouldn’t be writing this if my Idol didn’t win anything!! Carrie Underwood won 1 out of her 2 nominations. She lost out to TS for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, but she won Best Country Collaboration with Vocals with Randy Travis!!

I have a beef with TS win. I mean, yeah, she’s had an awesome year, even I have to admit it.. But seriously, the girl can’t sing!!!!!! I’m predicting a disaster when she performs latter on.. Anyway, I honestly didn’t want TS to win that award. Hell, I didn’t think that Carrie would win it.. I want her to, but I knew she wouldn’t. I expected Lee Ann Wormack to win it!! Her vocals were AH-MAZING on that song!! But I’m over it.. Surprisingly, I feel very calm…

Well let’s move on.. Jason Mraz won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for Make It Mine. Black Eyed Peas won 1 for Best Pop Vocal Performance Group with I Gotta Feeling.. Jason Mraz wins another with Colbie Caillat for Pop Collaboration. Black Eyed Peas wins Best Pop Album.

GOING LIVE!!

Okay.. Let’s get started!!

Starting out with Performance by Lady Gaga &  Sir Elton John:

I wasn’t expecting elton john at all!! He is still as amazing as he was before. The duet was different but beautiful nonetheless.

Beyonce won her 5th Grammy with Song of The Year with Single Ladies

Oh yeah!!! That’s the way!!

Cast of American Idiot & GreenDay performs 21 Guns

NICE!!! It was like a real life Glee!! I was totally digging it!!!

Taylor Swift wins Best Country Album for Fearless

Is it any surprise?? Only to her.. It’s pretty obvious that she’ll win it. I wish she would just stop acting shock whenever she wins…

Beyonce performs!!

She never fails to impress!!! It’s Beyonce’s year!! Nice touch with the soldiers and commandos.. Loved her entrance the most!!  Jay Z’s face was priceless!! You can tell he was totally digging it…

Seal introduces Pink.

It’s no surprise with her performance!! All the acrobatics, was beautiful. It’s amazing how she keeps her voice so steady.. take note Taylor Swift!!!

P.S I love her outfit..

Miranda Lambert & Keith Urban give Best New Artist to… Zac Brown Band !!!!

Woo Hoo!!! Another country win!!!!!!!! Oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Miley Cyrus (did i tell you how irritating her voice is) introduces Black Eyed Peas!!!

Tell me, who doesn’t love ‘I Gotta Feeling’!!!

Jonas Brothers introduces Lady Antebellum performing Need You Now

They’re my new love for Country Group!!!!! I’m biased when I say country give the best performances… So, don’t diss me.. I already said I’m biased..

Best Comedy Album goes to… Steven Colbert with The Greatest Gift of All

(A little off -topic as Grammys go for comercial)

How beautiful does she look!!! – I was hoping to see Mike Fisher with her..

We’re back!!!

Norah Jones and Ringo Star presents Record of the Year to… Kings of Leon with Use Somebody!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Yeah!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!

Robert Downey Jr. introduces Jamie Fox and T-Pain

Ke$ha looks like a giant standing next to Justin Bieber!! I figure he must be shaking in his boots to mixup Bon Jovi with Beyonce..

Katy Perry and Alice Cooper presents Best Rock Album to… Green Day!!!

Zac Brown Band performs with OMG!! Leon Russell!! AHHHH!!

Like I said before.. Country gives the best vocal performance.. I’m biased.. Am I weird to love country music so much??

Ryan Seacrest introduces Taylor Swift.. Get ready for it..

The 1st verse she went flat too many times already… The best part of her performance is Stevie Nicks voice drowning hers!! But still somehow, she managed to steal the spotlight.. I’m muting it!!!

Michael Tribute!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful!! Amazing voices!! Goosebumps!! I’m not not kidding.. It was one of the most beautiful performances ever… You gotta see it to believe it.. I won’t lie, I cried at the end..

(Side note) : How can Carrie underwood lose to Taylor Swift for Female Country Vocalist? The 2 short verse Carrie sang received more applause than the whole performance Swift gave!!

Jackson children accepts award for Lifetime Achievement Award. Prince and Paris Jackson gives a speech

Sheryl Crow presents Bon Jovi

His 1st Grammy performance was nothing short of incredible.. this performance solidifies him as an amazing artist in my heart!!

Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland joins in.

I LOVE her!!! She’s a great singer.. They should do a duet together!!

Bon Jovi performs Living on a Prayer for the fans

Jay Z, Rihana and Kanye West wins Best Rap Song Collaboration

Wyclef Jean introduces Mary J Blige  and Andre Bocelli.

A heartwarming performance of Bridge Over Troubled Waters

(Kinda Off-topic)

Finally!!! They look beautiful!!

Adam Sandler introduces The Dave Matthews Band.

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance goes to Beyonce with Halo!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah!!! It’s Beyonce’s Year baby!!!!

LL Cool J introduces Maxwell

Jeff Bridges introduces Jeff Beck!!

(NOTE): It’s getting Preeeeetty boring right about now… And I’m getting hungry.. Off to get something to eat before commercial ends..

We’re back!

Quentin Tarantino introduces Drake, Eminem & Lil Wayne!!

Oooh Yeah! Now we’re talking!!!!

John Legend and Carlos Santana presents Album of the Year to…

(Drumroll……..)

Taylor Swift with Fearless..

Seriously.. It’s kinda obvious she’ll take it! Come on!! Fearless is the best selling album of 2009, so it’s no surprise she’ll win Album of the year! Sheesh! Taylor Swift is such a drama queen!!!

Oh well… That’s the end of The 2010 Grammys.. It was just an okay one for me.. Nothing really special about it.. Highlights were Beyonce winning the most grammys (Hoo-rah!! Eat that TS!!) And seeing Carrie Underwood take on MJ..!! Awesome! Downsides.. TS acting all shock whenever she wins.. I mean, it’s always the same face! I bet she practices it in front of her mirror!

Orites!! I’m off to school! Big Event next.. Carrie Underwood singing at the SUPER BOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ciao,

Rein!

Purity

Calm

Peace

Nothing.

That’s exactly it, isn’t it? I mean, white is the absence of color. In other words, it represents ‘nothing’. Okay… I swear I’m not depressed. It’s just something that Chong Ching Liang said during WISP that triggers something. You see, if you realize something, why  the hell do filmmakers use white or fade to white in films?

Well, it could be because budget wise la.. but that’s besides the point. Have you people ever saw a film where it ends in white and you just go “WHAT THE F**K??!!!” 

Yeah.. It’s just this arabic film that we saw during WISP “Paradise Now’ about suicide bombers.. There was no explosion, no blood, nothing. But it was effective. It gave people insights to the social problems and such, in Palestine.

It ends with..

*SPOILER!!* (continue if you don’t care)

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Said, posing as a Israeli, in a bus filled with Israelis NS men. The camera zooms in to Said’s eyes and BOOM!! White! Yep, White. No sound, no flash, nothing. Just white.

A few scenes before this, Suha asks an important question to Khaled, who is to do the deed. “What will happen to us then? What you do then, can only destroy us later.”

Thinking about it, it’s true.. I mean, if people like Said blows up the bus, that will give more reason for Israel to send rockets to Palestine, after that, more people like Said will come and more rockets will then be launched. So, in other words, it’s a never-ending cycle. 

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*END SPOILER*

That is why the ending of “Paradise Now” , despite of the way it ended, is really effective and impactful if people really wait and study the film carefully. 

By watching tis film, it also gives me the insight of what the color WHITE really means… Nothing..

I still swear I’m not depressed.. Though, I’m not really looking forward to NAPFA later on.. Haiz.. Okay people, ttyl!!

Ciao!!

Rein

Ciao

Rein

“When all else is gone, only hope lives on in the hearts of those who truly believe it exists.” – Nur Rein

Yes, I did come up with that saying. Well, at least as far as I know that is. But if anyone happens to know or recognize this saying from anywhere, please let me know… I don’t wish to plagiarize….

Why? Why did I suddenly bring this up?

Because I’ve finally found a truth to this. And I didn’t have to look far. I happened right in front of me. Let me start from the beginning….

All the names mentioned in this reflection are kept as they are because, well… you guys wouldn’t know them anyway…

. . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . .
. .
.

They were like my second family I’ve always loved. And he, he was like an older brother I’ve always wanted. I always thought we’d forever stay the way we are… But I was wrong. I supposed it was the change of time… or maybe our age difference… or maybe we’re just growing up. Whatever it was, I guess I’ll never know.

I started when Pak Long, my uncle, who was like a father to me, was diagnosed with brain and bladder cancer. And the worst thing was, it was too late when detected. There was absolutely nothing the doctors could do except to give him medication to slow down the effect. I remembered how heartbroken Mak Long, my aunt, was. I also remembered how heartbroken I felt. I was losing a father-like figure. And I knew it, no matter how much I denied it.

It was also around this time that I noticed the change in Abang Naim, my cousin, my brother-like figure. He wasn’t the same guy who used to give me piggyback rides, defended me when I was bullied and hugged me when I cried. He was different. Even when announced that his father was sick, he was indifferent. In fact was rushing off to a date with his girlfriend. Hah! Now, what kind of a son was he? Who was he? I don’t even know him anymore.

Just when I thought that the worst had presented itself, another news came. My own father was diagnosed with colon cancer. I remembered when he first told me about it. I broke down. I was so scared that I was losing him too. But I suppose I was a little lucky this time… It was detected early and well… long story short, my dad survived.

The same couldn’t be said for Pak Long. Everyday he was losing bits of his memory. And there came the time, he didn’t even recognize me anymore. He didn’t even remember who I was. I remembered crying by his bed, begging for him to remember but he didn’t. And all this while… where was Abang Naim??

Out. Dating. Clubbing.

Was I mad? No. Was I hurt? No. I was disappointed. Disappointed at the man he became. Yet. I still believed that there was a small tiny bit of the old Abang Naim I used to know deep down.

A few months later Pak long passed away in the hospital. Surrounded by his family. I was there when he took his last breath. I cried. Not because he was dying in front of me… but because, Allah, even if it was for a while, gave him his memory back and for the last few minutes before his death, he called out all our names. But my heart broke when he turned to Mak Long and asked:

“Mane Naim? (Where’s Naim?)”

And then, he was gone.

So where was Abang Naim at that time? I never found out. Because I never saw him until last week. At his wedding.

His wedding. His shotgun wedding.

This was the last straw. Everything that I had denied turned out to be true. He was officially a stranger to me now. The Abang Naim that I used to love and respect died the day he changed. It must’ve been years then… and maybe I was just in denial about it.

Now… this is where my saying comes in.

“When all else is gone,” – The death of my second father and the changed persona of Abang Naim.

“Only hope lives on in the hearts of those who truly believe it exists.” – This may not really refer to me… but more so to Mak Long. After all that’s happened to her family, she still believes that the newborn baby will bring joy and happiness back.

She’s one of the few who truly believe hope exists.

Do you??