I Wish I am Young again

Suddenly the house is full of chatter. Daughter is back. After a whole morning of catching up, the sleepiness which usually comes in waves after a long flight, abrupty came over her and she fell into a deep slumber on the sofa. I was like one of the kids who attend my regular Friday story telling sessions, interested and engaged listening to her stories.

If there is at least one benefit that can be derived from sending your children overseas for education, it is the widening of your own outlook and horizon when they relate their experiences in countries where they study, visit, intern etc. Of much interest to me is to learn about the values, aspirations and behaviour of youngsters they meet in various cities. Even if we were to globe trot on our own it would be difficult for us to strike up conversation with youths in general. Given my self consciousness and reservations, I often need to pluck up enough courage to strike up conversation with strangers in a foreign land, what more with members of Generation Y with their liberal and radical outlook and digital technology savviness. To get the flavour of life and finer nuances of people in any country, you really need to stay for a period. When I was young I used to admire the life of authors who travelled and stayed in various countries writing anecdotes, sometimes amusing and often reflective.

I found it very stimulating listening to the observations my daughter made about cross border behavioural traits linking to the history behind each country. Of course it helps that she is a History major. I was rather enthralled when she shared with me her conversation with the Leftist friends of her Berlin host. Her description of the invisble Berlin wall brought to mind the show "The Lives of Others", one of the most engaging film I have watched about a East German secret agent (Stasi) who grew to love the works of an author whom he was supposed to spy on.

So as the conversations flowed, I noticed I became more alive. It seems to affirm a vague belief that I have been holding within me for awhile; the need to pursue learning to grow myself. For me of course, the field of new learning if it does materialise won't be about finance or anything technical but more in humanities. At dinner, in the midst of my daughter sharing tips and pointers with my son on studying abroad, I inadvertently let out a sigh and muttered "So exciting... how I wish I am young again". They of course retorted with comments about my persistent inaction to follow my heart and realising my dreams.

Hmmm... maybe it is time for the rusty backburners to be burning again.