See you next year!

Another year has come to pass proving time waits for no one. In just a few moments we’ll be entering a new year, a new beginning for some, and just another year for others. Needless to say, even if the year 2004 is coming to an end so quickly, there were many unforgettable events during this year. In my opinion, the most unforgettable event would be the one that recently happened, the great Tsunami, which affected so many countries. In years to come, this event will still come to haunt us, especially those who were directly affected by it. Recent news had stated over 135 thousand deaths due to this one event. When I got the news, I was really overcome by grief. Even now, the death toll reported by the affected countries is rising.

The destruction caused by the tsunami was so great; buildings were leveled, everything in the tsunami’s path was swept away like rain washing away pieces of rubbish, and the worst is what the family members of the victims have to bear. I saw this in the news, an Indonesian man telling a journalist that he has lost everything, all his children were victims of the great wave, and in another footage, children crying, looking for their family. These are really heartbreaking news.

Malaysia was one of the luckier countries where we were not affected so badly compared to countries like Indonesia, India and Thailand. Nevertheless, we were still affected and there were about 50 deaths in Penang, the state affected most badly by the tsunami. This is the first time Malaysian ever experience such a natural disaster. We are lucky we do not have earthquakes, active volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, or typhoons. The only natural distress we had were flash floods, caused by the monsoon, and that is not even half as bad any of the disasters stated previously. This time we were really caught off-guard. No one in Malaysia would expect anything like this to happen and we do not have the appropriate warning system.

Anyway, what had happened have to pass. Now all that we can do is to try improving the situation. Rebuild what had been destroyed and start a new beginning. The least that anyone can do in helping the victims of this tsunami disaster is by giving donations. Donations can be made to ‘The Star Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund’ at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya, the Penang Northern Hub office and various branch offices of The Star. No amount is too small and every bit of money donated would be useful in helping the victims.

Oh, and before I forget, to everyone, Happy New Year, may you have a great year ahead! See you next year!