If i had the powers to assign an international holiday, it would be the “Connecting People Day“.
(not to be confused with a certain mobile make)

I would have wanted a World Animal Day, Earth Awareness Week, Shopper’s Month but there are already events dedicated to these movements.

How many times have you met someone for the first time, gotten his contact, and ended off the meeting with a casual “Keep in touch!”

And how about that time, an old friend you happened to bump into on the streets. You frantically took down his mobile number, email, MSN, namecard etcetc, promising with all the sincerity of that moment that “I’ll be in touch! It’s great to see you again!”

It’s been umpteen times for me.

Despite all these “convenience” of communication avenues we have now, i find it terribly difficult to stay in touch.

Is it because we are exposed to more people now? More than what our little black book can hold?
More than what the once generous self can give?

I’m saying this because, i got a surprise phone call the other night.
From an unidentifiable prefix number.

“An overseas call!” I thought, mentally browsing the limited list of people i know living overseas.

I answered and a cheerful voice exclaimed, “Mia! I am HEY JIN! U remember?”

Hey Jin?
Who? Mispronounciation? Wrong caller? Can’t be. She said my name!

“errr…eileen?”

“Yes yes i hey jin. How are you?”

“I’m errr okay…angie?”

“Nono hye jin! Miss Singapore! I am Hye Jin! Miss Korea!”

“OOOOHHHHH!!!! HYE JIN!! HOW ARE YOU!!!” i finally recognised that accent.

“I’m Okay. U? Why u no write me.”

*guilt creeps in, flashes of the days we spent in Wuhan and the time Miss Macau calls asking why i’ve not called her nor visited her as promised*

“Errr..i’ve been busy and i misplaced everyone’s contact!” I struggled for half truths.

We then spent the next 5 minutes trying to figure out what each other were saying amidst broken english and lots of giggle.

Though not much was verbally said but alot was felt.

Guilt mainly, on my part.

So, on the Mia declared public holiday, all telcos should make international calls free thta everyone can pick up that phone and call whoever they’ve been meaning to be in touch with but got too caught up with the bustle of life to stay true to the promise.

Happy connecting people.