She was the friend who thought I would end up as a politician. We were born on the same day and month (30th December) but one year apart. According to her, deliberate circumstances had led to our official birth day and month to be different (30th December and 1st January) but of the same year. Our life crossed as a result of this circumstances as in the year we officially turned sixteen we ended up being in the same batch of girls leaving the comfort of our different schools in the capital city of the country to the unfamiliarity of culture of the same school (and the LOCALS) in the eastern part of the peninsula.
She was and has always been dear to my heart as when she had the option to choose between me or another friend who was trying to win her close-friendship she chose me despite my social shortcomings. When telling me her reason for keeping a distance with 'this friend', she might have not realised 'this friend' was trying to sideline me (she made me her choice most probably accidently!!!). Her keeping a distance with 'this friend' had nothing to do with me but much to do with her sense of loyalty and sincerity in friendship, which made her very special to me.
She is still the same sweet, simple and to-the-point girl I knew back then, proven by the way she answers the first part of the interview (though I would appreciate some clearer answers!!!). I truly hope my introduction of her would not discourage her to participate in the second part of the interview (she is a very private person in so many ways!!!). Here is her first part of the interview;
Part 1
- Question: Let us know a bit of your background…
- name (you can be anonymous)
Answer: do not disclose
- city of origin
Answer: kelantan
- marital status
Answer: married
- age
Answer: 40+
- occupation
Answer: banker
- parents occupations
Answer: academicians
- the number of siblings you have
Answer:
7
age of your siblings
Answer: 20+ to 40+
and also, if you are married
age of your spouse
Answer: 40+
occupation of your spouse
Answer: banker
the number of children you have
Answer: 3
ages of your children
Answer: 7 to 16
Question: Which school, primary and secondary, did you go to?
Answer: Primary-day school, Secondary-boarding school
Question: How do you describe, being a student, in these schools, in terms of orientation – academic, social, religious and moral
Answer: normal standard
Question: How do you describe your achievement - social, academic, religious and moral, which you believe you had gained for being;
- in school more than being at home, and
Answer: above normal
at home more than being in school
Answer: normal standard
Question: How do you describe the role of your parents on your upbringing
Answer: build and guide
Question: What are the things about school, from your school years to now, that you think- have improved
Answer: standard of achievement
have not improved, and
Answer: community relationship
have gotten worse?
Answer: moral and communication skill
Question: How do you describe yourself;- before you initially met your husband
- when you were courting (if you were)
- when you were engaged (if you were)
- in the first five years of marriage, and
- from then(d)to now?
Answer: from a to e – n/a
Question: What are the things you wish you had known and you think would have made your life easier knowing ahead than to discover them later?
Answer: Life expectancy
Question:How much have your siblings helped you in making important decisions in your life? Please elaborate.
Answer: No
Question: How much have your friends helped you in making important decisions in your life? Please elaborate
Answer: No
