A few days after Sandster’s birthday, I remember her telling me that she gave away quite a few CDs to a few of her friends during her Birthday BBQ Party in Malacca.
And then she said, one of the CD she gave away was the Coldplay X&Y Album to which I replied in a whiney voice, “WHYYY SANDRAAAA??? I WANTTTT!!! I LOVEEE COLDPLAYYY!!!”. Sandra then showed me a sad face and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know”, and i replied, “nevermind lor” and we left it at that and talked about something else.
In the novel P.S. I Love You, you find that after the husband’s death, the wife began receiving letters and gifts from him. I feel like I am able to relate to the wife, the way she felt when she received those notes and presents, after he was gone.
**
During Sandra’s wake, Sheryl (a friend of Sandra whom I met during dinner at Popeye’s with Sandra quite a while back) came up to me saying, “Christine, Sandra has something for you”. My heart sank.
I followed Sheryl to her table, and she started rummaging through her bag. After a few seconds, she took out something that looked like a CD to me. Sheryl turned to me and said, “Sandra told me she wanted you to have this”. I took the CD, looked at it, and it was the Coldplay X&Y Album. I broke down.
I had forgotten completely about the conversation we had about the CD, but Sandra did not. She knew I wanted it, and made sure I received it. She always gave me what I wanted. She always gave me the best, as a friend. Each time I look at the CD, I cannot help but cry.
**
I came back to KL after her funeral. I was searching through my phone inbox and found a message from 33668 which I had completely forgotten about. Sandra won me two invites to the screening of The Tooth Fairy. I remember her telling me that she would go with me.
I contemplated whether or not to go. I didn’t want to go because I was afraid that it would be too painful not having her watch the movie with me. But deep down inside, I know she would want me to watch and enjoy the show.
I decided to attend the screening.
In the morning, on the day of the screening, I skipped one class and headed to Blu Inc to collect the tickets. After classes in the afternoon, I went out to photostat the tickets, because I was afraid the cinema officers wouldn’t allow me to keep the originals. I was thinking, if that happens, at least I would be able to keep the copies I made.
Jeelian went on behalf of Sandra, and I’m glad she did. It would have hurt too much to go alone. We arrived at the cinema entrance, and I saw Judy and Jamie (Sandster’s cousins). We took out our tickets and exclaimed, “SANDRA!” and hugged one another. She won them tickets too. That’s how amazing Sandra is. Always giving, always loving.
Whilst lining up to buy popcorn, I saw Joel (Sandster’s cousin) and he asked me if I was alone. I replied, “no, but Sandra was supposed to come with me tonight”. He smiled and decided to take a photo of us and the tickets our beloved Sandra won for us.
I enjoyed the show very much and Sandra was in my mind the entire time. Each time I laughed, I would think to myself, Sandra would LOVE this movie. If only she was here.
**
During our first Intercultural Communication Class last Tuesday (before Sandra’s accident), I texted Sandster in the morning asking her where class is and I told her I was going to be late because of the traffic jam. When I arrived in class, she was no where to be found. Ten minutes later, she enters class. And I thought I was late.
After class, Ms.Brenda Danker, our lecturer, asked the latecomers to see her. She told us to write our details on a piece of paper together with what we want to do in the future; our ambition and dreams. I didn’t have a piece of paper, so I called out to Sandster saying, “Sand, do you have paper? Can give me one please?”. She answered me with a smile on her face, “I only have one. I’ll share with you k?” and then proceeded to tear the small piece of paper into two.
We sat down together, and wrote down our details and our dreams.
Who would have known, whatever she wrote on that piece of paper will never come to pass.
After Sandra’s passing, during a class which I did not attend (I skipped the class to collect the movie passes), Ms.Brenda talked about Sandra and returned the piece of paper she wrote on, to Ash.
Ash saw me, passed me the piece of paper and told me I should have it. I took it, and held it tight. I waited until I was ready before I opened it to read.
I will keep it with me, always.
**
After our last class (Theories in Media) together, last Tuesday, we were supposed to sign on our attendance sheet. Sandra had memorized my student ID number from the beginning of time.
I turned to Sandra and said, “Sannnddd, help me to sign please. I’m very lazy”. She took out a pen and replied in a very cheery voice, “okay!”. So, she wrote my student ID number, my name and signed, right below her name.
I came back to class this week, and cried when I looked at the attendance sheet. My name, my ID number and signature in her handwriting.
**
Sandra sends me emails every now and then. But because I’m not an email person, I don’t always read all my mails.
I still have ONE unopened email from Sandra Wong May Yue.
I will keep it, until I’m ready to read it.
**
I remember, always talking to Sandra about Andrew, a good friend who passed away in April 2008.
She would always tell me, “It’s so sad and tragic, isn’t it? He was soooo young”. And then, she would cheer me up.
Who would have known, Sandra was gonna leave me, like how Andrew did.
During one of our many crazy escapades!
Social Research Methods. Boring.
Anthropology notes.
Eka being lazy…
….and err, trying to be cool. 
Me, studying (for real)!
Leconte, Julia and Ern - 
Told you!
When the restlessness kicked in, 
While we were busy taking pictures…
….Ern decides to be a good kid.
Our favourite yellow man.
