'Nuff Said

Hey ya,

I am a student and being a student, especially to those studying oversea and leaving their families behind for the first time, can be a torrid time. The "culture shock" that most people has is nothing new in a student's life. For example, if you are used to having nasi lemak for breakfast and having to change to cereal and English breakfast is hard work. The same goes to the cultural effect. Like, smoking....

I have 2 principles that I held on for so long. And regretfully, I had to admit that I threw away one of them and you guessed it, it was smoking. I first started smoking some time around January 2008. I first started smoking because of the stress and pressure from studies and other external factors. Also due to the fact that I feel intimidated at times with my friends. All of them will discuss matters while smoking and I felt left out so I took my first cigarette to feel "one" with them.

Of course, I said "Oh no, this will be a one-time only" and after the 2nd cigarette "It's okay, I won't get addicted to it" and after the 3rd stick "I'm a social smoker, I don't smoke regularly" and the next thing I knew, I've been smoking 4-5 sticks a day. The fact that you feel you need to do this to be accepted by your friends is just pure bullshit. And some people would say that they are my close friends and I have to do as they do. It's not supposed to be like that. A friend would not ask you to do the same thing he does. A smoker won't ask somebody else to smoke. Even my housemate told me not to smoke because it'll get me addicted, but since he smokes, and I felt like I need to smoke to get noticed by people, it just got me nowhere. A true friend should keep another friend from harm. That includes doing things that can destroy your own body. Sarah babe has been lecturing me for nearly 2 years to stop smoking but since I was already addicted to it, it's hard for me to stop and I am still trying. If you want to stop smoking, stop it as early as you can, don't stop it after you're hooked to it. I've been there. Trust me. Don't take your non-addictions for granted. You may feel that you'll never get addicted but by the time you know it, it'll be like climbing the Everest to get better.

The same goes to alcohol. Alcohol is my last remaining principle that I will hold on to, and I will never ever surrender this principle. I have experienced myself talking to a drunken friend when I was in Lang Tengah. I was with 7 other friends who all drinkers. Some of them got drunk and one friend told me in a drunken tone "Saiful, I..respect you. You hang out with us...we drink beers and stuff...but you don't...you...are one great friend, I wish all my friends were like you...you have dignity". And as I have experienced, I never have problems going to bars and pubs with friends and I don't touch a single alcohol to impress them or to be accepted. They are proud that I don't drink, and I think that is what friends should do, keeping others from harm's way. If they are the ones who put you in harm's way, even by encouraging you to drink/smoke so that you're accepted by them, it means that they are not your friend at all. Enough said.

I welcome any comment from any readers be it for my argument or against it. I welcome both sides of the story and will do my absolute best to entertain you.

Cheers