Sunday, July 5, 2009
Since I was young, my parents especially - my dad had always reminded me to stay alert and to take good care of myself about a week before and after my Birthday. The reason being, he said that this is when the soul and life of someone who is having the Birthday on that particular moment, will most probably face death. Honestly, being a modern type of person, I never believe in such superstitious things until recently.
To think about it, there are few incidents which I had experienced before and after my 20th Birthday that was just over recently (on 30th June) on which could be regard as a form of life and death threatening situation or at least, something which had caused me some injury too. For the incidents which had happened before my 20th Birthday, please refer to the post written on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at paragraph 5 and paragraph 7 respectively.
In contrast, the incident which had happened after my 20th Birthday took place just now at about 2.40 in the afternoon. Before I tell you in details on what had happened, I would like to say some other things first.
Likewise some of you would have known - every Sunday is usually the time when me and one of my best friend, Nelson swim together. Normally we clocked a distance of at least 10 laps (500m). Sometimes when we are not rushing for time, we will clock 12 laps (600m), 14 laps (700m) and even 16 laps (800m). But for today, my intention of wanting to swim 16 laps could not be achieve as a result of a chain of events which I am going to share now.
To start with, Nelson and I went to the pool at about 2 in the afternoon just now. Upon reaching there, we were astonished to see the pool which was normally crowded with people in the past weeks seems like having no people at all. Not wanting to waste any time, I told him to warm up at the deep pool instead of the medium pool where we normally did for at least half an hour before our actual swimming missions - as mentioned above.
Right after, I went to the deep pool where we swam for short distance as a form of warm up. Soon, we did some threading to ensure that all of our leg muscles are fully warmed up. At that point of time, everything seems well. No problem at all and whatsoever. Then, that's when I tell Nelson that I want to start our swimming missions by swimming at middle lane of the deep pool since the side lane was filled with kids who was having swimming lessons.
As a result, we proceed to lane 4 and 5 which is located right in the middle of the 7 lanes pool, respectively. Anyway, I took lane 4 while Nelson took lane 5. Soon after, we are off to our 16 laps swimming routine. During the first lap, everything went well for me. I did not experience anything at such. Thus, I made a U-turn to proceed on to make my second lap so as to be able to complete our 16 laps which we have set for each one of us to achieve for today.
Suddenly, while I was on my 70m to 75m (1.5 laps) mark of swimming, and while I was in the very utmost middle of the pool, I felt a super sharp freaking pain on my heart. Few seconds after that, I remember myself not being able to remember clearly what happened. The possibility of me getting a black out is the most likely thing that had happened to me right after. This is because after feeling the sharp pain at my heart, I remember finding myself submerged in the pool already and having my mouth filled with water.
Trying to stay macho and calm, I tried to swim up to the surface immediately in order to get over control of this misfortune situation. I even tried threading to make myself stay afloat. I succeeded for a while but soon after, to my horror, I felt my leg was being paralyzed and numbed.
Feeling desperate for air, I use my hand only to pull myself up to the surface as my leg was no longer in function at that point of time. Damn! I felt so heavy even though I'm just 45kg! In addition, to be honest, the energy I used to pull myself up to the surface is much more tiring than that when I carry heavy weights during my weight training!
Anyway, seconds later, my hand felt damn weak and I have no more energy to complete the remaining 25m. I was totally drained as a result of the sudden heart attack, the sudden leg paralyze and the sudden energy used of my arm power in order to pull myself back up to the surface for air.
That was when I used my last might to push myself up in order to stay afloat. I also remembered summoning some strengths so to as to be able to shout for help. At that point of time, I know that I am doomed. I know I can't do anything as I am totally drained and I am sinking rapidly underneath the pool. During this period, I had a flashback. At last I know that this has been the horrific accident which I have always dream about since my secondary school years. So, this is the way on how I am fated to die.
To be honest, I even said my death prayers (in malay, we call it as mengucap dua kalimah syahadah) deep inside my heart since I know my time is up already. Suddenly, while still sinking, I heard a rapid flow of water movement. It seems that someone was swimming towards me in high speed. True enough! A swimming coach or also more prominent to be called as a lifeguard swam towards me. I felt like he lifted me up and heard he told me in fainted voice, "Don't panic. Don't panic. Put your hand behind me".
No joke people! I was too weak to even raise any of my head, hands or legs. But what I feel is this. As he brought me up to the surface of the pool, he pushed my neck backwards to his shoulder. That was when lots and lots of water gushed out from my mouth. It is like, I am vomiting plain water out continuously. Then, I was brought to side of the pool where I was told to rest.
There, I vomitted the water out even more and I was shaken for a good fiften minutes. After feeling much better, I thank that hero and my life saviour him for saving my life. Honestly, I know that thanking him is not good enough. Thus, I am planning to meet him next Saturday at the pool and I will give him something as a token of appreciation for saving my life.
As for my part, I will stay away from the pool at least from now on until I army. Apart from this, I will have my heart screened by this week. Hopefully, everything is well. Lastly, I learned that my parents advise had indeed be true especially the part when they told me to stay alert and to take good care of myself about a week before and after my Birthday!
Near death experience! ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Friday, July 3, 2009
After my 20th Birthday, I really have nothing much to do other than finalizing my customers' orders and answering their inquiries for my Business. Thus, as a result of this, I always spent my time training once again for my National Service.
Apart from this, I am also in the mist of making a composition of a new song which I have not yet decide on the title. Thus, feel free to come back soon to find out more on the lyrics which I had composed in order to interpret the meaning behind it.
New composition ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Would like to send my deepest appreciation to all of my families and friends who had taken some of your precious time to sent me Birthday wishes across all means of communication no matter by SMS, MSN or Facebook.
Apart from this, I would also like to thank all of whom had taken a step further by troubling yourself to give me Birthday presents and gifts for me. I do seriously appreciate it a lot.
Lastly, to all of my close friends who had spent your time with me on my 20th Birthday during the outing! I do really appreciate it super a lot! Trust me, without the outing with you all - since my army is just around the corner, my day won't be as fun as it is meant to be.
Thanks to all once again =)
Thanks! ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
