Well, while I'm waiting for my hair to get drier, I thought about writing the story of my ring. Yes, my iron ring.

I lost my ring, again. This is the 2nd time. Well, actually, if you count those "near" misses, I'd have lost it maybe 3 or 4 times. The first time I lost it (if I remember correctly), I think I flung it into toilet bowl. For some reason, my cousin remembers it so well that she repeats it almost everytime we're with some friends or relatives. Yes, she probably finds it so funny that she keeps repeating the story. I think I've only told her once. Sigh. Can't remember if I got it replaced right after, but I remember receiving it in the mail. Maybe I should've learned my lesson and gotten a smaller size, but the one I had was like, the 2nd smallest size! I did think about it, but then I thought, perhaps I'll get fat real soon, and then it wouldn't fit. Alas, now I wish I had gotten a smaller ring, so it wouldn't fly away when I have some big movement with my hands.

In between all these years, I must've dropped the ring here and there, but each time I kinda knew that I would find it back. I remember when I was staying with the landlady that was seldom home, I accidentally "flung" my ring out of the balcony when I was hanging up my laundry. Like a mad dog, I rushed out of my place and ran down as quickly as possible. Luckily my place was only on the 4th floor, so it wasn't too difficult to find it. Then another time (which just happened last week), but this time it wasn't by accident but my carelessness, during which I took off my ring during BS as well as my watch, like I usually do. As we were walking towards the bus stop after BS, I suddenly felt the absence of my ring and my heart skipped a beat. I forgot my ring!!! By God's grace, I found the ring; I swept it onto the chair with my bag without realising it. The funny thing was, I found the bag of my medicine lying on the floor as I was walking back to the bus stop. Yes, I dropped it along the way as I was walking back to find my ring. Things happen when you're searching through your bag while walking, you know....

But this time, my heart started sinking when I suddenly realised my ring was missing. If I didn't even realise I dropped it, the chance of the ring forever lost is pretty high... I think I lost it at home, but I can't be sure. I could've dropped it while washing my hands for all you know. That was probably the reason why I decided to clean my room on Sunday morning after I woke up, hoping that I would "accidentally" discover my ring lying somewhere in the room. Guess you wouldn't be reading about this if I found it. I must admit it's pretty much my fault that I lost it.

Feels strangely out of place without the ring. It's been with me through thick and thin since I graduated. I wear it like it's part of me. Mind you, I don't wear it just because I'm proud to be an Engineer, but also because it reminds me of the responsibility I have as an Engineer and the obligation to live by a high standard of professional conduct.

If you're intrigued by the history of the iron ring, you can read about it at The Iron Ring.

To my ring,
I miss the way I turn you around with my thumb when I was bored, or just to make sure that you're still around,
I miss how you hung on to my finger with your dear life, as if you were going to lose yourself anytime,
I miss the sound you made whenever I was sliding you along some handrail made of stainless steel (you all belonged to the same family, I thought),
I miss showing you off to my friends when they were curious about you,
I miss having to take care not to lose you whenever I tried to get excess water off my hands,
I miss trying to make you stand by yourself (not a very easy task I must say because of the way you were made) and just looking at you,
I miss the feeling of you resting on my pinky
I miss you.
Please come back, or I'll have to find another you.