May 24, 2000

I once told my mum that there was this thing in SDU which match-made couple using computer search. As reported in the newspaper, those who resorted to this service usually got married soon after the match up. On another occasion, I also told my mum that I was one of the youngest members in SDU, being a fresh grad from the U. So, I told her that most of the female members there were in their late 20s or early 30s. She was a bit concerned with that discovery.

So, one day, I told her that I had joined I-Pal, yet another service provided by SDU (making friends over Internet), and she got mad with me. She couldn't comprehend why I had to resort to that kind of service, thinking that I might end up committing to the wrong type of girl (probably too old) and got married too early. But she didn't even bother to find out what the new service was all about (which is VERY different from the computer search). In I-Pal, we join not because we are desperate for a relationship. It's meant more for socializing, hanging out together, enjoy the joys of free dating, and if the candidate is right, a relationship might be blossomed from there. But the chances is very different from the Computer Search (a lot lesser indeed). So is the mentality of using the service!

But then, she thought I was not sensible enough to think for myself. So we had a heated argument over the issue. After a while, she had forgotten about it, and I don't even bother to bring it up again. Not that I want to conceal anything, nor am I at fault whatsoever, there is just no point to explain (which would probably take quite a while to do so).  In fact, through I-Pal, I have met Jane and Emily (fictitious names). I just can't imagine what would happen if my mum were to stop me from hanging out with them. Most probably I won't bother. I know what I am doing, and I choose to do whatever that is in my best interest. My mum can't possibly know more than what I know about myself. Who then is in the best position to decide what is best for me?

The moral of the story? All parents would have to learn how to let go of the control over their grown up children!  :)