Amusement

My mum's voice was brimming with excitement when I called home after returning from Sydney.

"Remember Aunt Lee from Perth? She mentioned about introducing you to her neighbour's son? She called last night, asking for your number....."

I was amused, yet at the same time, bewildered. I could not believe I had to go through this, at this age and era!

I am a greenhorn when it comes to relationships. Yes, I may have gone through some emotional tussles and a few futile dates, but nothing that has etched a deep-seated place in my heart...or well, maybe except for one.

Yet, I LOVE MEN TO THE CORE, and I want a normal relationship that would be everlasting.

As my past-thirtieth birthday approaches, palpitations and diaphoresis set in, actually more on my concerned parents and friends. I started receiving lectures of how I should lower my standards and what type of partners would best suit me.

One of the soundest advices I had would perhaps be from my good old pal, who was in every sense blessed by God: "Finding a partner is not about meeting the ideal or most perfect one. Rather, it is about both of you complimenting and making each other better individuals in your relationship and in your lives." Absolutely succinct.

I had a casual conversation with an Indian colleague today which turned out to be quite revealing. She met her husband through matchmaking by the parents in India and they were engaged the very next day. She accepted it well since it was, and still is, a common practice in the country. She was thankful for her parents' well-meaning efforts and has since been blessed with 2 lovely kids and an understanding cardiologist husband. Despite having received higher education through medical school in a modern city, she had willingly entrusted her life and future happiness on the basis of "wisdom" of her more experienced parents.

And she reminded me of my 2 other friends from similar backgrounds, having had their lives and future marriages already carefully planned out by their elders and were actively striking out their lists of potential brides through the meetings.

The "desperately-seeking" mentality was not just confined to the Asians, who view singlehood as one of the greatest sins on earth. A British friend of ours who was Jewish as well, was toying with the idea of relocating himself to the happening city of Sydney where his previously mundane social life would more likely be revived from the doldrums.

As for me, yes, I am resigned to the fateful fact that I may need to go through this dinosaurous practice, since my cells are shrivelling and my eggs starting to beg. Matchmaking is fine for me, as long as I am not expected to marry him the very (or next) day I set my eyes on him.

My criteria for the "complimentary" one still holds: Tall, tanned, quiet, humble....

Hope I don't have to wait long this time.