The ‘end of the world’ commotion could just be a way for us to start fresh and live to the fullest.
By SHARMILA NAIR
alltherage@thestar.com.my

TONIGHT at 7.11pm (Malaysian time), the world as we know it will come to an end … or so the Mayans, people on Facebook, the uncles at a nearby coffeeshop, the makcik selling nasi lemak in my neighbourhood and my mother claim.

They could be right you know, which means that this article would be the last awesome thing you read in your lifetime. You’re welcome.
But on a more serious, though morbid, note, if the world does end today, could any of us honestly say we have lived our lives to the fullest?

Chances are you would shout a big, fat “No!” And guess what? You are not alone. There are many of us who haven’t done things we’ve always wanted to do – like go to a Justin Bieber concert (we don’t judge), climb Mount Everest, scuba dive or witness the Northern Lights – simply because we thought we could do it another day.

Well, there might not be another day…

That’s why we asked some of our readers – what’s the one thing they would regret they never did, assuming the world does go kabloo-ey later?

But here’s the catch: If everyone wakes up fine tomorrow, each one of them has to start working on turning their regrets around.

Yes, R.AGE threw them a challenge and in six months’ time, we’ll be checking up to see whether they took the second chance life gave them (oh, how dramatic!) to make that dream come true.

Aliaa Baharudin, 21

“There’s this cute guy who liked me a lot when I was 16. He was my cousin’s friend and he kept asking me to go out on a date with him. I always said no because I really wasn’t interested in him back then.

I’ve not kept in touch with him ever since he went to study overseas. However, thoughts about him started creeping back into my mind because my cousin wouldn’t stop talking about him. Now, I think about him and regret not going out with him when I had the chance. Well, now I’m just going to try to find him again, and ask him out on a date.”

R.AGE says: Wow, this is just like in the movies! Good luck, Aliaa.

Lung Kye Lin, 21
“I have a passion for travelling but unfortunately don’t get to do it frequently.

One of the places I’ve always wanted to go to is Brazil and I simply never had the opportunity to go there. Okay, to be honest, I just don’t have the finance to support my dream. I am curious about the people and culture in Brazil and would love to experience travelling through the country for at least a month.

And I want to travel alone there, try the food, meet its people and just escape the daily routine I’m stuck with in Malaysia. I guess I just have to start saving money for my trip to Brazil and watch my expenditures.”

R.AGE says: Send us a postcard, will you?

Joshua Jerome Robert, 20
“My biggest dream is to learn how to play the piano and perform in public. I mean, really, really learn the piano the classical way, read notes and the whole nine yards.

I have played the guitar and performed in my school and university before, but I want to break away from that closed scene. I want to sing and perform my own songs and have people besides my friends in the crowd. I’ve always wanted to learn how to play the piano, but when I was growing up, my family couldn’t financially support my dream.

It is expensive to get tutors, but now I’ve decided I will learn it one way or another. It’s better to learn from my friends, I think it’ll be faster that way, and I’m also going to pick up some tips from YouTube.”
R.AGE says: Dude, you totally missed the R.AGE Open Mic competition. Well, there’s always next year … hopefully.

Eunice Lee, 20
“I love animals and have always been passionate about helping them but for the life of me, I don’t know why I haven’t volunteered at an animal shelter. One of my biggest dreams is to work with SPCA and help give better lives to the animals out there. Unfortunately, that still remains a dream.

I love cats and dogs but my mother doesn’t allow me to have them at home (because we live in an apartment), but I guess if I volunteered with SPCA, I could play with as many cats and dogs (and other animals) I want. Okay, I really want to make a difference in their lives now.”

R.AGE says: Go to spca.org.my. Click on “Support Us”. Make a difference.

Yuvha Dharshini, 22
“At 15, I made a list of things I want to do in life and one of them was to climb Mount Kinabalu. Sadly, I’ve never actually tried making that dream come true.

I have friends who have already done it, and hearing them talk about it just makes me want to do it even more. I tried when I was in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah last January, but I wasn’t physically and mentally prepared to do it, so it had to be cancelled. But my friends are planning a climb in October next year, and this time, I will make sure I get to cross “Conquering Mount Kinabalu” off my bucket list.”

R.AGE says: Erm, could you help us plant a R.AGE bunting … just so people would think we’ve been up there as well?

Ikhwan Ridzwan, 22
“It was in 2003 that I pledged my undying support for Manchester United and no, I’m not one of those fans who like a team simply because it’s famous.

I love how MU plays as a team and have the utmost respect for players like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. One of the things I really want to do is to watch an MU home match in Old Trafford. My cousin who lives in Britain goes frequently for their matches and his stories always make me jealous.

Now, I’m really inspired to make it happen. I don’t know how I’m going to do it – I’ll save money, join competitions or maybe even get my parents to send me there, but I’ll definitely step on the Old Trafford grounds and watch a game there someday.

R.AGE says: Make sure you take the stadium tour! And buy us a fridge magnet!

Matthew Kang, 22
“I got a digital camera as a birthday present in 2006 and I used it to take many photographs, even submitting them to magazines and winning prizes.

Unfortunately, my camera quickly became obsolete and I stopped pursuing my dream of getting one of my photos featured in National Geographic magazine. I decided I needed a bigger, more up-to-date camera, which would set me back around RM10,000. I’m saving up to buy the camera now and I’m already half-waythere.

But before I get published in National Geographic, I’m going to try to get my work featured in Digital Camera magazine first. Yes, I’m going to make it happen.”

R.AGE says: Wow, the next Jim Richardson in da’ house! Btw, you can ask our #SnapShots columnist @jasonlioh for tips =)