THE 10-SECOND MEMORY

From time to time, I meet people in their 90s or even 100s whose minds are still amazingly sharp.

They speak clearly and logically, remember things from decades ago as if they happened yesterday, and still keep up with current affairs both at home and around the world.

Really impressive!

Maybe they were made in Japan — a country where everything from machinery and cars to human beings can apparently “run well for a hundred years.”

But then there are quite a few people who are not even 80 yet, and their memory has already started to… develop a few technical problems.

Sadly, some of them are even recruited by their children and grandchildren to become the “leading actors” in funny videos.

I suppose they must at least get paid in… nutritional milk.

As for me, I am still under 70 – and my memory is already showing some signs of decline.

I jokingly call it my “10-second memory.”

I can remember old stories forever.

But something new may pop into my head, and before I even have a chance to say it…

10 seconds later, I have completely forgotten what I was going to say.

My English?

Almost gone.

Luckily, I can still remember quite a few trade finance terms, probably because I keep playing with them every day.

If I stopped using them, I might forget those too.

The most embarrassing situation is meeting someone I know after not seeing them for several years.

She asks:

— Do you remember me?

— Of course I remember you! How could I possibly forget?

Luckily, she doesn’t follow up with:

— What’s my name?

If she did, I would probably have to…

change the subject and start talking about letters of credit.

So please don’t wonder why I post something on Facebook almost every day.

Sometimes it is a trade finance article.

Sometimes it is complete tào lao bí đao — just some nonsense for fun.

The truth is, I am simply giving my brain some exercise, hoping to slow down this little problem of remembering what happened long ago but forgetting what happened five minutes ago.

Writing every day actually helps.

At least when I read an old post, I can still say:

“Ah… so this is what I was thinking back then!”

And if one day you come across a Facebook post from me and think…

“What on earth is he talking about?”

Don’t panic.

It may simply be a sign that…

I have finally started forgetting for real.

It reminds me of a funny clip about an old man with memory problems.

He goes to see a doctor.

The doctor asks:

— What seems to be the problem?

The old man replies:

— I forgot why I came here.

I’m not quite there yet.

But sometimes I sit down with my coffee and suddenly wonder:

“Wait… did I take my medicine this morning?”

I think about it.

Nothing.

I try harder.

Still nothing.

Finally, I think:

“Better take one, just to be safe.”

Then, a few minutes later, another thought pops into my head:

“Wait… did I just take one?”

Now that’s dangerous!

— Mr. Old Man