You know just what to say.

Warning: This post may contain profanities. It may also include certain things you may think is no big deal.


I am generally a nice person, unless provoked.

I was talking to a so-called friend of mine who randomly asked me what I was doing on Friday. I told this friend that I was volunteering at this certain centre.

And he asked me whether it was for an assignment or something, to which I answered yes.

"No wonder, I thought you were going to be some Mother Teresa or something"

So what if I want to be Mother Teresa. At least I'm doing some justice to the world.
A year ago for MC100, we had to do a presentation on our next career move in the next 5 years. I told people I was going to work in a shelter for kids WITHOUT getting paid, because to me it was more of an intrinsic motivation than anything else. What is so wrong with being a humanitarian or activist? You are doing something you passionately believe in. It's no crime. I like doing this kind of work, it makes me feel like I'm doing some good to the world even if it's on a very small, minute scale.


And then he goes on to say "Be careful. Otherwise the mad people will jump on you".

Psychologists are NOT the one who deal with the so-called mad people; psychiatrists do. Never fucking learn is it?
And the kids I meet are NOT mad. They're just slow learners. There's a difference.

Tell me if they were mad, can they do this?

This boy was teaching her how to colour the ball. That's compassion and friendship for you.



They roll the paper and weave them to make...


this. Even you and I can't do this so beautifully. This is diligence and perseverance for you.


And then, he asked me where I was volunteering at.
"Brickfields"
"Indian centre is it?"
"The principal's Indian but the kids are from different races"
"Of all the places to volunteer, why did you pick Brickfields?"
"It's an Indian centre"
"It's not"
"Stupid-lah you, it's an Indian centre"

I do not like to be called stupid. When my parents call me stupid in public, I pretend not to listen to them, throw a small fit and prove my point and show them I am not stupid (which, most of the times, work because I always manage to prove myself right).

And since when did race matter when it came to helping people? I don't go around asking people their races if they need help. We are Malaysians, for crying out loud! We do not have to segregate ourselves according to race and religion and creed.

On Thursday, I was talking to my concerned alcoholic friend who told me that "Indonesians do not segregrate themselves according to race like we do, they're bangsa Indonesia".

I strongly agree with him. Why must we choose what race we are? Isn't bangsa Malaysia good enough?

I choose to help people because I like helping people, not because I see the race of the person I am helping. So what if there are a lot of Indians in Brickfields, does that make it a bad place to help people?

At least I am doing something decent.

I like volunteering because it makes me human. It makes me learn that these children are the most genuine people you'll ever meet in life. They teach you things you've never learn before. They make you feel ashamed to call yourself normal.

Because frankly, I can't tell you what's normal and what's abnormal.


These kids deserve love and attention too. Just because they suffer from Down Syndrome or autism or even Asperger's, it doesn't mean they don't deserve to be treated like other children.


Sure, go on. Tell me to be a saint and save the children. "They're none of my concern".

You know what, I'm going to do just that. And you know, when you get married and are blessed with a child like that, you will understand what I am saying now.

I will be a humanitarian/activist/social worker who will not be paid because I don't think I want to get paid for doing something that makes me feel more human.


Let me start by saying...

I joined to volunteer here on Friday.

Yes, it's a new top. One of the latest acquisitions.

Happy International Women's Day, ladies.


Now, don't forget to cast your votes later.