Gives me hope

When you read the news in the newspapers these days, you might feel that hope is gone for humanity. Greed, prejudice and selfishness seem to have taken over the minds of people. Lawyers are chopping people up, teacher engaging with gangs to beat up student for breaking up with her daughter, parents and religious leaders committing sexual harassment - they all make us wonder about what the world is turning into. Perhaps there is no figure left in society that we can completely trust anymore.

Just as I was about to doubt Malaysia's future, I had a rather remarkable experience in the bus on the way to KL Sentral a few weeks ago. I was travelling to the airport alone, carrying a not-so-big bag with me. The first time I entered, the bus was quite empty so I grabbed the nearest seat I could find. About 10 minutes later, the air-conditioning started leaking water and before long, it was drizzling above my head. Just then, this man from the opposite moved his stuff aside and offered me the seat.

People got down and got on at every stop. Several stops after, this Indian lady of rather advanced age climbed into the bus. By then, the bus was full. I had no idea why, but out of instinct, I stood up and gave my seat to her.

It was probably the most inspiring thing I had ever done in my life.

I actually stood up feeling very proud of myself.

Less than two minutes after, I felt a tap on my shoulder. This Malay man (not the same man as before) who sat next to me before I offered my seat got up, went "Duduk sini!" and moved to another seat farther back in the bus.

I thought it was really ironic that a Chinese offered a seat to an Indian to have another seat offered back by a Malay.

Then again, it doesn't really matter what race we all were. My point is that there is still hope for the people of Malaysia. It's things like this that make you feel really warm.

No, I didn't join Gives Me Hope.

But I signed myself up for a walk today. :) I will be walking 4.5 km in Petaling Jaya to raise awareness about mental illness.

I also celebrated the Mid Autumn Festival two days ago with a lot of AUSMAT kids at the pool side of the where I live. It was mighty fun even though we were thrown eggs and plastic bags filled with water from high above. I suspect it was because we were so noisy. Well, how could we not? We were singing songs from a gazillion years ago non-stop while circling round a tree like an ancient ritual to worship the moon. We literally sang Happy Birthday To Moon.

We also had "family dinner" at this Chinese Bak Kut Teh restaurant nearby. =)

I can't post up pictures because I haven't taken them from Yu Heng yet. Will update again on it. :)

Meanwhile, just thank God for the hope this life has given you.