Role Model

According to the dictionary, a role model is “a person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate” (The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary, n.d.). To many, role models are usually people who are much older and experienced, probably veterans in their field. However, my role model is far from old. In fact, she has not even completed her high school studies.

Shanti is a 16 year old Hindi girl who has eyes the shade of hazelnut. She also has lavish dark brown locks that cascade down one side of her shoulder, in the form of a braid. I first met Shanti in Lucknow, India last year, when I led a team of youths on an overseas Youth Expedition Project (YEP). She was one of the oldest girls in the children’s home that we visited, and she was always seen scurrying around the place; be it cleaning after a younger one, or preparing our next meal.

Despite her busy schedule, I was lucky enough to have a chat with her on the last night that we were in Lucknow. I was told that every child in this home had a ‘story’ and somehow I was drawn towards wanting to know more about her. Needless did I know, I was about to take a ride on the emotional roller coaster, a ride that I would never forget. As we sat under the moonlight, Shanti began unraveling the past that not many know of.

Shanti was 4 years old when she lost her mother, brother and sister because of a flood, leaving her brother, father and herself behind. Her mother was the village head and the family depended on her income, but because of the incident, her father who was once a well-known educator, turned to the streets to beg and feed Shanti and her brother. As time passed, Shanti s father was overwhelmed with the responsibilities, and in his bit to escape the pressure, he went away to seek a better life, leaving 7 year old Shanti and her brother behind. That was when their lives spiraled for the worst. Without a roof above their heads, Shanti and her brother had to live on the railway station, and resorted to begging and stealing in order to survive. At times, sleeping the cold and hunger off was the only solution they had. One could never fathom the thought of living in such an extreme condition, but in reality, this is the life of a ‘railway kid’ in India.

Fortunately, her brother heard about the children’s home that Shanti is currently living in, and decided to send her over. Shanti finally had a roof over her head and could get her basic needs met, but the day that she arrived at the home, was also the last day she would hear from her brother. I paused to look at Shanti  and even though there was a tinge of sadness in her eyes as she gave a recount of her experience, she looked back at me with a wide smile on her face.

Despite all that has happened, this year marks the tenth year that Shanti has been living in this home and she is still optimistic and forward-driven. With a positive mindset, Shanti is making plans to become a doctor after completing her studies. Believing firmly in ‘paying it forward’, Shanti even plans to set up a hospital upon graduation in order to provide free health care to “her people”. Her determination never ceases to amaze me.

The reason why Shanti is my role model is because of her confidence, determination and efforts to strive, and pull away from poverty while helping those in need. It is humbling and amazing to know that a 16 year old can place others before herself. With plans to commit her time, money and love, Shanti expects nothing in return except to achieve the desired outcome; to provide free healthcare so that “her people” can be healthy and happy.

A child once told me that when he grows up, he wants to be Superman. To me, when I grow up, I want to be just like Shanti.

*p/s: The real name of the person isn't used for the sake of confidentiality. And no, I'm not going to reveal the location nor the name of the home as well. I gave you my word and I'm keeping it, Shanti*.

Looking back

It may be a little late to wish everyone a happy new year since we are already 17 days into it, but I guess it wouldn't hurt, would it?

So here's wishing you guys A Happy New Year.

Well, I'm not really good with the well wishes because I don't really believe in them, so let us just skip that part.


Anyways, 2009 has been an awesome year for me, though I did struggle a little in school. In fact, it was actually one of the better years that I had in a long time.

Well, let's do a little track back, shall we? You see, 2005 was the year I struggled in secondary school, with having gotten suspension on the very first day itself. 2006 was the year where I was constantly 'fighting' with my teacher. Then came 2007, where I found out that the teacher who was teaching me for the past two years, was going to be my teacher again. Great.. It was also the year that my dearest pet, Shandy passed away. Moving on from that, 2008 soon came and it was the year I struggled with my studies. I was in the 'defiant - I don't need to study' mood and happened to only passed 2 subjects for Preliminary, but miraculously sailed through my 'O's, with tonnes of wake up calls and hard work of course. 2008 was soon over, and finally 2009 came.

I actually had high hopes for a new beginning in 2009 as I thought that going to the polytechnic would mean that I would be better exposed to more people, and I assumed that they would be more open-minded and easier to blend with. However, assumptions always make an ass out of us. I'm not saying that everyone I meet is difficult to hang with, but it actually took a really long time before people stopped assuming that I was someone scary, fierce or whatevs...

And it is actually because of this that I managed to find my identity and found ways to help me to stay true to myself. One of the major help was during the tat2 convention 2009. Well, it may seem like a very odd place to find my identity, but I did, and with the help of the people who attended the convention.


During the three short days that I was there, I managed to strike conversations with pastors, teachers, police officers, and even principals who were all covered in ink and piercings. What I found interesting was not the fact that they had tattoos and piercings, and were holding high statuses, but the fact that they managed to compromise and find a solution to keep their interest and their career going, without having any interference between the two.

Most of them were not from Singapore, but I managed to talk to one of the principals there and I asked about her tattoos and what she do if her students found out about her tattoo, and if it were not contradicting to have a tattoo, yet be in a career that should not support this type of art.

Her answer was simple but it made a lot of sense to me. She said: Why not? Tattoos and piercings are considered to me. I'm a principal and I do wear short sleeves, so I don't have tattoos inked on my arms. But I do have them on my back, my legs and anywhere that can be covered. It is difficult to have tattoos and be in this career because people still assume that tattoos and piercings would mean that you are in a gang. But no one should give up their interest or passion just for the sake of what others think. In fact, we should educate them and try to win them over, to convince them that tattoos and piercings are no harm. But at the same time, as a principal, I try to encourage my students to not go against their parents wishes or get a tattoo randomly because it stays for life. But at the same time, why not expose the kids to a newer generation of art? It's no harm done.


Those were the words that I remember vividly from the conversation. And from this, I realized that I did not have to give up on my interest of the extremes just because I'm in this field. All I have to do, is to be smart positioning and modifying myself, and in using my words to convince, but if all else fails, I still have to be me and do whatever I want to because no one should stop me from doing it. Because after all, I'm living my life, not them.


So yeah, 2009 was an identity crisis for me, but I managed to find it back, and even managed to have a blast through 2010. Well, it's the start of it, and unfortunately, it is not going as smoothly as I thought it would be, with school and home especially...


But let's just hope that all these bad stuff would clear off as we move in to Chinese New Year. Good food, good company, oh did I say good food?

Till then,
Loves.

Part 3

Part One can be found here, while Part Two, can be found Here!


"Okay, time is up! Stop writing and hand in your scripts!" Mrs Jones walked down each row of the students seated in the classroom, glaring at whoever who did not stop writing.

"Jo! Put your pen down, or else you will get a big fat ZERO!" Mrs Jones smacked Jo on her hand, which caused her pen that she was holding, to fall onto the floor.


"BITCH!"

"Now Jo, I have never seen you so engrossed in your work, but do keep in mind that I will reward you no extra time just because you ARE doing your work", Mrs Jones said in a rather disdain manner, as she collected the scripts. She headed back to her desk and began counting them one by one.

Well, it was true that it was the first time Jo was so engrossed in her work. Jo never liked doing her work and would often chance at the opportunity to skip class or pretend to be sick. You see, Jo's name was actually Josephine. She, unlike most girls, never wore dresses. She had shiny black hair that was cropped and spiked. She wore chains as belts, baggy pants, boxer shorts, cuffs and worn-out gloves. People often mistook her for a boy, but she didn't mind, because she always liked the "tough" look.


Jo was breathing fire. She banged her fist hard on her desk before leaving the class. This was the first time that Jo did do her work, and as much as she hated to admit, she really liked how free-willed she could express her thoughts and emotions in her essay. But she hated how she did not have the time to complete it. And one reason to why she actually did try to finish her essay was because of Mr. Petes. He was the Principal and he told her that she had to pass at least English if she wanted to Graduate by the end of the year.


Jo hated feeling pissed, and so, decided to head to her usual hangout to cool down; the basketball court. She saw a couple of her friends who were having a match over there, and thought about joining them.


"Hey Jo! Come meet Jacky! He just moved in here, and he sure can play ball!" shouted Nick who made a beautiful three-pointer that swiftly went into the hoop, making the chains of the net dance as they touch the basketball.


Jacky held out his hand to shake with Jo's but all she did was to snatch the ball from Ron who was making his way to Nick and Jacky. Jo never said a word and continued in her own game.

"Must be a bad day" shrugged Nick as he tapped Jacky on the shoulder as comfort.

Ron then suggested to have a quick match and all of them agreed. Ron paired up with Jo, leaving Jacky with Nick. The game started off and Jacky quickly learned that street basketball wasn't like how he played back in his school. There was more contact and it was much more rough.


"The first to reach seven wins!" shouted Nick.

The teams were tied six to six. The ball was in Jo's hands. She dribbled. Nick was blocking all ways possible for the ball to be passed to Ron. Jack moved closer to defend Jo. Jo was pushing hard against him, pushing him in the chest. It was hard, and it hurt, but Jacky wasn't going to let them call him a sissy.

He tried his best to not let Jo anywhere near the hoop. His spread his arms wide in defence, and decided to play dirty, just like how Jo did to him. He pushed hard at Jo's chest, and could not believe. He stood still, in shock. Jo took the chance and did a beautiful shot. Jo's team won.


"Hey, you're supposed to defend her! Remember?" Nick ran up to Jacky and slapped him hard on the back.


"Nick.... Jo's... Jo's a girl!" said Jacky almost feeling embarrassed that he did that.


Nick and Ron burst out laughing and couldn't help but laugh even harder at Jacky's confused face.

"Didn't you know? Jo's a girl! But she sure can play basketball".


It was true. Jo could play basketball. Jacky had never seen a girl play so well before, she definitely was better than the girls, and even most of the boys back in his school team.


All were silent when Jo came over to them. Jacky got up and said "Hey, I didn't mean to... you know."

Jo tried to act tough, and faked a low voice, saying "It's okay. But do it again and I'll bust your brains out, you hear me?" Both of them giggled and then headed over to Jo's house where she invited them for dinner.





To be continued.

World's Oldest Blogger

If you have read the newspapers a few days back, you'd notice of a topic that was covered, "World's Oldest Blogger".

Yes, my post today will be about the late "World's Oldest Blogger".


She's none other than OLIVE RILEY.







Taken from Wikipedia.org:

Olive Riley (October 20, 1899 – July 12, 2008) was an Australian woman, believed to have been the world's oldest blogger.

She began her blog The Life of Riley in February 2007 at the age of 107 and made her final post on June 26, 2008 from a nursing home in Woy Woy, New South Wales, complaining of a cough about two weeks before she died at the age of 108. She had posted over 70 entries, as well as several video posts on YouTube.

A video of her singing :






Her actual blog is here. Click


A temporary blog of hers, that is edited by her friends. Click



I think Olive Riley is an inspiration, not to the older generation, but to the future generations as well. Olive showed that she was capable of making herself useful, and being "updated" in the present generation by blogging.

She should be a role model to fellow elderly who think that they are useless, and a burden to their families. Olive proved that she is still young at heart, and capable of doing many things, such as blogging, that people would not expect elderly to do.


To all those who are seeking for sympathy, take a look at how this 108 year old lady was capable of touching many other lives. She showed that she was not going to be someone who would wait for death to come knocking on her door, but rather keep active, so that her mind and body are fit to delay death.


People always say that life's too short, but I think that Life is the longest thing you can ever have. So don't waste it, but make it useful, make yourself useful, and live a Life like how Olive did.


She brought joy to her life, and brought joy to others in her Life.


By the way, I'm rooting for LAO ZHA BOR at "http://laozhabor.blogspot.com/" to be the next oldest blogger!