Journal entry 07

-Entry for English Class - March 2012 - week 7

Well, a late entry this week...First things first, exams, are....OVER!!!!!
Okay, now that I've successfully let out that exclamation of joy, lets get back to the events which happened this week. Well, this week, I'm free from having to lug my heavy backpack to school, so that's always a wonderful experience.
And this week, I was blessed with the opportunity to take part in a special event called, 'Compassion Walk'. For those of you who are unaware of this amazing event which is held annually in many parts of the world during the season of lent(which is 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday until Easter observed by Christians as a season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter.) and this event made its first appearance on Malaysian soil in the year 2011. Last year's theme was 'Remember Me' it was held by ASAYO(Archdiocese Single Adult And Youth Office) the venue was St John's Cathedral near Bukit Bintang. Sadly, I was too young to take part in the event last year as the minimum age is 17 years old. So, as I am finally allowed to take part, I rushed to write down my name on that registration form.

Compassion Walk this year was different from last year, because, last year youths went around feeding the hungry and giving out hugs, this year however, the theme was to 'Listen to 'that' voice' so, instead of giving out hugs, we lent a listening ear for the residents around the Port Klang residential area for the people to tell us their stories. Although I was excited at the beginning of the event especially after getting into my group, E66, things weren't looking up for us, after getting turned away from at least 4 houses (Klang people aren't the most open of people...) Those of us in group E66 were starting to lose our enthusiasm. We walked around aimlessly, tired and hungry, just hoping to use up the remaining 2 hours of our time we happened upon a house with a simple sign on it, 'EDUCARE' we hesitated to call upon the owner of the house as there were already other participants in the house, helping to pack the things in the house, they welcomed our help happily and we met the 'owner of the, store house apparently, Sister Mary Therese. She informed us of the role Educare played in that small area, they(other sisters of the faith and several willing volunteers from Klang) teach underprivileged children to master the English language as well as teaching them good moral values. As she told us about the plight of these children from broken homes, I couldn't help but shed a tear or two, thinking about how lucky I really was, after all, our parents and teachers can only teach us so much, witnessing it ourselves how these people get by with their lives practically in shambles is a real eye-opener and it made me realize how petty all my complaints were. Sister Mary Therese told us something that I will treasure, "God doesn't count the amount of praises you get, God counts the amount of love you share with people"
After that, we gathered in the hall to hear testimonials from other groups about how their day went, and I was happy to note, mine wasn't the only group who had a rough start but everything turned out great for everyone in the end.

Well, I guess that's it from me this week, Happy Holidays everyone!!! Remember, always live life to the fullest!