Song of the Moment:
MGMT – Kids (Soulwax Remix) (listen)
Kid Cudi – I Poke Her Face (feat. Kanye West & Common) (listen)
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Photo Journal (dates covered 6/23 – 6/27)
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THEWOODENBOWL
**I got this from my mentor and professor, Dr. Karen Chow, and thought I’d share it with everyone. It holds a lot of truths and life lessons worth revisiting as a reminder to ourselves. Enjoy!**
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess, “We must do something about father,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.”
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner.
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.
“The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I’ve learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I’ve learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life
I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life…”
I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back
I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you
I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.
I’ve learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch — holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.
**For security reasons** Several names, organizations, and specific details dealing with cases has been censored.
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TUESDAY
The usual. Waiting for the bus.
The public limo!
Proof that James was suffering mental illness.
So how HOT is it over here in Penang, Malaysia? Here is our ice cream the moment we got it.
Here is that same ice cream LITERALLY less than 2 minutes later!!!
LATER THAT DAY….
A little shy of a week since my arrival, the office sent us to capture photos of the company that has been severely exploiting their workers. Finding the place was no easy task!
Roaming around aimlessly.
After driving around for an hour, we finally found the place just in time to snap some photos of some of the workers leaving and being bused out to the company hostel.
Being unable to capture any solid shots, we decided to take a major risk by going undercover and marching straight through the front gate.
To our awkward surprise, the guards were pleasant and quite helpful. One fellow even asked me to snap a photo of him! Haha!
Seconds after getting the verbal consent to roam the company premises, we were called in to fill out some paperwork. Luckily we were able to keep our cool and took the opportunity to leave before the manager could get there. Undoubtedly one of those moments where you had to be there!
Before leaving, we were able to capture some images of the workers being bused back to the company hostel.
During our drive home I could not help but reflect on everything we had done the past few days — the interviews, the workers, going undercover, the whole package. Coming to Malaysia and doing the work that we do has been one of the best decisions of my life.
WEDNESDAY
As a small celebration to our little adventure the day before, we decided to treat ourselves to some dim sum the next morning.
14 trays of dim sum (for two) = $8.50 <<//—- This is why I love Malaysia (or Southeast Asia for that matter)!
Hanging out with the office manager’s baby boy!
Pataya Rice (Malaysian fried rice wrapped in scrambled eggs and topped off with sweet and spicy sauce) = $1.50
The amigos!
THURSDAY
Relaxing. People Watching. And chit-chatting about everything and anything over our cup of tea. good times, good times!
After dinner, we headed to the dessert hawker stall – Thai style! At the end of every BBQ stick has a color. You take whatever dessert stick you want, boil the food, and eat to your heart’s desire! When it comes to paying, whatever color dessert sticks you picked determines the final value. Quite awesome!
LATER THAT NIGHT…
We met up with some female workers after their 12-14 hour shift. Like the guys we interviewed a few days earlier, these women were also part of the successful lawsuit against the company and its unfair labor practices. Our organization came to ensure justice was served and to capture some of their stories.
One woman recalls the deception and how she was tricked into coming to Malaysia with promises of earning higher wages to support her family back in Vietnam. Long work hours, verbal abuse, bondage through deepening debt, poor work conditions and increasing producing demands are a handful of things she (and her colleagues) face every day.
Durian season in full swing.
FRIDAY
If there was one photo that could describe James’ condition during my time there… this photo would be it. It was no one’s fault that James felt this way, but rather for him it was simply time to go home and get out of the office.
James leaving on his much needed 4 day 3 night scuba diving trip to Redang, Malaysia.
My day would not be complete without visit my jelly drink woman.
Later that night, I enjoyed dinner with Dr. T (middle) and US Ambassador R. (right). and had I known that I would be working with such international leaders I would not filled my luggage with purely tees and shorts. Eh, oh well.
My housemate is the best! Haha, silly girl!
