On my way to tutoring this morning, I was stopped by a middle-aged lady in front of the lift. Initially, I thought I heard her asking me for a directions to a certain mosque. I wasn’t sure so I had to ask her to repeat again. But then, before I knew it, she was opening up and practically telling me the tale of her life currently. Apparently, according to her, she doesn’t have enough money to support her twin children/grandchildren and now she doesn’t even have money to buy something to eat. She said that she has asked for assistance from MUIS but she has yet to wait a few months before help actually arrives. So now, she needs money to buy milk for the twins and she doesn’t any. She was there on the account of waiting for her friend who lives at my tutee’s block. She has been waiting for her friend for three hours since 7 in the morning. But, it looks like she has been stood up by her friend who promised to lend her $20.
The feeling of sympathy was there. But I couldn’t help her in any way. I told her that I was there to tutor and I didn’t bring my wallet with me since it was only walking distance away from my house. I just listened to her story and nodded occasionally. We received a few stares from people but I figured I shouldn’t be ashamed since I didn’t do anything wrong. I felt really compelled to help her as she didn’t have any money to eat nor to go back home-at Sengkang-since she used up all of her money coming there to wait for her friend. But, I really didn’t have any cash nor food with me. I apologized to her a few times and off I went for my tutoring session.
I don’t know whether her story was true or not but it was quite sad to actually encounter someone who’s fate was as such. She didn’t ask me directly for money but I could see where she was heading to with her story. I don’t want to be rude, but I must add on that despite me standing a few steps away from her, I could actually get a strong whiff of bad body odour. With her dressing and appearance, and together with the body odour, I thought that maybe, just maybe, she really was in a desperate situation. If whatever she told me was true, then I really do feel sorry for her and I hope that she does meet someone who’s willing to lend a helping hand. Or better yet, get some real proper help. As cliche as it sounds, my first time encounter with something like this, did really made me appreciate my life better. You know, its when the least unexpected things hit you suddenly, that you begin to realise the good stuff that you have. Life isn’t all the same for everyone and hence, we are the ones that have got to balance it out. Reality can be harsh but that’s the way it is for some people, and sometimes, even for us.
That aside, the Great Singapore Sale is here! Bapak still had $200 Metro vouchers that were just calling out to be spent, so the family went to Century Square to use them up. And lucky me, I managed to get a pair of brown pumps.
Ah, a beauty aren’t they? Of course, cause I need not pay for them. If only I had liquid money with me, I would have done alot more shopping. There were a couple of things-okay, maybe alot-that caught my eye but too bad, I’m dead broke. My wallet is just full of cobwebs. Hah, as if they’re going to be able to get me that fabulous dress that I saw. Oh, I got a look at the new Zen Stone. Boy, is it small! Like real small. I’m contemplating whether I really should get that or maybe just get a another Mp3. It is cute though, although I might risk misplacing it and losing it.
Okay, I know I am dead broke, but I can still dream can’t I? For personal reference:
- Black shoes
- Black pants
- A new Mp3
- New tops
- A tripod for my dslr
Updated wishlist. Man, am I getting greedy? Hope not.
