“Poor” is a special word to me. I grew up in a poor family (may be cannot consider poor, just not rich), I have seen the ugly as well as the beautiful face of the world; I learned a lot because of this situation. I should say, I am who I am because I was in this situation before. In some sense, I feel proud that I was poor before. At least, I have some special experience that not everyone has. Emm… may be I should share some of it.
During my form 6 times, I went back to school every Friday afternoon after my tuition. Not to study, I went there to collect aluminum cans. Not only collect those on the floor, I actually open up the dustbin and look for cans inside. I have to do it quietly or else if anyone see me and complain about me, I cannot collect cans in school anymore. So, I have to play hide and seek with some curious students when they heard the voices too.
I still did so even after I went into university. I even did it together with my boy friend, Francis. Ya, I just knew him during first semester and he is willing to collect the cans. Sometimes he is even more “passionate” then me! This is one of the reason why I choose him as my boyfriend and may be life partner, because I know he love me for I am who I am. Pity my boyfriend actually; we spend the first 3 years of our Valentine Days on a van, by delivering bouquet here and there. Valentine days is our working days and it is our best time to earn money. I worked in a florist before, every Valentine days, I accept orders from friends to get commission, help the florist to send bouquet to customer and sometimes work in the florist itself.
I worked during every holiday that I have during my study time. Among these working experiences, the best was to be the sales person in a company selling health product like massage chair. I was there for only 3 months. I went in mid of March, by end of March; I was top 3 sales representatives among all the franchise in Malaysia. Following 3 months, my name never dropped from the list. The special of this experience is, my boyfriend was also one of the top three top sales representatives in Malaysia during that time. Both of our names were so famous because we are the only couple who can hit the sales target continuously 3 months.
When I left to further my study, they even ask me to stop my study so that I can continue to work for them. No one break this record until now. “Poor” is the word for all these to happen. Without this word, may be I can enjoy my life in better way, but I never regret. I was born to be in this situation, I cannot do anything to avoid it but I can change it with my own hand. That is why I am here today, being a tough lady (not super women, only tougher then other girls), being defensive (not too good, but I have to, because I have to protect myself before I can protect my family), being family lover (I will not leave my family behind, no matter what).
Poor is the word!