I Went to Prison

Okay so apart from the May daily blog challenge I reckon I'll interject with other topics and happenings of my life here and there. Bear with me and my disjointed continuity yes?

Yesterday I went to prison for the first time in my life. I've never been to a Malaysian prison before yet alone a British one, but here I was heading into the mouth of the damned as a volunteer to bring the law to their doorstep. Not martial law like Judge Dredd would but actual legal facts for educational purposes. This prison was located in the outskirts of London and I would have to take a train to get there. We were expected to be there by 9 am in the morning. Obviously I was starting to regret this as that would mean me getting up ridiculously early to get there punctually.

So I fumbled my way to the prison from central London after waking up late having failed to sleep properly the night before. I was tired and grouchy and about to give a lecture on knife crimes to inmates who would probably make a knife crime out of me. Arriving late (a terrible sin in Britain) I ran a mile from the station to the prison and met my co-volunteer there. Apparently she was another Chinese Malaysian but she had the thickest natural sounding British accent ever. Could have fooled me that's for sure. So we head down to the security reception.

So after stripping us of any electronic devices and liquids we might be carrying (not our clothes though thankfully, you sick bastards) they let us into the inner part of the prison escorted by a warden. Now I was a tad worried delivering a presentation to prisoners who might belittle my efforts but I reckoned it was time to grow a thick skin.

We then through multiple layers of security and high fenced gates before finally entering a workshop where multiple inmates were carving up wood blocks to make fuck knows what. I was hoping I wouldn't be next on the carving block. Everyone was staring at these two Asians prancing around the prison complex like a fancy tour. I wonder if some of the inmates imagined shagging me aggressively without consent. I think I should keep my weird mental notes to myself.

Thereafter we entered a small room with the words "CV workshop" plastered upon the doors. Apparently this was the reeducation room where prisoners were trained for release back into the working environment. We then introduced ourselves to the prisoners with the warden/educator beside us. I was a tad surprised because some of this men were actually pretty knowledgeable and decent to be honest. One of the inmates in particular, a Black British man sounded ridiculously intellectual, posh and articulate, so much so I began wondering if he was incarcerated here by accident.

As usual in a class room you have people that give a shit and people who don't but by far the most interactive inmate was the Black British man. Eventually he told us about how he'd originally been given bail for a speeding offence but had dodged bail and was eventually sentenced for 3 months in prison. That sounded rather harsh, but he was apparently a law abiding citizen and a responsible father before and was beyond pissed with his criminal record. It struck me then how blunt the criminal justice system could be and the repercussions it could cause to people's lives. It also changed my perception of prisoners in general, they weren't necessarily all the scum of the earth. Any one of us could have very accidentally ended up in a terrible situation like this man.

I'd say the over all session was a success and I was glad I had the opportunity and confidence to go through such a process. My co-volunteer turned out to be another politically connected individual and I proceeded to cement our relations in the event of it being useful in the future. UK just has way too many politically connected families and I consider myself lucky to have been at the heart of these networking opportunities. Some day, one day we'll all find our uses.

Blog Everyday May, Day 1: Story of my Life

I've decided to take up the online challenge to blog everyday in May:
http://storyofmylifetheblog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/blog-every-day-in-may-challenge.html

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less (or one paragraph... no one will be counting your words... probably)

I've long been a proponent for justice, with dreams of grandeur to save my country. There's only so much one man can do, and yet many brave men and women of Malaysia have stood up to be counted over the years. In time perhaps, I will be one of them. I've loved both men and women in my time, I've had heartaches from both although only a man broke my heart good and proper once. I've lived here in the UK for a good 3 years now, I think I'll grow to miss my lifestyle here but I do miss home quite a fair bit too. I've played musical instruments and performed in plays and dances and had a wide variety of successes and failures in the competitions I've been a part of. Apparently I have a flair for writing and I've won some prizes in that department before, that much I can be glad for. I project an aura of confidence, but I have so many doubts and insecurities within. I've had hopes and dreams, I have them still but I've been crushed and had disappointments heaped my way. I just push on and keep a strong front still. I'd like to think I have been mostly optimistic for most of my life, spinning the negatives and failings as things I can be grateful for and seeing the light for a new dawn always. I'm searching for my soul mate still, the one who'd accept all my flaws and love me for all that I am. I've spent a life time searching for me, someday I believe I'll find you and by that very extension, me.

Life in Motion

Apologies for the stagnation and decay of the blog but the vicissitudes of life will sometimes take precedent. Combined with a severe case of writer's block and a disgusting workload it's no shocker that there are bound to be limited updates. Not that I am disappointing anyone tangible given my silent reader base. They're there, lurking just ever quietly so I can slip up and write my mouth off. Not today.

I am returning for the first Chinese New Year's in a long long while. The heart quivers with anticipation and longing to finally be able to see my kin, my closest and dearest once again. Every year Chinese New Year has been marred with exams and the shitty weather dear Britain is all too happy to throw my way.

This year I've been graced by forces beyond my control or comprehension with a week long holiday combined with my generous weekends to allow for a quick excursion back. Bloody joy I'd say. I've had my appointment cards filled to the brim and I'm just glad I can see the Australian students for a change given their inverse seasons and schedules of being on the wrong half of the hemisphere. I jest bitches, calm your tits.

Speaking of Australian students there will be one in particular I would be honoured to meet. It's been a long time coming, but I hope I will live up to expectations and we'd mingle like we always do. I still care, I'm still excited in my own way but we all have our apprehensions now don't we? Conveniently I'll be home for Valentines so no lovey dovey celebrations in London I'm afraid, but who needs setting over an individual to share it with eh? Potentially of course, can't forget the disclaimers. One can only hope the feeling's still mutual.

The course is kicking into full gear now, they don't grant holidays without demanding some blood and God damn it are they sending fire and brimstone my way. You buy your holidays with proper sweat and tears I'm afraid. That doesn't mean my social life has to take a complete hike of course, it just means I get to feel that much guiltier after.

This recent weekend was a rather interesting one with the UK's largest federation of Malaysian students organising this big conference like they'd always do year in and out where political big wigs, social activists, and corporate high horses get to prance around on stage and dispense in fancy dialogue whilst students fire away with questions. Last year even had the Seksualiti Merdeka's activist Pang Khee Teik talking which I thought was a rather bold move.

This year was supposed to have some ministers duking it out but with the elections being so close no political party would take the risk of leaving the country. At least we had ourselves Raja Petra, charming heh. Probably best for me to leave my politics out of this blog before all and sundry know my identity. But yes, the event was good I would say, occupied my weekend with more worries and irritations from home.

 I think I've indulged myself sufficiently now and quenched my guilt with this obligatory blog post. I shall now have to appease the guilt of more procrastinated work piling. I wonder if I'd be a bigger success story if I channeled my skills in an organised and structured fashion. I guess I would not be me then if that were the case now eh. Hope this blog doesn't end up in hibernation again.