Shoes (Blog#9)

Source: (http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-c4d-flip-flops-havaianas-brazil/650972)

      
I wore no shoes when I was in Thailand; I walked around barefoot like many others. I never craved for shoes as I was unaware of their existence. I had a rubber flip flop for special occasions such as some traditional celebrations in the camps. I watched some Hollywood movies in those community theaters but I didn't really pay attention to their shoes, and didn't really care. But once I got to Kuala Lumpur, I started to notice what others were wearing and started to look at myself. I wore old rubber flip flops that shows that I am from the country side, I had no sense of 'style', I had no looks, I had no clothes, I had no shoes... People started to mock in me, they looked at me with those discriminating eyes. Whenever I walked around the city, I had to be in constant fear of getting arrested, of getting laughed at. I was not confident, I was very beat-down and depressed.. I never had the money to buy new shoes for me, I never make enough even though I work a lot. My job paid 20 Malaysian ringgit for the whole day and it was barely enough for me get food and other necessities, my desire to buy a new pair of shoes was extinguished by the harsh reality I had. When I came to the U.S, I started working for more money and I had more money in my hands, and I started to buy more and more shoes. I have 27 pairs of shoes and I proud of my collection. I was fulfilling the dreams that I didn't have the chance to fulfill to have excessive amount of shoes. A person told me that the two most important things are a good bed and good pairs of shoes because you live half of your life walking and sleeping... It might seem strange and weird to most of you but still I like it...

Music = My Medicine (Blog#8)

(Source:http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs41/f/2009/005/d/5/Life_Sucks__Music_Doesnt__by_AustinE31891.jpg)

          

                                                 

When I was in Malaysia, I was introduced to Heavy Metal and Rock music in Burmese and English. I went to school at a non-profit organization called ACR (Alliance of Chin Refugees) ran by American, British, Scottish and Australian teachers who were kind enough to volunteer their time for the Burmese refugees. When I was attending the school, I had the opportunity to make some friends who were also refugees from Burma and we started to do some 'normal' things that every teenager do, which were gaming, listening to music, singing and playing sports. Some days we will skip school, unnoticed by our parents are go to an internet cafe located nearby and spend hours trying to play Counter-Strike, Command and Conquer, and Age of Empires. I loved playing games with my friends, hanging out and enjoying the never-ending summer. Perhaps I was making up for the childhood that I never had, perhaps I was trying to fit in, and perhaps I am no different at all. Then Music came along and I loved Metal, it was the best thing to listen to and write and sometimes run. Music was my medicine because that was the only thing I had when I was angry and depressed. I bought my first little mp3 player in Malaysia from the money that I earned while I was working at the construction site. From the first day I got it, I couldn't live without music in my ears anymore; it was the best thing I ever had. For the first time in my life, I felt connected and was able to cope with pain and sorrow. My favorite bands are Avenged Sevenfold, Killswitch Engage, and Asking Alexandria. Music became the outlet, my sanctuary. Since then I have always been addicted to Music for its originality and creativity, it made me realize that I am not the only one who feels the certain way...