Though even in the midst of disease, flowers can still bloom,

it is easier to live in fear of the former

than to appreciate the beauty of the latter.

The logo of CancerFly are two butterflies - 

apt creatures to represent such a project:

an online portal set up to help cancer survivors find jobs; 

to help them find their wings again after a brush with cancer. 

It is an impressive, visionary initiative; one befitting a forward-thinking First World nation, 

one which makes me refreshingly proud to be Malaysian.

In the midst of all the negative press about the state of our country today, it is heartening to see that such efforts DO take place here in Bolehland..

that in the midst of disease, flowers can bloom.

(Pictures taken at a CancerFly bazaar, I was 'forced' into a picture by a group of cancer survivors from the National Cancer Society of Malaysia who were selling shirts beautifully hand-painted with flowers.)

https://www.facebook.com/HorizonOFhope/

https://www.facebook.com/nationalcancersocietymalaysia/

Jump-Start

"Hello..are you Malay or Chinese..?"

To be honest, it was a perfectly valid question to ask me: 

the mixed melayu-cina guy who, 

among Malays, looks the most Chinese; 

and among Chinese, looks the most Malay.

A valid question. But was it the most relevant?

Because the next question from the man was a request for me to help him jump-start his car.

Has it gotten this bad in Malaysia?

Yes sure (and Alhamdulillah), 

we are not physically at each other's throats, nor in open armed conflict with each other - 

but 

is it not enough of a tragedy 

that sentiments of race 

have gotten in the way of our common humanity -

that we now have to know someone's race before asking for their help?

It didn't work, in the end. 

We failed to jump-start his car, and I had to leave him with his car still unable to start.

I pray there is more hope for the broken relations between the races of this country,

then there is for the broken car.