My oh my what a hectic and tiring week! Suzanna and me went to a 3-day workshop at UiTM, a half-day conference (and dinner) at the Bar Council, and a full-day conference at UIA. As you can read from the last sentence in my last blog, I did not want to go to this workshop/conference. I also complained about it to my friends when we had a gathering at my house just a day before the workshop. I had a basic idea what it was about, but I wonder why oh why does it have to take THREE days?

  After I attended the workshop, I know why. I found it to be probably the most useful workshop that I have ever attended, and it was my first workshop as a tutor! It was about how to set up our own legal clinic at our universities - the same thing that I have been waiting for since my days a an undergrad. I felt very nervous and timid and shy because Suzanna and I were the only ones without any teaching experience in that workshop. Just imagine, sitting next to professors and doctors (Ph.D doctors la) from other universities… I’ve been very quiet during the workshop, but I still remember Prof. Rajes from UiTM kept encouraging me to talk and praising me after every presentation. He has a resemblance of Prof. Balan, and was sort of a like a ‘father’ to all of us. I felt very comfortable talking to him (although most of the time I had no idea what the lecturers and lawyers were talking about, hehehe!). We also learnt various teaching methods that we can apply in our class..(coming soon)…

We had 3 instructors at the workshop - two of them were Caucasians (Prof. Bruce of USA, MAriana from Romania) and another instructor was from the Philippines, Prof. Marlon. At first, I had no idea that Marlon is one of the instructor, as he looks like a Malaysian. After he began to talk only I realized that he was one of the instructors.  I thought what can a guy from the Philippines teach us? Apparently A LOT! He was full of knowledge, very down-to-earth and smart. He already obtained a Doctor of Juris, became the Executive Director for an NGO in his country, is a prominent lawyer and a Professor. Guess how old is he? = 36 years old! How did he do it?? I have no idea. He’s married by the way, and has two beautiful daughters (he showed me and Suzanna his daughters’ photos in his cellphone).

Right now I am inspired to help the faculty to set up a legal clinic at UM. In my mind, the ideal way for me to live my life is to become a pro bono lawyer and work from home. Maybe one day, if my hubby suddenly becomes super duper rich that I won’t have to work, I could realize this dream. Think - how many people can actually afford a lawyer or even a legal advice in this country? There are a lot of things that we can do to help. So, i beg to all the lawyers out there, including my friends, to help us by offering some of your time and precious knowledge in helping us to make this dream come true. I will inform you when the time comes. Think about it, pleaseee…??

My lesson for this week is NOT TO JUDGE A BOOK FROM ITS COVER. Not to judge a conference before I attend it. Not to judge a person from the country where he/she comes from.

I’m glad that I had that chance. Point taken.