a new Friday to look forward to...

"Work without pressure & without expectations. They are counter-productive in the end. You shouldn't force yourself to do things that others seem to do effortlessly. Everybody has their own rhythm and different levels of commitment. What's important is to go through the process and get to the point where you feel good..." -Thomas, a Swiss volunteer working at Kalighat for 14 yrs.

Just read an article from a magazine over the weekend about the 'Homes for the Destitutes & Dying' in India (started by Mother Theresa). Interesting article, it's been quite some time since I last read about Mother Theresa-related writings.

The article zoomed in on the Home at Kalighat. Many volunteers (long- or short-term) pop by to have a taste of dying (or is it life?). Volunteers from Japan who take 1 year off work to volunteer at the Home and many more short-term volunteers, mainly made up of backpackers who decided to take a few days, weeks or even months to stop by at this place. Many also stayed longer than they expected...like Thomas (the Swiss volunteer) who stayed for 14 years and still counting. It seems to me like these homes are always open, open not only to the Destitute & Dying but also to volunteers. I never knew that.

Honestly, India is a country that I'm never interested in. It's definitely not on my Top 10 list of places to visit, not even on the Top 50 (ok...maybe 49th?)...
No offence, but India just doesn't entice me! The religion scares me...The culture, I'm just not inclined to it...And the best part?! I don't take well to Indian food...Yes, I find it tough to survive even in Little India sometimes...(Personal preference, I guess...Not everyone likes Singapore...I understand)

After going through this article, I am seriously considering popping by India for the challenge...To volunteer at one of Mother Theresa's homes...

Frankly speaking, although the current job is not a very interesting one, I won't say it's a torture because of the financial independence that it provides me with (which can be achieved by working in any other job actually), and so far, it haven't got to the super-stressed up level yet. I can't deny, I quite enjoy it... =)

Maybe this is a good idea...To slog it out this year to pay off whatever that needs to be paid...To continue to slog for another year to save up...Then to take a few months off (preferably 12months! keke! but 6months will be great as well)...Go on a backpacking trip, make a detour to India & stay around for at least a month and then move on to see more places and maybe volunteer else where as well. Not a bad idea, eh?

I'd secretly be happy if the China project din go through...I'd have this Friday to look forward to ask well...
My selfish reasons...