reality check..

every now and then.. there are moments like this that stops me in the tracks and shakes me and shoves the coffee in my face..

i was waiting in an ATM queue at a suburban shopping centre.. whilst thinking how my bank balance is dipping and feeling the financial pinches of studenthood.. and wondering why the ladies in a huddle infront of me is taking so long.. i realised it was a Caucasian lady was trying to help an African migrant lady (with a cute 2 yr old in tow) to use the ATM..

it turns out.. as the Caucasian lady explains.. the migrant lady can't take out any money from her account coz she's got $30 in the balance, and the ATM can only let you take money out in increments of $50 notes..

ARGHHHHH.... guilt, shame, sadness came flooding like a tidal wave.. and i had to resist the urge to hand over my money to her after i made my withdraw..

what a privileged life i lead.. i've never known what it's like to be hungry, cold or homeless, i've never had to even use public transport!! i even had jobs offered to me that i turned down so i can do my phd.. and i had the galls to complain about my dwindling bank balance and bad coffee service.. shame shame shame..

"OH THE HUMANITY!!"