The 'RM50' difference

WARNING= THE FOLLOWING MIGHT BE OFFENDING TO SOME. You have been warned.

Two days. Barely 12 hours apart. But the difference is so contrasting I can hardly believe it. Difference referring to what I got out of both days.

However, both events were quite similar in certain angles.

In both events, I had one of my best friends with me.

In both events, the payment had the number ‘5’ in it.

In both events, there was music.

In both events, there was authority present.

In both events, we sat in a hall.

In both events, there was food.

In both events, there was a good band playing.

In both events, there were moments that made me laugh.

YET…

During the prefect dinner, I felt empty.

During the CDM Youth Rally, I was filled.

Why? Because Friday night, we were all out to go, “Look at me!” The clothes were expensive and bought to make a point (the message being “I’m a STAR!”). The music was loud (sometimes painful) but missing something. The food was terrible and the ambience was a bit ‘too much’. We all knew each other but we weren’t all friendly with each other. Most of the teachers (actually all but one. Mr. Anantha was really sporting and sang an impromptu song that was the HIGHLIGHT of the evening) weren’t our buddies and they had their own table, separating them from the students. There were 3 speeches which nobody paid attention to. When you look at the dinner, it was as though peacocks got loose in Holiday Villa to parade themselves and lord themselves over the other. In our unity as being prefects, we were divided in judging others, in our prejudices (which I am not excused from), in trying to ‘show-off’.

Total cost=RM 55

Saturday, August 04, 2007 was simply amazing. We were there to go, “Look at HIM! Look what HE has done for us!” The music was loud but it didn’t hurt. The food (Breakfast, lunch and tea) was simple but satisfying. The ambience was simple but it meant a lot. We didn’t know each other but we had fun together. We learnt about others and got down on the floor (literally) to work as a team. We sang along and ‘danced’ to the music. We got close to Father Paulino who participated in our games and activities, like one of us. We were equal there. We were ONE. You could feel the happiness overflowing during the ‘jamming-sessions’ and the emotions during Father’s talk because EVERYONE listened. Our ‘division’ soon became ‘unison’ with new relationships and strengthened bonds.

Total cost= RM 5.

I know, you’re thinking I’m awfully religious. I’m not ‘cool’. I admit that proudly because the world is so empty without the TRUTH, Veritas. When I was with Rae during the Prefect Dinner, I had fun. She kept me company while being there for Chris too. But that was only her and a few others. Tell me honestly, were we all 100% friends with EVERYONE in the room? Or even 80%? I don’t think so. During the Youth Rally (a.k.a. Youth Prodigy) we didn’t know everyone there. But you could tell, we were all friends. We could talk to anyone and feel accepted. Melanie and Dorothy (her sister) stuck with me, except when we were divided to different groups. I met new friends and managed to work together with ‘strangers’.

I didn’t know the band members of ‘Prodigal Apostles’ but soon enough Mel, Dorothy and I were dubbed their ‘Number One Fans’. We stood so close to the stage that their energy rubbed off on us. They personally thanked us for our support and we even sang with them during mass (something I’ve never done before). I cried over ‘Jesus Lover of My Soul’ remembering my friend who passed away in 2006 and Melanie cried with me. I never felt so complete before. It was so different from the Prefect Dinner. It was touching and amazing that I’ll treasure it forever.

I guess the difference is the aim of the events. The Prefect Dinner was our way of ‘glorifying’ ourselves whereas the Youth Rally was to glorify God. When we think too much of ourselves, we forget the Creator who has given EVERYTHING to us. We get too caught up in worshipping the ‘Money’ instead of the true God who loves us.

I am so shocked by the contrast of the two big “PHENOMENAS” of my week. Compare the prefects of SMK USJ 13 and the youth of CDM. Compare the teachers and Father Paulino. Compare the FOOD if you can’t compare anything else (Since it was a Friday I didn’t eat meat in Holiday Villa so I can’t say much for the meat dishes. In CDM I didn’t eat the chicken because it would have been really messy. So through my analysis of the vegetables (=.=”), the CDM food was BETTER than the food in Holiday Villa).

I paid RM55 for 3 and ½ hours in an air-conditioned room with fluffy cushion-chairs and left empty.

I paid RM5 for 11 and ½ hours in an air-conditioned hall with plastic chairs but was fulfilled.

Oh what a difference RM50 makes.