Of history and dreams

Mini B: Do you know who is Martin Luther King, mummy?
Me: Who is he, honey?
Mini B: He was the famous African American who fought for human rights for african american people. During the old days, people were mean to the african americans. He said that no matter what colour is your skin, we are all people. He also won the Nobel prize. His famous speach was "I have a dream".

She told me about Martin Luther King a few weeks back and whenever we see his picture, she'd quickly say his name. I suppose after this, she'll remember Obama too, being the first black president.

Coming back to my girl, when we first came here, she was timid in every way. She hardly spoke a complete sentence in English. The first few months in nursery, she was very quiet and lacked of confidence.

Now, she is the only Malaysian in her school and it doesn't stop her from being a school council (by election). On top of that, she was awarded merit or top 2 in her class last term. She also signed up for violin lessons and this term, she has asked me if she can join the Mandarin club. Her after-school activities include religious studies, additional school work as I bought activity books and language lessons. I must give all credits to her as they are her initiatives. She sets her own target and plans her diary. She reminds the nanny on what she needs to do for the day.

Looking at her and how much she has grown, I know we are doing fine. As Obama said in his speech, "And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can."

Never doubt your dreams for only you can make the changes.

Obama's full transcipt can be found here: