Going public

Today was my first press conference, organised by the Coalition for Good Governance, of which the Centre for Independent Journalism is part of. It was to express our stand on the Selangor FOI enactment tabled last week. If you're interested, you can read our statement here. Sonia has contributed a piece to The Nut Graph here.

This was my first PC in a while, somewhat readjusting back to the NGO work. It has been much tougher than expected. So even though I've been back since May, this was the first time I've been out in public to make a statement etc. Am pretty sure there are more talks/forums to come, especially with the FOI law, to get NGOsand the public to support the law and call for it to be strengthened. But I needed the first nudge to be sure I could do it.

But many things have been difficult, or at least different. Which doesn't have to be a bad thing, but it also means there are many hours spent trying to make sense of the changes. Personal losses can do quite a bit to affect the levels of confidence, I knew it would happen, but still in theory things seem easier:) You wonder if the decisions you make are the right ones because you no longer need to think in terms of two. And I got a very good explanation about this process and understanding that has also helped me be conscious of myself.

Being one is not strange to me. And in some ways I've returned to that state, albeit with new experiences and perspectives. I can only hope that its for the better. As Nietzsche said, if it doesn't kill you, it only makes you stronger.

Anyway I thought I would put up our last photo together, which was taken at the hospital in Fredericia. I think it was Soeren's ability to give his hearty smile and joy even when he was in pain, that defined who he was. Its a constant reminder that I can do better for myself.