Ywa Thar

YWA Thar means villager in Burmese language. As I was born in a rural village, I could be called ywa thar by peers from cities. I got a chance to attend high school in Mandalay which is Myanmar's second largest city. During my study time, I needed to stay in monastery as there is no relative there. As my parent are not afford, my school fees also sponsored by a rich relative man. In my classroom, most of classmates are ethnic Chinese students and only few Burmese classmates involved as it is A class which is meant for highest grade scorer from middle school leaving exam. All of them are from rich families and able to go famous tuition and put expensive guide at home. For me is exceptionally poor and everybody knows my root.

My classmates used to call me "Yaw Thar" as nick name. To be pessimist, there has been a bit down looking sense in the calling. Nevertheless, I don't mind to be called as it is true. Some would call me another name as "monastery student" that refer to my staying at monastery shelter and taking tuition at monk teacher. Again, never mind as they are alright. As time goes on, they may not even know what is my real name. I tried to study hard and consider it is the best way to counter all assaults I receive. But I have to admit that some close Burmese friends called me affectionately and give me so much kind and help that I really miss while I stay away from home. I can say that I couldn't able to survive without their kindness for long run. I try to be as simple and honest as I can and some of my friends value it and befriended me as their real close friend. My high school journey long only two year to graduate and return home before joining vocational institution.

5 years later, I first return to Mandalay for business trip. This time, I am not coming back the city for study. My colleague and I went there to make site visit for US embassy office. We were sent by our respective companies to make necessary on site survey as their official engineer. We stayed at hotel and I tried to contact my former school friends after finishing my survey. They are surprising to see me back and welcome with open hand. They send me wherever I want to go within town area by their car. They gave me due respect than ever as they realize I have been improving my life as an engineer. They are doing their family business and not attending professional university. They only take art science degree and lead their traditional business. They are happy to see me no longer depend on monastery this time as well as official engineer from a big company from Yangon. However, as usual, they called me "Yaw Thar" when we reunion and I never mind to be called. I even love it as it recall us our school days. I fully realize that my quality won't be changed by calling different name. The most important thing is try to improve our quality and the people's respect will follow. As we all know that respect cannot be created nor destroyed. When we understand it, name doesn't matter at all.