Anywhos... Spring is finally here!!!!!!

It was super warm yesterday and I could get away with wearing a light sweater around for the whole day! Wheeeee.... I cant wait for summer!!!

It's kinda pathetic that for 8 months of the year, all we do is anticipate for summer. Winter and Fall has its own perks. They really blow me away with their beauty. They really do. But being someone who was born and raised in a tropical country that has an average temperature of 32C throughout the year...... I have to say that I do not fancy the cold very much ><

Which I thought was normal. Until I talked to my friends who grew up here. They actually think summer is too hot?!?!?!! And they much prefer winter? I almost fainted when I heard that. To me, summer is absolutely perfect in Vancouver. And because these days, summer only lasts about 2 months out of the entire year, it has become increasingly precious to me.

So, since I much prefer warmer weather, I should live in Malaysia, right?

The thing is, while I was in Malaysia during CNY, there were times when I actually missed wearing a jacket, coat, or even a light cardigan. It is just impossible to wear more than one layer in Malaysia since it is so freaken hot. So yes, ironic or not, I actually missed wearing more than one layer haha. With layers, it is easier to mix and match and create different styles. I have gotten so used to wearing layers that I had felt bare without them.

But yes, the question of going back for good or not to is still constantly nagging at the back of my mind. I know my parents have confirmed that they will not be retiring in Vancouver anymore. >< Which was something I was looking forward to.

And I know that all my friends will eventually go back to Malaysia. And my cousins too.

However, I am still hesitant about going back for good. The vast amount of uncertainty is really holding me back. After all, coming to Vancouver has really opened my eyes and I know that there are many issues in Malaysia that I don't agree with. And even though I grew up there, I can see that there are issues with the society as well as the culture. The whole "me for me, you for you" mentality. Which is actually the root of all these social problems such as: discourteous driving, unruly corruption, an unaffordable cost of living for the less wealthy, inefficient government, etc.

I know you may think that I am just naming all these issues and blaming them on the society for the sake of it. But try taking the time to think about it. It is what I have concluded over the years of watching silently from the outside and comparing unconsciously from the inside.

Take driving for example. Why is it so difficult for most Malaysian drivers to simply follow the rules? I have personally witnessed this in Malaysia during CNY when we were on the Seremban highway on our way to .. Seremban (lol).

The traffic was crazy and we were moving slowly but surely. Yet, we had these cars - not car, but cars, and a whole bunch of them for that matter - sliding onto the emergency lane to beat the traffic. I'm sure every single Malaysian knows what I am talking about as this is not an uncommon practice among Malaysians. Some of you may even be doing that on a regular basis.

The thing is, on that day, there was an ambulance. And to my utmost horror, no car seemed to have any sort of reaction whatsoever upon hearing the sirens of an ambulance. Cars continued to go on the emergency lane, which by now is also jammed.

I was disgusted to see that the ambulance had to wait in line on the emergency lane and be stuck in traffic because no car that was on the emergency lane was moving away to let the ambulance pass. And no car on the outmost left lane were willing to let the cars from the emergency lane come in front of them.

How dysfunctional is that? Someone could potentially die and all we do is sit back and watch?

I may be overreacting but personally witnessing this, and comparing this to the countless of times I have witnessed how Canadians dealt with an ambulance, I have to say that I was very disappointed with what I saw that day.

It was one of those moments where reality had struck me and the image of family, amazing food, lifelong friends and just the place I grew up in, instantly shattered... and was replaced with the ugly truth of how the Malaysian culture works that we often try not to think too much about.

But of course, having said all that, one doesn't abandon her home country when problems arise. Like I said, I am glad that Malaysia is going through a political change now, and we will see how the next five years progress. Culture-wise, it is embedded in the society like how the sky is blue. It is a fact and I have to choose either to live with, or away from it.

Which boils down to the inevident question that my mom keeps asking me these days:

When are you coming home, my dearest daughter?

Recent Entries:

New Blog! - Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009
Mon Bella - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
18 more days.. and counting.. - Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
- - Monday, Aug. 10, 2009
Random entry.... - Thursday, Aug. 06, 2009