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…makes the heart grow fonder…
After a rather long extended holiday to Cambodia and Singapore, WL and I are once again back on Malaysian soil (well, technically, we were back on the 18th for about 10 hours). After 10 days of spending US and Singapore Dollars, eating foreign food in unfamiliar places, I must say that I’m glad for the taste of local food.

After Cambodia and Singapore, I’m actually quite glad to have Malaysian food once again at Malaysian prices in Malaysian currency.
- gbyeow -

While I enjoy travelling, I can’t help but miss my homeland and everything related to it; my family, my friends, the people, the food. I can’t help but notice the difference in cultures and lifestyles. And when I begin to compare the two, I realise that I’m actually having a good life in Malaysia. Sure, I may not have as much pocket money as Joe and Jane working in a developed country but that doesn’t detract from the fact that I’m familiar with life in Malaysia and have settled down in a comfort zone.

During our stay in Singapore, WL’s father’s old friend made an apt observation about incomes, currencies and costs of living. He said that dollar for dollar, the cost of living in Singapore is lower than living in Malaysia. Some might cry foul over this but if you look beyond the currency exchange, you’ll find that it is true. If you earned an income in Singapore dollars and spent in the country, the cost of living is definitely cheaper. Food in central KL ranges from RM3.50 upwards while in Singapore, its usually S$2.00 and up. Petrol prices in Singapore is around S$1.60 while in Malaysia, its gone to RM1.92. Granted that the taxes and accomodations are way higher in Singapore, but the utilities and maintenance are lower. Public transport, food, and clothing are cheaper in general. So yes, minus the currency exchange, the cost of living in a ‘developed’ country is indeed cheaper as opposed to a ‘developing’ one.

But for me, the quality of life wouldn’t be the same. I have friends and family here in Malaysia. While I may not agree with them all of the time and they may get on my nerves some of the times, it doesn’t mean that I love them any less. They have become a part of my life and vice versa. It would be a different world if I couldn’t go visit my grandma on weekends, chit chat with my parents before and after work, or go out for occasional outings with friends. Some might argue that with migration comes a better life, better prospects, and new friends. But for me, I think I’ll stay that thought for when I need it. I rather spend my time and effort in making my homeland a better place.

…breeds contempt…
However, there is still much to be desired about the country I’ve grown familiar with and that I call home. Yesterday was the first day that I’ve driven in weeks. Needless to say that I need to readjust to the gridlocks and dreadfully long commute to work. The traffic was horrendous as usual, inspite of my leaving early. As I found out later, there was an accident down the road and a stalled lorry by the road side beyond that. Obviously everyone has to slow down to look. How else would the good citizens of Malaysia get their daily dose of gossip and a good supply of numbers to splurge their hard earned money on for the weekly draws of Magnum, Sports Toto, and Da Ma Cai?

Work is a drag especially after a long vacation. Its hard to get back into the groove. The fact that I’m doing the same old shit does not help. I can’t help but wonder whether I’m starting to grow bored and restless with my field of specialisation. And what about the prospects? Its not exactly getting me anywhere very quickly. On the contrary. It seems as though its taking its own sweet time. Or is it just the luck of the draw? Is my luck that bad?

Sitting in the car that I’ve driven for nearly 5 years, I find myself resenting the fact that I have to crawl in from the passenger seat because the locks no longer work on the drivers side. I resent the fact that the brakes are out of synch, especially the left rear wheel, and that the car slows unevenly making it dangerous to drive. I resent the fact that the inside of my car smells like a wet dog because of the rain water that has seeped through and wet the carpeting and back seats. I love the car as it has served me well over the years, but perhaps its time to trade it in and up.

But there’s another dilemma for you. Car prices are still high inspite of AFTA or whatever it is they’ve decided to call it now. And if you’re thinking of buying a house, you’ve got another thing coming. The basic income of the average wage earner has not kept up with inflation. A good lunch way back when that might have cost RM0.50 now costs RM5.00. Houses that used to go for RM30k now cost 10 times more. Prices of cars are through the roof, when marked against a person’s income. Costs have increased tenfold but wages are only halfway there. Inflation has gone up but interest rates have gone backwards.

…there’s nothing certain in life except…
Why do we go through the motions of life? Has anyone ever wondered that? We’re only here for the shortest time. Is our sole purpose on earth simply to gain material wealth, pay our taxes, enjoy our lives, and ultimately die? If so, then our lives are sorely lacking. We might as well skip to the chase and slit our throats at birth. While I’ve thought about the matter from time to time, I can’t bend my brain around the subject. It is too big for me. Does life boil down to fate and the stars? I’ll just leave it to the big Kahuna to decide and live my life as I deem it fit for.

Speaking of taxes, I’ve noticed a sudden spike in traffic due to it. Malaysians are once again scrambling to file their taxes. There was a rush towards the end of April when it was due and there’s another rush now for those using the eFiling system. Inspite of all the lessons that history has thaught, Malaysians are still trapped in their typical last minute mentality. Will people not learn to do it earlier instead of procrastinating to the 11th hour? Well, like it or not, taxes are due and the final FINAL deadline is 31st May 2006 (unless LHDN decides to extend it again to play around with their new baby system).

Contentment isn’t getting what you want, but being happy with what you have.

Being away from home and having seen two extremes in a country’s development has made me realise that I have it good. While I love some things and resent others, I am grateful for what I have. Perhaps I’ve grown comfortable in life and lack the vision of some, but consider this. If we are never content, then when will it ever stop? Are you content? I think the bigger question is, can you sleep at night with a clear conscience?