So here it goes. My driving experience in Malaysia has not been a really good one. Tell me, what should I do when people suddenly changed lanes without SIGNAL? Or a lorry or car just try to take over you that they almost hit your car? or people just double park your car without leaving any numbers to be contacted? or the list goes on……….
Yesterday I posted this on my Facebook. I don’t really post my rants on Facebook because I don’t see the necessity in doing it. But yesterday was an exception because she WAS SO RUDE.
When things like this happened, instantly my thought and mind goes back to the States, where they are so much different; the people, and their driving attitude.
The main question is, Malaysians, what happened to politeness, courteousness, respects, and all the good ethics?
I did not mention any races here because you don’t have to be a Malay or Chinese or Indian or any other races to be nice. You just have to be human.
Is it that hard?
I will still try to be nice on the road, because the rewards for those who are patient, are infinity. InshaAllah.
2015, what a remarkable year of my working journey. I came back to Malaysia on 2013, full of hopes, and excitement to start a new journey. Who would have thought, chasing my dream would require me to take uturns? Then finally I have found a job that suits my passion and goals and dreams.
Wow. It’s a blessing. They say it’s the journey that matters, right?
Indeed it is.
Selfie because it’s the last day of working for 2015. and I love my job.
I received an invitation from a good friend of mine, Sam, to celebrate the occasion with them. So I went, with few other Malaysians as well. It was a food fiesta! They had Turkey, and they even prepared halal chicken for us. I can still remember Meghan’s delicous deviled eggs. Mind you, they did not serve alcohol. Not in front of us.
So before we started eating, they recited a prayer to God, thanking Him for everything that they have, friends, family, and many more. They were just being thankful to Him. And myself, I recited a prayer on my own. Did I say it out loud? Of course not. But did I interrupt their prayer? No I did not.
Mutual respect.
So do you want to say that I did wrong for joining the dinner? For ‘celebrating’ Thanksgiving with them?
Oh and we played wii after the dinner. It was a good night afterall.
So this morning I had a chit chat session with my boss. Then she asked me why did I come back to Malaysia with such furious tone.
*sigh*
I seriously do not know how to answer this question. I have been asked this question so many times, and been asking myself, these few years. WHY
yes, there are part of me that regret coming back home without my PhD, or Masters Degree, or adequate working experience. I could have just proceeded with my plan to retake my GRE, and apply to the Tippie School of Business for my PhD, and work part time at the same, do some odd jobs. Whatever to survive there. I should have. Because it has been so hard, like really hard to get the financial support nowadays to further my study. Not that I am giving up, NO!
So I had a chat with a lecturer here. So he was mad at his leader, and said this,
“You are angry with your ********** and what they are doing to the citizens, but you, yourself, are acting the same way towards your own subordinate. Pandai kutuk leaders, tapi diri sendiri jadi leader, perangai macam tu jugak.”
That thank you note that I saw every time I stepped into a room to perform my duty as a housekeeper. Iowa House Hotel, Summer 2011.
No matter how tired you are from cleaning the very messy room with smell of beer, coffee stains, dirty toilet and rubbish all over the floor, it is paid off when you saw that thank you notes (and sometimes a small amount of tips).
My first job in Malaysia, I had that. thank you notes. They made me smile.
For some people, it does not matter. For some others, those little act of kindness, make their day.
What would be your reaction when you heard someone said that?
I was speechless. But proud at the same time.
So we were in a meeting yesterday, where we are going to conduct a video recording and the requirement of the other party is that it has to be multi-racial. My boss and I disagree because of some valid reasons, but the other party just kept on insisting it. Then suddenly, a lecturer told us,
“I’m not a Chinese. I’m Malaysian. There should not be an issue of having multi-racial. We are all Malaysian what.”
that left me speechless. I’m proud of that statement, because not all Malaysians could say that.
I did not really enjoy planning for travel. For our family, we let kakak do it for us. But things changed when I went to US. Because there is no kakak there. So yes, I had to do it myself.
Our East Coast trip was kind of an ad hoc plan. Initially we were planning on a road trip to the West (for my second time) to attend a muktamar there. But last minute, there was a changed of plan, so we decided to look for a cheap flight ticket to anywhere, we didn’t mind as long as we could go somewhere!! So that night, fortunately, ticket to New York was quite cheap, less than $200 return. Without a proper planning, we just booked our return ticket (Chicago – New York). We have the dates, but not any plans!
So from there, we divided our task. Accommodation, transportation, places of attractions, and so on. Every day, I’ll check on the cheap bus ticket or flight for our in between states travelling, look for accommodation, just in case there are offers available, so that we can save on our stay. Luckily, we managed to find a place to stay at Philly (at a friend’s house) and MARA hostel at D.C. But until last minute, we could not find a place to stay at NYC (I had no idea about airbnb during this time). So I emailed almost every Malaysian Society / Student Society / Mosque / Malaysian Individual / Malaysian Tourism nearby NYC, but I received no reply. Sad it is.
But alhamdulillah, I received a reply from Imam Shamsi Ali, an Indonesian who have stayed in the USA for so long and he let us stay at his house which is in Jamaica (if I’m not mistaken), about 40 minutes from Manhattan. A stranger, who believes in helping a muslim sister. That is the beauty of this religion. Love.
So done with accommodation, and as for transportation, it is not that difficult to get a cheap price bus ticket. We managed to save A LOT on this. Iowa City – Chicago, NYC – Philly, Philly – D.C, and D.C – NYC, we took the bus (Megabus and Greyhound). Which cost us less than $20 for each trip. of course, after almost every hour checking up the websites for cheap tickets.
and for sightseeing in Philly and NYC, we took the City Pass, which saves a lot and you can go to their main attractions with that pass. We bought online, of course. Except for D.C, we did not take any pass because most of the museums are free and the main attractions are also free!!
We spent, less than $400 for the three cities, inclusive of food for 4 travellers. Yes, we saved a lot as well because we took light meal for lunch and just heavy for dinner (and mostly because our breakfast and dinner in NYC, was prepared by ummi. Thank you ummi <3)
It was a gamble trip, the unplanned plan, which usually works the best. Indeed, it is, for four of us. and surely, without HIS blessings, it will not work out as we have planned.
Next time, adventure begins in Philadelphia, the historic city. Love love love that city!
Bettendorf, Iowa.
Pre-winter trip. Spent some quality time with Auntie Khadijah and these awesome girls from Palestine. I miss that beautiful city – Bettendorf, Iowa –
I could not agree more. Once, I used to do things wholeheartedly. But not anymore. Now, I go to work, not because I want to work, but simply because of the social pressure and financial pressure. Yes.
But they say if we do things from our heart, people can feel it. What if I’m not?
These kind words which I will always remember. Because it was who I used to be.
The last words. I could not agree more.
I’m worried. Yes I’m worried for my daughter, to grow up in this crazy society. May Allah always protect her, us.
So yesterday, a colleague of mine came to me and gave me the black and gold (or looks like yellow) pen to me.
“A gift for you” he said with a smile.
I was shocked then I looked at the engraved on it. it says ‘The University of Iowa’
I looked at him, and he said “I went to US last April and I dropped by at Iowa City.”
How can I not be happy? That is just a pen, but it is from the place that I have been missing so much. and the fact that a friend actually remembers you, to take the effort to go upstairs just to share with you the memory, is essentially heartwarming. You know what I mean, right?
It is the small act that made me smile
It is that kind of thought that made me shed a little tears
It is that simple words “I remember you” that touched me
people have been making fun of me, just because I am still missing (and I will always be) Iowa City. If only you know why, then you will understand.
I’m sorry. I am just missing that place. Again. April in Iowa is still cold, but you can bear it with just a jacket, or thick shirt with a scarf would be fine as well.
I scroll through my old post in this blog. And I came across this one post which I saved as draft. It’s about the first few days after my arrival at Iowa City, Iowa.
Such a lovely experience. My first meetings with the friends that I trust, and love, for the sake of Allah. First time went to my favorite shopping spot, favorite coffee shop, and favorite place to ‘lepak’. First time. Still, can feel the love. In fact, that was the first time I left Malaysia and being away from my family. The sweet first time.
My first big failure was of course, my Pre-U result. I did not take it well. But it was a huge lesson for me, that we can not always get what we want, but we’ll get what’s best for us, because Allah knows.
True.
Because of that, I got the chance to fly to Iowa, and meet the new girls, new friends, new circle of life. I went to the places, I have always wanted to go, New York, Washington DC, California. I did a road trip, and camped at Canyons. I got below 3.0 for my first semester, but I took it extremely well, and awarded Dean’s list in the following semester. I learned how to cook. I got a part time job for the first time. Ya Allah, there were so many great things happened because of that.
Allah knows, right? I know, at times and situation that is not in our favor, those sayings and advises, are just words for us. You will reach your breaking point, hate this world, hate everyone, everything. You might not see it now, but you will, eventually, admit, and be thankful for that.
Life is indeed, a blessing that we cannot take it for granted.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Nelson Mandela
It’s been a month since I started working in this place. I have learned so much in this very short period. Alhamdulillah, tak pernah menyesal resign from my previous employer.
I graduated from the University of Iowa with double degree. First job, tak ada kena mengena dengan degree. I did admin job. Mula-mula, yes, rasa susah sebab tak pernah buat, and macam boring, but lama-lama, surprisingly, seronok!
Masa mula-mula kerja, rasa bosan sebab kerja tak challenging, konon-konon tak menguji minda, tak guna otak. Padahal sendiri malas nak fikir. Perangai sendiri malas, nak blame pekerjaan tu.
Kadang-kadang sedih dengan mentaliti sesetengah orang, asal ada degree, kena ada job yang gaji beribu-ribu, kena dapat job yang related dengan apa yang u belajar. Yes, penat belajar jauh-jauh, dengan ada exams all the time, mentaliti breakdown and tak ada family, siapa kata tak penat? tapi apa niat awak belajar? apa niat awak nak dapatkan degree?
I have to agree that unemployment is a huge issue, not only in Malaysia, but most countries across the globe. You can blame the government, blame the ‘cronies’, blame the system, blame everyone but not you. Sampai bila nak blame orang lain? Bila kita blame orang, kita dapat kerja ke?
Jangan lupa, rezeki kita dapat belajar sampai degree/master/phd tu, datang dari siapa? Siapa yang izinkan semua itu berlaku? Kita dapat kerja bagus or tak, datang dari siapa?
Yes, sometimes ‘circumstances’ permit us from getting/doing something, but after all, everything happens with HIS permission. Kroni tak kroni, if HE says so, then it will happen.
So, do you think you grad with an education or a piece of paper?
It’s been ten months. Typical questions since my arrival ten months ago, “Have you started working? Where? What’s your position? How much are they paying you?” and also “When you are getting married?”
I won’t get into the second type of question today. It is the first one.
Since I was a kid, my mom always remind me not to ask about people’s salary because it is inappropriate. Never talk about their salary, unless they are willing to share without you asking them. That is why I have never asked people about that.
But almost every single person I met, will ask about that. I have been thinking about the purpose of the question. Are you trying to make comparison? Are you trying to measure your own success by comparing people’s wages than yours? Why is it matter so much that you need to ask about it? Unless you are doing some survey or sort, then I think it is reasonable.
I am not trying to offend anyone, but this is really coming out of my own curiosity, because I still think it is inappropriate. Someone might get offended, who knows?
If, you measure your own success by how much are you getting paid, (or by MONEY itself), then I feel sorry for you. I don’t know, but I don’t think that is okay. Oh I’m sorry if this offend anyone.
I am striving for my goal. Let people talk, because I don’t care anymore.
“Watching the last of these days disappear feeling the air get colder seeing the world get darker. Memories of lying on the grass of the sun warming my closed eyes.
Now, the warmth is gone the sunshine is gone the world has turned into something new something colder, something darker something different,”
-H. Sokolova
I do not want to forget, but it’s fading away. Help me.
Picture above taken on my final day at Iowa. I was embracing it, that it was really hard to smile that day.
“Watching the last of these days disappear
Magical Realism 