Mar 28 2009
World Blog Surf Day: Living as a Malaysian in the USA
It’s World Blog Surf Day!
Writing about living as a Malaysian in the USA is tougher than one might think. After all, I am not a typical Malaysian. On paper I am officially Malay, in reality I am a Malaysian/Swiss mutt who never did truly belong. I always stood out and drew attention to myself just by being me. In Malaysia, because I looked white. In Switzerland because I looked brown. It was only while studying in the US that I actually felt I belonged somewhere.
Some amusing guesses as to my ethnicity while here: Eskimo, Native American, Hispanic.
 image source |
My life journey brought me back to these shores at the end of 2004, first as a tourist visa holder staying for 6 months at a time, then entering on a fiancée visa, and now holding a green card. The change of status from visitor to immigrant in 2006 certainly helped with the official sense of belonging, but like I said, the heart-belonging was already there from a decade prior.
Because I don’t work (yet…?), I probably have less experience to draw upon about “living” here in the USA than others in the workforce. However, I have had a lot of pleasant interactions with people of all ages, from all walks of life, thanks to my taking classes in Writing, Pottery, French, Spanish, and of course, the meditative yoga sessions.
I love all these adult education / continuing education classes available for one and all.
I love that I could make my way to all of these using the public transportation system.
I love that I can be my own person, if only I knew who that really was …
I love that I have the freedom to explore this question!
A huge issue I have with the American people, in general? “Just because people are free to do whatever they please, doesn’t mean they should.” I feel too many people here abuse their freedom, perhaps because they don’t appreciate it. Perhaps if they grew up elsewhere, in a more restricted environment, where even independent thinking is frowned upon, perhaps then they might see their country with better eyes.
That said, I do feel that despite the economic buffeting and political stupidity going on right now, this country still has so much going for it. I am happy to be here, and look forward to experiencing more of “the American Way of Life” which has hope to evolve beyond super-sizing meals, maxing out credit cards and watching too much television :D I can’t see myself anywhere else!
Your next step in World Blog Surf Day brings you to Journeys and Adventures, where you will hear from an American (currently) living in Germany. Please continue your journey around the world, one blog at a time. Happy travels!
Being financially independent prior to my marriage makes it hard to rely on hubby for every need. Besides, supporting my parents is my filial duty. Hence, it was fast n furious in mastering the dutch language n scouring all the newspapers in the library, come bad weather or not, I dragged myself thru a daily routine until I succeeded in my goal. Having a pay cheque feels great. I feel alot better when I’m contributing to the expenses n the mortgage. Hubby just wants me to be happy, even if it’s spending my days with pleasant hobbies. That’s a very liberal minded attitude n I’m grateful that that opportunity is offered to me. Compared to my counterparts in SG - it’s not an option NOT to work, the chase after the mighty dollar n the good life is all encompassing !
I hv stopped extolling our asian values to the folks here - they would only get on the defensive. Thru time I hv come to appreciate their liberal way of life n embraced it. It is the freedom of space that allow each individual to be creative n evolve to greater heights, both in one’s professional n personal life. I hv often wondered abt how this would impact many asian lives if they were given this freedom to do as they please, instead of curtailing one’s freedom for the greater (collective) good ?
I consider myself very fortunate to hv experienced a different way of life - with the good n bad that comes with it. Hubby said I hv the best of both worlds n it took a while b4 I really understood what he meant !
Dutchie: For a variety of reasons — being totally burned out from the job I’d quit in order to explore possibilities with Kosh, not being ablt to work while on a tourist visa, and the uncertainty about just how long we were going to be in Chicago — I have not attempted to find a job, and have had to set aside my pride about being all dependent on Kosh… and like your hubby, he too just wants me to be happy doing what I like. My “lady of leisure” life can’t go on much longer; I just have to find a place I’d like to work at, preferably a small family-business type thing: small, cosy, individual. I can’t see myself in the corporate rat race again.