It is the start of the 50th year of Malaysia, and it is my 23rd year on Earth.
I am now studying in Perth, Australia. Australia is a wonderful nation compared to Malaysia's governance. Beautiful sky, almost always blue during summer, an excellent backdrop for photos. We don't have to work as hard in Malaysia and yet will be able to afford a much more comfortable lifestyle than Malaysia.
Studying architecture, I realised how much (or how little) Malaysia has grown over the years as I did my research about history of architecture in Malaysia. There are still so many places left out from proper utilities development such as basic clean water supply and reliable electricity supply, not to mention proper urban planning and development. People say, leavelah, no hope one. I say, yes, I can leave, but can the hundred thousands of people remaining leave as well? If us who had the opportunity to receive better education and gain better skills decide to abandon our home country, who are we to criticise those who trash our resources? Have you no empathy on the students who wanted a better life but are stuck in trying to make up for their day-to-day living? I decided to be back after gaining a couple of years of work experience here, and bring them back to my community. Yes, I won't enjoy the luxury of driving good cars or wearing good clothes; but I will have a much more meaningful life of building a better society and a better future for our younger generations. It won't be easy, I know.
Looking at the night sky, I pondered. Such beautiful arrays of lights from millions of light years away. Such beautiful Milky Way strung across the arch of the sky dome. God created these and made us intelligent; He gave us a wonderful command to take care of our home, be good steward of our resources. So let me be strong through Him and enjoy in the mean time as I study, as I live my life and as I work in the future.
