Home (?)
Home is where the heart is.
Many of us are familiar with this phrase. To a large extent, I do agree with it. And it goes without saying that the environment and its people do have a strong influence to the place we would call our “home” on earth.
I am grateful for being born a Malaysian. It was never a choice that I could make but I did make the most out of it by, as much as possible, carry its essence as a part of me. Nevertheless, many who do know me would say that there is something else that would make a stranger to confuse me for someone of a foreign decent. Could it be the “chinky” eyes or the way I dress? Or maybe it is the words and expressions that come out of my mouth or the way I carry myself?
People have often mistaken my nationality and background. A Japanese would ask upon our first meeting whether I am Japanese and many have commented that there is a very “Japanese-feel” about me even after knowing them for some time. As for others, many guesses based on looks and character that I am some westernized East Asian. And this trip home just reinforced my perception of how others see me.
At Narita, many shop assistance handled me in Japanese only. (There were times when they would just speak English to every customer). However, as I board my flight, I was greeted in Thai by the airline staff. During my transit in
Bangkok , again, airport personnel moved me along the inspection line in
Thai. I had no idea what they were saying until I requested “English please.”
On the plane, a flight attendant started confirming my special meal to me in Thai which I just smiled and responded, “Seafood meal, please.” I was also given an immigration card upon arriving at the Malaysian airport. Arriving at
Malaysia I was given assistance to with the politeness and English used towards foreigners. Go figure!
Nevertheless, my body started to react not too long after I arrived. The unstoppable sneezes came back and I definite had better sleep with less hours. I woke up this morning and my nose was gone. The long night of sneezing and coughing had its toll on me and I ended up with a terrible sore throat. Within the next hour, my eyes were smarting. Yep! I am home.
Friends called me this morning and they were curious about my voice. A close one wondered if I was sick. Well, it would only be fair if I gave the benefit of doubt that I might have caught a cold somewhere. Nevertheless, friends commented that maybe I do not belong here anymore!
Maybe all of the above is just a silly thought running wild. I am who I am, and well, we do live in a globalized world where the media has brought us so much closer in mainstream fashion looks and the expression through language. Who really cares where I am from?
So, enough of the ramblings above. The point is that I am back in
Malaysia now for a week or two. Even though I am still tied down with work, I do have time for a drink or two. Just give me a buzz if you have the time.
