Lost in transition

Back in PJ and KL, things are so easy, speak English, beh heau kong? speak Hokkien, mm sek theng? speak Cantonese, lagi ta-la faham? cakap bahasa Melayu... I have 4 choices...well, not that it is that difficult here lah...

Here, first thing, Mandarin! What I normally do is just to let them talk, till the point the I dont get it, I announce my famous line, crisp and clear like I've spoken the language all my life - "Wo pu hui chiang hua yu". And the conversation could turn to English :) almost everyone speaks English here, even the uncles at stations or the aunties mending the stalls.

One thing I actually found interesting the department of languages is that many here speaks Hokkien and more suprisingly, Cantonese! Which is great! Now, I am spoilt for choice. Sometimes, when I want to order food, I take about 2 minutes of observing before deciding in which dialect or language should I order my food at a local hawker stall. But most of the time, I just end up pointing at the picture instead as I get pressured from the hawkers demanding for my answer.

The funniest incident was, a colleague of mine, started talking away to me in Mandarin and I had to stop her halfway. She said," I thought you are chinese". I said "I am, but I cant speak". She asks then, "Oh, I thought you are Singaporean". "Nope, I am a Malaysian", to that, her reply was (in proper intonation)" Saya tak tau berbahasa Malayu". Errr.... we speak England? Can?

Just blend in with the crowd...

One thing really good about being here is... yes, I can blend in with the crowd. I am not white, neither am I black, or do not have any distinct features of our Asian counterparts in the northern hemisphere. So, or at least I think, when I talk to the locals, they think I am part of them :)

The strange thing is, many many people seem to say that I look really Singaporean and not like a Malaysian at all. In fact, I've been stopped a couple times on the streets with people asking me for directions. And there are some locals who just dont believe that, saying that I sound and look like a Singaporean. Point to note here is; 1. On being stopped for directions, I am must look very friendly and approachable :P 2. On looking and sounding - I didnt know there was any difference in a Malaysian and Singaporean! Or a "Central Malaysian" and a "Southern Malaysian". We are all the SAME!

I must say that, in this country where foreigners are in abundance, that somehow they themselves are so localised and can blend in with the crowd easily too. What's more, what I like most is the mixed background relationships. It's nice.

Stepping Over

Never in my mind did it cross me to take this step, I am surprised I did. And a quick decision it was. It's like going abroad for a different life, but still so at home, that I dont feel any difference. OR that is what I thought.

Things just took a sudden turn, or maybe it is fate. I had it all planned for the next 2 years to come. Work a little while more with my comfortable pay in Malaysia, quit my job and go over to Australia to complete Masters Degree. 1 month from my planned plan, I find myself in the bus, on the way to Singapore for my new job.

Till today, I dont really know what happened and how did the decision came about. I do remember however when the interview offer came, I told myself that I was merely going for an interview, and throughout that, discussion with family and friends was, I was not to take it up. But somehow, it happened. The pay wasnt fantastic, the rent in Singapore was high, away from my family, friends and dogs, no car and worst of all, my 2 years plan! All gone. I suppose it was the push factor, of course the currency exchange and the buying power.

Anyhow, it happened. 30th June 2008, I stepped over the Causeway and found myself, standing in a foreign land, that somewhat does look like home.