Hello Malaysia: Let go of ROUTINE...embrace CHAOS

I'm still here...still surviving this urban jungle. Still having that feeling of awe every time I feast my eyes on the Petronas Twin Towers. Still get that 'WOW!' feeling as I watch it light up defining the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. 

The main difference I have identified living in Malaysia compared to UK is the absence of routine. In the UK, life is ruled by routine. Things don't change much in UK apart from the seasons and weather. Every thing else tends to remain the same. Life is predictable. Every day is just the same. Even TV series tend to follow a schedule. Dr Who Christmas special will be followed by a new season. Saturday night is X-factor night. I can imagine our trip to UK, we won't be much surprised! Things will be more or less the same. In some ways that would be reassuring and a comfort. 

In Malaysia however, life is fast paced, unpredictable. One minute there is a park and the next there's a skyscraper. A highway can spring up behind your back garden before you can say 'Why?' Well...okay I'm exaggerating but it feels that way. You can't plan things too far ahead. There's always that impromptu weddings, birthdays, family gatherings and 'teh tarik sessions'. 

In the UK, my friends and I used to make plans to see one another a month ahead but in Malaysia, it is just a phone call away like BRING...BRING..."Hi Assalaamualaikum" 

Me: Wa Alaikum salaam

Friend: What you doing today?

Me: Not sure yet

Friend: I though we could go for coffee

Me: Okay. Sure

Hence, nothing's planned and I've learned to live that way...living day to day. Everyday is a surprise. Yes...life is full of surprises. 

Here's another example.

EMAIL: You are invited to a dinner tonight at blah blah...

Yup! work dinner 

Me sending sms to work collegue 

"Slms. Hi are you going to the dinner tonight?"

Reply: huh? What dinner?

Me: check email

Reply: Oh...are you going?

Me: Yup

Reply: OK

I used to get totally stressed out cause this is so UN-BRITISH, unplanned, un-routined like totally out of the blue and unexpected. Nowadays, I'm just chilled...so chilled. 

Kid: Mom! I've got extra school tomorrow (Sunday)

Me: Okay. What time?

Kid: I have to get there by 6.30am

Me: Okay. 

Yup...whatever. 

I have come to realize that there's nothing in this life that cannot be solved insyaAllah. Whatever comes our way, we will sort it out. Things change and we just need to adapt. No need to get stressed out about it. Worse comes to worse....can always move somewhere else although I love this place so much despite all of its craziness, unpredictability and messed up mentality. I love it here Alhamdulillah.