I remember when I was about to leave Malaysia almost 10 years ago, my friends there asked me if I was ever coming back or if I had planned to stay in Canada forever. I told them Malaysia would always be home for me and because of that, I will always think of coming back.
There is however one flaw to that, I thought you could only call one place home. Malaysia is still my forever home. It is the place I was born and raised, and the place I can always go back to. The sight, sounds, and scents in the air of Malaysia comforts my mind the minute I land on the warm soils of this tropical haven. Just like every country on earth, Malaysia comes with a hefty list of flaws, but the beauty of this country I cannot describe in words.
That is not to say that Canada has not managed to creep into my heart in ways I cannot imagine. In some ways it's the polar opposite of Malaysia. For one, it's a freaking frozen tundra for half of the year. On more than one occasion, I have legitimately thought that I was going to die from the cold, the cold actually physically hurts. Trust me when I say, there are just as many political drama here as there are in Malaysia among other social issues. But in the end, I have spent most of my teenage years here, went to university here, had my first kiss here, had my first job here, and ultimately I learnt to be the person that I am today here on this land of perma-skating-rink. While Malaysia gave me my foundation, Canada gave me the resources.
Human nature means that I still complain about either country and about certain policies that exist from time to time. Human nature also means that sometimes I compare and contrast my living conditions in both countries. But WOW, I am so incredibly lucky to be able to now call them both my home. I know it's not something that everyone can necessarily understand, but that is now my reality.
Little Young Me did say that I did not think I would stay in Canada forever. Now, I don't know if you would consider this a jinx or a foretelling, but little me was right. Today, it is finally confirmed, visa approved and all, that
I will be moving to the United Kingdom!
I have gotten a great job opportunity with Hilton Worldwide and damn I am so excited for what is ahead!
I have friends asking me how long I plan to stay there and my answer is similar to that I have given before: Canada will always be home for me, however, I now know better that the UK could very well be home for me too. I will most likely be involved in a complicated "home"-love triangle, but I can make it work.
Yes my move will be hard, I will be without my family and most of my friends, I will cry, and you bet I will definitely complain, but I will also fall in love with the country as I have done before. Cheers to my last week in Canada for now, don't worry, my goodbyes are never forever ♥
Listening to "The Greatest" by Sia
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