Wednesday 6 January 2016

Malaysia 2015



I know... I hate finding blog posts that are just videos too, but give this one a go!  Normally my travel posts consist of a lot of photos and a couple of words here and there, so treat this like a long photo reel or something.  I promise it's not boring and it's not a vlog.

Every year we make that yearly trip to Malaysia to see the relatives, and the country is pretty much my second home.  This time round we only stayed for 3 weeks compared to our usual of about 4-5, so it felt quite short and I was worried I hadn't gone through the usual 'escape' process where I change for the better not being around the influence of people back home and all that.

I think that instead of changing due to a lack of influence though, I've changed due to the influence found in Malaysia.  I've always been someone who loves feeling superior being of the same culture as everyone around me in Malaysia, but feels inferior being of the minority when I return to Australia.  I guess I've now realised that the whole race difference isn't a sign of superiority or inferiority, but it rather makes me diverse in the sense that I have the best of both worlds.

I've never really been proud of my culture before.  In fact, I've probably been somewhat the opposite. I guess that now I've come to the realisation that I should love it because of the food and diversity and my family, and because it really makes up at least 50% of who I am.

Love,
M

18 comments:

  1. Malaysia is like a faraway dream for me as I am Irish and have no connection to it. However seeing your view of Malaysia has awakened me to a culture that I never thought of exploring before. I've never considered travelling there, but it now seems like something I should consider as it's so distinctly different to what I'm used to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like people who simply travel there would have a different experience from me though, because I spend my time with family who live there and I live like a local, rather than seeing the sites or eating the food they specifically set out for tourists. The culture should stay the same though so I definitely recommend going there! I want to go to Ireland.

      Delete
  2. I really liked that video! Please post more! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Addy! I'm currently in Rome but I'm trying to live less through a lens. Perhaps a video will still be made with bits of footage though ;)

      Delete
  3. Your trip looks like it was a great experience! I'm glad your proud of your culture, because I think that's really important.
    Also, that food looks amazing! Especially that thing at 1:45.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love my culture for some of the things they believe in and have taught me - such as loving all food - but sometimes I feel embarrassed for some reason. And that thing is called Steam Boat. You should try it some time!!

      Delete
  4. You've got an amazing video there! Your videography skills are really good and the videos go so well together. Maybe we're closer in distance last year end than I thought. It's good that you're proud of your culture though :) And the food is really mouth-watering!
    Z.
    www.myhopefulpencil.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha videography skills coming from my iMovie editor :') I'm glad you enjoyed it though! The food is always one of the best bits and one great part of my culture is the food porn!

      Delete
  5. Going back to the country where your family is from is always surreal. It's this special feeling that is so hard to really explain. I always treasure going back to the countries my families come from. I know how you feel M, and it is a learning process to feel proud of your heritage and culture. I hope someday you do feel proud:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope someday I feel truly proud no matter where I go too. For now I'm still having those genuine bursts of love for who I am, but I'm still not familiar enough with my culture to appreciate it. I guess going back isn't all that surreal for me because it has happened so frequently that it's just become another part of my life that I haven't really embraced until now.

      Delete
  6. That was a great vlog, all the food looks amazing.It made me want to travel again. I wish my family had a place to got to every year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not a vlog! Haha sorry I just get really irked by the idea of myself explaining where I am and what's happening but yeah, I guess it could be a vlog in a way...

      I've only just realised how lucky I am and I'm scared about whether I'll still go back when I no longer need to in 2 years.

      Delete
  7. You should definitely embrace your culture because it's pretty cool!
    I'm half Cuban and I love Caribbean culture, it's tropical, kinda tribal, and my dad makes really good Cuban food (it's really kinda fattening though, so we don't eat it all the time :)
    I've never been to Cuba though, I might someday, I'd like to be able to embrace my culture. (And speak the language, I also want to speak Japanese)
    I'm also part Irish, Cherokee, and part something else that I can't remember :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your culture sounds absolutely awesome! I've never tried Cuban food but I feel like I have to now. I mean, how much more fattening could it be than Malaysian food? I reckon languages are great to know but hard to learn :/

      Delete
  8. It looks like you had a heap of fun! I have never been out of the country I live in and it looks like it is lots of fun so I must try it sometime. :)
    xx Brittany - www.hellobubblegum.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Travelling is definitely a great way to escape and learn so I hope you do one day!!

      Delete
  9. Hey, Just came to say, I tagged you in the Liebstar Awards :)


    Love your blog.

    ReplyDelete