ABC Interview on Third Culture Kids

Brice from TCKid.com sent me an email about this. In fact, he all but sent me postcard about this interview with ABC, an Australian news network about our TCK status.
So I finally listened to it. Partly to spite the exams I so dearly hate. And partly because I was curious as to what could be said on radio about our issues.

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2009/06/lms_20090604_0921.mp3

So that's the link to check out if any of you are interested. I know it's a little bit long. About 10 minutes worth of interview? But I listened to it, and once I started, I couldn't stop.
It was like going through the TCKid forums, but through sounds rather than through reading.

I was so excited, thinking that I would catch the interview on TV, but I guess that will have to wait.

Till then though, it's great that Brice is getting to this stage. If you ever come by Brice: two thumbs up!! But that's only because I have two thumbs. No strange externalities on my fingers.

For those of you who are too lazy to listen to the interview: Ruth van Reken (co-author of the book: Third Culture Kids), Brice Royer and Daniella Tudor were being interviewed by presenter Richard Aedy about what a TCK was and what the implications, both positive and negative were.
Ruth shared her research and emotions that one went through as a TCK, since she speaks from personal experience. Brice and Daniella both shared their personal stories, and how they dealt with the pain of not belonging.

I think it's the personal touch that helped to make the story so compelling.

Brice suffered from chronic pain in his hands for several years before realising that it was with-held emotion that caused all the pain. (listen to the interview for a full understanding of how bad it was. Allowing myself to imagine it gives me the shudders) Since then, he has retained full use of both his hands, for which I am eternally grateful for. Who else would run the TCKid website as well if not for Brice?! :)
I know Brice's story seems a bit extreme, but after listening to his story, I realised that there were many others who shared Brice's symptoms. Although I don't think I have experienced pain to the extent that Brice has, I also remember having experienced some form of pain in my hands. Clichéd as I know it sounds, it has gotten much better since I came to have a better understanding of what TCKs are and how I might be able to cope with it.

Daniella suffered from depression and extreme loneliness until she was introduced to the term 'TCK'. Since this is probably the stage at which most TCKs are, I think most of us can relate better to Daniella's story. I've been in Daniella's place before and in some ways I still am.

I guess it's a challenge I'll just have to overcome.

I don't exactly have much of a personal story to share. But even so - now is not my time. But I hope I've managed to help out any TCKs reading this as much as I can for now. Ruth, Brice and Daniella have helped us all so much through the TCK forum, so I hope it can help you too. :)

xx

A Missing Piece

It's kind of strange how I'll always miss home.

Home.

What an obscure word. I've never really had a 'home' per se. But somehow 'Malaysia' and 'home' have come mean the same thing. To resemble similar connotations.

Why?

I haven't been 'home' for so many years. Holidays barely count. I can't speak the language(s) and if I were to ever go back, I know several foreigners who could and actually do fit into Malaysian society better than I ever could if I tried.

So why does the name 'Malaysia' still ring a bell for me, everytime I hear it?

I can look at a Tourism Malaysia advert with orang utans on it advertising Borneo and still feel sad. I've never been anywhere near Borneo, and I don't even like orang utans!

Listening to my friends talk about 'going home' always gives me a heart rending pang. I've never liked it, but I endure it all the same. One friend told me he was going back 'home' to Singapore during the uni holidays and it hit, just as hard and painful as it always did back then.

Everytime I go home, I feel a sense of relief, yet a sense of restriction. I want so much to be there more than anything else. But I could never live there permanantly. Like I know I could never live like that.

I watch the wandering locals as they shop to their hearts content and bargain at the market. And then every morning, watch them head off to their dreary '9 to 5' jobs without any reassurance of 'after hours pay'. Not there is really such a thing as a '9 to 5' job in Malaysia. Most jobs tend to be 12 hours a day or longer.
I can think of the fruits I miss. Jackfruits, papayas, mangoes, korean pears, cikus...all the very best in one country. And then my mind wanders to the enduring humidity and the unbearable period before a storm breaks over the crowded metropolitan KL.

It's like I know of something better. No matter where I am. I want the best of both worlds. Or several for that matter. A whole new world. Created just right, fitting my every need and want.

But it's not going to happen. There's no such thing as a perfect world. Only close to perfect. You can only try to be satisfied with what you have. Because what's the point in coveting what you don't have?
The grass is always greener on the other side. But your grass may just be greener than somebody else's.
Home is where you hang your hat. But my hat needs to be constantly moved.
I've always thought that the reason I could never stay in one place is because I needed to fulfill every aspect of my life. To get my share of something that I knew was better, even if it was on the other side of the world.

So is this the way it's going to be? I'll travel my whole life searching for the missing piece?
I've been asked if my global-nomad status will ever come to an end. Whether I'll ever be satisfied with staying in the one place. One guy I met even asked if I managed to stay in one place long enough to make any friends. My answer to that was to remain silent and to finally say that I was never really sure.

In which case, I can only hope that my perfect jigsaw can be found within this world. Or that I can find something better to fit the missing piece.

xx

Reason

BECAUSE THE AUSSIE GOVERNMENT FINALLY SAW IT!!!

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Doesn't exactly take Einstein to see I'm utterly, mentally and definitely excited and estatic all at the same time.
I reckon I may have just said the same thing in about two or three different ways, but who cares.

I'm happy!

My Zimbo friend has finally been given a student visa to come here. And after so many trials, so much tribulation, and definitely more trouble than it's worth, she's FINALLY reached the shores of WA.
Dancing, singing and general festivity, here I come!
I've been praying for this for a long time now, and so for that, I give all praise to God for helping her and for giving a friend back to me. Amen.

I've actually just realised that I know a lot of people at my university. People I met back when I was born. People I met in Malaysia. People I met in South Africa. Even people I met in Australia. And suddenly, they're all being forced into one concentrated space that is university. And it's scary.
I am aware, however subtly, that some part of me changes everytime I move to a different place. I am strongly influenced by the country, it's history and it's culture.
I feel a need to go back to the way things were with people, which is fine if they all stay in their separate places. But when they come together in one space...suddenly I feel a little more than a fake. Because I've changed.

And something about them has not.

I don't know how to act, how to feel...I don't even know what accent to use! And it's weird. People want to know where my loyalties lie, which country I now belong to. How does 'new me', react to what should have been the past? Deciding whether or not I am even the same person my friends once knew so long ago is difficult enough.

Like all my worlds are colliding into one big heap that is my life.

Help!

Mishy <3

TCK Day

So it's been the subject of much discussion on the tckid forum lately. I myself have been thinking about it endless times.

The idea of a TCK Day would be...amazing.

I know that it's nothing compared to say world poverty. Or Zimbabwe. But it's still an important topic. The TCK stands up for racism, sexism, diversity, even our ever increasing globalisation.

My idea was to have some kind of TCK Week, rather than a day, in which we could fit everything we wanted to do, all across the world. It HAS to be all across the world, otherwise it wouldn't work. The idea of a TCK is to be international, and that's what I want to do.
During the first dew days, groups of TCKs could try to raise awareness by hosting talks at international schools, private schools, public schools, workplaces, offices. Talk to some TCK celebrities, do some interviews, gain media attention if necessary.
During that week, invites would be distributed to a TCK Fest where the week's efforts would culminate in a TCK video viewing, art jams, little stalls selling artworks and TCK books, maybe a few TCK celebrities coming, language demonstrations, and so on and so forth.
T-shirts would be specially made for the event, as well as little buttons.

I know I'm completely drawing from the Con-fest experience, but I reckon that when they started this Con-fest stuff, they had a good idea of what was going on.

The t-shirts were a huge point of concern, especially about whether the slogans would segregate 'us' from 'them', which was not what we wanted to do at all.
So as a way of inclusion, I guess, what would and wouldn't be appropriate for those who don't see themselves as Third Culture Kids?

1. "The Future is Upon Us: TCK!!!"
2. The phrase 'third culture kid' in as many languages as possible.
3. "I dare you to ask me where I'm from."
4. "You know you're a TCK when... ."

If you have any suggestions or opinions regarding the slogans, please help and give them. =) Any help is appreciated, and we want everyone to be involved in this. =)

Mishy <3

What Is A TCK? [Part II]

TCKs come with an array of emotions.

I mean, most TCKs have been portrayed as little emo kids with not much more to do than travel all over the world, get pampered and mope over their living situation.

I wouldn't say it's that simple.

Everyone needs to feel as if they belong. As if they are loved and needed. If we look at Maslow's hierarchy of needs:

TCKs tend to be missing out on some of life's greatest needs it seems. We appear to be self actualized, and in a way, we reach this goal much faster than others.[lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts, what could be more true? :P] But without a stable base.

Physiologically, unless we're hobo TCKs [highly unlikely] we have food, water, sex [for the elders], sleep etc etc. I'm positive that unless you're being murdered/trying to commit suicide, no one can be deprived of breathing and excreting.
However, TCKs can sometime be lacking in areas such as belonging, and to perhaps a smaller extent, safety.
That's the base I'm talking about.

Most people I know wouldn't survive without a permanent house. Most people I know would next to die if they didn't have anyone they could trust. In a world where popularity and conformity is everything, many mono-cultural people would just waste away not knowing what to do.

Enter the TCK. We've never had anyone to really trust. Never had a permanent home. [The saying goes that the suitcase is where the home is] In order to survive without some of these necessities, we simply don't conform.
I'd say it's a good way to cope, isn't it?

Then again, when I think about it...maybe we don't really need to conform to well. I mean, after all, TCKs have reached the highest level more easily that way...haven't they?

Mishy <3

Worth It?

Okay, so it's been a long time since I've been busy with anything full stop. I wish I could take up dancing or choir again, but I guess I'm going to have to wait for uni to start before I even think of taking up anything that may tie me down! [Oh gosh, please anythng that will take me away from here- MELBOURNE!!]

But okay, so the slightly extra time does mean I have more time for reflection.

Yes. Reflection.

It is quite a scary topic to think about, I know.

I decided to make up for all my non-existant-ness during exams by talking to the people I'd really missed out on and everything. And, who'm I kidding, there's a lot of people I haven't talked to in ages! I could actually make a career out of it, completely. And it's not like I meet new people every other week. More like every other year. Facebook is just that convenient for things like these, really.

But, as it turns out...some people don't really seem to be worth keeping in touch with. =/
It's odd. The people I talked to everyday and whom I couldn't live without back when we saw each other everyday...don't reply back as much as I'd like.
It's odd, that the people I barely ever talked to before have suddenly become more important to me in so many ways I could never have imagined.
Plus, it's hard. When I talk, others don't. At such a great distance, I agree it's not easy, but at least I do try. I wonder, really, if it's worth all the trouble I put into keeping in touch with people, when these other people don't put in the same effort that I do.

Don't get me wrong. They have their lives to lead...and I have mine. But people seem to be so absorbed in the lives that they lead. And people have some strange misconceptions about what I do. When I first started working, most of my international school friends thought I was working to feed my family. -_-" NO, I am working to finance myself, not my family. Just because I've started work does not mean that I have suddenly stooped so low that I partake in child labour. It just means that I'm preparing myself.

But some people have been great. Been there for me almost every step of the way, and just encouraging me to get there, slowly, but surely. Put up with my fights, my strange ideas of the world [yes, it's strange - to you.] and my wild imagination. Stuck by me through my presence, and my absence. Given me as much news as they can of the world that I left. Allowed me to travel, at least in spirit, through the journey that I would have gone on with them. That's the effort I can appreciate. That's the effort I put in for everyone who's ever had an impact on my life, and sometimes others as well.
It would be nice if people could return the favour. I don't ask people to act as though I am still around. I don't expect people to give me the same attention that I once had when I was present all the time. But it would be nice if, just a few times a month or even a year...I got some news that they were still alive, and that I have not been forgotten. That the friendship we once had did not fade completely, and that I actually once lived in the same culture and time as my friend did.

I'm not specifically pointing anyone out, nor do I actually have a particular person in mind. But it might give an idea of how many people it is that just seem to gradually fade away.

So really...is it worth me putting in so much effort for the people who don't even try?
I'll keep trying...but only to find the people who will put in the same effort as I do.

Mishy <3

In another note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!! Hope the 18th year turns out to be spectacular for you bro. And may whatever you set out to achieve, hopefully come true. And yes, we will go to Starbucks lah. Because Coffee Bean is gay. :P

When East Meets West

These are icons designed by Liu Yang, a Chinese born, but educated in her teen through adult life in Germany. Her work shows how East meets West. Her work fits so well with globalization of culture, people and places.
See whether you agree with her.
Blue means the West
Red means the East/ Asian/Chinese

The boss

Me

Child

Eldery in Day-to-day Life

Way of Life

Three Meals a Day

Moods and Weather

Things that are New

Opinion

Party

Perception of Each Other

Contacts

Handling of Problems

Punctuality

Queue in Waiting

In the Restaurant

Shower Timing

Transportation

Travelling

What's Trendy

Perhaps, it is quite a generalization but it is more or less the way of the West and the East. The two parts of the world are learning from each other while the division into two parts is too crude anyway. My favourite is 'perception of each other'. Here, the West is learning to dreass, drink and eat Asian way, but the East is fond of modern look, sausage and beer.
What is your favourite?
How do you interpret these graphics?
Liu Yang's exhibition
Liu Yang was born in 1979 in Beijing, China. She moved to Germany in 1990 and lives there since. She established Yang Liu Design institute in Berlin in 2004.
For more information, please visit her website http://www.yangliudesign.com/

My analysis? BRILLIANT!
I agree with most of the chinese stuff...especially the ones of Punctuality, Restaurant and Queue in Waiting. I swear the Chinese Nationals at KLIA were exactly like that when I tried to queue up for my flight, I couldn't even breathe when I was trying to squash through to the terminal.
It's great that Liu Yang managed to capture all my comparisons between the Chinese people and the Western people into a series of artwork...and in this instance, it's a lot more effective than any one of my gazillion essays on how they compare. I'm not so sure about the Travelling one...I'm certainly not one to be happy with looking at pictures and somehow living vicariously through them! But perhaps it's just me...=)

Mishy <3

Signs of Equality

He's done it. He's actually done it.

But what does it mean for me? I was asked on tckid.com, and also via an email sent round by Brice.

A TCK made it to the top position in America. Not only that, he's an African American. I'm pretty certain that identifying with the marginalised class doesn't exactly make the walk to the top any easier.
In fact, he probably had to claw.

To me, it means that change and some form of equality and acceptance has finally come to the world we live in. 150 years ago, America was pro-slavery. Under Geroge Washington, the White House was completed by a group of black slaves. 150 short years later, there is a black man in that same White House.
Another idea that astonishes me...is the way he has fitted back into the USA, and the way he's been accepted. His appointment to the leadership of the country shows me that there is a way for TCKs to settle down, and to be accepted. For a tree to find its roots. For a fish to feel comfortable in its water. Whatever metaphor you wish to find, Barack Obama has defeated his demons, and proved that it can be done. [and due to all the good reviews that this book is getting, I really must go pick up a copy of Dreams From My Father]
Last but not least, to state the obvious, a Black man, an African American man has made it to the White House. The very name of the presidential residence says it all. Barack Obama has taken over what was formerly an anglocentric country.

So really...what does it say to me?
One day, I there will be a Chinese or an Indian Prime Minister in Malaysia.
One day, there will be an Aboriginal Prime Minister in Australia.
One day, I will fit back into the country that rejects me.
I just hope I'm arround to see it happen.
Barack Obama is currently placed next to Nelson Mandela on my list of idols. What is ironic is that I'm not even black, I'm chinese! But he serves as a representative of positive change and a united front. I'm just glad that the American people have voted for him, and in my view, they've made the right choice.

To give him credit, John McCain did make a very eloquent concession speech, and even attempted to quiet the booing, hissing audience. So kudos to him. =)

Looking forward to change.
MIshy <3

2008 American Presidential Elections

Okay, so I really really REALLY should be studying. But I can't help it. I'm so excited, I think I'll force my dad to go buy a paper the minute it hits the headlines.

2008 AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS!!

And this is the guy who should win.

What's to know about him? And more specifically, why do I want him to win?
1. He's a TCK. W00T!
2. He was an expatriate in Indonesia. Indonesia. Same here! Wheeee... He might understand my fanatical liking for rendang sapi? :D
3. Different. How many African American Presidents can you honestly say you know of? Okay, so he's coloured. But it's a step. A good step. Especially after the mistake America made with Bush.
4. "There is not a liberal America and a conservative America - there is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and latino America and asian America - there's the United States of America." It's about time somebody realised that America is not white!
5. As a foreigner who knows that whatever America does affects the rest of us so much, I think I really need to see someone who can reflect the rest of the world as much as he/she can reflect America itself, and to understand...finally that they must act for the world as well as the United States of America.
6. Pulling the troops out of the Middle East? Sounds like my candidate!

Why am I against McCain so much, one might ask?

1. It's McCain. Republican. BUSH WANNABE!
2. Bad-tempered: "At least I don't plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you c*nt." --to his wife, Cindy, after she playfully twirled his hair and said "You're getting a little thin up there."
3. Yes, you may have been a Vietnam war veteran, but surely that will only serve to make me more wary of you. Military minded, and more willing to sacrifice America and the rest of the world in the fight for more oil. Come on, we all know it's not about terrorism anymore.
4. "You know that old Beach Boys song, Bomb Iran? Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran." Need I say more?
5. Since when was Putin from Germany? And when did Iraq suddenly become moulded next to Pakistan? Please take a look at a world map, or check up on your world leaders BEFORE you open your mouth...can you imagine what would happen if he was the president when he said all that? http://www.tckid.com/group/lets-be-careful-we-dont-make-mistakes-like-this/

The comeback to all of the crap given to Obama by the Republicans? HAH! :P

Mishy <3

The TCK Alphabet Song

I found this on tckid.com and want to say thank you, right now to the person who found it.
I think I'm going to try to remember this song when I have the time after exams. XD It's ridiculously cute, and I have to have to share it.

Exams are up in a week and a bit, and my Graduation Night is up in 5 days. This is it. It's finally over. I can't believe it's all finally boiling down to an end. New life, new experiences...I just hope I'm ready for it.



Hmm, I notice South Africa is missing...

Mishy <3

Where Are You From?

A confusing question.
Where AM I from?

This is not a case of me suffering from amnesia, or any form of memory loss. No, this is an identity issue.

When asked the question, most people would respond with their nationality.
Where are you from?
I'm from England. I'm from America. I'm from India. I'm from Canada. I'm from Cambodia.

How simple.

And me?
I'm from...
But wait. What DO I say?
I could say I'm Malaysian. But am I? Am I really? I haven't been able to speak mandarin, or cantonese or even malay since the day I was born. Some increasingly broken bits of the dialect, yes, but never fluently, and never enough to carry off a conversation. I can't speak the language, I have a different mentality, I've even started to look different...the locals would reject me for even trying to fit back in.
Could I say I am South African? I have lived there. I have been accepted by people there. I have managed to convince myself that that place was home. But hang a sec...I'm not African. I'm Chinese. Yes, I respect Nelson Mandela, but there's no way I could be African if I can't identify with all the history of the people living there, could I?
I lived in the Philippines for two years, and I liked it...but I suppose that's not enough time to claim citizenship either.
Indonesia? You gotta be kidding me, I literally got chased out when I was 7. Even though I have lived there for 7 years. That's the longest time I've ever stayed put in a place, even though I can barely remember some of it. I wonder what it must've been like back then.
How about Australian? The ocker Aussie, living out in the wild? No, not really. I can't identity with the place. Open and acepted racism? Lack of shopping malls? Yeah, I'm not gonna be able to deal with this.

So really...what am I?
By my passport, I'm Malaysian.
Culturally, I am very Malaysian.
But mentally, could I be considered South African? The one place where I've managed to fully integrate?
Physically, am I Australian, seeing as this is where I am?
I lived in Indonesia the longest...seven years...is this where I'm from?

Perhaps my passport is just a badge. Something to force on me so no one else get confused. Personally, I'm confused as well. What am I? Where am I from?

The question remains unanswered. But perhaps you can tell me where I'm from.

Mishy <3

DONE!

With my TEE University Application!!!

And...I now have one more university application to finish. -_-"

I am rather annoyed about this. I have so much to do, like learning how to complete my homework and study at the same time; write, photograph and edit the yearbook and graudation video; organise Leavers Week and; finish university applications at the same time.

All whilst attempting to assure the rest of the world that I am not yet dead, and indeed do enjoy socialising once in a while.
And okay, I realise I did ask for this, and no one forced me to be a part of the Yearbook Committee. But it's something that I've been dying to do since I started secondary school, and I am willing to add on to my already bursting amount of stress. But social events really should just learn to come in at the right time as well.

Like River Rock tomorrow night which I will be missing out on. Much as I would love to go, it is on a WEDNESDAY. A day which is normally busy as hell for me, seeing as it is in the middle of the week.
A lot of my friends are going. And many are annoyed at me for not going.
But I don't care. I don't have the transport or the time or, really, even the energy to force myself to care about any River Rock right now. Even IF dolphins followed the boat the last time. Even if this is possibly the last event all of us as Year 12s will share.
Sheesh, it's not even just us as Year 12s, we had to invite the Year 11s with us for some reason.

But, okay, moving on.

I received two TCK postcards in the past month. For those who aren't in the loop about this, it's a little experiment by the TCKid website. One person starts off the relay by buying a postcard and mailing it, and then the receiver mails it to someone else, who mails it to someone else. And it just keeps going.
Unfortunately, we're still in the early stages of this experiment, but I really do hope it picks up quickly after this. *ahem Brice*
I have yet to take photos of them, but I will get them up really soon. One from China and one from Canada. Finally Brice, it took you long enough it did. XD And it really was rather conspicious. I mean, who else would draw cats all over the envelope?
And as part of the programme, I promise that I will mail the relay postcard this Saturday.

So where will this postcard go to next? Only time will tell...
And, well, okay the address that I write on the envelope will too, I guess.

Mishy <3

Oh where art thou...Hillary Clinton?

So it seems that Hillary Clinton has gone and given up on the presedential race and has finally bowed down to Barck Obama in the hopes that he will take her in as a vice-president. [Okay, so this was ages ago, but I've only just thought of it now]
Personally, I'm a little disappointed. I was always on Obama's side [mainly due to the TCK-in-Indonesia connection] but now there are no female candidates.

I reckon she should have tried. She should have continued to try and run for president. Mainly because then it would show the world that females are ready for such a position. Females are ready to take on roles that the world once thought were much too hard and wayy too high for them.
Despite the fact that I didn't think Hillary Clinton would be the best candidate, she was the only female who's gotten this far in attempting to achieve a top position in America, and I have to say I respect her for it.
In giving in to Barack Obama, and hoping that he takes her in as his vice-president, she's sent a message to the world, that females are obviously not ready for such a position. As an American, she's bound to be aired all over the world. Embarrasingly, I know more about American politics than I do about Malaysian, but that's the way of life. What America does is important to the rest of the world, and as a consequence, what happens in America because the role that is set for the other nations. [well, perhaps not Iraq or Iran]
Forget Margaret Thatcher, that was years ago. Admittedly, she was a role model for women all over the world, but that was a generation ago, and England has yet to elect another female Prime Minister. What we need is someone new and fresh who can show this generation- the most accepting and equal generation to date- that women are ready to lead the world.

So now it's down to Barack Obama and John McCain. [whenever I hear his name, I think of microwavable veggies]
It's pretty obvious who will win this election now, I think. But whatever comes out of it, I just hope that a better world [and a better America?] will be one such result.

Come to think of it, this election would have been the world's weirdest one to date. Whoever got elected would have made some serious history in America.
Barack Obama: would have been America's first black/African American president.
Hillary Clinton: would have been America's first female president
John McCain: would have been America's oldest president.

You know...is Amercia really ready for members of such minorities to become their leader?
In a way, I guess it is. And you know what: sometimes the change is good. And I'm looking forward to the changes that will come after this election.

Mishy <3

What is a TCK? [Part 1]- It's a Small, Small World

I swear this song must've been written by a TCK.
TCK- Third Culture Kid. A child who has travelled immensely, and although he/she has been everywhere and may feel connected to many cultures, he/she cannot claim completely ownership to anyone of them.
Symptoms include: many friends all over the world; ownership of, and constant appearances on MSN and Facebook; a strange accent when speaking english that cannot be classified as American, British or even local; the need to move every few years; and the amazing ability to fit into any society or culture rapidly [unless they of course, are of a different colour to everyone else, but culturally, they are IN =)]. Should other symptoms persist, they are NOT strange, merely more severe. It also means you are most definitely a hardcore traveller. =)

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hopes, it's a world of fears

Theres so much that we share

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all

I was thinking about this verse out of the blue, and it just hit me like that, as to how much this song represented the TCK population as a whole.
Laughter- the times we shared with our friends, once we got to known them. After a LOT of inhibitions.
Tears- when we left, after becoming the best of friend. the ripping away is the hardest you know.
Hopes and fears- don't we all have those? Somehow with the TCK population, they just increase by a thousandfold. Somehow. Will I ever fit in? How will I see home as home again? Will this next place be home? Will this school syllabus be easy to handle? Do they have my kind of food here?
To non-TCKs: that boy doesn't like you? How will you get into the most popular clique? Think maths is hard? Yeah, they're nothing compared to the TCK. =)

CHORUS:

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small world after all

It's a small, small world
Yeah, after the chorus, now I'm absolutely certain a TCK wrote this. That, or a very well travelled peace activist.
It's a small world after all. Oh yes, my world is VERY small.

There is just one moon and one golden sun

And a smile means friendship to everyone.

Though the mountains divide

And the oceans are wide

It's a small small world

One moon and one golden sun- hey, at least that's constant! Always searching for stability is one symptom of the TCK mind. Stability, but also adventure.
Yes the oceans are wide and the mountains do divide...immensely.
But generally, yes, my world is still absolutely miniscule. =)

This is just a snippet of what being a TCK is like I guess, there's just so much more to us as a population. It's nuts, but...I find that everyone is becoming globalised. The TCK population is increasing, and a lot faster than I've ever seen it increasing before. All I can say is...good luck with that journey. It's a wild ride, and it's definitely not the life you'd choose at first. But the TCK syndrome is catching, and you usually don't have much of a choice. But take the chance- sometimes you'll hate it, but you won't ever truly regret it.

Mishy <3

PS. For more symptoms and information on TCKs, check out http://www.tckid.com/

A Floaty Feeling...

Like an anchor has been cut, and I've been left to wander, freely. Touch the skies with my fingertips. Weightless. I guess this is what being a cherub must be like. To fly freely, with nothing to hold you down, and no worries to frustrate you...

Of course, I guess this is then a rather inaccurate representation of my situation seeing as I SHOULD actually be worried for this floaty sensation, that is the lack of an anchor on my wallet. =/ There is now a somewhat wide gaping hole where cash should have once been...

Good news (maybe?) and salutations, I'll be dropping in on my favourite country in December. =) After much trials and tribulations with the booking, the worrying, and the incomprehensible screeching of my mother about university offers, I have finally gotten my flight booking and will be ready to drop in on some of the best people in the world. :P

But you know, the strange thing is...I wasn't sure if I wanted to come back. Normally I am more than excited to head back to the one place that's home, and to this day still is. It's not that I've gotten used to Australia. Will I ever get used to Perth? Somehow, I doubt it. Every day will be a challenge to get through. To look forward to the day when I can once again stretch my wings and wake up- a new day in another place to feel homesick, strange, but happy as well. Of course, the thought of a 40 degree summer contributes as well. =P

But this once, the thought crossed my mind, and I began to doubt. I will come back. For the family that I miss, the friends that I love, and for the culture that's brought me up to be different from the rest of the world. But...it's time for a new place to travel to. To decrease the visits back home a little bit, and look forward to a time when I can look at that line on the map and say 'I wish I was home again'.

The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land. - G.K. Chesterton

So...looking forward to seeing you all again in December. =)
Mishy <3

Hmmmm.

I found this on the bumper sticker application on Facebook.
See how it mocks me?

Mishy <3

TCK Question: Where Are You From?

This is a letter that I wrote to the Wall Street Journal concerning a matter that I know all TCKs could write 5 page essays on, given the chance. Hmmm, maybe I should get my English Lit teacher to let me write about this as an essay then...=P

I came across this article when I was browsing www.tckid.com and thought it might be a really good idea to actually write back to you on this.

I am a Malaysian Chinese born TCK living in Perth at the moment. I've been moving around since I was 2 months old, and I've lved in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa and of course, Australia.The question 'where do you come from?' does get frequently asked, and it's an incredibly hard question to answer. Even though I consider myself to be a Malaysian, I find that simply saying 'Malaysia' is not enough. When I am abroad, I am known as 'the Malaysian girl' and while I am in Malaysia, I am 'the [insert name of current country of residence] girl'. When I am abroad, it is very difficult to explain about Malaysia and all its different races, and why I am a Malaysian CHINESE and not simply a Malay. When I am in Malaysia, it is a lot easier to say that I am Malaysian, but many find it difficult to understand why my english is at a higher level than theirs, and why I am unable to speak the local language. A lot of the friends I make in different countries also find it hard to understand why I am able to speak english so fluently.

My travelling also affects the way people see me. Many caucasians see me as an 'uncivilised' asian girl because of my looks, and assume that I am from China- but this is simply not true. Many of my Malaysian peers see me as strange, and maybe even a little snobby because of my travelling and my international schooling- also simply untrue.
My travelling has made me more aware of the world and it's problems from a global aspect, and this does frighten some people who are only able to see the world from one point: much like a child looks at the world with tunnel vision.

Sometimes I see people as being incredibly ignorant. People who have never travelled like to stereotype people. If I came from the UAE, people would class me as a muslim terrorist. If I was from England, people might think that I am now a very rich person with a posh sort of accent. The thing is that it is simply not true. While I may have gained many cultural experiences, and understand the culture better than many others do, it does not mean that I have suddenly adopted their culture.

Take Barack Obama for instance. He is of a mixed American and Kenyan parentage, and used to live in Indonesia. We see America as a violent and even possibly ignorant country: does that make Barack Obama violent and ignorant? We see Kenya as a poor, uncivilised nation: does this make Barack Obama poor and uncivilised? And of course, Barack Obama has lived in Indonesia, a predominantly muslim country: does this make Barack Obama a muslim terrorist?
I would disagree. While Barack Obama may have been highly influenced by all of these factors, it does not mean that he is violent, ignorant, poor, uncivilised or even a muslim terrorist.
In fact, all this travelling shows that he is incredibly cultured, and is more likely to see things from several different perspectives.

It is through all these factors that we find the question: 'where are you from?' so difficult to answer. We have so many different perspectives, we have been influenced by so many different cultures: For a TCK to answer 'Where are you from?' could take up to an entire essay like the one I've just written here.

Mishy <3

Elections.

I've been noticing quite a few elections suddenly.
Maybe it's because I've taken up Political and Legal Studies now. XD
But seriously: elections. Plentiful and everywhere at the moment.

There's the ever famous one in America: Barack Obama or Hilary Clinton. The race continues.
Although I can't believe that Barack Obama in a TCK! He originates from Kenya and has even lived in Indonesia. To me, it's like 'wow...a real life TCK, becoming a president!' XD I imagine if he became president of the USA, though, he would probably have a better foreign policy than Bush ever did. As a TCK, our foreign policies are very open. I mean, please, his grandparents even still live in Kenya, he could put an end to the turmoil in Kenya! He lived in Indonesia, so he could very open to the muslims and all us poor things in South East Asia! This is brilliant! >.< Another election is the one in Malaysia. This one I don't know so much about, but I am a little worried about this election, for my own private reasons. I am not so sure I want UMNO to win this election again. They've done some very good work for the past 20 years, no doubt about it.
I agree that bahasa malaysia should be compulsory, because if we don't learn our own version of bahasa, then who will?
And I fully support this 'Visit Malaysia' programme they've got going on at the moment. Malaysia generates so much income from tourism, this is only gonna boost us up by a gazillion times.
But there's so much that needs to be done...that I believe needs to be looked at. But UMNO has been pushing all of these issues into the background [feigning ignorance?]. We could do with, okay, not a change of government, but perhaps a change of policies? Traffic policy. Foreign policy. We've been with the same party (parties, since UMNO has been having coalitions with MCA and MIC for forever and a day) since the beginning of Malaysia's government. Malaysia needs to progress, much as I agree we're probably the most forward muslim country in the world with women and dress codes and such [or are we?].
I want a Malaysia that I can come back to, a Malaysia that still has the same multi-cultural lifestyles, but with more opportunities. The tourists who go to Malaysia talk about all the shopping, but not much else can be said for the people sometimes.

Mishy <3

The Night Before Christmas [By Clement Clarke Moore]

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

So ends my favourite poem every year. I think I post this poem every year on Christmas Eve. I read it, I day dream about it, I imagine the scene playng before my eyes every year on this day before Christmas.
I'm such a sucker for tradition, I should be shot. XD As a TCK, tradition does not even COMPLY with my lifestyle.
Anyhow, enjoy it people. Whether or not you are Christian, or just celebrating the Christmas season, I'm pretty sure that Santa Clause is still a magical moment for us all. =)

But to all Christians, remember this day and it's purpose. =D It may not be as important as Easter, but it sure is as fun!

Mishy <3

Peace, for the Moment [Or, The Calm Before the Storm]

Today was as hectic as can be expected, I suppose.
I set my alarm today for 8.30am, as I had to go to work at 10am later (or not so much later) that day.
At 7.30am, a horrbily ungodly hour in my book, my boss SMSed me and asked me to get in at 9.30am instead. Woe is me, I thought, and I stupidly agreed to such a request at such ridiculously short notice.
I got up, instead at 8.15am and managed to grab some cereal and just had enough time to make my lunch, grab my water and hop into the car.
I did not, however, manage to grab some coffee. Which is bad. Because my working hours for today had become 9.30am-5pm.Which meant that I would have no coffee for 7.5 hours. To anyone who knows me well, they know that this can also equate to extreme crankiness and extreme sleepiness.
And trust me, I was so sleepy, I was not entirely sure if I myself knew what I was actually doing. The day was a daze, up until about 11am, when things started getting horribly busy.
Today was a fairly busy day, it being the weekend before Christmas. One can understand why it was so busy, although most of us would wonder what Christmas Day has to do with the lottery since most Christians I know tend to save the money that would otherwise go into the lottery for the offering at church. Trust me, I think God would look down on you more kindly if you spent the little bits of change on the poor rather than on the lottery and hope to gain millions.
My colleagues can be the sweetest people ever. I got cards from most of them as well as little chocolates bars and candy canes, and then my boss was actually really really cool.
I got a music coupon from him as a present. =) Which, I suppose, in a way was like my Christmas bonus, even though I've only been working there for like 2 months, kekekekekeke.
Now I just have to spend it wisely, cuz I don't wanna get some weird ass music that's not worth spending on, when my cousins could get the same music for free. (go figure, they have Limewire and *gasp* I don't!)

Fow the first time in like 4 months, I actually haven't gone over to my cousin's house for dinner. Scary right? Nah, not really, it was quite nice actually, considering how tired I am from work and whatnot.

Anyhow, that is how my day has gone.
Peace out, another day in the life of a TCK.
Which, coincidentally, is turning out to be quite boring, considering how much I've travelled. XD

Mishy <3