21 10 2016 | Fri | Kamsis PMU | 9:50pm
Hello Bloggers,
Not much happened this week. Same old, same old, as we say. Some aberrations at work keep exasperating me. However, I do remember that I managed to find some time to stay acquainted with the affairs of the world.
As exam time is coming to a close and all my students start to trickle rooms from their various activities, I figured it was about time I write something about my experience. I spent most of my time reflecting on and processing what had happened to me, muddling my words when talking to new faces and feeling genuinely disconnected from most conversations. I suppose my life was just in a very uncertain place.
The culture shock was overwhelming. It’s like what people have often said to me about moving to Mukah, that the shock isn't moving to the city, but moving back to your small, quiet town. I was in a similar sort of situation. I did a bit of exploring but felt so bewildered by the change in scenery to enjoy it much.
I suppose Mukah taught me that sometimes, it’s OK to stop. You can push yourself too hard and your mind needs time to process things that happen to you. With hindsight, I probably wasn't well enough to go away at all, but in no way to a regret my decision to do so. It’s just made me realise that although moving to a new place may seem like a fun adventure, and in most respects it is, it’s also important never to forget the pressure it can have on your mental well-being. You can take things too quickly and everyone needs time to adjust.
I think the older I get, the more I realise the value of time at home, in familiarity and in those who have known you for years. It’s a place where you don’t have to be ‘on’ all the time, where you can relax and just be yourself without having to worry about making new friends or impressing anybody. In my mind I now have three ‘homes’: Limbang, Miri, Mukah, though Mukah will always be closest to my heart. It’s funny how going away for almost 6 years can make you realise the value of staying put. Roll on a summer filled with old friends, drink and eating. I think I've just about earned it.
I feel like my writing (in general, not just on here) has recently been lacking emotion and I've felt incredibly distant from it. I think that's what I've been missing in the past month or so, and that rather than suffering from pure writer's block, I've actually been suffering from lack of passion. It's times like these when I really struggle to simply blog about adventures and travel.
I've actually been travelling a lot recently, and having a really great time. I spent an awesome week in Port Dickson with my students for Festival Kebudayaan dan Warisan Politeknik Malaysia Kali Ke-6. But for some reason, I've found myself un-enthused to write about any of these really exciting experiences.
Last Sunday during the BBQ, i quoted one of the saying, “You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”- Miriam Adeney.
I'm not really one to get homesick. I've always used travel as an escape from everyday life, something to turn to when things get bad to give myself a breather from the world. A bit ironic I suppose. However for the first time in my life, I was in no quick hurry to move on from my beloved hometown. And that's not just because it's so amazing.
My stay in Mukah taught me the value that can be found in staying in one place for more than just a flying visit. I became so attached and entrenched in the culture and the people and the way of life, that I'm still finding it hard to let go. I do had offered to further my studies, but here i am still sitting at my old eating table. As much as I love driving to cities, I'm finding it harder to write about my shorter excursions, when I've not really had any time to form a bond with a place. Yes, I've had a great time and yes, I would go back (or not, depending on where it is!) but I'm a little tired of sounding like a less-hip version of a Lonely Planet travel guide.
Of course I'll still be jetting setting at any opportunity, when time and my bank balance allow. I'm not knocking short trips at all, rather just my own attitude towards travel. I think what I'm trying to say is, I don't think I'll be writing as much about the 'normal' travel things I do. I'll always share photos - you know I love a good instagram - but I'd like to start giving a bit more credit to each place that I visit. There's so much history and life and colour all over the world, I don't want to belittle it by simply writing about that trip I took.
no ideaaaaaa.....
Hello Bloggers,
Not much happened this week. Same old, same old, as we say. Some aberrations at work keep exasperating me. However, I do remember that I managed to find some time to stay acquainted with the affairs of the world.
As exam time is coming to a close and all my students start to trickle rooms from their various activities, I figured it was about time I write something about my experience. I spent most of my time reflecting on and processing what had happened to me, muddling my words when talking to new faces and feeling genuinely disconnected from most conversations. I suppose my life was just in a very uncertain place.
The culture shock was overwhelming. It’s like what people have often said to me about moving to Mukah, that the shock isn't moving to the city, but moving back to your small, quiet town. I was in a similar sort of situation. I did a bit of exploring but felt so bewildered by the change in scenery to enjoy it much.
I suppose Mukah taught me that sometimes, it’s OK to stop. You can push yourself too hard and your mind needs time to process things that happen to you. With hindsight, I probably wasn't well enough to go away at all, but in no way to a regret my decision to do so. It’s just made me realise that although moving to a new place may seem like a fun adventure, and in most respects it is, it’s also important never to forget the pressure it can have on your mental well-being. You can take things too quickly and everyone needs time to adjust.
I think the older I get, the more I realise the value of time at home, in familiarity and in those who have known you for years. It’s a place where you don’t have to be ‘on’ all the time, where you can relax and just be yourself without having to worry about making new friends or impressing anybody. In my mind I now have three ‘homes’: Limbang, Miri, Mukah, though Mukah will always be closest to my heart. It’s funny how going away for almost 6 years can make you realise the value of staying put. Roll on a summer filled with old friends, drink and eating. I think I've just about earned it.
I feel like my writing (in general, not just on here) has recently been lacking emotion and I've felt incredibly distant from it. I think that's what I've been missing in the past month or so, and that rather than suffering from pure writer's block, I've actually been suffering from lack of passion. It's times like these when I really struggle to simply blog about adventures and travel.
I've actually been travelling a lot recently, and having a really great time. I spent an awesome week in Port Dickson with my students for Festival Kebudayaan dan Warisan Politeknik Malaysia Kali Ke-6. But for some reason, I've found myself un-enthused to write about any of these really exciting experiences.
Last Sunday during the BBQ, i quoted one of the saying, “You will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.”- Miriam Adeney.
I'm not really one to get homesick. I've always used travel as an escape from everyday life, something to turn to when things get bad to give myself a breather from the world. A bit ironic I suppose. However for the first time in my life, I was in no quick hurry to move on from my beloved hometown. And that's not just because it's so amazing.
My stay in Mukah taught me the value that can be found in staying in one place for more than just a flying visit. I became so attached and entrenched in the culture and the people and the way of life, that I'm still finding it hard to let go. I do had offered to further my studies, but here i am still sitting at my old eating table. As much as I love driving to cities, I'm finding it harder to write about my shorter excursions, when I've not really had any time to form a bond with a place. Yes, I've had a great time and yes, I would go back (or not, depending on where it is!) but I'm a little tired of sounding like a less-hip version of a Lonely Planet travel guide.
Of course I'll still be jetting setting at any opportunity, when time and my bank balance allow. I'm not knocking short trips at all, rather just my own attitude towards travel. I think what I'm trying to say is, I don't think I'll be writing as much about the 'normal' travel things I do. I'll always share photos - you know I love a good instagram - but I'd like to start giving a bit more credit to each place that I visit. There's so much history and life and colour all over the world, I don't want to belittle it by simply writing about that trip I took.
no ideaaaaaa.....
