60th, my dear Malaysia

HAPY 60TH INDEPENDENCE DAY, MALAYSIA!!!!!!!

I complain and whine about this country and how inefficient it can be and how frustrating it can be but man, I wouldn't leave this country and I will forever be loyal. This is the country I want to live in all my life, with all of its ups and downs. This is home, this is where I grew up, this is where I made friends, this is where I have the best memories of being a kid, being a teen, and now being an adult. It's where my heart is and it's where I will always be.

I understand why some people would want to leave and who would want to find career opportunities elsewhere. I understand that most of the time it's because they don't find satisfaction in this place and they would economically be a lot better elsewhere. I've always been an advocate of people returning home to contribute to a brighter, bigger, better Malaysia. It's our responsibility as anak Malaysia to do that. The future of this land is ultimately in our hands now and so it's up to us to make it a better place. We're now at the age where we get to have a say in how we shape this country. I've confidence and belief that I grew up in a generation where there's an overwhelming amount of smart cookies and hardworking, aspirational kids there. So I hope we all stay loyal to the country we were born and raised in and start giving back. We complain and whine about it but we also have to do something about it. If we don't find it efficient, let's work towards making it efficient. Be the change you want to see (thanks Gandhi). Stay on the left side of the escalator, let people off the elevator/trains first before getting in, work smart, be polite, smile more, pick up the trash you see, recycle, give people way, JUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE, be the nation you want to be proud of. 

I love this country but I definitely think there's so much more we can do to improve. So let's improve. It's the best gift we can give back to this country. She's given so much so it's time we contribute.

Happy 60th Independence Day, Malaysiaku. You're my favourite and I'll always come back to you. 

xx