What's the Best Thing About Being Malaysian

Technically, I'm not a Malaysian. I'm born in Singapore but when I was 24, I married a Malaysian and moved to Malaysia after the birth of my first child.

Now I'm living in Johore with my husband and my four children and I'm now 45 which means that I've been living in Malaysia for over 20 years so I think I can call myself almost Malaysian even though I haven't given up my Singaporean status.

I see Malaysia now as my home. But as I always tell my children, Home is where the heart is. My heart is with my husband and I will be where my husband is and he's in Malaysia so my home is Malaysia.

There are many good things I can say about being Malaysian. I'm always being reminded of the fact that "Malaysia Boleh" which literally means Malaysia Can. Can what? Can do anything.

So if I see a driver runs a red light, I would be screaming at the driver but my children would say "Malaysia Boleh". Yes, I guess so; only in Malaysia.

I love being in Malaysia because I can drive here. I tried to get a driver's license in Singapore but it was next to impossible to pass the stringent driving test.

I didn't get my license in Malaysia the first time I sat for the test but after the third try, I passed. The third time is the charm, right?

When I go back to Singapore to visit my parents, I miss driving but when I got back home, it's quite a drag to be the driver to my children.

I guess the best thing for me about being Malaysian is being close to my family and having the freedom to drive anywhere I wish.

It's far less stressful here than it is in Singapore.