NORRIZAN AYOB
Insurance Manager, 51, relocated from Penang in 1994.
I came to KL because of love. To reduce the cost of a long distance relationship. So for love, I just moved.
THE big question was, could I survive? In Penang, even for a factory job, the salary is high...in fact, salary is paid out twice a month. But two-week's pay in Penang is equivalent to a month's pay in KL. In order to survive, I would have to rely on my boyfriend at the time. So, I tried living in Kuala Lumpur.
FIRST year was very challenging. It was hard to rent a home with housemates who are compatible. Before this, we only heard good things about Kuala Lumpur but after living here, only then you realise that it requires a lot of physical and mental strength.
THE best experience of staying in KL is experiencing life without transport. Each day I would enjoy the breeze as I sat on the stairs of a moving mini bus. Back then, I stayed in Taman Dagang and the place is always busy, the buses never empty. It's impossible that the bus is empty. The last empty space would usually be at the stairs and people would jostle for a spot. Although the experience was not that great but reminiscing about it, it does bring back memories. Especially when my fellow colleagues were shouting for me and I was unable to answer them. Hahaha!
LIVING in KL, it is difficult to find a really comfortable house. Sometimes you get backstabbed and find yourself having to move out in the middle of the night. I have met all kinds of people while house hunting and renting new places. So, we have to share our lives with these people. Sometimes, we take a leap of faith and think the best of the people we meet. However, you will find the opposite of that if luck is not on your side.
THE advantage of me working in an insurance company, there are many male friends. These are true friends. No matter the time, help is always given, not just in the form of cash.
I like the freedom here. We carry ourselves on our own two feet when we are here. No mother and father to be mad at us. We can do anything...dating, watching the midnight show, all the fun things. However, remember not to forsake your prayer obligations.
WE must be religiously strong here in Kuala Lumpur because even those who pray five times a day, does not mean they are good, right? This is because there are many challenges and we have to always strive to be better person and spiritually strong.
I miss the beaches the most, as I am from Penang. Previously, we would always go to the Esplanade, Batu Ferringhi if we are free. I miss that. Now, the nearest beach is Port Dickson and that is not so close either.
IN KL, traffic jam is a daily thing. I first set foot in Jalan Yap Kwan Seng. I believe there are less floods in KL now. Previously, if the road is mentioned, there was once it turned into a pond due to rain. Now changes were made to mitigate these flash floods within the city. There was once I had to walk from Ampang Park to Taman Dagang due to floods and lack of buses. It was an unforgettable experience. It was far, but everyone walked together in droves.
COMING to KL does not guarantee happiness and comfort, even for those with qualifications. Not at all. In fact, one's resolve has to be strong. Even without education, if you work hard, you can make it. Academics does not promise you anything. I experienced this by starting from the bottom, learning from experience and working hard.
INTENTION is important! You cannot backstab anyone and be mindful of your friendships with everyone...colleagues, friends because that can also help us succeed.
I am proud that I managed to rise above the challenges in my career. It is not easy to build a career, right? I managed to overcome it. I've stayed in the same company for a long time, a success, I feel...because it is a problem if I could not survive and switch between jobs.
IF possible, I do not want my children to go through all this. I am not sure if they are strong enough.