The North to South Transition
A young Penangite finds his footing in Suburban Subang
By John Shebat de Silva
for ‘Ordinary Aspirations’
SUBANG JAYA: The district of Subang Jaya today is synonymous with a collosal traffic mess, dense population, and an education hub. Over the years as the number of residents grew, Subang became home to an incredibly diverse community of migrant workers, students, families, and young members of the work force with aspirations.
Andrew Ng is one of the many who have moved into the Subang community in the hopes of shaping a bright future for themselves.
Andrew Ng
Twenty-six year-old Andrew first came to Subang in 2008 after completing a Bachelors Degree in Literature with Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang.
The young Penangite has since obtained a Masters Degree while working as a lecturer at a private institution within Subang Jaya.
Andrew with his Students
Andrew teaches Literature in English to A-Level students. Being a lecturer, he finds that it enables him to pursue his other interests despite the heavy workload and the piles of essays to examine.
When the Austen novels and Shakespearean plays are put down, Andrew takes on a new persona as an aspiring amateur film maker. Armed with his mini hand-held video camera, he is constanly on the prowl for his next random project.
Andrew in Team Miracle Mile
If he is not out and about with his handycam, he would be out on the field training for marathons. Andrew is an active member of a running group called Team Miracle Mile.
Andrew is also an active supporter of civil rights. He is often present at various rallies, talks, lectures, or conferences.
But it was not all fun and fancy-free for Andrew when he first arrived in Subang as a fresh graduate. Despite landing a job almost instantaneously after graduating, like many newcomers, Andrew faced the predicament of adjusting himself to a new, and more quick-paced environment.
Little Andrew
Having been born and bred in the island of Penang, the shift to Subang Jaya posed many initial difficulties in adapting to a different lifestyle.
The first of the challenges Andrew faced during this transition was with the drastic differences in prices of food.
“A plate or bowl of noodles won’t cost more than RM3.50 in Penang. Here it’s at least RM4.50 to RM5.00, sometimes RM6.00!”, said Andrew. This may not be a big difference to some people but Andrew joked that the ‘Penang-Kia’ (‘children of Penang’ in the Hokkien dialect) mentality would constantly take centre stage when it came to food and expenses in general.
“It is just within the system of Penang folks to be very particular about their food. Afterall, Penang is Malaysia’s top food destination”, exclaimed a gleeful Andrew.
To Andrew’s relief however, Subang Jaya houses several popular eateries that live up to a Penangite’s ‘standards’. From Bak Kut Teh to Nasi Lemak, there is a healthy variety of good grub within a short distance.
The change from the island environment to the hustle and bustle of Subang Jaya was another natural foe, just as it would be to many new comers.
Unlike Penang, “there aren’t as many ‘short-cut’ routes available here”, said Andrew. One would have to either get up in the wee hours of the morning to dodge the traffic rush or ride a motorcycle instead.
But the traffic conditions doesn’t just mean huge jams. It also means having to spend more money on fuel and toll, a crucial sense of time management, and exposing one self to more pollution.
The feeling of being away from home was bad enough. But having to pay more, getting stuck in traffic, inhaling fumes, and not having ‘good’ food made Andrew’s first few months in his new habitat almost unbearable.
“I began staying in the office for longer hours and I would sit at the mamak store before heading home to sleep”, Andrew recalled.
Not allowing this change to affect him negatively any further, Andrew decided to have a more positive view on his new life.
Andrew & Evelyn
Andrew’s long time girlfriend, Evelyn soon left Penang for KL for a new job. This was a great delight as it made his new approach to being away from home easier.
On most days after work, the couple would hit the road in search of good food. “It’s just what most Penang folk would do”, said Andrew. “She would go online to check out what’s popular first, and come dinner time we would make our way there”, he explained.
The couple have also made new friends from work and church in the process of adjusting themselves. “Being here, it is just as important to have a social life”, said Andrew.
Andrew’s story on how he adjusted to being in a new place may not be novel, but it serves as an important reminder to many who aspire to make a living in the ‘big city’ that they maintain a positive attitude and embrace the change rather than try to escape it.
Watch John de Silva’s Visual montage with narration of ‘The North to South Transition’:
A Map to Murni; one of Andrew’s favourite spots to eat, Food Tips by Andrew, and a video sample of Andrew’s short film projects:
- Map to Murni
Food Tips by Andrew
To watch more videos by Andrew, search ‘buttercantfly’ on youtube!
John Shebat de Silva: ATS 2787 | JRN 1102 