INTRODUCTION
by Kwame Ampofo-Boateng
Calgary, Canada
13 May 2011
The blog was started during the last months of my sojourn in Shah Alam, Malaysia. I felt extremely homesick and an urgent desire to quit my job and return home. As a means of keeping me busy in my spare time, I took on the challenge of my colleague, Dato Hisyam Che Mat, to start my own blog.
I realized that writing daily on the blog was therapeutic, almost catharsis that allowed me to work and overcome my homesickness. I chose the title for my blog as Tragedi Oktober based on my all-time favorite Malay song that bore the same name.
Within a couple of months though, I had to stop blogging by a combination of factors. First, I found as completely despicable some of the comments people were posting on my blog. Second, my job became hectic leaving me with little or no spare time. As a foreigner, I always had to ensure that my teaching and research was above board in order not to give my detractors opportunity to question my job. I gave up blogging. Fortunately, the months of blogging had helped me cope with the homesickness that afflicted me and did not return with vengeance again.
Late last year, I left Malaysia to pursue further studies in Calgary, Canada. I am now a student again after so many years teaching. The transition has been challenging like all aspects of life but it has allowed me to pursue my interest in water law. I completed all my coursework requirements in Winter semester 2011. I am now concentrating on completing my thesis. I hope to finish by early next year. I am also working as a summer research assistant for my supervisor which is helping me to acquire additional skills in legal research.
I cannot compare Malaysia to Canada. It will be unfair to do so. The simple fact is that no two countries are the same as they have different cultural traditions and national idiosyncrasies. I will always cherish the time I spent in Malaysia; it helped to shape my character and toughened me up as a person. I like Calgary. The people are nice, friendly and welcoming. The changes in the weather are also refreshing and mend the soul, even on days when the going becomes tough. God-willing, I can see myself living here for a very long time. But I always remind myself that whether "East or West, Home Is Always the Best."
