Vicki Fennessy
After living in Malaysia for over three years, Australian expat Vicki Fennessy fondly calls herself a Kuala Lumpur city slicker. She had a choice of other countries but chose Malaysia for some specific reasons.
The Expat: How long have you lived in malaysia under the mm2H programme?
Vicki: Since May 2006.
The Expat: why did you choose to live in kuala lumpur?
vVicki: One, I'm a city slicker and two, I know the city.
The Expat: Had you lived in or visited malaysia prior to that?
Vicki: Yes. I have visited Malaysia a few times over the last 30 years and lived here from 2000-2003 as an expat wife, when I really came to know and love KL.
The Expat: what was the main reason you decided to come and live here under the mm2H programme?
Vicki: When the time came for me to leave Shanghai, a decision had to be made as to where I wanted to live. I had three thoughts - Australia, Malaysia or India. Malaysia won hands down, for many reasons. The main ones being: I grew to love KL during my earlier time here, had wonderful friends, loved the food and the lifestyle, the low cost of living, the weather; plus having a cat; the short quarantine period in Malaysia was very attractive.
The Expat: what do you like most about living in malaysia?
Vicki: I like living in a tropical climate, being able to get up early and not have to feel pinched and hunched over with the cold; having to own only one season's set of clothing; the gorgeous tropical flora (especially frangipani trees and haliconia varieties) and fruits. I like the fact that I can eat out so cheaply and that it is quite safe to eat at roadside
The Expat: what do you like least about living in malaysia?
Vicki: I don't tend to dwell on negatives, especially as I made a conscious decision to live here. When it comes to political matters,there is nothing I can do to change anything, as I cannot vote here, so I don't dwell on those concerns. I would just say that I do get sad when I've seen historical buildings razed to the ground. I guess I better say that I hate it when the road rules are broken and I see this several times daily; it is just so dangerous.
The Expat: Have you travelled outside of malaysia in the last year?
Vicki: I went down to Singapore in August to catch up with some Australian friends. I returned to Shanghai in October for a week also thoughts Australia, Malaysia or India. Malaysia won hands down..." " When the time came... a decision had to be made... I had three stalls, but can also treat myself to something special and it is still very reasonable. I like the smaller live theatre venues, making it more intimate and cosy, and that you can actually meet performers and have dialogue after the show if you want to. If I had to put all that into a single sentence, I would just say that I feel at home here. to catch up with friends and do some shopping. I spent a month in Australia for Christmas, visiting family in both Melbourne and Sydney.
The Expat: Have you taken any trips within malaysia in the last year?
Vicki: Soon after arriving back in KL, I went on a short trip to Penang with the group Badan Warisan, staying at the lovely historic Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Badan Warisan is a group concerned with the preservation and conservation of Malaysia's built heritage. I also went to the Sarawak Rainforest World Music Festival in July. It was an amazing, unique experience, one that I would thoroughly recommend to everyone, of all ages. The location is near the sea, so as well as getting into the music, you can swim, shop and have a night or two in Kuching to explore that city and get into the seafood.
The Expat: Do you socialise mostly with foreigners, malaysians or both?
Vicki: My main core of friends is local, but I also mix with expats and foreigners with PR status.
The Expat: what do you miss most about your home country?
Vicki: Of course one misses family and friends, but two-way visits take care of that. I love reading Australian newspapers, there's such a huge amount of information and freedom of the press. Pigging out on comfort food one has grown up with is always a delight, be it junk food like fish and chips or a good Aussie hamburger, Red Rooster chicken; or confectionary such as Polly Waffles, Cherry Ripes and Violet Crumble bars; and a variety of cakes and desserts. I do miss some sections of my city like Little Italy, Little China, Little Vietnam - they have great character and food. Apart from that, I love the blue skies and the spring flowers, but not enough to move back.
The Expat: please tell us how you pass your time - hobbies, activities or participation in organisations, charities.
Vicki: I have joined a couple of mostly expat organisations: the Malaysian Culture Group and MANZA. They hold several events each month and although local Malaysians are able to join, a lot of the activities are held during the working week, so many wouldn't be able to attend and in any case they are mostly geared towards learning about Malaysian culture. As mentioned, I joined the Badan Warisan group who have several trips during the year. I do some voluntary work with a couple of organisations, read a lot, and make jewellery as a hobby.
The Expat: How happy are you with the mm2H programme?
Vicki: I think it's a wonderful opportunity for people like me. If the scheme was not in place, I would have had to move back to Australia and I am just not ready to do that, and wonder if I ever will be. Being able to live here long term and buy property is a real privilege. Using the services of Andy Davison and his team was immensely helpful, as it made the procedure very easy as I was still in Shanghai when the application was lodged. It just all happened in my absence, merely necessitating me to visit Putrajaya to get my passport stamped on arrival. Because of my age, and the time I applied (November 2005), I did not have to make a fixed deposit. I know that some people who live here under this scheme would like to be able to do some part-time work, especially teaching English; but I have no desire to do that, not having any particular skill that would be in need. But I would love to be able to use the Malaysian Passport channels at Immigration at the airport. They always seem to be empty but many times I have found the Foreigner Passport channels are packed.
By Aida Ahmad
