Monday, May 16, 2005

What is your concept of living in the city ?

Born and raised in the city of Kuala Lumpur until the age of 19, I used to think that I have grown accustomed to the fast-paced, hectic city lifestyle. While there is everything you could need provided in the city center, one could not escape from major problems of a metropolitan city - population concentration (traffic congestion) and significant rise of environmental deterioration.

What is your concept of living in the city center ?

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
Some may argue that the city provides a wealth of opportunities - better education and self-improvement, desperately-needed job openings, access to entertainment and nightlife, the list goes on. And it is in the city that one gets the opportunity to become rich and successful.

What is your definition of a high quality living environment ?

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
As in the movie (Under the Tuscan Sun, 2003), have you ever imagine yourself living in the villa in the lush Italian countryside ? In the morning light, a herd of cows slowly moving out to pasture after the morning milking. Away from the hustle and bustle of modern living and you make a living in the slow pace of the rural. Do you crave for peace and tranquility in your life ? Would the slow pace of life a potent trigger of depression ?

I wanted to but I eschew the idea of living in the countryside. Can one choose to keep away his talent from better opportunities ? A clerk in a city definitely earns more than clerk in the countryside.

Is living in the city better than living in the countryside ?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

It doesn't really matter where we live right, as long as we have enough money to get all the things we want. But living in city is really tiring due to the pace. Everywhere we go, we see building and more building, that's not the lifestyle everyone wants.

Anonymous said...

I want to have a house in the countryside so that I can spend my weekends or hols there. I love shopping too much and the convenience so I have to be near a city. Btw, Under the Tuscan sun is also book written by Frances Mayes. I love the book and it describes how life is in tuscany better than the movie (the movie was supposedly based on the book). The sequel to that book is Bella Tuscany, also another good book but I prefered Under the Tuscan Sun.
Ai Ling

Anonymous said...

Have you ever read "Ishmael"?

Patrick Leong said...

mrkiasu : the reason i wrote this posting because i find it difficult to cope with larger cities (even my hometown) after living in more secluded areas for so many years.

ailing : you have a very good suggestion. the idea of living in the city and have a vacation house in the countryside sounds workable. by the way, i bought catch 22 last weekend.

anonymous : ishmael ? not yet but a critical analysis of the civilization. i read the review in the internet - gorilla as an outsider looking in and perceiving the reality of civilization. must be a good read...

arglene : oh. i see that you have put up a new message box. ms philippine universe 2005 gionna cabrera is hot. what do you think of her chances in the pageant in bangkok ? on the other hand, wesak day is around the corner, therefore my next few postings will be related to buddhism. have a good week.

Anonymous said...

Charlene back from lunch:

City vs Countryside:

From my point of view, methinks the city is more aesthetically pleasing. Although on the surface, both city and countryside appear, in some facets and in some cases, very similar, there is a subtle and yet distinct difference in which City is aesthetically more pleasing. Not only is the city has more structured (though some would consider this a downside), the architecture has more innovative features than most countryside obviously.

In fact, and on the other hand, I would venture so far as to say that in most cases, eg. i would say KL architecture is intentionally "ugly" when it attempts to mimic roman elements or when it goes overboard in ornamenting the building under, what I consider, false or misleading perceptions of beauty.

However, both city and countryside is pedestrian friendly. Cities pavements are wide and well-paved. Underground tunnels link major buildings and transport hubs for when it rains. Need I say more?

On the other hand, living in the countryside is another good thing, i love natural environment, Friends, and yes i also enjoy living in a peaceful environ especially talking to the old people, i also found that countryside is a less commercialised society, a friendlier and less regimented society---Yes, i love living in the countryside overall, but i am beginning to think, that has to be by the time i am retired and very freedom..and enjoy and indulge the rest of my life with my mommy perhaps.

Sorry, long rant here.:(

charlene.:)

Anonymous said...

Charlene again..hehe,

Who is Ms Cabrera? :) thank you.

charlene.

MooPig said...

Heya Patrick,

I've practically lived in the countryside all my life! Born and bred in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. I left for a boarding school in Mantin, N9 for 18 months. After that, I came to Wales for tertiary education. I'm used to the slow and easy life.

I've been given a conditional offer to study Masters in one of the Unis in London. Frankly speaking, I'm quite looking forward to it. It'll be a brand new experience. At the same time, I'm worried I can't get used to the lifestyle.. :)

pinkylicious said...

Since i am still young, i would love to live in the city for better job opportunities and the challenging life it provides. After i retired, i would love to live in the country side for the peaceful environment and calm life :).

Patrick Leong said...

well it is getting a little late, so i will just make it short.

charlene : you have been tagged ! well ms cabrera is current ms philippines universe. but i am buying ms venezuela to win the title.

arglene : you have been tagged as well !

eileen : hey. congrats for getting the offer. how was your test ? well, it will be interesting to move from countryside and to live in the city. people are always excited with change. like i have been living in the city for so many years, now i enjoy living in the rurals. kyoto is not a big city.

emotionalistic : i guess everyone of us thinks that way too. if i were to choose between tokyo (big city) and kyoto (small city), i rather stay in kyoto.

Primrose said...

As mrkiasu puts it, it really doesn't matter where we live. It's how we live it. Live life as it is, remember? ;) Sometimes, too much of city life can be a bit of a rush - so much so you don't know where all the time went. You said you lived in KL till you were 19? So where were you between 19 and now?

Patrick Leong said...

primrose : well. i graduated from USM, so i was there for four wonderful years. then i worked abit downsouth in JB and abit more in Pelabuhan Kelang. After that I was selected for a scholarship program and therefore provided the opportunity to study in Japan. I am now living in the beautiful city of Kyoto. :o)

Primrose said...

Ah, the scholarships. Yes, my ex-colleague, now a friend, also applied for it and got it. She is in Nagoya.

Patrick Leong said...

primrose : hey, nagoya is not so far from here. by bullet train is just about 40 mins. maybe we have chance to meet. happy wesak.