Reflection on Embracing Change and a Book Recommendation

I wanted to share my thoughts on embracing change and recommend a book.

First off, I want to thank Arushi Sharma Frank for suggesting The Storm Before the Calm by George Friedman. This book was exactly what I needed a year of pondering America's history and current state. I highly recommend it to anyone who is about to vote. It's a quick read that provides insight into the formation of the nation and what America means to people.

I've been enthusiastically recommending this book to many because of my excitement over Friedman’s writing and geopolitical analysis. I’ve always loved geopolitics, and having lived in several places—including Móstoles, Madrid, Spain, and brief stays in the UK—I arrived in the U.S. with almost zero connections. My closest one was in Pennsylvania, which felt like a world away from where I landed. And my mentor Mark Hafle ! I arrived in the U.S. alone and started from scratch.

Adapting to the U.S. wasn’t easy, and I’m still figuring things out. My first surprise was at Walmart when I found out they didn’t accept Apple Pay—something I hadn’t dealt with in years in Malaysia. Then came a $700 penalty for canceling a room reservation three months before my arrival, even before I was assigned a room, and no mercy was shown. My initial reaction was: "America, why!?"

For those who know me well, you’ll know that “why” is practically my middle name. I tend to question everything around me. My first impression of the U.S. wasn’t great, to be honest—struggles with the place, the people, and the food! I didn’t come here with the stereotypical “American Dream.” My view of the U.S. was mostly shaped by Hollywood.

When people ask me what I thought of America, I used to say, “It’s like living in a movie.” That might sound ignorant, but hey, many people here didn’t even know where Malaysia was! They’d recognize Singapore but not Malaysia, which, by the way, used to be part of the same country until 1965.

Upon arrival, I didn’t meet any Malaysians in Austin. My first Malaysian connection turned out to be a restaurant owner in Austin but to be honest, I wasn’t actively seeking out the Malaysian community. My mindset was, “Why travel so far just to stick to what I already know?” However, community matters to some extent.

What I wanted was to truly understand this country, a place that wasn’t even on my list originally. After a year of living here and reading Friedman’s book, I started to embrace the U.S. in a way I hadn’t before. You don’t have to like everything about a place to embrace it; you just need to understand it. That’s the key.

I’ve always believed in the power of doing things I don’t like. It’s amazing how much you can learn from things that challenge you. I used to dislike Houston, but now I’ve grown to love it. Almost everything I’ve experienced has added value to my life—whether through lessons or stories.

Life doesn’t always give you what you want, but it certainly gives you what you need, as per Maslow's law. That’s how I feel, and I’m grateful for it. If you’re into geopolitics or interested in understanding the U.S. better, The Storm Before the Calm is a must-read, especially with the election season around the corner.

As I reflect on this, I realize that being present is key. What we control is today, not the future or the past. So, embrace the good and the bad, and trust that the things you love will come to you in time.

Next up is Big Wonderful Thing by Stephen Harrigan. This one might take me beyond winter break, or maybe I’ll finish it during spring break—who knows!

Happy weekend, everyone! Take time to reflect.