FollowYesterday, I had the pleasure of spending some quality time with my eldest daughter, Alycia, at Sunway Pyramid. The occasion was her final semester’s project exhibition for Sunway University’s Faculty of Arts and Communication. Her work, along with that of her classmates, was on public display, and I was so proud to be there to show my support and see what she has dedicated herself to for the past few years. It was also wonderful to finally meet some of her course mates in person, after having seen their photos for so long.
After a quick tour of the exhibition, we were ready for lunch. We wandered through a few floors of the mall, browsing the endless food options, and finally decided on Yang Guo Fu Malatang. For those who haven’t tried it, Malatang is a customizable Sichuan-style hotpot. You get to choose your own ingredients—from fresh meats, seafood, vegetables, and noodles—from a large chiller. Then, you select a broth base, like their signature beef bone, chicken collagen broth, or tomato broth, and they cook it all for you in a flavorful dish.
The unique thing about Malatang is that the price is determined by the weight of your chosen ingredients. You have to be strategic! I made sure to select lighter vegetables, some meat, meatballs, and seaweed, and my bowl came to a reasonable price of no more than RM20. Alycia, however, ended up with a massive bowl that cost a whopping RM39.68! We were both a little shocked, but she assured me that a similar restaurant near her university is much cheaper. Despite the price, we both thoroughly enjoyed our meal. I particularly loved the collagen chicken soup broth I chose; it tasted remarkably similar to the famous one at Haidilao.
After lunch, our errands continued. We walked to the skate shop next to the skating rink to get Cass’s skates for a much-needed blade sharpening. After this was done, I took a Grab car home while Alycia went back to the exhibition.
The day, which had started on such a high note, took a somber turn. While scrolling through Facebook on the way to the mall, I read some truly heartbreaking news: two students from TARMT University had tragically ended their lives within 24 hours from the same apartment. My heart dropped. I showed the news to Alycia, and her response made the tragedy feel even more personal. “I know,” she said. “The girl was my classmate from high school and Foundation course at Sunway. She jumped down from the 28th floor. My friends and I attended her wake last night.”
My heart aches for her and her family. To hear of a young girl with such a bright future succumbing to bullying and pressure is devastating. It’s a reminder that no matter what problems we face—whether in relationships, work, or studies—ending one’s life is never the only option. There are people who care and organizations that can help. When one door closes, another will always open. If you are struggling with heavy emotions, please know that help is available. There is always a way out.
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