In a world full of uncertainties and restrictions wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the definition of luxuries for many people have changed. No longer are women dreaming about that Fendi bag (when would they be able to use it during lockdown, right?) and the installation of that in-car entertainment system can definitely wait. For many, being forced to stay at home has altered their perspectives on what truly makes them happy.
Priyadarshinee Superamaniam, who is a senior lecturer at INTI International College Subang’s INTI Language Centre, poses inside the famous Starfield Library at COEX Mall during her trip to Seoul, South Korea last year.
Shopping online for the unnecessary
For 21-year-old Alishea Sunil, simple things like dressing up, buying new clothes, dropping by artisanal cafes for a cup of coffee, and going to the movies were things she considered a luxury during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“There was no occasion to dress up, nowhere to go. I really missed going out, especially since we were learning fully online,” she said.
Because she had nowhere to go, Alishea said she pampered herself through online shopping, which at times came to the point of purchasing unnecessary products.
“I found myself myself scrolling through Pinterest for hours looking for inspiration to fill my room with fancy stationery, desk toys and decorative items. My favourite items are my fidget cubes, mini air hockey table, cotton candy machine and hand vacuum.
“My luxurious online shopping led me down the road of expensive skincare and apparel. I indulged in face masks and nail polish as I fell down a rabbit hole of Instagram videos. I eventually got out of that rabbit hole and filled my time with creative projects like writing and photo editing. My photography activities have been put on hold since the pandemic hit,” said Alishea, who is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communication in collaboration with Southern New Hampshire University, US, at INTI International College Subang.
After the lockdown was lifted, Alishea’s socialising moved from Zoom card games to actual card games and potlucks at friends’ houses.
“From that, we slowly transitioned back to hanging out at our usual artisanal cafes. But we made sure to avoid crowded cafes, malls and cinemas. Even though a full lockdown hasn’t been implemented with the recent rise in cases, I have abstained from outings but have returned to my online shopping scrolling. No financial damage has been done yet, but let’s see!” she laughed.
Domestic and international travels
Meanwhile, the restriction on overseas travel is making senior lecturer Priyadarshinee Superamaniam yearn for her yearly trips abroad.
“Travelling is a luxury these days and I am an avid traveller. It is something I look forward to every year. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem possible with COVID-19 in the picture,” she said.
Priyadarshinee, who teaches at INTI International College Subang’s INTI Language Centre, would usually target three places to visit each year, including a new country.
“So the plan is always a new country to experience the city life, an island getaway to relax and my yearly Bangkok trip to indulge in food and shopping. When I travel, I am able to discover issues or challenges that can be used as case studies for my students as I teach Workplace Communication.
“My friends think it’s weird that I’m always jotting down these issues in my trusted notebook, but I guess it’s just me being an educator!” she shared.
Unable to resist her wanderlust, Priyadarshinee has taken to domestic travel since the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) was implemented.
For Mohd Rozan Ab Mutalib, being granted interstate travel during the MCO was a luxury that money could not buy.
The chief librarian at INTI International College Subang said that when the lockdown was enforced, his family was stranded in their hometown in Muar during school break and he was unable to bring them back to Selangor.
“My daughter has Type 1 diabetes and she only had enough medication for two weeks. Her life depends on insulin. The hospital in Muar was unable to supply the insulin as my daughter had no record with them,” he recalled.
In order to deliver the insulin from Selangor to Johor, the parcel had to include ice packs, and unfortunately none of Malaysia’s courier services were able to accommodate that.
“Two weeks went by and I had to get the medication delivered, so I headed over to the police station. They informed me I could use my daughter’s medical appointment book as a ‘ticket’ for interstate travel. I immediately packed my bag and set out from Johor,” said Mohd Rozan, adding it was the first time he travelled on a near-empty highway and he arrived back in Muar within two hours instead of the usual three.
(Clockwise) Alishea, Mohd Rozan, Fong, and Nurnazida have learned during the pandemic that some of the things they considered small were actually the important things in life.
A month later, he had to travel back to Selangor to replenish the stock of insulin. While some might find the long distance drive tiring, Rozan regarded the drive as another luxury.
Creating memories for a lifetime
INTI International College Kuala Lumpur’s Admin & Facilities Assistant Manager Eu Weng Fong is grateful for the extra time he got at home during lockdown.
“I considered the extra time a luxury during the pandemic. I was able to spend more time with my family then and I believe nothing can beat that,” he said.
Fong, as he is more fondly known as, recounted how being at home since March allowed him to focus on his beloved two-year-old daughter.
“I might have missed some of her milestones while I was working these last couple of years, but when everyone was directed to work from home it gave me a chance to witness her development for myself. I’ve even managed to take part in training her in a new life skill – potty training!” he proudly said.
Although he has resumed work since the RMCO, having been a part of his daughter’s successful potty training was a memory he would cherish forever.
Connecting with mobile technology
For Nurnazida Nazri, mobile technology was a luxury that served her well during Hari Raya Aidilfitri amid RMCO.
The lecturer who teaches law at INTI International College Kuala Lumpur’s School of Business, Law, Communication and Accounting shared that not being able to see her parents in Kuala Kangsar for over two months had caused her much sadness.
“I could only talk to them over the phone. It broke my heart thinking that my parents, who are in their 60s, would have to celebrate Hari Raya without their kids. It’s never happened before!” she said.
However, thanks to technology, the whole family was able to gather virtually.
“My youngest brother had to teach my mother how to install the latest version of WhatsApp on her phone before she could join us, but when everyone was online it was an emotional moment for me,” Nurnazida said.
While she could not physically celebrate with her whole family, Nurnazida is grateful that her youngest brother lives nearby, which motivated her to prepare a Hari Raya feast that was just as festive.
Money as a basic necessity
Seventeen-year-old Trishah Rajendran’s definition of luxury during the pandemic, like many others, is money. The student of INTI College Nilai’s South Australian Certificate of Education programme said that COVID-19 had adversely affected businesses and companies, causing them significant loss of revenue.
“When they lose revenue, workers will be laid off. Some experienced pay cuts, and some were retrenched. People lost a stable income and were unable to provide for their families.
“My father is a field engineer. During the MCO, it was very hard for him to be deployed for jobs in other states and countries as movement was restricted. He was only able to earn his basic salary for a few months and we had to spend prudently during this time,” she shared.
According to Trishah, they would not spend unnecessarily during the RMCO and limited activities such as eating out, grocery shopping and going to malls.
“Cooking at home is cheaper and it did not require us to spend on fuel for the car. I also remember there was a sale online, but I had to forgo buying the stuff I was eyeing because we needed to save money,” said Trishah, adding that her father has now returned to work as usual and the family is now able to enjoy the life they had before the MCO.
For many of us, we have learned that some of the things that seemed small were actually incredibly important things in life, and the pandemic has helped us realise how easy it is to go through life and not take a moment to focus on the little blessings we have.