I am not anywhere near bragging about how ungrateful I am in my life. I'm truly grateful for what Allah has given me; great family, friends and education to pursue my dream. Like all other students, I'm trying my best college to excel and further live my dream, of course not forgetting the people I love.

In the context of pursuing my dream, let's face reality, money is needed. It is an essential resource no matter much I hate putting money on my priority list as a student (and my parents kept saying don't worry about it, we will work it out for you to achieve excellence in your future). As a child to two amazing people, who wouldn't tear up when your mom and dad (financially struggle) to make your dreams into a reality. They sacrificed so much for their children and I'm truly thankful to have such parents although I know that there are people who are not as blessed as I am.

Coming back to my point, as a student, my life should be focusing more on obtaining good grades so that I could graduate. However, reality does not allow that. I'm a normal girl from an average income family. I have 5 siblings and I'm the only one who's done with school.

Ever since GST (Government Service Tax) started, my family struggled into providing needs. I know it might not be as bad as it seems to be, but I can see the difference. Everyday I imagine what would a lesser income family had to go through.

Everyday (weekdays) my dad sends the family to school and work (my mom). My 15 year old sister goes to school by van. My parents had to pay RM80 per month for that (and it's assuming to increase). My dad sends my 10 years old brother to a school in Selangor (we live in Negeri Sembilan) because they want him to get good education since the school in Negeri Sembilan is less hardworking like Selangor. My 8 years old brother is studying in Al-Amin Islamic School because my parents wants him to get far better Islamic education. The fees are at least to be RM1000 per year. My 6 years old sister is in kindergarten. Even that, it's at least RM300 per month. These are all not included with the books we have to buy and clothes.

My mom is working in Kuala Lumpur. Due to cost, time-saving and avoiding heavy traffics, she travels by public transport. Each month it would cost up to RM200. Let's not forget my dad who has to drive everyone to school and ktm stations every day.

I'm currently studying in a private university in Damansara Heights (before anyone starts bragging about realizing how much my parents could not afford that, I'm under full scholarship). I lived in Bangsar when I did my foundation. Just the cost of a sharing room that smaller than the room I have at my house right now is RM700 per month per individual. Nevertheless, I thank Allah because my scholarship paid for the rent.

But,

Things changed when I started my degree life. My scholar no longer pays the rent. However, they said they will provide me with RM700 per month. I thought hey that's okay I can survive with that, it is more than enough. But recalling back to how much a small sized sharing room costs (RM700) I decided not to live near college. My parents disagreed with me because it is time-consuming to travel from where I live to my college (approx. no jam 90 minutes). However, I had to face reality and work my best into making it happen and it did.

Everything was going well except the fact that my scholar had not given me my allowance since I started degree. This is tough. I had to say, for one month I have to use RM150 just for transportation and not including my books and meal fares. My mom gives me RM200 per month and sometimes she pays for my transport, but I know it costs her a lot since her paycheck isn't that much but she still sacrifices for her daughter which made me truly blessed to have a generous caring mother.

But now things are about to change.

We have already lived in a short budget, but now the government is increasing the public transport fees despite the toll had already increased. Anyone stupid enough (pardon my choice of word), could figure out that people who use the public transport consists of the majority of those living in a short budget.

Now I have to find a job to support myself (but I'm also doing it for an experience of how my future life is going to be). Malaysian citizens are now living to pay off their bills instead of really living. Wait, I shouldn't use the term "living" I should instead use the term "surviving".

Malaysian citizens are now surviving to pay off their bills instead of really living.

There, that sounded more realistic.

If I'm from an average income family with an average number of kids. I can't imagine how much harder it would be for those who is living a tougher life than me.

This post is not about me, but it is about the life of an average Malaysian student/ citizen. I'm considered average. There are those who suffers but regardless of these, we all feel the difference the authority is making in this country, and we all know it is not a good difference.

Dear prime minister, is this what you'd imagine the future of the country would be? Are you the exact representation of what leader you're trying to look for in the future? By hook or by crook, you're still going to retire.  I could only pray to Allah and ask him to open up your heart to understand what your citizen is going through.

For once try to live a life of your average citizen, understand them.