There are moments. And fulfiling moments. The palate has to be teased and lovingly cared for at times. We need not take much, but an opportunity to sip, savour and relish is all I ask.
Every American knows beef jerky. What about the pork versions. Throughout East Asia, especially in the bustling cities of Taipei, Hong Kong, Singaporeore and Kuala Lumpur, you can find delight in those with pork. Pork jerky is traditionally served flat, oily and munched well with bread. Recently, in my sojourn back to South-east Asia, I found a new fangled version to taste - pork jerky suasages. Only about two to three inches, they look less fatty, are in perfect size for cocktails and are absolutely delicious. I shall never get those standard sausages from Woolworths or Coles again.
Sashimi, South Indian mee rebus, roti pancakes, bottled birds nest soup, arrowroot flavoured chips, hazelnut-tinged white coffee, Indonesian-styled ice kacang, wok-ky good stir fried hor fun noodles - I went through all of them to find that special specimen of an experience. Mum offered her home made char koay teow (stir-fried rice noodles) when I wanted to try the latest sensational stall selling a similiar dish on Penang Island. In the heritage city where I grew up, everyday offers possibilities for snacks, meals and suppers, a consequence of the blending of different migrant cultures, an easy attitude to survive the weather and the great propensity to go out at night. There are street vresions of such food, hotel offerings, glorified versions served up at charismatic bungalows turned into tropical garden ambience - but home made food is always the best. Aunt Kuchai's prawn curry and lobak meat rolls stood out at my annual binging at her dining table around the Lunar New Year.
Then there was inevitably the rare serving. This time it was thnih kuo with fine coconut shavings - thnih being sweet glutinous, kuo being the resulting pudding, soft, freshly steamed and enhanced with the topping of white delicate coconut flesh bits.In Australia, such a delicacy, originally made as prayer offerings, tend to be hard, maybe because of preservatives, perhaps because of the dry climate. In Penang, they are enticingly made with the right texture, not too soft nor too chewy.
Kay Seang and his wife May Wah offered English-syled cakes at their hideaway. I could hear the quiet soothing waves of the Andaman Sea not far away, and the wooden furnsihings blended well with songs from Edith Piaf. Light egg batter over steamed gourd cuts is an old fashioned dish that hardly anyone makes these days, but was delightfully rediscovered at an unassuming kopitiam (or coffeeshop) in a tucked corner of Transfer Road in old Georgetown - this same eating outlet also makes finger licking chicken deep fried with belachan powder, belachan being dried shrimp paste beloved in ASEAN towns from Songkhla to Makassar. Aunty Kuchai had come up with a home made version of chicken deep fried with tau joo, a bean paste flavour.
One may not consume much. The often oppressive afternoons can discourage appetite, but a work out at the air-conditioned gym or a run amongst shady tropical forest foliage can do otherwise. After a well deserved sudden downpour of rain following a duration of humid heat, it is time to start the evening casually in open air food courts, accompanied by easy-going mates and winding up with a beer into the wee hours of the early morning listening to a live band. It may seem timeless doing that, but it also brought me back memories of a lifestyle long ago on my home island. Whether sitting in a heritage mansion once the family home of a prominent island lawyer, or feeling the light seaside breeze on an easy afternoon looking out at placid scenes of resting fishing boats, these are samplings of experience to cherish and revitalise my thoughts and gratitude.
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Thursday, 25 February 2010
Monday, 22 February 2010
Heritage Food to Savour
Vegetarian Fujian-inspired poh pniah wrap rolls and
South Indian pasembor salad, both with a chilli kick at the Brown Gardens, Penang Island
(image credit - Bob Lee)
Kaya toast set with a local cuppa of coffee and savoury Indian mee rebus,
Killerney Road Cafe, Singapore
The rice overwhelms the meat - bee tai bak - in a braise pot, Kelang Valley, Selangor, near Kuala Lumpur
Penang-styled curry noodles, with touches of cockles, chicken blood coagulates and
a healthy boost of fresh chilli paste. This version was found at the New World Park, Georgetown.
Good for a meal at any time of day or night, the Cantonese-inspired
chow hor fun (wok stir-fried flat rice noodles) at the Bee Hooi Coffee shop,
Pulau Tikus, Penang Island
Freshly caught garoupa in curry, OG Restaurant, Georgetown, Penang
A glimpse of my aunt Kuchai's home made feast for the Lunar New Year of the Tiger
- Indian inspired prawn curry (background) and Penang delicacy lobak rolls
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Happy Days
Swinging on the See-Saw, Max and Kev, Woonona, January 2010
(Image Credit - S Campbell)
At the Lawn Bowls, near the Brisbane River, 2006
(Image Credit - from collection of Darren *)
Phil and Kev at Bridget's party, January 2010
(Image Credit - S Campbell)
Prawn noodles (har mee) and KFC chicken wings, Chatswood Chase, January 2010
Sunny, Enna (back) Happy and Stuart (front) at Mount Kiera,
January 2010
Dule, Kev and Nina, circa 2007
May Wah and Kev at the Nan Tien, January 2010
(Image Credit - Ong May Lin)
Balgownie Village, NSW in summer 2010
(Image credit - Ong May Wah)
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Meanwhile, As I Dream
Fancy meeting Tom and Greg one beautiful morning, on the way to the office. It should not be that of a surprise to me, as they have known each other for a long time, do work with each other and I have bumped into them before. However, the delight of seeing them shook me off the hanging cloudy air of lack of care I experienced from the few same individuals at my work place.Greg, Tom and I engaged in small talk and then on some catch-up topics and more. A meet up per chance, a definite pick-me-up to me in engaging with them, better than coffee and giving me a spring in my step.
Mid-morning, and I was thrilled getting two pieces of Saints Day cakes from Ves. I understand that Ves was involved in making a total of 17 cakes the day before. She was understandably fatigued, but she did have the look of an inner satisfaction in her face as well, that of doing somehting substantial for the family and her heritage. The Serbian creations were tasty, prettily presented and showed attention to detail. We chatted briefly of the importance of practising one's mother tongue and unique culture in a rather cosmopolitan society.
One evening, Happy came to the office with me, up the staircase and without a word - instinctively she grasped my hand and walked like an adult in unison, even is she is not quite 3 years old. She knew she was walking into the unknown - an office she had not visited before - but she kept her cool and composure, carried on as a matter of fact and kept herself busy drawing on the meeting table in my quarters. She politely articulated and pronounced every name of my my colleagues she was introduced to, like Dylan, Diane or Shelley, looking up at them in awe and with discretion. Happy's cutness was infectious on the people she came across.
On another evening, Karl dropped by as a constable officer - he had graduated before Christmas and showed me the passing out ceremony photos from the Goulburn Academy. His big eyes sttod out as usual in any pose and countenance - and accentuated under the police officer's cap. His good mate Jake had compiled the images from that special day on a disc. We talked like yesterday, but time has marched on - he has commenced duty in a part of Sydney and I would like to think I am more realistic about things more important than I had thought before. Karl looked wistful and contemplative in the pictures from his graduation. Those who know him well are so glad of his achievement and moving on to another stage of life.
A night out with Adam and his Dad, and we had dinner. A summery evening and the food was hot and spicy. I liked the barbie chicken though, done Thai style with marinade of some spices and herbs, distinctively different from the Hong Kong shops or those roasts from Oporto or Chickos. Being a Tuesday night, it looked as if we had the whole palce to ourselves. Adam had a big birthday bash coming up. Adam liked the pad thai whilst his Dad had a penchant for the Panang curry. They had driven their car and picked me up in the village we shared. The conversation flowed easily - like watching the movie Avatar, I was not conscious of the time at the dining table and only realised we had made a good night out when we left the restaurant. It was good to talk of the future with Adam, to talk of the present with his Dad and for me to fondly recall the frist time when I met and worked with Adam.
It was a rainy arvo in Berry, New South Wales, with two of the Ong sisters visiting from Penang Island. May Wah and Lin had been good fellow travellers with me, covering the Grand Pacific Drive just south of Sydney for the whole day, having sufficient curiosity, sense of adventure and patience on the long road trip, all on a single Sunday. Berry Village was the southern most stop, we drank chocolate, bought lollies and otherwise window shopped at an easy pace to wind up the drive. We did not let passing showers and blowing winds bother us. After an Italian meal at Il Nido in my village, we stopped by the Third Rock Cafe in the southern Sydney suburb of Beverly Hills. We wanted to visit a mutual friend in Earlwood earlier but had to wait for him to come back home from dinner out. Then we hit Sydney CBD and crossed the Harbour Bridge near midnite before going home.
Having lunch with Olivia, Courtney and Liana from the office was good and refreshing for me. We had met roadblocks from unexpected quarters as we arranged for this day. What I appreciated, and respected, was the cool attitude from the three of them in overcoming those unrequited and undeserving blockages from some people at work. Even getting the fresh food cooked took around 40 minutes in town and the three did not batter an eyelid waiting, although I felt so bad for all this delay. The most important thing, they remarked, was that we all made this lunch a reality, despite what others may throw as obstacles.
Hmmn, I thought, taking it further, whilst I wait for so-called dreams to materialise, I must not forget that I am already enjoying what I have.
Mid-morning, and I was thrilled getting two pieces of Saints Day cakes from Ves. I understand that Ves was involved in making a total of 17 cakes the day before. She was understandably fatigued, but she did have the look of an inner satisfaction in her face as well, that of doing somehting substantial for the family and her heritage. The Serbian creations were tasty, prettily presented and showed attention to detail. We chatted briefly of the importance of practising one's mother tongue and unique culture in a rather cosmopolitan society.
One evening, Happy came to the office with me, up the staircase and without a word - instinctively she grasped my hand and walked like an adult in unison, even is she is not quite 3 years old. She knew she was walking into the unknown - an office she had not visited before - but she kept her cool and composure, carried on as a matter of fact and kept herself busy drawing on the meeting table in my quarters. She politely articulated and pronounced every name of my my colleagues she was introduced to, like Dylan, Diane or Shelley, looking up at them in awe and with discretion. Happy's cutness was infectious on the people she came across.
On another evening, Karl dropped by as a constable officer - he had graduated before Christmas and showed me the passing out ceremony photos from the Goulburn Academy. His big eyes sttod out as usual in any pose and countenance - and accentuated under the police officer's cap. His good mate Jake had compiled the images from that special day on a disc. We talked like yesterday, but time has marched on - he has commenced duty in a part of Sydney and I would like to think I am more realistic about things more important than I had thought before. Karl looked wistful and contemplative in the pictures from his graduation. Those who know him well are so glad of his achievement and moving on to another stage of life.
A night out with Adam and his Dad, and we had dinner. A summery evening and the food was hot and spicy. I liked the barbie chicken though, done Thai style with marinade of some spices and herbs, distinctively different from the Hong Kong shops or those roasts from Oporto or Chickos. Being a Tuesday night, it looked as if we had the whole palce to ourselves. Adam had a big birthday bash coming up. Adam liked the pad thai whilst his Dad had a penchant for the Panang curry. They had driven their car and picked me up in the village we shared. The conversation flowed easily - like watching the movie Avatar, I was not conscious of the time at the dining table and only realised we had made a good night out when we left the restaurant. It was good to talk of the future with Adam, to talk of the present with his Dad and for me to fondly recall the frist time when I met and worked with Adam.
It was a rainy arvo in Berry, New South Wales, with two of the Ong sisters visiting from Penang Island. May Wah and Lin had been good fellow travellers with me, covering the Grand Pacific Drive just south of Sydney for the whole day, having sufficient curiosity, sense of adventure and patience on the long road trip, all on a single Sunday. Berry Village was the southern most stop, we drank chocolate, bought lollies and otherwise window shopped at an easy pace to wind up the drive. We did not let passing showers and blowing winds bother us. After an Italian meal at Il Nido in my village, we stopped by the Third Rock Cafe in the southern Sydney suburb of Beverly Hills. We wanted to visit a mutual friend in Earlwood earlier but had to wait for him to come back home from dinner out. Then we hit Sydney CBD and crossed the Harbour Bridge near midnite before going home.
Having lunch with Olivia, Courtney and Liana from the office was good and refreshing for me. We had met roadblocks from unexpected quarters as we arranged for this day. What I appreciated, and respected, was the cool attitude from the three of them in overcoming those unrequited and undeserving blockages from some people at work. Even getting the fresh food cooked took around 40 minutes in town and the three did not batter an eyelid waiting, although I felt so bad for all this delay. The most important thing, they remarked, was that we all made this lunch a reality, despite what others may throw as obstacles.
Hmmn, I thought, taking it further, whilst I wait for so-called dreams to materialise, I must not forget that I am already enjoying what I have.
Deciding on National Days
It is observed that the winner writes and interprets history. History is utilised as the primary basis for celebrations and reinforcement for the future of a country. National Days are examples of such celebrations. The problem starts when the concept of a nation is viewed only from the perspective of the ruling power/majority population and not for all groups co-existing in a so-called nation.
Think about the origin of National Days around the world. In Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, most of them involve religion, race and/or the anniversary of liberation from the rule of colonists or parties with strong opposing philosophies, and where there had been hectic and intense battles in mind or spirit, political conflicts and physical toll in loss of life, coupled with economic destruction, before reaching the marked day of freedom. Nations become stronger with a greater sense of unity and shared philosophy when a certain extent of blood has been shed in a common cause and much sacrifice incurred to reach that point of most recent independence. This is most effectively attained when there is a sense of us against them and when us ultimately wins control of government and society. Think about China's October 1st, Vietnam's Day of Reunification, Argentine Declaration of Independence Day, Indonesian and Malaysian Merdeka Days, the Filipino Day of Independence or India's Republic Day. History did not commence in those countries with the curently recognised National Days, but a sufficiently significant event did occur which still requires the nation to remember it as the National Day.
The Fourth of July in the United States is still marked with parades and a collective pride after more than 230 years.How this is managed, despite changed demographics, new dangers and different imperatives for its future, reflects the very strengths in how that nation was formed and born with. A Constitution and Charter that transcends the immediate events of 1776 has laid viable foundations that still carries a federation of different states confidently to the future, despite unknown waters and problems. Where countries base their National Days on arrivals in a foreign land alone, it is hard to convince the natives of the conquered land to join in the celebrations. Observe Australia Day, now also spoken of as Invasion Day for the many Aboriginal nations existing when Captain Arthur Phillip claimed the lands around Botany Bay for the British crown.. New Zealand is cleverer, for Waitangi Day celebrates the day a mutually agreed treaty was signed between the arrivals and natives on more equal terms.
The Repiblic of France celebrates the momentous events - and meaning - of Bastille Day. Royals lost in this change of social order. Spain had a more recent turbulent time in politics and societal disorder, and so did the separated nations that once formed the Yugoslav Republic, togetrher with all the various states that once were under the lock and key of the rule of the Communist Soviet Union. All these aforementioned nations have been truly reborn, sometimes with boundaries redrawn, and how a reconstituted nation goes forward is also echoed in how it selects its new flag and National Day. A national flag belongs to all in a nation and should not be hijacked by some to the exclusion of its other citizens - just like the meaning and spirit of a chosen National Day. In increasingly multi-cultural societies, the challenge of a foresighted Government is to utilise a National Day as one of reconciliation and common purpose, and not one of exclusion and divisiveness. How one began its first National Day at times may not matter - Brazil was freely granted independence by the then King of Portugal - and what is more critical is how a nation uses the day for its future.
Think about the origin of National Days around the world. In Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, most of them involve religion, race and/or the anniversary of liberation from the rule of colonists or parties with strong opposing philosophies, and where there had been hectic and intense battles in mind or spirit, political conflicts and physical toll in loss of life, coupled with economic destruction, before reaching the marked day of freedom. Nations become stronger with a greater sense of unity and shared philosophy when a certain extent of blood has been shed in a common cause and much sacrifice incurred to reach that point of most recent independence. This is most effectively attained when there is a sense of us against them and when us ultimately wins control of government and society. Think about China's October 1st, Vietnam's Day of Reunification, Argentine Declaration of Independence Day, Indonesian and Malaysian Merdeka Days, the Filipino Day of Independence or India's Republic Day. History did not commence in those countries with the curently recognised National Days, but a sufficiently significant event did occur which still requires the nation to remember it as the National Day.
The Fourth of July in the United States is still marked with parades and a collective pride after more than 230 years.How this is managed, despite changed demographics, new dangers and different imperatives for its future, reflects the very strengths in how that nation was formed and born with. A Constitution and Charter that transcends the immediate events of 1776 has laid viable foundations that still carries a federation of different states confidently to the future, despite unknown waters and problems. Where countries base their National Days on arrivals in a foreign land alone, it is hard to convince the natives of the conquered land to join in the celebrations. Observe Australia Day, now also spoken of as Invasion Day for the many Aboriginal nations existing when Captain Arthur Phillip claimed the lands around Botany Bay for the British crown.. New Zealand is cleverer, for Waitangi Day celebrates the day a mutually agreed treaty was signed between the arrivals and natives on more equal terms.
The Repiblic of France celebrates the momentous events - and meaning - of Bastille Day. Royals lost in this change of social order. Spain had a more recent turbulent time in politics and societal disorder, and so did the separated nations that once formed the Yugoslav Republic, togetrher with all the various states that once were under the lock and key of the rule of the Communist Soviet Union. All these aforementioned nations have been truly reborn, sometimes with boundaries redrawn, and how a reconstituted nation goes forward is also echoed in how it selects its new flag and National Day. A national flag belongs to all in a nation and should not be hijacked by some to the exclusion of its other citizens - just like the meaning and spirit of a chosen National Day. In increasingly multi-cultural societies, the challenge of a foresighted Government is to utilise a National Day as one of reconciliation and common purpose, and not one of exclusion and divisiveness. How one began its first National Day at times may not matter - Brazil was freely granted independence by the then King of Portugal - and what is more critical is how a nation uses the day for its future.
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