Chicken feet for reunion dinner
They say if you’re truly Chinese, you won’t balk at the thought of eating chicken’s feet (fong zhao). So I guess I pass the ‘test’. I’m not super crazy over it, but I just don’t think it’s any more disgusting than ingesting snails or goose’s liver or ink from squids.It’s especially nice to be home in Ipoh for CNY. There’s so much going on, so much human to human interaction and the inevitable conflict that ensues, really puts me in a great mood to write. Weird?
The best shopping mall CNY decor has to go to the Curve! Pink, cherry blossom splendour!
My life in KL seems a thousand miles away when in reality it’s only 186 km. Reality sucks sometimes. Even weirder, I find myself getting inpsiration at the most inappropriate moments like rolling a hollowed 4 feet tall concerte cylinder weighing a ton to the garbage dump or cleaning oil spots from the porch tiles or like now, watching a pot of stewing chicken’s feet and mushroom- my mom’s contribution to tonight’s reunion dinner. (Did I ever tell you I abso-freakin-lutely adore laptops and camera phones?!
Not an easy feat for three females to lug this heavy thing 50 m so I thought it's worth a picture!Just the other day, Puppetsoldier asked me, if I would ever bring my children up overseas if I had the opportunity. I told him I don’t think I would, as I thought they’d miss out so much on being truly born and bred Malaysian, like I proudly am, and I don’t want not being able to identify with my own children.It’s never struck me as to how I strongly felt about that until now. Brb. Checking on chicken feet.
OK, back. Where was I?
Oh yeah, I sometimes honestly don’t see what’s so fantastic about leaving your own country for another. Oh I totally get the school of thought that the grass is greener on the other side. In fact, I’ve often been guilty of thinking that in many matters. But in reality (and reality sucks) very often, the meadow cows and the insect pests are the same everywhere. Every country has their own good and bad points, it’s just how you adept and react to the situation that makes all the difference.
For me, I hate Malaysia’s sweltering weather and the fact that it’s so hard and expensive to get healthy food anywhere, the sucky public transport and the regimented, exam-oriented school system. But I love the simple, uncomplicated and down-to-earth lifestyle that I grew up with. I love the fact that shops close late, even on Sunday and that you can get noodles with delicious clear soup for RM 3, that it’s affordable to own your own car and that most Malaysians are profficient if not at least conversant in English.
I dislike the culture of excessive smoking or drinking, of pubbing every night after work, of random one-night-stands. All of which have been painted as oh-so-cool in Western books, movies, dramas. I’ll admit they make great fodder for entertainment though and have probably been exaggerated to some extent!
Granted, the school/uni system overseas is something great. The concept that each student is talented in their own way and the means taken to ensure that the talent is nurtured is simply amazing. But maybe, it’s sometimes up to the parents to make sure their kids don’t feel that they aren’t good enough or failures, which is one of the worst feelings in the entire universe.
Sometimes I also wonder why we value opinions and contributions of foreign cultures more than local people? Why do we think that appearing more like them with 'cool' habits like alcohol and cigarettes and mindless sex will put us on par with them?
Adopting cultures of others isn't making you more like them or making them ever truly accepting you as 'one of them.' It's just forsaking your own identity.
To be honest, I’ve always dreamt of working overseas, for the unbeatable experience and exposure, for my own personal development and fulfillment. But to migrate and bring up children?
It would hurt me too much if my children turned up their noses at eating chicken feet for CNY, or using dial-up Internet or sweating it out for a meal at a road side stall.
So, no thank you, I’m really proud to be Malaysian and of my Malaysian-Chinese culture and I want that to be an integral part of me forever.
Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to upload this entry on my old school dial up connection and sample some tender, juicy, fragrant chicken feet.
Have a Happy and Prosperous Piggy Year everyone! Gong Xi Fatt Chai!
posted by N.J.A.P.F. @ 2:50 PM
2 Comments:
Happy Chinese New Year!!!
Yes, Happy Chinese New Year!
No, not Adsensing. (brb)
Post a Comment
<< Home