Ten Things I Miss About Malaysia

Home is where the heart is. As cliché as it may sound, that aphorism has more resonance now than I can ever before imagine. In my humble opinion, a person has - no matter how much he wants to deny it, to run away from it, or to repress it – to some degree or less, a deep-rooted attachment to his mother/homeland. It’s been a month and a half since we arrived in the Netherlands - the famously irrigated, verdant land below the sea level. Since it’s the fasting month of Ramadan coupled with the cold weather, my longing for Malaysia is more acute than usual. If only we can make the heater work and crank it to rainforest setting! Due to these circumstances, it’s quite appropriate for me at present to reveal the ten magnificent things that induce me to miss Malaysia:

1) Food – A variety under the sun, from the savoury, sumptuous ‘lauks’ to the mouth-watering sweet cakes and delectable glutinous desserts. The Dutch likes to eat a lot of herring apparently, and their diet consists mostly of cheese and bread as well as the occasional Indonesian fare available in the supermarkets and restaurants. Though I love fish, the raw consistency of herring is an acquired taste. In Malaysia, you can buy the food cheap off the streets in ‘’pasar malam’ (night market) or a nearby restaurant anytime of the day, without worrying you leave a hole in your pocket as a result. Last but not least, I miss the endless Ramadan bazaars during this month, with a whole gamut of food from different states in Malaysia to choose from. Although a greedy part of me usually ended buying more than we both can stomach.
2) Cheap stuff – Besides cheap food, everything else in comparison is cheap, from the toiletries, the clothes to the bicycles.
3) More brands to choose from – This is particularly true in supermarkets and grocery store. I find that in Holland, certain brands dominate the market at the expense of consumers’ purchasing power. Malaysia, located comfortably in South East Asia, is blessed with the availability of both Western and Eastern products on its shelves. With so many brands to select from, consumers are able to execute wise shopping decisions. Or the opposite is also true when buyers indulge in more splurges owing to the range of items on offer.
4) Weather – A no-brainer. No need to bundle up in the cold climate. This is quite exasperating when you have an uncooperative 7-month old baby.
5) Our car – Our personal parking bay right on the ground floor of our building in Malaysia makes it convenient to just drive out to get anything that we want, without ever having to think about bundling up, weather conditions (except for torrential rains with low visibility) or making super-efficient shopping lists. Oh well, at least here, we get some form of exercise via walking.
6) Malls – Especially the permanent non-smoking malls. Also, make that non-smoking areas in general. We have yet to find a great mall with all the trimmings here. We were in Mega Stores, The Hague mid of last week, all excited to see a BIG mall but our hopes were dashed when the place lacks any interesting or novelty shops and houses mostly interior design cum furniture stores that they might as well call it Mega FURNITURE Stores! We were however contented that Toy R Us took up a big space there. Also, we remain optimistic that Amsterdam’s latest offering Kalvertoren Shopping Centre will be a great relief, once we go and visit it.
7) Nurseries – Baby-soothing ones with a comfy nursing section are paramount in our daily existence and the provision of such amenities in Malaysia translates into a (reasonably) happy, fuss-free shopping experience.
8) Starbucks (and its much obliged Malaysian-based compadré San Francisco Café) – Need I say more? Robust, nutty coffee concoctions. Makes you want to go
Hmmm lovely, ala Nigella Lawson’s sultry accent (haha!).
9) Our house – Specifically our cozy tv-equipped bedroom where we often dwell, since the stork’s visit. The presence of our familiar things has a reassuring and cathartic effect on our piece of mind.
10) Our family – Awwww! Having loved ones around to visit and inconvenient is family tradition. Be it for the weekly potlucks, angpows (Raya money!) or a ready listening ear to vent out to.

Conversely and unfortunately, there are five things that I DO NOT miss about Malaysia. They are, in no particular order:
1) The Haze – A recurring problem of late.
2) Non-ecologically friendly – Lack of public awareness on recycling. I’m amazed that in the Netherlands people rarely use the plastic bags when buying their grocery or shopping since they will be charged Euro0.20 each for the bag! Rather, they bring their own bags or baskets.
3) Rude drivers/motorists – Quite notorious even to foreigners and expats on the roads.
4) Slow public/government service – Legendary in some quarters. In comparison, over here, if there is a long queue, the personnel will open new counters without hesitation.
5) Disjointed public transport system – The snail-pace progress to restructure the public transport system in KL has left many people cynical on its viable development. The lackadaisical attitude also discourages people to use such facilities until proper implementation is in place. With ruthless and addled ‘Metro’ bus drivers reigning supreme, riding the public bus is never an option unless your life depends on it!

The profundity into these comparisons is a personal exercise for my own gratification and remedy against homesick-ness. It is by no means, intended to injure the differing sensibility or sway the judgment of others. It’s based on my experience, my socio-cultural background and philosophy on life. And most of all, by apprising people of this list, I feel grounded and proud of my roots!

As Nature Intended

Day-lefth is a haven of flora and fauna proportions. The hotel we stayed at the first day we arrived is by the canal. The canal is at times filled with this green moss-like substance, which upon close inspection, is algae. At times, it overfloweth the canal, making the canal looks like green glazed floor. It's like scrummy green-swirled candy! My sentiment must be shared by a child who had apparently jumped head-on into the canal the second week we were in town! Also, the smooth surface must made him think it was part of a safe pedestrian crossing, akin to a skating rink perhaps! Luckily, a man jumped in after him.

The ducks, swans and these black squatty birds, which we call water-fowls, are natural to the canal habitat. They are quite breathtaking to watch and swarm to passerbys who have bread and other snacks to offer. The water-fowls are especially noisy and quite aggressive in jostling for the food. The mute swans remain graceful as ever.

Come winter, I wonder if they'd be around for our food-giving ritual. It's therapeutic giving them food. Surprisingly, they make me feel at home in Day-lefth.

TITA Squared

Lest I should postpone it again amidst the domestic chores, fasting and Sadia's unpredictable temperament, I better write this blog now. I don't want it be too old news like my previous few blogs.

Last week, on Thursday, I had the pleasure of finally meeting, Tita aka Dwinita Larasati, a PhD candidate at the same university my husband is attending. It was 3:30 pm and drizzling when Tita appeared at our front door.

Two days earlier, I called her with much trepidation. It is surreal calling someone whom you have only communicated through the internet. My mind was racing. She answered the phone with "Tita!" Later I found out from her one of her sketches, it is the Dutch culture to answer the phone with your name. She was cordial and we set a date.

When I first arrived, we did mull over the possibility of a meet-up. But, due to the lack of internet connect back then, we had to resort playing 'email tag' with one another. Now that things are more settled, a meeting is inevitable and eagerly awaited.

My nervousness was put to rest as we sat down on the sofa and got to know one another better. Tita brought a 'goodie-bag' for Sadia to which I'm humbly grateful. Also, for me, a cooking book for baby with fun food ideas.

I was embarassed that I didn't manage to give anything in return. It did occur to me a day before the meeting: What if she comes bearing a gift? But now that I know she's an avid Lat fan, I will get her some Lat books when I get back home. ;-)

With chocolate digestives and hot tea on hand, we talked about living in the Netherlands, specifically in Delft and Amsterdam - where she and her family reside. Any inquiries that we had about travelling, discount card or even culture were aptly answered. I also found out, she a great lasagna cook - like my twin sister!

Sadia also takes an instant liking to Tita. She likes kids too (like me!), I can tell. Neither Sadia nor Tita mind when Sadia kept bouncing on Tita's lap, for the umpteenth time!

When it was time to leave, we suggested that she took the lift instead of the winding stairs. She agreed to try it out. On hindsight, we should have told her how to operate the lift BEFORE she entered the enclosed domain. Not hollering instruction whilst she was already in it.

She was listening to us and let go off the button/lever she needed to keep pressing until she reached the ground floor. As a result, she got stuck in the lift!!!

Owh no! We tried everything imaginable with regards to the existing contraptions inside the lift but to no avail. My husband then called the university's residence hotline which connected him to our building keeper. Luckily, the lift has a rectangular glass opening to which you can see the outside (that's how we spewed some ideas to Tita on how to get the lift moving again) so Tita wouldn't be so claustrophobic. And I was amazed how calm and not panicky she was in the lift. As someone who has got stuck in the lift TWICE, I was panic-stricken (and teary-eyed when I was pregnant) when that happened to me.

Since the keeper cum lift technician was in the neighbourhood, he cycled quickly to our rescue. He crawled into a space besides the lift and fixed something which enabled Tita to press the lift to the 1st floor where she gladly exited and took the stairs down. When the guy asked her why she didnt take the lift down, she quipped that she had spent too much time in it already!

Yeah it looks like she was in there for half an hour! All the time, she was worried if she could get back in time via train to Amsterdam to cook for her family. I hope she did arrive promptly.

As I told her, this is a meeting she will remember for a long time! Tita heartily agreed. Her effervescent nature put people at ease and is easily transmitted in her comic strips. I'm glad I finally meet another Tita that gives the name justice. Hehe!

Here's a comic that she had sketched of that eventful day. Thanks TIta for being the first one to immortalise me (and Sadia) in ink! ;-)



For more of her wonderful cartoons, please click on this link: Tita's comics

Addendum to Amsterdam

I might be hasty to draw conclusion of my short trip to Amsterdam on a mere jaunt to shopping arcades.

I've read a guidebook on Amsterdam which details some interesting historical spots and museums galore that will be a nice departure from materialistic and therapeutic rituals of shopping.

I yearn to see the Van Gogh Museum, The Rembrandt House Museum, Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum, the Royal Palace, amongst others.

When time, weather, finances and Sadia permit, we will venture into these places. After we have about a year to see them all!