From East to West

I have always proud myself being a Malaysian, growing up in a country where it's multicultural with different language being spoken and having wide array of food. Where else in the world that you can see so many ethnic people groups living harmoniously together and celebrating different festival together? Where can you get food of various culinary skills and background without having travel from China to India?

It's in Malaysia where you can find the blend of different people groups and also food that is so glorious and delicious. It's common for you to hear Malaysian says that they miss the Malaysian food when they travel. From the nasi lemak to the roti canai and char keow teow, it's the land to be if you love food.

 

I have been to different countries and yet I still find Malaysia serves the best food from around the world. Recently, I was in New York and I took the opportunity to see the city and try some food there too.

When I am there, I must try the famous New York deli. They serve pizza to sandwiches, from gourmet food to the simplest cookies.

Well, I must says that I do love the food there. But then, how much pasta can you have? How much cheese can you eat? How many times can you have cold turkey sandwiches? And how many types of pizza can you try?

 

After a few thrills of having a new diet, I started to think of my simple nasi lemak and teh tarik at home. The notion of you can saying you can lead the horse to the water but you can never force it to drink started to play in my mind. You can take a Malaysian out of Malaysia but you cannot take the taste of glorious food from them (R)...something similar.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the food in States. I always embrace try whatever you are serve with while you can.

I went to a Venezuela food place when I am try and my explorer instinct came on strongly. Not understand what was written, I just point and order the cheapest food that was on the menu...you see, I am a broke traveller.

 

And came this crushed, flatten corn food...it's a pancake made of corn and flour and this cost me USD6! From then on, I simply just stick to the conventional way of trying food. Choose those you can see and order those that is recommended!!!!!!

Anyway, here are more pictures of New York City!

 

What a customer service person will endure...

Listen to

sivapratap.mp3
" target="_blank">sivapratap.mp3' target=_blank>this and have a good laugh.

It's long but this will be interesting to listen too...

Flowers...

This time, no chronicles but just photos. Enjoy!

A walk with the Creator

I had a relaxing weekend today. I didn't do much but some laundry and take a walk in the park. I enjoy nature and when there are opportunity for me to go for a walk in the park, I will always go.

So, today, I spend some time walking and armed with my faithful camera, I took some pictures too. This time, I visited the Bullfrog Valley park. Well, actually my second time here.

I simply love this place. You can walk under the canopy and protected from the hot sun.

 

Isn't that beautiful? Actually the trail was created not too long ago and now it's extended through the town of Hershey. The story of the trail comes with a sad story.

Well, back in 1998, Jonathan Eshenhour was riding his bicycle and at that time, there was no bicycle trail nor walking path in Hershey. He was killed when he rammed into a wall. In remembrance of him, this parents decided to raise fund and built walking cum cycling trail. This fund raising was well received and until now, they are still building the trail and extending it for people.

Well, because of him and the work of his parents, now we have this nice beautiful trails that take us across the town of Hershey. However, I have not walk all of it. You simply can't. It's too long...

Anyway, back to the park...they have a nice little lake where you can fish too. Apparently, there are quite many people who comes here to fish. At the pond, there are also geese and ducks...

As I was taking the picture, a thought just came through my mind. I wonder, where will this ducks and geese be if it was back at home? Will it still be happily swimming here at the lake or it already end up in somebody dinner table?

I  just walked across the street from here and the whole scenery changes...I am simply in awe...

Well, this is a wheat field. It's summer soon so it's going to be harvested. I can just simply look to the horizon and all I can see are wheat fields and corn fields. The view is simply stunning.

I enjoyed the walk so much. It was a wonderful time to relax and be alone at the same time be with God. I am simply thankful for Him for everything that He has done and He is doing and for all that He has created. The verse Matt 9:37 just literally 'jumped' to me. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore to send out workers into his harvest field.

Anyway, here are more pictures I took in the evening with the Lord.

 

I'm speaking English

Having received my education in Malay language but in a missionary catholic school, I have a pretty good command in English and Malay. However, we study the Queen's English. Now that I am in US, I am re-learning my English. Kind of.

Back home, when you need the water running, you say turn the tap on. But a tap is not a tap. It's faucet!

I get on a lift as my office is on the seventh floor of the building. But NO. You don't get on a lift but the elevator lift you up to the seventh floor!

Learning English in Malaysia exposes you to the infamous Malaysian English.

I uses a lot of 'idiom' back at home.

For example...

1) When I have breads and fruits for breakfast, I says, I took two pieces of breads and a banana....and people here asked me then, what do you do with it?

Hello...I says I took two pieces of breads and a banana during breakfast, who do you mean what I do with it? I ATE it!

2) I leave my office at about 5pm everyday here. But people still talking and chatting with each other. I says Well, have a good evening. I have to make a move now. Bye.

People will look at me and wondering what move will I make.So am I going to dance now or am I suddenly going to jump up and down in the meeting?

3) Or sometimes, when I have to leave, I will tell my colleague, I will have to go first!

And they will always answer me back and says, well then, I will be second!

ahh....there are more experiences which makes me suddenly so conscious of the word I use now!

But then again, who cares! I speaks English, matter of fact, I am Malaysian, I speak Malaysian English.

Malaysian Boleh!

Charice: A Note to God

Just a wonderful video to share with you...Enjoy it.

A walk thru the 'melting pot', NYC

  Normally, when I travel to a new place or a new country, I am always eager to see the country and the places around. However, this time, I don't have the desire to visit new places or sight-seeing. I am really missing my wife now and missing home and everybody back there.

However, while I am suppose to be worshipping in church on Sunday morning, I have to take a trip to NY city for work. We have to leave Hershey by 7am so that we can get to the shop in NY by 10am. The trip was smooth until we get to NY and starting to get jam.

Well, after shopping for camera for my project, it was almost lunch time. We have time until 430pm before the next meeting so, we went around town. But before that, I had my lunch at this wonderful deli. They serve good pizza, deli and also snacks.

Soon after the lunch, we walk towards Times Square. The world famous Times Square. Sadly, this time, I am here in the day time. I would to return during the night. On my walk towards Times Square, I passed by the Broadway. It's just amazing. They have so many show running now. Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, Stomp, and many more...

So, after the Broadway, there is the Times Square...  

From there, we continued our walk toward East Village and we passed through more places and shops.

 

And then, we eat at this great store at 7th street. It's call Caracas Arapa, an Venezuela eatery before heading back towards Hershey.