Hello everyone, it has been about a week since we returned from Malaysia. Our kids were not too keen to visit Malaysia as they have settled really well here in Sydney. Our youngest gave a list of reasons why he didn’t want to visit Malaysia which include the heat, humidity, haze, etc. I listened to him patiently and refrained from challenging his reasons. At this young age, you want to encourage them to express themselves and not to shut or put them down. I just asked him a thought provoking question, “Who is going to look after you here in Sydney if you don’t want to follow us?”. He gave some thoughts to that question and finally relented.
Looking back, it is amazing to see how the young ones adopted themselves so well to a new country, new home and new culture. However, I do not want them to forget their roots, in other words, being Malaysians. Some of you may wonder how can one change so much especially when the migration to Australia has been less than a year. Well, you will be surprised. As an example, while on our way to Malacca ( a southern state in Peninsular Malaysia), I offered our youngest child some “rempeyek kacang” (a kind of deep fried peanut fritters). Any normal Malaysian would know what a “rempeyek kacang” is or at least has seen one. However, when this was offered to a 10 year old, he merely took a bite and said, “Hmmm.....this taste like nachos with peanuts”. When I heard that, I immediately realised that I need to bring this boy to Malaysia more often. Never in this world could I ever imagine someone equating “rempeyek kacang” to “nachos with peanuts”! Those of you who are familiar with Malay proverbs would know the saying, “jangan jadi seperti kacang lupakan kulit” (meaning in simple terms, do not forget your roots or when you came from). Well, I will make sure this “kacang” will not forget his “kulit”.
Here's wishing you a “nutty” day!
Looking back, it is amazing to see how the young ones adopted themselves so well to a new country, new home and new culture. However, I do not want them to forget their roots, in other words, being Malaysians. Some of you may wonder how can one change so much especially when the migration to Australia has been less than a year. Well, you will be surprised. As an example, while on our way to Malacca ( a southern state in Peninsular Malaysia), I offered our youngest child some “rempeyek kacang” (a kind of deep fried peanut fritters). Any normal Malaysian would know what a “rempeyek kacang” is or at least has seen one. However, when this was offered to a 10 year old, he merely took a bite and said, “Hmmm.....this taste like nachos with peanuts”. When I heard that, I immediately realised that I need to bring this boy to Malaysia more often. Never in this world could I ever imagine someone equating “rempeyek kacang” to “nachos with peanuts”! Those of you who are familiar with Malay proverbs would know the saying, “jangan jadi seperti kacang lupakan kulit” (meaning in simple terms, do not forget your roots or when you came from). Well, I will make sure this “kacang” will not forget his “kulit”.
Here's wishing you a “nutty” day!
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