A Vegetarian Lunch

Dr. Saravanan Muthaiyah, Dr. Murali Rahman, Madam Chan Gaik Yee and I had lunch today. We chose to have a vegetarian.

My colleagues and I had very simple food. 3 of them are married and I am the only single and the young lady. It is a norm when I am in Malaysia. I am just a lucky woman with many elderly around me. They taught me a lot about the life experience.

I will turn 30 s in this september. Don't perceive that I am 40 or 45 years old.

I like meats but, I seldom eat meats because I am very selective in meats. I just feel not good and not healthy after I eat them. I vomited them after I have taken them. My definition of good meats is very personal because I can not swallow some meats which are not up to my taste. The meats are good for most of the people definitely. Most of the time, some people are offended if I did not take meats which they have served me and cook for me. Sometimes, I am curious to try the meat, but, later, I run to the bathroom to vomit out. I feel so sorry for the cook especially when it is a family dinner or friend gathering.

Therefore, I always say that I am a vegetarian to avoid any unnecessary offences. I am just a bit choosy for meats. Therefore, I choose to eat more vegetables and selective seafood.

"I tried some good best beef when I was in United States of America about 4 years ago. Ben White's mother bought the beef for the BBQ at camp," I said.

One India colleague suggested that I go for Kobe Beef. He said, "if the Kobe beef is halal, the Kobe Beef would be the best selling item in Malaysia."

"It is hard to find in many places," I said.

One of my colleagues, Dr. Saravanan Muthaiyah told us about his family outing in Malacca. They went to A' Farmosa Resort. He mentioned about his little daughter's questions at Animal Farm. He felt the questions were funny. "Papa, what is that?" asked her daughter. "It is elephant's poops!" my colleague said. Her daughter raised her voice and asked again, "Papa, papa, why the poops is so big?" Dr. Saravanan Muthaiyah told the little girl, "The elephant's size is big, so its poops are big. You are a little girl, so, your poops are small."

Later, Dr. Saravanan Muthaiyah told us about the Chicken Farm. It consisted all types of chicken. It was wonderful. His children like the place very much because his children never see the real chicken. They only saw them from the book and TV. He imitated his daughter's voice again, "Papa, the chicks are so cute".

I told my colleague about one of my good friends, Lai Pui Wah who is working on a Ph.D. on chicken meat's structure in one of the Universities in Taiwan. Dr. Saravanan Muthaiyah suggested my friend to work in Malacca once she returns from Taiwan. I smiled.

The conversation continued, Dr. Saravanan Muthaiyah cracked a joke. He said he met a Singaporean. According to him, the Singaporean told him that he wanted to let go the Singapore Citizenship. We are surprised about the correctness of his speech. He clarified and said it was a joke. He asked the Singaporean the reasons why he would like to let go the citizenship.

"Is that because of the pay?" my colleague asked.

"No. No. No complaints," said the Singaporean.

"Is that because of the President?" my colleague asked again.

"No. No. No complaints," said the Singaporean.

"Is that because of the living environment?" my colleague asked.

"No. No. No complaints," said the Singaporean.

"Is that because of the water?" my colleague asked.

"No. No. No complaints," said the Singaporean.

"Is that because of the people?" my colleague asked again.

"No. No. No complaints," said the Singaporean.

"Then, why you want to come to Malaysia and let go your citizenship?" my colleague asked.

"It is because I can complaint if I am a Malaysian," said the Singaporean.

"No one dare to say a word when Lee Kuan Yew wanted to implement a law or a regulation. When he said, everyone listened. But, when Prime Minister in Malaysia said something, the whole Malaysia citizens complaint. Malaysians just like to complaint even though it is nothing wrong from the Prime Minister's and globalization's perspective. I want to join you as a Malaysian to start complaining," said the Singaporean. "I never complain in Singapore because I have nothing to complain," he added.

The joke ended.

I agreed that Singaporeans have a very good Prime Minister always. I think they are lucky. I am proud that our Prime Ministers have caliber too. Each of them has their own strength. They are developing our country step-by-step.

"The Singaporeans' behavior is so different. They act differently when they are in their country and when they are in Malaysia," Dr. Saravanan Muthaiyah continued.

"The Singaporeans like they were just released from somewhere. They just acted differently especially when they were in Malaysia. In Singapore, you can not do this and you can not do that. The Singaporeans are very discipline. In Malaysia, you can do anything," he added.

"Oh! It is not true. How can you do everything in Malaysia? You can not take soft drugs in Malaysia. It is illegal and a death sentenced. No marijuana even though it is a legal thing in Amsterdam," I said.

I responded that what the Singaporean said was not 100% correct, somehow, Singaporeans just like Malaysia because of the currency exchange. Their spending power raised about 2.2 times when they were in Malaysia. They liked the food and the people in Malaysia.

We have many water parks and entertainment cities in Malaysia. I should spend a day to A' Farmosa. Who is the lucky guy?

He also told us about many Singaporeans choose to spend a weekend in Malacca because that is the second nearest and the most interesting city.

Malacca is also known as the Historical city. And, it has been listed as a prominent World Heritage Site of UNESCO since 7th July 2008. The Malacca history started with a Malay Hindu Prince called Parameswara from Palembang district of Srivijaya Empire in 1402. The prince named the place with the name of the tree which he rested while he witnessed a mouse deer outwitting a dog. It was a Malacca tree. The prince was very happy about the incident and he has decided to start his Kingdom at Malacca.

Soon, Parameswara married a Princess from Pasai and converted himself to Muslim by calling himself Sultan Iskandar Shah. The Hindu-Malay and Tamil-Malay society were formed. Parameswara had a foreign relationship with Ming Dynasty, China to ensure his country being protected and free from the Siam's and Majapahit's attacks. Parameswara embarked several voyages to visit Emperor Yongle; was escorted by Zheng Ho and Yin Qing.

In 1908-1981, Malacca grew into an international trading port. 80 languages were recorded spoken in Malacca. It grew as a Muslim land. The Portuguese writer illustrated the place as one of the important and rich port in far east, "He who is lord of Malacca has his hand on the throat of venice."

The Malacca was colonized by European. In April 1511, Afonso De Albuquerque sailed from Goa, India to Malacca. He conquered Malacca. In year 1641, Dutch defeated Portuguese. In 1826, Malacca was governed by British in the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824. From 1826-1946, Malacca was governed by British East India Company and then as a Crown Colony. Straits Settlements are formed by Singapore, Penang and Malacca.

It is worth to spend some time at Malacca. It is a small place and yet it is lovely.

Besides family outing, Malacca and Singaporean, we talked about the language used in Mathematics and Sciences teaching in schools. We agreed to use English. Anyway, it is an issue always when a new leader is taking over the position. Normally, there are many new rules and regulations. Sometimes, the average or normal citizens are very confusing. Is there an awareness program to help the citizens to get a clearer picture?

Are you changing or not changing? Is that legal or not legal? When there is a change, what are you going to do? Smart people and highly educated people can catch up the change very fast.

Those who are average and normal will only listen from the leaders. No choice.

The words pass from one mouth to another mouth. Will the message still remains the same? Sharp and clear?

When a message turn sour or bad, are they consider a rumor since it is not true? Is this the way to form a rumor? Tom passed a message to Dick, later, Dick passed a message to Harry, soon, Harry passed a message to ...... The message change from one mouth to another mouth. What is next?

Will that be a message from the Prime Minister?

I doubted so.

Is time to bridge the gap? How? Will bridging the gap for a past leader's ruling and the new leader's ruling is a good research topic from the economics perspective?

Are you going to spend more money when you have such a change? If it is, should you implement the change? Is there a standard procedure to implement the change with the lowest cost? Is that a globalisation issue, so that you must change?

Who should set the rules? The United Nation? The World Federation? The Central Bank?

It is so interesting. I hope I can read some useful articles soon for my queries. I am just curious because I met some people who are complaining that they are so confused for some changes recently.

"We are confused. Our money and investment go down to the drain for a slightly change. We need your helps. Is there a bridging the gap program for the change?"