Tonight, we are having a belated Surprise Birthday Party for Philippe. I know it’s a surprise but Philippe rarely reads our blog, so I am safe. Its funny how things change or a person change when they get married, the sacrifices you are willing to make when you love someone or how you are willing to embarrass yourself. For Philippe’s little party, I have decided to sing “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion. I sound far from her and am not sure how the idea of singing it ever got into my head. Its too late to chicken out now when Phil’s best friend has been practicing with his guitar. I will try to break a leg or maybe break some glasses with my singing.
Daddy and my brother leaving Paris have left a huge gap in our one bedroom apartment. Everything seems so spacey and there is so much place to move around without the mattresses and pillows lying in the living room. Daddy left learning to eat Rockford cheese (French cheese with green mushrooms on them – not quite the proper explanation but you get the idea) and drinking hard liquor neat. While he left Philippe wearing “Sarong” to sleep each night. My French husband has learned to wear the Sarong from my Daddy. After 10 months, I just realized how different our cultures are. I did see it in the past, but the process of realization took a big longer to register. There is no right or wrong in one’s culture, just the different ways in doing things. I have not really gotten the hang into things yet, naturally falling back into my habits. I remember once during a dinner we were invited to, the host was explaining about the piece of meat being served, where it was bought, how it was cut, marinated, served, cooked, and the choice of wine to be served with it. All that time, I was thinking if it was possible with a plate of “chow kuey teow” – if it was possible to discuss that you bought the kuey teow from the neighbour hood’s wet market, or the Jaya Jusco that sold the cheapest oyster sauce, or if to drink it with coke or diet coke. And I laughed at myself for such a silly thought. I know we Chinese have our fine cuisines which I am not too accustomed to. And at times, I think the French 6 course meal ranging from Aperitif, Entree, Main, Cheese, Dessert and Coffee and the right culinary to use are all too complicated and long for me. Not knowing how to differentiate good from bad wine or appreciate cheese, makes me feel like an elephant in a glass shop. Maybe the simplicity that I grew up in naturally prefers the mamak stalls and hawker centers which I miss so dearly now. I realize that I am a simple girl with simple values. It does not take much to keep me happy.
Going to bed thinking of Malaysian food....Zzzzz