NOT a food blog
My brothers and I are products of inter-cultural love stories that have spanned several generations. While our identity cards insist that we are Indians, the reality is that our blood runs thick with a multitude of Malayan colours. My mother’s forefathers sought their fortune in this land a long time ago, before the flash of immigration in the last century, while my father’s roots, two generations before his, were set in India.
My brothers and I are a product of an inter-cultural love story in the nineteen sixties. He was a patient in a hospital in Perak, and she, the nurse. They fell in love despite the protests of their respective families, but over the decades eventually won the hearts of their future families. They will attest that it was not easy to overcome the racial bias that existed then, but they will also tell you that they succeeded in overcoming it by being true to themselves and by demonstrating unconditional love.
I will believe this and I will live this.
Happy Independence Day, Malaysia.
Food, for me, is a means to an end and not an end in itself.
Food, for me, represents the love of family, the fellowship of friends, and the community and communality it brings.
Sean
August 30th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
taylor swift’s ‘love story’ was playing in my head while i read this! when i reached the part of about them falling in love, i visualized, ‘he knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring’ 😀
Lyrical Lemongrass
August 30th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Sean: Not keroncong? Luckily you’re not the director of this love story!
J
August 30th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Oh man. After reading Sean’s comments, now that Taylor Swift song is stuck in my head! 🙂
What a sweet story, LL. Love against all odds…
(Awwwww…..)
Lyrical Lemongrass
August 30th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
J: Yeah, a love story from the olden days, hor. 😀
A Lil Fat Monkey
August 30th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Happy merdeka! We are a product of interracial BFF-relationship. 🙂
chaokar
August 30th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
aiyoo. so sweet la. meet in hospital lagi.
if i get to direct a Malaysian love story, it will go
… I was in the kitchen, tumbuking sambal belachan when I saw her long beautiful petai hair. I reach out to her and it was love at first sight. The cincalok family protest ….
Life for Beginners
August 30th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
And we shall join you: We will believe this and we will live this.
J2Kfm
August 30th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Happy Merdeka Meena … you of all people, should really know the true meaning of racial integrity and 1Malaysia. 🙂
I still crave for those childhood moments of mixing around with friends from all backgrounds. We never even thought of each other’s race, sex, social background, etc.
Everyone was equal, everyone was a bully, and everyone got bullied all the same.
Lyrical Lemongrass
August 30th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
A Lil Fat Monkey: So cute, and so right! 😀 Happy merdeka!
chaokar: Just as well you’re not directing. hahaha. can imagine it to be one smelly episode!
LFB: Amen brother!
Lyrical Lemongrass
August 30th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
J2Kfm: Happy merdeka! 🙂 Like you, I remember my school days when we didn’t even know that we were expected to be different. All we did was play a lot, laugh a lot, slog a lot…together.
stan lee
August 30th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Really touching, the story itself as well as how you wrote it…been following your blog for quite some time already, you are a wonderful narrator, keep it up! Cheers.
Dharm
August 30th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
Lovely story! Carry on believing and carry on Living it. That’s the only way!!! I too believe and will teach my kids the same lessons. Happy Belated Birthday to you too!
I remain as always, Anak Bangsa Malaysia.
minchow
August 30th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
This is so timely, at that hour shortly before Merdeka when I am resentful about every damn freakshow that’s come to personify modern day Malaysia. Perhaps tonight, with this story in mind, I can make peace and just remember the potential it once had (and still has?) Happy Merdeka!
wyyv
August 30th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
i love that post of yours.. its so touching and nice.. Happy Independence Day 🙂
gfad
August 30th, 2010 at 10:48 pm
You know I try to be optimistic and only comment positively most of the time but this year, it cuts really deep.
Selamat Menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan ke-53..
Look how ‘far’ we’ve come.. (;_;)
Jun
August 31st, 2010 at 12:32 am
u shud put a “Like” button a la FB. i’ll just *super like* it here cos i reli am lost for words at such poignancy. happy merdeka!!
Lyrical Lemongrass
August 31st, 2010 at 10:50 am
stan lee: thanks for the words of encouragement! Am glad that you’ve enjoyed reading the blog.
Dharm: thanks, Dharm, and selamat hari merdeka to you! You’re an excellent example to your kids.
minchow: there is still hope and it starts with the right education. Happy Independence Day, my friend!
HungryC
August 31st, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Amid all the hackneyed hollowness of the 1Malaysia sloganeering, it’s refreshing to read your parents’ story and how they had to work hard to overcome racial bias.
Nothing comes easy, and I have too many good friends from different races to be disheartened by callous racist remarks.
Happy Merdeka #iheartmalaysia!
unkaleong
September 1st, 2010 at 9:25 am
Your parents love story truly epitomizes the 1Malaysia slogan that is being so unabashedly flung around nowadays. Happy Merdeka Day Meena!
babe_kl
September 1st, 2010 at 12:04 pm
awwww patient and nurse love story, so sweet. Happy Merdeka Day!
Shan @ Because I Got Hungry
September 1st, 2010 at 1:48 pm
A wonderful post – truly Malaysian 🙂
1 FBB from 1 MALAYSIA
September 1st, 2010 at 3:40 pm
muhibbahnya. (how to spell ah?) takde darah melayu ke? so masih lagi pendatang ler?
Lyrical Lemongrass
September 2nd, 2010 at 3:07 pm
wyyv: Thanks! Happy Independence to you too!
gfad: well, I suppose we have different degrees of tolerance. I don’t blame you for feeling that way.
Jun: Awwww. Hope you had a good merdeka celebration down under.
HungryC: Yeah, amazing what a small group can do to bring down our morale. It’s hard to ignore what they do, though. Happy Merdeka, dear!
unkaleong: Happy Merdeka! I try not to liberally use the term 1Malaysia. It has to mean something for me to use it.
babe_kl: Yeah, can turn into a movie. 🙂
Shan: Thanks, and yes, it is. 🙂
1FBB: I dunno where to go to. 🙁
feed the ciki
September 2nd, 2010 at 8:52 pm
those shots are just so cool.. sigh.. i luv LOVE stories & its gr8 to be celup innit.. when u mix vanilla and chocolate u get the best flavour! yarmiee 😛 hehe
Ophelia or Juanita whichever name is easier
October 29th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Wao your parents’ love story embodies the message of 1Malaysia even before the recent concept of 1Malaysia. It was truly touching that inspite of initial objections from both sides, they conquered it all. They Succeeded because of Unconditional Love for each other and I m very sure yr brothers and you will carry on to inspire others in your own lives. God bless.
Eleanor Hoh
April 1st, 2012 at 10:23 am
I love your story & website! Found you through IG. My mom was born in S’pore & dad from Malacca. Can’t believe you’ve eaten I’n so many places. Love your Makan Club, wish I could join.
Lyrical Lemongrass
April 3rd, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Hi Eleanor….looks like I’ve found you on IG too! Welcome to my blog. Yes, this is a labour of love over a period of 6 years. 🙂