Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Kampung

Anjung

Kampung usually simply means a village, but it also refers to your hometown. Where you've been growing up. The term hometown is more accurate these days as not many people stay in traditional villages anymore. My grandparents of both sides lives in town and my remaining great-grandfather lives in an even bigger town.

Then comes the question - what is my hometown?

True enough, I was born in Kuantan and that somewhat qualifies it to be my hometown. But then I spent most of my childhood in KL and adapted most of it's psyche. Only later on I live in Kuantan and even at that I'm still constantly in touch with KL. Yeah, I'm still branded as a KLite by many of Kuantan folks. Especially when I hang out at Teluk Chempedak. I speak with nary a hint of East Coast dialect, so I think that's why I'm perceived as such. Plus I usually drive around Kuantan in a car with a KL licence plate.

I know many elders in Kuantan but not much of my peers (except for school) and the reverse happened in KL. I do my shopping in KL yet still craves for sata and keropok lekor. But come main dishes I go for Johorian food above all else. I navigate KL better than some KLite but doesn't really know the nook & crannies of Kuantan. Pretty mixed up eh?

The verdict? Pretty much undecided, but techicality favours Kuantan as my parents lives there. Maybe I take both, as told to a taxi driver before. ;)

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Strawberry Mania

Strawberry Fried Ice Cream

During my recent trip to Cameron Highlands I've been afflicted with 'strawberry mania'. On my earlier trip back in 2003 the strawberries were not so nice but this time around they are excellently succulent and sweet. At one farm they served almost every food with strawberries. The ice cream and waffle are rather common but salad? It's surprised me at first but it turns out to taste real good. An excellent substitute to raisins in certain salads I reckon. At RM3.90 it's quite a steal as you can put as much as you like in the bowl provided and mix to your liking.

Drool over the foods here.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Cats

Sunbathing

For me, cats are fascinating creatures. It's grace & agility are stunning. They may seem aloof, simply relaxing and grooming - a perfect anti-thesis to today's hectic world. Maybe that attracts me most apart from it's independent spirit. As a saying goes, "You never own a cat, the cat owns you."

You can hardly make a cat do your bidding, unlike dogs which offers it's obedience. Cats offers company & amusement - their presence are one of life's little luxuries. I don't keep one as pet but they constantly amuse me.

Note: Here's some of the cats that recently amuses me.