Looking back and discovering more about Malaysia

It's funny looking back and seeing my post about Malaysian culture. When I wrote about chivalry culture in Malaysia, refer to (www.foxholejanice.blogspot.com/2010/02/ladies-first-not-in-malaysia.html), I've never been to Malaysia and never thought I'd be going there. I learned about it by reading didn't actually realize I'd learn it in person. True enough you will not see Malaysian men saying "after you" or opening the door for you. But although you would not see those obvious chivalry some of them who I got to interact with are gentle and respectful in their own way. Just by simply giving necessary precautions or driving for us or serving you extra food when you buy. Yes it's not so much but it is something. For me, chivalry doesn't have to be so dramatic; it can be done even in the simplest ways.

As for the other aspects of their culture. Malaysia is divided into three races: Malaysian Indian, Native Malay, and Malaysian Chinese. All three differ in way of lives because of their backgrounds.



So when you buy food you have three choices: Chinese food, Native Malay food, and Indian food.

My experience in a Chinese restaurant is adventurous and wonderful at the same time; it's where I usually eat my lunch with my classmates when I was there for two months training last year. A couple of times I do not understand what I really ordered until I get the food because the owner doesn't understand English so much. There is great adventure in not knowing what you actually ordered and then end up enjoying it. I'm blessed to have Malaysian Chinese friends with me most of the time that ordering food did not have to go into the extremes. On the top of your mind you'd probably think of sweet and sour dishes, noodle soups, or tofu and you are right!

Indian food is so much different and I eat it mostly for dinner since it's close to the place we stayed. Roti and Nan w/ dips, Curry (seeing it already satisfied me, I don't think I ever bought it),  Lamb w/ rice, Tanduri chicken, and fried chicken w/ fries (actually American food). So many other choices but all are displayed everyday so just seeing them is enough.

I didn't really get to eat so much native Malaysian food. But I've tried it a couple of times and you usually eat it with bare hands somewhat like Filipino. Their food is rice with 2 kinds of cooked vegetable side dishes and the meat of choice (mostly spicy). Yummy! The fun is eating it in a banana leaf (so much like Philippines in the province).
More to come my friend as I discover more about Malaysia! I hope you enjoyed.

Travel for a reason

Ask me. I feel like I had just unpacked and tried to settle down then I have to pack my bags again. I am a traveler by heart. Traveling inspires me; it opens my mind and heart into a whole new world. So when I was in high school and found out that you can be a flight attendant by profession I wanted to do it. Anything that involves traveling makes my heart beat faster and dream bigger.

Yesterday I found myself reading books with stories of people and their travels. As I read through those books I got myself into thinking. What is the purpose behind their travels? Did they experience temporary joy or is it something that will last. Growing up in the Christian faith and by choice I've always Learned that everything you do must have a lasting purpose. The purpose that goes beyond earth life. One that is eternal. These people may have purposes for their own travel experiences that I do not know. What I need to be sure of is my purpose as a traveler? Is it then just for pleasure which is not bad in itself? No, I travel with a higher purpose in my heart placed by the highest being I live by and live for--God. I believe that He wants to use me wherever I go as an instrument for His glory. Whether be it to make friends by breaking culture barriers; teach children; dance; share His love; discover cultures; or simply "Be still and know that He is God" through my experiences it doesn't matter. As long as I know that wherever I go I have maximized my time there to do what He wanted me to do and oftentimes it might not be what the people around me wants.


Traveling can be for temporal joy or can be for everlasting significance. What do you travel for?