Cool On The Exterior, Warm Within
Old Memories
Monday, November 20, 2006 @ 7:58 PM
The other day, I went jogging in my old school tee. Hunger pangs struck while I was on the way back, thus I decided to buy lunch home. I stopped by this newly-opened stall in the marketplace which sold my favourite Lei Cha rice. The reason why I love this dish is partly due to familiarity I guess. The image of po po, ma and my aunts working together in the kitchen comes to mind, each busy with their own task of chopping and frying the veggies and preparing the tea, amidst chatter in the Hakka tongue and the aroma of food. I would get to help by grinding the tea paste sometimes. Clasping the pot with both feet, I would scatter peanuts, tea leaves and water every now and then and turn the long wooden pole in circles. Sometimes, for a touch of mint in the soup, we would throw in some mint leaves.
It was almost like I grew up on it. These days, it's a staple food served every CNY and it is the only time that I get to dig in with relish, often going for more helpings. Sigh.
What's so great about a variety of finely minced veggies, rice and tea for soup, you ask? There's simply something about the combination - light, healthy yet tasty. I'm a veggie person, so maybe it appeals to me. But so far, I still think my po po's culinary skills are unbeatable. *grinz* Someone once asked, if you were stranded on an island and you could only have one type of food, what would it be? I picked subway then but thinking about it now, this would be it.
Anyway, I digressed. The stall was manned by this ancient lady who looked as if she has been through WWII. One look at my school tee and it got a conversation rolling. Apparently, she's an old girl too, even though she only enrolled for 2 years. (Why so, I didn't ask.) We talked about the old school site and it really brought back memories.
It's the same for me I guess. Whenever I spot juniors in that distinct white sleeveless uniform, there's an instant reaction inside me. Heh. Sympathy for having to don the uniform we didn't quite fancy? Fondness? I can't quite figure it out either. But then again, every bit of it - the uniform, the old school, the caretaker and the school dog and even a certain wicked home econs teacher - makes up the NY girl identity.
