Dim sum and grilled pork. Ah… the blend of culinary styles that would leave me in a
satisfied state. Such a fascinating combination, and yes, as peculiar as it may sound,
it tastes amazing. From the sweetness of the lotus seed bun to the softness of the
patty that melts in your mouth the second you bite in, I find myself engulfed within a
new world with each bite. Flashes of southern China and an eager vendor in front of
a grill in Thailand flies across my head as I vigorously devour my food. Unbeknownst
to me, a social comparison lingers behind what I believe has the best compatibility.
I have always been asked by my peers to choose between cultural foods at school.
Of course I couldn’t choose. I had a connection with these foods because I have
grown up eating them. One being from the close-knit community from school and the
other from home. The same could be applied for Dim sum and grilled pork. Grilled
pork being the iconic Thai street food and Dim sum being the irresistible chinese
dish, they both make up who I am from parts of my family.
With a snap of the finger, I became friends with 1,928 people. It started in a dark
room in the northern suburbs of Bangkok. With the lights flashing beyond my eyelids,
and the loud, upbeat music taming my ears, I could feel our hearts wrapped around
the music notes as we existed in harmony. I closed my eyes and remembered how
reluctant I was. I didn’t want to come because I thought the music would be the
so-called “old generation” music, but now I realise that it is not always the case. If it
had not been my mum telling me to give this concert a chance, I wouldn’t have gone.
She asked me how would I know the music is bad when I haven’t even listened to it.
This sparked something inside of me and I decided it would be best if I went. The
artist’s music meant something to my mum and now it means something to me. It
had a different meaning to everyone in that room. We were all feeling something,
something of our very own.
We became one as a portion of our hearts were shared. We could travel through
time and space, breaking all limits. There were no obstacles. No boundaries. No
comparisons. No need for choosing what type of music to always listen to. No need
to choose between the foods that shape you.
And so a new perspective emerged. Having grown up in a Thai-Chinese family and
attending an international school, parts of traditions and cultures from all around the
world are engraved in my heart. From the music, languages and food, I realised that
you do not need to choose between the things you love to be a part of your identity.
Instead, your identity is the little things in life that makes you, you.
