The waiting game

So. I'm back from KL and a couple of interviews. I find it hard to tell how interviews go, and I shan't say much about any interviews until I receive positive confirmation. I may know in the next fortnight.

I don't like to subscribe to stereotypes but once in a while you encounter people of a particular culture who just reinforce the stereotypical image. For example, Aussies make reference to 'whingeing POMs'. I would usually prefer to give 'POMs' the benefit of the doubt, but when I arrived in KL on the budget airline, there was a female British backpacker who was traveling with 2 friends, who were a couple (meaning, they are in a relationship). They got their trolleys and found a spot near the conveyor belt. After a couple of minutes, about half the passengers who were on the flight did the typical thing - went and stood right next to the conveyor belt. Now, if you're used to Malaysian mannerisms, this will not surprise you. It not only surprised, but obviously really irritated this girl, and she started going on and on and on about how all these people were in the way, and she couldn't see her bags or wouldn't be able to get the bag off the belt, and oh, how rude of them, etc etc etc. Her traveling companions remained silent on the issue. I couldn't help but think to myself, 'My dear girl, if you so desperately want your bag immediately, find a spot where you can see the belt.' In the end, they could spot their massive packs from miles away, and it was the guy she was traveling with who ended up getting all 3 packs off the conveyor belt! He had no trouble getting to them, save for a small kid who probably didn't understand English or his accent.

More on waiting - or the lack thereof. People who stand really close to you in the queue, especially when checking-in at the airport or when boarding the plane, coz apparently they'd be able to get on the plane quicker that way(???). People who unbuckle their safety belts as soon as the plane touches down. Those who stand up in almost the same instant, and who turn on their mobile phones in the plane although the pilot has specifically said that for safety reasons, you must only turn on your phone once you're in the terminal. They just can't wait!

But I digress. After arriving home this evening, we went out to a dinner organised by Chaine des Rotisseurs Kuching at the Hilton Hotel. Chaine's concept is that membership consists of food and wine lovers. (For basic information/history, visit www.chaineus.org/general.htm) Tonight's theme was 'a Twist of India'. It was interesting; despite my love of food, it is probably the first real degustation dinner that I have attended. I sat next to a chef, and it was exciting, meeting people who are as obsessed with food as I am! I will write about it on the food blog when I get the pictures.

I have futsal on tomorrow, but I should probably be resting. I think I did some real damage to my quad muscle last Sunday, it still hurts now when I walk up and down stairs. It feels different to just a regular strain. But I am mad enough that I will play. After tonight's feast, I will need the run!