While in Starbucks last Saturday, S and I sat around talking about the A Levels, because that seems to be what our life has been boiled down to.
"SEA history is coming up first and I can't seem to remember all the details I need!" groused I, nibbling on a warm and soggy caramel waffle.
"Why don't you sort out your case studies through pictures of food, like you did with the shoes?" S offered, perched precariously on one side of the armchair but still maintaining perfect balance.
"What a great idea!" I concurred, pleased with her brilliant suggestion. (And the smell of fresh coffee wafted around like a happy yellow butterfly.)
Hence, I am going to psyche myself up for tomorrow through pictures of food. (I feel terribly self-conscious doing this because C, the much-revered SEA History Queen [, is obviously better at this than I am, and is probably cackling in anticipation of a very favorably-plotted bell curve.) I am citing the sources that I shamelessly and unethically ripped pictures off from through the links at the bottom of each photograph.
Is this roti jala or roti kirai? Still, though, roti by any other name is just as delightful. Besides its obvious country of origin (Malaysia), the seemingly aleatory method of producing the swirled pancakes is reflective of the pluralism of Malayan nationalism — the gaps that separate and demarcate are suggestive of separation between the different ethnics, a result of the divide and rule policies of the British. Example: the Kesatuan Malayu Muda (Young Malays Union), Malayan Communist Party (which also cooperated with the British during the Japanese Occupation, etc. etc. this comparison is so contrived.
It's a little awkward to organise knowledge by country, but I'll try my best. Economic development: New Economic Policy! Development of domestic automobile industry! Sabah's involvement in Muslim Separatist Movements in Southern Philippines + Lebanese intervention (!), MAPHILINDO, etc. etc. Federal Land Development Authority
Excitingly, you can actually buy this in Clementi. Mohinga is a Burmese dish consisting of chickpeas (loves) and very tasty stock. However, all that races through my mind are the AFPFL, Burmese Socialist Programme Party, Aung San + U Nu + Ne Win, "No Footwear Controversy", the whole debacle with India's independence, YMBA, Buddhism vis a vis national unity policies, Kachins & Karens, the pongyis and monastic education, direct rule, focus on economic equality due to socialist-driven policymaking, nationalizing of the economy, The System of Correlation of Man and His Environment, financial incentives for rice farms, real economic growth: income per capita increased from US$80 to $174 (as if I will actually write that into my script), yay - import substitution to export oriented growth! (for rice)
On to the Philippines. Cronyism and nepotism abound! Stuff (in no chronological order): Bangsamoro movement, US aid, Marcos and military rule, Commission on National Integration scholarship programme to integrate Filipino Muslims, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim, Integrated Social Forestry Programme, etc. etc. etc.
AVOCADO SHAKES, LUVVEM. The connection is not apparent, but it comes from Indonesia. Indonesia's my favourite case study (DID I ACTUALLY JUST SAY "FAVOURITE CASE STUDY"? THIS IS SO GEEKY AND GROSS, but then again I'm blogging about tomorrow's paper.) because after watching the The Year Of Living Dangerously (was that it?) the violence of the Gestapu Incident is still incredibly shocking. (Also, must not confuse with Madiun Incident.) Additionally, I bet refreshing avocado shakes were served during negotiations in the Linggandjati Agreement and Renville Agreement. Other details (in no chronological or thematic order): dwifungsi, Acehnese separatism, SI, PKI + TAN MALAKA (- thanks C), priyayi, abangan, santri classes, national unity policies, OH ME OH MY
Thaipan Olive Rice (that I still haven't tried because I misordered, whoops)
Sakdinah nationalism, Hmong Hill Tribes and Boat People, Military Patiwat, student demonstrations, Wild Tiger Corps, Nation-Religion-King, forced assimilation of Muslims in southern provinces, role of Buddhism, blah blah blah
OK I'M TOO LAZY AND SLEEPY TO INCLUDE LAOS + CAMBODIA BUT I'LL THINK OF THEM ANYWAY.
Words that make me giggle: "politicisation" + "political awakening of the masses"; "constructive engagement"; ASA (inside-joke); "labour intensive"
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