Foreign Prophecies

The kind of food I eat in America

>> 30 July 2009 – personal, USA

It may come as a surprise to most of the Americans, but yes, people in Asia do wonder what kind of food do Americans eat.

Do Americans really eat burgers and fries and steak as is seen in their McDonald's culture?

Well to tell you the truth, the fast-food is only a partial of what Americans do eat.

Americans do have McD and Starbucks takeouts, but those are mainly limited to around twice a week for ordinary people like most of us (excluding the urban executives, who munch on Subway and drink Starbucks espressos on nigh daily basis).

And as for me, here is an unexhaustive list of my daily diet:

Macaroni and Cheese
Lasagna
Mashed potatoes with grilled meat and kernel corn
Beef stew
Chili soup
Hot dog (Three ways)
Rice with Sweet&Sour Chicken
(bland) Beef/Chicken Noodle

However, unlike their Asian counterparts.... Mind you, all of the above meals I listed are preprocessed and instantly cooked, either with a microwave or a pour of boiled water.

on the Kentucky-KFC association

>> 29 July 2009 – USA

To my surprise, the people of Kentucky do not know that the rest of the world associates their home state with the KFC restaurant franchise.

They think that Kentucky is well-known outside America for its "hill billy", one term with a definition I haven't quite had a grasp on.

But yes, if you're wondering... That term "hill billy" comes from the Kentucky state.

Indo-lyric: Sendiri Lagi (Beage)

>> 28 July 2009 – Indo-lyric

English translation:

Lonely again

Finally I'm alone once more
after passing my days with her
finally I'm musing once more
how this love just went away like that

Never before I've gotten a faithful one
is it because I'm imperfect
it's always me who's at fault
and in the end I'm the one who has to suffer

Reff:
Again and I'm lonely again
bcoz my lover has gone away
leaving millions of yearnings
which are still buried within

This pain that makes my heart hurt once more
bcoz it goes away and isn't coming back
leaving millions of yearnings
which are still buried within

How sad this love story of mine is
how fragile the state of my heart is
How sad my love journey goes
and finally with all that has happened today

back to Reff

Yearnings which are still buried within

Original lyric in Indonesian:

Akhirnya ku sendiri lagi
Setelah lewati hariku dengannya
Akhirnya ku termenung lagi
Cinta berlalu begitu saja

Tak pernah ku dapat yang setia
Apa karena ku tidak sempurna
Selalu saja aku yang salah
Dan akhirnya aku yang menderita

Reff:
Lagi dan akhirnya ku sendiri lagi
Karena kekasihku yang pergi
Meninggalkan sejuta kerinduan
Yang masih terpendam

Perih yang membuat hatiku sakit lagi
Karena pergi dan tak kembali
Meninggalkan sejuta kerinduan
Yang masih terpendam

Sedih kisah cintaku ini
Rapuh hatiku saat ini
Sedih jalan cintaku ini
Dan akhirnya yang terjadi kini

kembali ke Reff

Kerinduan yang masih terpendam

Lack of ethical code in American commercials

>> 27 July 2009 – commentary, USA

One blatant thing I notice from American commercials is their lack of ethical code.

In Indonesia, it is unethical for shampoo commercial of A company to make a mockery out of shampoo B.

Hence, if the A company wants to make a product comparison, they have to totally blur the image or logo of the B company due to ethical reasons.

But in America, such a mockery is completely fine.

Let me mention some real examples here.

I have seen a commercial on TV of several guys eating on the same table... Several of them eating a $5 meal combo of KFC, while one is eating $5 Subway sandwich.

That one guy who is eating a $5 Subway (and obviously had to pay more for his drinks and fries) was obviously made fun of. The commercial then ended with the catchy line of "Taste the UnSUB side of KFC".

Find it hard to believe? Then google it.

There are also multiple examples of insurance commercials of Allstate, Geico and Statefarm pitting themselves against one another in terms of which one is the most economical insurance company.

I thought the American ethical code (and law) is tough, but apparently, what is permissible in one society may not be acceptable in another.

Diet recommendations for different blood types

>> 26 July 2009 – unique world

In his book, Eat Right 4 Your Type, naturopath Peter D’Adamo prescribes diet, exercise and lifestyle plans for each of the four blood groups. Based on the theory that all food contains lectins that are compatible or incompatible with each blood type, the diet recommends that certain foods should be included and others avoided in order to minimise negative reactions to lectins.

Blood Type A – The Cultivator

For A Blood types, a suggested diet would be a predominantly vegetarian diet including soy, grains, fruits and vegetables.

However, type As have particularly sensitive digestive systems and should try to maintain a fresh and organic diet.

They should avoid dairy products and red meat.

In addition, Type As should engage in gentle and calming exercises such as golf, yoga and tai chi.

Blood Type B – The Nomad

Those with the B blood type have relatively tolerant digestive systems and can enjoy almost all foods including dairy, meat, eggs and vegetables.

Grains, lentils, nuts, tomatoes and processed foods should, however, be avoided.

It is recommended for Type Bs to take moderate exercise that requires mental balance, such as hiking, swimming, tennis and cycling.

Blood Type AB – The Enigma

Type AB’s dietary and exercise requirements are a hybrid of type A and type B requirements.

Its diet especially recommends seafood.

It is also suggested that tofu, dairy foods such as yoghurt, and green vegetables are beneficial. Type ABs also should eat smaller, more frequent meals.

Those of blood type AB have a long list of foods that should be avoided including chicken, beef and pork as well as smoked or cured meat. Also on the to-avoid list are beans, corn, wheat and seeds, as well as caffeine and alcohol.

Like type As, type ABs are recommended to take calming exercises.