One-Item Satay, Shallot Arguments, and Wanting America

October 28, 2024 Lehan Edirisinghe

I keep narrowing everything down until it sounds like a rule: one item, chicken satay, crisps, fluffy bread, lemonade, nothing else. Then I get sidetracked by how to pronounce shallots and end by admitting I miss Singapore a little but really want to be in the US. The whole day feels like me designing a stripped-down life while also revealing where I still want to go.

Calling Someone a Very Cool Guy

Such a cool guy, I f***ing love this guy

A One-Item Chicken Satay Restaurant Menu

My restaurant, just sells one item.

The chicken satay.

And that's it.

Plus, the crisps, the fluffy bread.

And one drink:

Lemonade.

There's nothing else.

No hotdogs.

No mutton satay.

No pork.

No cheeseburger.

No sausages. Nothing.

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The image is a screenshot from a YouTube video titled "Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce (no bbq required)" by Chef Elizabeth Haigh. The video is paused at a moment where Chef Elizabeth is in a professional kitchen, wearing a black apron over a white sleeveless top. She is chopping ingredients on a wooden cutting board, with a focus on finely slicing ginger. Her expression is attentive and focused on the task at hand. The kitchen is well-equipped, featuring various utensils, stacked plates, and industrial kitchen appliances. A large blender or food processor is visible on the left side of the counter, suggesting the preparation of a sauce or marinade. The background is filled with organized kitchen supplies, enhancing the professional cooking environment. The lighting in the kitchen is bright, highlighting the preparation area. The screenshot also displays subtitles at the bottom, providing instructions on slicing ginger. The YouTube interface is visible, with the video title and details about the channel shown below the video frame.

Pronouncing Shallots as “Shall Let’s”

I pronounce shallots as, "shall let's".

I pronounce words as I wish.

The screenshot displays a Google search page for the pronunciation of the word "shallot." The search query is visible in the search bar at the top, which is "shallot pronunciation." Below this, the pronunciation section is highlighted, showing the word "shallot" and its phonetic spelling as "sha·luht." This is presented under the label "Sounds like," and there is an audio icon next to it, likely offering a clickable option to listen to the pronunciation. The pronunciation is specified as "American pronunciation."
Below this information, a link to the Cambridge Dictionary website appears, titled "SHALLOT | Pronunciation in English - Cambridge Dictionary." The page is part of a browser interface, likely Google Chrome, indicated by the familiar design of tabs and the address bar at the top. Open tabs include Facebook and YouTube, suggesting a user engaged in various online activities. The desktop background is visible at the top, showing system information like date, time, and battery life, suggesting the user is working on a macOS computer. The overall color scheme is dark, indicating that dark mode is enabled.

Learning the American Way Is “Shallet”

Omg. The American way is Shallet

The image is a screenshot of a Google search page displaying the pronunciation of the word "shallot." The search query "shallot pronunciation" is visible in the search bar at the top. This page is viewed in dark mode, giving the background a black appearance with white text. Below the search bar, there's a section titled "Pronunciation," showing that "shallot" sounds like "shuh·lot." A small speaker icon next to the phonetic spelling suggests audio playback capability. Beneath this section, a result from the Cambridge Dictionary is visible with the title "SHALLOT | Pronunciation in English - Cambridge Dictionary," indicating a resource for further pronunciation details. The browser tabs at the top show other open pages, including Facebook and a YouTube video titled "Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce." The screenshot also reveals a portion of the desktop's menu bar, indicating it's taken on a Mac.

Saying British People Say “Shallot”

But British people say Shallot

The image depicts a kitchen scene, likely from a cooking video or show. A person with light-colored hair is in focus, wearing a white top and a dark apron. They are engaged in preparing food, holding a pot while standing at a countertop. The kitchen is equipped with various tools and appliances; a Ninja Speedi appliance is prominently displayed in the foreground. In the background, there are shelves with jars, utensils hanging on hooks, and bottles of sauces. The overall atmosphere is busy and professional, indicative of a commercial kitchen. The lighting is bright, highlighting the stainless steel surfaces and various kitchen items.
- Captions / subtitles: "replicates that I'm being back home in Singapore and"

Missing Singapore a Little and Wanting America

I also miss Singapore

A bit

But not too much

And not too really

I want to be in the US

The video frame features a close-up of a plate of Filipino barbecue pork, which is known for its rich red glaze and slightly charred edges, giving it a caramelized appearance. The pork is skewered and served on a white plate, highlighting the vibrant colors of the dish. The setting appears to be a kitchen, suggested by the presence of blurred utensils and a hand in the background, possibly indicating someone preparing or presenting the food. The lighting is warm, enhancing the appetizing look of the barbecue.
The title of the video, "Filipino Barbecue Pork with Achara," is prominently displayed at the top, suggesting the dish being focused on. Subtitles at the bottom read, "let you know when it's done," indicating a step in the cooking process. The scene conveys a homely and inviting atmosphere, typical of cooking shows that focus on sharing recipes and culinary techniques.
- Title: "Filipino Barbecue Pork with Achara"
- Site / app: "YouTube"
- Captions / subtitles: "let you know when it's done."

A Late-Night Wow on October 29

Tuesday, October 29th.

1:15 a.m.

Wow

The image is a scene from a video titled "Best Street Food In Singapore: Tasting the best satay at Lau Pa Sat's Satay Street 2023" on the BDW Travel TV channel on YouTube. This video frame showcases a vibrant display of street food, specifically satay, at Lau Pa Sat's Satay Street in Singapore. In the foreground, several plates are filled with skewers of grilled meat and prawns, surrounded by small bowls of dipping sauce. The satay is arranged neatly on the plates, garnished with sliced cucumbers and onions, and accompanied by rice cake pieces known as "ketupat."
The skewers are golden and charred, indicating they are freshly grilled, while the prawns have a bright orange hue, adding to the appetizing appeal. The food is set on a metal table or serving counter, typical of a bustling food market environment. Small green papers, possibly order tickets, are visible among the dishes. The lighting is bright, highlighting the vivid colors of the food and creating an inviting atmosphere. The subtitle "Looks Yummy 😊" is visible at the bottom, reflecting the enticing nature of the display.

Selling Only My Own Favourite Foods

I am only ever selling my own favorite foods

Which so happen to be these

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