Our beloved national dish, found almost everywhere, is a small yet satisfying meal that packs big flavour. The comforting embrace of fragrant coconut rice, the fiery kick of sambal chilli, the cool crunch of fresh cucumber slices, and the crispy saltiness of fried anchovies and peanuts come together perfectly on a single plate.
Would you believe me if I told you that a plate of Nasi Lemak could be your recipe for ‘cooking’ this semester, instead of getting ‘cooked’? What if I told you that the ingredients in this meal symbolically represent the people you need to surround yourself with to unlock your full potential? You’ve probably heard this saying before: ‘‘The habits of the people you surround yourself with rub off on you.’’ The truth is, who you surround yourself with reflects who you are and who you can become — just like Nasi Lemak, where the quality of the ingredients determines the tastiness of the dish.
Let’s break down how to ‘cook’ this semester, ingredient by ingredient. That said, before talking about who we should surround ourselves with, we need to first reflect on ourselves as the starting point.
Rice: The Foundation
As Asians, we always start with our pride — rice. But how does plain rice transform into rich, flavourful santan rice? The secret is no secret — it’s the coconut cream, or santan kelapa. But there’s more to it. The concentration of santan that infuses into the rice can be affected by the quality and type of the rice. Different rice varieties have varying levels of permeability, which determine how well they absorb the santan. High-quality, well-polished long-grain rice tends to have a tighter structure, which may absorb less coconut milk compared to shorter-grain or more porous rice varieties.
So, how does this relate back to us and the attitude we should embrace towards learning? We should strive to be like the more porous rice variety, ready to absorb knowledge from anyone and open to feedback. Open-mindedness, coupled with humility, will allow us to learn from others and accept questions or clarifications about what we share.
Sambal: The Kick of Motivation
Now that we’ve got rice on our plates, I’d like to introduce what some might call the ‘overwhelming chilli factor’: sambal. (P.S. Congratulations if you’ve inherited genes that make you immune to the forces of spice. Sincerely, a 21-year-old who was trained to eat spice — but failed.) We all need that one ‘spicy’ sambal friend who won’t hesitate to catch us off guard when we slack off or procrastinate. We need that motivation and ‘kick’ from time to time, as it helps us stay on track and keep up with the demands of law school.
There’s a Chinese proverb that says, “Rest is to ensure that you can walk a longer journey." But, admittedly, sometimes we rest so much that we struggle to get back into the groove. Having an accountability partner who can keep you in check and get you moving after your rest period would help you stay productive this semester.
Anchovies: The Resilient One
With a mound of rice and a spoonful of sambal on the side, come the fried anchovies. This ingredient, with their crispness and bold flavour, represents the resilient and tough individuals you need in law school. Just like how anchovies withstand the frying process and still add a satisfying crunch, these individuals are those who can weather difficult or uncomfortable situations without breaking down.
Let’s be real — we’re not going to ‘slay’ every assignment we turn in, every tutorial question we attempt to answer, or every season of law school. I still remember one MLS tutorial where I mentioned a section of an Act as my answer, only to be told by the lecturer that the Act had been repealed. I was majorly embarrassed by my error, but thankfully, I had an ‘anchovy’ in my midst who encouraged me, saying it’s better to get it wrong now than during exams. Her words fueled my perseverance to revisit the topic and have my understanding checked and clarified by the lecturer.
Thanks to her, I found the strength and grit to study and dissect the subject I had once been reluctant to tackle. Ensuring you have an ‘anchovy’ by your side to support you while getting ‘fried’ in law school will motivate you to face challenges head-on. Remember what Kelly Clarkson penned in her lyrics: ‘‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’’
Cucumber: The Cool and Calm
The plate feels quite heavy now, doesn’t it? With so many rich flavours on the plate, it’s also nice to have someone in your circle who reminds you to "Keep Calm and Chill Out." Enter the ingredient that’s as cool as a cucumber. Love it or hate it, when you bite into a cucumber, the juice releases with a crisp snap, balancing and evening out the concentrated flavours of Nasi Lemak. Even when you walk into Watsons or Guardian, cucumber masks await, offering relaxation, calm, and hydration for your skin.
Symbolically, this represents individuals in law school whose presence refreshes and calms us during moments when we feel like law school is wringing us out like a dry cloth. We’re all human — we can’t work and study 24/7. Having such individuals in our circle reminds us that there’s a time for breaks, whether it’s going out with friends, enjoying shared hobbies, or just chatting over a meal on campus between lectures. Remember, nobody can study effectively for 24 hours straight, so spending time connecting and doing something fun or relaxing with this person helps you chill out and hit pause on studying and working.
Hard-Boiled Eggs: The Challengers
Let’s now talk about the hard-boiled eggs that come in the package. This ingredient mirrors individuals who challenge us, whether intellectually or emotionally, but ultimately help equip us to thrive in both our professional and personal lives. Similar to the firm nature of hard-boiled eggs, these individuals may come across as rigid and overly critical. You might be wondering, why call them an ingredient in the dish? Why give them such privilege? We should discard them and avoid them at all costs!
The answer is simple. Always remember that your comfort zone is your danger zone. Uncomfortable situations teach us to handle tough conversations and differing opinions, preparing us for society’s challenges. Many problems will involve people, so keeping 'hard-boiled' individuals around is crucial — just like Nasi Lemak isn’t complete without the egg, whether hard-boiled or fried.
Peanuts: The Quiet Support
The last ingredient and final shoutout I’ll give is to the roasted peanuts. Though this ingredient may seem minor, they add a delightful crunch and nutty richness to the overall experience. Now, when you take a moment to reflect on your law school journey, who was that individual who may not always have been in the spotlight, but whose contributions were invaluable in helping you navigate the ups and downs of your academic experience? Perhaps this is the time to appreciate your roasted peanut(s) and to remember never to take anyone for granted.
Why not take a moment to recognize their quiet strength and steadfastness, which serve as a reminder that even the smallest contributions can have a profound impact? Appreciate the value of every person in your circle, no matter how seemingly insignificant they may appear. Hold them close, and you may find yourself with a lifelong friend from your days as a university law student.
Whoever knew that Nasi Lemak could serve as a model for the kind of people we should include in our circle? It not only helps us 'cook' this semester but also fosters our growth as lifelong learners and adaptable individuals. Each ingredient symbolises the unique contributions of those around us — whether they challenge, support, or inspire us. So, as we face this semester head-on, let’s embrace and appreciate the diverse influences in our student lives that enrich our journey and prepare us for the future beyond law school.
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