A Bit of Malaysia - Stored in our Larder

Another challenge for us living here is the lack of Malaysian essential 'stuff'; The stuff that we can find in any kedai runcit on any corner back home; The stuff we take for granted because it's easily obtainable; The stuff we can get cheaply...

But don't fret - we have a solution for that : Larders! or a place to stock-pile our consumables (read : food and soap...don't ask!)

We are given an allowance to transfer personal effects when we were 1st transfered to Sudan. Apart from the various personal effects (e.g. speedos, selipar jepun, Low yatt dvds, the usual...), we also send *some* food and household stuff ('Some' meaning a lot, enough for our 3 year tour of duty)

So you can understand the *excitement* whenever we know of a new transferree, because our sole duty would then be to 'hitch a ride'/'tumpang' - somehow, we have to get all the stuff we miss and want from Malaysia shipped together!

Well I got such a load 2 days ago (I've managed to secure several loads and 'milk runs' in the past, thanks!). Usually Ckn would be home to help sort out the mess...no luck this time! So I spent Friday morning clearing up the boxes (small shipment this time around - just 12 boxes!). We have 2 metal larders - the one on your right is for foodstuff and the other one is for the soaps...I said don't ask! Ckn reorganised the larders before leaving in January, and being such a 'wise' husband, I thought I'd just continue the sorting theme she had established.

It took about 1hr, and I _think_ I did a good job. haha! Anyway - here is a sampling of the stuff we have (or had) in the larder; perhaps this could inspire you to get your own!

• Large 1kg cans of Tuna chunks - hey, if it expires _only_ in 2009, then it must be good for you right?
• Maggi Mee - the ever-ready standby meal replacement...so what if they're *only* 6 months expired?
  
• Sardines - another handy alternative. Ckn has used them in sambals to laksa - works fine by me!
• Sanitary pads - after a few months in Sudan, Ckn *mysteriously* didn't need them anymore...
• Chili Sauce - due to some 'miscalculation', we've got tons of the stuff. I need to chug down One bottle every 4 days to finish it all before they expire; So... a splosh in my cereal, a splish in my tea...
• Curry Kerang Ayam Brand - 'nuff said!
• Soaps - (well you did ask) it's expensive here (we're talking about laundry soap), and it lasts forever, and somehow the Breeze fragrance just reminds me of Malaysia...
  

It doesn't hurt to prepare - and I think we got a fair amount of Malaysiana stock-piled for the times we yearn for home; just look at the picture (and that's just it being opened halfway somemore!). We just need to visit the larder for an expired tin goodie, or dry ingredients for that laksa. Failing which, we can always raid our friendly neighbors' larders for that 'air kotak' that we *didn't* bring at all!!