Jan 10

Being away from the states for so long you really do lose touch with "common place" things or topics that you would normally be up on. So you could imagine my reaction when I found out today that the Seahawks beat the World Champion Saints. Wooooooooow.....that was just a wake-up call that I need to have a place to watch the national championship game. It should be the best game since Vince and Texas beat Reggie. Im really looking foward to it. Today was a wonderful day. This morning the group went to the National Mosque and the National Museum on Islamic History and Culture. Two marvels of architectural design, both yielded jaw dropping and in awe expressions. The mosque was built during the country's independence over 45 years ago and the museum exhibits offered many beautiful pieces. A learning experience for us but especially for me. I will be teaching in a Muslim school and all information on the Islamic and Muslim nation will prove to be beneficial. THANK YOU!!

  After we drove back to the MACEE office, had lunch and panel discussion with high school Malaysian students who through scholarship were going to the U.S. to live with a American family. This also proved to be beneficial and rewarding. The students were sooooooo bright and it was a pleasure to hear them speak about their country and home. They also spoke on what they expected and were leary about while in the U.S. The student placement in the states in included Wisconsin, California, Washington, Ohio, Iowa, Wyoming, North Carolina, Georgia, Oregon, and Indiana. Why not Va? Many of the students had not received their placement yet so i'm still hopeful! Later, we were invited to the U.S. Ambassador's house which was right around the corner from our hotel. We were in good company as the media was there to document the whole event. The party was to acknowledge and congratulate the YES(Youth Exchange and Study Program) and to introduce us the ETAs. Paul Jones, the ambassador, was a nice guy. I didnt have a chance to ask him questions like I wanted to but I was able to take a picture with him and get his contact information. NETWORKING!!!!! There were alumni of the program who were there to endorse the new students and speak on it's behalf. One particulary, Chee, was the host of the event and is a international TV personality and actor. By the time the party was winding to a end, the kids were just as excited to interact with us as we were with them. What started as a question and answer period ended up as a contemporary version of Soul Train or American Bandstand. Both groups began to sing and dance and show the other "traditional" dances or songs relevant to their country or location. We had a great time!! The kids leave tomorrow as they embark on their journey to the states so please keep the Y.E.S. 49 in your prayers!