2/5-2/16/11
WOW. I apologize for not writing in the blog for so long. I have been very busy as I've been a part of wonderful celebrations, amazing trips, and around beautiful people. I have been in Terengganu 1 month and in Malaysia almost 2 months! It really does not seem that long at all. The month that I have been in KT I have found that I have picked up the language at a rather fast pace. It helped that I was "thrown in the fire" here and emmersed in the culture. I'll be at school, the store, or bypassing people and now I am able to pick up on certain words or phrases. Most times they are about me anyway but I don't mind. The biggest surprise to the locals and people of Terengganu is that I can speak it and it be understandable.
"Awak boleh chakap Bahasa Melayu?" (You can speak Bahasa Melayu?) I hear that more often than not. But what I really enjoy is the smile or look of disbelief when I speak Bahasa Melayu. They look as if to say your an American, your black, AND your speaking our language with minor mistakes!! That look is priceless!!! I use that opportunity as a time to talk with the locals and hone my speaking and listening skills and also learn from them. Every interaction is a chance for learning and gaining experience in which I try not to take lightly.
It's funny, ive been here almost two months and each day brings a different and new aspect to the culture that I was not aware of before. Each day that I am able to talk to a local I learn a new word or new phrase, even a new gesture to keep me in the loop of what's "accepted" and what's not.
Ok ok ok.....so let's see, what have I missed. Over the last week and some change I have really settled in. I'm getting transportation, the house is in order, school is great and for the most part the kids are responding well. THANK YOU Mr. Nosli for picking me up every morning and being "my brother". You have been wonderful and I really appreciate it.THANK YOU and Happy Birthday once again Hillman(state dept rep). You and Ms. Jaja have been a blessing helping us get settled in. Our apt. now looks like a apt. now in large part because of the extra work that you two did. THANK YOU SMAASZA!!! The students and staff have made my transition here and in school a remarkable one. My students are really becoming comfortable with me and I with them. One positive indicator is that they are talking to me openly in public and out of the blue. I tell my students that my task is to build their interaction skills whether it be in English or another language. As oppose to a "conventional" method of teaching, I approach class with a open discussion platform. I start class by asking them "how are you today?" then continue with a question which requires the students to "think outside the box". Sometimes it might only be one or two students who understand, but usually by the end of class they are in tune to my objective. We also might play a game requiring them to work together and communicate with either myself, classmates, or both. At the end of class(which is short, only 30 mins), I explain why we are doing what we are doing. It's a great feeling to see there faces light up and nod in agreement or to hear the "ahhhhhhhh's". THANK YOU
Last Thursday, SMAASZA was a part of a cross country meet across the street from my apt. at SMK Bukit Besar or Large Hill(the same large hill that I run with Lynn and Megan, and most recently Leigh and Ani). There were over 20 schools represented there from KT. SMAASZA was there, in their house color uniforms. We didn't do very well but I was sooooooo proud of them for running. It was soooooooo hot that day. I was riding a bike while the kids were runnin and it felt as if I was on a stationary bike so I KNOOOOOOOOW they were hot and tired. GREAT JOB SMAASZA!!! Now because the meet was right across the street from where I live I just went home afterwords. On that Saturday, the 17 ETA's were invited to Tujong Bunut to see traditional Malay art's and crafts. We all met up at our apts and rode a bus to TTI, The Islamic Civilization Park where we then took a jeti over to the village on the other side of the river. We arrived to a procession that was fit for a king and queen. Once we got off the jeti, there was a parade or borisan of musicians and decorative "ushers". They ushered us to a location that was jam packed with all types of traditional Malaysian dishes. I had no problem sampling all that was in sight. We then followed the parade across the street where we watched Silat. Silat is the traditional Malay martial arts form. The KIDS were great. They used real daggers and sparred! You talking about people on pins and needles for their safety, there was not a single ETA that was not reluctant to say stop at one point or another. We also got to see a monkey climb a tree and retrieve coconuts and Laying-Laying or kite flying. We all enjoyed the program and of course we ate like the food was going bad! THANK YOU State dept
2/15/11
Tuesday of this week was the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday. Traditionally, schools and other organizations around participate in a parade in honor of the prophet. There were over 130 competing bodies at Shabandah Beach in town for the parade. SMAASZA WAS the 3x defending champ for the secondary school division. This year the pool included 34 and I knew it would be a tough act to follow. If for nothing else the different baju melayu's and karung's were GORGEOUS!! A sea of colors from blue to yellow, to pink, to green, the parade was a spectacle to see. Once we arrived to the stadium where the winners from each category were announced, I realized that the stadium was a Badminton court. There were hundreds of chairs lined on the hardwood floor and there was not AC so it was hot hott and hotttt!! Parade participants were sleeping and talking; the heat makes you tired so im sure that was the case. Just in time before I fell out the seat myself, the announcer came on the microphone and announced the winner of each category. The secondary school category was last. I looked at the boy's who were chosen to represent the school in the parade and they looked as if to say, " we just wanna go back and sleep". It wasn't too long before they got to the Overall Secondary School Champions. SMAASZA was victorious once again; now we are the 4x defending Champions!!! THANK YOU SMAASZA
2/13-2/19
On Thursday the 17th, SMAASZA was involved in another parade or borisan this time to the mosque. It was a beautiful and hot day. Luckily, the walk was along the beach so we felt that beach breeze. SMAASZA Ladang(school where I heard Hotel California) also showed up both schools dressed in the traditional Malay clothing. The kids and some of the teachers went into the mosque to pray so I stayed outside and talked with some of the other teachers. While there were some students inside the mosque there were a fair number of students outside either waiting to go in or waiting because they had already done so. I got a chance to talk with some of the girls who were not in my scheduled classes. We called it a Exchange Session because we both asked each other questions concerning religion, school, and life. I learned a great deal from them that day and it was good to hear their perspective.
I was invited to go to Tasik Kenyir or Lake Kenyir, the biggest man made lake in southeast Asia by Ani's mentor's husband(Mr. Koo) for a camping weekend. the lake is located about an hour away in Hulu Terengganu in the western part of the state. I told him I didn't have any camping gear with me but I would love to go. "Not a problem brother, just call me on Thursday to remind me to pick you up," he told me at the cross country meet last weekend. We arrived at SMK Padang Mydin(Megan's school and place of departure) at approximately 4 pm. Before we left, the band had practice so of course I looked for the percussion section. I didn't have to look far because I heard them before I saw them. They all looked surprised to see me and even more surprised when I played a cadence on the quads and snare. I even learned one of their cadences and mixed it a little with what I had played. It sounded great and we had fun. The trip included the Taekwondo club at the school and 4 other practical or interning teachers. We left the school and set out for the lake which was about an hour away. Along the way I sang american children songs and they sang Malaysian children songs, what a interesting time lol. The drive was beautiful because I was able to see the country side of Malaysia. Along the way, I was introduced to cattle scattering across the road, children riding their bikes alongside the major highways, and motorcycles going the wrong way on the major highways. Every time we witnessed something luar biasa or extraordinary I was told by Mr. Koo and the 4 other female teachers Malaysia Boleh or Malayisa ok/sure/can. In other words, anything can hapen in Malaysia. Once we arrived our first order of business was to set up camp, and to cook dinner. The students, 4 teachers, and I collected firewood or palm and prepared the food to be feasted upon. That night I stayed up with the students and the Taekwondo teacher and we had another exchange session. This time we talked about differnces in the language, different food, and american colleges. We also talked about family in which I mispronounced and we all laughed for hours it seemed like.
The next day, we woke at 8, ate breakfast and began our journey to jungle trek through one of the streams that brancehd off from the lake. Maybe stream is not an appropiate word because at some points we were up to our chests in water. It had potential to be quite dangerous but thank God we navigated through it successfully. Once we stopped right about noon, we were all pretty hungry after the walking and treading. I saw the kids had some Maggi Mee or Ramen noodles(loosely) but I didn't see any pots or cooking utensils. Now I'm all for experiencing and trying new things but how we were to cook those noodles without a pot. Before I knew it, Teacher Hami(professional outdoors man who also works at the school) and Mr. Koo were chopping down bamboo stalks with their Rambo size machettes. They brought them back to our point of relaxataion and started giving out orders. Without hesitation everyone began to move in separate ways. I looked around and everyone was busy so I decided to help out also. They insisted that I relax but I told them that if one person helps we all help. They agreed and let me make the SPOONS and chopsticks. They both turned out great. We boiled the water and cooked the noodles in a bamboo stalk! They were the best Ramen noodles I EVER had. I was now thirsty, I had eaten sooo good that I needed something to drink. Well before I knew it, they had cut down another bamboo stalk and created a cup....with coffee lol. I don't even drink coffee but it was great. We then made our way a little further up stream and decided to head back. This trek was 10x harder than the one at Cemerung a few weeks ago because there was no path at all, we had to walk through water, and scale rocky and slippery slopes. We all had a great time and returned back to KT later that night. THANK YOU Mr. Koo, Mr. Hami, and Padang Mydin
Today, Saturday is the big day. I had been waiting for this day for almost two months. I woke up at 7:45 to make sure that I had a full stomach so I cooked and got my game plan together. My mentor Zurina called me and told me she was outside waiting so I walked downstairs. We left the apts. and drove over to the Proton service shop. Engine....check, AC....check, key.....CHECK( i checked more than that) lol. Leigh and I had just become the new lessees of a 2006 Proton Iswara. We had not had our own transportation since we arrived in KT and we wanted to have something that if we wanted to take a trip or go to the store we were able to. THANK YOU MS. SARAH
WOW. I apologize for not writing in the blog for so long. I have been very busy as I've been a part of wonderful celebrations, amazing trips, and around beautiful people. I have been in Terengganu 1 month and in Malaysia almost 2 months! It really does not seem that long at all. The month that I have been in KT I have found that I have picked up the language at a rather fast pace. It helped that I was "thrown in the fire" here and emmersed in the culture. I'll be at school, the store, or bypassing people and now I am able to pick up on certain words or phrases. Most times they are about me anyway but I don't mind. The biggest surprise to the locals and people of Terengganu is that I can speak it and it be understandable.
"Awak boleh chakap Bahasa Melayu?" (You can speak Bahasa Melayu?) I hear that more often than not. But what I really enjoy is the smile or look of disbelief when I speak Bahasa Melayu. They look as if to say your an American, your black, AND your speaking our language with minor mistakes!! That look is priceless!!! I use that opportunity as a time to talk with the locals and hone my speaking and listening skills and also learn from them. Every interaction is a chance for learning and gaining experience in which I try not to take lightly.
It's funny, ive been here almost two months and each day brings a different and new aspect to the culture that I was not aware of before. Each day that I am able to talk to a local I learn a new word or new phrase, even a new gesture to keep me in the loop of what's "accepted" and what's not.
Ok ok ok.....so let's see, what have I missed. Over the last week and some change I have really settled in. I'm getting transportation, the house is in order, school is great and for the most part the kids are responding well. THANK YOU Mr. Nosli for picking me up every morning and being "my brother". You have been wonderful and I really appreciate it.THANK YOU and Happy Birthday once again Hillman(state dept rep). You and Ms. Jaja have been a blessing helping us get settled in. Our apt. now looks like a apt. now in large part because of the extra work that you two did. THANK YOU SMAASZA!!! The students and staff have made my transition here and in school a remarkable one. My students are really becoming comfortable with me and I with them. One positive indicator is that they are talking to me openly in public and out of the blue. I tell my students that my task is to build their interaction skills whether it be in English or another language. As oppose to a "conventional" method of teaching, I approach class with a open discussion platform. I start class by asking them "how are you today?" then continue with a question which requires the students to "think outside the box". Sometimes it might only be one or two students who understand, but usually by the end of class they are in tune to my objective. We also might play a game requiring them to work together and communicate with either myself, classmates, or both. At the end of class(which is short, only 30 mins), I explain why we are doing what we are doing. It's a great feeling to see there faces light up and nod in agreement or to hear the "ahhhhhhhh's". THANK YOU
Last Thursday, SMAASZA was a part of a cross country meet across the street from my apt. at SMK Bukit Besar or Large Hill(the same large hill that I run with Lynn and Megan, and most recently Leigh and Ani). There were over 20 schools represented there from KT. SMAASZA was there, in their house color uniforms. We didn't do very well but I was sooooooo proud of them for running. It was soooooooo hot that day. I was riding a bike while the kids were runnin and it felt as if I was on a stationary bike so I KNOOOOOOOOW they were hot and tired. GREAT JOB SMAASZA!!! Now because the meet was right across the street from where I live I just went home afterwords. On that Saturday, the 17 ETA's were invited to Tujong Bunut to see traditional Malay art's and crafts. We all met up at our apts and rode a bus to TTI, The Islamic Civilization Park where we then took a jeti over to the village on the other side of the river. We arrived to a procession that was fit for a king and queen. Once we got off the jeti, there was a parade or borisan of musicians and decorative "ushers". They ushered us to a location that was jam packed with all types of traditional Malaysian dishes. I had no problem sampling all that was in sight. We then followed the parade across the street where we watched Silat. Silat is the traditional Malay martial arts form. The KIDS were great. They used real daggers and sparred! You talking about people on pins and needles for their safety, there was not a single ETA that was not reluctant to say stop at one point or another. We also got to see a monkey climb a tree and retrieve coconuts and Laying-Laying or kite flying. We all enjoyed the program and of course we ate like the food was going bad! THANK YOU State dept
2/15/11
Tuesday of this week was the Prophet Muhammad's Birthday. Traditionally, schools and other organizations around participate in a parade in honor of the prophet. There were over 130 competing bodies at Shabandah Beach in town for the parade. SMAASZA WAS the 3x defending champ for the secondary school division. This year the pool included 34 and I knew it would be a tough act to follow. If for nothing else the different baju melayu's and karung's were GORGEOUS!! A sea of colors from blue to yellow, to pink, to green, the parade was a spectacle to see. Once we arrived to the stadium where the winners from each category were announced, I realized that the stadium was a Badminton court. There were hundreds of chairs lined on the hardwood floor and there was not AC so it was hot hott and hotttt!! Parade participants were sleeping and talking; the heat makes you tired so im sure that was the case. Just in time before I fell out the seat myself, the announcer came on the microphone and announced the winner of each category. The secondary school category was last. I looked at the boy's who were chosen to represent the school in the parade and they looked as if to say, " we just wanna go back and sleep". It wasn't too long before they got to the Overall Secondary School Champions. SMAASZA was victorious once again; now we are the 4x defending Champions!!! THANK YOU SMAASZA
2/13-2/19
On Thursday the 17th, SMAASZA was involved in another parade or borisan this time to the mosque. It was a beautiful and hot day. Luckily, the walk was along the beach so we felt that beach breeze. SMAASZA Ladang(school where I heard Hotel California) also showed up both schools dressed in the traditional Malay clothing. The kids and some of the teachers went into the mosque to pray so I stayed outside and talked with some of the other teachers. While there were some students inside the mosque there were a fair number of students outside either waiting to go in or waiting because they had already done so. I got a chance to talk with some of the girls who were not in my scheduled classes. We called it a Exchange Session because we both asked each other questions concerning religion, school, and life. I learned a great deal from them that day and it was good to hear their perspective.
I was invited to go to Tasik Kenyir or Lake Kenyir, the biggest man made lake in southeast Asia by Ani's mentor's husband(Mr. Koo) for a camping weekend. the lake is located about an hour away in Hulu Terengganu in the western part of the state. I told him I didn't have any camping gear with me but I would love to go. "Not a problem brother, just call me on Thursday to remind me to pick you up," he told me at the cross country meet last weekend. We arrived at SMK Padang Mydin(Megan's school and place of departure) at approximately 4 pm. Before we left, the band had practice so of course I looked for the percussion section. I didn't have to look far because I heard them before I saw them. They all looked surprised to see me and even more surprised when I played a cadence on the quads and snare. I even learned one of their cadences and mixed it a little with what I had played. It sounded great and we had fun. The trip included the Taekwondo club at the school and 4 other practical or interning teachers. We left the school and set out for the lake which was about an hour away. Along the way I sang american children songs and they sang Malaysian children songs, what a interesting time lol. The drive was beautiful because I was able to see the country side of Malaysia. Along the way, I was introduced to cattle scattering across the road, children riding their bikes alongside the major highways, and motorcycles going the wrong way on the major highways. Every time we witnessed something luar biasa or extraordinary I was told by Mr. Koo and the 4 other female teachers Malaysia Boleh or Malayisa ok/sure/can. In other words, anything can hapen in Malaysia. Once we arrived our first order of business was to set up camp, and to cook dinner. The students, 4 teachers, and I collected firewood or palm and prepared the food to be feasted upon. That night I stayed up with the students and the Taekwondo teacher and we had another exchange session. This time we talked about differnces in the language, different food, and american colleges. We also talked about family in which I mispronounced and we all laughed for hours it seemed like.
The next day, we woke at 8, ate breakfast and began our journey to jungle trek through one of the streams that brancehd off from the lake. Maybe stream is not an appropiate word because at some points we were up to our chests in water. It had potential to be quite dangerous but thank God we navigated through it successfully. Once we stopped right about noon, we were all pretty hungry after the walking and treading. I saw the kids had some Maggi Mee or Ramen noodles(loosely) but I didn't see any pots or cooking utensils. Now I'm all for experiencing and trying new things but how we were to cook those noodles without a pot. Before I knew it, Teacher Hami(professional outdoors man who also works at the school) and Mr. Koo were chopping down bamboo stalks with their Rambo size machettes. They brought them back to our point of relaxataion and started giving out orders. Without hesitation everyone began to move in separate ways. I looked around and everyone was busy so I decided to help out also. They insisted that I relax but I told them that if one person helps we all help. They agreed and let me make the SPOONS and chopsticks. They both turned out great. We boiled the water and cooked the noodles in a bamboo stalk! They were the best Ramen noodles I EVER had. I was now thirsty, I had eaten sooo good that I needed something to drink. Well before I knew it, they had cut down another bamboo stalk and created a cup....with coffee lol. I don't even drink coffee but it was great. We then made our way a little further up stream and decided to head back. This trek was 10x harder than the one at Cemerung a few weeks ago because there was no path at all, we had to walk through water, and scale rocky and slippery slopes. We all had a great time and returned back to KT later that night. THANK YOU Mr. Koo, Mr. Hami, and Padang Mydin
Today, Saturday is the big day. I had been waiting for this day for almost two months. I woke up at 7:45 to make sure that I had a full stomach so I cooked and got my game plan together. My mentor Zurina called me and told me she was outside waiting so I walked downstairs. We left the apts. and drove over to the Proton service shop. Engine....check, AC....check, key.....CHECK( i checked more than that) lol. Leigh and I had just become the new lessees of a 2006 Proton Iswara. We had not had our own transportation since we arrived in KT and we wanted to have something that if we wanted to take a trip or go to the store we were able to. THANK YOU MS. SARAH
Welcome back to your blog, and drive carefully on the left side of the road!
ReplyDeleteNada
I will and thank you for keeping up with me and our experience!!
ReplyDeleteYay! You guys got a car finally! Congrats!
ReplyDelete