It didn’t start off that way though.. all night I was tossing and turning, thinking about the school where I was to do a workshop. It is the biggest on my list.. the kids there follow me around like I had a purple head or .. well something! It is a big school, with morning as well as afternoon sessions. The year 1 – 3’s are in the afternoon.. when it is hot and I am tired and they are hot.. and tired.
But I was courageous and rocked up there just in time.. to duck into the Guru Basar’s office. She generously laminated a bunch of stuff for me: a book of the kids work, from another school. And then it was over to the computer lab: the only building with AC in a lot of these schools.,, and where they have placed me topresent my workshops.
They really are treating me well.
There doesn't seem to be a lot of money here for educational infrastructure.. I guess this English program doesn't help the cash drain.. but it may be a really good investment for the future. I know I am trying my best.
It was a good workshop..teachers were late, as there was a big storm, but they did show and we had fun… which is a big part of what I am trying to teach. Then I went into one of the teacher’s classroom to ‘observe’ and just had to teach… I mean: I love it! How much fun is it to have the total attention of 38 seven year olds? We did Old McDonald like it has never been done before, probably because it was Old Pak Karin that had the farm.. and what is the difference between the sound a sheep makes and that of a goat?.. oh ya.. and what exactly does a hamster say anyway.
We stood up.. sat down.. spun around. We wiggled and giggled…
Good Times!
But that isn’t all! After class I headed in search of water and found a hospitality technical college! AND.. they asked if they could take me places.. be a ‘practice’ tourist. I can do that! I have to wait until next term though.. exams right now so I have to wait. But hey.. I can do that too.
And then maybe.. just maybe, they will let me swim in their pool. A beautiful, olypic size, clean... empty pool. I am not holding my breath on that one though.. the ok has to come from ‘above’.. but who knows. I may get a place to swim yet.
But even that is not all.. I had to buy some paint, yellow paint for the bedroom, and so ended up in a section of town that I haven’t been before.. OMGoodness! The boats!!
I will be taking pictures .. maybe forever! The boats are beautiful! Colourful! Blue, green yellow.. red!.. exotic.. I wonder how they will look in the morning light.. or the evening light.. or…
I also have a date to learn how to batik.. from a Malaysian artist, on Sunday.
I had dinner at an Indian restaurant.. alone.. sort of. I did have an audience.. a little unnerving, but they seemed happy to watch me eat. Men, ladies.. customers and waiters alike. I am their entertainment.. the food is good, so what do I care if they want to watch me eat rice with my hands and get curry everywhere. They are quick with the napkins..
Dinner was $2.00, including a drink.
What I really like about this country is all the hidden wonders: the variety. The colour. People may stare but they are very pleasant.. always wanting to help in any way they can. It may not be the cleanest, the most developed or organized.. but that is what is really starting to appeal to me. There is no one face to Malaysia: and nothing here is predictable.
Ya it was a pretty good day.
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