Monday, August 4, 2008

Today was very much a regular day at school: assembly, teach English, spend time working on lesson plans in the teacher lounge. After schools things got interesting.
Here are the highlights of my day:

*Batik Artwork at the secondary school
Batik is a form of art that first uses hot wax to draw out basic lines and patterns. This can be done on paper, cloth, or canvas. After the hot wax dries in the desired design, you paint the open areas. Malaysian batik is known for its bright colors and the shading and mixing of colors. Since I am not too artsy, mine wasn’t quite up to par with the others. Fortunately my host sister came and she is an AMAZING artist. She made a gorgeous canvas batik for me to take home. I was truly awed at her talent. This would be a really cool art project for students to try at home; I hope I can find the materials to do a project like that once I am back in MI.

*Learning to make chicken curry
My host mom, Yong, and the maid, Naton, taught me how to make another of my favorite dishes. I was surprised at how easy it really is to make curry. The hard part may be finding the ingredients. I really hope I can make it the same to share with my friends and family. Seriously, the food is to die for. I am in no way getting sick of eating in Malaysia.



*Realizing I only have 10 days left in Malaysia
Of course I am have the experience of a lifetime in Malaysia and at the primary school but knowing I have less than 2 weeks left abroad I was so excited! 10 days seems like nothing in the scheme of being gone 2 months. I already am planning for my return; I’ve asked for specific things to be ready when I return. At the top of the list are a Diet Coke, my cell phone, and a cheeseburger. I also cannot wait to see my family at the airport. I realized there is one thing I haven’t had since Suzie left (about a month ago): a HUG. Arriving at the airport with my family waiting will be one of the best things I’ve experienced in a long time.

I do have to say though, starting today I really am happy and fully comfortable at school and at home. I think enough time has passed and the being polite stage has worn off. I am starting to feel apprehensive about leaving my host family… they truly have been my home away from home and I am eternally grateful for their open arms. Leaving Tanjung Malim will be a bittersweet moment. I only hope that I can express my true thanks to everyone who has made this journey memorable and enjoyable. I feel like it will not and cannot be enough.