"What's Wrong With Your Skin?" - Wednesday, July 31

For the 5th or 6th time since I have been in Tanjung Malim, I was asked again, “What is wrong with your skin?” While the person (a teacher nonetheless) was referring to my freckles, it awes me every time this topic comes up. Instead of getting frustrated I try to take the opportunity to explain that Americans all have different skin types and because I am a fair-skinned redhead my skin has freckles. It is kind of a strange conversation because at first they assume I have a sickness. I let the teacher touch my arm to show her the freckles are not bumps but just part of my skin tone. I also showed her my legs; I have them everywhere!

During school today I taught a math lesson I had prepared myself. Because the Year 2 class was finishing up their unit on money I did a quick review of exchanging, adding, and spent a bit more time on subtraction since it was fairly new. I then gave them a worksheet with problems dealing with these types of math problems. I told the students the answers of the worksheet would then be used for a game. Knowing the class gets a bit chatty and off task at times, I wrote the letters G-A-M-E on the board. Each time the class got a bit loud or students were unnecessarily out of their seats, I erased a letter. The students realized if they didn’t work quietly they would forfeit their chance to play the game. WOW, did this work well! I was really impressed with how well the students caught on and worked hard to complete their work. I wonder whether their changed work ethic had to do with the fact they had a lot of problems to solve or because they knew there was a benefit for all of their hard work? I rarely see any positive reinforcement given to the students for doing their assigned activities. I feel this is such an important aspect to keep students motivated.

Also at school today I got to take part in a rare event. One of the students in my host mom’s class was moving out of the district so she held a party, including food, drinks, and sweets for the moving student. All of the students brought in something to share and the overall feel of the class was a positive atmosphere. My host mom explained to me while we were eating though, parties such as these are not actually allowed at the school. For some reason the government from that state discourages such events saying they take away from student class time and allows the students to see the teacher in a position other than authority. When I asked what would happen if she was found out she replied with this answer: “Let them reprimand me. I don’t care. I like to do parties like this for special events and at the end of the semesters. It is good for us.” While I know at home there are some restrictions on when and what the classroom parties can be for, but for the most part they are allowed and encouraged. Apparently, the school administration is not too concerned about the consequences of their teachers doing so; Puan Catherine, the vice principal entered the classroom and took part in the festivities.

This evening at home I got to be an active participant in the kitchen. Between Naton, the maid, and my host mom, I was taught how to make fried chicken with red chili paste called “sembal.” I was so excited to see exactly how to make this dish since it is one of my favorites since I have been here. Plus, I really enjoy spending time in the kitchen because it gives me a chance to personally connect with the some of the family members. Mostly, it makes me feel at home and reminds me of my mom. More than anything I have noticed memories and feelings of “home” are a universal language. There are the unexpected learning experiences I did not realize I would be able to take part in but am truly appreciating. And good news, dinner turned out great! I cannot wait to share my new kitchen skills with my friends and family at home. I hope they like spicy food!