a change is as good as a rest

Emma and I stayed over in Batu Pahat last night at our friend John's place. we kinda invited ourselves, but he was ok with that.  HE HAS the coveted IKEA lamp that Emma and I went to Singapore to buy a few months ago. It was with him that we ended up not going to IKEA. Imagine how we felt when we saw him with such a lamp. We warned him that we planned to steal it early in the morning when we got up and left. So, now we want one more than ever.
It was a good trip. We had fun talking all the way there and back, and managed to take in a huge flea market with John on Saturday. I bought my very own vacuum cleaner there. Cheap and it works. So I am delighted. Then, on our trip home, we took a different route and found an organic farm. We ended up buying all our produce there plus quinoa and several other beans and nuts in packages. I just made myself a quinoa salad with fresh leeks, pine nuts, and all kinds of seeds and whatnot. Even found a jar of black olives to spruce up the dish.  Tomorrow I will add the black beans after soaking them overnight and then cooking them in the morning.
So, life is better today than it was last week. And all the Ramadan celebraters were not on the highways today - making the trip much more relaxes than the past week has been.

reporting in to my kids

I make my kids tell me where they are going and when they are going somewhere. Now have to do the same.

Off to Batu Pahat this afternnon with a colleague. She mailed our mentor surveys to the wrong address in Batu Pahat and now has to retrieve them from the person who received them. Arghh for her. So, I am accompanying her on the journey and can now also take my own in person. 

Plans are to go and come back today, but we might be waylayed at our friend John's place overnight.

PS we will dodge all the Ramadan drivers on the highways

another good start to my day

had a phone chat with Levi  this morning.  He won a sticky bouncey ball at his Karate class for doing the best move in his class yesterday. I hope he saves this ball so that Nana can play with it when she comes for a visit.

Now off to the countryside to see the teachers and kiddos on this TGIF day.  Ramadan begins this weekend, so there is a flurry of activities all over the place. Not sure what to expect next week when everyone settles into the month long fast.

There was something good today

Thank God for Skype. I had a chat with Ryan.  Life isn't looking so bad after all.

                                                                                         

                                                                          

Still annoyed with the drivers

A friend here hss told me that the frenzy on the roads is due to the days before Ramadan. Guess the western world can liken it to Chrismas rush. But still don't like it any better.

Also, a big disappointment with some vendors. I buy gas or as they say here 'petrol' in the middle of nowhere. I felt it was a good way to support those who have little traffic. Not so sure I will onward. Yesterday I noticed that she was trying her best to fill the tank to its absolute maximum. I ended up paying for gas that ended up on the pavement.  I knew it only needed about RM 20, and yet she annouced the bill was RM 30.  So, I asked for a bill and while she was writing it, I looked at the actual amount dispensed to my tank and it was RM 27.23.  Now that is not a huge difference, but just the same I called her on it, and she muttered something and then brought my change. I think this has happened more than once, but being a bad financial planner and such, I have never doubted the charges. 

Today, I had lunch at McD - my only beef intake here. I have discovered that a 1/4 pounder meal is cheaper than a 1/4 pounder on its own, so that is what I order for RM 8 + change.  I take the fries, and then like the fish head in the fish market, some lucky person gets the fries. Again, not a big dufference, but the little lady charges me RM 10.50.  Now there is some tax added in restaurants but I should have been only charged RM 9.50.  I called her on it again as I have to each time and then she has to have her boss come over and void the charge and input the right now. I am tried of being duped. Perhaps the same happens in Canada with foreigners too, but this is a small community. I know that many locals read this blog (they tell me so) , and I hope they pass on this message that the writer does not appreciate being charged more just because I am not 'from here'. I spend a lot of money in this community, and I will cease doing so if I have to fight for every purchase I make.

Lots of whining here. I will get over it. But it is disappointing to be swindled by one's own community.

Absolute drivel

I clearly have nothing intelligent to say but if you were here I would tell you this story. I have some sandals that cause the noise of foot farts.  Really.  I picked up a pair of birkenstock sandals a few months ago. I saw them outside the shop (OMG I am now saying shop) and these cute little Chinese men came scurrying over to me. They insisted I try them on. They were only RM 8 so I thought 'why not'.  Cheap, and good sandals. Well, they only had a size too big for me, and birskenstocks are always too wide for my princess feet. They were determined to sell them, so they punched holes into the straps about 5 or 6 times to make them fit my foot. I left with the crazy sandals, and treid them on at home. I looked like a clown, and they flopped every time I took a step. So, they sat outside my door until last week.  I finally brought them inside to deal with them. I took my new scissors and cut the straps off.  They didnt fit anyway and felt like the kind of boots you wear on the bottom of the ocean to stay down there. Neatly snipping the straps and trying to match the two shoes, I chipped away at the back end of them until they were fairly uniform. Well, TA DA, I did it, and now wear the darn things regularly. But, because the bed of the shoes are too big, and the temperature here is ALWAYS hot, when my princess foot hits the bed of the shoe one hears a sound much like a fart.  The other day Jeff was over here and I went to the kitchen to make tea, and lo and behold, the foot farts were active. Having visited me in the hosptial during my illnesses and knowing much about my digestive system while there again applauded me on my ability to produce gaseous noises. I finally had to walk past him a few times to assure him these were foot farts and not the other kind.
I told you it was drivel, but at least reading it you can stop. Had you been here, you would have heard the whole story like you just did if you are still reading.
Now to bed, with the super duper coveted antihistimines dispensed to me for a good nite pass out.

ciao and whatever other language you know

Today's Rant - and it is only Tuesday!

I have declared yesterday 'lizard day'.  I must have seen and driven over at least 10 lizards out by my school. I am talking about sizable reptiles. Not the little things you might see in Canada. Probably the biggest one was about the size of a labrador dog (girth) and about 8 or so feet long. I guess he was too stupid to move out of the way of cars. Then there seemed to be  a steady stream of dead lixards all along my route. But when I got home, there at the door to my patio - Ryan will understand this one from 'toady', was a stupid spotted lizard with a curly tail, waiting to get in. Of course I did not let him in, and he was quite annoyed with me. I shooshed him away, and he kept dashing back to the door. So, I got the broom and really shooshed him right into the roadway out of my patio. Showed him who is boss. I don't see any contribution to rent from him, so he is not welcome. He's not welcome anyway, but I am not telling him that. Jeff told me today that he saw him on the road and asked if I had killed him, I did not claim that deed, but not sure if Jeff beleives me. No matter, a dead lizard as far as I am concerned is a good lizard.

Now, for today's rant - every kamakaze Malaysian driver was out in fullforce today. On MY ROADS. I love my backroads, but for some reason they took over and were really annoying me. The roads are narrow, pitted with potholes and shoulderless. But that did not seem to stop these idiots from passing, hugging the centreline, and otherwise making life miserable.

THEN, on my way home from the afternoon gig, it began pleasantly with seriously overcast skies making it very comfortable for driving. However, I know this comes with a pricetag. Heavy rains are in the route. I managed the rain drive, but came upon a roadwork area that did not really have anywhere to drive. I could see the vehicles on my right buzzing along, but there was only one lane. In front of me was a barricade, so I stopped and thought I would let someone else take the lead. Because I had a string of cars following me - always a good place to put onself in a downpour. Let the lead bunny take the hit. Anyway, I sat there, and everyone else sat there too - behind me.  So, I made a road, just like a good Malaysian driver would do, and drove on through a ditch for a couple of km until I found a spot to rejoin the highway once more.

Home now, and glad to be here. No lizards at my door, and no rain in my house (I left all the windows open). And I am bloody tired of eating chicken.  Make a note of that Jennifer. No chicken when I come back for a visit! I bought these little treats from the freezer section in the local food store. Big Mistake. But being too cheap to throw them out, I am gagging them down for the second time this week. They were called shrimp balls. I thought they might be tastey little tidbits. Thinking they were some sort of wonton wrapper around shrimp was a big mistake. They are vulcanized orange mini tennis balls. No shrimp, no nada.  God knows what I have been consuiming, but I promise I will never serve them to you when you come for a visit.

And that is what kind of days they have been.

All children love monkeys

The kids here in Malaysia love monkeys just as much as the Canadian kids. Their advantage is that they see monkeys every day.  Which lead me to realize that all books about monkeys are the ones that will be as popular as Dr. Seuss, Berenstein Bears and P Eastman.  So, if anyone comes across a Curious George book in a second hand store, I hope you will pick it up and send it over.  None here - I have checked.
here is a george book that I know would be great

 this one teaches bigger/smaller etc

this author ROGER PRIDDY has a great book for very beginners

HOPE THIS HELPS IN YOUR SCOURING BOOKSTORES.

any of you in Vancouver/Victoria - I can pick up any you find when I come back for a visit if you don't want to send books but want to help

I meant SPILL AND SPELL

I have been sniveling about wanting a Boggle game for the kids. But what I actually want is spill and spell.  It is an old game with dice that have letters on them instead of numbers and comes with a cup to shake them up.  I have even been trying to buy dice here and paint letters on them, but it is not working. I bought some , tried to paint them, and just made a mess. When I was trying to get dice the clerk said, yes we have dice. She took me to an aisle that had little jars of coloured stuff. I said  'what is this'?, and then I realized she took me to dyes (paint), not dice.
Spill and Spell would be welcomed with open arms if anyone wants to send one (if they can find one)

try again

Ok, now uploaded the storytime with preschoolers again. Last upload did not work for some reason. Most likely because I tried to upload it at my house. A very short video took 4 hours to upload, and then did not complete anyway.
So for now, I will take a peek after I complete this post and see if it actually is there.

You will need to click on this link as I have published it for only those with the link to be able to view.

remember to buffer so you dont get a bunch of starts and stops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og9gNd-fW44

Miss Muffit and her Mom

I dashed to Rosemerah Cafe so I could visit with the Canucks this morning. Driving into the brilliant sunrise of a firey orange globe (I wonder if it will be hot today??), I could hardly wait to connect to the wifi and actually see and talk to my family back home. We have had such nasty connections at my home that I knew I had to do the drive. Now I am gonna call Ry in Korea to see if he is online. If he is not, I will try again later today.
For now, here is a beautiful photo of Jenn and Kollin as we chatted. Levi was busy watching some tv program that was clearly more interesting than his Nana. But we did manage a wee chat just the same. He is in the space of 'wanting to go back home' which translates into wanting things to be the way they were before the move, move, new sister, and renovation. But he will adjust - all kids do.

Jenn and Kollin met Faizel and Canan this morning. They are the guys at the cafe - owner and employee that look after my restaurant needs. They were delighted to meet the family.

The Bear Hunt - A duet in Malaysia

I traipsed over to the wifi cafe so I could upload this video to youtube. Now I have to find a way home without traffic as I am kinda blurry with antihistimines in my brain.  Not to worry - am about 2 /12 minutes away from here.

These two little kiddos did the duet of THE BEAR HUNT just weeks after I began modelling the teaching to their teacher. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

for those of you non-techie sorts (many I know), JUST let it buffer, which means it is downloading for you. Otherwise, you have a video that starts and stops continuously. Once donwloaded, it will play without all the starts and stops.  ENJOY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFdfOtCjXiw

No K.L this weekend - diversion to the MD instead

All seems to be well - I had some allergic reaction to something that caused serious itching and swelling of my right hand,arm, and left leg. Not really sure what could have caused it. I am thinking the frequent Pope hand kissing I get with some kiddo having something on their hands that cause allergic reactions in me. But on the mend, and had a great excuse for not going to KL after all.
The doctors here do their best to make sure that one does not suffer. I have super duper allergy pills and then some miracle steroid cream to relieve the itch too. Both working fine. Maybe that is a false statement - the injection of antihistimes she gave me in her office clearly clouded my brain, so maybe I still have all the symtoms but don't know it. Who cares, I don't know it and that is what counts.
Another fun day of sharing Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb with another three groups of kids. Three different age groups and all of them loved it equally. This new bunch of books clearly demonstrates how much they need them and how many more are needed.I wrote to a dear friend back in Canada because I know they are members of Rotary. Hoping to get a sponsorship from them, I asked the questions. Not a successful venture there, as they have looked into this sort of thing in the past and the shipping is so costly they don't do it. BUT, they aer some very eccentric friends of mine. She is a diehard fan of Elvis. They took a trip to Graceland a few years ago, and upon return to Canada, an Elvis Presley Museum ws created and what was a classic car museum became a shrine to Elvis, complete with a car that is exactly like whatever he drove. So, why this story? Because Kathy has offered to send a cash donation to my 'travelling library' from her ELVIS FAN CLUB who amass funds for causes. She is checking with the members to see if they are willing to part with some cash to help my kids in Malaysia. Amazing huh?  Something like seek and ye shall find comes to mind.

Mobile Stories for Sedili Students

I think that is a good name for the bins I will load in my car to take books to the schools.  Sedili is the name of the zone where I work.  One of my blog readers, an old friend, has written and asked me to send my mailing address so she can send a book donation to me for this cause. I was so touched. I was not expecting that sort of help, but so very happy to know that another book will be part of his grand library of 8 books.  My teachers are so excited about what I have been planning. They just could never have imagined that the kids will actually have not only something to read, but something fun to read. I think their own committment to this English program will be more enjoyable when the see how the kids respond to something goofy and fun to look at and read.

ANOTHER IDEA FOR BOOKS FOR MALAYSIA

I am still contacting book publishers and various organizations that assist underprivileged.  Right now I have this idea that might work.  Whoever reads this blog that has children in school in Canada might be able to help me.  I thought that a pen pal program between students in Canada and these 5 schools that I travel to daily could begin a great English practice and awareness of others at that level. AND, the Canadian children could read a Dr Seuss or other book of that ilk, and send it to the children here, addressed to me at my base school.  It would not cost much, and each individually mailed book should be fairly inexpensive. My goal is to have books that we in Canada read to young preschoolers, because the standard of English here is of course far behind because it is a second language. I know some of you in Vancouver  have children in school now, and hopefully at schools that have many kindergarten and grade one students. I have 5 schools with 2 preschool classes of about 25 - 30 students per class.  So, maximum of 250 students that could write to others. I would even be happy to have a class recieve one book, which means that we would only need 10 books. Or, including year one students, where I have 1 class per school, 15 books. That would definitely be a beginning of a travelling library, which currently consists of 8 books and 3 games. 

Random House was quick to reply

I did get a response very quickly from Random House publishers. However, they only donate books to those located in the USA.  If anyone has any ideas of who I can contact to donate books to my travelling library, please either reply to this post or send me an e-mail.  I know I will find someone, but if one of you has a brilliant idea I would love to hear it. For now I will rap on the doors of local businesses that I have parted my ringgits to over the past few months.

wish me luck

 I have decided to begin a mobile library in my school cluster. So far I have 6 books, a sahibba (scrabble) game, and a deck of uno cards. I will take this mobile library from school to school (5 schools) on a weekly basis. The resources will stay in a school for the children to use and enjoy.  Then I pack it up and take to another school. But I wont begin this until I have read all the books to the schools first. That means the mobile library should be up and running some time in August.
So, why wish me luck? I wrote to Random House and asked them to send me books as a charitable donation. Maybe I am crazy, but I ran this idea past my boss and he thinks I am a genius. He wants me to pursue it, so I guess I have to carry on. 
I can hardly wait until I have so many books and games that I need help moving them every week.

conveying messages or other drivel

I finally finished uploading my logs for visits and meetings. What a nightmare! I guess I have learned that until I cease resisting something I dislike, I will continue to have it in my face. My resistance was to excel spreadsheets but the only effective way to do these logs was with that very program. Thank God for Jenn - my coach on those nasty programs.  I am a good student, I learned what to do and did it.  Spreadsheets were my nemesis, so I hope I have overcome that.

So, why the drivel about spreadsheets? Well, I keep hearing people say 'I love you?'  I have empathy for those souls who do this. Notice the statement is a question, not a fact. Those people constantly look to others for love, asking others with what appears to be a statement if they will love them back. How pathetic!  You can see a healthy relationship when a person just says 'I love you',  without expectations of the statement being returned to them. I get that kind of love statement from my kids all the time. I love how they say 'I love you mom '. They mean it and say it with love in their being. For some healthy reason, they just love me, and expect nothing in return.  I hope that is how I say it to them. Now they will probably listen to how I state this feeling. I better do as I say.

Where am I going with this one? Well, I am hoping to learn how to love spreadsheets, and actuallty love what they can do for me, with me.  Right now my love for spreadsheets is much like that person looking outside themself for love from another, and saying the words only in hopes of having the same words returned.  Bloody Microsoft.  So although I am the elder in the family relationship, I look to both my children for assistance in so many things. They are much wiser than me in so many ways. Age does not automatically give the advantage of wisdom.  Jenn teaches me computer stuff and Ry teaches me the way of the world in this part of the world.Not sure where I would be right now without their input. I guess I would be here, but with a lot more chaos.

I told you this would be drivel. I didn't disappoint you with that fact.  If you are still reading, that is all I have to say today.  I love you Jenn, I love you Ry, and I am learning to love Microsoft, but it is a tough one to love.

adieu

Coriolis effect - todays drivel

OK, I keep forgetting to check but today I watched the water drain from the kitchen sink and noticed that it drains in a couter clockwise direction. If my memory serves me correctly, water drains in a clockwise direction in Canada. Someone tell me if I am right please.  I do not think a ticket back home right now would be a wise choice, just to check that out. But I recall being told when I was a child in school that water drains in opposite directions in the two hemispheres.  So now I am wondering what the heck happens at the equator.  It clearly drains in a counterclockwise direction in my house.  Let me know the answer to the north bit. Maybe I will have to take a jaunt down to Austrailia to see what goes on there.

on a much sadder note

I just got mail from a dear friend from my youth whose son decided that crystal meth was a good thing to try. He, like anyone who tries the stuff became immediately addicted. That was about 8 years ago. His body was found last month in an apartment in Vancouver. I cannot imagine the pain a mother feels when this happens. I never want to know that pain.  Not just from crystal meth. Outliving one's child is not something any parent would ever be able to survive easily. Thank you God for the children I have and the good choices they make and the good health they have.
Crystal Meth Kills

we oldies all have our own senior activities

I went to Malaysia to save the world, and my friend Jan has taken up riding. So here is a picture of her in a riding show.  She might kill me for posting this, but I am so proud of her.

cheers to National Velvet of 2011

Choral Speaking with Preschoolers GOING ON A BEAR HUNT

These little gaffers had so much fun producing this and I had even more fun guiding them and their teacher. With the efforts made, my company has asked to have the film I produced to use in promotional materials for the international school. What could be a better confirmation of work done?  I am going to upload the full video to utube so you can see them. It is priceless. And the conditions they were under while they were filmed was amazing. You can see a delivery person behind them making so much noise you could hardly hear the kids - but they were unaffected and kept going on.  Here are a few photos of how I got them to the speaking stage so that they actually knew what they were saying. That is why they were so engaged when they spoke. Or should I say ' shouted', the words.

this one did not produce well. However, the kids enjoyed slipping their hands into the bucket of 'oozy mud' I made from paint, water, and cornstarch. They had never felt oozy mud before - the soil in this part of the world is orange and gritty.  This exercise gave them understanding of what Canadian kids take for granted.

After making large flashcards of the various parts of the story, the children then coloured the places they went on the bear hunt.  Above, are a few examples of the colouring they did.  I think I put in as much effort for the production of this project as the children did in producing it. But it was fun.  I will get the film online soon.

Dr Seuss and Jennifer are superstars

I have been traipsing around my schools amid tons of work and meetings, but carrying the new books with me everywhere. All the teachers let me come into the class to read the stories I bring. This particular one was a superstar in both classrooms I read it. The kids were raucus with enthusiasm The were drumming on their desks creating quite a din, and loving showing off their fingers and thumbs every opportunity they got. But was even more amusing was watching the big kids (probably about 10 or 12 years old) lined up at the two doors into the class, all listening with the same attentiveness as the little people.

Today I read Green Eggs and Ham to the year 3 students, and they loved that one too. Then I had a teacher that I am tutoring, read me Berensein's B book. He was like all other adults that are learning English, and really enjoyed it. In fact, he tried to take it with him. No way Jose, I need it for the rest of the teachers. I will lend it after everyone gets a chance to experience a bit of fun.

6 am on Wednesday morning

Settled into my computer chair and writing a list for today so I can gather all my teacher phone numbers, I have beside me a steaming cup of roiboos tea - whose tea bag I will carelessly toss in the trash. Because I have many more! A tiny, stale slice of baguette encased in almond butter and slathered in honey. Can life get any better than this? I think not. And, my lavender oil burning sweetly on my desk. I even managed to have a chat with Levi (my last night) and his morning. He beamed at me when I thanked him for the caterpiller picture he sent me. And his little sister is such a good girl. She awoke during our conversation and smiled, giggled, and stuffed her chubby fists into her mouth during our visit. Her mother tells me she has many of uncle dude's attributes. Nice to see those ones carried forward. He was the happiest baby, and most amusing child I know.His laugh was so infectious that Jennifer as a small child herself would crawl into his crib just to sit and laugh with him in the mornngs. Can you think of a better way to wake up? Listening to the ripples of children giggling is a gift not to be taken lightly.  But I guess he will have to share that description with his niece. One of the very profound things about family is that what is new is something from the past. It triggers memories one forgot or stashed away in the back of the hard drive of the brain.  Looking into the eyes of a new family member makes one think they are looking into a doorway of the past. A lovely adventure in itself.
As for the Malaysian adventure, all is well, and I will attempt to post some wonderful pictures of my preschool children singing to me with all their hearts and all their beings. I am gonna figure out how to post a utube of them because the video is priceless.
Salamat Pagi

Jennifer Embury - You Rock!

I never received care packages like this when I was a camp counsellor for the Y camp many years ago. This one was so heavy, the postman could not deliver it on his bike, so he stored it in some garage for me until I could pick it up. Jennifer is awesome. She remembered her mother's insane allergies and packed accordingly. Now I can cut myself and actually wear a banadge. Here in the land of rubber plantations, you are not gonna find anything vinyl - only LATEX.  And to compliment my bandages, a sack full of vinyl gloves which I can take to a Dr appt or the hospital (God I hope not) because they also do not have vinyl gloves. AND PC almond butter and honey. AND Annies ginger thins (tons of them). AND roiboos tea.A REAL ROLL OF DUCT TAPE. And the ultimate - a crossword puzzle book!  Now I know what I will do on the weekend. I will lock my gate, get up on Saturday morning and indulge myself in a piece of baguette (in freezer) smothered in almond butter and dripping in honey, and then make a large glass of roiboos tea. Then, back to bed with the crossword puzzle book and perhaps a box of ginger thins to snack on.  Life can't get much better than this. There is far more than what I have mentioned in the box. There are so many tubes of toothpaste, she must think I have bad breath.  But being a whimp, I can only use one kind of toothpaste without gagging when I brush. Levi understands this - I left him a tube because he gags on the other stuff, just like his nana. And the airlines confiscated my spare tubes when I was coming here. They must have thought I was some great expert at making devices to blow things up and then pack it in several tubes of expenive toothpaste. I think Levi made me a card, so it will be hung in my art gallery for all to see.AND zip lock plastic bags. I no longer have to wash and dry the few I have saved from packing.  And the great mother, she also packed several Seuss books which I will take to the schools tomorrow and begin reading my way through the schools. One Fish Two Fish - My favorite!
I wonder what the heck I did to deserve these kids of mine. Don't think I will dwell on that question. I will just try to live up to what they heck they think I am. Thanks guys
love mom
PS if you are in Malaysia and a guest at my house I probably wont share the ginger cookies

what a great way to start my day

As I turned on my computer, there on skype was my darling son Ryan saying good morning to me. After we had a chat, and I had to get going, he wrote to me and said "Mom, you're the best, I love you".  Well, you cannot imagine how I floated through the insane traffic this morning with that warm message given to me. Of course I replied in kind, but I did not tell him how proud I am of him beginning a new business in a country that is not his home country.  What this man does not realize is that I draw my courage and strength from him. Definitely not the other way around - as he may think. Yes, I taught him how to walk, and talk, and even swim. But the guy can swim circles around me in reality and figuratively too.  We old ones can learn a great deal from our children if we just allow ourselves to realize that they are wiser than we in many ways. I learn from both my children. I have my own personal computer expert - unfortunately in a different time zone but willing to help the old bird when needed.  Thank you Ryan and thank you Jennifer for being in my life.

g'nite

a sneak preview of Ry's birthday present CLOSE YOUR EYES RYAN

also in the design stages but further ahead than Kollin's. My choice of colours and design.

Batik for Kollin

this is the design stage of the batik for Kollin's bedroom. It will be complete next week, so I will be picking it up soon. I like the flow, and can hardly wait to see how she integrates the colours I chose. My batik lady is going to teach me how to do batik - when I have time.  So, prepare yourselves for gifts of homemade batik from a budding artist.



Pics of the Digs

where my creative juices flow

A small sack of sand and a shell keep me connected with Koh Samui - but finding a candle in this crazy town was a nightmare!

Always in my heart, and constantly in my luggage - my kids go everywhere with me.

Purchased as a writing table, used as a sofa table, and when the event occurs - a dining table will be then new function.

On the coffee table, is a new purchase. Anyone who knows me might wonder how I have managed to live for six months without a scrabble game. Not to worry, a couple of friends brought games. But I did not - there was no room in the satchels.  However, I just bought some Malaysian version of scrabble - thought I should try this one since I am in Malaysia.  You can be sure you will have to play a game with me if you arrive.

My new sofa. It also works great as a single bed for any strays that end up staying over. Notice the lovely art work on the wall. A BIG N for Nana from Levi, and a post card I keep carting around from Ryan of a probiscus monkey - fitting I think, as they are in Malaysia.

after two hours I admit defeat

I have attempted to load a slideshow of part of Koh Samui. However, with the internet connection in this part of the world I cannot take any further time.

What will make me happy when I return to Canada? Internet that works!

What will I miss when I leave Malaysia? Gordon and his buddies singing me to sleep at night

Please pass the brussel sprouts

For those of you who have been following my blog, you may recall my obsession with brussel sprouts.  I lovingly fondled the small packages in Cold Storage one day but placed them back on the shelf when I saw that the price was RM15 for a serving of 9 sprouts.  But big day today.  I found the little lovelies at my Hypermarket where I shop in JB, and because the locals probably have no idea what to do with them, they ended up on the reduced pile of produce. Yay for me.  I snagged 2 shell packs for 50% off and only had to toss one sprout.  What was probably enough to serve four people, I paid RM8. However, being deprived so such a long time, I gobbled up one whole package that probably could have made it through two meals.  No regrets. I loved each bite. And now have two more servings for later this week. Seems they don’t favour asparagus either. I really scored on that one. Four generous packets (one serving each in my mind) for RM8. Yay again. Now back to work logging all the meetings I have had for the past several months. arghhh

Today is July 9 2011 for me. This alert was sent to me, but I am safe at home

I was wise or maybe not wise enough, to register with the Canadian government while on a work visa in Malaysia. By doing this, I have access to information about Canada as well as support from the high commsision office for Canada in Malaysia should I require help.  I receive e-mails frequently from that office and almost always prepare to send them to the spam folder because I always forget the site that sends them. Just before I hit 'spam', I recall the website and read on. Here is the most recent one, in case any of you have heard about these riots in Malaysia.  I do not live near KL, and have no desire to go there. Now I have another reason to fold firm in that plan. I just got home from JB, which is in the southern region of Malaysia, and KL is on the west coast much further north.  Interestingly, when we travelled to Batu Pahat, there were many police checks along the way. Batu Pahat is south of KL (a fair distance). Anyway, they would peer into the cars to see who we were and if anyone was wearing anything yellow. If there was yellow clothing on anyone, they were pulled over for further investigation.  That was on Friday.
PS I am not wearing any yellow!

Message from High Commission of Canada:
“A potentially large street demonstration in Kuala Lumpur is being planned for Saturday 9 July.
The demonstration is being planned to be held in a stadium. The stadium venue has yet to be identified. There remains the real possibility that small groups may still gather in the streets in central Kuala Lumpur on Saturday 9 July.
As the situation remains fluid you are advised to monitor the local press for developments and be vigilant if travelling in the Kuala Lumpur city centre or close to the Stadium venue on 9 July.  The police have indicated that they will prevent, using all available measures, any demonstration from taking place if no police permit is issued for the demonstration. The police have set up roadblocks on the main roads into the city centre which is affecting normal movement in and out of Kuala Lumpur.
All Canadians are advised to avoid large crowds on Saturday and to avoid travel to the Kuala Lumpur city centre. Traffic disruptions will likely occur on Saturday. In addition, the police have indicated they will arrest people who are wearing yellow t-shirts which display the logo of Bersih. ”
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Muar Johor Malaysia Kindergarten Hostage Taking

Just a quick note from me.  I was watching Singapore news, as watching Malaysia news channels does me no good because I dont understand it. Anyway, saw that someone was a hostage taker in Muar, which is in my state, but on the other coast. However, nothing is very far across Malaysia, so in case any of you saw this news, all is well in my cluster.  The report indicates he has been aprehended and shot in the head, alive, and in hospital. 
I guess this is why there is such new security in the schools these days.  The gates are locked and the gatekeeper who work 24 hours a day, must allow me in at all times and then sign me in each time. Anyway, I am well, and not going to school tomorrow. Batu Pahat requires my attention for a meeting there. 

Kip Mart and My Red Snapper Adventure

Thanks Ryan for reintroducing me to Red Snapper in Thailand. I bravely entered the fish monger section of Kip Mart today and enquired about Red Snappers. Everyone was trying to sell me other things but I remained firm on my decision. A nice Chinese man came to my aid and said that it is available here in Kota Tinggi so we went off on a mission to find some. He found a seller who said he had some and went to a fresh cooler just arrived. Slapped the big red fish on the counter and I said Yes to the fish. However, I explained I needed it filleted, so my new Chinese friend stayed on and explained what needed to be done. Once they established my needs, the new friend went on his way.  A couple of Malays now joined me and watched the process of waste being done.  I didn't care, I needed a piece of fish, not the whole thing with innards etc.  When it came to the time to chop off his head, the fish monger looked at me, and I nodded. He then prepared to package it for me, and I declined. He kept trying to convince me to take it but I kept rejecting the offer. My Malay shoppers watched this and tried to tell me to take it home and make fishead curry - the best - very expensive on a menu in Malaysia. Well, I dont care - I dont want a fish face in my house. I can deal with whole salmon when I barbecue but not a fish face looking at me from a pan. As they were leaving I thought - ask them if they want it!  I did, and they were delighted to take it home and make that lovely fish face curry they were dreaming about only a few minutes ago. I am glad it went to good use. And I can now see that the fish monger will be swarmed with people waiting for the Canuck lady buying Red Snapper in the future - and being the recipient of a face for the curry pan. RM44 for the bloody fish. It better be good. I think that is the most I have spent on a meal at home, no I know it is the most I have spent on a meal at home since I arrived. But then, I do have 2 more portions I stuck in the freezer. The amount I consumed tonight was probably enough to feed a family our four here, but what the heck I am a carnivore and proud to be one.
I gotta say, it was delicious, I had fresh Thai asparagus and enoki mushrooms sauted in butter as an accompaniment. Bon Apetit I say.

a bit of resort living - the memories keep me sane

after a short stroll through lush tropical plants, I managed to plant myself at the pool

ok I have cleared my desktop, completed my Royal Roads research project, so now can focus on getting the vacation pictures loaded here and ongoing events from Malaysia

CANADA PICTURE

Little Miss Muffit aka Kollin listening to Nana's voice

Internet is nasty again tonight

I will try to post a couple of pictures from the resort.  Just to show everyone what a difficult time I had there.  I will try again tomorrow to show you the cultural events we took in, but unfortunately not tonight.
The following is the view from the breakfast table I sat at on a regular basis.  I am not sure when I had time to put all the food into my face that I consumed, because I was gawking around at the scenery all the time too.

Tomorrow I hope to post more interesting material.  Although, I found this very interesting as a participant.

Canada Day in Malaysia

we had a nice gathering in JB around a colleague's pool. Typical weather - hot and sunny, so we found some palm trees to cluster under. Everyone outdid themselves with foods, and also worked darn hard putting it all together. I suggested next time we just do munchies in the afternoon and then pool our resources and order from Nando's for the feast.
Too late to write much more, but I promise to get back to the blog this week. My finger is nearly healed, so I wont have excuses any longer.
g'nite

HAPPY CANADA DAY

LOVE TO ALL IN CANADA ON THIS DAY.  We plan to celebrate with you and have invited new friends to see how Canada celebrates

My Baju Kurang

I am probably going to spell her name wrong. And if so, I apologize. Little Ayesha Azalea gave me the fabric to make this new dress on Teacher's Day this year. I had someone make the dress and wore it to her school so we could have our picture taken together. We are standing under a starfruit tree, which impresses the heck out of me.The name of the dress is as in the title of this post. I think I spelled that correctly. I picked a starfruit from this tree the other day and was amazed at the size and sweetness of the lucious fruit.

I really need to get something done with my hair. I have not had anything done since arriving here, and now fearful of getting it cut. A ponytail is my friend in this climate, and cutting it off would cause angst.  But an old bird like me should not be wearing a pony tail. I know that!