My Easter Feast

You can be sure there is no leg of lamb or such indulgence. But I did concoct a delightful mixture of pulses and good things. With only one cooking surface, I began with cooking pearl barley. Once it was almost done, I added green lentils. Nearing the completion of that batch, I added quinoa and let the pot sit covered for ten minutes after it bubbled for about fifteen. Dicing my carefully carried artichoke hearts from Canada, I merged them and a diced tomato and diced sweet onion into the pulse pot. A squeeze of Dijon mustard and the treat was ready. No, it is not what I would prepare at home, but I can tell you - it beats chicken!  In fact, it is absolutely fabulous. I can probably pick up asparagus in JB this week and tart it up some more. And to top it all off it is all organic, besides being bloody healthy.

Something to Think About for Easter

I guess I better enjoy the day. After all, the guy who leads the people who celebrate Easter has taken my name, which means I should be remembered when I am introduced during his reign.

It should also ensure continued misspelling of my name

Following is an oleo of Easter and Passover humour I found. I enjoyed. I hope you do too.

This one is for those who follow the gregorian calendar

This one is a typical sign somewhere in redneck USA

And for my Jewish friends who celebrate Passover

I Just Learned Something New

The electrical appliances here in SE Asia have a very large event at the end of the cord. The power is is 220, unlike my home where it is only 110. I figured there was some reason for this big thing but whenever I asked anyone I got a shrug. Well. I have a nice ikea floor lamp that has quit on me twice. It was purchased in Malaysia so I was sort of confident the power was not the issue. I had a nice electrician visiting a neighbour come over.  He fixed it by replacing this big end plug. It worked and then suddenly after a few weeks of use I turned on the lamp and poof. The bulbs went out again. Thinking they were burned out I went shopping and bought new bulbs. Home again and replaced them and no power again. Drat. I convinced the shopkeeper downtown to take my lamp and see if they could see what was wrong. On my way there I saw a brightly lit shop touting itself as electrical business. Near my home, I figured I should give it a shot. By the name overhead I was pretty sure we could converse somewhat. It was a Chinese name, and I have discovered that the Chinese are pretty good at English here.  I was not disappointed. They took that plug off the end after I gave history. Well there is a fuse in that big event. The fuse was shot. Replacing the fuse and putting all back together and again it works.  Nice. Why does the fuse blow? Why does anything odd happen here?  Not to question. Only accept. And don't leave the computer plugged in unnecessarily. Could cost more than a fuse to fix that. Power surges are the norm. Maybe the gatekeeper of power sources here gets behind in flow when he takes a nap and then has to make up for the loss of kwh we are paying for so just gives a little push. So if you have had appliances quit on you, maybe it is just a little fuse hidden in the plug.

Happy Easter

I only learned today that it is Good Friday here. Watching the news, there was a story from the Philippines and then I realized I had almost missed Easter once again. It was a disturbing news story. There are people there who actually re-enact the crucifixion. Yes, there are other countries that do this, but in the Philippines there are people who actually have themselves nailed to the cross and hung for the day.  Their reason seems to be that it brings them good luck for the year. I guess you could call it good luck for the year. The year looks pretty good after that day no matter what happens, right? However, not really sure how one would celebrate Easter in a muslim country??

Here is something I found amusing

A Week of Toil

What was supposed to be a week of vacation never came close to that description in my household. But I did get a number of things accomplished. Serious study notes for my classes, laundry up to date, most of the house cleaned, writing papers, and some research stuff whenever the Internet let me in. Also made an attempt to communicate with the university library. We concluded that there was something wrong with the site and that she would continue to send the materials to me until it is repaired.

What is the biggest event here?  It is hotter than Hades.  Not a good sign. We are nowhere near summer. Also baby gecko season is upon me in my home. I had to guide a little fella out yesterday. I amused myself watching him look outside through a screen when I took a break. Then I realized how mean I was, so opened the screen and kind of nudged him to take a few steps. Since I have recently read the Allegory of the Cave I wonder if my house was his cave, and he really did not trust the great outdoors?  Come to think of it, I have not seen him since he left. Maybe not really ready for that chapter of his life.  

You Cannot Find More Freshly Ground Coconut Than This

After picking up roasted pistachios, a chicken breast, lemongrass and more mangoes, I stopped at the shop near my home that grates coconut as you need it. Here is a video of the nice lady who does this.  I cannot believe how she holds the coconut in her left hand and swings a machete down into the centre of it to crack it open. When was the last time you picked up freshly grated coconut?

So home I trotted and put together a delightful combination of curry, coconut, chicken and all else. Sprinkled with roasted pistachios, I dined very nicely tonight.

Curried coconut chicken sprinkled with roasted pistachios and surrounded by honey mangoes. What appears to be rice is actually a seriously delicious bed of shredded coconut

My Clothes Never Looked So Good!

I picked up all the linen that I left for the Dobi to deal with and could not believe my eyes when I saw them.  I did not recognize my stuff. It had never been so perfectly pressed since I first bought them.  I also cannot believe they do it all for such a small price. But I will not complain. We will both be happy when I keep using their service. And to top it off, the man carried it all out to the car and hung everything in the back.

Now, treating myself to a frozen coffee at White Coffee downtown and do some study notes for my upcoming exams.  I might even wander across the car park to pick up a chicken breast and freshly shredded coconut for a curry tonight

Now to start the study notes.

It's Only March!

It is so hot, and we have not even begun summer yet. I have had the a/c on for the past two nights and actually left it on all night. If I have ever turned it on in the past, I would have it off within a few hours because it was too cold. When I emerged from my room this morning I felt like I had walked into a steam room. I cannot imagine what June will be like. I don't want to even think about it. I am comparing the years I have been here and this one wins the trophy for the rainiest and the hottest so far.

I also got clever and took my linen things to a dobi today. Washing and ironing 10 linen items for a cost of RM10.50. About three bucks. I think I will do this on a regular basis because I don't have time to do it myself, and have enough laundry to do without that. When I first arrived here the only dobi in town had shut down. I was forced to buy a washing machine. Now everyone sees money to be made and they are popping up all over the place. There is one just a short distance from where I live. I went over with my bundle and walked away quickly. They had sacks, mounds, and boxes of clothing and whatnot, stinking up the place.  Besides all that, I was pretty sure that what I left there would never be seen again.  Recalling one over in Kota Jaya, I made the trip over there. They are the people who told me that what I saw was not a swimming pool, it was a fish tank. I figured if they could get that message to me then we could likely do business together with laundry.  I trust that they know what they are doing. I left my work clothes and will return tomorrow to pick them up, ironed and on hangers. I paid today. No chit.  No ticket. Just a wave. But then, who else would wear what I wear? Plus this dobi is run by Chinese people. They could cut one of my dresses and make three or four out of it for themselves and probably still have leftovers. Yes one hour martinizing has arrived in Kota Tinggi!  They had offered to have it all ready in a few hours. I didn't want to hang around so they were delighted to discover I would wait until tomorrow.  That is better service than Vancouver. I waited a week for my sweaters there.

More progress on my assignments today. More reading accomplished. Now to treat myself with reading for pleasure before the lights go out.

Making Progress

I have written the analysis portions, now ready to insert the data I collect for the MCQ I administer next week to my students. Once that is done I can complete the analysis and opinions of that for my own assignment at school. I have partially written my literature review for problem solving, cleaned my main floor to antiseptic level, and compared Rabindranath Tagore to Aristotle in regard to their view of education and style of curriculum.  While preparing to write that comparison, I was perusing the reading material I have and was delighted to see a youtube suggested as something to watch. One philosopher option was with John Locke. I opted for Aristotle instead because I kept getting flashes of this video and could not keep a straight face or clear mind.  What a treat to find this; offered from the Asian University I attend.  So, when you click to view, keep in mind that I am only offering something that was offered to me as a study guide.  The use of language is not my own. Well, not here anyway.  I also found one titled Allegory of the Cave.  Now maybe I will just cut that one and paste it on my paper if I discover that I must discuss the meaning that Plato intended.

3 minute video of John Locke

I am Losing Sight of That Elusive Silver Lining

I can see that I need to see things differently.  For every adversity, I need to see the bigger picture.  Why am I have having difficulty doing this? Is it the stapler that looks like a Christmas cracker prize? Is it the stapler that you do purchase with staples that are the wrong size (in the same package)?  Is it the fact that one has to beg for assignments being posted to a learning site?  Is it the fact that one has to own two printers to maybe  do the job of one?  Is it the fact that one has to purchase two laptops in two years because the first one spends more time in the warranty shop than on my lap?  Is it the fact that one cannot claim an expense when filing taxes for having to purchase two laptops because the first one never worked? Is it the fact that everything I have done for the past two years seems to be lost in space instead of the learner's heads? Is it the fact that I have to be creative in food purchasing and alter all this to figure out a way to feed myself somewhat heathy foods on one little element? Is it the fact that once I do that preparation I have the biggest mess in my kitchen that has a bridge table for cupboard, cutlery drawer, and countertop combined? Is it the fact that the mess gets cleaned up in a bar sink that only dispenses room temperature water that is not potable? Is it the fact that one can work up a sweat that rivals a work out at the gym, just washing the floor?

Where is the silver, other than new colours that adorn the top of my head?  Maybe it is in the nice truck driver who lets me into a lane during a monsoon, so I can come home. Maybe it is in the mentee that says thank you for all the things you have taught me. Maybe it is in the birds chortling as the sky becomes brilliant red as a new day begins.  Maybe it is in the visits I get to have with my family and friends on Skype.  Maybe it is in the experience that I set out to have and am having it.  Maybe it is in finding a popcorn popper where no popcorn poppers tread before. Maybe it is in the pride of a floor that gleams in the sunlight once it has been cleaned; knowing that I made that happen.

I hope that when I return home I will appreciate the stapler that works, the plumbing that is friendly, the food vendors that sell food safe to eat, and the communication that actually results in both sides knowing what was said.

Nothing Accomplished - Clouds Got in My Way

I fully intended to settle down and get some work done. I did not even wash the floor. I haven't done anything except sit on the sofa and play with my iPad. Why?  I am not sure. I think it is because I have not had a day to do nothing for more than three weeks. I hope that is the reason.  Otherwise, I am in trouble. I need to get moving.

Maybe it is because I feel like I failed with an activity I thought 'rocked'.  All that activity did was show me that the people under my wing either do not know anything I taught them or they cannot understand English. Either one is not good news.

So, feeling like a failure, I sat. Good therapy huh?  But what I did find in my sporadic internet was a whole lot of music to soothe my sorry self.

Here is some of the stuff I listened to and felt like I will survive this chapter.  If you have free time, settle in and listen to the tunes.  If not, you can see how I managed to do nothing at all this day, but did enjoy myself.

Joni Mitchell hails from the same part of the world as myself. I met her when I was a young girl, and we had a lot of chats during the time that she began her musical career. I certainly did not know she was so talented. But I followed her career and bought her music. What I love about this particular piece she has performed is that it was made famous in her youth.  I loved it then, and I love it even more now. She has altered the tempo, I think, according to her wisdom collected through these years, and for that reason, I can completely identify with the change.
Joni Mitchell sings

Then I wandered around the Beatles music. I grew up with this and still love it.  It was funny to think back to our parents wondering who these Brit guys in mod suits belting out tunes that we teenagers loved.  Well, I am not a teenager now, but I still love their tunes.

I came across George Harrison and his 'My Sweet Lord'.  Now, how can any parent get antsy over such a song? I am sure they did. They probably thought he was mocking or something. In any case, I loved it then and love it even more now.
George Harrison's My Sweet Lord Hare Krishna

Next on the menu was one by the Beatles, called in My Life.  Well, with the years on my battery, I have been to many places myself. Not as many as my son has been, and I am not sure I will ever catch up to him. But, places and memories of friends are what I have, and they were awakened when I listened to this one.
The Beatles In My Life

While the Beatles were on their spiritual journey, they recorded this one. A long and winding road is what I have been on myself. Never sure where it is going to lead, I trust that it is taking me to the next chapter and waiting for me to figure out what that chapter is.  At least I feign trust and don't just sit back and stop. Trust is the issue here. Trust that the road will get you to the place that is right.  Today I am not so sure.
Beatles Again The Long and Winding Road

And, my favourite Beatles tune. Imagine.  Oops not a Beatles tune. John Lennon.  He shows us how one can make an impact on an entire world through his voice.  He did just that.  If you check, you can see videos all over the world of this song.  Now let's hope it impacts to the point of causing an outcome the same as the words in this song. Sometime.
John Lennon IMAGINE


Another that has stood the test of time is Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. If you don't love it too, then I cannot understand you.  Doesn't matter. Here it is.
Louis Armstrong What a Wonderful World

Lastly, here is one with words so my kids can practice before August. They will need to listen to me singing it, and because I have such a terrible voice, they might as well know what the heck I am singing as I  try to croon out the tune.  Keep in mind kids, this is a song from a man to his wife. Times change. This version is a mom to her kids. Will you still feed me when I am 64? - I know you don't need me - you've done a splendid job being who you are, as you are!
Beatles - When I am 64

Hunkering Down

After a much needed chat with a dear friend in Canada, I now must get started with all my work. As a week of vacation time begins, I will be spending a great deal of time at the keyboard.  Unlike my colleagues who have dashed off to fun beaches and whatnot, I have school assignments to complete - or shall I say begin.  Research stuff to write, and get the literature review done, and of course, the actual work stuff tidied up and completed before the return to that in a week.

I think I need to get downtown and get my hair trimmed.  I am looking a bit like Betty Crocker, or maybe June Cleaver these days. Sticking hair combs in my hair in order to have it off my face, I realize it is time for a chop chop.  But maybe I am just avoiding everything that I really need to do.

Pretty boring. So maybe I will wash the floors first. They have not had my attention for more than a week, and if I leave them any longer I might just have some new roommates.  The kind one does not really want.

Internet, Mail, and Everything Related

I cannot believe what a princess I am.  Having fought tooth and nail to get wireless into my hovel I am now complaining about this.  Why? Because for some unknown reason, this service cannot work even barely efficiently.  I am justified in this whining.  I pay RM110 a month for the service and I get as much internet as one would expect if they were in a valley in the mountain ranges in northern Canada using their basic cell phone as a modem.  I think I have painted a picture that helps you understand my dilemma.  I unplug, I replug, I do it again a million times, and still no connection.  I am writing as fast as my little bent fingers can type right now. I have a small window of connection using the pathetic dongle that was issued me when I set foot over here a few years ago.  I have to copy this text constantly because the connection disappears every few minutes and I have to start over each time it does.  But what the heck! I do have a connection, of sorts.  My home wireless?  It is sitting in the corner just winking at me at intervals. Much like a smarty pants who knows they have won the contest.

To compound this connectivity issue, I have a friend who has written to me and discovered that I never received the mail. It also had disappeared from her own e-mail account. Where do these messages go? I have experienced the same with others and with some I have attempted to send as well.  When I actually succeeded in getting into my e-mail account I found an e-mail reply from another friend that looked very familiar.  I browsed through my recent inbox stash and found the exact same e-mail from her that she sent 6 days ago. What is happening to us with this instant connection and cyber communications?  This second reply is not a forward. It is as if the other never happened.

I better post this before I have a complete meltdown over reconnecting.  Today? Off to a school to discuss the listening exercise we did yesterday. How did that turn out? Far less than I could have imagined. Listening to what I have taught and modelled for the past two years, the people were to answer some questions afterwards. Twelve questions asked in the order of the listening exercise, about what they professed they understood.  Two to three right answers was the norm. Most left blank, and not even attempted.  I have a lot of work cut out for me.  But before all that happens I also have to go downtown JB to file my taxes. Can you imagine what I will be facing? It makes me shiver.  The building where this office is located is aptly names. The Hasil building.  I pronounce it Hassle.  Quite rightly.

The Bullet to the Rescue

Although I have promised myself to make no more purchases, this one was something that I think was necessary.  The magic bullet is here too.  I love those k-tel ads back home with all the things you can do with this bullet. I never thought I would be a proud owner of one. But here I am, a new owner.

I keep trying to figure out what to eat for breakfast and usually end up with a fruit smoothie of sorts. Being completely resistant to yogurt it limits my varieties.  I have found a veggie grower who grows wonderful beets and wondered how to make my beet/ginger/lemon drink I made back home. Too cheap to invest in a juicer here I never seemed to manage that one. However, dropping into the DIY shop to pick up batteries for a clock, I spied the bullet on the shelf.  The box for this thing was as big as me. It slices, it dices, it chops, and it blends. But best of all, it has an attachment for juicing!  It had to be mine. And only RM99.  That is only about 33 bucks! I can donate it when I leave. That is how I justify purchases here.

Of course with all the paraphernalia that comes with this thing, I was forced to buy a storage box - but it is on wheels, so can slide it around from room to room if I feel the urge to have a smoothie and I am not in the kitchen.  That only set me back about 5 bucks, and it can be a container for what I will take back with me at the end of this journey.

A good night sleep after my conquering the issue of no assignments posted, a juicer for my ginger/beet/lime drinks, I am ready to face the day.  Wagons ho!

Believe Me, It is More Difficult Than You Think

I went into this learning program thinking I would change the world. What is wrong with me?  Why  am I so naive, at my age?  I just spent the past week begging someone at the university to give me my next assignments. Why? I will have a week off and know that is the time I will need to focus on that.  But, it does not matter who I ask, I get the same reply. We will contact the professors.  And on it goes.  I also got a message, which I had to interpret to English and discovered I have a book voucher from the library for the value of RM250.  Nice little treat. But, I cannot use it. Why not? Because I have been begging the university to send me the student ID card I was told to expect in January.  Still no card, so wont be claiming any book voucher either.  But the best was today. I received a survey form requesting me to give feedback on the three classes I am taking. Not a good idea to be asking me that question right now.  I am not sure anyone wants to see my remarks.  But then, they have that covered. Besides giving instructions on how to respond, and the actual survey being a completely different format, I have no one to send it to.  There was a person's name and e-mail address for any questions.  Yes, I wrote. But do you really think I will get a response?

So, tonight, magically, my new assignments were posted on each of my courses. They look interesting. They look challenging. They look like something I do need the week to do. Thank God I was a gnat.  But I wonder what that gnatting has done to my grades for the ones I have uploaded?

I am exhasted.  I think the night is over for this old girl. Have I learned anything regarding intercultural communications? Yes.  I am not going to be the one who changes much of that. I guess I will do my best to understand it better and accept it better too. Maybe I need to make baby steps in regard to my plan to be the intercultural guru. That group in AA had a very good idea. One day at a time. One day at a time.

Might Have Found My Place to Voice My Rants and Thoughts

I was so annoyed with the person who tried to hide behind bullying that I went seeking a way to voice my own opinion on the matter. That is where I found Forbes online.  There was a story on the subject, written by someone from Forbes and viewers could comment.  I wanted to comment and add my two cents worth, so had to join the site and then write my opinion. I received an e-mail today advising my comment was 'called out'.  Egad, I wondered what I had done. I thought perhaps the thought police might be after me. Turns out that my comment was read by Forbes and they felt it was one worthy of reading, so they flag it in that manner for other readers.

So, maybe that is where I can unload my thought about current events.  Maybe I should figure out a way to make this lucrative.  After all, with Cyprus and ATM frantic stampedes, it appears that the world financial crisis is again in a downward spiral.

Is this where we are headed?

Mink - Dont worry about competition when it comes to marketing

Remember the wall chart I showed you that had misinformation and spelling errors?  I think the local chocolatier uses the same editor here.  We have a higher end chocolate shop across the hall where I shop.

Look at the message on the bag that they send customers home with.  Do you understand the message? I don't.

communication miscommunications

I concede.  I chose not to go to the site to bring my grievances to them.  I was afraid of my self control and decided it would be best to stay home, write to them and give them one more chance. I cannot believe how dysfunctional the library access is.  If one can get into it, that is about as far as one can go. Any check outs requested are met with you do not have permission to perform this action  or my favourite The Document Indexer did not respond correctly. Your search results will not include content results. Please notify the system administrator to investigate why the Document Indexer is not running. This one wins because there is no where to find the administrator contact information. 

And just to make my blood boil. After being assured that the professors will post the next assignment (last week), there is still nothing new on the page.  There is an amusing notice on one of the discussion pages. It states all participants are forced to join this discussion and have now joined.  There is no discussion. There are only 4 participants and only one other has ever been logged in in the past month besides me.  
And so I read.

Who Decides What Defines Bullying?

I have limited resources for western television.  One program I watch often is the Ellen Show.  I was disappointed with a guest she had on recently.  For some reason Ellen took it upon herself to reward some woman who is obese (defined by herself) all because she felt bullied by a viewer.  What the heck?  I never thought that a truth send with good intentions would be considered bullying.  What happened was this woman is some local television host. She is obese, yes.  A viewer e-mailed her (privately - not on air) and suggested that because she is a local celebrity it might be a good idea to consider what kind of an image she is promoting to her viewers. Keep in mind that she is obese by choice, not because of some medical condition. She was also told by her doctor that she is obese (by her own admission). Why does she not publicly flog him? I was able to read this viewer's e-mail online, and it was in no way a bullying stunt. In fact, the woman's husband who is also a media personality splashed this e-mail all over Facebook for others to see.   As far as I am concerned, her husband was the bully.That does not look like someone afraid of how they look.  Not sure of his size, but I am guessing it is comparable. That is not the issue. The issue is that the writer had written to her with compassion for others. Because they felt her presence in the public eye was sending a bad message to viewers plus the writer felt it was a suggestion for her to do something good for her own health.

How is that bullying?  I actually feel that the stance she and her husband took in this whole event were the bullies in spades. That writer was pushed into a corner and made to publicly apologize for saying she was obese. Why? She admits she is. I am very disappointed with Ellen as well. To reward a bully with a week long vacation at some luxury hotel has pushed her down a few notches in my opinion.

Yes, there is a problem with bullying in this world. Yes there has to be something to stop bullying. But figure out what bullying is before you open your cake-hole and damage others with good intentions in your path.  Off on another rant, I have lessened my viewing of her program because she seems to be having less than interesting guests these days. I also feel she is exploiting two little British girls who were cute once, but really quite annoying because Ellen has decided they are great representatives at Grammy Awards etc. These little girls have no base of reality in their lives because they have been exploited into an adult role in the media, but are only elementary school girls. Their lives are something you would expect to see in The National Enquirer. Sometimes some things get overdone, and this is a prime example of that. Let those little girls be little girls, and quit pushing them into something that is beyond their maturity. Crinolines and giggles are cute and funny once; maybe twice.  Maybe Ellen needs to go back to stand up comedy.  Or maybe there is an audience for her current show and I am not cut out for the role.  If so, I count my blessings to have the sense to know it and abstain.

We humans seem to find an excuse for every behaviour. If one wants to feel like a victim, then they are bullied. Yes, some people are bullied, but the term seems to be catching on like wildfire and being used for a plethora of reasons that are completely unreasonable in many cases. If one cannot socialize normally, they are OCD, ADHD, Aspergers, and the big one BESD, which umbrellas any kind of behavioural problem which apparently gives the person an excuse to be rude or otherwise.  In the past, I think all these medicated people just learned how to behave in many cases. Yes, there are mentally ill people in the world, but too many without mental illness would rather take a pill then try to be civilized.  Much easier.

Behavioural Emotional Social Disorder (BESD). I guess this gives one the excuse to be excused for their behaviour.  Nice.  No responsibility.  If that is the case, maybe that e-mail writer has BESD, so he really is not responsible for making the woman feel bullied. Right? Where do we draw the line?

More Miscommunication

I have been trying to access the university library. They magically revamped the page and now I cannot get into it at all.  I was advised that the past exams are there for my viewing so I can have an idea of what to expect in that regard.  Sure I can. First I tried to get into the library and kept being told I had the wrong user name and password. I finally contacted someone at the university and they had the library repair that. I finally got in and then found an error message that said I must contact the administrator to have this resolved. I tried again later and finally managed to get to the elusive papers and when I clicked download the pdf's I was advised I did not have permission to do this action.

I have two mentees that are doing a B. Ed with this university. They go to tutorials in JB once a month. I talked with one of them today.  She told me that administrators from the university are there at that time as well as the professors. She gave me the name of the building and address where they go. Guess who is going there this month?

Do You Know A Jar Jar?

I thought I would title this post who is jar jar,  but then decided to let you all think about any jar jars you know in your own life. Now, maybe I am tired. But this is something I find amusing. I have kids who know who every critter in Star Wars are, but I plead ignorance for myself. I know Yoda (he's from Star Wars isn't he).  I like Yoda.  But Jar Jar? I have never heard of Jar Jar.

Well, I have a friend that I am allowed to do my ranting with. It is a good therapy session for me because some things have to be spoken in order to diffuse them.  This friend lets me speak.  This friend also has some solutions for me. This particular issue has a solution. Refer to the offending party as Jar Jar and then their dysfuctions are acceptable. Understood, and maybe even pitied.  When I got to that stage, then I no longer held the frustration because the person is a sad version of humanity. And it put a smile on my face as well.

Here is what I learned online about Jar Jar:

The most hated Star Wars character ever. Far more annoying than the Ewoks because he is basically useless, and he speaks in Ebonics. The horrible end-result of George Lucas's bad acid trip. Inspired a few people to come up with a list of very creative ways of killing him. Portrait of Jar Jar - I wonder if Jar Jar knows who this is? Funny, it states hated more than the Ewoks. I like the Ewoks

Oh Yes, A Cultural Experience

As I ask questions and get some replies, I am realizing what it is like to be a foreigner in an academic community.  I will definitely have more empathy for those who come to my own country to study. I am gaining all the experiences they have there, right here myself. Empathy is a gift we gather from direct experiences of events that allows us to relate to others in the same experience in a different place. I am a  wealth of empathy in regard to being out of step in a place where others know the dance.  Everything is written on this university site in Bahasa Malayu.  Of course it is. That is normal. What is difficult for me, is that I have to translate everything before I know whether or not the messages are for me. Just like foreign students in my home country have to do.  No one made me do this. It was my choice. Now I get the experience I thought I wanted to have.

I found a student forum today. Maybe I shouldn't have. All in Malay, nothing in English. So each post requires a translation before I know whether I am interested or not.  Egad.  The general gist of these posts are similar to my own queries. When is the exam? When are the assignments posted?  How do I access past exams to see what is expected?  Unfortunately, like my own queries, these seem to be dead ends. I do not see answers to the questions.  Egad again.

This all brings me back to the original package that was supposed to be posted to me months ago. I still await that package. In it was to be my student id card, handbook, and probably a list of dates for materials, assignments, and exams.  Still I wait. Still I ask. Still nothing.

Following is a sample of what I translate there. As you view this, you too will see that either literal translations do not work, or the messages is meaningless in the first place.

what I see:

yg tahu mcm mana nak cri jdual. bgi sya link/url. tq

what it says in English:mcm know of any cri jdual want. BGI sya link / url. tq (does this mean anything to you?)

Pizza Hut Came Back

It is a very sad day when I get excited about the return of Pizza Hut to my community.  I never darkened the doorstep in Canada, and yet here I am agog when I see the familiar sign. Why? Because I know there is some expected consistency when a chain eatery comes to town.

I did a drive by yesterday at the old site and was delighted to see the place open for business once again.  I am not sure my neighbour has discovered them open again. I think she had a direct line to the place. The little scooter was delivering daily to her place before all shut down for rebuilding. Maybe she has found another watering hole.

I parked the chariot and went inside. All greeted me like a long lost friend. I had only been there a few times, but I guess a foreigner is obvious.  So, dinner last night was a splotch of cheese on a non crispy frame. They have advised me that their location does not provide crispy crust any longer. Guess I can cope with that. Or maybe it is time to write to the head office of Pizza Hut with a suggestion.

It was so clean and with a real bathroom. I might even eat in one day.

Still no sign of Dominos.  But after all, it has only been a year since the announcement of their arrival.

Rules, Tools & Fools

Every country prides itself in writing rules and providing tools to follow these rules with regard to traffic movement in that country.  I find myself in a country that does just that but maybe is a bit shy on the tools end of the bargain. This is demonstrated in so many ways. This blog post is dedicated the fools in the subject line. The most common tool in disrepair is the set of traffic lights that never work. These lights go unrepaired for days or weeks and sometimes months at a time.  The most frustrating issue is arriving at a set of lights and there is " no light ". What we end up with is a bunch of fools that act like naughty children whose parents did not explicitly say what they were to do. Now a defensive driver would slow down and stop at that intersection because one never knows if the opposing traffic has a green light. Not here. This is the signal to drive fast to be sure you stay in the lead, and who cares about opposing traffic. I am pretty sure there is no form of driver education here. If there is, then no one really passed. But I cannot be too harsh. I was a passenger with a colleague driving to JB a few weeks ago. She was wandering across the lanes and getting far too close to the car in front on many occasions. I finally pointed that out while we're racing down the highway at about 100 kph. She was quick to respond. " I have left a car length between myself and that car".  Oops. That is not the right answer. One car length at that speed is not the safe distance dear. Try again.

So there is today's rant. Guess it was not such a bad day after all.

Who's Sorry Now?

Clearly, I need to find some other interests to entertain myself.  I could not access my university website this weekend. It was almost like a midnight move. I began to fear that my money had gone to some fly-by-night group and they had shut down operations here.  Not really, but it did plant a seed in the back of my mind.  Mountains out of mole hills seem to be my specialty.  I had frantically uploaded all my assignments on Friday, although they were not due until today (Sunday).  Why?  Fearing that this sort of thing would happen. And, I am almost proud to say that it did.  Always nice to say "I told you so", right?  Sadly, even at the expense of my own sanity, I seem to enjoy that position, even when I am the only one in the audience.

Oops, there I go again.  Going off course of the topic.  So, the university is again up and running this morning, and I could have had a fun day yesterday doing what I wanted instead of constantly checking to see if I could access any of the sites on the program so I could read.  Will I ever learn? Probably not. These patterns are deeply ingrained in this old bird.  I did manage to make a great video of some students I spent the morning with on Friday though. These gaffers are so much fun to work with. Their ability to use a third language so fluidly astounds me.  So all was not lost in the day.

Now back to the drivel I thought you would enjoy.  This brings me to some rather useless information of the origin of the song 'Who's Sorry Now'.  That song apparently was first recorded in 1923.  Yes, that was even before my time everyone. It did become famous in the crooner years of the 50's by the famous Connie Francis.  So, here is a little cartoon I found which I thought you would enjoy about men and women. Far from the original topic of who's sorry now, but kind of shows us all how the two interact huh?

A Video Production in Malaysia

I was working with students at a small kampong school yesterday to prepare a video to send to their pen pals in Canada. They took on the roles as tour guides of the school and did a phenomenal job doing this.

Remember, these gaffers have at least three languages under their belts at the age of 8.  Can you say the same thing about yourself?

Once I edit all the school tour locations I will put together a video of the combined talented guides.




introduction to library

Assignments Uploaded

I did manage to get a response from the university. I came home to the reply and answer to the question. Assignments got uploaded, but with a lot of stress because the internet was playing dead today at my house. Luck to have that miserable dongle, which although sluggish, did eventually upload all.

Is is odd that there is no sign of a facilitator in a program isn't it?  Who will I be able to ask this sort of question?

Intercultural Communication

I have always prided myself in being a very clear communicator.  My colleagues have echoed this, maybe not in such a positive manner on many occasions. Their way of reframing this is more like - you always know where she stand on an issue, she speaks her mind, and holds no punches.

Well, I took a side step in that one today. All ready, poised, and prepared to upload my assignments to the university site I discovered a lack of information required to do the upload. The philosophy paper has a format requested by the facilitator that requires a number of entries in order to identify whose paper is uploaded. I understand this. It makes it clear and easy to track and record. However, as I have mentioned in the past, I have written several comments and thoughts on the program discussion board. None have been acknowledged, none have been commented on further.  Today, I realize when I try to find the name of the professor for that program, his/her name is nowhere in sight. I got the assignment outline, very clearly stated as to what I must do. But no signature. No name. No nada.  Normally I would have noticed this omission and been on it like a dirty shirt, contacting whoever to find out who is the facilitator. But I honestly did not notice that there was no name attached. Who would have thought that a course would be well into 3 months of study with no sign of the facilitator? Who would have thought that no presence - even a photo and name - would not be there?  As they say in seriously slang English, which I detest, but will use today. My bad.

I have written to the contact listed as who takes questions regarding uploading assignments.  But now I wonder just how long I wait for a reply. I have waited at least a week for any other replies. And that is after a few resubmits of the query.  Assignment due now.

I have a stomachache.

Is What Lah?

I feel like my job is working. Today at the professional development, a group from one of the schools did a presentation for the gathering. We are now expecting them to provide 30 minutes of the TPD because we will soon be gone and they need to carry on and mentor where we left off. They did a splendid job. I was pleased. And more pleased when they ended their session with humour. If you know anything about me, I love humour. English humour is also not something that is well understood from a perspective of the people here. Although the video they presented did not really have anything to do with their segment, which was realia in the classroom, it proved that they are further ahead than many because they too grasped the content of this video.

If you watch only the first part, please be sure to watch the short conversation with her daughter. This is life here for a foreigner.  It is delightful.

Is what, lah?


I hope you watch the entire performance. I think the woman is from Canada. She lives somewhere near me, so might just try to find her in my spare time.

Why I am Not Going to Borneo

As much as I wanted to see first hand one of those probiscus monkeys that Ryan sent me a post card of years ago, I will not be going to Borneo any time soon. One of my mentees is from there and she called me to make sure that I do not go there in March when we have our next break.  Her family lives there, and like every other country in the world, they are facing some sailors who drifted to shore to claim the land as their own.  Oddly, the sailors were from the Philippines.  Not from Borneo. But, for some reason they were given some cash settlement each year from the British government, while Malaysia was still a colony. Now that they are no longer that status however, the Malaysian government gives them the yearly payment for use of the land. Oddly, yet again, there has never been a written agreement to this payment or acknowledgement of there being a land claim in the first place.  These little sailors have taken the law into their own hands and decided to claim back what they believe is their own.  The Malaysian government has contacted the Philippine government to do an extradition transfer back to their homeland. The Philippines wants nothing to do with these people.  Now, the handful of bandits, nine in total, have already killed more than a dozen police officers and have postured themselves against authority.  Malaysia has sent hundreds of troops over to fight them, but there is still no resolution to the situation.

Once it is under control I guess there will be many questions asked.  How can a verbal agreement be honoured at this time. How can that verbal agreement be amended.  What this group of people want is a higher payment for what they are claiming as their rightful land.  How does a payment that was not ever really agreed upon legally be amended to an increased amount?  If it is, then what stops them from asking for even more?  Sadly, the payment is a little over 1000 CAD. Not exactly something to get rich over.

So, for now, I guess I will not be moseying over to Borneo any time soon.  I was also considering a cargo ship trip to Sabah but I guess that is out as well. Seems it is also part of this tangled mess of cession money.  I can see why they are interested in an increase. That part of the world is oil rich.

Technology Working as expected

Well, I am delighted to have been able to upload some files to our magic file manager for work. A lovely page in the ethers was developed and no one seems to be able to do anything with this to date.  I managed to log in, but could not upload. Others could not even log in. Well, thanks to the technology of that magic HP computer I now can upload too.  It is so nice to be assured that my real computer will not be affected and infected and that old dinosaur is the only one that will go there.

Good thing it did not take too long to perform this action. Only 45 minutes to upload a file.  The battery life on the HP is an hour, so I even had some time to spare to check my e-mail.  I am so fortunate.

I wonder who the three Mac users from Malaysia are who are viewing this blog right now?

Expectations VS Luxuries

Much like you gather various types and sizes of nail clippers over there, we tend to gather the same in electric cords.  Not for the same reason. We know where the cords are, we are just not confident they are working.  I have spent more than my share of ringgits on these little gems.  One has to amass several of these because in a house of about 2800 sq ft, we have about 7 power outlets. Only one in the entire kitchen.  I had another installed there because the one is used by the fridge. Think of all the things I have to plug in for daily living.

Last night was a time that I thought I would explode with frustration.  I had a contract from Royal Roads that needed my signature.  I printed the document on my (replacement printer from last year) after ruining several reams of paper trying to do the task.  Yay.   Now to scan the document after I inserted my signature of agreement.  Plugged in the nearly dead printer/scanner/copier that I orginally purchased, and no life.  Nothing would light up.  I checked all wires, connections, tried a different plug on the cord I have here beside the computer desk. Nothing.  I did as my colleague does with our equipment - I shook the printer, tipped it upside down, rattled it some more. No life.  I accepted defeat and wrote to the university. I explained that I would try to find a place to fax the agreement in the morning. As it is Saturday here, not a lot of options in that regard, but maybe, just maybe, the post office might have a fax machine.  Agreement was made, so prepared to leave for the post office. But, one more try.  I tried the outlet once again. Still no power.  I took the offensive machine to another desk in my living room and plugged it into another power bar there.  It came to life. Well, sort of came to life.  Lights indicating no ink, paper jam, and all else were flashing in my peepers.  I hit several buttons and it calmed down. It then realized I did not want it to try to print.  I plugged it into my computer and VOILA.  I opened 'image' on my computer, and there was the HP.  Wowzers. I scanned the document and then trusted that the internet would not let me down.  Silly me. Of course the internet is weary. It is Saturday morning.  An hour passed and I tried to send once more. Internet worked, the document sent, and now I await to see if the office actually received it.  Should be an interesting document on file there. I noticed some dust bunnies imprinted on the page.  They will likely wonder what that extra bit is. But my signature is there.

I returned to the power bar where the scanner would not work. The light indicating power was still burning, so I plugged in my cell phone to charge. It is charging.  Did the power bar have a falling out with my scanner?  Did it want to relocate?  Who cares, the job got done and I did not have to have an emotional breakdown at the post office explaining that I would pay any amount to send a fax to somewhere they have never heard of.

I cannot say 'that's what kind of day it has been' it is only 9:30 am.