Lets Hope Today is a Better Day

I am hoping that today pans out to be better than yesterday. I will tie my car key to my neck, I will depend on no one to rescue me, I will do my best to have the meetings slated for the day.  If all that can be accomplished, it will be a good day.

As for news in the country, I found an article that seems to sum up the candidate directions.  Definitely a path to the youth and how to entice them is the order of the campaign.  In one area of the article it mentions all the hand outs to university students. Drat, I have not seen any of this, and know I will not. I do not have a vote, so why on earth would they give me these little treasures.  One item I do not see on the list is the free iPads handed out. Who cares, I bought my own.  

what do they want, how can we get them onside?

As for escalating violence in the country due to the election; I believe these messages come from the outside. I have not witnessed any violence where I am. But then, maybe I am not in a political hotspot. What I do know, is that where one focuses, one will experience just that. So, best the people of this country do not focus on the outside messages of violence, and just continue on their way, and exercising their democratic right.

Apparently, to avoid any double voters, they mark each voter with some magic ink so they cannot return.

This scrutiny is so very foreign to my way of thinking

The Stars and Planets are not lining up well today

OMG OMG.

Was about to leave a school today and race to my professional development gig when I discovered my car key was not on the desk where I left it.  I am thinking someone put it in their pocket, assuming it was their own, and went on their way. There isn't intercom in the school. We finally sent little people to the classes asking each teacher if they had taken my key in error.   I can only imagine what message actually got to the teachers. You know the game password where the message first spoken has become an entirely different message by the end of the line? So then I tried contacting the person with the car lease. His phone goes to vm each time. I went online to find another number. That one rang busy. Finally found another contact who assures me a duplicate key is on the way. Not good news when she said they turn right from JB, right?  No, dear, turn left. Now I will see if the key arrives. I cannot even take a cab. I locked my purse in the car with all money and house keys. I wonder if I have learned anything for this?

He finally arrived with the keys. He had pled heavy rain slowed him down. He was not smart enough to realize I might notice his truck bone dry. Even the truck bed, without a drop of rain inside. I was not impressed. It took him 3 hours to travel a distance I travel daily, in about 25 minutes.  Then the moron attempted to open the door and set off the alarm because the clicker does not work. Nice work again Einstein.  After going to a proton shop I managed to get a battery for the door opener, and went home.  What a waste of time because someone decides to take a detour to a makan place enroute to my car.

Gotta Be Quick

With the Internet drifting in and out, I will attempt to post a message. I do not have to go the gym for exercise. All I have to do is want to use the Internet and then do the reboot run a million times to get a signal.

It is so frustrating to have wifi in my home and still have no access to Internet. I do not understand how a society sits back and accepts the things they do; considering it normal. I have the distinct feeling that this bunch does not fully understand, (or probably have never heard of it)the AA serenity prayer. They can change things, but don't seem to take the initiative to do so. 

A Dao Model for Posterity

Everyone has door to door religious messengers. We have some packs of men who natter along their way and call something or other over my locked gate while standing in the blazing sun in their long white dresses and pillbox white toppers, looking like a bunch of runaway brides dashing from the wedding. I thank heaven for the gate and the lock. I simply call out - after multiple noises from them wanting my attention - 'English only here', and they go on their way. Today, however  I had a pleasant visit from my Tao friends, bearing books.  When you don't go to Tao, apparently it comes to you. I was whisked away to their temple more than a year ago, sponsored by two friends and embraced by the lot. I do not participate in the assemblies. I told them I would not. But that does not stop them. Two new books in my library in exchange for what they considered a generous donation to the temple and all were happy. I really must figure out what constitutes a normal donation. Maybe i have, and they are just demonstrative in their appreciation.  I think this was a well timed visit. I have been trying very hard to get balanced again and let go of the frustration I keep experiencing with humans that surprise me with the fact they can breath in a regular pattern because they definitely cannot string more than two words together in any language and make sense.

Just maybe I will emerge from this reading much like a caterpillar emerges from its cocoon, and be a better person with my illumination and virtue that I apply on my path. Wish me luck. I am running out of options to be nice.

How and What I See Things Here

It is refreshing to see that the citizens of this country have a democratic option to vote for a leader they believe is the right choice for them.  I am not sure that what is marketed as reality truly is reality here, but at least the news is getting to the people to some degree, but it is up to them to listen and decipher the message; as is the case wherever one lives.

If of any interest to any readers, here are some sites that cover the events in a country deep into an election, with only days left to campaign.

this one is supposed to be uncensored access

What I have read there is that viewers log on and are booted after about a minute. But the site persists and keeps updating with a new url.  Good for them.

this one has consistently had the most unbiased coverage in my mind

this one shows a view of the youth with the power to vote here and appearing to have not only a voice,but opinions too. There are about 3million new voters in this age group slated to have a vote.

this one just makes me smile - spending money to bring in a star that will draw the youth ends up shooting the candidate in his own foot, so to say.

This one interestingly takes a peek at the watchdog of media and what happens.

I feel fortunate to be here during an historic time of the country, and hope that the people end up with a government they are happy with. But then, what country ever does - do the voters everywhere not whine and snivel for the next few years until they get another chance and do it all over again?

FaceBook, Text Messaging and Silence

I am not sure what I got myself into with this university gig I am doing. They have been less than capable with communications. I have had to repeat myself a million times and each time the ears become deafer.  I did not know it could be so difficult to deal with those with another language in the academic world. Late last night I received a text message from some appointed lackey to advise me to be at the exams at 9 am the next morning. This was all after several messages back and forth, with each advising I would not be able to do that, and would use the option offered initially, to use a proctor.

I also suggested that texting late at night is a bit odd.

Sure would be nice if they grew into the age of technology over this way.

Signs that make me smile

In the Jusco/Aeon Mall I spied this one.  Thought I should post it just in case my kids read this blog.

This one amuses me because the wording is just not quite right.  You may not be able to read the print below ATTENTION. What is says is: 81% of consumers feel most attentive when shopping at a hypermarket.  What the heck?  81% - not 80 or 85?  And feel most attentive?  To what?  It just deserved a space here.  This message is kind of like they heard a bell but did not know what hill it came over.  They of course mean, consumers are attentive to advertising when shopping in a mall.

My very favourite coffee place, where I have trained them to grind espresso beans to the correct size (usually) and make the best ice blended espresso on the planet have this sign.  It does make me grin - way beyond a smile. They are all delightful there and serve with grace. The place is spotless, and maybe this is due to the first of the list of cannots. Each is listed in English and Mandarin.  The first one is keep cleaning.  I am sure it means keep our place clean - don't litter or something along that line. But it looks like they expect us to pick up a mop and clean while we wait for our orders.

After picking up my laundry today, I stopped and talked politics with my Chinese friends who own the construction company at the end of my jalan.  They strongly urged me to stay home day of the election and for a few days afterward, with a supply of canned foods and water. Interesting huh? Thought I should drive past my own turnoff to see if I could find any wildlife to photograph.  I did see a pack of monkeys dash across the road, but by the time I managed to pull out my phone, the 30+ were disbursed into he tall grasses.  A pathetic view of a couple of them by the roadside - hissing and nattering at me is all I got. I am sure you will have to click on this one just to see the few fellas looking back at me.

And now, the pothole from hell. Not actually. It is a baby compared to the one that nearly took out the underside of my car last week on the bloody highway.  But gives you an idea of a normal street condition in a country that has not discovered that a roadbed is a necessary step in building a road. This little lovely is about 8-10 inches deep.  The one on the highway was a whopping 2 feet deep.

Played a VoiceThread for the Student Today

My little darlings at the Chinese school I visit were entertained by a voicethread from Canada.  It was amazing how it impacted their world.   These kids here base western on what they see on television and moi.  Not much of a basis to understand another culture.  Their teacher and myself both realized that the biggest impact on them was how the students looked, and very little on what they said. I think we might have to replay it so the rest of the students who were blown away about seeing other students from another part of the world appeared, will be able to actually listen to the words without being so overwhelmed.

I am so glad this project is turning out to be such a positive influence on the students.  We westerners tend to forget what other cultures have in their own lives. They also read a letter from a little girl who they have been corresponding with for the past year. She told them that she lives in a city that is on the Pacific Ocean. She asked them if they live near an ocean as well. I asked them. They said no.  They dont even realize that their own country is a peninsula that has ocean waters on three sides.  And the city where they live is right on the coast.  Their little taman is about 25 km from the coast/border, and many have never been there.  I then showed them a map of Malaysia. They were bug eyed and said 'so big, our Malaysia is so big'. Then I showed them Vancouver Island, and they realized it was the same size.  Then I showed them Canada, and I am not sure they can comprehend a country that size.  We in Canada think of Vancouver Island as a wee dot beside a massive country.

Metropolitan K T

Wonders never cease.  I went into the electric company to prepay my monthly bill. I never have time to go there, so pay a chunk in advance. I timed it well. It was prayer time so I was the only person there.  Good move.  While I was there, the security man chatted with the clerk and myself. I decided to ask them if they had any idea where a meditation retreat was because there were 3 different addresses for it, and none of them turned out to be correct.  The nice security man, an Indian, told me there is a beautiful meditation retreat centre about 3 km out of Kota Tinggi. He said it is in the middle of the jungle. Opps, no thanks was my reply. No way was I gonna try to still my mind amid cobras, pythons and monkeys trying to bite me. He said he would show me. Well, what was to lose, so in my chariot, I followed his scooter out to the most beautiful. tranquil spot I have ever seen in Malaysia.  And even crazier - yoga too.  You drive into this secluded trail that climbs a hill and then comes down the other side, right beside an exposed power line swinging freely beside your car - about eye height. Maybe not a good idea to go there on a windy day.  It was also the exact spot I was looking for. You can be sure I never would have found it with the directions they offered online.

After my new friend introduced me to the person who was there, I was invited to come back on Sunday as one monk was returning to Germany that day, another back to Czechoslovakia, and another arriving from Burma. Such excitement. And I will be there.  After the new friend gave me his contact number in case I ever need any further help, who incidentally gets on his scooter in Ulu Tiram every morning and drives here to work, and I get in my chariot in KT and drive to Ulu Tiram to work, I set out to Petronas to fill up the chariot.  Holy Crow, Dominos is here, finally.  A crispy crust, double cheese pizza is for dinner tonight.  And I discovered they deliver. I might just get lazy.  And tomorrow, I will be picking up my freshly laundered and pressed clothes I took in today. I am sure the first batch was never laundered.  They confirmed today that I wanted wash too?  Yes please. Worth every ringgit.

Now I have to figure out how to get the university to communicate effectively and life should be supreme.  Until then, I am without exams, which were scheduled for tomorrow.  When I ask my buddy who volunteered to proctor, he just laughs at me.  No, he has received no documents in the mail.  Maybe I will have a restful weekend for once.

Today

It took two and a half hours to get home today. Why you ask? Because there were three collisions on the route. I say collisions, because they were clearly not accidents. And accident is described as follows:

ac·ci·dent  

/ˈaksidənt/

Noun An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury. There was nothing unintentional that occurred; maybe oblivion to consequences of stupid driving.  And we all jockey for a lane to get through the stupidity, yet again.  All the while, ambulances racing like maniacs and never given the courtesy lane to speed to the hospital.  Remember the rule here - I must be first!  Morons, all of them. Other than that, my phone does not work. I am not sure if the company pays their bills or not. But right around pay day, someone's phone is disconnected, for unpaid phone service.  We do not have access to the payment so, guess who did not pay the bill again?  And I get to suffer the consequences.  What else is new? I usually cannot access our webmail server. It is just some cut and paste set up, so I accept that I cannot get in there usually and wait until I can. However, I do not have anyone's contact information to whine about no phone service. Doesn't really matter. My internet is screwed too.  Which also means that my landline phone also is screwed.  I would like that part if it stopped calls from ringing. The phone does not work, except it does ring - you just cannot answer the call. And you know who is calling - the guy who still has not figured out that I do not have a fax machine, I do not run a business, and I do not take orders for merchandise.  Now better post this before the 'dongle' police cut off service on this little gem too. I am sure the time is close. Otherwise, a lovely day of bloody monsoon rains that would cause one to ponder building an ark.

Stubble Jumper Land in April?

The land where I began is not acting like spring at all.

This photo was taken there yesterday.  The message that accompanied it was 'I am four snowflakes away from being institutionalized'.

This is Just Silly

I have been whining about missing a Vipassana retreat in Bangkok on my way back here in January. I have been snivelling about wanting to get back into the discipline of meditation. I have been doing more than my share of complaining about almost anything and everything. Well I turned over another stone in the oddly miraculous place known as K T, and what have I found?  A Vipassana meditation retreat centre. I actually just missed a retreat in March. I am not gonna beat myself up over that. I am just gonna hike my butt down there and rub peace and tranquility all over me.

Watch for a new and improved me. I have done it before and it is long overdue for a rehaul.

I think I just might miss KT after all, when I leave.

Peace and love everyone. It's time

Interesting Times

What I assumed to be a shoe in for the incumbents, this election here seems to be
generating a lot of chatter from the analysists around the 'hood.  Always nice to see
some checks and whatnot.

Here is what is being said in whatever papers I can read.
On social networking
Like politics around the world, it appears there is a bit of infighting within 
the party.  Not a good way to start an election..

 Local papers coverage



http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/04/201341045154773193.html

And for those Canucks Who are Still Experiencing Winter

Sorry everyone, but if I am going to melt from the heat, I would like to know others are suffering too.

A Delightful Message for Canadians Choosing a Leader

The  seven dwarfs always left to go to work in the mine  early  each morning. As always,  Snow White stayed  home doing her domestic  chores.  As  lunchtime approached, she would prepare  their  lunch and  carry it to the  mine.  One  day as she arrived at the mine with  the  lunch, she  saw that there had been a  terrible  cave-in. Tearfully, and fearing the worst, Snow  White  began calling  out, hoping against  hope that the dwarfs had somehow  survived.  'Hello.  Hello!' she shouted.    'Can  anyone hear me?  Hello!'  For  a long while, there was no  answer   Losing hope,  Snow White again  shouted, 'Hello!   Is anyone down there?' Just as she was about to give  up all  hope, she heard a faint  voice from deep within the  mine,  “Vote for Justin Trudeau”.... Snow  White fell to her knees and prayed,  'Oh,  thank you, God!  At least Dopey is still alive!   '

How do I do it?

Many have asked me how I manage here. Today I am questioning this myself. You have no idea what it is like to find a place here. Government buildings, schools, and businesses of any sort have Facebook pages. One is lucky to find an actually website and when one does and looks for an address you will find some "in care" of address, completely unrelated to what you want. And you start all over again. Then when you look on google maps, and guess where you want to go, there aren't corresponding street names to what you find on Facebook. Oh my, I am thinking I have lost all patience to try to do anything here.  And asking for directions always ends up with arms straight out and words such as go straight, keep going straight, then go this way, maybe a bit. If one is clever enough to try to draw a map, it is always set up with you instructed to drive NORTH. Is there nothing in any other direction here?  Of course there is. I guess when you live on the equator, the only choice according to locals is NORTH.

Wish me luck. I am trying to get to an English carnival that some of my schools will be attending. If I don't show up on this blog again, find help. And please, do not ask anyone here for directions.

For Those Who Spent Summers at Katepwa

Or those who know Margo - the one who brought us the recipe - I just noshed on a huge platter of curried cauliflower. What a treat!  Cauliflower is not common here, so to find a head in K T is remarkable. Bubbled up with a healthy dose of my local curry purveyor's ground spices I added the usual lazy cook's tinned wild mushroom soup and - what the heck, I even found real shredded cheddar. What is going on here?  I am not used to so many ingredients at my finger tips. Damn good eats. Even though it cost me RM 30. Think of that like $30 to you. But worth every bite.

Do We Really See Ourselves?

How we see ourselves and how we look to others are often completely different people.  It turns out that our own view or self is far more critically viewed than how others see us.  Maybe it is time for many of us to take off the judgement hats and put on a halo when we look upon ourselves.

I have a very good friend who told me years ago that women care too much about what they are, how they look, and how they measure up against other women. That friend is male. But, he is right.  He also told me that a male could do the same, and often does. But if you stick yourself in that routine, you are never going to measure up against the idols, the geniuses, the winners.  Be your own winner, and be the best that you can be, and accept that you are awesome as you are.  If you do, you will likely see yourself as others see you.  Which is in a better light that you allow when you take a look.

Here is a great video that demonstrates just this thought.
How do you think you look?

Funny? I think so

I dragged my butt to the dobi today to pick up my dry cleaning and drop off my laundry. The dry cleaning was superb. I was delighted. As I was preparing to pay for the stuff I left the nice man indicated he should dry clean one item.  I said no, no just wash like the others and the press.  My acting out washing something for him helped him understand what I wanted. So, my bill was about double what I have been paying. I wondered why. Now I think that they only pressed my clothing and never washed anything. Is is quite common for foreigners to take in laundered clothing and have them press it. Everything always looked great. They are work clothes so I don't roll around in dirt. Maybe my sweat washed them. Nothing stinks. So I don't know. But I am pretty sure nothing was laundered unless it was dry cleaned. Good thing I don't have b o.  I am still happy with them. Even the inflated price beats knocking myself out to wash and iron all those things.

And my bed pillow! It is just like new. I stopped for a 1 hour hair wash on the way home. No way a dirty head is laying on that pillow tonight.

This is just one of the many delightful, sometimes frustrating, and often annoying incidents that occur when language is a barrier. This one is in the delightful category. No one was injured. The people did their job as they understood it to be. And I did not have to do laundry.

What is Wrong with that Country?

That title post is a very wrong question to ask. Why? Because if I ask it, I will continue to be shown what is wrong with that country.  Maybe it is time to ask 'what is right with that country'? Then maybe we will begin to see positive changes.  Whatever we focus on, we will receive more of the same.

Who has ever seen so much anger, conflict, and down right sick thinking in a country that is supposedly not at war, in the past? Well, we have witnessed several issues in this particular country over the past few years and it should make those who live there pause and reflect.  On how this country treats its own and others.  For an event that began over 100 years ago (1897), that attracts those who are healthy and wholesome, what on earth brings murderers and idiots to the scene?  Where else on earth would we find the two together?  My heart goes out to the families that have lost loved ones because of such a twisted thinking person's act.  But what upsets me more is the throngs of people who go to the site and speak their mind, lay flowers, and gather together because they do not know what else to do.  Maybe it is time for some introspection.  Look within. See what is precipitating these actions.  What needs to change?  Yes, this was a tragic event. It should not have happened. But it did.  Playing victim does not resolve the problem.

Those who think my opening paragraph is corny may eventually come to the realization that those words are true. Hopefully before more lives are lost in senseless acts.  Focus on the good and attract the same.  Once again, I count my blessings that I am Canadian, and proud to be so.

No, I cannot imagine your pain and grief and hope to God I never will.  Now, please find a way to support those who do these senseless acts. They too are living in pain. No one in a right mind would do this. Like a naughty child, they seek attention in whatever way they can get it.

Still trying very hard to get some clear answers

I have still been corresponding with the university regarding how to write an exam (or few) and fit into their rules.  The problem lies in that they change their rules like God changes the weather. We are still not clear - from either side - what happens next.  They try to just state what needs to be done and expect me to agree.  However, each time they state this directive, it is something new.  I scratch my head and respond.  Maybe I will just keep taking the courses, and return to Canada, and then maybe, just maybe, they will decide that I am on the right continent, enrolled as the right student, and qualify to write my exams with a proctor, once and for all.  But I would not count on that.

What is the issue?  Well, I accept the fact that I am a foreign student and must pay inflated course fees because of that fact. Every country does that. However, they then take the position, after several flip flops in several directions as to how I am examined.  The most recent being, I must go to some centre here in Malaysia and write. Over a period of days. Somehow fitting this into my work schedule.  Impossible. All this being advised after telling me that the entire program in every way, is online.  Also after telling me that having a proctor oversee my writing was the route to take.  So, the frustration lies in the fact that they have now decided that I am a person living in Malaysia, so therefore, I must be treated as that. So, my latest ammunition against that one will be that if so, then I must also have all the rights and privileges that one has in that scenario. I expect to have opportunities for scholarships, bursaries, grants, free iPad, and tutoring on a regular basis. Those are just a few of the things I do not get, and did not expect to get. But if you want me to be acting like a local, then you best treat me like one in all respects.

Am I getting a cultural experience, as I had hoped? Yes. In spades.  Maybe not as I hoped, but definitely cultural. I think the problem lies in the fact that they have never had a foreign student enrolled in their halls of learning. Neither foreign on another continent, or foreigner living here.  What they cannot understand is the fact I am here on a work visa, which changes the rules dramatically. If they want me to follow the rules for a local student, then I must be given the privileges of a local student.  I pay taxes here at a higher rate than any of their students enrolled. That should give me the rights equal to those who are local, right?  Student visas are not the same as work visas. I rest my case.

Learning about the electoral system here

Today I learned that like all countries, the incumbent is the one who sets the electoral boundaries.  Why not? They were the ones who won the last time, so they carefully map out their support and alter the boundaries of each seat according to how they can win the most seats.  What differs from home is that they do not base the seat on population; they base it on support. Not really a fair vote count at the end of the day - in fact, as I was told, the incumbents have been in power for quite a while and have lost the popular vote most of the time.  Like the saying goes, 'when Momma aint happy, then aint no one happy.  In this case, what momma decides for a boundary, everyone has to agree to.  And, why not set them to your advantage?  Who wouldn't.  Kind of lopsided though, when you think that there are voters who vote for a different representative and their vote goes in the sewer because the seat is distributed so that the incumbents will win.  Those guys dont have a chance.


I am still not home. After a very long day, I decided to stop at the local haunt where I buy ice blended coffee. Had a sort of bbq chicken sliced noodle creation with baby bok choy - or as we locals say caoi bai xi.   Now gonna turn off the machine and head home to put my weary self to bed.  Another long day tomorrow, and yet another on Friday.

What caught my eye this week

A post in pictures to give you an idea of what I saw and what caught my attention the past few days.

Until yesterday, these are the only flags we saw flying in the breeze. The incumbents seem to have an advantage for this election.  Not sure if there is some fund for each party, but it does not appear to be one when we see nothing but these blue scales everywhere. Maybe too, it is just a message of who is going to win.

In any case, I was pleased to see the presence of another party flying a flag.  I don't know who they are, but glad to see some variety. It feels more democratic, right?

I am not sure if this is different from the previous one. The other had some green flags with white squares, while these have green flags with white cycles???



So, now on I moved and went to a stationery shop.  They had a nice big banner flying over the entry that advertised December Sale.  Hmm, it is now mid April.  Back to school?  What the heck have I been doing since January?

This one concerns me.  This is the room where I hold my professional development seminars on a regular basis. I always need to check to be sure the door is unlocked for my attendees.  It is never unlocked, but the concerning factor is that it is currently full of little students. Look at the door.  There is a padlock at the end of the bar.  The room is the IT room. Full of computers (old, obsolete in NA standards)  And the school is in an area that constantly has serious thunderstorm, and lightning strikes on a regular basis.

I have no idea what those words mean. Directly translated it says 'come to room views"

how long would this policy last before parents threw up their arms in NA and said NO

Why you answer. where your fax did go?

If I get another caller that wants me to pay back money, take an order, send an order, come to visit, take them somewhere, I will pull the rest of my hair out of my head.

Since getting the wifi, that is intermittent, I am being broken with the inane calls I keep getting. It seems telemarketers are everywhere.  And, somehow, whoever had this phone number in the past owes a great deal of money to many people.  Shame on you Shaffie -   whoever you are.

Yes, I could unplug the phone, but since my cell phone is spotty for calls I tend to like to have something that might just work when I need it. And, true to form with appliances over here, the phone only works on volume up and not mute.

Yet Another Find in K T

The other day I was looking for a law office. I didn't need a lawyer, I was trying to find a legal pad in order to do an activity with my mentees.  No office supply shops here carry anything akin to that sort of paper. You can get pretty little flowery pages, pages with religious connotations  to inspire, and cutsie others.  Nothing to just have lines and rip off the top.  Anyway, I could not find a lawyer office -  I know there are some, but found instead, a  C.A. who does international tax accounting. Wowzers. I have another flood of colleagues coming to Kota Tinggi for this one. It should improve our end results of wages at tax time.  Everyone kids me because wherever you are, there is a sign that tells you how far to K.T.  We do not live in a big city. But somehow, all roads lead to Kota Tinggi, or so we all say.  Looks like I have found another reason for that statement.

I visited with this accountant, and he has impeccable English, and understands our needs. Holy crow, do wonders never cease?

Maybe this is a better book than the first attempt

Today is a Birthday

Being in a very distant time zone, my daughter now celebrates her birthday.  Happy Day dear daughter

And a good friend celebrates his tomorrow, but in my part of the world, today.  Happy Birthday Jimbo

And both of you remember, if your name was Jesus, today would be Christmas.

Spring is Having Difficulty Arriving in Some Areas

Parts of Canada do not seem to know how to act like spring

University and being a student

I have submitted - uploaded my last assignments for the three courses I have been in since January.  I
was not pleased with my product of one of them. Why, you ask? Because I had to beg and kick and scream to get the assignments posted. I lost three weeks of writing and research time in that process.  I work full-time, so that also added to the stress factor. Then, to top it all off, the assignments uploaded previously did not get marked until just last week. Considering there are only 4 students in this online program, I am curious as to why it would take over a month to mark 4 papers.  I will leave that alone, because I have a different bone to pick. One of the previous ones has still not been marked. And yesterday when I looked again to see if the mark was there - the assignment was not. OMG.  Now what?  Today, it is back nestled in the upload folder, but still unmarked.  How is a student supposed to know what they might have done right or might have done wrong according to the professor's wishes, on the next assignment, when they do not have feedback from the previous ones?

What is currently making me pull my hair out is the fact that they advised me that I required a proctor to sit with me for exams. I arranged all that, and then lo and behold, they changed their minds. Seems the staff there cannot deduce that my Malaysian address on my registration does not indicate that I am in Malaysia.  Only proctors for out of country students came the reply.  Au contraire, mon cheri was my reply. I suggested if I was in Canada I could use a proctor, so why not pretend I am in Canada, and let it be.  After all, they seemed to pretend that I was in Canada anyway.  Someone actually suggested that I leave my location as Canada, and have my daughter receive the proctor papers and exams, and then expedite them to me here in Malaysia. It felt too stressful to consider. Now I am wondering if maybe it would have been a good idea. Now awaiting a response.  Unlike others in the program, I work full-time.  No time to take off to go somewhere to write a series of exams over a number of days. Somehow, this concept is not part of their deductive reasoning.

Monday

Need I say more?


well, a bit more.....

Like a good teacher, I have decided the way to get the attention of my students is to be where they are.  They never respond to my e-mails. They infrequently respond to my text messages, they never go to the wiki I built for them; but they all live in FaceBook.  I am counting on them listening to me there, since I have built a FaceBook page for them to read what I have to say, test their skills with various grammar exercises, and attend the functions we have put together for them. Wish me luck.

My Today is Her Tomorrow

Because of the title of this post, I am going to post my well wishes a day early. Oops, has to be two days early - no time on Monday. Once again, my eldest child will be celebrating another year under the belt. I keep seeming to want to age my children faster than what is real. So, being a math flunky, I have to take out a calculator and figure out how old they are each time I am asked how old they are.   I was really good at knowing their ages until we hit the 30 mark. Then for some reason, my ability to connect the dots and deduce their age went AWOL.  Maybe that is the same reason I lived an entire year thinking I was a year older than I actually was. I repaired that one by being the age I overlooked for the next year. It was wonderful. It was like recapturing my youth. We in our senior years will grasp any straw that can recapture youth.

Anyway, back to the person to celebrate right now. As I have been following my dreams the past few years, she has been creating some beautiful dreams herself. Two of these dreams are in a photo I took about a year ago. The small dreams have grown in leaps and bounds. The  dream producer has grown in more beauty, as usual.

This one is from the days one could take a photograph while on Skype. Somehow the nasties have deleted that function.

So, Happy Birthday my dear. I wish I were there, but I am not.

Some things I recall being a mother of small children and having a birthday follow

I think I am a reliable resource for this because I do a great deal of research. Never forget:

Comparing Battle Scars

My colleague who arrived yesterday went to my Gua Sha lady and came back to my place a little more broken but a great deal more flexible. She at least had the luxury of my warnings and was prepared for the beating she took.  Funny. We both have different issues, and lucky for me, one of my issues is not a calcium deficiency.  The therapist picked up on that immediately with her and then gave her some drink that was laced with calcium and various green leafy things.  She moaned and groaned all evening and showed me her bruises. I think she actually had more, or maybe more deeply hued bruises than I had.

Today I got back on the horse and returned for my next beating.  I was curious when she came back to my pinky finger which had finally healed from last week, but felt like she was trying break it today.  I asked what it linked to in TCM.  She tried to tell me, but could not find the words. She then drew a picture. Ahh, the intestine.  So I asked, what do I need to do to repair this?  No words again. One minute.  She left the room and then a few minutes later, some other lady came in.  A neighbour who has more English became the interpreter, all the while I lay there and was pummelled to the point of begging for mercy.  There did not seem to be a serious problem, just a Chi problem there and once she finished breaking my finger it actually felt ok. And at home, there is no ice bag on it this time either.

I love being able to feel the difference occurring.  If you stay tuned in, you can feel the energy begin to flow. It was not an expectation, it just happened.   And each time you get off the table, besides being greatful that you were not killed or paralyzed, you have a lightness and fluid ability to move in directions long forgotten.

I am going back next week.  Another friend from JB is also booking.

Gua Sha and other things

I wrote recently about my gua sha experience. It really is amazing.  Since then I have told many colleagues who are now flocking to the metropolis of K T to also take in this wild experience.  My little therapist is delighted having a new set of clients.  As we have a language barrier, she has recorded me in her cell phone as 'teacher'. So, since all the others are also in that category, I have become her booking agent, and have to arrange the schedule and take them to her for the first session.  I better be careful that they do not take the spots I want.  One already did try. I nipped that in the bud. It is also kind of fun because those who travel here for the treatment also need a bed, so I have now had a string of house guests as well.  All know that right now I have no time to entertain. Too many assignments to write, so they just make themselves comfortable and watch movies or whatever while I tap away on the keyboard.

Another crazy thing is one of the colleagues discovered that there is indeed a meditation retreat right here in K T. She learned it when telling someone that she has a friend in KT, and then was told I was a lucky girl because there is such a beautiful meditation retreat there. WTH?   I have been asking since I landed here if there was such a facility. No, no, cannot is the reply I constantly get.  Well, like all other discoveries I manage to have, this one was a falsehood as well.   Other things I learned are there are TWO YOGA STUDIOS, which I was told there were none in the past, an acupuncturist, and this fabulous gua sha lady.  So, although food is an issue here, there are so many pluses that I am again happy to announce that my current home is in a perfect spot, for now.

 

Teeny Tiny Bugs

I have begun to fear taking the trash out these days. Each time I approach the trash can I leave with a zillion teeny tiny bugs crawling up my feet and legs and biting me on their journey. I have no idea what these little critters are, but I dislike them immensely.  I don't know why they have arrived at my trash can site, but you can be sure, I limit my visits there because of them, The first time I did not realize what was going on, I came back to my house, feeling like I had a few mosquito bites, but when I sat down at the computer, these bites keep happening. Swatting at my leg, I would feel a hard little grain, and brush it off. When I finally took a look, I saw tons of little critters swarming all over my legs, biting wherever they were. They are so quick, that the length of time it takes to stop, toss the trash in the bin, and put the lid on, they have begun their journey up my foot and then leg.

I have tried to figure out what they are, but can't find an image or description online. However, I did find - finally - the critter that was dashing across my car park about a year ago. I wondered what the heck it was, and now I know.  It is some sort of furry caterpiller. It was about the size of a tennis ball, so not easily missed.


Ah, the joys of the tropics!

Swack x 3!

I dropped in to have a quick meeting with a Head Master this morning and got to witness a discipline at that time. Two young lads had been warned a few times because they not only did not do their homework; they also did not bring their books to school.  A teacher who had exhausted all her threats sent them with a  note to the Head Master.  I watched as he administered the punishment.  Afterwards I told him that back where I am from, students were sent to the principal for the same sort of reasons when I was young.  They did not have canes there, but a short version of a belt was the tool of the trade, and students - usually boys - were often sent to the principal for just the same treatment. I also explained that now there is no allowance for corporal punishment, and sadly, the students know this. For that reason, students have a great deal of power in the schools, and unfortunately wield this power by not behaving as was expected in the old days.  Sometimes we make changes that are not always for the best. I am sure that there were strong reasons for the change to stop dicipline, but in that change, the balance tipped in the other direction, leaving inequality once again.  Yes, some adults overstepped the line and beat instead of swacked, leaving authorities to have no choice but to stop any discipline. 

So, if you are an unruly student reading this blog, I would suggest you find another country to act out your disobedience if you had thought that Malaysia was a good option. 

As I age

As I prepare for my own exams at the end of this month, I reflect on who I am at this time and cringe.

I Forgot to Mention...

The election has been called. I have no idea when the budget speech was read. Nothing was done before April 1st and then suddenly there was an announcement that the election is April 26th.  I guess every country does this process differently. I sat down to take a boo at the television. I have no idea what anyone is saying - no English. But the sitting government seems to have bought up all the air time. So I guess that will be the scheduling until the big day. Interesting isn't it that they paid to have us come over to strengthen English and not a word spoken in any ads.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is pronounced gwa shah.  It translates to 'scraping'.

I had my entire body scraped and lived to write about it.  That was the most painful two and one half hours I have ever experienced. But, just the same, it has a profound effect.  I went there on the recommendation of a friend here in KT. My friend, who is also my hairdresser has gone herself and made arrangements for me today.  The practitioner is amazing. I got off her table and felt about 20 years younger, even though  I had been beaten up for a couple of hours.   I am even going back next weekend for a turn up.

What this treatment professes to repair is a multitude of ailments. It is one of the TCM treatments, and apparently widely used in SE Asia, not only in private practice but also in hospitals, spas, and clinics.  I am glad I found it.  I think I will benefit from the beatings.  Oddly, nothing hurt at all once it was done. I guess it is kind of like the pain stopped after you stopped hitting me.  What she did was apply coconut oil to the skin where she was working, then took what looked like a water buffalo horn (which I think it actually was) and scaped along the skin in a downward pattern. It hurt like h***, but quit as soon as she quit scraping. I think she watches the colour produced during the scraping and then knows when to stop when it changes colour.  If that is the case, I am going to try to figure out how to change the colour sooner!  There is lots of information online about this, so if you are curious, take a look.

Good thing I have to cover myself so completely where I work. The bruises I have incurred could cause a great deal of concern if others could see them.

Cost? RM50.

Half Full or Half Empty?

As I listened to a friend bemoaning her current situation I thought about myself and all the whining I have been doing lately.  I can justify my problems if I simply see the negative, but wow are there many positive things going on in my life. Why does one seem to focus on the negative? Why can we not always see the positive? If I think of the people who focus on the positive, I also see people who have a great life.  I think there might just be something in the way they see their life and how it evolves. What do you think?

This also brings me to the engineers that I know. They will never let you settle on a view of something that you think is very logical. Their take on the situation is much more black and white. And their perspective is usually contrary to your own.  I think this next example demonstrates just that. And, it is definitely more logical than I would produce.

So now to fess up with all my whining and see that silver lining in the clouds in my head.  Yes, there are things that I have much less control over right now that are making me insane. But, today seems to have rubbed most of that energy out of my silver lined head, and given me hope.  Today I picked up my freshly cleaned and pressed clothing that I slothishy took in yesterday.  I now feel completely free to choose whatever I want to wear because of this new find, and know that I do not have to wash or iron any of it myself. That has changed my decisions for what to wear every day.  I can access my full wardrobe, instead of picking something easy to iron as my option.  Next, I went to the coffee place I often sit and study on my iPad.  It was a scorcher today, so I picked up my favourite - some concoction of ice and coffee and whatever else, and took one to go.  I always have a problem naming my drink, but now they have figured out what I want and if the regular staff is there, they begin the order. To top it off, I no longer have to remember some Malay word for the order. Each item has a number.  So, into my cell phone address book, I added the restaurant name with a nickname of CF03. I better check the address book each time, otherwise I know exactly what I will ask for - 3CPO, not CF03.   No need to even remember a code or name. Just look up the restaurant and tada!   I figured that one out when I constantly had to do a dance and mime for wanting fresh cilantro in the food store. Now cilantro is the contact name in my address book and nickname is daun ketumber.  How clever!  They now dash to the back and bring out fresh bunches of daun ketumber for me and I go home happy, just as I did today.  They still do not carry coconut oil, which is insane considering they sell everything else coconut. But here, the locals use that thick sludge otherwise known as palm oil and consume it like water.  It's ok, I just buy coconut oil in JB and accept that is where I have to purchase it. But before my marketing trip, I stopped in to see Kiki, my hairdresser. I needed to rub out that negative energy. So, a 1 1/2 hour hair wash did just that.  The grand total of RM22. Actually double the cost of a haircut, but worth every sen. I then asked her if she knew of any yoga studio here in KT.  Yes, she does and apparently it is very near where I live. I have been asking people for 2 years with the answer - no there is not. Seems there are two.  So I will go there tomorrow or maybe next week.  I have also been asking everyone for an acupuncturist. I get no answers. Kiki has a neighbour from Taiwan who does this in her home. I am going there sometime this week when she talks to her and arranges an appointment. But for now, she has put me in touch with another neighbour who does massage. Apparently she is a miracle worker, according to Kiki, so I have an appointment tomorrow morning at 9.  So, when I look at all that I blush when I think I have reached the end of my rope when I have the crazymaking situations I face on a regular basis. Where in Canada could I have such service with smiles like I get here, and it is considered normal?  What dry cleaner/presser in Canada almost carries you out to the car along with the cleaning because that is normal?  Shame on me for the whining. Life is good, I just have to see that silver lining and then turn left.

Do Bees Have Feathers?

A friend has a child enrolled in an international school here.  She is a keen student and came home with an assignment that she wanted her father to give her some guidance regarding the content.  She kept asking her father when he was going to help her with the research on bee feathers.   He finally stopped and decided it was time to set the child straight after frequently telling her that bees do not have feathers.  He asked to see the assignment so he could help her understand her mistake.

There in bold print was the assignment for Bee Feathers.  What the heck?  After discussion with the child to figure out what was going on, he discovered that because of her father's homeland of England, she was assigned to write something about the history of Beefeaters.

Is that not the cutest error you have heard in a long time?  Sadly, it was an error on the part of the teacher, not the child.

They're Wearing Me Down

I discovered that the fully online program for Master's here is not fully online. Somehow, they neglected to remember that they cannot offer online exams. Some bright soul decided I could use a proctor to sit with me while I write my exam. Good.  So, I arranged a proctor, had him sign his life away, and know that I will be indebted to him for a long time because of this.  Well, the bright soul who arranged this has pulled back the offer. Seems they thought I was in Canada, even though all my information is with a Malaysian phone number and address, plus the fact that I work for the MoE of Malaysia. Guess critical thinking is not a long suit.  All this new plan arrived in my inbox today.  It does not sit with me well mainly because of the deceit on the reply from the writer. She, once she figured out she had erred, writes   referring to my previous e-mail. blah blah... you can write at an exam centre.  Au contraire mon cherie.  Firstly, the previous e-mail was hastily send at the same time as the one referring to the previous e-mail, and secondly, I have arranged my life around the proctoring. I do not appreciate deceit.  Another inability to understand electronic mail. Every e-mail comes with a date stamp so that one cannot pretend to have sent something and then try to send it at a later date. Guess she didn't notice that when she referred to it and implied that it had been sent quite some time ago. Compound this with driving home in a rain storm that could challenge any monsoon only to discover that a neighbour who is employed as I, is snuggled in, cosy, without a drop of rain on the car; which indicates no professional development seminar as I just did. But then I guess one has to be a professional in order to lead a professional development seminar, right?  Besides, that same person seems to think we work a 3 or 4 day work week. Just emerged to go out on the town. After all, the week is over with those calculations.

Other than that, I had a productive day. Work keeps me running in every direction. If I thought I could goof off the last year I was sadly mistaken.  I cannot claim to be bored, that is certain.  Sadly, I drove over a monitor lizard this morning. It rattled me for a few hours. Not a small thing to run over, believe me.  I had tried to dodge him but he foolishly scurried in the same direction I was swerving and my tires met his body in a thump thump.  Sorry Monty. RIP