My Malaysian Adventure!

Every day is an adventure here in Malaysia.  I came to school this past Sunday to see all my students in fancy baju kurangs and batik outfits.  The students are usually in their school uniforms.  It turns out that my school was celebrating Prophet Muhammed so there were no classes, lots of praying and a coloring contest.  No there were not drawing pictures of Muhammed, but they were drawing pictures to represent “One Malaysia” which is the country’s new motto.  Malaysia hopes to be a developed country by the year 2020.  As part of the effort, the government is trying to unite all the ethnic groups, religions and political parties with the concept of “One Malaysia”.  It has been a great experience watching the nation work together to create “One Malaysia”.  Anyway, the lesson plans for Sunday went out the window and I spent the morning sitting on a prayer mat with the other teachers while the whole school prayed in the courtyard.  The experience was something I never thought I would witness.  It was powerful and moving.  Of course, it was hard not to doze off with the repetitive Arabic, hot sun and hard ground beneath me. 

I am learning to navigate the Malaysian education system slowly.  It definitely requires a lot of flexibility, an open mind and acceptance of the quirks. My teaching has been more fulfilling this week.  I have been teaching actual lessons to some classes, not just songs and games.  We started writing letters to our pen pals in the US.  My students write very funny things in their letters such as “I hope you can be my pen pal best friend!!!”.  So cute.  They are beyond excited to communicate with students in the States.  

I am hoping to start a women’s group at my school for the female teachers.  I want to lead discussions on women’s issues and try to understand some of the more sensitive issues in Islam.  So far, I have had many informal, informative conversations with some of the female teachers about male attraction, wearing of the head scarf, polygamy and forbidden touching between the sexes.  Every day I try to keep an open mind regarding these sensitive issues.  For the most part, I am just curious about the thoughts and feelings of these wonderful women I work with.  I cannot wait to continue building my friendships with them. 

In one week, I leave for Thailand.  I will spend nine days there with three other ETAs.  We plan to spend most of our time in Chiang Mai and then finish our travels in Bangkok!