More Orientation

Yesterday was another day of Malaysian orientation, and so it was full of cultural information and activities.  We got going in time for breakfast and had really delicious noodles. They were almost the consistency of Ramen noodles and were spicy and so great.  

For lunch we headed to MACEE (the organization that's in charge of our program) for a meal with about 40 people probably, who were all somehow connected to Fulbright or the U.S. Embassy.  I don't think any of our group had any idea that there were going to be so many people there!  The meal was a catered buffet, and we could choose food from Chinese, Indian, and Malay menus. Everything was absolutely delicious; I don't think I've eaten anything here I haven't liked.  While eating, I was able to talk with a Malaysian woman who lives here in K.L.  I couldn't quite figure out her connection to Fulbright, but she was so kind and had studied in America so we enjoyed talking about that. She even offered to have me over for a Malay cooking lesson if I'm ever back in K.L.  I have been really touched by everyone's kindness and how much time and effort is going into making us feel welcome and prepared for our upcoming months here.  

Right after lunch our group was driven to the home of Asma, a sweet Malay woman who works with cultural studies and had a lot of good information to give us. Her home was gorgeous and open and tropical-feeling, with trees and water and plants and open spaces and cool tile floors.  We got some good information about what to expect in Terengganu from Asma and others that had gathered, and even though some of the information was less than exciting (women shouldn't go anywhere alone in Terengganu because it seems strange, women are usually expected to speak softly and not seem more intelligent than men, people in Malaysia do not tend to be very direct, and so as a result they won't tell you when you're doing something wrong but will talk about you behind your back) it was a good session.  One woman told us lots of good stuff about Islam, which will definitely be helpful.  Before we left Asma's house she taught us all -- both guys and girls -- how to wear sarongs, and we also had some Malaysian goodies and took a group photo.

Today we fly to Kuala Terengganu, where we will be training for a little over two weeks. There's a guy there, Len, who was an ETA in Terengganu last year, and this year he will be around to help us get trained and prepared and to answer any questions we have.  We are all really glad to have him as a resource!  We won't be given our school placements until the end of January, and I'm ready to know where I'll be.  I guess I've gone this long without knowing, though, so another couple of weeks won't be so bad.