Eruptions, Cupid, and the Malaysian Banking System

All is well here in Kuala Terengganu.  I have a strange week because all the girls in my school are taking exams this week and so there are zero classes to teach.  I still have to come in every day, which I was a little upset about at first, but it's good because I'm able to get a lot done while I'm here in the office.

The real purpose of this post, though, is to document three gems of conversations that I had recently with my foster sister, Hayati.

Incident Number One:

I was supposed to meet Hayati for tea at the canteen at 8:30 yesterday morning.  When I got there at 8:30, though, she was nowhere to be found.  No big deal -- I sat with some other teachers -- and one teacher told me that Hayati wasn't at the canteen yet because she had gone to the bank.  A little bit of an odd errand for 8:30 in the morning, but I thought nothing of it.  Then about ten minutes later Hayati showed up.

Hayati: "Sorry I was late.  I was at the bank."

Me: "Yeah, that's what I heard.  I didn't know the bank was open this early."

Hayati: (with a smirk) "Oh!  In Malaysia, when you have to go to the toilet to deficate, we call it 'going to the bank' because you make a deposit!"

So think about THAT next time you're at an ATM...

Incident Number Two:

Fast forward to this morning.  Hayati and I were driving to school, as usual, talking about Korean DVDs (one of her favorite topics), and all of a sudden she said, in an authoritative and very confident, knowing way, "Christians believe that there is just one angel, and he's fat and a child and his name is Cupid."

Silence in the car for a few seconds, as the following thoughts went through my head:  

-First, why are we talking about Cupid at all?  He has nothing at all to do with Korean DVDs.

-Second, where did she get this information?  Did scheming mat sallehs of her past tell her this little tidbit, hoping for just this moment when she would repeat it like she had to me?

-Third, this is hilarious and awesome.

I explained to her that Cupid, actually, was a Roman god of love and that we usually just use him as a symbol on Valentine's Day.  She looked a little disappointed to have her comment disproved, and that was kind of the end.

Incident Number Three:

Today at the canteen, I was sitting with Hayati and three other teachers and we were talking about Islam and America's impression of Muslims. People here are so anxious to let me know that Islam is a peaceful religion, and I completely understand, so this is a common discussion at my school.  Anyway, we were talking away and Hayati decided to contribute.

Hayati: "You are in a peaceful place.  Malaysia is a peaceful country.  This is the only country without any volcanos."

Pause.

Me: "Malaysia is the only country without volcanos in the whole WORLD, Hayati?"

She stops to think about it for a moment.

Hayati: "Yes, I think so."

I'm looking forward to many more wonderful conversations like this in the coming months, and if they don't happen regularly I will be seriously disappointed.