April, we were warned, will be the
longest and emotionally the hardest of the ten months we would spend in
Malaysia. It’s our fourth month which means we are finally fully settled in our
new homes. April is the start of the dry/hot season and previous to this year
it was the only month in the school calendar without a vacation day. Luckily
for us the new King decided to add a holiday on a random Wednesday- I’m
assuming this is solely for the benefit of teachers across the country.
As promised it has been a very long,
hot month. However, it’s also had a lot of highlights.
1.
I started the month off at a school wide camping
trip where I was able to talk to some of the students in a more informal
setting. It makes my day each and every time I am able to have a conversation
with a Malay that goes beyond the basic small talk.
2.
I discovered Kapas Island. It is small island only
40ish minutes away from my house. It is an amazing get away where I can leave
any stress on the mainland for a day with barely any commute. I’ve been twice in
the past month. Once for a girls weekend and once was with all of the
Terengganu ETAs.
3.
Celebrated Easter potluck style with the other
ETAs in the area. Between the 6 of us we were able to put together a fairly
nice American style dinner after school on Easter Sunday.
4.
Visited southern Terengganu again with many of
the Terengganu crew where we were able to go to our first movie theater and
Starbucks in ages. Hunger Games did not disappoint and the movies are the
perfect place to pretend you’re at home for a few hours.
5.
I went kayaking with my housemates, a few of my
teachers and students. It was a blast and there is even a chance that they are
starting a kayaking club at my school. *Fingers crossed.*
6.
Yesterday, I painted an Earth day mural with my
kids during a Saturday make up day and now the principal wants me to design
another one for the front of the school.
7.
My parents finally bought their plane tickets
and will definitely be here for August break.
It’s been a long and frustrating
month school wise with a lot of language barriers and cross cultural
communication problems to overcome, but I had a good month because of all of the
friends I have come to rely on here in Terengganu. I’m amazed at how close we
have gotten in such a short time, but I guess that is what happens when 17
strangers in the same challenging situation. If any of you are reading this, thanks for my sanity.
In contrast the next two months are so full of things to do
that I know that they are going to fly by. I can’t wait to see what they’ll
have in store for me.
Side note: Alma graduation was today. I have officially been
a college graduate for a year. All I can say is it has been one of the most eventful
years I have ever had.
