Southtown Star Article #2 - The Art of Equalizing

This is my second article for my Reporting from Malaysia Guest Column with the Southtown Star!

Stay tuned for more each month!

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/opinions/12381110-474/the-art-of-equalizing.html

Southtown Star Article #1

Stayed tuned for more throughout the next six months!

I am reporting as a Correspondent for the Southtown Star throughout the remainder of my experience here in Malaysia. I am so excited for this opportunity, and I am incredibly humbled.

Thanks for the support everyone, and pass the link on!

http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/opinions/guestcommentary/12382764-474/selamat-petang-di-malaysia-or-hello-from-malaysia.html

Step 6: Realizing that "There are no Dinosaurs Here"

One of my first, in-depth experiences with Malay
culture! Fellow ETA, Michael, and I at a Malay wedding!

Marie Curie was a Polish-born scientist, and she was the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize in 1903 for her work in Physics. In 1911, she even became the first person to win two Nobel Prizes, when she was awarded another Prize for her work in Chemistry. Marie Curie was quoted several times in her life for saying, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.”

 It is part of human nature to have fear or to fear something. I believe even the risk-takers, even the bold, have at least an ounce of fear somewhere within themselves when they take on a new challenge. Some individuals may vocalize and express their fear more than others, but at the end of the day, even the smallest kindle of fear brews somewhere inside each of us. Some of us acknowledge it, while others look past it. 

4A2 students taking on their fear of English public
speaking! 

I would be lying if I said that I came to Malaysia and adopted and adapted to a new culture without fear. There were moments of fear or moments when I simply could not understand, whether it was the language or cultural norms. Sometimes moments of uncertainty made me nervous, and sometimes they made me feel overwhelmed. But at the end of the day, isn’t that what this experience was and continues to be all about? It is about branching out, leaving the well known, familiar and comfortable in search of new discoveries, new perspective and new ways of understanding.

Sometimes the moments of fear, uncertainty or misunderstanding are what ultimately allow us to learn more about our selves and the world we live in.

In fact, my dear childhood friend, Natalie, who just graduated from nursing school, reminded me a couple months ago while we were having a phone conversation:

            “Rachael, people are always capable of more than they think… 

And then you look back and say, I did it.”

Isn’t that the truth?

Whether it is a family setting off on their first, cross country road trip to Yellowstone National Park with three children, a family getting ready to travel 33 hours overseas with new passports in hand, a new fireman saving a child from a firey home, a new nurse witnessing a person in dire health, a young teacher managing his or her first classroom of young children or a young woman living and adapting to a new culture overseas – there are moments of fear, but then at last, there are moments of discovery.

After an exciting, nerve racking and somewhat
intimidating hike/jungle trek at the waterfalls in Besut,
this was the beauty I was able to witness with my friends!

In fact, Marie Curie’s words often come to mind when I find myself frustrated or overwhelmed in moments of misunderstanding. However, one of my 4A1 students put it into even easier, more heartfelt words.

One day I was telling my students (in slow spoken English) about how I was nervous to come to a new country for 10 whole months and how I was nervous to learn to ride a motor scooter. I was trying to relate to their hesitation and nervousness about learning English. As some students nodded in understanding, one boy shook his head and said,  “Teacher, do not worry. There are no dinosaurs here.”

So it’s that simple I suppose.

No matter what fear you may sense within you, just remember, “Do not worry. There are no dinosaurs here.”

A shout out from my students to let you know
"Do not worry! There are no dinosaurs here!"

I bet if you think about this the next time you are hesitant or nervous to take on something, you will find yourself smiling with a new sense of energy. Works for me. Everytime.

Step 5: Treasuring the *Little Victories*

Living and teaching in a foreign country consists of highs and lows, ups and downs. There are some awesome days and there are some really rough days as well.

I have always been a firm believer in "seeing the glass half full," and I always have been a believer in *little victories*. However, recently, little victories have become even closer to my heart and are what keep me excited and enthused for the months ahead!

Even when classes do not go according to plan and students misbehave, or I get thrown an obstacle from left field, the little victories are what make me smile. And, I think at the end of the day the little victories altogether are what can be shaped into the greatest successes and the most amazing stories. I may be in a foreign country living an unfamiliar life, but I bet if you look, you have some little victories everyday in your life too!

For me, here in Malaysia, I write my little victories down as a reminder that yes, there are some low valleys, but there are also high peaks! They certainly bring a smile to my face, each and every time.

So, here are some of mine! Enjoy!

***********************************************************************
Rachael's List of Little Victories


* April 12, 2012 
      I get to school and find an anonymous note on my desk that says, "Love u techer rassel!" (aka... I love you Teacher Rachael) 

Although it is lightly written, this is the anonymous note to
me from a student!


* April 12, 2012
     One of my 3D students said to me today, "Teacher, face so shiney like silver." 



* April 11, 2012
      My special education students can now officially say "Hello! How are you?!" and "I am good!" in English! 
One student can even say, "Good morning!" They also are well rehearsed in thumbs-up and the "air-five!"


* April 10, 2012
     I have been teaching my students about believing in their dreams and used the example of climbing Mount Everest. I told them that people practice, practice and practice to be able to climb it. I also told them that when people get to the top of the mountain they are able to say, "I'm on top of the world!" 

My 2B class holding up their English work,
"Who is Your Hero?"

     
So, today one of my 2B students said, "Teacher, I start train (aka start training). I go to Everest. I say "I'm on TOP WORD" 



*************************************************************************************

The list of course is to be continued...

Now, I challenge you to go find your own little victories no matter where you are or what you do!

My 4A2 class doing dialogue presentations!
They were very nervous and continue to be nervous about
speaking English! However, little by little, I am going to
break them out of their shell! Step 1: Simply getting them
to stand in front of class. Step 2: TBD

Step 4: Learning to Equalize

One of our many school assemblies!
Photo: Courtesy of SMK Permaisuri Nur Zahirah

Recently, I was introduced to the technique of equalizing while taking an open water dive course in the Perhentian Islands, Malaysia. The deeper a diver goes, the more water pressure and ear pressure become unbalanced, causing deep discomfort. To avoid this pain, divers must slowly descend and gently breathe out while pinching their nose. A slow and steady introduction to the deep, unfamiliar waters makes for an enjoyable underwater adventure.

Driving my pink motor scooter through vast rice paddies in my rural, Islamic village, while wearing a bright, floral baju kurung, is not a life I could have ever fully prepared for.

My American wardrobe has been replaced with a collection of twenty-plus traditional, conservative baju kurung (explained in the previous post)

Eating lunch with fellow teachers.
Photo: Courtesy of SMK Permaisuri Nur Zahirah

Going to buy groceries no longer consists of quick trips to Target in a Volvo with a stop at Starbucks along the way. Now, I strategically decide what I need based on what can fit into a backpack for the return trip from Supermas. Supermas is about a fifth of the size of Jewel Osco and is the only supermarket in town, but it gets the job done. In fact, I always save some room for M&Ms, which it conveniently sells! 

Example of what one would see at a Pasar Malam in
Malaysia! 

A daily occurrence.
Cows are constantly socializing in frontof our house...

My weekly dates with friends have been replaced with trips to the local Pasar Malam, the night markets selling fruits, vegetables, live chickens and food. Being a regular at the market has been a fabulous way to meet locals while sampling Malaysian food. Although, I have not been brave enough to buy a live chicken yet, with many villages in a twenty- minute radius, there is a night market within reach every night.

Moreover, my favorite spin classes have been replaced with P90x videos, as well as scenic bikes rides and jogs through my village where cows, roosters and chickens roam freely and palm trees provide light shade.

Moving here requires a new kind of rhythm, and it’s amazing to experience the reality when something once so unusual becomes now seemingly normal.

 My slow and steady introduction is allowing me to equalize to an existence quite different than my own, but a life that is temporarily mine.

A group of Christina and I's students. They came over one evening
to play badminton and we showed them how to make root beer floats!

Step 3: Adding Lively Colors and Geometric Patterns to My Life

During my first weekend in Besut, Christina and I’s mentors took us to the nearest city, Kota Bharu (KB) to do some shopping for household essentials. People and maps claim that Kota Bharu is a 45-minute drive, but after taking over seven trips there already, I have yet to make it in under an hour and a half.

First time I wore a baju karung. This is
the only baju kurung I have actually
bought myself. It is cotton, instead of
silk and has a very modern design.
Handing Over Ceremony
January 2012

While in KB, we went to a mall where I bought my Celcom Broadband internet, and we bought kitchen supplies. In addition to the necessary kitchen supplies, we bought mini, cloth wardrobes/closets. My room came with a complete, wooden wardrobe with a mirror. So, why did I need to invest in another you may ask? 

Well, because between Christina and I, we are now the proud owners of over twenty baju kurungs.

My American attire and style has indeed been replaced. If I am not wearing yoga pants, button down shirts or t-shirts, which I wear for after school hours, then I am in a baju kurung.  

Terengganu ETAs at a wedding in Marang. The women
are wearing baju kurung, while the men are wearing
baju melayu. -January 2012

The baju kurung is a Malay, traditional costume. It literally translate to “enclosed dress.” The baju kurung is the national dress of Malaysia, but it can also be found in parts of Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. In the past, the costumes were just simple dresses. However, now as the times change, the attire has evolved into a sophisticated style and women buy them to match their fashion tastes. The baju kurung was actually influenced by people, style and products that came through what was then the Malay Archipelago during the 15^th Century. As the people adopted Islam as their religion, the Malays slowly started to cover their bodies in order to obey the teachings and tenets of Islam.

In short, the baju kurung is a loose-fitting, full length dress that has a skirt and a blouse. The skirt has foldings on one side, and the blouse has long sleeves, extends to between the hip and knees and is colarless. Normally, the dress is made of silk. The silk is either imported from places such as Japan, South Korea, Turkey, India or from Malaysian states. Actually, my state, Terengganu, and the adjacent state, Kelantan, are most famous for their homemade silk. The culture of batik (fabric) and hand-designed fabrics is still strong and people take pride in it.

My red, floral baju karung on Valentine's Day with my
homemade sugar cookies. They do not recognize Valentine's
Day whatsoever, so I had to celebrate it somehow!

For instance, there are many little shops in Besut that made their own batik and designed fabrics, and students in school sometimes doing batik as art projects.

Many people probably know that my wardrobe does consist of many neutrals and solids and classic type pieces from the sales rack at Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Banana Republic and Target.  In contrast, here in Malaysia, my style now consists of the lively colors and geometric patterns that are expressed with the baju kurung.

The baju kurung is also often worn with a headscarf (tudung), especially in more conservative states such as Terengganu. In my town, all Muslim women over the age of 10 wear the tudung, and some girls as young as three wear the tudung as well. However, I do not wear the tudung, as I am not a Muslim.

When I tell friends and family back home that I wear a baju kurung everyday to school, I get a wide variety of reactions, such as “Holy cow! Isn’t that hot?!”

The truth is, yes it is hot, and it takes some getting used to. I also am not forced to wear it, but the community members, students and fellow teachers sincerely appreciate and are proud when I do. The alternative to me wearing a baju kurung everyday is wearing a long skirt down to my ankles, a long sleeve shirt to cover my elbows and a scarf to wear over a v-neck shirt. 

Four 1A students and I at Prophet Mohammad's
Birthday Celebration. These students also bought me a
beautiful baju kurung, which I will wear in
future pictures! - February 2012

Honestly, the baju kurung is much more suitable and comfortable for hot weather, as it does not have seams hitting me in weird places, fabrics that soak in and show the sweat running down my back all day and cuts that cling to me when the hot air already makes it hard to breathe. I think the fabric, style and colors of the baju kurung make it more comfortable for teaching in hot classrooms all day. – Now, that is my interpretation of it. I know many people who would disagree with me. And for the record, would I rather just wear my sun dresses and skirts with a t-shirt or tank top? Of course, but that is not an option here. Plus, when will I ever get to wear such beautiful, colorful fabric again in my life?

Over the last three months in Malaysia, I see what a fashion statement people can make with their baju kurungs. People accessorize their baju kurung with a complimentary tudung, and jewels and pins to clip onto their dress and tudung. There are baju kurung shops everywhere, especially where I live, and there are baju kurung blogs, online stores and magazines. It’s a whole culture! In fact, everyday teachers bring in incredible batik swatches and magazines to choose and shop for new fabric for new baju kurung. It almost reminds me of the process of buying Girl Scout Cookies or Boy Scout popcorn.

My first day of school picture!

When teachers and students saw me wearing the baju kurung on my first day of school, they were so excited, because it is such a part of their culture. Thereafter, several teachers would bring me in bags of baju karungs, and two of my students each bought me new baju karungs. Although I do not accessorize it with a tudung, I do accessorize it with earrings.

I miss my wardrobe and style back home. However, if wearing a baju kurung everyday here allows me to gain insight into the Malay culture and allows me to connect more fully with the Malay people, while personally being more comfortable in extremely hot weather, then why not?

My cloth, blue wardrobe is currently home to my unworn, yet not forgotten American clothes. They sit there waiting for the days I take trips out of my town, so that they can be brought out again!

My blue wardrobe housing my American clothes. The wardrobe
is also partially broken, so if it looks like it is slanted forward, that
is because it is!

Step 2: Behind the Scooter

 Behind the Wheel Scooter

I remember the autumn of 2004 when I was enrolled in my high school’s Behind the Wheel course for my zero-hour period one quarter. While most teenagers could not wait to get their hands on their very own license (aka ticket to independence), I was hesitant. I secretly wondered if I could live off rides from friends and family the rest of my life. (Okay, maybe not the rest of my life, but at least for a long while.) Ironically, my parents were the ones that explained what a fantastic privilege driving would be.

One Saturday afternoon, my Aunt Gail chaperoned me and took me to a parking lot in my town to practice parking. I was worried to death and frozen with fear. Then, one night, a few weeks later, my dad said, “Let’s go for a drive.” We went to the parking lot down the street, and as my bones and hands froze up, I frantically drove in circles. I was barely moving and in a frenzy. Honestly, I do not know how my dad handled my freak-outs with such gracious and patience. 

My favorite driving buddies and I on our car ride to
the airport!

Well, as most or all of you know, driving is now one of my favorite hobbies. I absolutely love driving, especially with my brother and sister with our favorite tunes on!

However, driving on a motor scooter in Malaysia…?

I think this initially caused me the most anxiety of my entire experience here thus far. Since my arrival in Kuala Lumpur almost three months ago (holy cow… three months ago), when I found out I would be living 9 kilometers from my school, I dreaded the day when I would have to learn to ride a motorbike or motorscooter. For the last year or so my dad had been asking me to go on rides with him on his Harley, and I was terrified to even be a passenger. 

Now I had to not only sit on a two-wheeled mode of transportation, I had to drive it.

The dreaded time came on my third day living in Besut, when three teachers said, “Okay, let’s go motorbike shopping!”

“Ah…” I reacted nervously. In America, when people make purchases like this, there is normally some thorough discussion beforehand. (not all the time, but I would like to think most of the time)

“Okay, we go now!” they said, and in the SUV we went for a ride to the local city of Jerteh, which is “where everyone buys their bike.”

The motorbike/motorscooter dealership in Jerteh, Terengganu

Apparently it was the thing to do, so I was just going to leave the bike business in their hands.

For only a little under an hour, we went from store to store searching for a bike that would be up to my teachers’ expectations:

1) safe

2) easy to ride 

3) appropriate for ladies (since I would be wearing   baju kurung on this bike)

It also had to be up to my roommate, Christina and I’s standards, since we would be sharing it. We knew nothing about motorbikes, so our one condition:

1) within our budget.

As we looked for a bike, I stood in silence and observed as the salesmen and the teachers would talk, negotiate, look at me, look at the bike, look at me and negotiate. At the seventh store, we found “the one.” The teachers found it for me, and summoned me over to look at it. I was hooked. I loved it.

The moment I first laid my eyes on it!

I did not want to drive it, but I loved it. It could be a great conversation piece for our porch.

It was shimmering in the sun on the side of a busy street parked next to many other motorbikes and motor scooters. It was pink, adorable and it looked like a happy bike, which put a smile on my face.

A few papers to sign, a deposit and a safety inspection. It almost seemed like too quick of a process to be legit, but that is how motor scooter shopping goes here in Malaysia. My parents asked about the license plates and such, but honestly, I do not know and most people do not seem to know the logistics involved with that. So, I just go with it.

Sales man demonstrating some sort of
safety feature? - Honestly, I did not
understand, because it was in Bahasa Malaysia

A few days later we picked it up. As Christina and I could not ride it yet, a student, as well as my mentor, Halilah, took us to get it and escorted us back.

Deep inside I was trying to think of any way possible I could avoid having to actually drive it. 

Could I just keep getting rides? Could I wake up at the crack of down and ride my bicycle 9 kilometers to school and then bike home in the heat? Could I find a taxi somewhere to be my driver for the year?

But, fellow ETA Michael drove those questions out of my head really quickly. He came over about an hour after we brought the scooter home and said, “Get on and just ride up and down the street a few times.”

With the same uncertainty I had as a fifteen year old learning to drive a car, I got on and drove up and down my street a few times.

The next day Michael practiced with Christina and I again. Before I knew it, three days later I was on the town’s main road, stopping at intersections and driving to the beach and night markets with Michael as my guide. Within a week and a half of purchasing the motor scooter, I was successfully driving myself to school.

Within two weeks, Christina and I were driving with both of us on it at one time.

Test drive down our street. Photo: Courtesy of Michael

In the weeks leading up to my first “ride to school by motor scooter,” I kept trying to explain to my students:

“I am so nervous to ride my scooter like you are nervous to speak English. But if I ride my scooter, you can speak English.”

My scooter and I after I took it for the first ride down
our village street!
 (I know it is horizontal. It will not format
for the time being.) Photo: Courtesy of Michael

I am not sure how much they understood, but some of the students definitely got my point. The students who understood were sure to give me “air fives” and "Yaya," after I road to school successfully by myself for the first time. It was absolutely adorable, and I wish I could have had it on video. The teachers were also very pleased.

I have been driving to school on my motor scooter while wearing a bright, floral baju kurung for many weeks now. However, every morning when I arrive, the security guard smiles with a giggle and all the students yell, “Teacher Rachael. Good morning. Scooter so cute.”

Some of the older male students have even gotten clever. As I pull into the lot and park, they jokingly say, “Miss Rachael, can I have your scooter?”

“You want a pink scooter?” I ask them as I take off my helmet and grab my bags.

“Yes!” they yell and run away.

When I depart from school, all the students gather around and watch as I unlock my scooter and awkwardly get comfortable on the seat while maneuvering in my baju kurung. Sometimes it makes me nervous with so many people watching, but as I pull out of the parking lot, they all shout, “Be safe!”

It makes me smile when the students are so concerned about my safety. Believe me, the teachers were and still are equally as concerned. I still get questions about whether or not I like it and feel comfortable driving it.

I love our trusty little scooter, and it has its very own place under the roof of our porch where it stays cool from the sun and dry from the rain. I look forward to opening the door every morning and embarking on an adventure with it, whether it is to school, to Supermas or to our favorite restaurant.

Riding the scooter on my way to school or on my way home gives me such a feeling of relaxation and freedom. For the first time, I understand why my dad loves riding his Harley. I cannot wait to be my dad’s Harley buddy when I get home.

This is a testament to the infamous line, “You never know until you try.”

Looking back, I cannot believe how much anxiety I allowed the “long-awaited, dreadful scooter riding” to cause me. For something I was for so long dreading, it has become one of my favorite things about my new life here.

It’s just so darn cute, and I cannot wait to see what journeys lie ahead with our scooter.

We have not found the perfect name for it yet. We’re thinking something sassy…