Two weeks and counting

     This morning, I was sitting on my doorstep (with a cup of Milo) contemplating the sunrise. It was quiet morning. Spooky (my neighbor's doggie) was sitting out on the road as usual, the chickens hadn't yet started running around making noise, and my next door neighbor's puppy was unusually quiet (believe me, I usually wake up to his racket!). 
     I realized that I have exactly 3 weeks before I leave this place. Only three weeks before I leave this place of beauty. This place where I can enjoy quiet sunsets in shorts and tank top. No cars, no airplanes, no busy noises. No having to worry about running for class, about homework, about who likes who, about . . .  well, about life. Ok, so part of this freedom stems from the fact that it's school holiday right now. Oh yeah, and that's also part of the reason why it's so quiet during the morning!
     Back to contemplation. As I checked the calendar on my phone (and drank my Milo) I counted the days and realized that in 3 short weeks I'll be back to my busy life. Where has the time flown? What do I have to show for all my time here? What am I bringing back with me to the States? To be honest, I'm loathe to go back. I can't imagine living that life anymore. School, studying, people, competing, all those things that I used to do so easily. I'm not saying that life here is easy. It certainly isn't. But there is an element of . . . I guess you could call it "freedom" that is missing in the other part of my world. Many of the young adults here have this "freedom" that I wish I had, to a certain extent. No great responsibilities are on their heads. If they didn't want to continue school right now, it's wasn't a big deal. After graduation from secondary school (or high school, as it's known in other parts of the world), it was o.k. to take time off and work at home, or elsewhere. You didn't have to immediately enter higher education. I found out the other day that one of my students at the secondary school is my age. He's 20-years-old and is just in Upper 6 (equivalent to 12th Grade). 20-years-old!! I'm a 20-year-old with 2 years of college already finished!! How did my life become so different from his?
     I look at these past months and long to have those fun times again. Graduation and it's total chaos, going out to eat roti canai with my cousin, sharing laughs with fellow teachers, teasing my students, walking around campus and enjoying laughs. I've baked pies, brownies, cookies, and more with the company of The Nanny and my "nephew", I've jumped in the river with my cousin Suzika, I've taught science and math and music, I've cheered my kids at sports day (where they took gold medals). I've grown in ways that I never realized before. I'd like to think I'm more level-headed now, that I think before I make my decisions, that I weigh my options, my words, my actions. 
     Most of all, I'm going to miss the friends I've made. Spooky the dog, Cikgu Johnny, Soliten, and their families, my students who tell I'm beautiful, the little boys who always say "Good morning, teacher" in their adorable voices, my "adopted mom", my musical friend, aunties at work, and so much more. I don't want to leave! It's only 2 more weeks! 
Really?

We Are the World

One of the biggest things to hit the Western Hemisphere this year was the massive earthquake in Haiti. Because I was in Sabah (and don't read the news regularly. yes, I know, selfish) the news didn't really rock my world. In fact, I only heard about it because the only section of the Sabah newspaper I read is Global Affairs. If I had been back in the States, this would've been front-page news and everyone would've been talking about it. It would've been the only topic of conversation. Well, that and who was going to go down and help. To be honest, I was quite envious of my friends who were able to go down and help with the relief efforts. I'm a nursing student myself and I wanted so much to go with the team from Union College. 

I saw the pictures that were taken and couldn't believe the amount of destruction that occurred in the span of a few short minutes. Whole buildings collapsed, thousands injured, and many many more just disappeared. People turned to realize that they no longer had homes, jobs, workplaces, and most of all, family members who'd disappeared. I cannot imagine the pain and disbelief they must have gone through. 

The other day, I was surfing Youtube and came across this video. To be honest, I'm glad that the industry that has such an impact on our lives had decided to lend a helping hand through of the best mediums possible. They were able to combine both their talents and their popularity to reach out to the world and convince other people to help. 

They also reminded me that we do have a responsibility to the rest of the world. We are all Children of God, and as brothers and sisters we should care for each other. 

A big shout out to all those who took time out of their lives to go out and serve others. Doctors, nurses, students, parents, everybody, you've truly been God's hands. 

Anyways, I really enjoyed this video and I hope you do too.

Misha

Photos tell a thousand words

Gladden and I filling bags with dirt

Having fun in the river

Monkey :)

With some of my students

The hard working boys -- and I

Finally, a note!

To all my friends,
I know that I haven't kept in contact. And I'm really sorry about this. That's the thing with this procrastination thing, it's terrible. I constantly say "I'll do it tomorrow" . . . but tomorrow never comes.
However, tomorrow is here. Here's a small piece of what it's been like living overseas. There's so much to learn, see, and experience that, as you know, I can't possibly describe it all. But, heres to me trying to give you a little glimpse.

I can't believe I . . .

• sat in a mangosteen tree and ate fruit that I had just picked -- mmm, heaven!


• climbed a durian tree, had a durian party, and currently have some in my fridge.


• have kids. Yes, it's true, about 500 of them, to be precise.


• don't miss the cold. I love having 80 degree weather constantly.


• had a lake around my house. It flooded :)


• live without a microwave. It's taught me not to be lazy anymore. No more nuking! Much healthier :)


• speak Malayenglish. Quite well too! You'd think I was a native :)


• think my idea of a retreat is to travel 2 hours up a mountain to a tiny village for a weekend. And spend the most wonderful time swimming in rivers that contain things I don't even want to think about!


• am the pianist for a youth singing group. They've made me realize that the youth of our church really are the future. They just need a little encouragement to get them going


• am teaching grammar to secondary school students. I study one lesson ahead of them!


• am now a totally different shade of brown. So brown that my students call me "black"!


• enjoy the simplest things, like sharing a chocolate cake with my cousin. Spending hours talking about nothing. Being ourselves.


• have an ISP -- my nephew.


• has a mango tree in the front yard from which I got fresh, delicious, yummy-yummy mangoes from during season (making me wish for more again)


• lives with all manners of creatures: rats, flies, ants, cockroaches, etc. Actually, I can't believe I haven't freaked yet.


• write my dates like this "2 March 2010" instead of "March 2, 2010"


• spend my time discussing problem students during my spare time


• live without water occasionally. I have buckets.


• can almost sing the National Anthem and State Song by heart . . . almost!


• now say "football" instead of "soccer" -- it is the real name after all


• don't want to go home.


There are so many more things that just cannot be put into words. People, places, jokes, experiences, how does one describe it all? It's impossible. It's really been an amazing to be here in Sabah for these months. I've learned that teaching is not so bad after all (after saying that I'd never, ever, ever teach . . . guess what I did for 6 months?!), that kids are amazing little human beings, that I should never underestimate my students. I've learned to laugh, joke, and somehow coax students into doing their assignments. I've learned that yes, I do sound like my mom sometimes (which scared me like none other!), and that I need to get out of my shell a little bit more. I've learned that I can't keep living behind someone else, I can't wait for someone to reach out to me -- I've gotta reach out first. Taking the first step is the hardest but can reward you with the best experience you'll ever have. I've learned that I'm not naturally organized, I tend to be a bit of a mess.

But the biggest thing I've learned is that I can't do any of this by myself. I'm a young adult who doesn't know what she's doing teaching students. I have no degree, no experience whatsoever, and yet here I am teaching! I asked what Solomon asked, Give me wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before these people.And He answered! He's given me the knowledge and wisdom to teach classes, to come up with ideas for presenting ideas, for being here. It's made me realize even more that He did want me here, there was a reason for this adventure.

Love,
Misha