coffee.break

Found this short article under Courage when I was browsing through The Book of Virtues, edited with commentary by William J. Bennett, this morning.

===

British Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) placed this advertisement in London newspapers in 1900 in preparation for the National Antarctic Expedition (which subsequently failed to reach the South Pole). Shackleton later said of the call for volunteers that “it seemed as though all the men in Great Britain were determined to accompany me, the response was so overwhelming.”

MEN WANTED FOR HAZARDOUS JOURNEY. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success. – Ernest Shackleton.

===

I feel like I am one of the volunteers, only not so drastic.

With all the warnings (Yeah, despite filling nomination form is a common thing, but what if… And all those readings about murders during the nights, the disabilities due to stepping on landmines, the robberies … ), I am preparing myself mentally and emotionally for the move. I can’t come home (sobbing? hopefully not!) anytime I want. No leave yet. Too far. A bit expensive. I want to save money (A friend already predicted that I probably would not come home except for the 2 free trips. Heh.) And my fear of flight! Hate to admit this, but anything that I can’t step on, would be my fear. Like diving…and others which I refuse to admit. I don’t want to think about it. I may chicken out. And that would be the stupidest decision to make.

It is well known that to overcome fear, we have to face the fear. I would always remember the following words on a bookmark:-

Courage is not freedom from fears; it is being afraid and going on.

Countdown: 17 days to go.

… soon. And this time is not cyber-ly like last time. This is for real. Physically. I am not sure about mentally and emotionally. Can they be moved?

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

When I wrote Traveller, I was thinking of Australia, not Cambodia, and not so soon!

So I am leaving… No play-play about it. Is not April Fool yet!

It all happened 3 days ago. Job offered after the interview which was arranged about 1-2  hours before. It is not like you have the time to prepare for the interview, then attend it, come back and think if you get the job, whether you want to go for it (Cambodia is full of landmines ya, heh), then when the offer comes, only you decide. No. My offer was given on the same day, the letter was signed on the next day, and I have to report in 2 weeks time. But I’m glad that I didn’t need to lose sleep days before the interview, rehearse answers for the possible interview questions over and over again, and lose sleep again waiting for their answer.

Ok, so for the past few days, I have been busy reading articles and blogs (which really helps) and asking around,  even emailing a blogger who is now in Cambodia, about the lifestyle there (awaiting for answer), the essentials to bring along and the cost of living (I guess the things would be priced extra high for non locals). 

When I go through my stuff, I have so many things to settle and put in order. I have to plan for months ahead, at least for six months. Things that I should give or throw away, things that need attention during my absence, etc. Lots of little possessions that I am gonna miss. Family and friends. Those adorable kids too. Oh, am I really going this time? Am I? A few people already told me or indirectly impressed upon me that I am gonna miss home. A lot. I am gonna feel so lonely there. Feel exploited there. And the internet connection is not as cheap and as stable as here! Sigh.

Oh come on! Don’t be a sissy. Be brave. Give it a try. If I can’t endure, just fly home. Anytime. What is so big deal about it? The westerners travel and migrate easily. No looking back. No more fussing about it! Start packing! Oh dear….

Some photos taken during a very short and unplanned trip to Malacca in Jan ‘07. Walked around the place alone, reminiscing 9 years ago when I was there with some friends.

| View Show | Create Your Own

If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, “Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

This morning, a 4-year old boy was upset with me when I told him to do his own work instead of disturbing the others.

He said angrily, with folded hands, “I will ask my daddy later to scold you, and beat you! My daddy is very fierce one! He will scold you and beat you!”

I wanted to laugh, but I know I shouldn’t. So I didn’t. An Indian teacher was sitting nearby but she didn’t get what he said in Mandarin. So I casually recap what he said. Immediately, she told him to go to the *Quiet Stool! He cried loudly and pleaded for the teacher to let him go. Oh dear, he must be very upset with me now. Ha!

*Quiet Stool – Sit on the stool and be quiet. That is all. I don’t know why kids are so afraid of that.

Received a sms from an anonymous today. Again? Ya, again. Sigh. This time is to promote some services, including porno I bet. 

Hi Alan! U want to download sexy movie clip right? Send sms ON MV to 32298 for movie clip. For Truetone/MP3 send ON TONE to 33112. Poly send ON KO to 32312. From 60176789539.

I was contemplating whether I should put the sender’s number. But then, who cares? If you want to disturb him/her, go ahead. Maybe he/she would be delighted to hear from you.

This is Frank McCourt’s 3rd book ~ Teacher Man. I like the way he wrote about his 30 years as a teacher. He looked at his life humorously and his writing is different from what I have seen so far. No opening and closing of conversation (“—- “). But when you read, you just know that it is a conversation or narration.

I think all teachers should read this book. Actually students too. Surely both can identify with any part of the story and laugh with him.

Haven’t read his other books, Angela’s Ashes and Tis. Will check those out in my next trip to the store.

A few comments that I have heard from the 3-5 years old kids, brought me smiles and sometimes laughters:-

“Why is there a red mark on your face?”
“It’s my mother’s kiss!” said a rough, chubby 4-year old boy.
Actually it looked more like a mosquito kiss.
And since then, I would threaten to kiss him if he does not behave. He would instantly calm down and try to hide his cheeky smile.

“Teacher, teacher! See, see. Until here?” the same rough, chubby 4-year old boy showed his water bottle to a teacher.
“Don’t ask teacher anymore. Teacher has told you so many times. You have been asking the same question every day. You know how much you need to drink!”, said the irritated teacher.
“OK! I didn’t ask! I just show you only!”, and he stormed away.
Oh the cuteness! I wanted to hug him right away!

“I want to go home. Can you ask my granny to fetch me?!” said a crying 4-year old boy to his little friends of the same age or younger. Or he would cried aloud, “Can all of you fetch me home?!” (as if he is the king, man. Ha!)
Answers varied.
The less compassionate said, “No”.
The others said, “OK, I will tell my daddy later when he comes to fetch me. He will call your granny, ok?”
But after so many times, the less or the more compassionate continued to play as if the crying baby was not there at all. Fed up, it must be. Who wouldn’t? They even complained to the teachers that he is such a nuisance! “Cry, cry all the time!” or “So noisy!” or those less vocal would stared, and some would covered their little ears and frowned at the teachers, to show their displeasure! Remember, these are 3-4 years old kids!

“Where is my Joshua?” a boy asked for his twin brother. Wow, the sense of belonging.

“Be careful aa… Be careful aa…” said a big sized, 5-year old boy to the 4-year old crying baby when he was in the toilet. So lovely!

Observation of the 4-5 years old:-
- Most of the time, they are fighting for attention from the adults.
- When a question is asked, everyone wants to answer. I wonder why the enthusiasm dies down as children grows older. No one seems to hear the teachers in the secondary school. Ha!
- They are super willing and even rush forward to help the teachers.
- They complain and complain and complain about others. All the lil’ busybodies.
- They are fascinated with simple things, attentive to stories, even repetitive stories, lots of imaginations and questions.
- They may be upset with you yesterday because you told them off, but today they will still say “Good morning” cheerfully. No hard feelings. In the adult world, near to impossible.
- Nowadays, the Malay Language teacher has a hard time explaining the difference between the  kakak which means elder sister, and the kakak which means maid!

As the traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep, so a knowledge of one other culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinize more steadily, to appreciate more lovingly, our own.

~ Margaret Mead

Am I ready?

To leave…
… the comfort of home
… the protection of family
… the routines and familiarity of life

And face…
… the challenge of wilderness
… the hostility of a community
… the risks and uncertainties of life

If I  have the chance.

 Do you know that Taiping is Bandar Warisan (Heritage Town)? How could you not know that? Shame… shame…

I wonder how’s the night safari feels like? No, I don’t mean going around using the tram, but to walk alone, listen to the cries and the moving of the animals. Eery eh? But then again, I am not so sure they would allow that, I mean to walk alone.  

I was impressed by the ticket. Didn’t expect code scanning for entry. RM5 per adult. Nice design, can keep as a bookmark! 

Took the tram, RM3 per person, for 1/2 hour ride around the zoo.

After the tram ride, I walked around to take some pictures. You are supposed to follow the trail to cover the whole place, I think …

… but I went the opposite way! So I am not sure! Actually I only realised my silliness some time later when I saw groups of people were going the other way! A friend told me that the print should have 5 toes, assuming it is of the bears. Er, if that is so, then this must be the extint species.

Usually we have to wait for the right time to capture good pictures of the animals. Due to limited time, about 1 hour, so I only managed to take a few.

I like lions. One of my favourite land animals. Yeah, I have favourite animals, just like a kid. 2 for land, 1 for air and 1 for water.  Anyway, I was expecting to see roaring lions! Sigh, what a disappointment!

 The hippopotamus picture is a treasure! (Though it is only a side-view) I passed the place a few times and you could hardly see any movements, moreover yawning! I heard cheers when it did that! And many visitors didn’t manage to capture the photo!

Because most of the time, it just stays under water. Can you spot it?

Talking about spotting animal, eh? See if you can spot the tapir in the following picture. It took me some time.

The black tapir was having a jacuzzi!

Heard of a bearded pig? Here it is.

Pathetic, poor, old camel.

Nothing special about the goat (I think they are called goats), except that I like their horns. 

The orang utan looks cuter in person actually. A friend said it is a female. I actually didn’t notice it. Ha.

There was a kind of fear when I looked at the rhinos, more than the elephants! Macho,eh?

Again, try to spot the porcupines! I should have thrown some pebbles at them. I wanted to see them flinging their tempers.

And this is their habitat. Man-made I think.

Some other animals -

 Fierce ostriches. Stuck-up creatures! Looked down at me! Just because they are taller.

  Look at its hair! Straight eh? Natural straight. Ha. I should have taken the curly one as well, for comparison.

An interesting playground, eh?

But they are too lazy! Anyway, who wants to run around with thick fur under the hot sun, eh?

Love the greens…..

A resting place within the zoo. Lovely design.

After the zoo, didn’t have time to walk around Taiping Lake. So only managed to take these 2 pictures.

After the short trip, I followed a friend to meet her clients. When they heard that I went to the zoo, they were surpised. They are senior citizens by the way. “I thought only children like to go to the zoo!” Heh… yeah, I am one of them.

* Uploading photos to this site is a torture! May have to find somewhere else to do photo blog.