Some photos....

Photo 1: Project Trust girls with MARA school representatives in Kuala Lumpur

Photo 2: A photo of the school when walking from my house.

Photo 3: Exploring palm oil plantations...

Photo 4: Some students walking to their next class - taken from the third floor.

Languages camp

This weekend we joined the 3rd formers in their languages camp at a school 50km north. After a bouncy bus ride we arrived at KKLM Ledang - a MARA school for older students at diploma level. Unfortunately we had to share the students' dorms.. which led to some very bad nights sleeps! The shouting/screaming/door slamming ran from 11-12pm, and then started again at 5.30am. There were complaints from students studying there the next day so everyone got a big telling off! Thankfully the next night was a little better...

The camp was aimed at improving the students language skills - both in Malay and English. We could only help out with the English sessions, which meant we had quite a lot of time to kill! In the end we left the compound and went for a walk in the palm oil plantations. On Sunday morning two of the teachers felt sorry for us so they took us to Ledang waterfall, which was nice. It involved a 20 minute climb through the forest. On the way back we stopped for a 'Roti Canai' (one of my favourites) which is a roti that comes with a side bowl of dahl which you dip into :) It only costs 60-90 cent which is about 15p! I am finding myself eating alot at the moment, definitely for comfort! Somehow the meals help pass the day by, and eating is just something to do. I hope to become alot more busy in the school so I will not be trying to kill time.

A highlight of the camp was the games session, where each class was given a list of Malay games to play outside. These involved lobbing flip flops at a target, and 'cops and robbers'. After they had run out of ideas I taught them one of my favourite childhood games: ladders. It involves racing your partner through a ladder of legs, round the group and back to their spot. They really enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed leading it.

We got back to school last night around 6pm. After a quick 100Plus (best Malaysian fizzy drink) we headed out again to Sri Sulong's night market, which takes place every sunday. We wanted to stock up with fruit/veg as we are not given alot in our meals. Saying this, we only go to morning break and lunch so it could be that we are missing the fruit-heavy meals! We came back with mangoes, rambutans (bit like lychees), carrots, and beans. Its a nice market, although a pain with our bikes!

So here's another Monday morning.. we have to wait for our timetable to be made before we can start which is a little annoying. I think tonight we will go into Batu Pahat and explore a little. I am low on shampoo so its a good excuse to find some shops. This week is only a four day week as we have friday-monday off. The current plan is to go to Penang for some serious sunbathing and relaxation!

Chinese New Year, James the Gheko, and our first cockroach

Ok so it's been quite a while since I last posted - sorry! I have quite a lot to write about today.

Yesterday was our first day back at school after the Chinese New Year long weekend. We broke up on Friday, and caught a bus up to Seremban. One of the teachers insisted on giving us a sackful of KFC for the road... so along with our KFC I sat amongst various Chinese passengers with at least six bags balanced on their laps. The buses here are pretty good, although as soon as you turn off the main road the traffic is horrendous. In KL you have just stick to the LRT or you will sit at traffic lights for ten minutes a go.. Anyway. We arrived in Seremban and met two other volunteers at the bus station - which was great! A quick taxi ride took us to Tom Bryant's house (our friend who is working in a school too but through another organisation). He lives with another two PT volunteers - who were luckily away for the weekend and we could steal their beds! They have just got a kitten (Toby) which they found in their street recently. He/she (they're not sure of the sex!!) is mega cute and enjoyed hours of running after christmas tree decorations. After a quick 'pre-lash' (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lash) we went to a local bar called Sportivo's. It was great to have a drink, as alcohol is not permitted in the school compound.

The next morning we left for KL, managing to grab a lift off our rep who was going up for a meeting. We had been invited by our friends who we met on our first night in Malaysia. Dick Bryant is a friend of our rep, and is Tom's (above) dad. His wife Farida, is a Chinese Malaysian and has become our surrogate mum for our 8 months here! They were kind enough to welcome 8 volunteers into their house for 3 nights. Dick and Farida have been so kind to us and I am so thankful to have met them. They live in KL, but you really wouldnt think it was KL, as its pretty much sorrounded by trees/monkeys!

Our first outing in with the Bryants was to a nearby waterfall. We drove for ten minutes up some hill, and were then pointed in the direction to continue by foot. The path took us through (I wouldnt say it was a rainforest but something of the sort..) and was a beautiful walk. It was a perfect day for it - blue sky and sunshine. After an hour or so we reached the waterfall, stripped into our bikinis and all stuck our heads under! It was great fun, until the first leech made its entrance... I managed to leave leech free but I was definitely a lucky one. The technique we were advised to use to get them out was to burn the leech's bum with a cigarette.. very handy that there were a few smokers amongst the group! It was a great feeling when we got back to the car, and reminded me of all the walks I have done at home on the moors or along the coast. The evening that followed was spent watching movies, and eating Faridas fabulous food. Perfect!

The next day was Sunday - Chinese New Year's eve. I had expected KL to be mega busy, but it was actually the opposite! It appeared everyone had left the city to go home... We went to a reggae bar in China Town and the roads were just deserted. I was slightly disappointed, as I would love to have seen some dancing in the streets or fireworks. Still, we had a busy night meeting other travellers, and bartering with taxi drivers over their blatent addition of 'white tax' to their prices.

We caught a bus back to Batu Pahat the next day - a spacious, speedy bus that cost Rm20 (4 pounds). It drives right past our school when going into BP, which is great for us as we can just jump off on the way. Its a 3 hour drive from KL, so not too far. We didnt get back until about 9pm, and were welcomed back into our house by a menagerie of bugs.... Firstly: a HUGE cockroach in the shower, (which I screamed at and then managed to trap under a box and escort outside), and secondly: James the gheko - who is now my dear friend! He lives in my room, and eats all the flies for me. He's a gem, and has big eyes. We keep our distance though... slimey lizards things wouldnt be nice to stand on.

So we are back at school. The first formers arrived yesterday, and there were many tearful parents around. The new students all look mega nervous, so this week we are going to the hostels in the evenings to see them and cheer them up. 13 is quite a young age to leave your family - so I dont blame them for being upset! I'm sure they will settle in soon, and forget about their homesickness after they realise how busy they are going to be. Honestly, the students' school day here is crazy!

Me and Fiona have been decorating the languages board today. Lunch is in half an hour, and then I am gonna go home and sleep because Im really tired. I couldnt get to sleep last night as it was really hot and someone was watching TV really loudly in the flat above . Tomorrow we are off for the weekend with the languages department and all the 3rd formers - they have an English 'camp'. I have no idea where it is or what we are doing but it sounds fun! There must be at least 120 students going to it must be to a reasonably big location.

I have received 5 letters so far - really brightens up my day! They are very welcome (hint). Promise I will write back!! I hope everyone is well, and not too cold! xx

One week at school done!

Today is Tuesday, and we have been at school for a week. Time has gone slowly, but also extremely quickly when I look back at how much we have done.

Our house is becoming more homely everyday, as we add more photos and posters to our previously very bare walls! The students gave us some of their drawings to stick up. Our flat is actually quite big, which means there is a lot of wallspace to fill. Over the last few days we have gradually got our hands on various household essentials, after making various trips to shops and meeting some very generous teachers. Our cooking facilities include a kettle and gas hob, which is great as it allows us to make our own food if we dont fancy rice meals twice a day!

I can now explain the name of our school - 'MRSM Batu Pahat'. When you translate the full name into English it means 'MARA Junior Science College'. MARA is a government run organisation who have roughly 30 schools in Malaysia. The selection process highly favour the Malay (indiginous) children. After one week I have met two Chinese Malaysian children, and one Indian Malaysian, out of a school of approximately 500 students. The students school day starts at 6.30, and ends at 11pm. Even at weekends they must do their prep before bed. They tell me often how when they go home they just sleep for hours and hours to recharge their batteries! All the students here have been so nice to us, and fight for a space on our lunch table in the dining hall. When we ask a class if they want to ask us anything, the only two questions they ever ask are: 'What is your (relationship) status?' and 'Do you have facebook?' Classic.

I will post again soon. Its 4.10 and I need to nip to the post office before it closes. Our friend Zura works there, so its always nice to chat to someone outside of school. Then its our sport session from 5.30-6.30. I'm gonna be a pro tennis player by the time I return!! 

Arrival at MRSM Batu Pahat

This is the first time I have been online since leaving the UK.. and so much has happened! I couldnt possibly write it all on here, so I'll just mention a few things otherwise we'll be here all day.

We arrived in KL and were driven to Seremban, a large town about 50km south. There we checked in at a basic hotel, where we stayed 2 nights. There are two other Project Trust volunteers in Seremban, so we met up and went shopping which was nice. Our rep also took us to the sports club who allowed us to swim for free :)

After leaving Seremban on Sunday, we took a bus back to the capital. MARA (the organisation who runs our schools) met us at our hotel and gave a few talks. One teacher from each school came to meet us which was good, as they told us alot about each individual school. Our teacher is a lady named Fenas, who is the head of English. She is basically in charge of us at the moment.. last night she took us out to Pizza Hut in Batu Pahat, which is our nearest big town (about 15km away). She has a four year old daughter who was very sweet and enjoyed playing boo with us.

We arrived at our flat last night, and were very pleasantly surprised at how much they had given us. We have not only a kettle....but also a fridge!! There are some things to buy (no cutlery to be seen), but it feels homely already after I stuck up some photos. We have a spare room, which we have dedicated to bugs... (we're gonna lock all the lizards and cockroaches in it...so beware visitors!!)

This morning I woke to the sound of knocking and giggling...5 5th formers were at our door asking us if we wanted to go for breakfast with them. I had literally just woken up, so I groggily refused...it was 6.45 and we were due in school at 8. Every minute of sleep counts!

We have been shown around the school this morning, and have been introduced to many teachers and a few classes. I asked what they knew about england and one boy shouted 'Bruno Mars'! Also they all want my facebook so I need to make my profile private... We were asked by the girls to join them at their aerobics session this evening, so Im gonna go - hopefully Fiona will join me. Thats my Project Trust partner by the way :)

We are settling in just fine. Its hot but not too bad, I cant wait to do loads of sport with the kids, and burn off all this rice!