That's so Malaysia...

I have been teaching the same 3 classes for the past month now. They have become favorite classes of mine. The teacher for these classes became ill and could not return to school, and probably will not for the rest of the year. So, I became their surrogate teacher. The students have really grown to like me. For instance, read the email that my student Fuad sent me:

Zach,

your style when teaching us was interasting, but sometimes it was boring too.Nevermind,i understand that u have to do it coz maybe thats only way u can teach us,if can,i most like when u was teaching,u makeit fun like u do at this day(monday-4.17.06)I like it and i hope u can do a fun activities that we can reliese our tension such as hands-up-7-up,right?For the education activities,u can do a fun activities too so we can put it in our mind. thats only my oponions for u.I only give it to u ,if u don't want it ,nevermind.if u accept it ,i hope u can do the best teaching in our class soon. I hope ,before u leave our (student 2p1)here(smktai) u will leave a big effects that can improve ourselves in english.

OK,BYE

(maybe ,there was wrong sentences.)

Haha, I think that is one of the best emails I've EVER received. One thing I have learned about Malaysia culture is no one is direct. If someone doesn't like the way you act or the way you talk, they would not tell you. You sort of have to figure it out yourself, unless you get on the gossip train. Anyway, I think Fuad is so awesome for just outright giving me his opinion.

I have really grown to like these kids so much! They are hilarious, intelligent, clever, and sometimes they're even bad. But they are my students and I learn so much from them.

So, to finish this story and to give insight into this blog's title, I will share this anecdote. I went to my 2p4 class today to practice parts of speech by using Mad Libs. I was very excited about the lesson because the students would really like nonsense stories that Mad Libs create. As I'm about to write the word "nonsense" on the board, a lady I've never seen before walks into the class. She told me she was the new teacher and she was going to teach the lesson today. I informed her I was the teacher and I already had a lesson, and these are MY kids, but she took over. It's obvious that I was embarrassed and upset. I'm mostly upset because NO ONE at the school even told me there was a new teacher!! I'm acting surprised by this news, but this is typical of everyday life here in Terengganu... EVERYDAY! So, as I try to remind myself not to be upset that I've lost my classes, I will just remember the cultural differce that is so Malaysia.

PS I'm going back to Borneo this weekend, so there will not be any new blogs until Tuesday next week (Monday in the States). Another thing, if anyone has a desire to send a package international, I could really really really use TONS of CONSTRUCTION PAPER! That stuff is gold here and it makes all lessons fun. Plus, I have a bulletin board at school where I do a weekly challenge on various topics. The students answer questions, sing songs, do tongue twisters for points and the class with the most points wins prizes every 2 weeks. They love it. Anyway, construction paper is excellent to help me make the board fun. I never thought the day would come when I dreampt of having construction paper! My address is:

Zach Garinger
SMK Tengku Ampuan Intan
Kuala Berang, Hulu Terengganu
Terengganu, Malaysia
21700

If anyone is interested, haha Thanks! Talk to you all soon