Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Two Chicks & a Climber Reach New Heights
The special education minister or should I say ministers, seeing that there were 6 visitors who flew out here from Kuala Lumpur (KL). They visited the primary school the day before here, kind of wish it was a surprise visit so that the teachers would be caught red-handed, such as the teachers sleeping in midday but it was all an act of how 'fine' the primary school is.
While they were being shown around the deaf department by Puan Marie, who turned out to be 'friendly' to the teachers and introduced me instantaneously as this hearing-impaired GAP student from England, to show me off to the special education minister which I thought was a bit fake. They bombarded with all sorts of clear-cut questions, 'How many percent deaf are you? Were you born deaf? How did you learn to speak? Can you hear me? Do you lipread?' seeing that they were taken aback by my speech. A snapshot was taken with the minister. I was more than surprised that they only had a brief browse at the deaf department, max 10 minutes, especially when they flew from Kuala Lumpur. Catherine said it has been like that for years.
Milo, a cold hot chocolate powder drink is all the rage in Malaysia. Every time you visit a Malay house, they offer you Malaysian tea, local coffee or Milo! It is all over the place with its green packaging branding 'MILO', supermarkets, cafes, school canteen and elsewhere, you name it, its there. Even though I have been here for nearly 2 months, I still haven't got round to trying it.
Last weekend was so and so as was feeling slightly nostalgic. Passed the PADI open water theory and didn't get round to diving as it was cancelled due to the poor visibility in the sea. Went white water rafting last Sunday on River Padas. The journey took longer than expected, coach to Beaufort then the 'old Borneo' train to the starting point. During the ride on this depleted 'behind the times' train, I admired the beautiful surroundings of high canopy rainforest and bananas growing on trees, wish I had my camera to capture the lush environment. In no time, a downpour started and the river was soiled, like the Milo drink. The river contaminated all sorts like polluted rubbish, bulky logs and soiled murky water. All down to logging, it threatens Borneo's rainforests. Tropical forests in Borneo are disappearing much faster than previously thought.
Raimi came by with three primary deaf students for an hour session. These tuitions will take place on Monday and Wednesdays. It is hard as Kimberley and Roderick (Raimi's son) are quite impressive and I have to say, their understanding is better than some of the kids at DPM. Whereas Kalvin is just happy sitting there glancing at the ceiling, daydreaming about food rather than listening to what I have to say! *rolls eyes* Roderick is ambitious, he wants to go to Gallaudet University, that he even took out a chunky heavy American Sign Language book out of his petite bag. So adorable. Once we had finished, Raimi unexpectedly asked 'How much should I pay you?' I made it clear that I wasn't accepting any money from her and that the tuition is at no cost.
This morning, we had a fashion show but the models had to wear recycled designed outfits and they certainly did come up with imaginative and resourceful ideas. One model per club. Jaisikha from the deaf department made a skirt out of newspaper, very chic and stylish. The attention-seeking male models were quite funny to watch as they came up with their 'cool' Malay moves *chuckles*.
Catherine invited Kirsty and I to a national camp in Langkawi (an island in West Malaysia) for one week BUT leaving this Sunday. It's being held for the deaf, blind and disabled schools around Malaysia and is concentrating on conservation work and outdoors activities. A letter of "invitation" from the organization running it is required. Unfortunately, Catherine said it will be time-consuming getting hold of the organization running it and in getting things sorted, like the kids' flights and insurance etc, so she is pretty dubious it won't come together in time. We've also been invited to a Special Education Arts and Cultural week in KL in May with the deaf department, so that does sound enticing but not getting hopes up.
The deaf camp dates are now changed to 21st-24th March, as that is the only available dates according to KL department. Other dates are booked due to army training for boys and girls, which are held at the camp base frequently for when the teenagers leave school to learn about the codes and practices of Malaysia.
Ideas for the camp are finally coming together and have even got backup plans if the kids complete the 'teambuilding' games earlier than expected. Going back to Tirabad, remember the occasion when Marios and Meera were bickering with one another over getting across from one end to another, with no contact with the ground and using logs? *Giggles* Hoping for a repeat of that laughable recollection *chuckles fondly*.
The deaf kids love ghost stories that in one lesson of two forms, they all sat in silence and captivatingly listened to Catherine's ghost stories. They even got me to the front to share ghost stories and I could only come up with the ones about Bloody Mary and the infamous white horse. For camp, on the last night we're having a bonfire with marshmallows which I got Mum to send out and to exchange spine-chilling ghost stories, nightmares coming up! *cackles* :p
x
- comments