Kedah ~ Perlis ~ Pulau Langkawi ~ Penang

I traveled to four states in Northern Malaysia in four days alone.

Whew.

My hosts are exhausted and resting at their respective places at this moment as expected. One has a bad headache and the other one simply exhausted from driving me across Malaysia in two months alone. Malaysia is not a tiny spot on the map and it could take us approximately 8 hours to reach our destinations because of winding roads, mountainous terrains, traffic, etc. Yet, I am grateful for them because this research will not be a success without them.

I am now in between of my laundry, coffee break and working on this entry at my apartment in Puchong, which is only minutes walk from my worksite. This apartment has a kitchen, washing machine, living room, three bedrooms, and two full bathrooms owned by the MFD for their guests/interns/visiting workers/MFD affiliate board members/etc.

Yes, I am very exhausted and relieved that I have plenty of coffee to keep me going – in fact, I forgot to mention that Malaysia has the best instant coffee around! I just could not get enough of it. The aroma and taste is simply what one could call perfection. Note to self: buy several bags of Nescafe Rich 3 in 1 coffee.

I only have 6 working days ahead of me. It’s off to Sabah tomorrow for three days to meet teachers of the deaf, and deaf people before I return to Puchong to wrap everything up before I head for Cambodia (a graduation gift from my parents) with my partner.

Rue @ Work!

Mindfulness

When I was younger, I always say, “I go wherever the wind takes me” and it had been proven true to date – and I remember a teacher/friend who asked me a rhetorical question in response to my above statement, “What if your sail dropped its anchor, and what would you do with yourself?” Well, after approximately ten years, I still do not have an answer to this question and do not think I would ever come up with one (don’t question my ability to think rationally and logically). There are places we never pictured ourselves in, yet, we find ourselves in these places as time passes by.

I would like to quote Buddha:

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Faith & Trust in People

I hauled a cab after an interview in Kuala Lumpur with a couple of people from the Dharma of the Deaf. I could have taken a bus with someone from the DD but I had my luggage with me at the time. Anyway, while in the cab heading towards Bandar Puchong Jaya (where my apt is located in), it became apparent that the driver did not know how to reach my address, and he asked me to give him directions. Given that people from the MFD usually drive me everywhere, I am unable to give him exact directions. It was pouring outside – the driver constantly gestured (pointing his hand towards the sky) for God’s help (I figure its because of our communication barrier and the rain) – he then asked me to sit in the front (I was in the back at the time) and gestured for me to give him directions. To my best ability and judgment, I decided to move to the front, offered him a cigarette, and after several roundabouts, traffic, flooding, etc., we eventually arrived at my address. The faith and trust we have in people! I am even more surprised by the fact he had his faith in a deaf person (and a tourist!) to guide him especially when attitudes and approaches towards deaf people here is not exactly transformative like elsewhere.

Teluk Chempedak

While in Kuatan (Pahang State) for the ten-year anniversary banquet, deaf people frequently sign, “Let’s meet at TC!” “TC!” and “Let’s talk more in TC!” This beach obviously is a hot spot where both locals and tourists gather to relax, chat, steal a bite, or play on the beach. After my interview in TC (of course!), I decided to look around and took some photos of the China Sea – all by myself! Rarely goes by a minute that I spend some time alone. Generally, people frequent in collective groups here, and hospitality is very important to Malaysians so if I am left behind (by request), other people will ask my hosts where I am and why they left me alone at such places.

Kuala Terengganu and Books

I am in Kuala Terengganu currently because there was a grand opening of a communication center at the POPT (Terengganu Association of the Deaf) yesterday. People from different DPOs and NGOs were invited to this event along with other representatives from the Department of Welfare. It was a simple and beautifully decorated affair. PUSKOM (communication center) now has several locations in Malaysia serving the deaf communities run by deaf people. Interpreting services, career development services for the deaf (more of accessibility) and awareness are three of several features at the PUSKOM. After the opening, we were invited to hang out with the deaf Terengganu community for a barbecue dinner. Fish, prawns, squids, and… chicken (for me) were cooked under a couple pits of fire – overall, it was a nice night. POPT is located maybe 3-5 minutes walk from the beach – so you could feel the cool breeze during nighttime if you are able to ignore the flies/mosquitoes that would pester you.

Books! I've read more books here than I ever did in the last two years. In the last two years, I had the time to read maybe one or two book(s) of my choice every now and then. Strangely, I find more time to read while traveling – given that I am on the go constantly here. Maybe it is because I don’t watch TV here. Paulo Coelho, famous for his book called the Alchemist, is simply a fantastic author.

10th Year Anniversary Banquet

I traveled approximately 260 km west of the Selangor area to attend an anniversary banquet hosted by the Pahang Association of the Deaf. To my surprise, around 450 people attended the banquet from different states of Malaysia. There were two attendees from Singapore as well. Exceptional food was served (omitting the err…fish but I’m more than certain it was exceptional anyway) along with delicious selections of dessert. Naturally, I especially enjoyed the chocolate cake.

Throughout the dinner, presentations were given by the president of the MFD and Pahang Association of the Deaf along with several other “important” people, and numerous door prizes were given out. In all, the best thing about this event was meeting people and of course, hilarious beauty contests that included both male and female contests.