What a week! Assessments came thick and fast and we were all very stressed out...especially after such a fun weekend! bed times got later and so did lie-ins...rushing was very necessary to get out in the morning in time!
We had a man who works with the Malaysian Education minister watching us, a UK school inspector and the director of Tenby schools - nervous is not a strong enough word! But everything went well and the fun began in the classrooms - the past few days have been filled with dancing, photographs hugs, tears and lots of fun! my email address is going to be bombarded with emails from the children and I have passed on my address so we can all write to one another! The children over here are so full of personality and it has been so nice getting to know them all individually!
We were also shown a local government run girls convent school - 50 in a class and not a sound - 1000 miles from the atmosphere here at Tenby! Good to see but it just made us appreciate our school and class so much - the love we have been shown and the fun we have had has made all the challenges we have faced worthwhile!
We had a beautiful meal last night at a local golf club and did some more kareoke in front of some of the most important people in Ipoh - who would have guessed! We had steak, potatoes and veg - a real taste of what to expect again at home!
So for now, its goodbye from Malaysia - we are spending the last few hours with our class and then being whisked home to the pool for a final dip and one last kiss from the sun! Early to bed and up again to leave for the airport at 3:30 - by that stage I guess we will just want to be home!
Can't wait to see everyone again - can I just take this opportunity to thank everyone who made this experience possible? What I have learned here I will never forget and I have made memories that will last a lifetime! Who knows, perhaps this will not be the last time I see Malaysia...!
See you all in cold, wet NI!!!
Ruth x
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Rafting seems like a walk in the park...
Rafting was so amazing this weekend - floating down a river in the middle of the jungle with lovely guides and great people! We have really been treated so well over here - looking forward to coming home but wouldn't be entirely devastated if we had to 'endure' another week in Malaysia !!!
Rafting began with a water confidence excercise: we were floated down a rapid on our back and had to swim for dear life to get to the edge of the water when we came through it. Of course with me, there must always be a twist!
I swallowed half the river while floating along and then struggled to open my eyes and swim to the edge...nothing unusual we were all the same. However, 1 group of rafters were terrible at controling their boat and came right over the top of me, forcing me under the raft unable to breathe! I had to be yanked out from underneath and a life rope thrown to me to pull me ashore before I hit another rapid....as you would imagine, I was a little shaken when I managed to get onto solid ground!!
Amazingly though, it didn't put me off and I got into the boat ready for more! I knew that that experience could never be repeated as if I fell out of the boat, a guide would be right beside me ready to pull me up again.
So, we set off - commands like "boom boom" meaning "crouch in the boat or be trown into the air", "on the job" meant "we're out of the woods so paddle for all your worth" and "1,2,3... High 5" meant "launch your paddles into the air, cheer and slap the water as loud as possible"! It may sound like madness but it was soooo fun!
When we got half way, we stopped for a rest but our guide told us to quickly jump to the left side of the boat. I launched myself over to the other side and of course this tricky move we needed to do to save ourselves was nothing more than a chance for him to tip us all into the water! It was so funny - screams all round!
We were genuinely disappointed to finish but we were looking forward to the trip back to the campsite - the total distance we had rafted was 10km and the only way back was on a truck were we were all bundled into the back like cattle! we had to duck the trees and branches but got some amazing photos of the jungle - people still very much live there in little wooden huts. No seatbelt rules over here - anything goes on the roads!
When we finally arrived back at the house, we were all so busy worrying about our assessments and lesson planning that we didn't realise how horrific our sunburn was - red knees and shoulders and strips on our arms...thanks to loss of suncream in the river!
Anyway, fun is now over - this week we really have to put our heads down - the major observations loom with the most important people in International schooling over here. No pressure.
See you all very soon!!!
Rafting began with a water confidence excercise: we were floated down a rapid on our back and had to swim for dear life to get to the edge of the water when we came through it. Of course with me, there must always be a twist!
I swallowed half the river while floating along and then struggled to open my eyes and swim to the edge...nothing unusual we were all the same. However, 1 group of rafters were terrible at controling their boat and came right over the top of me, forcing me under the raft unable to breathe! I had to be yanked out from underneath and a life rope thrown to me to pull me ashore before I hit another rapid....as you would imagine, I was a little shaken when I managed to get onto solid ground!!
Amazingly though, it didn't put me off and I got into the boat ready for more! I knew that that experience could never be repeated as if I fell out of the boat, a guide would be right beside me ready to pull me up again.
So, we set off - commands like "boom boom" meaning "crouch in the boat or be trown into the air", "on the job" meant "we're out of the woods so paddle for all your worth" and "1,2,3... High 5" meant "launch your paddles into the air, cheer and slap the water as loud as possible"! It may sound like madness but it was soooo fun!
When we got half way, we stopped for a rest but our guide told us to quickly jump to the left side of the boat. I launched myself over to the other side and of course this tricky move we needed to do to save ourselves was nothing more than a chance for him to tip us all into the water! It was so funny - screams all round!
We were genuinely disappointed to finish but we were looking forward to the trip back to the campsite - the total distance we had rafted was 10km and the only way back was on a truck were we were all bundled into the back like cattle! we had to duck the trees and branches but got some amazing photos of the jungle - people still very much live there in little wooden huts. No seatbelt rules over here - anything goes on the roads!
When we finally arrived back at the house, we were all so busy worrying about our assessments and lesson planning that we didn't realise how horrific our sunburn was - red knees and shoulders and strips on our arms...thanks to loss of suncream in the river!
Anyway, fun is now over - this week we really have to put our heads down - the major observations loom with the most important people in International schooling over here. No pressure.
See you all very soon!!!
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Teaching, teaching, teaching!
This week has been intense in terms of planning and teaching because we are all exhausted from our tourist weekend! Observations are coming thick and fast, and because the weather is so bad, as well as the internet being down almost 24/7, we have so much time to just work!!
Trying hard to spent the rest of my money to...successful so far! My only problem is the weight restrictions...going to be leaving plenty of old things behind!
Few more disasters – my memory pen is corrupted and I don’t know whether or not it can be restored – all of my most recent work is saved to it and not my computer as I can print and send nothing from it – it must all be transferred to another school computer by pen! Already begun the task of re-doing some of the work – technology over here is really getting us all down – we will never take the internet for granted again!
Also had my second trip to the doctor. I was meant to get jabs this time but it wouldn’t stop me getting bitten. Got more tablets so hopefully that will help! They worked before, but now that they are done, they are getting bad again and I’m getting bitten a lot. I genuinely look like Mr Blobby with my pink dots....
Looking forward to the weekend though – we are planning a quiet weekend in the house –a lie in and a lot of sleep! We are going out for tea on Thursday/Friday and on Saturday we are doing the Ipoh heritage walk to get to know the place we have been staying in. It’s led by a Scottish man – how ironic! Sunday we are going white water rafting ...that could be interesting! 14 rapids, 7 km of river in the jungle and 3 hours later we will be ready for home!
Taught 2 classes “I’ll tell me Ma when I get home, the boys won’t leave the girls alone” as a dance and they loved it! We were due to perform it in assembly today, but guess what… it was rained off!! Hopefully we will be doing it next week…!!! The school is a buzz of colour and music as each class prepares for the school concert – we are so sad we will be missing it as we are so involved with helping get the children ready! Perhaps some will do our dance, who knows! We will be sent the school dvd hopefully.
Now down to single figures in terms of days until I’m home....who would believe it!
Trying hard to spent the rest of my money to...successful so far! My only problem is the weight restrictions...going to be leaving plenty of old things behind!
Few more disasters – my memory pen is corrupted and I don’t know whether or not it can be restored – all of my most recent work is saved to it and not my computer as I can print and send nothing from it – it must all be transferred to another school computer by pen! Already begun the task of re-doing some of the work – technology over here is really getting us all down – we will never take the internet for granted again!
Also had my second trip to the doctor. I was meant to get jabs this time but it wouldn’t stop me getting bitten. Got more tablets so hopefully that will help! They worked before, but now that they are done, they are getting bad again and I’m getting bitten a lot. I genuinely look like Mr Blobby with my pink dots....
Looking forward to the weekend though – we are planning a quiet weekend in the house –a lie in and a lot of sleep! We are going out for tea on Thursday/Friday and on Saturday we are doing the Ipoh heritage walk to get to know the place we have been staying in. It’s led by a Scottish man – how ironic! Sunday we are going white water rafting ...that could be interesting! 14 rapids, 7 km of river in the jungle and 3 hours later we will be ready for home!
Taught 2 classes “I’ll tell me Ma when I get home, the boys won’t leave the girls alone” as a dance and they loved it! We were due to perform it in assembly today, but guess what… it was rained off!! Hopefully we will be doing it next week…!!! The school is a buzz of colour and music as each class prepares for the school concert – we are so sad we will be missing it as we are so involved with helping get the children ready! Perhaps some will do our dance, who knows! We will be sent the school dvd hopefully.
Now down to single figures in terms of days until I’m home....who would believe it!
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
Week 2 rundown...
It’s been a fantastic week teaching, but this weekend is what we have all be waiting for since we found out we were coming to Malaysia! Early Friday morning saw us set off for the Island of Penang to see the Tenby International school there, sample the culture...and top up our tans! The school was much smaller and older than Ipoh, but what really struck us was the lack of air-con. We couldn’t breathe it was so hot so to be teaching there would have been a real struggle. We then headed to a hotel which we had been told was small with no air-con either....but when we arrived, we realised the staff were just keeping us going – It was palatial! It was called Paradise and lived up to its name. We didn’t take long to check in, have some lunch and get out on the beach loungers...yet for all our efforts we are NOT that brown! We were treated to a beautiful Western meal (potatoes and veg, chicken and peppered sauce!) in one of the most beautiful outdoor restaurants I’ve ever seen. It was surrounded with beautiful flowers and trees, waterfalls and features. We then got to bargain and barter at the night market and got a few little souvenirs. They then whisked us off to another beautiful hotel where we relaxed and listened to “music company” – another very comical evening...Rachel got up to give us a few songs – we really did have a good laugh!
We went back to our own hotel and poured ourselves into bed because we wanted to get up early to get as much sunbathing done as possible...half 7 came quickly! We took it easy all morning and Laura and Michelle went paragliding. We then took a quick dip in the pool, got photos with the staff and went up to our rooms to get ready to check out. From there, we headed to Starbucks for lunch and went straight to a tropical fruit farm, learning things like “pineapple is bad for you if taken too often (in a lot of ways!), pineapples take 8 months to grow and each plant can only produce 1, and cashews are actually a fruit – again only 1 per plant! We got to try a fruit platter and a smoothie freshly made – delicious...some more than others!!
We headed straight home to Ipoh were we did an overnight and then on Sunday morning we headed for the capital KL. Did most of our shopping there in the PETRONAS towers and then went to the top of the KL tower to see the city. It was the perfect time as we saw it in daylight as well as all light up by night. We got a pony ride on exit, a visit to the small zoo (tarantulas, snakes and birds – all my family’s favourite animals!) and then a ride in an F1 simulator – such a random bunch of events to do in such a short amount of time!!
Again, we headed to another hotel and I had the worst night’s sleep sp far – typical when you are exhausted! We got a day in KL Tenby school and it is so full of ‘mod cons’, but we still feel Ipoh is where we were meant to be to teach. We sat in with classes and helped out and then headed straight for home. After some frantic preparation for lessons this week, we quite literally all fell into bed and got a great night’s sleep. We’ve thrown away our tourist caps and are now firmly back to teacher mode! Here’s to another great week in the classroom!
We went back to our own hotel and poured ourselves into bed because we wanted to get up early to get as much sunbathing done as possible...half 7 came quickly! We took it easy all morning and Laura and Michelle went paragliding. We then took a quick dip in the pool, got photos with the staff and went up to our rooms to get ready to check out. From there, we headed to Starbucks for lunch and went straight to a tropical fruit farm, learning things like “pineapple is bad for you if taken too often (in a lot of ways!), pineapples take 8 months to grow and each plant can only produce 1, and cashews are actually a fruit – again only 1 per plant! We got to try a fruit platter and a smoothie freshly made – delicious...some more than others!!
We headed straight home to Ipoh were we did an overnight and then on Sunday morning we headed for the capital KL. Did most of our shopping there in the PETRONAS towers and then went to the top of the KL tower to see the city. It was the perfect time as we saw it in daylight as well as all light up by night. We got a pony ride on exit, a visit to the small zoo (tarantulas, snakes and birds – all my family’s favourite animals!) and then a ride in an F1 simulator – such a random bunch of events to do in such a short amount of time!!
Again, we headed to another hotel and I had the worst night’s sleep sp far – typical when you are exhausted! We got a day in KL Tenby school and it is so full of ‘mod cons’, but we still feel Ipoh is where we were meant to be to teach. We sat in with classes and helped out and then headed straight for home. After some frantic preparation for lessons this week, we quite literally all fell into bed and got a great night’s sleep. We’ve thrown away our tourist caps and are now firmly back to teacher mode! Here’s to another great week in the classroom!
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
More firsts....
Teaching is going so well, really enjoying the class and they are really responding to me which is encouraging. Tavel Ted (my teddy that I brought with me wearing the Ireland Rugby Kit) has been sitting in on all my classes and the children are more eager to please him than me!!
Also had my first trip to the Malaysian Doctor's Surgery - I'm allergic to whatever bug finds me so tasty over here! All is well though, just some tablets and cream for the next few days!
I have got the sun now also and my red is beginning to go brown which pleases me immensely!! there will be no sunbathing fo me before the weekend...the weather is taking care of that anyway as when we return from school it generally begins to rain. We had such a huge storm last night that the electricity went out and we sang "raindrops on roses" to cheer ourselves up! Just a case of a tripped switch, no problem if only we had known what to do! It was sorted in a matter of minutes however.
Anyway, it's lunchtime now and time to join my class once more!
Also had my first trip to the Malaysian Doctor's Surgery - I'm allergic to whatever bug finds me so tasty over here! All is well though, just some tablets and cream for the next few days!
I have got the sun now also and my red is beginning to go brown which pleases me immensely!! there will be no sunbathing fo me before the weekend...the weather is taking care of that anyway as when we return from school it generally begins to rain. We had such a huge storm last night that the electricity went out and we sang "raindrops on roses" to cheer ourselves up! Just a case of a tripped switch, no problem if only we had known what to do! It was sorted in a matter of minutes however.
Anyway, it's lunchtime now and time to join my class once more!
Monday, 19 April 2010
Week 1...
Well, what a turbulent week! We visited the caves of ultimate happiness, a Chinese cave temple which was beautiful. We also got our work for school and lesson planning has begun. We’ve done a lot of grocery shopping and swimming, tanning and dining, but I have also done a bit of crying unfortunately. Homesickness has hit me which is such a surprise. I’m feeling better than I was and looking forward to teaching though – I’m called Miss Ruth in class and hopefully when I am in a regular teaching routine the feeling will completely pass.
My blogs have been short and infrequent because the internet is so bad here...trying to get photographs up has been difficult so keep looking at my face book if you can or hang in there until I get home to the sunny Isle!
We had our first torrential downpour this week as well – put NI to shame! So warm though and it turned our swimming pool green...what hard lives we live!!
I took part in the school assembly on Friday ...wait for it....I did the birdie song in front of the whole school with my Year 2’s (P3). I also learnt a Hindi dance and was exhausted in the heat! Really looking forward to starting teaching – the class is full of personality. The lack of resources is also going to be a challenge but I hope this makes me appreciate what I will have back home.
We went to Cameron Highlands on Saturday which is the main tea plantation in Malaysia. I tried some of the local tea and got a lot of photographs. We had to drive through almost continuous jungle to get there and there are Indigenous people living within it. The locals found it cold but it was a perfect day for us – a good NI Summer’s Day!!
Visited a local church on Sunday and it was such a nice experience. 1 week gone, only 3 to go! Next weekend we are for Parang and Kuala Lumpur – how exciting!! Hope I get to post between now and then...
Thanks to everyone who is reading this and thinking about me – it’s very much appreciated. Talk soon!
My blogs have been short and infrequent because the internet is so bad here...trying to get photographs up has been difficult so keep looking at my face book if you can or hang in there until I get home to the sunny Isle!
We had our first torrential downpour this week as well – put NI to shame! So warm though and it turned our swimming pool green...what hard lives we live!!
I took part in the school assembly on Friday ...wait for it....I did the birdie song in front of the whole school with my Year 2’s (P3). I also learnt a Hindi dance and was exhausted in the heat! Really looking forward to starting teaching – the class is full of personality. The lack of resources is also going to be a challenge but I hope this makes me appreciate what I will have back home.
We went to Cameron Highlands on Saturday which is the main tea plantation in Malaysia. I tried some of the local tea and got a lot of photographs. We had to drive through almost continuous jungle to get there and there are Indigenous people living within it. The locals found it cold but it was a perfect day for us – a good NI Summer’s Day!!
Visited a local church on Sunday and it was such a nice experience. 1 week gone, only 3 to go! Next weekend we are for Parang and Kuala Lumpur – how exciting!! Hope I get to post between now and then...
Thanks to everyone who is reading this and thinking about me – it’s very much appreciated. Talk soon!
Monday, 12 April 2010
little firsts....
Ok, so I won't be posting everyday but today was quite an epic day. first shopping trip in "Jusco" which was nice and first proper dinner cooking at home. The school was a real culture shock - no shoes in the classroom, covered arms, high tops and no shorts or 3/4 lengths as this is what the boys wear...I am going to have to shop for some more clothes to feel comfortable. I felt faint with the heat today, so throwing on a cardy over what I've got here is just not going to wash!
Anyway, just a quick update, talk soon. x
Anyway, just a quick update, talk soon. x
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Disney Princesses have nothing on us!
We're here! Wanted to blog last night but the internet was down - only bad thing so far! Well that and the travel - I wasn't able to sleep so exhaustion made me a bit home-sick...it passed when my head hit the pillow though!
we've just had a late breakfast and are getting ready to go out the pool - AMAZING!! We are quite literally in a palace and the teachers have been nothing but fantastic...they have treated us like royalty and want us out here full time in a few years!
Our first Malaysian meal was Burger King...and well worth it!! Milk is interesting...so no tea or coffee for me for a month - natural detox!!
It's so nice to be in contact with the outside world, missing you all!! Talk soon, xxx
we've just had a late breakfast and are getting ready to go out the pool - AMAZING!! We are quite literally in a palace and the teachers have been nothing but fantastic...they have treated us like royalty and want us out here full time in a few years!
Our first Malaysian meal was Burger King...and well worth it!! Milk is interesting...so no tea or coffee for me for a month - natural detox!!
It's so nice to be in contact with the outside world, missing you all!! Talk soon, xxx
Friday, 9 April 2010
"I'm on my way..."
This is it, I'm finally ready to go - think I've managed to get my luggage down to a suitable weight (",) Just going out for one last typical NI lunch and then its off to the airport.
Speak to you from Malaysia...!
Speak to you from Malaysia...!
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Before I go...
When I first got the email about this opportunity to teach in Ipoh, I couldn't wait to apply. I've always wanted to see what teaching is like beyond our Northern Irish classrooms, and Malaysia will certainly let me do just that!
Some of my main worries have got to be the travel. Airports are not my favourite place and a 4 hour bus journey in the middle of the night isn't my cup of tea either.
I suppose I'm also worried that we won't get there - I may end up writing this blog from Mexico rather than Malaysia!!!
Fears aside, I can't wait to embark on this adventure with 4 other fantastic girls and experience the culture, climate and classes that Malaysia will certainly provide!
I can't wait to compare and contrast the school there to the ones I have experienced here and teach these children the wonders of St. Patrick, Finn McCool and wheaten bread!
I know that while my principle role there will be to teach, I am also looking forward to all that I know I am going to learn.
So, until April 9th....
Ruth
Some of my main worries have got to be the travel. Airports are not my favourite place and a 4 hour bus journey in the middle of the night isn't my cup of tea either.
I suppose I'm also worried that we won't get there - I may end up writing this blog from Mexico rather than Malaysia!!!
Fears aside, I can't wait to embark on this adventure with 4 other fantastic girls and experience the culture, climate and classes that Malaysia will certainly provide!
I can't wait to compare and contrast the school there to the ones I have experienced here and teach these children the wonders of St. Patrick, Finn McCool and wheaten bread!
I know that while my principle role there will be to teach, I am also looking forward to all that I know I am going to learn.
So, until April 9th....
Ruth
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