Separated at Birth?

I was told I look like Ben Stiller last year during my second practicum. It was a one time thing so I figured there was nothing to it. However, in my current period five class everyone tells me I resemble that actor. I try to pretent like it bugs me. I tell them that Ben Stiller isn't handsome. I think it has more to do with the way I behave in class. Anyways, judge for yourself.

My Toilet is Clogged

Sometimes you get caught off guard. My toilet got clogged. Now I know I need to buy a plunger. I am slowly going to acquire everything I need to make my apartment complete. My next purchase is a comforter. In order to sleep at night I need to have the a/c on and it gets cold. Right now I sleep in a sweater and track pants. It does the job but it just feels a little ghetto. I think my current illness is due to a/c shock. I am always moving from a/c to 30 degree heat. I need to adjust my a/c policies.

School is going well. The students are the best! The first three weeks have flown by so fast. Once I get my lazy butt out of bed, I actually enjoy going to work. I don't have any pre-class anxiety like I had in China and Korea. The students know we have to TCB and we work together. It's not like teaching in Canda where it's a constant challenge to get students to work.

The photos are of my old Chinese friend Julie. She just e-mailed me and attached some photos. This is the only one I could upload to my site. The other two are so awesome. She must have gone to a glam shot studio. In the shots she looks like a cartoon character like Sailor Moon or something. Much more interesting than Canadian glam shots.

No Phones Allowed

It really bugs me when students text message in class. I had a problem with this in my first practicum. You really need to lay down the law during the first class. I put this photo on my PowerPoint presentation on the first day. The students had a good laugh but they got the point. I rarely see students messing with their phones in class. When they do, they are sneaky about it which is ok with me. I just don't want phone mania in my class.

Since foreigners need to put down a RM 1,000 deposit to get a phone I figured I'd be better off buying a snazzy cell-shot. It can take pictures and short video clips. When I'm not broke anymore I'll buy the attachment so I can upload my cam pics to the blog. I've got some nice pics already.

I'm sick as a dog at the moment, but I got to skip an after school meeting to go to the doctor. He filled a little bag full of goodies for me. All I had to do was flash my school I.D. card and it was free. The whole process took less than thirty minutes. I would have never even bothered going to a doctor in Canada if I were in this condition. I could use a sick day tomorrow and make it a long weekend, but I'll tough it out. I just need to watch some presentations and give my students a case study so I can be in zombie mode. I'm going to save my sick days until the dreaded six month mark when culture shock can really hit home.

My New Place

It's a nice two bedroom townhouse. It has 24 hour security. I've seen five other foreigners living in the same complex. I think Sunway University College puts their teachers up in these houses. I pay RM 1,300 per month. This is almost $400 CDN. Locals tell me it's not a bad deal for what I got. For anyone considering coming to teach in Malaysia, you must bring a lot of money for your starting costs. Three and a half month's rent right away. Plus you need enough to live on until your first paycheque. Anyways, I'm really happy with my place. It's a bit far from my school but I'm near the action and I don't have to share with anyone.

Peace
Saint

A Trip Around KL

Yesterday all of the new teachers got a tour of KL. it was very interesting, but walking around for hours in the heat can get to you. The best experience was eating at the Indian restaurant. The plates were banana leaves and the forks were our hands! We didn't get to spend much time in the heart of KL. I'll go back next weekend. The buildings behind me are called The Pertronas Towers.

Peace

Dave in Hong Kong

I didn't really go to Hong Kong. I just had a two and a half hour stop-over there. Everyone says it's an interesting airport, but I can't see what the big deal is.