Tuesday, February 14 - Happy Valentine's Day!

Still think Malaysia is all huts and mosquito nets? Think again! This is "The Oval" inside 1 Utama. There are seven floors in this part of the mall, and yes, there are actually 16 TV screens on each side of the cube hanging in the center!!
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It's been an interesting last few days! Saturday afternoon I went to the home of one of my students for lunch and watching the Winter Olympics. When her mom invited me to join them, I was really confused for a moment, because I couldn't figure out why the Winter Olympics would be going on when it's so hot out! Where could it possibly be winter??

So I guess I forgot that winter was still happening farther north. Good grief! (Sorry to those of you who are suffering the bitter cold...I didn't mean to forget your sorrows...)

These are the Valentine's cards I received from my students. What great kids I have!!
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Yesterday after school I went to the mall to pick out sheets of wrapping paper for the students to use on their Valentine's boxes they made today. I stopped by Giant, one of the local groceries, and got some snacks for the Valentine's party. I also picked up some snack packets of seasoned seaweed, though they turned out to be a little too flavorful - too salty, too spicy, too fishy! But I think I'll get used to them. Besides, they're a good source of nutrients. :)

Last night I watched TV for the first time here. Yep, it's been a month and a half, and I'm just now watching TV. I don't have that much time to watch TV, really. There were a couple interesting shows though. The first show was in Chinese with Malay subtitles, the second was in English with Malay subtitles, and the third was an Indian Malay show with English subtitles!

It's been interesting being in a place where so many cultures co-exist. Even though it's a little like that in the States, it's more pronounced here because the predominant culture - Malay - isn't overwhelmingly dominant...at least, it doesn't seem like it is to me. Perhaps it's because I'm in a Chinese suburb eating Indian food!

Today at school the students made their Valentine's Day boxes, exchanged Valentine's Day cards, and ate lots of junk food at the party this afternoon. I think they all had a lot of fun...and a lot of sugar!!