November and December pictures!

Months November and December in Malaysia

November:
The month of November I spent celebrating the Hindu Festival of Lights, Deepavali,  in Ipoh. Ipoh, which is 7 hours north of Johor Bahru, is a beautiful small city surrounded my mountains and caves filled with Buddhist temples. I spent Deepavali with a very nice Tamil-speaking Indian family. Luckily I was the same size as the daughter of the family (already grown with a family of her own)  so I got to dress up in her old punjabi suits and sarees every day! Deepavali celebrates the triumph of good over evil and pays respect to those passed away. It is celebrated by visiting family members homes, eating A LOT, and dancing. I really enjoyed experiencing Indian culture and a different part of Malaysia.
Also in November I followed the Perak chapter on a trip to Cameroon highlands. We visited flower gardens, tea plantations, and went on a jungle trek to see the biggest flower in the world.

December:
-AFS orientation
-Week staying in Kuala Lumpur
-promoting HIV awareness in Johor Bahru
-Christmas with my family!
-Volunteer work

September & October pictures

September and October in Malaysia!

Greetings from Malaysia! I would first like to apologize for not posting in over two months. I have been facing a busy schedule and technological difficulties, I do hope to post more frequently in the future. 

Highlights from month 3:

-Visiting many Chinese temples

-Meeting my Chinese amma (grandmother)

-Chinese puppet show

-Interviewed by TV7

-Seventh month (ghost month) on Chinese calendar 

-Hungry Ghost Festival

-Lantern Festival!

-Taekwondo 

-Mooncake/ Mid-Autumn Festival

-Hiking

So as probably apparent I spent this month learning a lot about Chinese and Buddhist culture and traditions. One thing everyone has to love about Malaysia is the multitude if festivals celebrated here! 

Highlights from month 4:

-Universal studios Singapore with Rachael (American) & Gabi (Argentinian) 

-Preparations for Deepavali (Indian Festival of Lights)

-Buying my first saree

-Indian expo in little India 

-People actually believing I'm Indian!!! (Feels good to fit it!)

-Celebrating Hari Raya Aidaldha/Hari Raya Qurban/Hari Raya Hajji with an awesome Malay family in an awesome kampung (sorry for the graphic pics!)

-ETA farewell dinner at US ambassador Paul Jones residence in Kuala Lumpur with other YES students

-Halloween party planned by Rachael, Gabi & myself for the disabled community we volunteer with. Included dancing, costumes, candy & a viewing of Hocus Pocus.

So it's been a crazy few months, good and bad, but what I've since gained from it is a stronger appreciation for this country, the people, and the culture. I do believe this is an attitude I will maintain for the rest of my exchange year because I also feel that what is important to me has changed as well. I want the focus of the rest of my year in Malaysia to be on trying to understand all three of the different cultures here and in turn hopefully provide a better understanding of Americans as well. I've experienced and learned so much already in the short four months since I've arrived in Malaysia I wouldn't dare try to even guess what else is in store for me in the following seven months lah!

Terima Kasih & Jumpa Lagi!