recapping

yup yup, contrary to what I originally planned, this blog has, so far, not been the hub of my usa experience.

but no worries!

go here for further updates ::


http://desdinasi.livejournal.com

the 'pre' orientation

My flight for Paris is tonight, so this is officially my last day here in Malaysia. (Unless of course, some delays or other unexpected events occur).

I have a feeling I will be missing the heat of Malaysia.

Anyway, orientation days!
I might not be able to post up pictures, because the internet connection isn't very good.

The first day, students mingled around to get to know each other and briefings were given by US embassy and AFS staff. I got to meet up with the students I met during my interviews and visa applicaiton days, as well as some other new people whom I have not met yet.

Sharon and Iffa were hearing impaired students and they were very friendly :) I communicated with them using incoherent movements of my arms, mouthing out words, pen, paper and other methods but later that night when I hung out in Qistina's room, Sharon taught the both of us a few basics of sign language. That was definitely an interesting experience.

The volunteers with us were tons of fun. During the time I felt unwell and decided to stay outside the hall to rest Divan saw me and asked if I wanted company (couldn't really refuse, it might seem rude) and we sat and chatted, later when the other volunteers walked past and saw us, they joined our convo and in the end everyone was laughing and cracking jokes and I didn't get much rest XD. I enjoyed myself though and was asked questions from the volunteers about what 'the students thought of the volunteers'. (I also realised that Jess was actually my roomate during my BRATS camp).

Oh yes, and during the second night, most of us went up to the rooms of the volunteers and chatted till about 4 in the morning.

There is so much more I want to say, but I can't seem to be able to express it. Oh well, the bottom line is that I had fun.

So in case I don't have an internet connection there, or if I have a hard time updating I want to say goodbye,and sorry for all the wrongs I have done, and all the best in your future pursuits.

part 006 : the embassy trip

A few days ago AFS called me and asked if I was interested to stay overnight at the home of one of the American Embassy staff. It was a bit last minute but I agreed and so I spent yesterday over at the beautiful home of Shirley Jane Crowley.

A.F.S. and the American embassy planned this ... 'thing'/(trip?) ... for a few students who are planning to go to america so they could have a slight taste of what it's like to live with an american, and will be able to ask questions about the american way of life.
Other than myself, 5 other AFS students also were on the short programme and each were assigned an embassy staff to spend the day with. Shirley's house was very near to the embassy so we half-walked, half drove there. Another friend/coworker(?) of shirley's (whose full name I can't remember) joined us for dinner.

Shirley's home was beautiful. It was a roomy apartment with good view of the petronas twin towers and it was also very nicely decorated. She has two cats, one female one male and both looked very well fed. They were black, with shiny coats. Reminded me of the cat on the cover of Kafka on the shore, except perhaps this pair was a little larger. I slept with the lights switched on because Shirley told me about her friend who slept over and had Sebastian (the cat) lick his (the man's) eyebrow at night. I didn't want to be surprised in the middle of the night by a black, camaflauged cat.

Anyway, I learned quite a lot from my stay and I am thankful to Shirley for taking me in =)
oh well, gotta go. I have to go for an afs orientation in a few hours.

p/s : i'll probably be staying in or somewhere near illinois during my stay in america.

read the introduction ?