dawn did us part

Seri Mengasih hosted a course this past Saturday and I helped them do the catering for the event! On Friday, after the students went home, a number of teachers stayed behind and baked cakes and buns for Saturday’s ‘coffee break’ time. I helped to package the cakes on individual plates (we’re pretty professional over here), enough plates for 120 participants. We also prepped food for the event’s breakfast. I peeled and smashed a lot of garlic. Three fingers on my left hand started to feel like they were on fire and I was really perplexed by this. When I told the other teachers they giggled and made a comment about how “after you learn this you can get married.” I’ve heard jokes like this before or when I’m washing my clothes someone might say “You’re ready for marriage now!” It’s playful, potentially sexist, but I take no offense. Anyways, the teachers gave me vegetable oil to ‘wash’ my hands with and make the pain go away. I had no idea this was a thing that happened but it was obviously not unusual because everyone knew what to do right away. Also, this trick only helped somewhat. Perhaps you have more tricks for this reaction? I guess it happens with onions too, so I’m told. Well, I was asked to be at the canteen (which is literally 15 feet from my bedroom door) at 5:00am on Saturday morning to help make breakfast for the event! I was only 10 minutes late… I helped to set up the buffet tables and do random errands for whoever needed anything. I don’t mind working that early in the morning. I especially didn’t mind it this time because I like all these teachers so much; we talk and laugh whenever we can so it’s actually really fun! Unfortunately, a lot of participants couldn’t come so all the food and cakes we prepared were… excessive. Therefore, I spent a lot of that morning eating. We had so much extra food I felt like I never even stopped eating, not to mention the culture here hugely surrounds eating. I probably had 3 people tell me to go eat every time we had a minute of down time.

I realized that I simply enjoy working hard or being utilized in any way that ultimately helps someone out. Often times I’m treated as ‘the white person’ and many people that I’ve encountered have learned (from television and movies) that white people don’t work hard; they hire someone else to do their work for them because they have so much money. It’s just the lifestyle of ‘white people.’ At least, that’s what I feel the assumption around here is sometimes considering every time I’m holding a broom someone comments on it. I represent so many people as I work and live here in Malaysia. It can be overwhelming sometimes because I can’t, as one 23 year-old young adult, help the world to understand stereotypes, races, ignorance, and prejudice. The most I can do is grin, bear it, be the example (for the United States, for young American women, for Lutherans, for white people, for Mexicans too!) and try try try to explain that media representations of life in the world are not always reality. Add that to the list of things that get harder when they approach the language barrier. I just hope people don’t refrain from giving me work to do because they think it isn’t fun or in my ability range. I’m always up for the challenge! For more stories or examples, email me. Have a wonderful week! Peace.

kindaaa early. this is probably an hour into working.

personalized cakes :)

these are mostly vocation 'trainers' most of which were there working at 5am but this is at the farewell lunch for Joan a couple weeks ago


also, the other night we had a bbq at school. these friends dont know my 'candid' style well enough yet. but they grilled up ka-bobs that had tomato, hot dog, and fish balls. fish balls are the same consistency as hot dogs and you grill hot dogs so why wouldn't you grill fish balls?

there was also spaghetti... and rice to go with your grilled goodies. hehehe. malaysian food...