tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60992612011-04-22T05:30:43.119+08:00Massive Mumblings from Malaysia"You get a strange feeling when you're about to leave a place, I told him, like you'll not only miss the people you love, but you'll miss the person you are now at this time and this place, because you'll never be this way ever again." Reading Lolita in Tehran, by Azar NafisiJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.comBlogger1121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1108111782805115152005-02-11T16:49:00.000+08:002005-04-01T02:08:46.606+08:00I'm in Ghana!Check out my new location: www.gone2ghana.blogspot.com.Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1104445613089389412004-12-30T15:23:00.000+08:002004-12-31T13:51:31.956+08:00I bought my ticket! Chicago to Accra, Ghana. Sunday, February 6th.
I decided that a complicated credit card mishap in the process of buying the ticket was not a signal from above that I shouldn’t go. It’s a one-way ticket, so that leaves me free to play things by ear. Before, it was all in my mind, but now the money’s been put on the line. I’m going. I’m really going.
You’d think I’d be used toJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1104444314396049762004-12-30T13:00:00.000+08:002004-12-31T06:30:25.486+08:00I’ve seen the footage of the tsunami wreckage, but it just doesn’t seem real. Friends in Malaysia all seem to be accounted for. Terri, in the south of India, had me worried, but she and her friends there are safe, thankfully.
May it not turn out as bad as they’re saying it might.
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1102386192249584332004-12-07T10:21:00.001+08:002004-12-11T13:58:54.763+08:00This link's for you, Missy
I haven't forgotten about you, my fans! I have been recording thoughts and observations on random scraps of paper, which will someday soon (hopefully) turn themselves into a real blog entry.
Until that time, I thought I'd give you something tasty to tide you over. My First Canadian Friend Terri, who was with me for three weeks in Malaysia, started a blog. Her last Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1100310758665347342004-11-13T09:38:00.000+08:002004-11-13T09:52:38.666+08:00Still living and breathing.
Started a temp job--mind-numbing data entry--on Tuesday, which necessitates that I avoid computers after work hours or go insane. Hence the lack of bloggage.
Weekend's here and once I get an application or two off (more on that later), we'll see if I can sit still long enough to catch up.
Hope you are all well!
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1099694649213162572004-11-06T06:22:00.000+08:002004-11-13T09:35:16.913+08:00Seen, heard, noted
In San Francisco
A man blowing a big bubble with gum the same pink as his shirt. A man with an "I voted" sticker on his nose. Lots of dogs being walked. An excited young man stopped in front of the restaurant window where we were eating and held up a sign that said "Justice for Same Sex Couples" before jumping and running off down the street. 5 guys with dreadlocks (almost as Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1099589221676908982004-11-05T01:21:00.000+08:002004-11-05T01:27:01.676+08:00Variations on the Theme
Two Nations Under God
By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN
Excerpts from the Nov. 4th New York Times
Why did I wake up feeling deeply troubled yesterday?
...what troubled me yesterday was my feeling that this election was tipped because of an outpouring of support for George Bush by people who don't just favor different policies than I do - they favor a whole different kind of Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1099512092887832922004-11-04T03:57:00.000+08:002004-11-04T04:01:32.886+08:00Get me out of here
The election results were NOT a warm welcome back to the States for me. I may have to try to leave sooner than expected...........
An email from my sister Katrina to her friends:
So as I was driving home this morning, I had a stronger reaction than I had expected. In a very weird way I felt similar to how I felt the morning of Sept. 11--shocked and confused but mainly Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1099443272474623692004-11-02T16:53:00.000+08:002004-11-03T08:54:32.476+08:00How did the country get so polarized?
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1099414276935625442004-11-02T13:50:00.000+08:002004-11-03T08:55:34.073+08:00Decompression
I arrived to my brother's house in San Francisco yesterday afternoon and will be here for a few days.
I was a bit worried about my return to the US after having to sit next to a rugby player in his 40s on the flight from Singapore. Loud, obnoxious, hungover, a box of condoms nearly falling out of his front pocket. He was what is wrong with America. How would I ever survive?!
On Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1099121265104670602004-10-30T15:22:00.000+08:002004-10-30T15:27:45.106+08:00Beautifully quotable
From Andi, in India
"Time got lost somewhere west of Delhi: a woman caught it in her sheer head-scarf and fed it to a goat, or a man wound it into his turban and let it loose somewhere in the Thar, where it wanders like a man for water."
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1099104636877033332004-10-30T10:34:00.000+08:002004-10-30T10:50:36.876+08:00Baggage
Friday night: one bag packed. Quite impressive, considering it was almost two days in advance. Needed to know how much space I have! Think I'm in good shape.
Some old baggage reappeared, in the form of shoes. Tempted to fill with dog poo. Or something equally as dramatic, but really not worth the effort, considering I didn't really care. But sometimes, awkward moments are fun to Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098943642185788492004-10-28T13:34:00.000+08:002004-11-03T05:11:46.153+08:00The First Goodbye
Wednesday night
R. was the first person I cared about in Malaysia and the first person I had to say goodbye to. He leaves this afternoon to go to Bangkok and is supposed to be back at 10:30 pm Sunday; I leave at 11 pm. I may try to go to his gate, if I don't already have to be on the plane, though that might make things more difficult.
My eyes hurt today from the tears shed Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098697982321327322004-10-25T17:40:00.000+08:002004-10-25T17:53:02.320+08:00Hate
I’ve never encountered a Holocaust denier. But I realized last week that there’s something worse than that: a Holocaust…supporter.
My good, dear, close Malay friend A. shocked me when he said he thought what Hitler did (specifically, the killing of 6 million Jews) was good. I didn’t know how to respond, where to begin. The very possibility that someone could believe such things was Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098641218057482942004-10-25T01:48:00.000+08:002004-10-25T02:52:40.856+08:00Urban Renewal in CairoA new park has opened up in Cairo since I left, which is also part of bigger scheme to "preserve the ancient neighborhood's character, yet not just in terms of aesthetics: the trust's aim to pinpoint spaces where the community could rebuild itself, and begin to foster a deeper sense of shared identity."From the NYTimes, In a Decaying Cairo Quarter, a Vision of Green and Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098423827358358892004-10-24T14:43:00.000+08:002004-10-25T03:15:25.296+08:00Hindsight
I went to the International Islamic University last night to say goodbye to my friends there: Farida (Tanzania), Rahma (Kenya), Nurah (Phillipines), and Hidaya (Chinese Malaysian). Farida is a master chef, especially considering that cooking in the dorms isn't allowed and she has to make do with a rice cooker as her main instrument. Not only that, she's a food science masters student, Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098554266320365892004-10-24T01:53:00.000+08:002004-10-24T03:36:21.316+08:00Today, October 23rd, is my one year anniversary in Malaysia!
And countdown reaches one-week-from-tomorrow-night for my departure.
Also noteworthy, I have a ponytail. This may be the first time in more than 10 years!
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098423607808399722004-10-22T13:00:00.000+08:002004-10-22T14:07:53.856+08:00Refugees at Risk
From an email from a college friend now in law school:
I wanted to pass on some information about a disturbing bill that Congress is currently considering. The House version of the "9/11 Bill" contains some provisions that would have horrible consequences for immigrants, particularly aslyum-seekers. These provisions, which are not included in the Senate version of the bill, go Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098352719191976022004-10-22T01:30:00.000+08:002004-10-22T01:36:06.280+08:00Oh MAN!
I just wrote a really long post, but when I went to publish it, I got an error message and it disappeared! All that effort, vanished! GRRRRRRRR.
Here's what you're missing:
breaking fast at Yusof's
thumbs up from old man at the train station
splashed by car like in movies
blog I like: http://kathrynjane.blogspot.com/
my love for kebayas (picture below). and I'm having one Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098372553533195262004-10-21T23:17:00.000+08:002004-10-22T02:13:44.563+08:00Free Will vs. Pre-destination in Islam
Confused
After a preliminary conversation with my Muslim friends at the Islamic University about the Muslim doctrines of free will and pre-destination, I read a book they gave me: The Salaf’s Guide to The Understanding of Al-Qadaa’ Wal Qadar: Fate in Islam, by Dr. Saleh As-Saleh.
It didn’t help remedy a contradiction I sensed from our initial talk.
I don’Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1098292139728605152004-10-21T01:03:00.000+08:002004-10-21T12:25:49.450+08:00Ahead of ScheduleLast week: completed my Fulbright evaluation form; mailed my absentee ballot ("Far fewer civilians living overseas — one-fourth or less, according to many estimates — have bothered to vote in previous elections because of difficulties in obtaining and returning absentee ballots. ")Today: I took a box of papers and books to the Fulbright office today; they'll send it to the Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1097760755578295742004-10-14T21:19:00.000+08:002004-10-15T01:09:31.896+08:00Warm Fuzzy
past
"i'm missing u'r spirt jilly, missing u'r voice, wishing u'r here but this is how it goes"
present
Turn your lights down lowAnd pull your window curtainsOh let jah moon come shining inInto our life againSaying oh it's been a long long long timeI kept this message for you girlBut it seems I was never on timeStill i wanna get through to you girl on time..on time....I want to give Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1097552858606142222004-10-12T11:13:00.000+08:002004-10-14T17:57:58.460+08:00Daily Dose
Another trip to visit my neighborhood doctor. No, really I'm not a hypochondriac. Bronchitis this time. cough cough. Bummer, because I'd been planning a pre-Ramadan trip to a Malay friend's house near Penang tomorrow. Ramadan starts on the 15th (most likely, have to wait for the moon).
I've got less than three weeks left in Malaysia. Trying to get all those "one last time" things Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1097763174484950182004-10-11T22:01:00.000+08:002004-10-15T00:47:16.873+08:00The Nerve, The Audacity.
It’s Laughable, actually.
From the Ex-Roommate (who supposedly didn't know his gf was calling me):
Dear Jill,
It was appreciated that you removed our URL from your blog, thank you. [tempted to put it back!]
May I just take a moment of your time please to offer you a thought from a different perspective. [here come the excuses.]
I do believe that complacency here Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1097219132194433482004-10-09T23:59:00.000+08:002004-10-10T00:49:42.013+08:00Up Next?
As I prepare to leave Malaysia, I distract myself with What Is To Follow.
Maybe the Peace Corps. I first learned about the PC in high school, when I was at a short academic summer program in Wisconsin for some thing or other, and was super excited about it. As I got older, I worried about the cultural imperialism of it all and the "white person comes to save the village" attitude--when Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1097332035883156202004-10-09T22:17:00.000+08:002004-10-09T22:27:15.883+08:00Zee Aforementioned Cards!
(censored)
Street fight. Terri spotted this fabulous background!
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1097168819507186702004-10-08T01:32:00.000+08:002004-10-08T10:08:14.796+08:00I'm in love and really, really giddy
Terri has this fabulous camera, called a Lomo, that is so so so much fun! It's based on Russian spy technology and takes 4 pictures in 2 seconds and the photos turn out like a story board. Great for action shots!
Terri, Apit, and I traipsed around town today, armed with bright colored scarves, for a photo shoot. The locals probably thought we were crazy (butJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1095563668171791742004-09-19T11:12:00.000+08:002004-09-26T21:48:38.466+08:00I feel the need to write, but not the inspiration/motivation yet. But I’m on the road again and want to write this now before I have even more to write about. I'm feeling a bit lame for just writing "this is what we did," "this is what happened," but that's all I can do for now.
I'm in Melaka, a cute little town 2 hours south of KL, for a research interview in the morning. I won't have much timeJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1095394500340239592004-09-17T13:12:00.000+08:002004-09-17T12:22:31.133+08:00From Penang
Just a quick note to say that Andi and I are in Penang. Lots to post about, but I'm going to wait till I have more time. You can get Andi's take on hanging out with my African Muslim friends from the Islamic University here. More soon!
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1095058122713605672004-09-13T14:41:00.000+08:002004-09-13T17:16:50.863+08:00Somehow, someone, someway, that internal time bomb mentioned in the previous post has been defused; when I woke up yesterday, things appeared to have returned to normal. I'm not sure what caused the change, but am happy to be rid of that business. Il humdo, as my NYC hip-hop-loving un-PC roommate in Egypt would say.
Andi comes in a few hours! Yippeeeeeee!
I just got an email from my sister withJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094725902766597902004-09-09T17:33:00.000+08:002004-09-11T22:07:48.123+08:00Something's amiss
I've been waiting. Waiting for phone calls, waiting for friends, waiting for someone to rescue me, waiting for my future. The impatience isn't the "what's taking the train so long" kind; it's more structural than that. Something deeper and more maddening.
The job didn't pan out (jinxed by mentioning it prematurely here, no doubt). So I'm back to visualizing countless Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094672615416085852004-09-09T03:30:00.000+08:002004-09-09T03:43:35.420+08:00Success
I was going stir-crazy. I was a caged animal--in one of those bad zoos that make you feel sorry for the animal. I couldn't sleep. I could feel energy pulsing through my body and I just couldn't sit still. This is perhaps the longest I've been in KL for one time. Usually I'm traveling every other week.
The energy-running-thru-my-veins happens to me every once in awhile...the last Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094567814435581242004-09-07T21:48:00.000+08:002004-09-08T02:29:13.033+08:00Massive Mumblings from My Mouth
It's not good when you have a telephone interview and your horoscope says: "Your mouth and brain are at cross-purposes." I am SO inarticulate! Maybe that's what I should have send when asked about traits/qualities I could improve. How do you answer that, anyway? (That is NOT an invitation to tell me what you think my negative qualities are!)
I felt like a beautyJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094494569122542662004-09-07T02:14:00.000+08:002004-09-07T02:22:03.116+08:00Some days it feels like this
Stumbled upon this gem at http://jasang.blogspot.com. (I've been stealing lots of pictures lately, as you can see. If you right click on the photo, you can see the source I nabbed it from...)
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094492068161947572004-09-07T01:56:00.000+08:002004-09-07T01:53:39.926+08:00Death of a Tradition?
I just read that Nebraska's fair faces extinction. The buildings are crumbling, attendance is down, and the fair is a money-loser.
"There's so much other stuff for people to do nowadays," said a 77-year old mechanic. "When I was young, you came here and made a day of it, brought a picnic lunch. Now people are kind of bored when they come here--especially the young people."Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094484339430844692004-09-06T23:14:00.000+08:002004-09-07T00:32:33.726+08:00I'd run to IRAN
Add it to my list!
Most people know that women in Iran—even non-Muslim women—must cover when in public. But recently I learned that women’s history in Iran is so much more interesting and not nearly so simplistic! (I got much of the following from a really good, but really long article here. Quotes are from here unless otherwise indicated.)
Pre-revolution
Up until the mid-Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094331757586991762004-09-05T04:58:00.000+08:002004-09-05T05:02:37.586+08:00Short story
About the Wedding Night
Heidi Vogt -- 08/30/2004
Saltmag.net Contributing Editor and writer Heidi Vogt spent two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa before returning to America to work in New York City. Here, she writes about Yabirgi, a young woman she met when she was a volunteer, and asks the question: what is it like to attend your own husband's wedding?
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094305156200351242004-09-04T21:16:00.000+08:002004-09-05T02:03:12.216+08:00Visit #4
This time the clinic smelled like a nursing home. I hadn't noticed it when I was there two days ago.
My symptoms: sore throat, especially when I swallow; swollen glands; headache; achy body; earache. I didn't know if I had a fever.
The same doctor and this time I noticed his name: Dr. Amajarit (or something) Gill. I figured it was a good sign that his second name was nearly my first.
Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094126387185741322004-09-02T19:44:00.000+08:002004-09-03T01:03:56.326+08:00Decide(d)
I used to be pretty terrible at making decisions. I'd hem and haw. But I think I've gotten better over the last couple of years.
Today, heart beating a little faster thinking about possibility, I'm stuck again. Gripped by fear and excitement.
Switch on the radio! Within the first song I hear will be an answer to my dilemma:
"Baby, I like it when it feels this good. You always seem Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094110932306314972004-09-02T16:48:00.000+08:002004-09-02T18:25:48.506+08:00
Anwar Ibrahim Freed
Anwar Ibrahim was Deputy Prime Minster in the 1990s while Mahathir was PM. As such, Anwar was positioned to become the next PM, once Mahathir (who had been in power since 1982) stepped down.
However, political tensions between the two led to Anwar's dismissal from the government, six years ago to the day. Part of the problem had been on how to handle the 1997 economic Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1094112882316135952004-09-02T15:42:00.000+08:002004-09-02T16:24:57.716+08:00Skin
My sister has red dots all over her body. Not from fleas or some creepy crawlies that were biting her, but a skin thing called psoriasis (and not the normal kind, either). It can be brought on by stress. She's having light treatments and taking tar baths.
Andi's got painful blisters on her calf: "I was half afraid I had something out an urban legend--you know, flesh-eating bacteria or someJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1093930630540606562004-08-31T12:46:00.000+08:002004-08-31T23:12:45.136+08:00Happy Merdeka Day, Malaysia
47 candles on the birthday cake
That's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, Malaysia's PM since last October when Mahathir Mohamad stepped down after more than twenty years in power.
Independence Day (August 31st) in Malaysia is hardcore. People hanging flags in windows, on cars, radio adverts telling people to "Get your flag up, get your flag up" in an annoying jingleJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1093677167569067932004-08-28T14:56:00.000+08:002004-08-28T15:34:23.413+08:00Glory, Glory Hallelujah
Sweet, sweet justice
I went out last night to the just-past-new club on the scene, Zouk. Just waiting to get in I could tell it was a different kind of breed that partied here--a richer, trender, hotter breed. And a higher percentage of Chinese! The downfall--house music, not R&B/hiphop or live band.
Anyway, we met up with my friends' friends. I had met one of them Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1093270372417550642004-08-27T22:10:00.000+08:002004-08-27T19:55:27.680+08:00Lovely Ladies
From observation to interaction
I have mentioned before that I have been surprised by the level of visibility of transsexuals in Malaysia (that is, men who identify themselves as women. Like women, they like men).
Aside from a drag queen show in Iowa City and Trannie Bingo in Manhattan, I haven't noticed as many transsexuals in the US. Though I do know an American female Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1093361173230942242004-08-24T22:35:00.000+08:002004-08-25T00:05:05.253+08:00You learn something new everyday
Today's history lesson
What is the only Middle East country to have been communist?
The answer: Yemen.
I learned the rough details of what is written below from a Yemeni friend tonight over a cup of tea, but went a-Googlin' to fill in some of the details (instead of working on that 3 page To-Do list...).
In the 1960s, it seems everyone was 'helping' Yemen: theJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1093272407988621982004-08-23T22:16:00.000+08:002004-08-23T23:46:16.806+08:00In the News: The Malaysian Human Rights Commission, encouraged by several advocacy groups, has recommended to the government that marital rape be categorized as a crime punishable under the Penal Code. It is not currently recognized as an offense at all. Indeed, at least one mufti (Islamic religious leader) has said that it is not possible for a husband to rape his wife. Perak state mufti Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1093225986713264342004-08-23T09:37:00.000+08:002004-08-23T09:53:06.713+08:00By Hannah Mermelstein, a Jewish American doing solidarity work in Palestine
Khalil
"What's the difference between an Arab and a trampoline?"
the question, the set up, the joke begins
in Hebrew, on the wall of a Palestinian home
or a Palestinian store
where once there were people
where once there was life
and how can the people not hate in response?
but somehow they don't
somehow the Arabic Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1093178900642812412004-08-22T20:23:00.000+08:002004-08-22T23:27:57.763+08:00Mystery of the Moving Tractor: Set Nancy Drew loose at the Schnoebelen farm! Sometime last week, my dad noticed that the tractor wasn't how he left it...living in the safe Iowa countryside, he always left the keys in the ignition. Until now. Seems someone wanted to take the tractor--to steal or just for a joyride, it's unclear. But they didn't manage to get the front bucket thing up, so their Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1092754675985386392004-08-17T22:02:00.000+08:002004-08-17T22:57:55.986+08:00I'm Right and You're Wrong
I'm attending the 31st International Conference on Social Welfare this week, which is meeting a block from my apartment, conveniently. I'd forgotten how...boring conferences can be. So many words are wasted at the beginning of each speech addressing The Distinguished Chair, Fellow Panelists, Colleagues, Friends, blah blah blah. And now I've gone and done it! I findJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1092545911509376622004-08-15T12:16:00.000+08:002004-08-15T13:05:28.606+08:00Return
Head on pillow, against the plane window, sure that if I open my eyes these words I've written in my mind's computer (complete with blinking cursor) will evaporate. I finally end up writing, by hand, since my brain lacks a save function. It's been so long since.
Your hair, short again, like when we first met. When I was expecting shorts--you used to wear them regardless of cold weather--Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1092090251369010992004-08-10T06:09:00.000+08:002004-08-10T06:24:11.370+08:00I'm not in Malaysia anymore, Toto
--I was about to leave my table at Panera (a sandwich restaurant) when I remembered, oh, I have to clear my tray away on my own! In Malaysia, the workers assigned that task at McDonald's or food courts kind of get irked if you do their job for them.
--Hours after I threw two plastic bottles away at my house, I raced back upstairs to extract them from the trashJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1091659365262569632004-08-05T06:31:00.000+08:002004-08-05T06:45:10.326+08:00Wild Wild (Mid)West
Now we're talking 'bout "fields of opportunity!"
Both President Bush and Senator John Kerry ended up in Davenport, Iowa this morning as they zigzag across the US. Practically across the street from each other.
During their speeches, there were 3 bank robberies in Davenport. The bandits must have thought they'd catch the police with their hands full with security for the two Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1091572854014477472004-08-04T06:23:00.000+08:002004-08-04T06:43:04.346+08:00All Grown Up
And stronger than me!
I used to babysit my neighbors. I was 12 or 13 and the kids were infant, 3, 5, and 7. I'd bring along my sister, two years younger than me, as help. My mom was always at home, ready as backup if ever I needed to be rescued (she never had to).
Today, those same kids are 13, 15, 18, and 20.
How this is even possible, I don't know. They're supposed to forever beJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1091422741631405932004-08-02T12:34:00.000+08:002004-08-02T13:20:55.183+08:00Fields of Opportunity
[Iowa's lame motto]
Last night I went with my dad to check on the sheep that are grazing at my cousin's place. That translates into a 30 minute drive there to count the sheep. While there, we looked in at the rabbits and used the flowering can to fill their water bowls up. It was just like when I was young and responsible for rabbit chores nightly (my father spoiled us Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1091200116431956422004-07-30T22:36:00.000+08:002004-08-18T22:58:12.956+08:00In Transit
44 hours from my KL apartment to Home Sweet Home Iowa
I put my sister to the task of creating a travel scavenger hunt for me. Within minutes, she had sent me a list of things to look for to help me occupy some of my time in airports and planes.
I succeeded in finding these things on my way home:
A masculine flight attendant
Someone speaking Arabic
A bilingual child (must hear them Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1090744941526285022004-07-25T16:31:00.000+08:002004-07-25T16:54:57.160+08:00Magazine Article about Headscarf
I need a real title--help!
The following is an article I wrote for Salt, a new online magazine. It won't be published till the end of September, but I was anxious to share it with you all. It's about the Islamic headscarf generally (differences between Egypt and Malaysia, new ideas about what it signifies, my own experience wearing it, an experiment about Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1090472450116106992004-07-24T12:23:00.000+08:002004-07-24T20:39:43.890+08:00A Trip to Sarawak
I was in Sarawak, one of two Malaysian states on Borneo, from July 5-15th. See the map below to get an idea of the geography of it all. I was mostly in Kuching (southwest part along the coast) and the surrounding areas.
Kuching was great. In ten days, two rainbows. Best sunsets I've seen in a long time (gives the Iowa sunsets a run for the money). River Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1090569176404196762004-07-23T15:46:00.000+08:002004-07-23T15:52:56.403+08:00Alexander’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day
Well, not that bad, lah
I went to the Universiti of Malaya this morning…it’s a surprise I’m not bald from pulling my hair out.
I hate when there are rules (stupid rules) and the only reason that they are complied with (the enforcer recognizes that they are foolish rules) is that well, thems the rules, kid. Be sensible! If a rule or law Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1088945298371172382004-07-04T20:15:00.000+08:002004-07-04T20:48:18.373+08:00My cheeks and knees hurt today, but that's a good thing: it means I was smiling and dancing too much last night!
The last few days have been full of interesting things. I'll give you the rundown, before I set off for Sarawak tomorrow. Sarawak is in Borneo, the non-penisular part of Malaysia, and has lots of indigenious people and jungle. Just heard that the world's biggest corcodiles live Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1088591824585229492004-06-30T18:36:00.000+08:002004-06-30T18:37:04.586+08:00Kibbles 'n Bits
I forgot to mention that I met a Japanese girl while traveling who had dropped out of high school (I’m sure that is extremely rare in Japan, where studies and education are stressed so much) and her brother had been in the Yakuza (Japanese mafia)! She was really small and cute, puffing on a cigarette and speaking more Malay then English.
I hung out with Asraff, the guy working Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1088518143995507582004-06-29T21:59:00.000+08:002004-06-29T22:09:03.996+08:00Only in India
I just read a story in the New Straits Times, "Holy man on a roll." Literally.
Rolling Baba is a 55 year old, 5 ft tall Indian holy man on a mission to bring a message of peace to Pakistan by rolling along highway there. He started in January, has made it 1040 km so far and has about 800 km left to Lahore, Pakistan. Only, he may not make it past the border since he has no Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1088506644989547502004-06-29T18:29:00.000+08:002004-06-29T19:02:59.520+08:00Note: I'm posting two today, so don't miss the one below!
East-siiiiide
I've been on the East Coast of Malaysia the last week. First, Kota Bharu, then Pulau Perhentian, then Kuala Terennganu. The east is more Malay, thereby more Muslim and conservative (rural, too). Except on the island.
I am currently in a dark internet cafe in Kuala Terennganu, with really loud computer game sounds Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1087805542330899792004-06-21T16:12:00.000+08:002004-06-29T18:04:18.500+08:00Gotta Love It
In my father's words, on Father's day (though posted late)!
Okay, I've delayed writing about Laos long enough! I was there two months ago! Unacceptable! Sorry, but this posting is going to be a lot of listing, taken from the notes that I jotted during my trip.
I think Laos was my favorite place. The people were friendly (my taxi driver insisted on opening my door for me each Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1087637093430624402004-06-19T17:22:00.000+08:002004-06-19T17:24:53.430+08:00Busted
Drug offenses in SE Asia
21-year old A. was having a cigarette with his friend outside his house in Penang. Around midnight, a police patrol drove by and quickly returned, seeing a chance to make some money. They accused the two of being marijuana-users, particularly because of A.’s dreadlocks. The options: bribe the cops or go to jail. A. didn’t have any money on him and though he Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1087619258177509842004-06-19T12:27:00.000+08:002004-06-19T12:27:38.176+08:00Two annoucements:
1) I got a Fulbright extension, so I'll be staying here in Malaysia till the end of October!
2) I'll be back in the US for a friend's wedding in August. After checking ticket options, I think the best choice is KoreanAir, which means I can have a stopover there on the way back for free! Andi, Ian, and Terri--here I come! Can't wait to see you!
Here's a headline--Thai Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1087450878561989502004-06-17T13:37:00.000+08:002004-06-17T13:41:18.563+08:00Burmese refugees in the Malaysian jungle
I wrote a story for the annual Suaram (NGO) human rights report about the situation for Christian Burmese who have fled persecution, only to be exploited and vulnerable once they arrive to Malaysia. Many have resorted to living in the jungle to avoid harassment.
I just discovered that Malaysiakini (an alternative online newspaper here that cannot be Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1087404114770587682004-06-17T00:29:00.000+08:002004-06-17T00:41:54.770+08:00An Average Day: Observations from a Jewish American in Palestine
I wish I were so brave
The following are excerpts from a mass email written by Hannah Mermelstein, who has returned to Palestine a second time to do solidarity work, namely to stop The Wall and assist farmers with the olive harvest.
"The Israeli army began uprooting Palestinian trees in the village of Azzawiya about a week ago Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1087040012455974062004-06-12T19:27:00.000+08:002004-06-12T19:52:01.536+08:00Destined
No wonder I travel about so much; this Halloween gypsy costume must have been a cosmic foreshadowing. And that's Zorro; Tyler DID fence in college. And that's Old Mother Hubbard (did you know it went past the first verse?). The relevance could be that Katrina did Teacher Prep...or it could be that she'll be dirt-poor in the future (let's hope not).
Too bad there isn't a picture of Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1086880407376508072004-06-10T23:07:00.000+08:002004-06-10T23:18:26.836+08:00Hijabed
"Anything in a skirt...or scarf..."
I wore the Islamic headscarf on Sunday as part of an experiment for a magazine article I'm currently working on. I wanted to see if I would be treated differently when I wore it (accompanied by a long sleeved shirt and loose skirt) than when I did not. I was operating under the assumption that women wearing the headscarf received more respect from Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1086705478595831612004-06-08T22:36:00.001+08:002004-06-08T22:40:53.963+08:00Why doesn’t my phone ring!?
It must be broken….
My phone has been entirely too quiet since I've come back to Malaysia. It's making me wonder it was an illusion that I have a lot of friends here...But I think it's this: because of all the travel I was doing in the last two months, whenever I was back in KL I'd try to squeeze everyone into a very limited time. Now I'm back and there's not the Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1086501195694028742004-06-06T13:36:00.000+08:002004-06-06T13:58:24.833+08:00I think Malaysia's getting to feel more like home (no offense, Mom! I don't really mean, home home--that'll always be Iowa!) because I'm finding fewer and fewer noteworthy things. I think that means I've settled in and things are fairly familiar, so they don't strike me as unusual. I hit a similar point when I was in Egypt and basically stopped journaling. I'll try not to let that happen here!Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1086248464909823862004-06-03T15:40:00.000+08:002004-06-03T15:41:04.910+08:00Frustrations running high
So, I've been doing well on my resolution of being productive, but today I hit a wall. I actually attempted to do those things on my list of to-dos that involved other people...specifically people I wanted to interview for my Fulbright research. I called one place and after the receptionist spoke Malay to me, I thought I was put on hold and waited a good while, only Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1086142350229237102004-06-02T10:08:00.000+08:002004-06-19T13:00:00.176+08:00Jetlagged but in the company of beautiful women
I got back to KL around noon yesterday, but made the mistake of thinking I just HAD to nap at 6 pm. Four hours later, I awoke and I haven't been able to sleep since! It is now 9:30 am, but I had a productive night, making a list of things to do and then starting to cross off those that I could in the middle of the night.
Miss Universe is Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1084459763578244672004-05-13T21:59:00.000+08:002004-05-13T23:12:48.020+08:00Country Road, Take Me Home
Actually, it's a roughly 30 hour ordeal of a taxi, a train, four flights, and an hour car ride that will take me home, but who's counting?
I haven't been able to sleep the last few nights. Weather, the moon, or anxiety!? This seven month stretch is the longest I've been away from home. I think I could survive being away for longer, but since I know I get to go homeJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1084246630366785852004-05-11T11:24:00.000+08:002004-05-11T11:37:10.366+08:00Look what I can do!
Only, I haven't figured out how to put my own pictures here, so for the time being, I've stolen this photo. (Mine are still accessible at the sidebar!)
This is a picture of Perhentian Island...Friday night I was tempted by an invite to go the following night, but I realized (again) that I'm just not very spontaneous! I have a lot to get done before I leave Friday (balik Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1084212006725869382004-05-11T01:53:00.000+08:002004-05-11T02:25:48.770+08:00FYI, I updated my blogger template and only realized after it was too late that all previously posted comments were erased! Argh!
I’ve been incommunicado lately, too busy living life to write about it! My apologies!
I’m back from Laos and Thailand 2. Pictures are posted here.
After posting about my lost bag, I got back to my hostel to find out that my bag had caught up with me! Of Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-108271548404805612004-04-23T17:54:00.000+08:002004-04-23T18:22:12.590+08:00Traveling light
Holy Saint Anthony, come around, something's lost that can't be found!
I've got the clothes on my back, two books, my camera and not a whole lot else. My backpack never made it from Air Asia to Lao Air in Bangkok last night. I'm still crossing my fingers (and hoping St. Anthony will show how all-powerful he is again) that it'll surface somewhere. I shouldn't have even checked Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1082538144467619032004-04-21T16:56:00.000+08:002004-04-21T17:06:30.403+08:00I've skipped Cambodia and written about Bangkok. I'll get to Cambodia...when I get to it. (No more promises I can't keep!) Off to Laos tomorrow!
Bangkok
Keith and I decided to take the ‘easy’ way to Bangkok—on a tourist bus, straight from our hostel door to the backpacker area of Bangkok. We had heard it would take longer, but were a bit unsure about dealing with service taxis since it was Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1082397316348523662004-04-20T01:48:00.000+08:002004-04-20T02:02:38.716+08:00Vietnam
I really don’t think it’s fair to judge a country when I’ve only visited one city—and that only for 3 full days. But that’s all the time I had for Vietnam…Ho Chi Minh City, aka Saigon. Some of you may remember ‘the fall of Saigon,’ April 30, 1975, the day the north Vietnamese rolled their tanks through the gates of Reunification Palace (obviously this is the new name, just as HCMC is Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1082119586298756792004-04-16T20:42:00.000+08:002004-04-16T20:51:22.653+08:00Back in KL!
I last left you swooning about Phnom Penh...since then I went to see the ancient ruins of Angkor Wat and had a blast in Bangkok for Thai New Year. Details to follow soon! I swear!
For now: a few select photos to appease you HERE. Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1081009062324883742004-04-03T23:44:00.000+08:002004-04-04T00:30:44.623+08:00Great 1st Impressions
I *heart* Cambodia!
I know I'm way behind on blogging and had intended to use tonight to catch up on Vietnam, now that I've crossed into Cambodia. But instead, I must tell you about my first impressions of Phnom Penh, while still fresh in my mind.
The bus ride took longer than expected. We left Saigon at about 9 am, got through customs at noon, waited there for two hoursJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1080656927225195622004-03-30T22:06:00.000+08:002004-03-30T22:32:22.860+08:00Landed
Just barely
I am now in Vietnam and, though I've only been here an hour, have a growing list in a small notebook of observations and things to blog.
Thai Airport: There was a golf course in the middle of the runways. I mean, like, 50 meters away from the landing strip. Sign says it's Thailand's oldest golf course. I immediately think about security concerns. Also, in the airport Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1080318915595589382004-03-29T10:24:00.000+08:002004-03-29T10:28:24.280+08:00Taxi
(I never did see that movie...)
I usually depend on public transit, but on occasion find the need to taxi it. Now, in Egypt as a foreigner and where there are no meters, you had to learn to find out how much to pay from point A to point B ahead of time from trustworthy friends. When you got to your location, you'd get out of the taxi, hand the money through the window and start walking, Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1080142857725573732004-03-24T21:42:00.000+08:002004-03-25T00:59:19.170+08:00Ah, there it is
Bureaucracy at the bank
While I had been anticipating red tape at the embassies and found none, I got a dose of it today at the Malaysian bank where I have an account. It seems I can only do an electronic transfer (to my bank in the US) from the branch where I opened my account. That happens to be at the university, a good hour from where I'm living now. Plus, everytime I go Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079970850704741222004-03-22T22:50:00.000+08:002004-03-23T00:59:30.653+08:00In the Bag
Malaysian elections--no contest
Yesterday (a Sunday, it should be noted) was the 11th election of this relatively young nation. It has a parliamentary system, with elections on a five-year circuit. October saw the end of a 22 year reign by Mahathir Mohamed (affectionately referred to as Dr. M and known for standing up to the West, ie. refusing to follow IMF suggestions after the Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079945497515436122004-03-22T16:39:00.000+08:002004-03-22T17:02:17.903+08:00Be part of the magic!
I think these websites/ideas appeal to some deep-seated desire I have to be part of something bigger than me, something serendipitous.
*Bookcrossing
Register a book, write its own tracking number and this website in the front, and then “release it into the wild”…leave it on a park bench, in a train, or even (lamely) with a friend and track where it goes, who reads it and Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079794071039834892004-03-20T22:33:00.000+08:002004-06-19T12:47:20.836+08:00A Most Colorful Character
Selected by a Sufi
I met L. at the end of January near Central Market. Sitting in a restaurant, I noticed him out of the corner of my eye because of his dreads, unable to place where he was from. Later, I saw him ahead of me on some stairs. At the top, he turned, asked where I was from, saying he thought I was from Finland, where he had just returned from (he’s Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079712162664396402004-03-19T23:29:00.000+08:002004-03-20T00:06:03.653+08:00March 19, 2004
Meeting
You may be bored by this post...
This morning I had a meeting for my research (with the general manager of the office that distributes the funds collected from the Islamic wealth tax, zakat). This is the crux of what I'm supposed to be studying here: the effect of charity/alms on actually helping the poor. So this government office is key. It's under the Religious Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079533161920974842004-03-17T21:59:00.000+08:002004-03-17T22:51:01.653+08:00Human Rights in Malaysia
Whilst I was away...
While I was in Singapore, a group of about 60 human rights activitists and NGO workers gathered in front of police headquarters to submit a memorandum calling for investigation into police brutality and deaths in custody and a stop to the misuse of power. The police, in typical fashion, reacted with...force! They told the people gathered to Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079451178219205042004-03-16T23:14:00.000+08:002004-06-19T12:58:53.500+08:00March 16, 2004
Pictures from Erika's visit are now online here!
Encounters
*A Cypriot who has never been to Cyprus, born and raised in Singapore: "I've met people from different races, religions, ethnicities, nationalities, and the Chinese Malaysians make me want to vomit." Nothing like such wonderful GENERALIZATIONS...right after "The sky is blue everywhere, people are the same everywhere. Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079276729757949172004-03-14T22:28:00.000+08:002004-03-14T23:08:43.843+08:00Remembering not to forget
I was walking down the street last week and passed by a toy store. A lot of the stores have open fronts, with a big metal door pulled down when it's closing time. Well, I looked into the store as I passed by and saw a monkey right by the front. I stopped on the sidewalk to watch, wondering if it was a pet of the store's or had just wandered in. There were no workersJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-107916904557008662004-03-13T16:25:00.000+08:002004-03-13T17:13:57.843+08:00High Society
Rubbing elbows
I went to a Fulbright Convention closing dinner last week, taking Kin with me as backup. The event was in a ballroom at a nice hotel. As the food was brought in, the lights were dimmed, candles lit up the platters brought to each table and a spotlight scanned the room. It was...well, high class.
To my right sat Ramli Ibrahim, a former Fulbrighter to the US (Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1079106248466818642004-03-12T23:41:00.000+08:002004-03-22T16:41:52.920+08:00A Second Loop
KL – Penang – Singapore and back again
Erika and I went by bus to Penang, a little island about 4 hours north of here (where I nearly was going to live instead of KL). I invited a guy I had met for 15 minutes at the Cameron Highlands hostel where Bridget and I stayed. His name is Kin: Chinese, born and lived in KL until the age of eight, when he moved to Canada, where he most Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1077413264902816182004-02-22T09:24:00.000+08:002004-10-15T21:05:16.376+08:00February 22
Loopty-loop around Malaysia: Bridget and I went to Cameron Highlands, a four hour bus ride up into a hilly area where the temperature is much colder! I had forgotten what it was like to be outdoors and not sweaty! Our trip was full of gossip and playing the game of “where is X today?” Bridget knew a lot more about high school classmates whereabouts than I did—and she was also able Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1077165880937903382004-02-19T13:39:00.000+08:002004-10-15T21:08:52.186+08:00I’m racing to get this at least somewhat updated before Erika arrives in 3 hours!
Holidays: The last month has been chalk full of ‘em! First came Chinese New Year (click to go direct to my pictures of this!). I went with a friend to the biggest temple in KL. There was a strong smell of oranges in the air, as they are offered to the gods and given between friends. People came to pray and get Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1076080298443823912004-02-06T22:48:00.000+08:002004-02-06T23:14:01.513+08:00The Answer
Though you don't deserve it!
Shout out to Andi; at least I know I have one person reading my blog!
So, the answer: the Egyptians came--late--because they were praying (and also Egyptians are always late). I've had several classes with them. Sherif plays supervisor when Mustafa gives me things too difficult.
They had a friend who was going to send them money, but it was Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1075352982353961972004-01-29T13:07:00.000+08:002004-01-29T13:11:53.936+08:00
Fleeced
And I’m not talking about the sheep
Good news to report: Gavin surprised me by giving me back the month’s rent and just charging me for the 10 days over that I stayed. I got that and the security deposit back Tuesday when I moved out—no hassle or anything as I’d been warned.
Of course, this was after him telling me it was “none of my business” how much he paid and that I was Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1074959556640193862004-01-24T23:42:00.000+08:002004-01-25T00:53:29.903+08:00January 25th
I've been had!
Revenge: Time to run up the electricity bill...
So, I just had a conversation with Roseanna, this nice woman I've seen in my building a few times. Turns out she's management...and I have found out that Gavin has been screwing me. When I moved in, he told me that rent for the whole place was 3000 RM and so I thought 1100 RM was okay for one room. I had called to askJillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1074613154545582602004-01-20T23:37:00.000+08:002004-01-20T23:44:27.106+08:00Jack and Jill
Up that Hill
Did it ever occur to any of you that's it quite silly for someone to build a well at the top of a hill? So much more digging...not to mention trudging up the hill....
In Other News
I recently got word that Bridget Donahue (a classamate of mine at Regina and fellow Little Hawk Editor at City High) will be traveling SE Asia for the next three months! That means I'll Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6099261.post-1074357284467975472004-01-18T00:17:00.000+08:002004-01-18T00:52:38.280+08:00Sorry to have to tell you this again...
A plotline that just may have occurred too many times
So I went this Central Market tonight. It used to be a wet market (where they used to sell fresh meat, fish and veggies), but is now a rather-mall-like market with touristy stuff (think Khan El Khalili in Egypt). They have cultural shows on Saturday evenings, so I went to check this one out. There Jillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12442862663853686591noreply@blogger.com0